11/06/2021
"The Visitors" by Gray Winslo
The small TV studio hummed with barely contained nervous excitement, and fear, fear someone would screw up the most important broad cast in human history. The rural, small town studio normally handled local cable transfers from national cable networks to local customers; and local news programs. The reported on local weather, crop prices, changes in the school board policies, lost dogs, local high school athletics, etc. But this broadcast would be send directly to all national networks, for both air and cable broadcast, and sent on to international connections, and relayed to every country and every outlet around the globe. More people would see this broadcast than would see the sun in the next 24 hours. In the studio was a dull roar of frantic voices, people trying to appear calm, many with clip boards and pens, lists of "must do's"in the next few minutes. There was the slight but obvious smell of sweat, the sound of the HVAC system working hard before being shut down for silence for the broad cast. The Assistant Director, rubbing his forehead as though trying to wipe away a headache, was trying to maintain the Director's attention. The Director stood in front of his chair, trying to listen while pointing, shouting "Hey" to workers, and giving verbal or gestural directions. He was upper middle age an very experienced at running a TV studio, but this was different. It had to be flawless, and on time. Minute details and seconds were now more important than ever ... anywhere. This broad cast would be recorded and replayed countless times, hopefully for many years. About 25 feet in front of the director was a simple desk and chair. In the chair sat a young woman, Grace Ann Toss, reviewing her pages so notes. While it seemed she should be the most nervous, she wasn't, for she was the only one knowing what was about to unfold. She knew what to say to the world, she knew what the world was about to find out and the gravity and reality of it held her in place, gave her a settle peace. The asst director checked the time, gave a hand signal to the lighting engineer who flashed a subtle but obvious red signal thru the studio. The voices quieted, but the pace of shuffling bodies quickened; they knew they had seconds to have it all perfect. Two minutes later there was a longer, five second long red light, and all knew to get still and quiet. The HVAC shut off. Red lights went on over all the doors as they closed and locked. A pencil dropped and the director shot a look over his shoulder and everyone froze. The camera and camera man were poised 20 feet in front of Grace Ann. Grace Ann was still a seemingly calm, awaiting the director's 10 second countdown and that finger point that means "you're on!. A serious calm came over the studio as the director started his countdown, hit on "one" as the official second hand hit twelve, gave the "You're on!" point to Grace Ann, and she took a deep breath and looked into the camera. Most studio staff watched the camera feed on the many monitors around the studio. Grace Ann took another deep breath, gently laid down her notes, and began. "I'm Grace Ann Toss, from day one, a member of the visitor welcoming committee. The committee selected me to be the spokesperson. We, the committee have met with the visitors five to seven days a week for the last seven weeks. Our meetings have been five to twelve hours a day, averaging about ten hours a day.
We, the committee, have learned so much and feel we know and understand the Visitors' cause, purpose, experience and message. The committee has been meeting without the Visitors hours a day too, to discuss and clarify the visitors' messages. The world must know and believe that what I'm going to say is true, will happen and isn't negotiable. Humanity will be tested. It is a pass fail test. Failure would be disastrous, passing will lead us to greatness beyond our dreams. It's do or die. The visitors are advanced beyond our comprehension, technically, morally and socially. Long ago they discovered how to do interstellar travel, they discovered developing intelligent species and studied them. They found a large percentage of them failed to get past greed and hatred, and destroyed them selves, often takin other species with them. They studied this and decided to intervene in such cases for the betterment of the species and safety of others.
They’ve been monitoring us for a very long time, and from their experiences, know it’s time to intervene. That’s why they’re here.
Again, remember, these points are non negotiable. They see us as too greedy, too warlike, hateful. But they see some small societies as peaceful and caring so feel it is possible we as a species live better, live without hate and war. We just need guidance. So, …..
All of our war machines, weapons will be taken. They will disappear from where ever they are. This will begin after this broadcast. War ships, planes, vehicles will go away and any occupants will be safely left on land. Guns will go away. Don’t waste time trying to hide them.
Also, the visitors know as we do we use and waste Earth’s resources too fast for sustainability. They will give us temporary sources of electrical power and lead us to hydrogen fusion technology and an end to all fossil fuels. And part of the issue is the overpopulation of humans. The visitors will adjust fertility rates until our population is down to an easily sustainable level, and then it will be our responsibility to maintain that level. We must end tribal and race prejudice and hatred to survive.
This story is becoming too close to "The Day the Earth Stood Still", original version... see if your library has it; maybe on a streaming service... Please watch it. Peace. Gray
"The Visitors" is not yet finished.. but I'm working on it!
