This Just In

Posted on Wed May 3rd, 2023 @ 12:51am by Hale Stratton

516 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Bangor or Bust
Location: WABI Television Station, Bangor, Maine
Timeline: 26 AUG 2010 - 11:00 a.m.

"Good morning, Bangor! It's 8 a.m. and I'm Steve Cadson. To my right is my co-host, the lovely Melanie Blake." Young and polished, in an expensive charcoal gray suit with a white shirt and blood-red tie, Steve turned to his equally polished co-anchor, who was dressed in black. The somberness of their dress was reflected in their location as well; rather than sitting on a sofa in the set designed to appear as though the co-hosts were sitting in their living room, the pair sat at a traditional news desk.

"We all know about the Wildfire Virus," Melanie said as she faced the camera head on. Gone were the smiles and the perky attitude that her viewers and come to expect. "Because of the shelter in place order, we're going to forego our usual format and bring you the information that you need to know to come through this safely."

"And personal safety," Steve said, "is our first issue." His expression turned grave as the picture of a freckle-faced ten year, wearing a helmet and riding a skateboard, showed on screen. "Ten-year old Andrew Smith died today while attempting to get a picture of the 'so-called zombies' that have been flooding the news of late. He and his younger sister, Elizabeth, were skateboarding in the park and noticed a group of people behaving oddly nearby. Andrew, who had hopes of becoming a journalist one day, was able to snap pictures of the crowd but was killed in the attempt."

"We only have the picture because Andrew's photos were set to go straight to the cloud and his sister had the presence of mind to tell her parents. Now, we want to warn you because this next part is shocking," Melanie said. "Not suitable for our younger viewers."

The view switched, from Steve and Melanie, to the picture of an individual. An older man, dressed in a suit, turned toward the camera, his blood-stained mouth opening, as he reached out. His expression was nearly devoid of emotions. Just visible, on the side of his balding head, was the outline of a jagged wound.

"Be careful out there," Steve said. "Whatever this is, it's not a promotional stunt. These aren't actors. And if they get to you, you'll die."

"Our hearts go out to the Smith family," Melanie said. "After the commercial break, our own Edward Reid reports on weather, traffic conditions, and what's open an what's not."

26th AUG 2010 - 08:00 p.m.

"Good evening, Bangor," Steve said. He was sitting alone now at the news desk, jacket thrown over what looked like a sweatshirt, his once immaculate hair tousled. "As you know, the network is suspending broadcasting but we here at WABI will continue to provide whatever news we can for as long as we can. My co-anchor for the morning show, Melanie Blake will be handling the morning report while I do the evening. So, look for broadcasts twice a day, at 8 in the morning and at 8 in the evening. We're all in this together."

"We'll start with the situation in our local hospitals..."

 

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