1 Int. Large Auditorium - Morning 1
A large auditorium is filled with uniformed people standing at attention at every seat of the audience section. At the front of the auditorium is a stage with a pulpit dead center. The sides of the stage are lined with the flags of the Axis Societies, the back of the stage is draped with large flags of the HEGEMONY UNITED FEDERATION. Above the flags a large projector screen shows a close up of the currently empty pulpit.
Towards the back of the stage politicians, generals and advisors stand shoulder to shoulder. PRESIDENT CHARELL enters stage right dressed in a uniform resembling a general. The auditorium politely cheers for the president including the people standing on stage.
The president takes the pulpit, pausing momentarily for the applause to cease. He waves and smiles in different directions across the auditorium. His charisma on full power.
PRESIDENT CHARELL
For the past several years, I, the proud President of the Hegemony United Federation, have used this day to discuss our hopes, our plans, and our aspirations. Today, no such speech is needed. It has already been delivered by our brave soldiers of the armed forces.
President Charell stands with authority, hands grasping each side of the pulpit.
*MONTAGE BETWEEN NATIONAL ADRESS AND THE PROTEST WITH PRESIDENTIAL VOICE OVER*
A large crowd of protestors are packed into a street lined by tall buildings. The protestors peacefully chant, holding signs calling for peace and just treatment. Standing above the protests are Hegemony soldiers brandishing rifles and tactical gear. Humvees are lining the street in front of an old courthouse.
A young woman holding a child's hand navigates through the dense crowd. They make their way into the center of the crowd.
PRESIDENT CHARELL (V.O)
Today is a day that should makes us proud. Today marks the end of the war that has been waged upon us for a lifetime. Our soldiers, our pilots, our seaman, and our officers have laid their lives down for our fine empire... And today, all of those sacrifices were avenged. Today, we celebrate our hard fought victory.
Inside the crowded auditorium we see ASKIA and JOANNE. She looks at her brother with pride as she throws her arm around him for a hug.
PRESIDENT CHARELL (V.O)
I, a member of the 76th Axis myself, am proud of my brothers and sisters who have risked their lives for our fine and fair society. I am proud of our fallen soldiers, the sons and daughters, the aunts and uncles, who made the ultimate sacrifice for this valiant effort.
The Hegemony Soldiers shout orders out of their humvees. Broadcasted messages demanding the crowd to disperse ring through the streets with no avail.
PRESIDENT CHARELL (V.O)
In the next several weeks we will be deploying the final soldiers to the Old World. Not to fight, but for peace. To build relations with the now defunct rebels and to bring back our fallen soldiers. So they may be laid down with the respect they so deeply deserve.
The auditorium erupts into applause. Askia obediently claps while slyly looking around the auditorium. Joanne loudly cheers.
PRESIDENT CHARELL (V.O)
To everyone else, lift your voices and hands in support. Raise your hammers, raise your wrenches, and raise your fists for the strong hand of our great society. The power of our will has persisted through the bloody efforts of these savages.
The Hegemony soldiers radio to and from. They quickly relay the information then begin to tactically position themselves. Gunshots ring. Screams of terror and anger erupt from the crowd. The woman and child try to make their way through the crowd as some look for cover, some protestors charge the soldiers while some continue to chant their demands.
PRESIDENT CHARELL (V.O)
Our fine society has prided itself on the strength of its unity. Without every member, without every mother and child, factory hand, tradesman, or scientist, this war would have been lost. Through your sacrifices, we have achieved greatness.
The woman fights her way through, being knocked over in the stampede, elbowed and pushed by the panicked crowd. She bursts out one side near a door of an apartment. She grabs her child and hurriedly runs to the door. She bangs on the door hoping someone will hear her. The peephole opens. Pause. The peephole closes and the door swings open. The woman and child rush in.
PRESIDENT CHARELL (V.O)
It is time for our people to take back what is ours. It is time for our people to return to the land our ancestors once hailed from. It is our need. It is our demand. It is our right! The strong hand of the United Federation will return its people to their home.
The president stands victoriously behind his pulpit with raised arms, his hands closed into fists. The auditorium erupts with elation. People cheer their president as he walks across the front of the stage and eventually off stage left.
Moments after the president leaves the stage, the projection ends. The crowd we saw cheering are now standing in a bleak gray auditorium. The once flowing red flags on the stage have vanished. Even the stage itself was a projection revealing empty space at the front of the auditorium. The crowd continues to cheer for a moment before people begin to filter out of the auditorium.
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