S10: Music, Media, and More
What song would be the film score for your story?
The film score for my story would be written by Michael Giacchino, the composer for “Star Trek,” “Ratatouille,” and “Up.” It would also include songs from the electro-swing group Caravan Palace and some chap-hop songs by Mr. B The Gentleman Rhymer and Professor Elemental.
What book would be your main character’s favorite?
Dirk would be a huge fan of the whole Science Fiction genre as well as fantasy literature. He’d enjoy books like “Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell,” “Ender’s Game,” “i-Robot,” and “Rendezvous with Rama.”
Theo on the other hand would secretly indulge in romance novels. She’d like creative stories like the “Mortal Instruments” series, “The Hunger Games” trilogy, and the work of Jane Austin.
What TV show(s) would they watch?
Together, Dirk and Theo would watch BBC’s latest version of “Sherlock.” Their dynamic is a little like that of Dr. Watson and Sherlock, and they would enjoy the wit of the series. Alone, Dirk would be a fan of the “Star Trek” franchise and the newer adaptation of “Battlestar Galactica.” Theo wouldn’t watch much TV, she’d be too busy in the lab. In her spare time, she’d watch programs like “How Stuff Works” and “Mythbusters” to give her ideas for her own work.
S9: Dirk’s Speech to the Ravagers
Scene: Theo and Dirk find themselves cornered in their lab, surrounded by Ravagers. Dirk decides to try a different approach that brute force.
Theo: You must speak.
Dirk: I can’t.
Theo: You must. It’s our only hope.
Dirk: Hope…(stands tall and clears throat)
(Ravagers pause and look at Dirk with confusion.)
Dirk: I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be a Ravager. That’s not my business. I don’t want to kill or eat anyone. I should like to help everyone – if possible – Englishman, Ravager and Syndicate member. We all want to help each other. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other’s happiness – not by each other’s misery. Ravagers…you’re a different story but I think deep down you’re decent fellows too. In this world there is room for everyone. And the good Earth is rich and can provide for everyone. Yes, even you Ravagers. Have you ever heard of vegetarianism? The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way…
(Trails off, looking off into the distance for dramatic effect.)
To those of you who have retained a shred of humanity, hear what I say. Do not despair. The misery that is now upon you is but the passing of greed – the bitterness of a man who fears the way of human progress. The hate of this man will pass, all dictators die, and the power and humanity he took from his people will return to them. And so long as men like this die, liberty will never perish.
(Stands tall, gesturing with his hands at his audience.)Ravagers! Don’t give into this brute – a man who despises you – enslaved you – who regiments your lives – tells you what to do -what to think, and what to feel! He treats you like animals, using you as cannon fodder against his foes. Don’t give yourselves to this unnatural man – a machine man with a machine mind and a machine heart! You are not machines! You are not monsters! You are men! You have the love of humanity in your hearts! You don’t hate! Only the unloved hate – the unloved and the unnatural! Ravagers! Don’t fight for slavery! Free yourselves from these artificial bonds The Doc has constrained you with. Fight for your humanity! Fight for freedom!
(A few Ravagers nod with understanding. Theo wipes a tear from her eye with a handkerchief.)
Men like The Doc free themselves but they enslave people! Let us fight to end his rein of enslavement! Let us fight for a new world – a decent world that will give men a chance to work -that will give you a cure and a future. Ravagers! In the name of freedom and goodness, let us all unite!
(Scattered applause.)
Whimsicality 