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MONTAGE – THE TERRIBLE CONFLICT IN STRADANYA

– A parade of miserable refugees on a road, carrying with them some pitiful few possessions.

(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.

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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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INT. DEPUTY DIRECTOR RICHARDS’S OFFICE – DAY

The three men are sitting around the conference table again.

ARTHUR

So, Deputy Director, you think you’re actually going to try this?

RICHARDS

Everything else has failed, so why not?

ARTHUR

Why come to my client?

RICHARDS

We believe that this will work better for political reasons if the origins of the Mediatrix are themselves…obfuscated.

HARRY

Why?

RICHARDS

Think about it, Dr. Lal. Are people going to buy it if we tell them that the Mediatrix came from some sort of…weird monster thing that calls itself the Gynophage, possibly because it got to eat a woman? People won’t see past that. They’ll freak out, and that’s no good for the underlying politics of the situation.

HARRY

I can see that.

RICHARDS

Your people all sign non-disclosure agreements, right? And you can make them to honor them?

HARRY

If we have to, yes.

RICHARDS

So we’re asking you to give up credit about the Mediatrix and play dumb if anyone asks. We’ll put out the story that she’s the product of a U.S. Government artificial intelligence project.

HARRY

I can do that.

(turning to Arthur)

We can do that, right, Arthur?

ARTHUR

We can do that, Harry.

RICHARDS

(nodding)

Good man. Dr. Lal, to an even greater extent than before, you have the good will of your government behind you. And a favor to call in if you ever need it.

HARRY

Thank you, Deputy Director. And good luck.

RICHARDS

Thank you again, Dr. Lal.

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MONTAGE – PEACE COMES TO STRADANYA

– Two long benchlike tables on either side of a diplomatic conference room, each side lined with men in suits and military uniforms. Down the middle of the room, the Mediatrix’s display tube slides on rails.

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MONTAGE – PEACE COMES TO STRADANYA

– One of the men in the room making a speech. The Mediatrix in her tube listening.

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MONTAGE – PEACE COMES TO STRADANYA

– Two men at separate tables holding a furious argument. The Mediatrix holds up her hand.

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MONTAGE – PEACE COMES TO STRADANYA

– More discussion in the conference room, here more like bargaining.

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MONTAGE – PEACE COMES TO STRADANYA

– The Mediatrix points to a green line drawn across a holographically projected map of the fictional country of Stradanya.

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MONTAGE – PEACE COMES TO STRADANYA

– A ragged family climbs out of a shelter amidst rubble. They look up at the sky, which is clear and blue.

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MONTAGE – PEACE COMES TO STRADANYA

– At a long table, aid workers are handing plates of food to rail-thin, hungry-looking children.

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