I'll tell you guys one thing - it's a lot harder to write this time around. A lot of the old guys from the last time I tried writing this left or aren't very active, and the new guys don't really have a known personality yet
I think this new version is going to be much more character-orientated than the last one. Which isn't really a bad thing, if you think about it.
Anyway:
SCENE NINE. INT. SHRIKE’S OFFICE – DAY
We open to see a large paper-covered desk. Stacks of portfolios are strewn about, and SHRIKE is resting his head on his upturned hands, elbows on the table. He’s watching his desk ornament with fascination, as the little balls clack back and forth, swinging on their pendulums. Otherwise, the room is silent. A knock is heard on his door. He looks up his eyes, never moving the rest of his body.
SHRIKE: (As if bored) Come in.
We turn to look at the door. A whoosh is heard, and the door slides away, B5 style. In steps WINDRUNNER. He smiles at SHRIKE, who sighs, as if he knows what’s coming next. WINDRUNNER sets down a small stack of files on a table in front of SHRIKE’s desk. He crosses his legs and interlocks his fingers, and stairs at SHRIKE, who looks up and sighs. He reluctantly takes his attention off his clackers and looks at WINDRUNNER. Sighing, he reaches down and takes out a pen from his desk drawer.
SHRIKE: What can I sign to get you to leave me alone…?
WINDRUNNER feigns shock, clutching his chest and bulging his eyes.
WINDRUNNER: (Fake innocence) Why Shrike! Me?
SHRIKE sighs and gestures with his hand.
SHRIKE: Yes, you. Gimme.
WINDRUNNER smirks and ruffles through the papers on the desk. He selects one, and walks over to SHRIKE’s desk, the paper outstretched in his arm. Setting it down in front of SHRIKE, he sits back on his chair, resuming his previous smug pose. SHRIKE looks over the paper for a few seconds, then looks up and gives WINDRUNNER a raised eyebrow.
SHRIKE: You want to put out requests for new admins?
WINDRUNNER: (Inhales) Well…we have had some problems lately. The admins that we…have left are clamoring for some help.
SHRIKE: You know our policy on new admins. Goober was a hard enough choice, and he’s been here for awhile.
WINDRUNNER: Yes, I know, but we need. More. Help. Have you seen the situation out there lately? We’ve got newbies overrunning the place, we’ve had multiple deletions, computer hacks…Shrike, it’s a mess out there. Just yesterday we’ve had our first perma-ban in two years!
SHRIKE: (A little irate) I know what’s been going on out there. And I’m telling you that the admins we have are enough to handle the situation! Not to mention that, but once the Defense Force recruitment program comes online tommorrow, we’ll have more than enough people to manage the forums.
WINDRUNNER: Shrike…with all due respect. Forum members do not a heavy police force make. With the amount of unruliness that’s going on, it’s only a matter of time before we have to introduce filters!
SHRIKE slams down on the desk and stands up, furious. WINDRUNNER seems a little surprised, but quickly masks it.
SHRIKE: I will NOT let this forum come to that!
He sits back down, sighing and rubbing his forehead. He picks up his pen and holds the paper out in front of him.
SHRIKE: You’ll get your admins.
WINDRUNNER: (Nods silently) Thank you.
WINDRUNNER stands up and begins to walk out the door. He pauses with it open, and turns to look at SHRIKE.
WINDRUNNER: It’s for the best.
WINDRUNNER closes the door and walks out, and SHRIKE sighs behind him, returning to his work. We fade to:
