The Vision Ring - a film script.
Scene 1 - The Security Agents' Briefing
It is a theatrette. On the whole, the audience seems to consist of well-fed males in dark suits, though there is a scattering of gabardine overcoats. To the left of the stage, a person (Chief Spook) stands holding a remote control of some type. He is tall and is dressed in white shirt and dark suit trousers. His shirt collar and gold tie have been loosened to give the impression of busy casualness. Centre stage a person (Chuck) is addressing the audience. It is apparent from his manner of speech, his dress and the large cigar he is smoking in defiance of the "no smoking" sign, that the speaker is an American.
Chuck
I sure am welcome to be down here and have this chance to speak to you guys tonight. America's a Great Country and we sure am pleased to give you people the opportunity to recognise that. And I reckon we can help you guys out with any little problem you might need to tackle. So let's see what ya got on this Vision mob that concerns you.
Chief Spook
Thanks Buck. Lights down please, Agent Seventy-three.
(In the lights down mode, it is important that as Chuck leans forward to make a point he casts an enlarged shadow on the projection screen. He makes points with the hand that holds the cigar. It is particularly important that the smoke from his cigar also casts shadows on the screen.)
There are a several slides showing a slim athletic attractive woman. She is wearing a black neat fitting short length leather skirt slit at the back, black stockings, high heel black shoes and a black neat fitting sleeveless top. Consistent with the tone and brevity of her outfit, her hair is also short and dark. The photos have obviously been clandestinely taken, though it is clear that the photographer has gone to trouble to ensure no detail of her figure or attire has been overlooked.)
Gentlemen, allow me to introduce Ms X.
murmur of appreciation from audience
You may well express your appreciation, but let me show you another photograph.
The next slide shows a nun in full habit. She is dropping a coin into the hat of a one eyed, one-armed beggar.
She looks like someone straight out of a production of Sound of Music, does she not? But this also Ms X. She is quite a professional, I think you'll agree. To be fair, the beggar is Agent Sixty-three who has fooled Ms X into believing him to be 'armless. laughs to indicate pun
Camera - shot from the back of two agents in body of audience. They appear as silhouettes against projection screen. One leans towards the other.
Agent A quietly to other Agent
I could smell a pun coming; but I guessed it would have been the one about the habit.
Chief Spook
Of course, we would hope that Ms X doesn't make a habit of dressing in habit.
laughs to indicate pun, continues the slide presentation
Now, another member of the group.
There are several slides of a woman dressed in a fashionable black coat, shortish black skirt, black stockings and high heel black shoes. She is attractively blonde.
Don't let the blonde hair deceive you. Ms Y is known within the group as "The Professor". That much we have discovered. And here is the third and last member of the group - Mz Z. We have her on tape.
There are a series of short video runs of a woman wearing a bright red top and black slacks. The video system can't cope with the red and flares badly. The woman demonstrates a series of bizarre extras: flashing ping-pong balls on waving antennae, green holographic glasses, a compact telescope and a strangely marked coffee mug.
Frankly, we are at a complete loss to explain this person, though we suspect she provides technical support to the group.
Chuck
Well, pardoner, what do you think this group are up?
Chief Spook
They intend to steal Nelson's column.
Chuck
From where?
Voice from audience
Not from offa Nelson, we hope!
Chief Spook glares at audience and turns to Chuck
From Trafalgar Square.
Chuck
In London?
Chief Spook
Yes, that's why we have called in MI 11.
Chuck
I thought it was MI 5?
Chief Spook
Just my little joke. You see, in order to get into Australia without alerting Vision, the dozen or so MI 5 agents disguised themselves as the English cricket team.
Voice from audience
That explains a lot!
Chuck
What's the plan?
Chief Spook
The MI 5 agents will return to London and circle Trafalgar Square to ensure the security of Nelson's column.
Agent 23 from audience
Sir!
Chief Spook patiently
Yes, what is it Agent Twenty-three? (aside to Chuck) He's from our maths branch.
Agent 23
Sir, it has been rigorously proven that you can't square the circle. It follows then, as a corollary, that you can't circle the square.
Chief Spook patiently
I stand corrected. The MI 5 agents will encircle the Square.
Agent 23
Yes sir, that is not a problem. Given a square ABCD draw the diagonal AC and ...
there is a dull thud and Agent 23 is no longer heard
Chief Spook
Thank you, Agent Thirty-two. Now we can discuss the details ...
Fade out from scene
Scene 2 The Vision Meeting
Camera - open on clouds wind driven across a full moon on dark - pan down to tree tops tossing in wind - zoom in to particular tree - pan down tree (suggestions of night life by dark shapes and eyes in tree) to ground - pan across ground - across a toadstool ring - raise - zoom out to show three figures in nun's habit seated around fire
Ms X
They have twigged to our plan to steal Nelson's Column.
Ms Y as she speaks she punctuates her talk with the use of her slender hands.
Never fear, we have achieved much in our plan to destroy the fabric of society. The MI 5 agents have made a mess of the cricket. Our destabilizing of the AFL is proceeding to plan. The Royals are having difficulties and there is to be an Administrative Review at one of Australia's leading universities. Our photocopy card collection is coming on nicely. Still we must not rest on our stinging nettles. We must plan for our next gathering.
Ms X
When shall we three meet again,
in thunder, lightning or in rain?
Mz Z in a homely voice
Some rain would be nice.
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