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MONTAGE – THE TERRIBLE CONFLICT IN STRADANYA

– A statue in what was once a park of children holding hands in a circle and playing. The statue, though chipped in places is incongruously whole. Buildings in the vicinity are in flames.

(Note: the Mediatrix’s narration is a voice-over to this montage.)

MEDIATRIX (V.O.)

The conflict between Stradanya and its East Stradanian separatists is now entering its second decade. It has been marked by massacres, mass rape, the systematic destruction of cultural monuments and places of worship, and endless other atrocities. Over a million are believed to have died either directly in the conflict or through collateral hunger and epidemics it has unleashed. This conflict has served as a crucible of various communicable diseases and threatens now to draw in Stradanya’s more powerful neighbors, potentially creating a wider conflict or even a world war. It is imperative for the good of humanity that the conflict be brought to an end. I was created with a unique set of skills to help end the conflict.

back to scene

HARRY

(skeptically)

Really?

RICHARDS

We’ve been having our specialists interviewing her for some weeks now. She clearly is about as familiar with Stradanyan culture and history as any academic specialist. She speaks both West and East Stradanyan and the classical version of the language with native-level proficiency. She has as good an understanding of bargaining and international relations theory and diplomatic protocol as any specialist we can find.

MEDIATRIX

I believe that my intervention is the best hope for ending this conflict.

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