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...
"Anna, did you wash the veg yet? I'm making your dad's
favorite..."
"Just got them out... Courgettes? Ech. Oh, can I go to the
footie with Donna?"
"Not 'til you're finished helping me."
"But Scott said I could!"
"Anna..."
"*Dad* said I could."
"You heard me. Jobs first. Then you can go."
"But they kick-off in an hour!"
"Then you'd better get started."
"I found a dummy on the floor. A blue one. Says 'Georgie' on
it."
"It must belong to Ellen's baby. He's a little fast bowler."
"He's a little brat, Mum."
"That, too."
"I brought in the post. There's a package for you from Aunt
Trudy. She sent it from the States in a 'Chili con Carne' box
with her new restaurant's address. Sc-...Dad says it's a wonder
she hasn't burned down the place already."
"He's right about that. I hope there's something left to visit by
June."
"Oh, Mum, did you see this?"
"Hm?"
"This envelope. Scott left it on the table this morning while you
were out shopping."
"How many times must I tell you? You are to call him 'Dad',
not 'Scott', young lady."
"Yeah, yeah."
"Let's have a look, then.
...
"You've been trying to tell me something lately, Scott, I know.
Life is far too hectic when we've resorted to leaving notes for
one another..."
"Dear Cara,
"The fact that you're reading this letter means this is goodbye.
It's too late for me but not for you. Please know it's with love
that I leave this message, and at great risk. Share it with no one,
not even Anna.
"I'm not who you think I am. I know this is difficult, but you
must believe me. I work for a government collecting
information. A foreign government, you might say. I am in
essence a spy. I've hidden this from you for your own
protection, but now that I've been recalled, the situation has
changed. Clean-up teams will be coming shortly to eliminate
all evidence of my existence, including you.
"Take Anna, pack whatever necessities you can fit into two
cases and go to the bank. You must fly to Germany. I've made
anonymous arrangements through various networks for you to
settle in Callenberg. We have agents round the world, but you
will be safe if you stay there. The tickets and other necessary
documents are in the safe deposit box.
"My holster is in the safe - you know where the key is. In the
ammunition pouch you'll find a steel cylinder with a push-
button mechanism and a note attached. Leave the gun and take
the cylinder with you. Don't be afraid to use it.
"I can offer you no proof of the danger you're in. My work was
of the highest importance, but it has gradually been
undermined. Our leaders lost sight of their goal. What began as
an outreach, a mutual exploration of our two societies in good
faith, has gradually become an experiment in domination. Our
agents do horrible things to people with no justification, no
reason.
"It sickens me. I've seen grown men wet themselves during
'questioning'. The ones who do survive are changed forever.
The teams seem to have grown accustomed to causing
suffering--even enjoying it. I went along with it, too
indoctrinated to see what was happening; I looked the other
way for far too long. Now there is no time for regret, only
action. Remember that book of Robert Burns poetry you got
for your literature class?"
'Still thou art blessed, compared with me!
The present only touches thee,
But, oh, I backward cast my eye
On prospects drear,
And forward, though I cannot see,
I guess and fear.'
"I couldn't see how far from our goals--and values--we were
all being drawn. Not until I met you. It was then I realized the
cause had been lost amid total chaos. You taught me to know
and appreciate your people, your culture. You showed me that
all human life has value. For this, I can never thank you
enough.
"Go now, before they find you.
"When you're finally safe in Callenberg, look to the lights in
the night sky and know that my love is with you and Anna.
"Your loving Scott"
"Oh... My God. This can't be real."
...
"Anna! Did your father do or say anything...unusual this
morning?"
"Not really. He was pretty quiet. Didn't say much. Gave me a
hug and said to be good for you."
"I noticed that his car was still in the garage. Did Tim pick him
up?"
"No. Some other men, never seen them before... Hello? Yes.
Yes, she's here. Mum, phone for you. It's Agent Hull from the
Service."
"Hello, this is Cara. No, not to my knowledge. He hasn't! I- I
will let you know if he calls. Yes. Thank you. Goodbye."
"What was that all about?"
"Anna, please, listen to me very carefully. I'm afraid you won't
be going to the match tonight..."
...
End
Challenge elements:
* Candle wax
* a baby's dummy
* wetting the bed (or talk of)
* chili con carne
* Robert Burns
* courgette
* It must all be dialogue
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