Section 36

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.
 
 

     Frank's eyes widened in amazement as Rollie showed him around the gigantic edifice that he'd worked over the last three months to create.  Whatever he'd been expecting, this overwhelmed it by so much it was impossible to imagine.  Larger than the set of Titanic, which he'd heard was among the largest ever constructed, it was amazing, unbound by the trappings of reality.
     Electric doors opened before them with a hiss of hydraulics, as Rollie pointed out, activated by either sensors or by pressure plates in the floor.  Wall textures were constantly changing, as did the floor and lighting.  The creator knew exactly what he wanted, and Rollie, sharing that vision had worked hard to create it.
     ' Wow' Frank said for the fourth time.
     ' Yeah, it is sort of like that' Rollie answered ' Every morning I get here I can hardly believe it'
     ' This is great Rollie.  I can't believe it's changed this much' he answered.
     ' That was my doing.  I convinced Stephen that we could pull it off… with Angela's computer effects anyway'
     ' Still relying on her huh Rollie?'
     ' It's mutual'
     ' So how's everything between you?'
     ' I know you're a detective and it's your job to ask questions Frank but… give me a break.  Everything's fine, now can we move on?'
     ' Sorry, only acting on orders'
     ' Whose?' Rollie asked suspiciously.
     ' Sarah's who else?'
     ' You said you wouldn't say anything'
     ' That didn't include her… I can't hide anything from her anyway.  She always knows when I'm hiding something'
     ' Tell her not to worry, we're getting along fine'
     ' Right'
     ' Here, take a look at this' Rollie answered, opening a door and walking into what was obviously the bridge.

     Pulling his P.D.A from his belt he pressed an icon and waited.
     ' What do you need Rol?' Angie asked, appearing on the screen.
     ' Think you could throw that big planetary scene onto the bridge screen?'
     ' Sure Rol' she answered.

     A few seconds went by and the lights dimmed down, the huge "window" in front flickered to life… and what Frank saw made him stop and stare, totally speechless.

     A star hovered in the left side of the screen's foreground, a mass of swirling, superheated gases.  To the right, more distant, stood a small planet, a rocky moon visible.  The planet was much the colour of earth when viewed from outside the atmosphere, swirling patterns showing weather.

     What held him speechless was the detail, even small vessels that seemed to dive, time and time again into the star.
     ' They're collecting gases, once they have enough they return to the ship… they're the source of incredible wealth in the future' Rollie explained.
     ' Angie did all this?'
     ' Well she had help obviously… but the idea was hers'
     ' I'm definitely going to be seeing this' Frank answered, throwing his friend a grin, 'and I'll tell everyone I know to see it too'
     ' Good' Rollie answered, turning back to the P.D.A ' Ok Ange, that's enough, any more and we might blow his mind'
     ' You never let me have any fun' Angela answered with a grin.
     ' You say that now' Rollie answered, signing off before turning back to Frank  ' Well if there's nothing else I'd better get back to work… lots still to do'
     ' Right.  I'm surprised I haven't been paged yet'
     ' You might want to drop by and see Angie before you go, you know, get her view on things for Sarah'
     ' Stop making fun of me Rollie… you wait'
     ' We wouldn't want to leave anything out'
 

     Frank walked away muttering.  Heading for the building housing the computer department, leaving Rollie to his work, the FX man started chuckling as Frank moved away.  Frank had no idea how things stood between Angela and himself, that was something he liked.  At the top of it all was the fact that no matter what happened in the future, they each knew how the other felt... and that their friendship went so far beyond the bounds of the word that nothing could ever change it.  It was amazing how right, how easy it seemed to be with Angela… none of the nerves and worries about being liked, well, not many.

     Without Frank's company, Rollie headed further into the set, mind switching back to the business at hand.  ' Plenty of time for other thoughts… later' he thought, climbing down and coming upon the electrician.
     ' Almost done boss' Max answered, bending to install another milk bottle sized capacitor into the circuit.
     ' Right, call me when you're done, I've got a few other things to sort out'
 

     Angela looked up as Frank walked in, somewhat surprised not to see Rollie with him.  Tapping a few last keys, she stopped, saved the work she was doing and stood, moving across to where he stood.
     ' What's up Francis?' she asked.
     ' Just dropped in to see what you're up to, then I'm off back to the precinct'
     ' What happened to Rollie?  You lose him somewhere?'
     ' I think he had his mind on other things… wanted to get cracking on that set'
     ' He's working himself really hard to get it done on time and under budget' she explained ' He's even been staying late, putting in the gear himself to cut down costs'
     ' Sounds like he could do with a break'
     ' Nah, he loves his job… it keeps him going'
     ' Not entirely the job I don't think'
     ' What?'
     ' Maybe WHO he's doing it with is more important to him'
     ' Stephen?  I guess Rollie is sort of in awe of him… he's wanted to direct for years'

     Frank laughed, realising that she didn't even see it ' You Ange, you're why he loves the job… working with you'
     ' I guess' she replied, looking suddenly embarrassed ' I used to work with my dad before Rollie showed up… after that it was all I ever wanted to do'
     ' So you're happy with how things are?'
     ' Who are you spying for this time Frank, I know you wouldn't normally ask'
     ' Sarah' he explained truthfully ' She wants to know everything'
     ' Well THAT is NOT going to happen' Angie answered with mock outrage.
     ' So tell me what you can'
     ' We're having a good time, getting to know one another better'
     ' Better than you already do?  Wouldn't that be pretty tough?'
     ' Not really Frank… no matter how close we were as friends there are some things I didn't tell him, and him me.  We're learning a lot of the little incidentals… personal quirks if you will'
     ' I see.  I'm glad you finally got things sorted out, guess Leo was right'
     ' About what?'
     ' Said you loved each other like brother and sister, but that it couldn't stay like that forever.  I think he put it " they live in each others lives… but someday they'll be in each others lives" ' Frank answered.
     ' Leo said that?  I didn't even think he knew HOW to be romantic' Angie grinned, getting the same response from Frank.

    Just then Frank's beeper went off and he sighed, reaching for his phone, nodding occasionally as he spoke to someone on the other end of the line.  Shutting the phone after a moment he turned back to Angela ' Back to work I guess' he shrugged, heading for the door as Angela said goodbye.
    The day flashed on, neither effects artist having time to stop, as usual, both facing their own problems but, by the end of the working day, having managed to fix the majority of them.

    Angela waved to Rollie as he climbed into the van, heading back to the loft while she headed for her apartment.  Most of the time he dropped her home, but tonight, she'd ordered him back to the loft, unable to stand having him drooling whenever she cooked.

    Climbing into the truck she slipped the keys into the ignition and started the engine.  Coming to life readily, the truck wound it's way off the set and started the journey through the traffic to her apartment building.