future is now

[idolpro]

[ The door leads to a room with a big whiteboard and several colored dry-erase markers (your position colors, interestingly!) waiting for you. In permanent ink the whiteboard is divided into two sides: the left says "BATTLE PLAN" and the right says "VOTING". Under "BATTLE PLAN", there's a helpful quote of, "HOW DO WE GET THE CROWD TO LOVE US?"

Well. That's the million dollar question, isn't it?

There are fold-up chairs all around as well as a table, as if this is a Very Important Meeting. In the corner there's a crate, full of things that you might . . . need? No real weapons are inside of the crate, but if you root around, you can pretty much find anything or a cardboard version of everything - like there's no food there but you could totally get a cardboard burger.

You can leave the room if you want to, to mingle with other people. ]

Comments

[nohalation]

But it won't be good if there is a tragedy . . . I hope there isn't one . . .

[nohalation]

[rummaging through the crate]

Wow, these are really well made! I like them! I wish we could take these home with us, too . . . They always have the nicest things . . .

[holds up the cardboard crown]

I bet Intensity would like this a lot!

[nohalation]

[goes over to flip through the scripts next]

[tosses them on the ground]

That's a hassle.

[nohalation]

It's harder to do these things by yourself . . .

[nohalation]

[smacks face]

But we gotta do it! It'll be fun! A lot of people will be happy to watch all of these performances so we gotta do it!

[nohalation]

We just gotta find things people like!

[drags out cardboard sheep and cardboard coffee and cardboard plants and cardboard stars or something of that nature]

. . .

But what do I do with this?

[nohalation]

...

[throws them all into a pile and crosses arms, thinking]

[nohalation]

"The last game was pretty sad, huh? Lots of people were sad over that."

[nohalation]

...

[nohalation]

"If you feel sad every time something bad happens, you'll never be happy. That's just how the world is, Angel. That's why you smile, even when everyone around you is suffering. No, especially when everyone around you is suffering! Especially the people who care about you. Don't you think they'd be happy to see you happy, no matter what?"

[nohalation]

So to make them smile, I also have to smile. I have to have a lot of fun. It's no good if they're upset.

[nohalation]

[goes over back to the props and stands them up]

[nohalation]

It'll be fine.

"Just do something fun to show off."

[nohalation]

I'll make sure to have fun! I'll have fun every day!

[spins on her heel]

[nohalation]

So everyone will be happy again!

[double spins]

[nohalation]

[spins the other way]

Even the audience will be happy!

[nohalation]

And then we'll never have to face another tragedy again.

[negotiatoronsite]

[ watching her for... a while. then finally speaking ]

Do you feel inspired?

[nohalation]

WAH!

[nearly trips and spins around to find buddy]

You . . . you're here, too!

[negotiatoronsite]

Yes. I thought I'd let you work through your creative process in peace.

[nohalation]

[hands to cheeks, embarrassed]

Ohh . . . thank you very much! You're always so nice . . . should I wait and let you do the creative process-y thing too?

[negotiatoronsite]

Unfortunately, creativity isn't my strongest asset. Did any battle plans come to mind while you rummaged through our props?

[nohalation]

I wanted to take some of the stuff I've seen the other units enjoyed and then maybe talk about why they might like them . . . maybe it'll make other people feel the same way.

[negotiatoronsite]

And what way is that?

[nohalation]

Happy.

[negotiatoronsite]

[ nodding ]

I think that's a good approach. People will respond well to your enthusiasm.