A Little Vacation

(A Tabloid TV Report about Morada)

You see a color bar on the screen. After about 5 seconds, you see a countdown from 5, 4, 3, 2.
Blank Screen.
You see a small counter running across the bottom of the screen with tiny numbers that are constantly changing.
<Close-up on correspondent Diane Wallace, standing in front of
[Downtown, The Boulevard] Counter: 8725
Here stands the Town Hall in all of its old-world grandeur. Delicate wrought iron balconies and flowering bougainvillea grace its smooth white masonry and soften its imposing appearance. Built when the French reigned supreme on the island, the Town Hall has lost none of the graciousness of the age. You also see an elderly woman, a telephone booth, a bulletin board with some stuff on it, a bus stop marker and a plaque on the wall of the town hall.>
"The tiny island of Morada in the easternmost part of the Caribbean may not seem like the place to find murder, intrigue and some of the most materialistic tourists the world has seen. Tonight we will go behind the facade of a simple tropical paradise and show you what really happens
"On a Little Vacation"

<Aerial footage of the island>
"During the past 500 years, Spain, France, Britain and Germany have occupied Morada. For the last 50 years, it has been a constitutional sovereignty, complete with a king in a Palace in the heart of the capital city, Cape Marassas."
<[Royal Palace, North Lawns] Counter: 7318
Across the great expanse of vibrant green lawn, silhouetted in the tropical sun, the palace's majestic urns and statues create a presence of drama and nobility. Dual flights of picturesque stairs curve up into the palace entrance. An old carriage lane passes by the north terrace before disappearing from view. To the east, the north gardens welcome visitors with lush greenery and musical fountains. You also see a foot path leading to the pedestrian entrance and Detective Constable Phil Sather.>
"King Matthew Alvarez II is descended from the island's indigenous population, though few traces of the native Carib influence can be found in his opulent residence. "
<[Royal Palace, Majestic Hall] Counter: 7402
An intricately designed rug stretches across the length of the richly appointed hall. Hanging from the high domed ceiling, a mammoth chandelier showers sparkling patterns across the bottom of a wide stairway. Antique suits of armor stand guard at regular intervals along the south wall. The Alvarez Royal Crest is presented in low relief above archways going east and west. A red and white shield emblazoned with a delicate, stylized orchid forms the crest of Morada's royal family.>
"While at the Palace, the tourist population is invited to browse a collection of European luxury..."
<[West End, Regiment Road] Counter: 1045
Downtown's edge is busy with traffic from junction with the Island Highway just down the block. Tourists and locals alike crowd the busy street, passing to and fro as they head out of the city core for other parts of the island, or arrive back downtown after a journey to the hinterlands. You also see a green road sign, a quick thug, a white wooden gate and a lovingly restored grey house. Also here: John Edmiston
John Edmiston just attacked a quick thug with a blued sword with an engraving on the blade!
A serious slashing wound to the chest!
Critical hit!
A quick thug takes on a dead stare and falls to the ground, motionless.
John Edmiston searches a quick thug carefully. >
"yet not more than a few blocks from the Palace gates, thieves, vagabonds and gun-toting tourists mix it up in a never-ending hunt for wrongdoers and victims."

<[West End, Roadblock] Counter: 2005
Splintered saw-horses stretch across the north end of the street, worn stenciling proclaiming them as property of the Cape Marassas Police. Felled trees, tangled limbs broken and decomposing in the eternal heat, lie across the road behind the blockade making the way impassable for anything larger than a cart. You hear the tinny sound of a portable radio issuing from a lean-to at the side of the road where a bored patrol officer laconically speaks to all tourist who wish to go beyond the boundary. Also here: Eagle MacFaron, Chance Nevada
You see Chance Nevada.
He appears to be in his mid-twenties.
He stands 6 feet and 7 inches tall and has a muscular build. He has tan skin, close-cut straight black hair and grey eyes. He has a bushy moustache with sideburns.
Chance has a minor blunt wound to the abdomen, and no more.
He is holding a 22 cal. PS-20 pistol in his right hand.
Chance Nevada is wearing a battered blood-stained cowboy hat with a bullet hole through the rim, a leather shotgun sling, a rattlesnake t-shirt, a pair of well-travelled leather saddlebags hand-tooled with silver stars and the initials CN, a pair of faded jeans, a blackened leather tool belt, a PBR communicator, a gold signet ring, a pair of snakeskin boots, a pair of snug midnight-blue suede fringed chaps, a wide copper bracelet, a bloodstone charm, a knife sheath, a backpack, an old-style Navajo cross pendant, and a dark leather tracker's vest.
You see Eagle MacFaron the Detective.
He appears to be in his mid-forties.
He stands 6 feet and 7 inches tall and has a muscular build. He has tan skin, long straight black hair and blue eyes. He is clean shaven.
Eagle has a minor blunt wound to the head, a minor blunt wound to the chest, a minor blunt wound to the right arm, a critical blunt wound to the abdomen, and no more.
He is holding a twelve gauge shotgun in his right hand.
Eagle MacFaron is wearing a plain grey jacket, a trendy watch, some beige canvas pants, a dark leather shoulder holster, a lightweight canvas haversack, a pair of leather boots, a PBR communicator, a fanny pack, a tight black t-shirt, an obsidian ring, and a single gold star earring.
The patrol officer steps away from his lean-to and gives the men a dubious look. "Uh, I don't know if you really want to go up that road," he says with some chagrin. "The area beyond here isn't the safest place for tourists - well, anyone really, and you could get hurt. Now if you really want to go, then the City can't be held responsible for what might happen to you. Know what I mean?" With that, the young officer gives the two men another warning glance and heads back over to the lean-to.>
"That's right, this peaceful looking tourist destination is home to more murders, robberies, assaults and alleged supernatural phenomena than all the capitals of western countries combined."

<[Downtown, Aracaris North] Counter: 4695
Small businesses mix with respectably tidy houses in this quiet neighborhood. At the end of the block sits the white-sided edifice of the Golden Peace Funeral Home. The very perfection of its immaculate front lawn and ornamental flower beds give it a bright and cheerful appearance at odds with its function. You also see the funeral home and a shiny hearse.>
"On a typical vacation day, the average tourist arrests or kills in the act of arresting, twenty-five local criminals."

<[Royal Moradian Zoo, North Entrance] Counter: 6107
A small, quickly moving line of people gather expectantly around the zoo's windowed counter, excited expressions on the their faces and cameras in hand as they wait to purchase a ticket, and push through the turnstiles.
[Royal Moradian Zoo, Petting Zoo] Counter: 6155
A gate in the tall wooden fence before you prominently displays a sign that reads, "Petting Zoo." A canvas awning flaps noisily in the breeze as it partially shades the pasture. A gate stands in the middle of the fence surrounding the area. You also see a baby goat, a path that leads to an exit, a sow, a lamb and a foal.>
"Oddly, little in the way of personal crime against the tourists is reported. Other than the bruises and lacerations earned rounding up the more dangerous perpetrators, there are no stories of violence against visitors. It would seem tourists here have far too many outlets to think of turning on each other. Nor is any strife reported between the native Carib Indians who still inhabit the island, and the visitors..."
<[Mayne Hill, Empire Road] Counter: 1022
The asphalt of Empire Road crumbles into gravel as the wild Morada countryside encroaches toward the town. An old wooden fence is densely covered with bougainvillea, making it hard to tell what exactly is holding up the flowers. An official-looking sign stands near a swampy trail that leads down a hill to the southwest. You also see a sweaty native, a vending machine and a tourist booth.
The sweaty native looks as if he is fresh from clearing trails in the jungle. His shirt is stained, and the machete he wields is tinged slightly green. He has some rugged work boots, a handwoven belt, some wrinkled trousers and a sweat-stained undershirt.>
"though few Caribs leave their native villages for the wilds of 'civilization'."

<[Old Waterfront, Footpath] Counter: 4200
Once stately and opulent, the facade of the Louis XIV Hotel still features rows of black iron balconies across its pink stucco walls. Now the large windows which overlooked the ocean are boarded closed and the fountain no longer bubbles year-round. Even the gilded doors have been pulled off their hinges and lay abandoned on the chipped stone steps. You also see the chipped stone steps, a burly henchman (dead), and a weatherbeaten signpost with some stuff on it. Also here: Linda Gabriel
Linda Gabriel searches a burly henchman carefully.
Linda Gabriel exclaims, "ha!">
"Morada seems to be a combination of the bloodthirsty and the picturesque."

<[The Hospital, Emergency Room] Counter: 4250
The emergency room is a zone of controlled frenzy. Soft moans from patients mix with the sharp, almost barked orders from the doctors to produce a confusing cacophony of sounds. Ambulance drivers bringing gurneys through the main doors only add to the clutter of the place, as the staff perform a well-rehearsed ballet of movement through the room. You wonder about a pattern in the center of the white linoleum floor until you realize with a start that it is dried blood. You also see a set of double doors.;
"Not surprisingly, Morada's hospital is considered one of the best in the islands. If practice makes perfect, these health professionals are the best in the world."

<Rolling shot:
[Hideaway Hotel, Front Lot] Counter: 1090
Giant palm trees stand along the sides of a gravel driveway, with large coconuts hanging on precariously as the trees move back and forth in the gentle tropical breeze. A large building covered with peeling pale pink paint stands at the end of the driveway. You see a neon pink vacancy sign hanging above a flimsy screen door that flaps in the breeze. You also see a broken brass lamp and the street.
[Aracaris North, Cul de Sac] Counter: 4680
Looking around this very clean, pretty side of town, you are struck with the sense that the residents must spend a good deal of their spare time maintaining their handsome houses and lawns. The sound of electric hedge clippers coming from one of the enclosed gardens seems to confirm your assumption. Four charming nineteenth century homes are sited on this peaceful street, the red and blue mailboxes in front of them almost appearing like a break in style.
[New Marina, Beach Trail] Counter: 8006
Rough, sharp grasses grow thickly on the sand dune, and small sand beetles scurry in between them. From the top of the sand dune, you can see the clear blue waters splashing up on the beach below you. The golden rays of the sun have warmed the sand, and a soft breeze rustles the grasses. You also see a short set of steps leading to the street and a glass door leading into a large grey beach house. The house is set upon four thick beams raising it safely above the ocean tides. White shutters panel the windows left and right of the glass doors. A simple chime doorbell sits nestled against the corner wall.
[Public Moorage, Slip Six] Counter: 8555
Sleek and perfectly proportioned, a wooden sail boat reclines upon the water, securely tied and anchored. Sails furled and hatch closed, she has been prepared for an indeterminate rest in this slip. You can hear lines snapping against the mast, and a sighing creak as she settles once more into inactivity. You also see a luxury houseboat. The houseboat is quite impressive, measuring nearly 60 feet in length, with Caribbean blue detailing running the length of its white, fiberglass hull. A mural on its bow depicts the powerful Poseidon, his right hand gripping a huge trident, waves and lightning crashing all around him as he rises majestically from the ocean's embrace. >
"Thugs, henchmen and suspicious characters abound here, yet Morada has no problem renting all available hotel rooms, bungalows, and some tourists have built fabulous retreats overlooking the scenic beaches."

<[Pirate's Gold Casino, Entryway] Counter: 4633
The large marbled foyer of Pirate's Gold Casino bustles with well-dressed tourists, islanders, and casino employees. While a few satisfied customers seem to be taking their leave, most of the people flow through the large archway that leads further into the casino or head to the cashier's cage. An immense crystal chandelier suspended from the high ceiling brilliantly illuminates the area, and causes the gold flecked marble floors and gilded mirrors to sparkle as people move through the room. You also see a Huge Winnings slot machine, an archway that leads to the casino's main room, a suit of armor near the entrance and the cashier's cage.>
"So, what kind of people vacation in such a dangerous locale?"

<Rolling shot:
[West End, Ministry Row] Counter: 5040
Somber suits and simple dresses are the styles of choice in the heart of Cape Marassas' government district. If Moradian officialdom moves as quickly as the fast feet and hushed, hurried conversations of its civil servants, then the administration of the island's affairs surely proceeds with some alacrity. The center of commotion is a brick building complex, weathered pink by tropical weather, adorned with posters celebrating the numerous great and good works of the government. You also see the entrance.
[West End, Ministry Row] Counter: 5050
A solid stone building occupies the north half of the road. Clearly a legacy of British colonial times, it speaks of Bermuda shorts, the officers' mess, gin and bringing the glories of King and Empire to obstreperous natives. The sun, surely, was never have supposed to set on the proud lion statue guarding the front steps. Juxtaposed with this relic, as happens often on Morada, is a modern office building, its many-mirrored front reflecting a shattered image of the colonial legacy. You also see a side street, an entrance to the brick building, a glass door and a sign.
[West End, Embassy Square] Counter: 5057
Small public parks, with green benches beneath green trees, and green water gurgling from greenish, weather-stained fountains, fill two opposing corners of the square. The other corners, by comparison, contrast. A colonial-era stone house, nestled comfortably amidst the white blossoms of Jamaican cherry trees, occupies the northwest. To the southeast is all modern steel and glass and deliberately unusual angles grazing against the sky. You also see an elderly man, a fountain statue, the Canadian High Commission, the entrance and a telephone booth. Also here: Hamilton Nash
You see Hamilton Nash.
He appears to be in his early forties.
He stands 5 feet and 11 inches tall and has a trim build. He has ruddy skin, short thinning ice-blonde hair and blue eyes. He has a handlebar moustache.
He is holding a vintage well balanced Epee in his right hand. Hamilton Nash is wearing a carnation boutonniere, a crisp dress shirt, a handsome antique silver gentleman's monocle, an english school tie, a grey suit made from fine English tweed, a pair of leather dress shoes, an ornamented gold medal, a PBR communicator, a fine felt homburg, a pair of lined leather gloves, a Cordovan leather attache, a gold pocket watch, a leather ankle sheath, a herringbone cape, and some fawn spats. >
"Since the end of the cold war, agents of foreign governments seem to have taken a permanent vacation here. They bring their love of intrigue; not to mention their high-tech weapons in a suitcase you or I would have trouble getting through the airport security check."

<[Industrial District, Empire Road] Counter: 1059
This is not the Morada pictured in any ad or brochure you've ever seen. Empire Road is far away from the usual tourist haunts, out of sight and mind of less inquisitive visitors. The industrial landscape is a drab corridor of squat, dilapidated workshops and factories. Old buildings lean inwards in a permanent state of collapse, and even the power lines sag dispiritedly from rotting poles. The untidy roadway is streaked with oil and other grimy wastes. You also see a young woman and the entrance to Yeardly's Armory.
[Yeardly's Armory, Showroom] Counter: 1065
A low glass display case filled with different weapons dominates this small shop. Shelves along the wall behind the display case are filled with ammunition. An ancient cash register perches precariously on a corner of the display case. You also see a set of well balanced arrows, a formal sign, a door, a price list and a large display rack with some stuff on it.>
"And if you land on the island without enough ammo, or your favorite pistol got left at home, there's an armory here with more weapons than some NATO members have in stock. "

<[Mercado de Dos Palmas, East Wing] Counter: 4440
A cacophony of voices, laughter and music echoes off the polished marble floor tiles. Some shoppers slow down their steps to examine the wares displayed in the shop windows, others turn their heads to make out the source of the delicious smell drifting out of an open door. A large planter made of old railroad ties holds several palm trees surrounded by blooming Madagascar periwinkle.>
"But it's not just professionals who take up arms and hit the streets looking for trouble."
<[Downtown, Triffi Circle] Counter: 4275
Respectability and astute business acumen fairly ooze from the formal architecture and immaculate entryways of the offices which line this street. Sleek European roadsters slowly tour the blacktop in search of a place to park. Ornate street lamps from a bygone era dot the sidewalk, adding their grace to what is, perhaps, the most affluent block in the city. You also see a black iron gate, an elegant, ornate archway leading to an office building, the Medical Examiner's Association, the Courtyard Professional Building and a white truck.>
"Coroners, naturally, find plenty of business here. "
<[Association of Medical Examiners, Reception Room] Counter: 4290
Oriental carpets of scarlet and sapphire spread their jewel tones over the cool expanse of a grey marble floor, lending comfort and elegance to the area. Discreetly quiet classical music drifts to your ears from hidden speakers, and even the ringing of the receptionist's phone seems nothing more than a polite request for recognition. Anatomical sketches, some appearing to be quite old, are displayed in gilt frames on the ivory wall - a tribute to the intricacy and beauty of the human body. You also see an elegant scroll top desk, a door leading out, Dr. Milo Jergins and an archway leading to the association's library.
Dr. Milo Jergins sorts through a box of slides, selecting several and placing them carefully in a carousel tray. When done, he returns both to their proper places.>
"Med. students would envy the number of subjects here that can't be further harmed by the scalpel."
<[West End, Trafford Road at New West Avenue] Counter: 1075
Looking east down New West Avenue towards downtown, you see the buildings grow more crowded, concrete and business-like. Here though, modest homes with lush, well-kept lawns and gardens dominate. The natural richness of island foliage plays host to a wealth of fauna. Birds chirp, bees buzz, butterflies flit and tiny, colorful gecko lizards dart to and fro, scurrying from one tree trunk to another. You also see a shady tree, a grumbling brawler, a bus stop marker and a small black spider. Also here: Lucas Trek
Lucas Trek just shot a surly brawler with a used 9mm. handgun!
Some damage absorbed by a tattered camouflage t-shirt.
A minor piercing wound to the back!
A grumbling brawler mutters a curse as he attacks!
A grumbling brawler assaults Lucas!
Lucas Trek just shot a surly brawler with a used 9mm. handgun!
A surly brawler drops to his knees, slowly falling to the ground in a heap.>
"And coroners are not the only off-islanders that make sure the volume stays high as they patrol the island looking for trouble and grist for their grisly mill."

<[University of Morada, Grounds] Counter: 7230
A walkway light blinks fitfully, pushing at the edges of the darkness. Its faint electric drone hums irritatingly in your ears. Beyond the obscuring boughs of the cordia trees which line the walk, you see an edifice whose shape seems grotesquely irregular in the glare of the floods surrounding its base. Light filtering from its wide windows of green glass reveal more odd exterior angles, and allow you to see the interior of what could only be the infamously ugly Undergraduate Library. You also see a wooden door with a shiny brass plaque on it, a concrete sign and a set of glass doors.
[University of Morada, Hawthorne Research Facility] Counter: 7211
The soft rustle of a breeze through the leaves of a large hibiscus tree is the only sound that disturbs the quiet of the night in this section of the campus. A streetlamp casts its glow over small patches of well manicured lawns before its soft yellow light fades into the darkness, while small garden lights hidden in two rows of hedges illuminate a short path leading to a set of glass doors which seem to serve as the entrance to a building off the road, the details of which are obscured by the night.>
"The island also boasts a seat of higher learning. The University of Morada offers degrees in the liberal arts, as well as an active social life augmented by bloodshed. True, some of the students and professors subscribe to the 'pen is mightier than the sword' doctrine. "
<[University, Field Entrance] Counter: 7258
Shrouded in almost complete darkness, you stumble down the rough path leading to the university's sports field. Nearby, you can hear a group of late football fans roaring the team's hymn on their way home. The darker shadows of the floodlight poles loom large before you, towering above the field's fencing. You also see a rough path, an open gate, a pom pom and a chain link fence.>
"But for every pacifist scholar, there is a gun toting, bow wielding, knife throwing or blunt weapon swinging colleague notching the belt with corpses."

<[The Newsstand] Counter: 4327
Even though the newsstand is right across from the Cape Marassas Informer building, the stand seems to be sold out of newspapers or any other kind of reading material. The shelves behind the counter are stocked only with an assortment of miscellaneous items and signs that read, 'Sold out, please refill.' You also see a small counter and a clerk.>
"Such happenings rarely escape the notice of the press for long. "
<[Downtown, The Boulevard] Counter: 4315
The breath-snatching exhaust of an idling truck spreads like a blanket over the sidewalk. A row of brightly painted coin-op newspaper boxes stands next to the entrance of the Cape Marassas Informer building, enticing you to read the bold headlines contained within. Echoing down the alley which borders the east side of the building is a fast, rhythmical clanking, that fades in and out with the sounds of the street traffic.>
"We visited the main offices of the island newspaper recently, but no one was available to meet with us because they were all out rounding up bad guys. "
<[Newspaper, Press Room] Counter: 4335
Coffee cups and candy wrappers litter working surfaces in equal proportion. Old copies of favored dictionaries and other tools of the trade lie in haphazard piles on a common bookcase. The heavy whir of working presses come from behind a heavy door. You also see a wooden door leading to the Newsroom, a small sign on the wall near the door, a set of stairs, the Editor's office and the Lay-out room.
[Newspaper, Editor's Office] Counter: 4342
Hazy light from the window overlooking the alleyway outside filters through dusty blinds and highlights a desk which may be better off left hidden. A large ashtray holds the remains of several days worth of chain smoking, while a greasy cardboard box contains what looks to have been fried plantain. The tired elegance of ivory wall paper, now mostly beige with time and smoke, peeps from beneath various pictures and awards hanging on its surface.>
"Not since Iraqi solders surrendered by the dozen to journalists during Desert Storm, had we seen so few in our profession bring so many to justice."

<[Deerstalker Club, Lounge] Counter: 4359
With walls paneled in dark walnut and furnishings to match, there is little to suggest that the Victorian Era decor of the Club is not the original design of the building. A series of prints depicting Holmes' adventures are scattered throughout the room, and a small alcove contains a partial replica of Sherlock Holmes' study. You also see a door leading out, Graham Warwick and an office.>
"And what of the average mystery fan, the admirer of Christie, or Hammet? They have heard of Morada, too, and they are not immune to its charms."
>[Old Waterfront, Bourbon Street] Counter: 3500
Built by Carib slaves under the cruel guidance of their French masters, the massive tower is composed of stones culled from the cliffs of Morada's southeastern coast. Weeds thrive in the shadows of the clock tower, and a raggedy drunk sleeps in the shade, reeking of putrescence and stale whiskey. You also see an elderly woman, a used 9mm. handgun and a sagging staircase. Also here: Samson Spade, Linda Gabriel who is lying down
Samson Spade gets a first-aid kit from inside his leather mailbag.
Samson Spade is trying to tend Linda Gabriel's wounds.
Samson Spade successfully stops the bleeding from Linda Gabriel's left leg.>
"The amateur sleuth, in search of a real-life mystery, finds all the mayhem, blood and intrigue here that would take a winter in the armchair with a library of books to absorb. The little old lady in tennis shoes that likes a bloody read of an evening, here takes to the streets to crack a few heads and blow away the perpetrators."

<[Downtown, Jacaranda Way] Counter: 4370
Sentinel figures of palm trees stand along the walkway leading to the Police Department. Off-duty officers sit on the lawn in the meager shade cast by the trees, obviously enjoying the time off. Others, looking as if they are on more pressing business, pass through the cool entryway and in to the building.>
"Not surprising, then, that former police officers, perhaps frustrated by the rules governing their behavior to suspects on the mainland, come here to practice a more 'hands-on' policy. Here there are no sticky questions about resisting arrest; the hunter merely collects a bounty on all prey"
<[Old Waterfront, Avenida de Scarlatti] Counter: 5328
The pound of surf must have been unnoticeable once behind the sounds emerging from the blacksmith's shop, located to one side of the road. But the hammer-and-anvil sign hangs sideways now, and only vague rustling noises emerge from within. Across the street lies a heap of stones...no, upon closer observation it's a tavern in very bad repair. You observe movement down below a blue tobacco cloud that drifts away from a splintered door. You also see an angry thug which appears dead, a heavy wooden board and a phytology kit. Also here: Shelly Armstrong, Odin Hardedge
Odin Hardedge searches an angry thug carefully.>
"And a confidential source within the Cape Marassas Police Department, who refused to appear on camera, tells us the practice of farming out work to the tourists has not only saved overhead, but seems to be a popular pastime."

<[French Quarter, Avenue Capet] Counter: 4845
A white marble bench sits back from the street in a patch of carefully trimmed grass, inviting passersby to stop and watch the eclectic group of pedestrians thronging the street. Well-dressed men and women mingle with shaggy-haired beatnik types, many carrying paper-wrapped parcels in their hands. The air is thick with lilting conversation as people greet each other, their voices laced with a variety of accents. You also see a foot bridge, a sign and the mustachioed gendarme.>
"Yes, no matter how much you carry in traveler's checks, there is more money waiting for you here. It can't be transferred off the island, and shopkeepers revel in the constant urge to accumulate that sweeps the tourist population like a fever."
<Montage of:
[Bridal Belle Salon, Attendants' Room] Counter: 4730
The bridesmaid dresses that line the walls here are in rich warm tones. The dresses are crowded on the racks due to the small size of the room. Here, soft jazz comes from hidden speakers, contrasting with the classical from other rooms. A faint floral perfume scents the air, a vestige of a former customer. You also see a mannequin dressed in a mocha silk mermaid bridesmaid's gown, a glass counter and Angelica Bianchi.
[Paradis Shoppes, Avantis Tuxedoes] Counter: 4715
This shop has an air of masculine sophistication. Several styles of tuxedoes are displayed on mannequins throughout the store. Black and greys are the dominant colors in this room. A rich black marble counter, veined with grey, stands in one corner. You also see a black marble counter, Mr. Jameson Cartwright, a glass door and a black mannequin wearing a slate grey pinstriped tuxedo.
[The Haberdashery] Counter: 5009
The well-dressed gentleman can find everything he needs here. Smithers, the manager and tailor is ready to assist you in choosing whatever you're looking for, be it a fine umbrella, an elegant suit or a dashing overcoat. Racks around the store display your choices. You also see a light blue cotton shirt, a striped cardigan sweater, a single scratched earring, a pair of white high-tops, a pair of ripped jeans and the sales counter. Also here: Wegarius Hodge
You see Wegarius Hodge.
He appears to be in his late thirties.
He stands 6 feet and 1 inches tall and has a trim build. He has light skin, close-cut straight platinum-blonde hair and grey eyes. He has a bushy beard.
Wegarius Hodge is wearing a backpack, a pair of suspenders, a striped canvas hat, some brown leather huaraches, some navy blue serrano slacks, a green cotton shirt with Weg loves Shalie written on the breast pocket, a gold ID bracelet which is engraved Wegarius, a PBR communicator, a diamond and pearl eternity band, and a leather satchel.
[Bebe's Boutique, Sales Room] Counter: 3572
The store's patched plaster walls seem too insubstantial to support the weight of the crowded clothes racks, while more clothing remains hidden in unopened cartons crowding the grimy linoleum floor. Despite the unkempt interior, the merchandise is of obvious quality and good value, which no doubt accounts for the small throng of women clucking over the sales rack and an accessories display near the counter. You also see a young man and a price list.
[Recuerdos Allegre, Show Room] Counter: 5387
This small souvenir shop remains trapped behind a jumbled maze of inventory packed higher than your eyebrows can rise. -But what inventory. You see a wave of seashells, a pirate's treasure of silver jewelry and colorful native beadwork scattered over every available wooden surface. Clothing, both junk and quality, tumbles over and partially obscures everything else. Juanita the saleslady, obscenely cool and fresh in her flower print linen dress, smiles. You also see a menu, a formica countertop and an oaken door with a cut-glass panel.
[The Excellent Year, Shop] Counter: 8132
Temperate air, soft and perfectly clean, caresses you in this moderately sized shop. Away from the heat and bright light of the front window, encompassing an entire wall, is a well-built wooden wine rack which displays an assortment of vintages from around the world. Crystal goblets and delicate liqueur glasses sparkle brilliantly on a set of shelves in the center of the room, where corkscrews of cunning manufacture, thermometers, and books are also displayed. You also see a wine rack, a heavy curtain draped across the entrance to the back room, a stairway leading down which has been cordoned off. You also see a sign hanging from a silky cord, Elsbeth Davies and a sales counter.>

"The traveling sellers of custom made oddities large and small, have an easy market here. The imagination displayed in the concoction of toys for the child in each tourist - boggles the imagination."
<[Downtown, Ocean View Road] Counter: 4390
Filigreed wrought iron balconies wrap their lacy arms around the upper floors of the buildings along this street. Discreet yet handsomely appointed signs hang over the various entryways, and indicate the quality of the shops under their auspices. From somewhere close by comes the subtle, mouthwatering aroma of fine food being prepared. You also see The Palm Frond Pub with a small sign on it, a bus stop marker and a stairway with an ornate sign secured to the nearby wall. Also here: The Honorable Nina Perrson, The Honorable Imajica Lunara, Bobby Stuart, who is seated
Imajica Lunara is wearing a vinyl shoulder bag, a lovely blue ribbon which is intertwined with her long braided hair, some blood red lipstick, a black leather backpack with blood red roses burnished into the design, sealed with a silver clasp bearing the etched name "Imajica" upon it, a midnight black velvet cloak with a unicorn embroidered in pearly threads and surrounded with red, silken roses, a pair of red velvet heels, a gold ring of linked roses that intertwine around a larger rose setting that frames a delicate pear-shaped ruby, a dainty rhinestone encrusted crown, a beautiful ruby and emerald ring in the shape of holly leaves and berries, a thin gold belly chain with a gold guardian angel holding a ruby rose dangling from it, King Matthew's Star, a delicate gold navel ring with a dangling ruby and emerald rose charm, a brilliantly designed white-gold friendship ring dusted with rubies and a lightly carved rose outline in the center, a pair of sophisticated dangling silver earrings that sparkle with a thread of diamonds running through them, a silver armband engraved with delicate crescent moons and sprinkled with sapphires, a puffy black bullet-proof bubble jacket, a short-sleeved red velvet dress that hugs every curve as it falls to just above the ankles, a deep blue lapis lazuli pendant of the Archangel Gabriel with his wings spread suspended from a delicate gold chain, some vixen red nail-polish, a solar-powered heart-shaped cloisonne PBR communicator pin, a lacy bag, a diamond engagement ring, and a delicate ruby rose charm hanging from a gold chain-link necklace.
Bobby Stuart is wearing a University of Morada class ring, a navy blue relaxed-fit linen two-button sport coat, some black steel-toed combat boots, a handsome gold signet ring engraved in a masculine script with the letters "R J S", a PBR communicator, a tiny black beeper, a pair of steel-rimmed sunglasses, an antique silver band, a pair of cotton socks, a leather shotgun sling, some tight and worn stonewashed jeans, a hand-tooled thick leather belt, an olive green t-shirt, a sleek heavy Othello watch with 24-karat gold links and a diamond inlaid face, a dark musk fragrance, and a large black leather satchel.
Nina Perrson is wearing some shimmering blue lipstick, some silver nail polish, some rainbow toenail polish, a puce button encrusted with mustard yellow rhinestones, a simple silver eyebrow ring with a small hazy-blue bead, a silverish-blue navel ring with a neon pink flamingo charm dangling from it, a pair of flannel blue and black plaid pajama pants, a sterling silver ring covered in onyx and blue topaz stars, a series of tiny indigo blue ducks tattooed around the base of her right thumb, a sky-blue satin backpack with midnight blue shoulder straps, a bright lemon yellow vinyl train case, a bass-string bracelet held together with a speckled blue and black bead, an iridescent blue solar-powered PBR communicator with a green plastic strap, a tattoo of a blue crescent moon outlined in silver with a tiny star above it on her left ankle, a silver lip ring affixed with a clear blue bead, a bright blue duck stamp-ring, a pair of royal blue suede combat boots with black laces, an authentic Ducky Spice precision bass with an electric blue finish attached to a small pocket amplifier, a simple ankle sheath, an indigo-blue button-down shirt with a small silver crescent moon on the collar, a silver hoop fixed with a speckled blue and black bead in the upper cartilage of her right ear, a silver barbell in her tongue, and a spiked black leather dog collar.>
"There are those who say the race to imagine and create something unique is as much a competition as the race to clear the streets of criminals."

<[Mayne Hill, Empire Road] Counter: 1037
The asphalt of Empire Road crumbles into gravel as the wild Morada countryside encroaches toward the town. An old wooden fence is densely covered with bougainvillea, making it hard to tell what exactly is holding up the flowers. An official-looking sign stands near a swampy trail that leads down a hill to the southwest. You also see a sweaty native, a vending machine and a tourist booth. The sweaty native leans on his machete and glances just above the camera. "If you're sure you want to go there, I guess I can let you through." He pauses for a moment, looks an unseen person up and down, and then he says, "It's dangerous in there though, lots of wild animals that don't respect the fact that you're a tourist, and the king won't be held responsible for what might happen to you." >
"Morada's indigenous population, the Caribs, hitherto a relatively unknown culture, is being gradually researched by the scholars and the 'spiritually sensitive' alike."

<[West End, Ministry Row] Counter: 5035
Grand old homes shaded by leafy trees mark what was probably once the edge of downtown. The pavement changes from the cobbles which appear intermittently in the old city center to a modern ribbon of blacktop stretching west, where mixed commercial and residential development rises above the treeline. You also see the entrance to Madame Rosalie's and a grand Gothic-style house sitting back from the street.>
"Few of the visiting mediums, fakirs and psychics have opened shop here - they're too busy with the investigating and accumulating that occupy the rest of their fellow tourists. "
<[Savard Mansion, Porch] Counter: 5017
Condensation from under the tile eaves relinquishes a slow, monotonous dripping to the gravel beside the porch, a slick of slime growing around the resultant puddle. Flanking the entry two crumbling gargoyles leer perpetually at what remains of the drive and graceful trees, their gaping mouths and eyes choked with years of dirt and moss. A wide, carved door, splintered and rotted, hangs precariously by its hinges to the broken frame - only partially shielding the room beyond from the elements.>
"Yet, when widely witnessed supernatural events have been said to occur, it is the paranormal population that claims to receive the first indications. "
<Downtown, Aracaris North] Counter: 4645
Tall and dignified, the white steeple of St. Anne's Church rises prominently against the sky. The ebbing sound of a lawn mower's roar floats over the stone wall surrounding the churchyard. Crimson blossoms dangle from the ancient flame tree growing to one side of the church entrance, startlingly vivid against the white siding of the sanctuary.
[St. Anne's, Graveyard] Counter: 4657
The heavy hum of a lawn mower sounds from around the corner of the church, its drone ebbing with the wind. A high stone wall surrounds the graveyard, creating a sense of isolation and solitude. Simple headstones and ornate marble monuments mark the resting places of the dead, their chiseled writings worn by time and the elements. From the graceful arm of a sculpted angel hangs an elaborate garland fluttering gently in the breeze - a silent tribute to an unending devotion. You also see a beautifully blooming rose bush, a red rose, an ornate tombstone, a heavy maple door, a white marble structure and the gardener.>
"Here, they say, have been seen real vampires, ghosts of all ages and backgrounds and agendas, whispered threats have been heard and elusive clues revealed to those with 'the sight'."
<[St. Anne's, Mausoleum] Counter: 4665
The polished marble floor tiles and high curves of the arched ceiling cause even the quietest of sounds to reverberate strangely in this hushed place. Epitaphs, inscribed in perpetuity, adorn the granite facades which mark individual crypts. A flickering of light draws your eye to a small alcove in the wall where a solitary candle glimmers faintly in the dark. You also see the heavy marble panel.>
"Every culture has its life after death mythology, on Morada the living and the dead are rumored to coexist with few veils between them."

<Rolling shot:
[The Hall of Wonders, Balcony] Counter: 8357
From this elevated place on the rough limestone balcony, you have a breathtaking view of Mother Nature's stunning creations assembled in the Hall of Wonders. The smooth stone juts out beneath your feet, forming a solid floor that is partly covered by low, knobby stalagmites. You also see an opening in the wall.
[Limestone Caverns, Wishing Well] Counter: 8412
A deep, circular pool of water nestles against the rough tawny wall, bordered by a natural ring of moss-covered stones. Pure white mineral formations tower above it, forever gazing at their own ageless beauty captured on the pool's quiet surface. Through the clear blue water you can make out a faint shimmer of gold, where long forgotten adventurers have left tangible evidence of their presence.
[Limestone Caverns, Mirror Lake] Counter: 8469
Thin light beams reflect off the vast underground lake that extends before you like a gigantic deep blue mirror. Images of city skylines and desert landscapes form momentarily on the pool's dark surface, only to be dissolved and replaced by other optical illusions when the water ripples gently. What you are really looking at is a reflection of the magnificent formations overhead, though in this mysterious hall with its forty foot high ceiling and opalescent walls everything seems possible.>
"Ornate as it may be, the Royal Palace can be said to have met its match in the fantastic limestone caverns formed under the white sand beaches of the island. Many a gem has been found in these winding passages full of breathtaking stalactites, stalagmites and, according to some, ghostly hunters of the past."

<[Morada Armed Forces Base, Gate] Counter: 1001
Blank gray stone walls topped with wickedly sharp razor wire give way briefly to a slightly less uninviting candy-striped gate across the roadway. Beyond the gate you can see columns of chanting soldiers, trucks and a general bustle. You also see a stone pillbox and a sign. It reads: Royal Moradian Armed Forces Base.
Through the main gate you see...
[Military Base, Main Drive] Counter: 1007
This five-hundred yard stretch of road further isolates the base proper from the main gate. Lacking any true architectural or aesthetic value, its main feature is an unobstructed view of anyone approaching the base.>
"The Royal Moradan Armed Forces Base also houses an Aerospace Center, complete with observatory and state of the art satellite launchers. Parts of the facility are open to visitors, under strict security.
[West End, Empire Road] Counter: 1014
Separating Empire Road from the Morada Armed Forces base to the west is a well-tended grassy berm spotted with flowers and a stone wall. A shattering roar and the whipcrack of metal cleaving air reveal that the base's helicopter pad is in use on the other side of the wall. The road turns sharply from east to south here, though no street signs exist to herald the change. You also see a muddy ditch.
"We decided not to try to film on the base, but in a tour, we saw another reminder of the anachronisms of this island. In one short walk, we viewed the island's coast from an Old Spanish fort, then passed down T.E. Lawrence Road to Goddard Drive, and entered the world of rocket boosters."

<[Jade Dragon, Entryway] Counter: 4620
Enclosed by a glass pavilion, the entryway is flanked by two elaborate jade carvings - twin dragons coiled about smooth columns of gold-veined marble. From somewhere within, you hear the murmur of activity and the muted clink of chopsticks against fine china. You also see the main dining room and a staircase leading up.
pan to>
"The flavors of Britain, France, Spain, Mexico, China and other cultures are well represented in the island restaurants."
<I[Mercado de Dos Palmas, Off the Cuff] Counter: 4450
Clear plastic bins connected with shiny gold clips line the walls of the store. Neatly folded clothes in a rainbow of colors are stacked in the bins. A white-tiled floor contrasts with the many different colors of the clothing. A clerk stands behind a white tile counter with a large white menu board on the wall behind it. The energetic music of a popular radio station comes from speakers hidden in the ceiling.
"And if the jeans get a little tight, simply going from place to place on foot keeps most visitors at fighting weight."

<[West End, Vaux Street at Regiment Road] Counter: 1070
A grimy, gray, barn-like building dominates the southeast corner of the intersection, the city's major bus terminal. You also see an elderly woman, some glass doors leading into the terminal and a telephone booth.>
"There used to be buses here, but they stopped running, some say in protest, the day the King's monorail project was adopted by the island's democratically elected ruling body, the Assembly of Governors."
<[Ministry of the Monorail, Reception] Counter: 8633
Slickness of a kind which could have been bought only with a great number of taxpayer dollars oozes from every surface of this office, including three unharried secretaries. Monorail, if the videos, pamphlets, scale models, computer animations and posters are to believed, will "drive Morada straight into the 21st century, towing prosperity in its tracks". Other, similar, slightly queasy metaphors decorate the display, all designed to drive home the glory of the proposed "'Round the Island Railway".>
"This monorail has been on the drawing board for at least 4 years. Some say it is the King's obsession."
<[Ch. of Commerce, Office] Counter: 8652
Handsomely mounted photographs reveal in glossy, saturated tones the wonders of Morada. A display map in the center of the room lists businesses by type and where they are to be found on the island. >
"Others call it his genius: to see the future in tourism, and prepare the infrastructure now."

<[Mercado de Dos Palmas, West Wing] Counter: 4430
Soft music piped in from a discreet speaker mingles with the staccato clicks and taps of shoppers' shoes as they hurriedly tread across the sand-shaded marble tile floor. Colorful advertisements taped to the glass door of Walter's Drugstore try to lure you inside with the promise of savings on special sale items.>
"From the sun tan lotion, to the free flow of money, to the gun shop open 24 hours a day, "
<[Mayne Hill, Empire Road] Counter: 1017
Dust flies in the air as assorted trucks loaded with cargo rumble up and down Empire Road. A farmer with a dirty yellow pickup has stopped by the side of the road to tinker under the hood, while his scruffy dog proudly guards the bundles of sugar cane in the back. Also here: Johnny Dazio, Mercedes Books, Daisy Sweet
Johnny Dazio is wearing a pair of blue and white sneakers, some grey pants, a white shirt, a gold necklace, a PBR communicator, a single skull-shaped earring, and a plain grey jacket. He is holding a pair of brass knuckles in his right hand, and an aged iron trunk in his left hand.
You see Mercedes Books. She appears to be in her late thirties. She stands 5 feet and 11 inches tall and has an average build. She has tan skin, nicely styled shoulder-length black hair and brown eyes. She looks a little washed-out. Mercedes has a minor blunt wound to the head, a minor blunt wound to the back, a minor blunt wound to the left leg, and no more. Mercedes Books is wearing a pair of tailored slacks, a thin gold ring, a gold necklace, a short-sleeved silk shirt, a canvas beach bag, a summer sun fragrance, a pair of open toe slingbacks, a PBR communicator, a slim watch, and a matte rose nail-polish.
Daisy Sweet is wearing her hair in a delicate french twist clasped in the back with a weave of tiny daisies surrounded by spiraly curled tendrils that gorgeously frame her face, a daisy tattoo, a shimmery black backpack embroidered with frosty silver daisies and ice blue butterflies, a long fitted gown made of ice blue crushed velvet with glittering rhinestone spaghetti straps accenting two small shimmering silver butterflies which adorn the side of the neckline, a gym bag, a thin gold necklace with a daisy-shaped charm, a pair of elegant stiletto heels fastened by tiny criss-crossing ankle straps that join at a small, diamond butterfly clasp, a summer scent fragrance, a pair of thin hoop earrings, some rose lipstick, a solar-powered PBR communicator, a small sparkling silver bellybutton ring with a light-catching sapphire daisy charm dangling delicately from it, a bottle of love potion, a canvas beach bag, and some sparkling face-paint on the forehead showing a glittery yellow flower surrounded by vibrant green vines and leaves. She is holding a sleek black leather whip with an ornate engraved handle.>
"visitors find more here than they ever forgot to pack. "

<[New Marina, Beach] Counter: 8188
The pale sand stretches out smoothly on both sides of you, darker where the water has lapped up on it before rolling back out to the sea. The crystal blue water is smooth out in the ocean, but rolls into waves as it approaches the shore. A small cottage, with a foundation of large rocks, is set back near the edge of the sand dune. You also see the front door, a large donation slot in the side of the cottage and a door bell.
Pan to
[New Marina, Beach] Counter: 8201
Rocky harbingers of a cliff wrap their jagged arms around the smooth arc of the beach, their cleft shadows retreating imperceptibly inch by inch as the long Caribbean day passes by. Wet seaweed skirts the shoreline like an exotic necklace, embraced by the clear azure waves reaching out to reclaim this transient property of the sea. The sound of the surf crashing onto the rocky shore to the southwest mingles with the quarrelsome caw of a few long-legged seagulls fighting over some appetizing morsel.>
"So, when you're planning your next vacation, if you've chosen the island of Morada, don't forget to travel light."
Blank screen.
Color bar.