When Evil Prevails

Section 21

Writer - Gabriel Shaytan

FX is a Rysher production in conjunction with Fireworks Entertainment Inc. and Winterset Productions Inc as well as Hallmark Entertainment.

Don’t own ‘em, aren’t bein’ paid.
   

        Mira sat at the computer, enhancing and zooming on individuals from the meeting earlier, this was something she knew, something she could do… while keeping an eye on Angie, that was her primary concern.

        She knew that Rollie meant for her to see if anyone was acting suspiciously, hovering on the edge of the crowd or looking uneasy.  She knew what to look for, years of working the streets had given her a sense of someone not where they should be… or obviously worrying over something.

        She continued the search while behind her she could hear Angela working away with her usual efficiency.  While looking over the video, she wondered at her unusually long sleep, it wasn't right, she was up every morning, just like Rollie and Angie whether they were working or not, you couldn't just stop waking at a certain time.  Looking back she almost missed the face in the crowd, someone she knew, a snitch, a money grabber, just the sort of person to sell anything for a few bucks.
 

        Angie sat at the console, humming happily as she worked.  Rollie had shown up, kept her away until it was safe and with his usual ability, totally fooled Frank and Mira.  She felt a twinge of guilt about what she'd done to Mira, and that they hadn't told either of the detectives but… it wasn't something she wanted to tell… not yet anyway.

        She looked back to the screen, adding more detail, working the graphics from every angle, not just imposing a three dimensional image over a two dimensional background, but creating a three dimensional background so that, whatever movements ended up being needed, it would still run against a seamless background.  It was a good challenge and she smiled, imagining Rollie telling Spielberg to give her something harder.

        Doing straight computer graphics was interesting, different from what she normally had to do.  Usually it was inserting or running something around the edge or in the background of the actors, not actually creating the whole image.

        Watching the screen she heard the incoming mail chime sound and shifted to her mail program.  Opening the mail she saw it was from an old friend, one she hadn't heard from in a while and when she saw what it was, it was a total surprise, she gasped then chuckled.
        ' What's so funny?' Mira asked.
        ' An old friend sent me a mail, she's getting married and wants me to go'
        ' Another friend taking the plunge huh?  Still not interested yourself?'
        ' I have a career but…'
        ' But what?'
        ' I guess I have thought about it a few times since all my friends started getting hitched… I mean they must be finding something worthwhile in it right?'
        ' You're talking to the wrong person Angie, my marriage never had a chance'
        ' Then why'd you get married?'
        ' Ok fine, Michael and I were happy while it lasted… which wasn’t long'
        ' Still… I guess I'd need a guy before I get to find out and well… my luck's not strong in that department'
        ' Sure.  How many offers do you get on each set?'

         Angie paused for a few moments before replying ' Sometimes none, sometimes one, occasionally a few I guess, but mostly they're uh… not in the running'
        ' Still looking for Mr Right huh?'
        ' I'd settle for Mr Somewhere Near' Angie answered untruthfully, ending with a sigh.

        ' What was that Angie?' Rollie asked, stepping into the van.
        ' Just explaining my desperate state to Mira.  Melissa's getting married, she wants us to go'
        ' Melissa… she was the one from that rich, old, English family right?'
        ' Yeah that's her.  So… wanna go?  I can send her a mail back'
        ' When is it?'
        ' Uh… oh dear'
        ' What?' Rollie answered ' Or don't I want to know'
        ' It's this weekend, she found our invitation at home, it hadn't gone to the printers'
        ' Great, just remind me to get my tux to the cleaners… tonight'
        ' I think my dress is heading the same way'
        ' Well, that's taken care of… what time are we looking at?'
        ' One o'clock'
        ' Done'
        ' Uh… don't you think you should at least seem to give us a vote in this decision?' Mira asked, pointing to herself and Frank.
        ' You agree we can go right?' Rollie answered with a grin.
        ' Why so happy Rol?  I thought you didn't like weddings'
        ' I get to eat, drink and dance… what's not to like?'
        ' Angie?'
        ' She's my friend, besides, I want some people around if I ever manage to get up there myself'
 

         Rollie laughed at that, getting a fake scowl from Angie.
        ' What?  You don't think I can get a man?'
        ' I'm sure you could… but the right man?  I know your past luck'
        ' I'll get YOU for that Rol'
        ' I'm sure you'll try… and probably succeed' Rollie answered, then quickly added ' What do I have to do to get out of this?'
        ' Take me to the wedding in a fancy car… with a driver'
        ' I can probably finagle that.  Are we ok now?'
        ' Yeah… what are you doing back anyway?  It’s a bit early for lunch isn’t it?'
        ' I need the ambler, I packed it in the back last night'
        ' Oh right, I'll get it for you' Angie finished, climbing from her seat, leaving Mira staring at Rollie in surprise.

        ' How did you get out of that?' Mira asked, watching Angie donw the back of the van.
        ' What?  Oh that… it wasn't serious, she knows I'm only joking.  We've been throwing insults like that back and forth almost since when we met'
        ' You live dangerously'
        ' Life's no fun without a little risk' Rollie replied.
        ' Here's the ambler boss, try not to let anything happen to it'
        ' I'll do my best, see you at lunch.  Oh, don't forget to mail your friend back'
        ' We'll be here'
 

        Rollie disappeared out the door, followed by frank, lugging something else Rollie needed for the morning’s shoot.  Something still didn’t feel right to him, but he couldn’t pin down exactly what.  Looking at Rollie as he whistled tunelessly, heading back to the set, he wondered again about the old friend Rollie had seen.  He could understand why rollie wanted to keep it quiet but why was he seeing her at all when it was obvious how much he loved Angela and that she loved him equally as much in return.  It was a problem for another moment though, he had work to do.
 

        Rollie set the ambler up so that he could get a good view of where the shoot was to take place.  He had mini-cams already in place and all he had left to do was double check the release mechanism for the bridge, which would fall open after being struck by a laser.

        Pushing icons on the ambler’s screen he called out ‘ Clear the bridge’ and watched as everyone scurried away from the large metal bridge.  Walking across himself he looked around to make sure that no one was underneath or had been left behind.  Happy that everyone was out he walked back to the ambler and depressed the icon.  Rollie looked at the bridge as it seemed to break open and hinge downwards… something flashed in the corner of his eye and he turned around, couldn’t see anyone, looked back to the bridge, it was fine.

        The construction crew had the bridge back in place when Spielberg approached, jacket open in the reasonable weather.
        ‘ Ready to go?’ he asked casually.
        ‘ Just finished the final test, once they get it back in place I’ll make sure it’s ok and then we’re ready to roll’ Rollie replied, echoed by the other FX man he was working with.
        ‘ Excellent work, we’ll be shooting this after lunch.  Once you’ve checked it over take a break’
        ‘ Thanks, we’ll do that’ the other man replied, an easy grin on his face.

        Climbing up to the bridge, safety harness in place, Rollie looked over the frame work and the special release mechanism that he’d prepared for it, it needed to hold a lot of weight and it seemed to be working out just fine.  Satisfied after his close inspection, Rollie rappelled down to the ground and released the harness, stowing it away carefully while his effects partner checked several of the other components used in the scene, mostly simple squibs and doorway code panels.

        Seeing him finish up, Rollie grinned and gave him the all clear.  Rollie locked the ambler down so that no-one could mess with it and then, grabbing Frank from where he’d just finished helping out, they headed back to the van for a nice cool drink and something to eat.