JUNE SHORT STORY COMP - "2000TV"

[IAMTHESYSTEM]

                                                           Death Vision.

Lights, Cameras, blood on the Production studio floor.

'Calm down people!' Bin Bowell's voice boomed over the shrieks and screams of the studio audience.' A big round of applause for,' he continued; 'erm, The Amazing Lombardo's Vibro Sword swallowing act!' Hesitant clapping followed as the unfortunate Lombardo's blood-drenched body, Vibro Sword still sticking from his mouth was unceremoniously hauled away by the studio's flunkies. 

Bin hadn't become Mega Cities number one TV Entertainment host for nothing. He settled the crowd joking that Lombardo would recover, 'He's got IRON in his gut!' and Bin could feel the relief in the laughter that swept over him. Over One hundred million were watching at home Bin reminded himself as he looked at the Auto Cameras. His show had one primary asset, performers desperate to do anything for a shot at fame.

'Bring the next vict-contestant on MEGA CITY'S GOT TALENT!' roared Bin, the crowd howled, pumped the air with their fists in enthusiasm as a slim looking Nerd strode onto the freshly hosed studio floor and settled a box covered with a tarpaulin on the studio's prop desk.   

Bin felt his eyes smart as he addressed the Performer. Hadn't the next act been a woman with a tame Gila Munja? The show he knew, must go on, so 'Welcome Performer' smiled Bin 'and your name is?'

'My name is Wilfred Hump Jnr .' 

'He's got the Hump!' bellowed Bin as the studio audience bayed with callous delight. Wilfred Hump coloured deeply, shuffled his feet, but Bin saw the light of hate in Wilfred's half-lidded eyes through the extra thick Plexi glasses he wore.

'I'm a physics, and Art student' explained Wilfred 'and this programme had long degraded any worthwhile talent!' 'OO-OH' cooed the public gallery. With a flourish, Wilfred whipped back the tarpaulin, and Bin felt pulled towards the object, noticed the same effect on the studio crowd. They lurched forward then back as if pushed by an invisible hand.

The machine lay glowing on the prop desk radiating power. Bin felt hooked by the device unable to tear his eyes from it. He heard his voice asking the obvious, 'What is that?' but it seemed to echo from somewhere else far away.

'It's a Neural Disruptor Transmitter.' stated Wilfred sourly. 'Once exposed the viewer has only 30 seconds to save himself otherwise the transmitted beams destroy his nervous system leading to complete traumatic brain shutdown, paralysis and death.' 

Bin could see some of the audience in their seat's slump; others began to foam at the mouth, and his voice felt thick, sluggish as he stuttered his eyes darted at the live feed Auto-cameras.

'But t-that'll affect-t-.'

'Precisely.' grinned Wilfred, gloating.
'Everyone watching this programme-.'

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