Dark Revelations (18 page)

TALBOT

 

 

He calls himself Labyrinth, and he says that he’s a force of good in the world, not evil.

TALBOT

 

 

And today, in a worldwide exclusive, Labyrinth is here, live, in the very next studio, ready to explain his actions of the past week.

TALBOT

 

 

I want you to know, home audience, that we did not come to this decision lightly. We do not harbor criminals; we merely want to facilitate a surrender. And the man calling himself Labyrinth insists that he will give up after this broadcast. But first, he wants a forum to air his views. [Pause] Labyrinth, we are granting your request.

 

LABYRINTH

 

Thank you for having me, Ms. Talbot. I’m a fan of the show.

 

TALBOT

 

Why are you doing this?

 

LABYRINTH

 

Why do
you
do this?

 

TALBOT

 

You mean this show?

 

LABYRINTH

 

Yes.

 

TALBOT

 

I try to be a force of good in the world. To show that one person’s good deeds can have a larger impact.

 

LABYRINTH

 

And that’s what I love about you, and your show. That’s it exactly. I am attempting to do the same thing.

 

TALBOT

 

But you’re . . . accused of
killing people
. No matter the justification, murder is wrong. We must believe that, or we descend into savagery.

 

LABYRINTH

 

I disagree, naturally, and believe that bold actions are the only way to produce bold change. But I can appreciate your position, so let me make a deal with you. I’ll stop killing. In honor of you and your show. Perhaps I’ll spread my message without bloodshed—thanks to your generosity.

 

TALBOT

 

Let me make sure I’m understanding you. You’re willing to stop killing, and surrender yourself on this program?

 

LABYRINTH

 

Oh. . . . [Chuckles] I didn’t say anything about surrender.

 

TALBOT

 

But I don’t understand. I’m offering you a forum to explain yourself to millions of viewers around the world.

 

LABYRINTH

 

Millions, Ms. Talbot? Really? Seems you’re inflating your reach just a touch.

 

TALBOT

 

Let’s get back to you, Labyrinth.

 

LABYRINTH

 

In a moment. I’m fascinated by you, actually. All of the work you do. Especially for children. You’re known for it internationally, aren’t you?

 

TALBOT

 

My viewers would much rather hear about you, and your mission.

 

LABYRINTH

 

You’re really keen on helping schools, aren’t you? Especially here in South Africa. Such a worthy cause.

 

TALBOT

 

Yes, I would agree. But again, we’re not here to—

 

LABYRINTH

 

I’ve spent a lot of time looking at your process. Specifically, how you help these schools. It is a fascinating model—one I briefly considered adopting myself. See, what you do, and what the viewers at home may not know, is that you’ll do a show on a struggling school, right here in Johannesburg, perhaps. And you will solicit contributions from major corporations—
shame them
, really, into donating computers and books and other educational supplies.

And you’ll skim just enough cash off the top to not quite do the job.

 

TALBOT

 

I’m sorry. We’re done.

 

LABYRINTH

 

If you or any members of your production team touches a single fucking button, the bomb under your chair will fucking explode. You will die on live TV, Ms. Talbot.

Is that what you want, you vile cunt?

 

TALBOT

 

W-w-what? You did . . . what?

 

LABYRINTH

 

You graciously allowed me to inspect the studio before I agreed to this interview. While doing so, I left a little present under your chair. Surprised no one noticed it.

 

TALBOT

 

James, kill the feed now.

 

LABYRINTH

 

Kill the feed, James, you kill your boss.

 

TALBOT

 

Don’t do this. Please don’t do this. You’re making a big mistake.

 

LABYRINTH

 

I could have said the same to you. Don’t do this, Jane. Don’t pretend to help children while keeping them struggling the whole time, just because it will help your ratings, help you reach those millions of viewers you so covet.

 

TALBOT

 

No, I don’t—

 

LABYRINTH

 

Don’t you fucking lie to your viewers, Jane. Poor show. I’ve collected the evidence into one document, and your viewers can see it for themselves . . . why, right now, as I’ve just released it into a thousand different servers and download sites. Just search for the terms “Jane Talbot” and “Child Abuse” and you’ll be on your way.

 

TALBOT

 

Labyrinth, you don’t have to do this. We can still talk. You promised me you’d stop killing.

 

LABYRINTH

 

And you promised those children so much, didn’t you? Hand them a scrap of bread while pressing the heel of your Manolo Blahniks into their dirty little faces.

 

TALBOT

 

You bastard.

 

LABYRINTH

 

I don’t blame you, personally. You’re just a symptom of a larger disease. The education system for our most precious resource, our children, is not serving their needs. It’s serving the needs of the administrators, the government, by putting the focus on test scores in order to get more funding. Why no creative schools? Why is it all based on one assembly-line system? The current education system is based on Henry Ford’s idea from the turn of the century. Education shouldn’t be a business. It’s outdated and doesn’t help our kids. It’s a shadow of what it should be.

 

TALBOT

 

But . . . I agree with you, I’m trying to fix it.

 

LABYRINTH

 

Still clinging to your lies? Let’s leave it to your viewers then, shall we? James, I’d like you to open the lines, phone and Web. If you’ve downloaded the documents, and you wish to see Janey here punished for her crimes against the children, then let your voice be heard. Thy will be done . . .

 

TALBOT

 

Talk to me. Please talk to me. Don’t do this. Whatever you’re planning. We can talk it through.

 

LABYRINTH

 

James? Are we rolling? You be sure to keep me updated on those calls, James. Patch them through.

 

TALBOT

 

Please....

 

LABYRINTH

 

You’re right in the middle of what will become the most-watched television show in the history of the medium. You do realize that, don’t you? They’re going to watch this and read about you forever. It will be bigger than the moon landing. Enjoy it, Jane.

 

TALBOT

 

I’m begging you. . . .

 

LABYRINTH

 

Don’t fucking beg me, you bitch. Beg them. Beg your viewers. Beg the children!