Absolution--Scene Seven: 411

Kade brings Storm into a room where some people are sitting in a circle. Smoke fills the air distorting the view of the people sitting in the darkness until Kade turns on a light revealing five other people. Mostly men. There is one other girl who sits there with her hand lying on somebody’s knee. The man that Savannah raced is not present, but the girl is actually his girl friend. Carefully, Kade positions himself to the side so he can make introductions for everybody.

Everybody this is Savannah Storm and she is going

to be like our personal Speed racer.

This is Kristján.

This is Jaiden.

This is Ryker.

RYKER stands up and waves to her. This is the man that the one woman is putting a hand on. She sits there looking up at him. When he sits back down she lies her hand on his knee again.

This is Zoie. 

You’ve met Zoie before. Her and Ryker are siblings.

This is Jaxon.

JAXON stands up and waves. After he sits down. There’s nobody else for Kade to introduce Storm to. She comes over sitting down in an empty seat near Zoie. Both her and Ryker stare at her and Storm’s gaze falls to the ground. Kade sits down in the largest most comfortable chair while they are all stuck on crappy fold up chairs.

Roulette has issued another order that we must

fill in by tonight. She is still stuck in the past.

Which personally, I like better. Imagine trying to

steal one of those fancy new hover cars. Like one

of those Ferrari MGMTs. 

Oh come on. I can do it and you know that.

Well it’s you or Ryker.

I’m better than Ryker.

Too true.

What does Savannah do?

Call me Storm not Savannah.

Everybody seems to change their name at first.

I didn’t change my name! I could never change

my name! You have no idea what it means to

Savannah, here, drives cars. Speed Racer.

It’s about time we have somebody else to drive.

Iulian was great and all but obviously not good

enough since he’s dead now.

The last Speed Racer or as we liked to call him

Racer X.

Those police officers.

You know. I thought they were awesome at first.

They were like Transformers. You remember them

from when we were kids?

We’ll discuss this later. First, I have to tell you what

Roulette has ordered us to do.

Kristján stands up pulling in a white board with marker scribbled across it. There are all sorts of car names along with addresses. Storm sits there looking across them. Kade opens his mouth and starts to speak.

Sleek cars of every color imaginable zoom on by in all sorts of shapes and sizes. This is the future. This is racing. Daytona 500 is written across the road that the cars just hardly touch as they go faster and faster. There’s one that is far ahead of the rest though. It’s sleek. It’s black. Whenever the sun hits it, the car seems to glimmer. A giant dark purple seven is written on the sides. The car glides into a finish swirling around once it crosses that line. The crowd goes wild especially when the car comes to a stop. On the hood of the car it says: Savannah Storm.

Out of the car climbs Tolen tossing a helmet to the side as he puts his arms into the air victorious. There are several different angles of him. One from above. Two from the side to capture him along with the car before there’s a head on camera as a reporter rushes over to him. They stop at his side with a microphone in hand.

This is the incredible Tolen Storm who has won

his seventh race in a row. The number of his car.

The number of God. This man must be a special

Mr. Storm?

I just want to be with my wife.

Chandra comes running over to him. She throws her arms around him and kisses him on the cheek before turning to face the cameras. Her cheeks start to burn scarlet.

What do you plan on doing after this race?

This was my last race.

But you’re young. You’re only eighteen.

I’ve always acted older than I really was. Look

I married my high school sweetheart.

But why?

Well I’m joining the air force. There’s a war

going on out there that is only going to get

someday especially with such extraordinary

advancements we are facing today. The world

is changing. I don’t know if it’s for the better

or for the worst but one can only hope…it’s for

the better.

Savannah, 6, sits there pressing her hand against the TV screen while she watches Tolen speak. Suddenly, Chandra comes in with groceries. She doesn’t face the TV. Instead, she stands there and the bag plummets from her hand.

(almost cries)

Chandra runs into the room finding Savannah sitting there. Little Savannah looks over at her as silent tears roll down her cheeks.

Mommy, you and daddy look oh so happy!

That’s because we were happy then. Once

upon a time a long time ago but there is no

happy ending to that fairy tale. There was

Crap slung at you left and right before the

tragic ending. Savannah, remember always,

there is no such thing as happy endings.

I miss daddy…

Does everybody understand?

Everybody but Storm answers. She sits there looking off into space a bit before looking up at the white board again. Kade stands there meeting her eyes. He grins and waves to her, but she does not return the smile. 

I drive fast. It’s in my blood.

Glad that you could join us.

Well I always feel the need—the need for

Now when is that.

Sooner than later since somebody had to do

their hair.

A girl has to look beautiful.

I like your haircut.

I’ll wake you up.

Good luck at sleeping.

Kade stands there watching as she gets up and leaves the room. He hangs onto the white board leaning around it to stare at the door as she opens and closes it. Once she is gone, Zoie drags his attention over to her.

Can we trust her?

Why wouldn’t we be able to?

Savannah Storm daughter of Tolen Storm.

He’s on the greatest captain…pilot…whatever

you want to call it that America has seen.

Then there’s a lot more to hope for.

I hope your right.

I’m always right.

He pulls away and leans his back against the white board sighing a bit. Zoie rolls her eyes before standing up and she leaves with the rest of the people. They all exit through the same door leaving Kade behind.