1
Interior, Leo's
Cafe, Dalston, early on a Saturday afternoon; two members of
Socialist Revolution in the 21st Century are sat at a table, their
names are Barnaby and Jonas. They are waiting for their lunch and for
someone else to arrive.
Barnaby: [Looks up] How
many do you reckon we sold then?
Jonas: [Staring out the
window] I... I don't know, um... [to Barnaby] Marsha should be here
in a bit.
Barnaby: Yeah but how
many do you reckon we sold?
Jonas: I don't know
[looks at Barnaby] I mean... I sold... seven...
B: [Enthusiastically]
OK, so, I sold about that many too, so I mean, then there's Marsha as
well, so... what... twenty...? Perhaps...? Yeah...?
J: Maybe... [resumes
looking out the window]
B: That's good
though...?
Jonas does not
respond.
B: Better than last
week...
J: [Nods] Yes, it was,
and... The leaflets went down well. I suppose they did have a picture
of Corbyn on them...
B: Should be a good
meeting... It's a hot topic...
J: [To Barnaby] We'll
see. It's needs a good ring round though, prior. [Sigh] I hate ring
rounds.
B: What's got into you?
J: Oh, nothing. It's
just... Hey, where's Dangerous Dave?
B: He went home... Kids
and stuff. Stop changing the subject. Look... [mock-serious] are you
having doubts, Jonas? Anything you want to talk about...? Reformist
thoughts...?
They both laugh.
J: I guess it's time to
Have The Argument.
More laughter.
J: No, but, it's just
that [looks up], oh, hey Marsha!
Marsha: Alright, you
guys ordered?
Barnaby: Yeah, sorry.
Marsha: [Rolls eyes]
What're you having?
Barnaby: Turkish.
Jonas: Full English.
Marsha: Right then,
vegetarian it is [pats Barnaby on the back - walks off].
There is a short
pause before:
Barnaby: Where were we?
Jonas: Deviationism.
B: [Silly voice]
Deviant!
J: I was... thinking.
Yeah, I was on the bus the other day and reading a book as you do. A
woman was sat next to me. She had a Metro open and she was... there
was something about her, the way she was flinging the pages about,
like this... flick... flick... It was distracting. I, uh, stopped
reading and I counted. She got through the newspaper, the whole
thing, understand, she got through it in less than three minutes...
Flick... flick... The longest she spent on any page was twenty-three
seconds but most of the time it was flick... flick... a quick glance.
I realised then that we are probably the only people still selling
newspapers on the streets of London. Selling them. Who reads
newspapers, I mean really reads them? All this effort we put
in every week so that twenty people...
M: [Interrupts]
Twenty-two, we sold twenty-two papers. [Sits down next to Barnaby]
J: [Glances] Twenty-two
people may read our newspaper [sighs].
B: Is there a better
way? After all, the paper is the...
All Together:
Scaffolding Of The Party.
J: [Smiles knowingly]
I'm glad you asked that. I've actually got something to confess.
B: Oh right...?
J: Yes, Barney. I've,
um, I've been dual-carding...
B: [Actually a bit
shocked but trying to hide it] Right, uh... who with...?
J: The Guild of
Magicians and Psychic Practitioners, um... It's not what you think?
Neither Barnaby nor
Marsha are sure what to say until:
M: No?
J: I think I'm onto
something. I want to show you both. Are you free this afternoon?
They are.
2
Interior, a living
room in a sub-let flat on the Pembury Estate in Central Hackney.
Covering one wall is a large, heavy bookcase that is almost full. On
the far side of the room is Barnaby, sat on a deep maroon sofa. His
eyes are closed.
Barnaby: [Grinning] I
can't believe I'm doing this.
Jonas is sat in the
middle of the room on a high, wooden stool, eyes also closed but with
obvious intent.
Jonas: Concentrate...
Clear your mind...
Marsha is sat on a
chair, a similar colour to the sofa, smiling half-sardonically. There
is a window behind her head. The curtains are closed. The light in
the room is soft and low.
Marsha: [Jibes] C'mon
Barney, clear your mind.
Jonas: [Snappy] Quiet
please.
Barnaby: I...
J:
[Still terse - to Barnaby] Please, you need to... [Deliberately
relaxed] Reduce... [Slowly] I can't still feel a resistance at this
distance. Just... ease into not having any... no thoughts... remove
them... one by one... that's it... until... Can you see it?
B: I can, um...
J: [Smiles - eyes still
closed] You can...? Good. Can you describe it, what it is you are
seeing, please?
B: It's a... it's a...
[automatically] 1990 Etrusco Chico Adidas football.
Eyes open, Barnaby
gasps. Jonas peeps too, then beams in triumph. Then he sees Marsha.
She is unimpressed.
J: [Hastily] That is
correct. It's a...
M: Hang on... [Leans
forward in her chair]
J: [Over Marsha - to
Barnaby] You got it right and what's more...
M: [Over Barnaby - to
Jonas] No, no, no...
J: [To Marsha] How
could he have known that given he was born in 1990 and...?
M: Oh, come on! [Sits
back] Barney...?
Barnaby is silent.
M: What does that even
prove?
J: That someone who was
born in 1990 with no special knowledge or love of football can
suddenly think of a very specific ball used in only three
international tournaments. That or... well [shrugs].
M: It's just
power of suggestion. Derren Brown does it all the time. You said or
did something at some point...
J: What point?
M: I don't know,
if I did it wouldn't be 'magic,' would it?
J: Would it matter if
it was just power of suggestion?
No answer. Marsha
shakes her head.
J: I'm happy to go
again. I can keep doing it. I've been practicing, see?
Puzzled pause,
until...
B: Wait a minute, you
don't like football either.
J: I like Wikipedia
[grins].
Long pause.
M: So, what, you're
doing Derren Brown stuff, is it?
J: No, his thing is
slightly different... But he is a member...
M: Of your wizards
guild...
J: [Across Marsha]
Look, if you're not interested I...
M: [Leans forward - to
Jonas] I am interested. I just don't... I mean, how do you do
it?
J: How does Derren
Brown do it?
M: I'm serious.
J: I'M SERIOUS. I
wanted to...
Marsha is about to
weigh in again, until...
B: Alright, alright,
let's... one at a time...We're all... we're all Marxists here....
M: Sorry, Jonas.
J: Marsha... [Shrugs]
How does anyone put anything in anybody's mind? [Long pause] They use
a medium; a word or a tool or... a symbol.
He looks at Marsha,
who does not seem satisfied with his answer.
J: In this case it's,
um... [bashful] We're talking the imprint of projected cognitive
radiation.
Marsha looks at the
floor, shakes her head and laughs. Even Barnaby stifles a titter.
J: [Slightly upset] I
said I was serious. [To Barnaby] You saw what you saw. [To Marsha]
I'm willing to go again, Marsha. I'll show you that...
M: OK, OK, OK, I'm
sorry. I opened my mind and now my brain has fallen out. [Sighs] OK.
[Deep breath] How long have you been able to do this, harness the
power of cognitive radiation to get people to imagine footballs?
J: Ever since I can
remember, a long time... I stopped doing it, for a bit, around the
time I started all this. Recently though I started going back
to the guild, paid my dues and started practising. I haven't done it
professionally yet.
B: Professionally?
J: Yes, well, no, not
yet. I haven't got my full licence yet. I could get into a bit of
trouble.
B: Trouble?
J: [Mischievously] Is
there an echo in here? [Smiles] I still am in trouble. Someone, some
bureaucrat, got wind of what I wanted to do and now they want to
expel me.
B: Ex...? Sorry.
J: Oh, it won't be that
if they can help it. They'll probably pick on something, maybe my
address... It's sublet, right? Right. So [To Marsha] I'm kind of
freelance now and... well [to both], I think we can use this power.
M: How so?
J: [Now with recovered
confidence] Why don't I show you? [Gestures to Marsha] Swap seats,
just... there.
Marsha and Barnaby
swap seats.
J: Just do what Barney
did.
Marsha obliges. She
settles into the sofa, closes her eyes, relaxes. Jonas does the same.
There is long pause. The sound of children playing in the courtyard
becomes evident again. Then Marsha exclaims...
M: Wow!
She opens her eyes
and looks at Jonas, who is smiling widely.
J:
Exactly!
3
Telephone
conversation.
Voice 1: You are
through to Central Office. Speak.
Voice 2: I have a
report.
Voice 1: Case number?
Voice 2: VO23.
V1: Relay.
V2: The subject is in
possession of privileged information with stated intent to use.
Please advise.
V1: Thank you. [Pause]
Is the stated intent firm?
V2: No date yet.
V1: [Long pause]
Continue with the present course of action. Collate as much data as
is practicable. Inform me of any changes. Inform the Containment
Agents of any urgent changes.
V2: Thank you.
V1: You're welcome.
4
Exterior, twilight.
Jonas: This way.
Jonas leads his two
comrades along Thornhaugh Street, off Russell Square.
Jonas: Almost...
Past the Faber
Building, blue plaque and green front door, then a garage, then down
a concrete ramp that leads to a cafe-bar attached to the Centre for
Development, Environment and Policy, which The Three still know as
'The Institute.'
Jonas: Here we are.
There they are,
standing by what appears to be a pebble-dashed outdoor cupboard, a
metre high, like a mini-janitor's closest. The doors are padlocked.
Jonas fetches up a key, squats down and unlocks the cupboard.
Marsha: What an odd
little thing, you never notice... [glances around].
There are quite a
few fools inside the cafe-bar, misled Saturday-drinkers. The patio is
largely empty apart from one table at the furthest end, chatting
easily, laughing and cradling their plastic cups. None of these
people pay The Three any attention.
Barnaby: [Exclaims
softly] What on Earth is that?
Jonas: This, my friend,
is a psychic megaphone. [stage whispers] Just don't tell Marsha, OK,
she'll...
Marsha: Fuck off!
Jonas: She'll flip.
Marsha gestures with
two fingers.
J: Just like that
[laughs]. Dave made it for me. And...
The Item looks like
four sawn-off megaphones stuck to the top of a hard-hat. Jonas plops
it on Barnaby's head.
Jonas: It suits you!
Jonas takes it off
Barnaby and puts it in a roomy sports bag he was carrying.
B: How does it work?
J: I said, I told you I
would show you but [glances at the watch he isn't wearing] we've got
a few hours left still. Come on, who fancies a pint?
B: What, here?
J: Nah, let's go to the
Lord John. It's on the way to where we need to be. OK?
5
Exterior, Jonas,
Marsha and Barnaby are standing on the roof of Jenner House, on the
corner of Tavistock Place and Hunter Street. It is late in the night,
possibly early in the morning. The sky is cloudy orange and there is
the hum of the traffic in the distance.
Jonas: I think it's
time.
Marsha: No kidding. How
long have we been up here?
Jonas: Twenty minutes.
We're OK. At least the rain stayed off.
Marsha: So why have you
got us acting as lookout?
Jonas: I mean, I've
squared it with the security guard... He owes me.
Marsha: [Pointed] Owes
you what?
J: He's watching...
possibly, the point is... we don't know if anybody else is
watching.
Turns to Barnaby who
is on the far side of the roof.
J: [Whispers sharply]
Is everything alright over there?
Barnaby gives a
thumbs up and a goofy grin.
J: OK, let's do it
[puts the Psychic Megaphone on]. Have you got the leaflet.
M:
[Hands an A4 sheet to Jonas] Here.
Jonas take the
sheet, kneels down, takes a deep breath and goes into a trance-like
state. He starts mumbling the words on the leaflet.
6
Barnaby and a Woman
are sat together around a table in a large, extremely spare room. The
floor is carpeted. There is natural light filtering through the
windows. The Woman is middle-aged, wearing a sharp grey suit.
Woman Wearing a Suit:
[Looking straight at Barnaby] Hello.
Barnaby: [Shy] Hello...
Woman: So [shrugs
casually] how are things with you?
Barnaby: Fine...
Silence.
B: OK... they're...
fine... [smiles weakly]
Woman Wearing a Suit
brings up an A5 shorthand notepad from her lap and puts it down on
the table.
W: [Simultaneously
writes] Fine, OK and fine. [Looks up - shakes head] Relax...
Seriously, you're going to need to loosen up if you're going to keep
on being a snitch [smiles]. You need to talk more... How's things...?
How's the Masters going...? What's is it you're doing there, scab
studies...?
Smirks then sees the
reaction on Barnaby's face.
W: I'M JOKING. [Makes
another note] Bloody po-faced lefties.
B: [Wrings head through
hands] Studies are fine. [Looks away] I don't want to do this any
more [looks at Woman].
W: And yet you're here.
B: I wanted to tell
you... face to face.
W: [Sits forward
slightly] So polite, I'm touched, but no one made you do this.
B: I was told it would
get me out.
W: Yeah, we said that
to everyone we took in Bolton. Hardly anyone was charged and
no one went to prison, it's part of the fun if you ask me. You
[points], you gave us information, good intelligence. We,
we've kept to our side of the bargain. [Clutches chest] I've been
straight with you, always straight with you [sighs]. I mean it, you
can walk away right now... I can't promise what will happen. I'm sure
you've been up to some shady political shenanigans while you've been
under our... protection. [Pause] I just what want you want,
everything to be safe and above board. [Long pause] How're Jonas and
Marsha doing? They're your buddies, right? [Huffs] Mind you if they
found out though, I'm sure that...
B: [Mumbles] Something
new...
W: Something what...?
B: They're fine,
they're [hesitates then commits]... They're trying something new.
W: What?
B: Psychic agitation.
W: [Laughs softly] I've
heard it all now [makes a note]. What is 'psychic agitation?'
B: It's um, I'm not
sure.
W: Well, what do they
say they're doing?
B: It's Jonas really...
he's psychic.
W: Really...? [Makes
more notes]
B: [Relaxing] Well, I
mean I don't know but he seems to have something. He was able to
project something into my mind. He showed me. Now he wants to use it
to promote socialist ideas. He goes round at night with this... thing
on his head broadcasting socialist literature into people's dreams.
Woman: [Still making
notes] I really have heard it all.
B: [Smiles] He reckons
its better than selling the paper.
W: Your paper is
a load of old crap.
They both laugh.
W: Don't get me wrong.
I'm open minded. I like to read. I'll take the Mirror, I'll even have
a glance at the Guardian. But your one, it's just... dull... I bought
it on a demo once, years ago... I told myself, I said it's good to
get the other side's perspective... More fool me.
Pause.
W: OK, so, how does
Jonas reckon he does it, this 'psychic agitation...' how does it
work?
B: Um, he says it's to
do with cognitive radiation. The brain produces energy. It's an
electrical thing. It has a field, see? It's there but it's very weak.
Only those who are sensitive can feel it...
W: Feel...?
B: Yes, feel.
Woman makes another
note.
B: Each field is
unique. Everyone has their own way of thinking. [Recalling] And,
yeah, he says, depending upon your own abilities and the other
Barnaby sees the
Woman Wearing a Suit writing intensively and momentarily loses his
thread.
B: the other [pause]
person's relative frame of mind you can imprint your [pause] thoughts
onto another person's field.
W: [Still writing]
OK... Fine... OK... [Finishes - smiles a sincere smile] Um, great,
lots to be getting on with there. Thank you, Barney.
Woman Wearing a Suit
stands up. He offers his hand for Barnaby to shake.
W: Same time next week?
Barnaby does not
stand. A wave of guilt crashes over his head. He stares at the floor
and sighs.
W: We'll see you when
we see you. [Walks toward a door - Loudly, from over his shoulder]
Cheque's in the post, Barn!
7
Telephone
conversation.
Voice 1: Request to speak to the Mage.
Voice 2: The Mage cannot be reached at the moment.
Voice 1: I am a Field Agent. I have urgent business to discuss with
the Mage.
Voice 2: The Mage cannot be reached at the moment.
Voice 1: Well... can I leave a message?
Voice 2: The Mage does not want to be contacted.
Voice 1: But why...?
Voice 2: [Pause] That is confidential.
Voice 1: But the Mage is supposed to be on hand for Field Agents at
all times, that or the Deputy. Where's the Deputy?
Voice
2: That is also
confidential.
Voice 1: What am I supposed to do? I urgently need to consult about a
case.
Voice 2: Have you spoken to your local aurors?
Voice 1: They weren't available either.
Pause.
Voice
1: What am I supposed
to do?
Voice 2: One second.
Pause.
Call is placed on hold.
Voice 2: Thank you fold holding. The Mage advises you to continue
with your present course of action.
Voice 1: But...
8
Exterior, dawn,
Saturday morning in Highbury Fields, Jonas is sat in the crook of a
tree, wearing the Mindhorn, as it's now known and chanting softly.
Marsha and Barnaby are walking up and down, generally avoiding
eye-contact, keeping watch on the surrounds.
Barnaby: This is fun.
[Pause – stops walking] I bet... I bet this is what fly
posting was like.
Marsha: [Also stops] I
suppose so... It was always teams of three, one for the bucket, one
for roll and...
They both look at
Jonas.
M: OK... not too much
but...
B: What would happen if
the police came by...?
M: [Glances down the
road toward Highbury Corner] Uh... we might just find out... OK,
it's been long enough, I think. We need to split. Barney, you, uh,
give Jonas the word. Remember, call when you get back.
B: [Nods gravely] OK.
They part company
silently.
9
Interior, later that
morning, in Jonas's front room again, the three are sat,
cradling cups of coffee. Barnaby and Marsha are listening to Jonas
extemporise.
Jonas: It's all about
sensory control, you see? We're used to the idea that perception is
involuntary, but it's not... It is but it's not. I mean, when
I... [goes silent - eyes roll back] back again. See, when I do that,
or something like that, it's all about getting the brain to focus.
It's an organ of perception. When I want to I can see and feel
peoples mind fields. It's not the eyes that see or the hands that
feel, it's the brain. The mind is just the Species-Being of the
brain...
Pause. Marsha looks
away.
Jonas [With slight
haste] It is an ongoing creation, the mind. Experience is the weaving
together of perceptions into a unified field.
Marsha: [Raises hand]
So, um...we are not our minds?
J: No, we are what we
are..
M: [Cutting in] That's
not answering the question.
J: Well [face curls
into a slight smirk] you didn't really ask a question, you just made
a statement with an upward...
M: [Snaps] Just get on
with it, Yoda.
J: Alright [Patiently]
I mean... we are what we are. We are the sum total of mind, body,
memory, actions, legacy, personal and interpersonal... Um... We are a
process of becoming.
Barnaby [Parps]
Dialectics!
J: Yes, one of those
things... We are a process of becoming...
M: Until we stop.
J: True, However
[changes subject] lets get on with it, now [puts his cup down - to
Barney] you remember when I projected thought I asked you to clear
the mind, right, bit by bit? I want you to do the same again but once
you feel you have got down to the essential point instead of
projecting inward I want you to project out... Just... give it a try,
OK?
10
Interior, a pub, the
Trio are sat in a corner talking. Marsha is holding a small piece of
paper.
Jonas: OK, so, Marsha,
what've we got?
Marsha: Thank you,
Gandalf, for what it's worth we have 1) bicycle courier who
dreamt of a man riding up the Thames atop a nuclear submarine, got
off at Embankment and made the ground shake 2) teacher who saw a
newscaster reach out of a TV screen and offer her an egg with a
bearded face drawn in it 3) graphic designer who pulled back the
skin from Tony Blair's face and a mass of shredded paper fell to the
ground 4) "something about bears..."
J: Something about
bears?
M: Bears or beards,
they weren't sure... I could go on... only...
J: Only...?
M: That's it...
11
Interior: it turns
out to be the Elderfield Pub, Blurton Road, its is quiet, late on a
weekday evening. Jonas, Marsha and Barnaby are sat at a table in the
corner of the bar, talking. A man enters the room, scans, sees the
trio and approaches them with shuffling authority. His name is
Charles St John Twistledon Camber, more commonly known as Charlie. He
is late middle-aged, jowly, aurally grey but wearing an anomalously
bright white t-shirt, creased blue jeans and oversized trainers. He
is known to the Trio. He is a Central Committee member of SR21 with
special responsibility for convening the Disciplinary Commission.
Charlie: [Stands by the
table] Jonas, I, uh...Hello... I wondered if I could have a Little
Chat?
Jonas: Yeah, uh... sure
[does not stand].
C: I mean [smiles
emptily] could I speak to you?
J: [Carefully] Yes.
C: [Gravely] In
private.
J: In private? What on
Earth, um... I mean, what'd you want?
Charlie gestures
toward the door, silently.
J: OK, um... [Stands
up]
C: This won't take a
moment.
The pair head
towards the door, then through. Outside...
C: [Deep breath] What
did you think of the meeting...?
Pause.
J: [Calm] That's
what you wanted to ask me, to talk to me about?
C: No, I... There's
been some concerns brought to light. [Looks intently]
Your dual-carding.
J: My
what?
C: Don't
try to deny it. We know.
J: Know
what?
C:
[Blurts] The information was not obtained by hacking.
Long
pause.
C: Well,
what do you have to say for yourself?
J: [Also rising] Say
for myself?
C: Your silence
speaks...
J: What are you talking
about?
C: So you deny it?
J: Deny what?
C: I have the morale of
the party to think about...
J: Enough.
Jonas heads back
into pub.
C: [With bungled
menace] Be careful, Jonas...
Jonas pauses halfway
through through door.
C: I won't let you
undermine the party.
J: [Turns head] Be
careful...? If I am what you think I am... If anyone should be
careful it's you, Charles.
Goes inside. Jonas
glances at the door he came through then points to his two comrades.
J: You... both of you.
[Sits down - leans in - hisses] You know what I talk, right, I talk
about spending time with the Magicians guild with two people, two
people, no more no less. Now... [glances at the door] now I've
got Koba the Dull all over the shop.
Marsha and Barnaby
make surprised noises/faces.
J: I mean it might
have been... you might not have meant to...
Marsha: [Interjects] I
swear I didn't... [clutches chest]
J: Barney?
Barnaby: Mate,
there's...
J: [Snaps] What?
There's what?
B: [Takes his time] You
don't think we're not implicated as well, hmm? Marx in heaven, what
do you think Koba was talking to me about earlier by the book stall?
Dude, we haven't been doing party stuff for months.
J: I know comrades who
haven't sold a paper in years.
B: [Smiles] Yeah but
they're, like, old man. They've got facility time and executive spots
and go on holidays to Cuba and shit... You know what I mean?
J:
[Partially disarmed] Look at you, Barnaby, the easy going cynic.
B:
Look, all I'm saying is I haven't... I haven't said a word to Koba
but, you don't seriously think that they don't keep tabs on people
like us. Shit, half the membership's on the point of jumping to
Labour [sighs]. That's why we had the bloody meeting. Yeah, we like
Corbyn, we really do but please
don't leave.
Bitter
laughter.
B: Guys... I think... We're really got to look at what we're doing
here. What are we actually doing? I mean... maybe we should just...
[Deep breath] We're Marxists, right? The emancipation of the working
class is the act of the working class... We've got to follow through.
We've got to stick to our principles and follow through.
J: It's doesn't work though... It...
B: [Interjects] It's not the medium, yeah? Its the message. We need
to be upping our radical... quotient. Whatever! Give our dreamers
something exciting and clear, clear cut and... yeah. We need to give
them something to really get their minds around.
M: But... what?
B: We need a demo... NOT the usual A to B, a radical one, demanding
stuff, not asking, demanding and... [Rallying] We need to occupy
something.
J: There's a slogan for you [laughs] “Occupy Something.”
B: I'm serious. We should take our case to the Labour Party, right to
it, their doorstep.
M: But, is Labour really the enemy? Should we be...?
B: [Interrupts] Bourgeois workers party, Marsha. We need to take the
most radical crowd with the most popular radical demands and show
them, you know, what the Labour Party is worth, the true limits of
reformism.
Jonas
starts nodding.
M:
And then what?
J: [To Marsha] It's worth a shot. I mean, they're purging people,
right now... Hey, if nothing else it'll put the wind up Charlie.
They
all smile at the thought. Jonas nods with resolve.
J:
I want my own back on him, definitely, and I think
I know how we can do it. Dave, um... he's also been...
M: Where is he these days?
J: He's been working on something, an improvement on our broadcasting
system, so to speak. He wants me to try and, well, if you two want to
take it up a level then... I'll show you... this weekend.
12
Interior: the Trio
enter a room in the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
The room is small, close and with limited natural light coming from a
small cross hatched window. The walls are mostly covered in shelves,
holding an intricately ordered array of digital and analogue
recording equipment. At the far end of the room is a desk,
computer and monitor, switched off. In the middle is a table, atop
which is an unknown object, draped in cloth, with a sticky label
saying: "FAO REMagogues."
Jonas: Welcome,
comrades, to Dave's Place. [Picks up the label] He said it would be
here and... [whips cover away] here it is. [Rolls cover up].
While the cat's away...
It"is an
analogue radio set. Instead of a microphone and speaker system, wires
protruding from the device lead to three hard hats.
Barnaby: This is what
you'll be using?
Jonas: This is what
we'll be using.
Marsha: You mean...?
J: [Triumphantly] Yes!
M: But how does it...?
J: [Sags] Oh, not this
again...
M: Come on, just run us
through it... the basics.
J: The basics are that
it runs on the same principle as the "Mindhorn" as you
insist on calling it, except that this... [pats the device gently]
this time it runs through a radio and, therefore, runs both ways.
B: How so?
J: What I mean is it is
the medium not the message that's the problem. We've been setting up
a monologue, not a dialogue. We need to talk to people
not at them.
B: Who teaches the
teacher?
J: Exactly! You
heard what people were dreaming, they were getting something
but... Dave assured me it had an antenna. Can you see it?
There is an extra
wire, leading from the back of the device. The Three follow it across
the table, through the moderate clutter, to a small aerial mounted on
a tripod.
J: Here it is [picks up
the aerial]. This my friends has a thirty kilometre range, so Dave
says. That means that when we put on these things, the helmets, we
will not only be able to collectively meditate, to dream as it were,
but others will be able to join the collective.
M: You say 'we...'?
J: Yes. I will need
both of you when I go inside, as look outs. You can help with the
agitation as well I suppose but we'll be broadcasting to millions,
potentially anyway. Someone is going to notice.
B: Who?
J: That's the thing.
coppers, nazis, Charlie Koba, I hope he notices, bastard motherfucker
but... but especially not the Guild. If the Mage caught me then... It
wouldn't bear thinking about.
B: No?
J: Oh, well, thanks a
bunch, Barney, now I'm going to have to think about it.
M: You were already,
Obi-Wan, don't bullshit.
J: Well [pause - thinks
about it] let's just say you don't just get expelled from the Guild.
Listen, enough... We should take this for a test run. It's daytime,
guys. If we pick a good spot to... I'll explain about what I mean by
'pick' when we're inside, if we pick a good spot for the dream then
there shouldn't be too many people about. It should be easy enough.
You just have to relax and concentrate, if that makes sense.
M: Oh, yes, of course it does.
13
Exterior
– day: Jonas and Marsha are standing by the tube exit in the
round-a-bout in Marble Arch. Something is wrong.
Jonas: Remember... relax and concentrate...
The
surrounds are patchy and sometimes indistinct. The horse statue seems
unstable and the arch is an ineffable colour and uncertain height.
The air seems to be trembling, clouds are swirling as if stirred.
Jonas: [To Marsha] It doesn't... this doesn't need to be accurate
just roughly right. Let the background details... let them fall away
a bit... concentrate... [glances about] Hey, where's Barney?
As
if on cue Barnaby materialises over the road in Speakers Corner. He
looks around, confused.
J: Barney...! Barney...! Over here...! [Waves]
Barnaby
acknowledges his friends. He approaches the road, looks left and
right only to realise there is no traffic. It is very quiet.
B: [On reaching Jonas and Marsha] Where is everybody?
M: Well, I'm here, I... [laughs] Though we're not really 'here' are
we.
J:
No, we are
here, it's just we have to concentrate to stay here, speaking of
which...
The
arch is growing very quickly and turning rusty green.
J:
Barney... tone it down... [the arch begins to recede again] thank
you... We are
here. 'Here' is the unified mind field. Here is where your brain
interprets the signals it receives though the key difference is our
brains are not running on their normal setting right now. The reality
consensus will be harder to reach, for instance [spreads his arms
out] Barney, can you see my hands?
B: [Laughs] No...
J: Now, if I do this... [reaches out – puts his right hand through
Barnaby's head and wiggles his fingers] Can you feel that.
Barnaby
is laughing uncontrollably. Jonas smiles. Marsha is laughing too.
J: Now... concentrate... I'll... concentrate, Barn... and you'll
realise none of that is possible. [Jonas is now standing with his
arms folded] So, you see, we've got to keep it together while we're
here.
14
Interior - day: in
an office meeting room a dozen people are gathered, sat around a
table. They are the Central Committee of Socialist Revolution in the
21st Century. The meeting begins. Charlie is chairing.
Charlie: OK, uh...
[stands up then hands out sheets of tinfoil] right, first item.
Woman: [Holding foil
sheet] What are these for?
Man: [Laughing] To go
on your head.
Charlie: This is no
laughing matter! We are at risk of... well...
Woman: Well what?
Charlie: [To Woman] Put
it on! [starts wrapping a piece of tinfoil round his head] The Party
is being subverted. As we speak the guiding principles of Marxist
Leninism are under threat. They stand or fall on... Put them ON!
The Central
Committee hurriedly begins wrapping.
C: Thank you... Now...
we are under attack and, uh, all the rest of it. A faction, a secret
faction has emerged within one of our branches, connected to the...
the Guild of Magicians and Psychic Practitioners.
Man: I've not...
C: Heard of it before?
No, it's a secretive organisation with a rigid hierarchical
structure, anti-proletarian, connected to freemasonry and the occult
underground. It is dedicated in the task of maintaining a monopoly in
the manufacture and trade of anomalous goods and services. The party
had a couple of run-ins, years ago, back when it was a printing
company. You needn't bother with the details, a lot of it was before
a lot of your times. Suffice to say that the Party has generally
maintained its distance and Guild has kept its nose out, until now.
It [sigh] it is to my distress and dialectical discombobulation to
learn that members of the Party have been involved in activities
undermining paper distribution with methods that are consistent with
Guild membership, which is, of course, not compatible with
membership of SR21. Um [fetches up a thin stack of A4 paper] like I
say, comrades, we are under attack [starts handing the papers out].
It is a witch hunt, make no bones about it. The right and the state
is coming for us. We punch above our weight...
There are nods and
murmurs of assent.
C: Forty years of
undisturbed Bolshevism... we must not allow the party to be
undermined by outside forces. We punch above our weight,
remember...? We need unity at a time like this... the terrain of the
crisis demands discipline from us all. This is serious work.
That is why... that is why I am recommending that we expel the
members involved forthwith.
Voice of Concern: How
did you come by this information?
C: The information was
not obtained through hacking.
More nods and
murmurs.
C: The com... er,
people involved are Jonas Heston, Barnaby Muller and Dave Wazowski.
The evidence is all on the sheets provided. [Pause] OK, having had a
chance to look, all those in favour...?
Silence.
C: That's passed
unanimously... OK, now, [removes tinfoil hat] moving on...
15
Throughout Friday
night, into Saturday morning Jonas, Marsha and Barnaby manifest at
various points in the collective dream-construction of London. Moving
in and out of frequencies they meet people, speak to them,
one-to-one, in small groups, then in larger gatherings. The Trio
bring their message to the people, the people listen, then respond.
Throughout the night the message cascades through a multitude of
minds, finding new variations, creating new threads but by dawn
returning to the original theme. Tens of thousands of people all over
the city awake to the same conclusion: 12noon, Trafalgar Square - we
must take action.
16
Telephone call.
Voice 1: Grand Mage, we
must take action... please.
Voice 2: [Pause]
Indeed, we shall, now that we know the method works. As the crowd
assembles we shall proceed to arrest.
Voice 1: Arrest?
Voice 2: Arrest,
expulsion, detention, removal... however you put it we will halt the
process. [Pause] You have done well, Agent.
Voice 1: Thank you.
Voice 2: You're
welcome, Dave.
17
Exterior: day -
there is a large crowd in Trafalgar Square, several thousand people
are gathered in the south-west corner. The
crowd is building all the time, people are still arriving. They
are the disaffected of London, the graduates without a future, the
young without hope, the workers without a voice, all ages, creeds and
races, mingling in surprise and mutual recognition. They are
assembled around a banner, draped across one of the lion plinths. It
reads: "Occupy Democracy - reclaim the vote." On top of the
plinth stand the four REMagogues.
Jonas: [To
Dave] I'm glad you could make it, our secret mastermind.
Dave: I'm sorry it's
taken so long. I've been busy. One thing and another. Family stuff.
Jonas: No worries. I
understand.
Many in the crowd
are discussing and debating the new movement that has awoken,
literally. Others, closer to the stage, recognise their leaders, the
people from the dream, the REMagogues, and are eagerly waiting to
hear their first true waking words.
Jonas: Hey, Marsha!
Marsha seems
withdrawn for some reason. Something is wrong.
Jonas: You remember
when I showed you this, uh? Did you ever think... ha! Wow.
[Brandishing megaphone] We've probably waited long enough. [To his
comrades] Shall we begin?
A Shout: Stop right
there!
There is some
commotion in the crowd. A posse force their way to the front. They
are wearing easy-fit clothes that were fashionable fifteen years ago.
Charlie: [To the
comrades on the plinth] By the power vested in me by the national
conference of Socialist Revolution in the 21st Century I declare that
you are hereby expelled for the duration of two years...
Marsha clambers down
from the plinth and walks over to where the Central Committee stand.
Charlie: You may not
attend any branch meetings in that time. You may not contribute to
any party publications. You may not attend the summer festival -
Ideas for Change. Should you wish to appeal...
Another Shout: Stop
right there!
Another group
bungles to the front. They are wearing capes and pointy hats.
Grand Mage: [To the
remaining people on the plinth] As the Grand Mage of the Guild of
Magicians and Psychic Practitioners I declare that you are hereby
expelled from the order. Your psychic abilities are to be impounded
for a minimum of two years.
Dave clambers off
the plinth. He is given a hat. He puts it on.
Grand Mage: In that
time you will not be allowed to read minds. You will not be allowed
to psychically project. You will not be able to attend meetings or
contribute to publications relating to the order. Should you wish
to...
Yet Another Voice: Stop
right there!
A new group asserts
itself. Most of them are wearing uniforms. One of them is dressed in
a suit.
Woman Wearing a Suit:
[To crowd] We are the Serious and Metaphysical Crime Squad. This is
an illegal assembly. You will all now disperse or face arrest.
Barnaby jumps down
from the plinth and runs away. Jonas is left alone.
Woman Wearing a Suit:
[To Jonas] Jonas Heston I hereby...
Jonas: [Loudly -
through megaphone] NO!
Woman/Grand
Mage/Charlie: What?
Jonas: I said no.
Silence.
Jonas: You seem to be
forgetting something, something important.
More silence.
Jonas: [To everyone]
What's the most hackneyed conclusion to a fantastical tale?
No one knows.
Jonas: And then I woke
up and it was all a dream.
Everyone
wakes up simultaneously. Jonas escapes.
