The Future of London: (L-2011, Mr Apocalypse, Ghosts of London)

by Mark Gillespie

  * * *

  It’s seven o’clock on Thursday morning. Twenty-five minutes have passed since a dark red sun rose over the city.

  * * *

  There is a massive police and military presence on site. Police officers line the edges of both sides of the surrounding roads, not unlike human tape barriers that stretch out in a multitude of directions. And in scenes reminiscent of Belfast in the 1970s, British soldiers patrol the areas around Piccadilly, Regent Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, and Coventry Street.

  * * *

  The SKAM Heli-Cam flies past the famous digital advertising screens. Over the last week or two, a furious battle has taken place to secure advertising space on the big day. And now, as history is being made, the famous screens remind viewers that they should drink Coca-Cola, eat their burgers at McDonalds, and that all their electronic needs can be satisfied with Samsung.

  The camera cuts to a studio interior. Two middle-aged men are sitting behind a narrow table in front of a massive window, overlooking Piccadilly Circus. The camera zooms in on SKAM’s lead anchor, ‘Slick’ Hugh Stanton, who is impeccably dressed in a light grey suit, matching the colour of his slicked back hair.

  * * *

  HUGH STANTON: Good morning. It’s seven o’clock. It’s Thursday the first of September 2011 and you’re watching Piccadilly: Judgement Day. We’re coming to you live from our makeshift studio here at 25 Regent Street, just above the famous Lillywhites sports shop. Stick with us and we’ll bring you the build-up to the hottest ticket in town – JUDGEMENT DAY. It’s Sadie Hobbs versus Chester George.

  * * *

  Hugh looks at his watch.

  * * *

  HUGH STANTON: As we speak, our helicopters are tracking the rioters who are making their way in droves towards Piccadilly Circus. We’ve also got an eye-in-the-sky at Hyde Park too where Sadie Hobbs is giving a speech, prior to her arrival. Thousands upon thousands of people will descend upon Piccadilly Circus today. And none of us can possibly predict what’s going to happen.

  Chapter 41

  “How are we going to get through all these people?” Mack asked. He was looking down the length of Shaftesbury Avenue. “If it’s like this here, it’s only going to get worse the further down we go.”

  Sumo Dave shrugged. “I dunno,” he said. “But I’m not staying back here with the kids and the grannies, am I? Fuck that. And anyway, there’s no tickets, no numbers, no allocated seating down there is there? We’ve got every right to be down there – we were there when this all started, remember?”

  “Aye.”

  “When Chester George speaks this afternoon,” Sumo Dave said. “I want to be up front so that he can look me in the eye. In fact, I want to be on that fountain kissing his bony white skeleton feet.”

  Mack looked around, his eyes adjusting to the morning light. Mostly it was families who had stayed furthest back on Shaftesbury Avenue. There were sleeping toddlers everywhere, some of them being carried and comforted in the arms of their parents. Kids of about five, six and seven too, playing with their toys as their parents set down blankets in the middle of the road, setting up space for themselves.

  “So we’re going down then lads?” Sumo Dave said. “Yeah? We’re all up for that?”

  “You lot do what you want,” Hatchet said. “I won’t settle for anything less than a front-row seat.”

  “That’s my boy Hatch,” Sumo Dave said. “Tegz?”

  “I’m getting on that fountain,” Tegz said.

  Sumo Dave laughed. “In your dreams mate. But I’ll send you a postcard, yeah? Tell you what it’s like up there with the stars.”

  “C’mon,” Hatchet said. “Let’s stop fucking about back here in the nursery, eh?”

  And with that, Hatchet threw his rucksack over his shoulder and started towards the wall of bodies that stood in between them and Piccadilly Circus. He didn’t turn around to check if anyone was following.

  Chapter 42

  SKAM BOX OFFICE

  * * *

  HUGH STANTON: And joining me for today’s coverage is a very special guest - the one and only James Paxton – who we’ve pinched from the CBC for one day only. (Laughs) Welcome James.

  * * *

  The camera cuts to Paxton, dressed in a sleek black suit and thin matching tie. With typical curtness, he nods at the camera.

  * * *

  PAXTON: Hugh.

  * * *

  The camera cuts back to Stanton.

  * * *

  HUGH STANTON: I’m just getting word in my ear that Sadie Hobbs has apparently amassed well over fifty thousand people to her cause. And those numbers are still growing James.

  * * *

  PAXTON: (Nodding) Those are staggering numbers Hugh.

  * * *

  HUGH STANTON: And although we don’t know exactly how many people Chester George will bring – it’s estimated at well over a hundred thousand - there is one thing that concerns me James. How is everyone going to fit into Piccadilly Circus? It’s not that big a location after all, is it?

  * * *

  PAXTON: (Shaking his head) I don’t know Hugh. I mean, it’s not the smartest move is it and you know - we keep hearing how smart Chester George is, don’t we? Well I would ask him this – why not go with Hyde Park instead? Why Piccadilly Circus? It’s a road junction for heaven’s sake. It’s not big enough.

  * * *

  HUGH STANTON: Not exactly a stroke of genius, is it?

  Chapter 43

  The SKAM Heli-Cam looks down upon a mass exodus of men, women and children.

  * * *

  The procession, stretching back for miles, is slowly moving away from a vast green space located in the West End of London.

  * * *

  They’re now travelling east towards Piccadilly Circus.

  * * *

  Many of the people in the procession are waving Union Jacks, or hoisting a variety of coloured banners in the air with ‘London Liberation Army’ printed on the front in bold letters.

  * * *

  When the camera zooms in on the front of the procession, a familiar figure wearing a Union Jack mini dress is visible. She runs one hand through her crimped blonde hair as she waves up at the Heli-Cam with the other, an ecstatic grin spread all over her face.

  Chapter 44

  Mack barged his way through another group of people.

  He felt his shoulder slam into someone’s arm.

  “Excuse me,” he mumbled. He could feel their eyes all over him – where do you think you’re going?

  This wasn’t going to be easy. The Good and Honest Citizens were one long traffic jam stretching the length of Shaftesbury Avenue. Mack had already walked face first into someone’s elbow, but thankfully he hadn’t started bleeding all over the place.

  He’d never apologised so much in his life.

  “Sorry.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Sorry.”

  Somebody tried to hand him a beer. He signalled a polite refusal to the stranger.

  Later on, still fighting his way through the crowd, he thought back to that beer.

  Wishing he’d said yes.

  Chapter 45

  The SKAM Heli-Cam flies over Shaftesbury Avenue.

  * * *

  Thousands of people fill the street below.

  * * *

  Some of the Good and Honest Citizens can be seen working on makeshift supply stations. These crude stands, built out of crates and boxes, will provide bottled water and refreshment to those in need. Elsewhere, others are checking out the freestanding, plastic portable toilets that have been brought in overnight and scattered throughout the area. In addition, St John Ambulance crews are on site, should they be required. As the Heli-Cam flies overhead, some of the GHC can be seen in discussion with the medical personnel.

  Chapter 46

  CBC News 24

  * * *

  In the middle of Piccadilly Circus, Dick Ronson is doing a live report for the CBC 24-Hour News Channel.
Dressed in a light blue shirt and chinos, Ronson is sporting a slightly more casual look than his usual suit and tie job.

  * * *

  Except that is, for the bulletproof vest he’s wearing over his shirt.

  * * *

  As Ronson reports to the camera, the Good and Honest Citizens are pouring into Piccadilly Circus behind him. Huge crowds swarm the area and Dick Ronson looks nervously over his shoulder before turning back to the camera and commencing the report.

  * * *

  DICK RONSON: Sophie, this is a high alert situation today in the city of London. Let us not forget that these same people here today, have for weeks unleashed a violent reign of terror upon the citizens of our capital city.

  * * *

  A man walks behind Ronson. A little girl of about seven or eight – with ‘GHC’ printed on her forehead - sits on his shoulders, waving at the CBC camera.

  * * *

  SOPHIE WALLACE: (From the CBC studio.) Dick, what’s the atmosphere there like at the moment?

  * * *

  DICK RONSON: It’s a giant carnival of terror Sophie! The entire area around here has been closed to traffic, which feels a bit surreal given that Piccadilly Circus is normally crawling with vehicles.

  * * *

  Ronson glances over his shoulder.

  * * *

  DICK RONSON: As you can see behind me Sophie, the rioters are currently making their way into Piccadilly Circus in their hundreds and thousands. They say they want change. But is it all just an excuse? Is there more violence to come?

  * * *

  Ronson is interrupted by the sound of a bullhorn blaring. An explosion of cheers follows from within the assembled crowd.

  * * *

  DICK RONSON: Sophie, I’ll have to leave it there – I’m sorry. It’s getting too intense here. I feel like a man shipwrecked on an island infested with cannibals. I’m standing over a large pot filled with hot boiling water, and right now the natives are dancing all around me.

  Chapter 47

  The four teenagers had arrived. At last, they were in Piccadilly Circus.

  The first thing Mack did was look up at the famous advertising screens to his right. Unlike the roads, which had been sealed off, the screens were fully operational and at that moment, were spewing out a faster-than-a-blink-of-the-eye conveyer belt of brightly lit images: food, electronics, clothing, skincare, cigarettes, credit cards, hair products, cars, sexual enhancement drugs, beer, and banks.

  It was the perfect time to sell.

  Hatchet, who had been leading the way so far, didn’t stop for long on the outskirts. With relentless determination, he continued to push his way forward through the seething mass of bodies.

  Mack, Sumo Dave and Tegz followed, but gradually, as they fought their way forwards, the four teenagers began to get split up in the crowd.

  Out of the four, Sumo Dave - due to his height - had the most problems getting through the crowd. The people who’d been standing there for hours already weren’t too pleased about newcomers trying to push past them. On several occasions, while trying to slip past spectators, Sumo Dave was physically pushed back.

  Mack was having more success. He showed patience in his approach, standing for long stretches, biding his time, and waiting for the right moment to make a move. It was only when something happened elsewhere – a sudden noise amongst the crowd, the arrival of a helicopter, or some other distraction – that he took a couple of steps forward. But territory was much guarded here. This was the hottest ticket in town and Mack had to be careful not to make his advance obvious.

  It was slow, but gradually he began to close in on the fountain.

  As he progressed further, he turned around and saw Sumo Dave falling back into the crowd. The two boys caught each other’s eye from afar. Sumo Dave shrugged as if to signal that this was as far as he was going.

  He raised an arm aloft, giving Mack the thumbs up.

  Good luck mate.

  Chapter 48

  FIXX News

  Kit McAdam, reporter and national security analyst for FIXX Media, is standing by at the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain. She is dressed in the green khaki shirt and trousers of a seasoned war correspondent.

  KIT MCADAM: Well, standing beside me now is Michael King who has been a prominent voice for the rioters since disturbances began back in August.

  The camera zooms out. Michael King is standing at Kit’s side, dressed in a jet-black hoodie and khaki combat trousers.

  KIT MCADAM: Michael, thank you for talking to us. Tell me, what are we going to hear from Chester George later today?

  MICHAEL KING: He’s going to talk about Phase Three.

  KIT MCADAM: Phase Three?

  MICHAEL KING: Phase One was the insurrection. Phase Two, the occupation. Phase Three comes next – and that’s where the real, lasting change begins.

  Michael looks out over the large crowd.

  MICHAEL KING: Look out there today. Look at all the different types of people who want the same change. There are students in the crowd. There are working men and women representing the trade unions. There are middle-class people who have brought their children. There are no types – only human beings.

  KIT MCADAM: Any message for the people watching this at home?

  MICHAEL KING: Yes. Brace yourselves.

  KIT MCADAM: (Laughing nervously) Wow. Okay. You’ve become quite a hit with the people lately Michael. Is this the beginning of a burgeoning political career?

  MICHAEL KING: (Shaking his head) I don’t care a thing for politics.

  KIT MCADAM: But isn’t this politics?

  MICHAEL KING: No, no, this is a celebration. Look around you. People are standing around singing songs of hope. There are artists down there drawing portraits of children. There are poets speaking while people are getting their faces painted. This isn’t politics - it’s a celebration. Change is coming.

  KIT MCADAM: And Michael, there’s even a rumour circulating that you might be Chester George. Have you heard that one? After all, we know absolutely nothing about this man who everybody’s waiting for here today. What do you have to say about that?

  Michael King smiles for the first time on camera.

  MICHAEL KING: Oh man. I’m not even close to the level of intellect possessed by that man. Not even close.

  KIT MCADAM: But you do know who Chester George is, don’t you?

  MICHAEL KING: Yes I do.

  Chapter 49

  Mack was exhausted, yet satisfied. He stood in the front row, having painstakingly worked his way through a wall of people for over two hours. Now his throat was dry, clogged up with nerves and a gnawing thirst. On more than one occasion, he’d felt his legs wobble underneath him as he pushed his way forwards, his body pleading with its master for rest and nourishment.

  He thought about digging into his rucksack for some water or God forbid, another sandwich. But given how tightly everyone was squeezed together at the front, pulling his rucksack off his back and opening it up was easier said than done.

  No need. He wasn’t going to die of thirst yet.

  There was no sign of Hatchet or Tegz anywhere. He assumed they’d fallen back into the crowd along with Sumo Dave.

  Mack looked over towards the fountain. The advance was over - the front row was as far as he was going. As soon as he’d arrived up front, he realised there was no chance of him getting over there onto the steps of the fountain. A group of heavies, built like tanks, were yet another human wall. They were yet another obstacle in his way, standing tall and wide, posing as security. The heavies were standing facing the crowd, acting as human barriers, and keeping the fountain steps deliberately clear of too much human traffic.

  There were a few people gathered under the statue of Anteros. Michael King was talking to a female reporter, and several other, mostly black faces, sat scattered around the middle steps, and then a little further down, near the bottom there was yet another familiar face.

  Upon seeing this face, Mack
threw his hands in the air.

  He couldn’t believe it.

  There was Hatchet, sitting on the stairs of the fountain.

  Chapter 50

  SKAM BOX OFFICE

  Poppy Baskerville is standing in the middle of Piccadilly Circus.

  POPPY BASKERVILLE: (Touching her earpiece) This just in Hugh. Sadie Hobbs and the London Liberation Army have arrived on the outskirts of Piccadilly Circus! As you know they’ve been travelling along the Piccadilly route earlier this morning from Hyde Park. They’re going to want to get in here, but police are expected to try and hold them back.

  Cuts to Hugh Stanton in the studio.