The crowd, rushing in like the tide from both ends of the bridge, was roaring for his blood. Both sides saw the other at the same time and realized that he was trapped between them. He had nowhere to go they could crush him like the evil bug that he was.
They would finally catch General Martin "The Skull" Boyle and make him pay.
There were a few in the crowd that wanted to capture him alive but that was only so they could do to him what he had done to the innocent children on Dalgren Station. His revenge for a minor slight by the son of the director of the station was to send in his troops, capture all 96 children on the station and threaten to toss them out of a cargo lock unless the director killed his own son. While the general was waiting for an answer he personally opened the valve that slowly drained the air from that cargo lock. The director, being an evil man in his own right and knowing that the loss of these 96 would affect his profits, did as he was told. The order was given, the cargo lock was opened and 96 kids were flushed into space anyway. "A lesson the rest of the station will not forget any time soon." The general was heard to say.
Having nowhere left to run the target of the crowd’s wrath climbed over the guardrail and tried to reach the pylon that supported the bridge. An object thrown from the bridge caught him in the head just as he took hold of the pylon. This stunned him and made him lose his balance. The fall seemed to last a long time.
*****
"What’ll it be?" the waitress asked around her wad of gum. God, thought Sydnie Rhyes. If anyone I know ever lands a role as a low class ultra tacky waitress I’ll send them here to study this woman.
"One cheeseburger fully loaded, one large fry and a jumbo coke." Good thing I don’t eat like this all the time he thought I’d be huge. Or dead, dad was about my age when his heart gave out.
Sydnie Rhyes was an actor. A good actor that, judging by the latest online surveys, was destined for greatness. Every movie he had ever been in, no matter how small the role, was a hit.
Every movie but one. That’s why he was here eating this food that he knew was bad for him and whose taste alone could kill a stage full of actors.
Now that I think about it mused Sydnie, I’ll have some of this delivered downtown. Cats is playing for the zillionth time.
When he started as an actor Sydnie Rhyes lived, with two other struggling actors, only one block away from this restaurant. Whenever one of the three landed a role they would come here to celebrate. Being cheap and close was the only reason at first. Gradually the two others dropped out of sight. Only Sydnie was left with an acting career that was going somewhere. Out of habit, Sydnie kept returning here on the opening day of any movie he was in. When he was cast in his first staring role in a mega-budget film he decided to attend the official cast party instead. He would mix with all the big names in the industry. He was going to act like the star that he was.
The film flopped. Nobody wanted to see it. It only took in ten percent of what was spent on making it. Not even the home viewing market could save it.
From that moment on the junk food and the restaurant became his lucky charms. The inevitable heartburn a small price to pay for fame.
He forced in his last bite of burger and rinsed it down with the watery coke. Wondering how his movie was doing he headed for the door. This time, he thought, I’m gonna be a huge hit. The lead in this picture was a man everyone would remember. My talent and the new input technology used in the theater seats to make the viewers feel like they are part of the action, to make it feel more real than ever before, will ensure the film’s success. He could smell the sequels now. And he would be able to set his own price to play in them. The name Sydnie Rhyes would be listed among the tops in the industry.
Recognizing him, the limo opened the door and let him in. "Take me to Sherman’s" he told the car. "Now that I’ve given my sacrifice to whichever god of luck wants me in that dive it’s time for some real partying."
"I’m terribly sorry sir but I don’t know that location." The car answered. "There are no ‘Shermans now that I’ve given my sacrifice to whichever god of luck wants me in that dive it’s time for some real partying’ in my database. Nor could I find it listed in any local directory. Can you please specify its exact location?
"YOU STUPID FUCKING USELESS PIECE OF JUNK!SHERMAN’S! MARVIN SHERMAN. THE PRODUCER YOU F……" "Calm down " he told himself. "It’s only a car. Just take me to Marvin Sherman’s house"
"Thank you sir. That address is in my database. Please fasten your seatbelt. Would you like to listen to the radio sir?
"Yes, put it on Starnet. I want to see if the ratings are in yet." He answered.
"…vie Argosy is doing well again in the standings, rating in the top ten for the second week in a row. The courtroom drama ‘Daughter’s Love’ staring Martine Critchlow as a woman accused of the murder of her mother opened yesterday in third place just a few points behind low budget surprise hit ‘Elephants in the closet’."
"Please" whispered Sydnie to that god of luck. "Let it be number one"
"And in the number one position today, on its first night too, Marvin Sherman’s ‘Dictator’ staring Sydnie Rhyes. Viewer reaction to this film has been phenomenal.
No movie has ever opened with this many points. It’s beaten all records. In more somber news related to this movie, Douglas Short, who had a supporting role, was found dead in an alley behind the Roxy Theater in his hometown of Carson North Carolina. The information obtained by Starnet states that Douglas was beaten to death by at least ten people. Suspects are in custody and are being interrogated at this time. We will bring you more on this after these messages."
"Right, turn it off. I don’t want to hear any more negative things tonight" Sydnie told the car. "Besides, we’re almost there aren’t we? I want to feel good tonight."
"At out present rate your destination is approximately two minutes and thirty seconds away sir", answered the car.
"You have no idea what rhetorical means do you car?"
"I can access a dictionary and retrieve that for you sir."
"Never mind car we’re here. Just let me off at the front door and go park yourself wherever it is they keep cars here", he told the limo. "These dammed things are so stupid", he mumbled, "why anyone would give them names is beyond me."
"The party was glorious," thought Sydnie. "Even the death of Short couldn’t put a damper on it." Visions of his future were reeling in his mind as he relaxed in his car on the way home after the party. "I don’t think I could be any happier"
His reverie was interrupted by the car "Sir, There appears to be an accident ahead."
"Just call it in to the cops and go around it." He ordered. "Why are you slowing down? Go around it I said"
"I’m sorry sir but the road is blocked by traffic, I cannot proceed."
"Just get off the road and go around it. See, like that car did just now." His good mood was evaporating fast.
"I’m sorry sir, I am not programmed to drive off road. You must use manual mode to proceed on that course. Shall I switch to manual mode now sir? You must be in the driver’s seat to use manual mode."
"I know where I should be to drive a car you stupid heap so park it and let me drive." His good mood was hanging it tatters now. The car stopped and Sydnie got out from the back. A group of rubber-neckers had gathered to look at the accident scene "Haven’t you people got anything better to do than block traffic while trying to see injured bodies?" he yelled at them as he was walking around the car.
One woman looked up and saw him. Her eyes got wide and she grabbed the man standing next to her. He looked where she was pointing and yelled to the others "Look, look it’s him." Everyone turned and looked at Sydnie. "Well," he thought, "I’m being recognized already. "And it’s only the first day."
The group of ten people was running towards him. "I think I’ll make their day and sign a few autographs," he said to himself. He was just thinking that there was something not quite right with the group, they kept stooping and picking things up, when the car’s alarm went off.
"Sir, they seem to have objects in their hands that, judging by the way they are carrying them, could be used as weapons. I would suggest you get back in the car and alert the police, " intoned the car.
Sydnie just had time to jump into the car before the people were on him. A rock that had missed his head by a hair lay on the front seat next to him. Unable to get in, the people outside started to hit the car with anything they could find. The right window was starting to crack when Sydnie started the car and stomped on the gas. It moved forward at a crawl. "What’s wrong? Why aren’t we moving any faster? Yelled Sydnie.
"I’m sorry sir, but safety programming prevents this vehicle from endangering human lives. The acceleration you input through the manual controls would have placed in danger the humans standing around the car. Manuel control will resume as soon it is safe to do so"
"They’re not standing around, you stupid piece of junk, they’re pounding on you to get to me. I don’t know why but they want to kill me. Get me the fuck out of here now."
"I’m sorry sir, but safety programming prevents this…."
"FUCK YOUR PROGRAMMING, DRIVE!"
"I’m sorry sir, but safety programming prevents this vehicle from endangering human lives. I am proceeding at the safest possible acceleration."
But Sydnie wasn’t listening to the car. He has trying to make out what was being yelled at him through the sound insulated glass of the car as more and more people were joining in the action. As the windshield was cracking more sound was getting in and when he finally understood what they were shouting his mind went numb with shock. "It can’t be," he said. "They can’t really believe that."
But even as he was saying it he realized that it could very well be the case. "What was it that they had told me about the new theater seat technology? Yes. These new neural net seats would make the film feel more real. That’s what Sherman had said. Dictator is the first movie to use the new seats. This is going to revolutionize the movie industry."
The slow rate of acceleration was deceptive and the people, in their frenzy to get into the car, were not paying close attention. The car detected enough safe space in front to suddenly put on a burst of speed leaving the crazed group behind and turning off the road. "Manual mode engaged sir." Said the car as it slowed to a stop. "Please proceed with caution as this vehicle is not designed for driving in these conditions."
The car was right. Sydnie hadn’t gone more than one hundred yards when he drove right into a ditch. Try as he might, Sydnie could not get the car out. He got out and started to run.
He turned once to scream to the now growing crowd "I AM NOT THE SKULL I’M SYDNIE RHYES. THE SKULL IS NOT REAL. I’M JUST AN ACTOR WHO PLAYS A ROLE. IT’S JUST A FUCKING MOVIE!"
The sound of his voice only seemed to anger the crowd more. They surged forward.
Sydnie turned and ran. Heading for the bridge.
*****
As news spread through the crowd that the Skull was finally dead some people cheered. But not as many as one would expect after the death of such an evil man. The majority of the people on the bridge just stood there with a confused look on their faces.
Slowly, in ones and twos, the crowd dispersed.
Bio:I work in the electronics industry in Montrael, Quebec, Canada. Before the age of 21 I used to hate reading. On a rainy day with nothing to do I picked up my first science fiction book. I haven't been longer then one day without a book in my hands since that day(thanks mom & dad). I am turning 40 this year (aug), that's a lot of books. I hope the story is to your liking.
E-mail: dfb@p2net.ca
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