SMB: Contingency
July 8, 2018, 3a.m.
[normal night, normal life]
MKTV Channel 58
COMING UP: End of broadcast day
.
.
.
[fanfare]
THIS CONCLUDES OUR BROADCAST DAY. HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.
.
[static; color bars; a long beep]
[Something is happening!]
CONTINGENCY MESSAGE REEL
DISPLAY ONLY IN THE EVENT OF SURRENDER TO INSURMOUNTABLE FORCES
[Surrender? That could only mean…]
.
CONTINGENCY MESSAGE WILL NOW BEGIN. PLEASE COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS. GOD BLESS THE MUSHROOM KINGDOM.
[You are wide awake now. This is clearly an emergency situation, and you need to know what's going on.]
.
.
[the following text scrolls down the screen as the Mushroom Flag waves gently in the background; solemn music plays]
Good people of the Mushroom Kingdom:
The worst has come to pass.
Despite our two heroes fighting the good fight, as well as the sacrifices of citizens everywhere, the mushroom kingdom has been forced to surrender to her enemy.
Although they now rule our land, the enemy will never rule our spirit.
That foul beast has succeeded in sullying my body, but he will never sully my soul.
That is why right now, all Toads and citizens alike are encouraged to ACT, to preserve the memory of the Mushroom Kingdom, bright and untarnished.
Know that I have already TAKEN ACTION, along with the two brave ones who delayed this travesty for as long as they could, in the presence of loved ones. Now, every man, woman and child must ACT before the moment passes by.
Let the rest of the world know that even in surrender, we refused to yield. Even in defeat, we could claim victory.
With much love,
Princess Toadstool
Peach
[Okay, now you're starting to feel uneasy. What's going on? What is she talking about?]
.
[static]
[a beautiful hymn plays over images of picturesque beauty as these messages appear on the screen]
ACT IMMEDIATELY
Honor liberty by taking that final and greatest liberty of them all.
YOU TAKE THE MUSHROOM KINGDOM WITH YOU
[huh?]
WE WILL EACH BE REMEMBERED
Use the method that is the most available to you at this time.
THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR
[WTF?]
THE TIME IS NOW
Access to a Poison Mushroom is ideal.
Chew thoroughly before swallowing.
Thank you.
OUR COURAGE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN
[Oh, no. They're not actually saying…]
[message flashes briefly]
OUR KINGDOM NEEDS US TO SAY GOODBYE WITH PRIDE
[then…]
IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO DELAY
Law enforcement has been mobilized to ensure your compliance.
THIS MESSAGE WILL REPEAT TILL THERE ARE NONE LEFT TO READ IT
[Oh, man…]
IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN OR YOUNGER SIBLINGS
Tend to them before yourself.
Use a calm tone of voice.
WE CAN EACH DO OUR PART
[What sick joke is this?!]
[color bars]
WE ARE EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES
.
.
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CORRECTION:
Earlier, a message claiming to be an emergency alert was broadcasted.
This has been confirmed as a hoax.
We apologize for any confusion this has caused.
[…]
[Wait, what's that in the background. An "apology card" in case of "accidental broadcast"? Maybe this wasn't a hoax after all. Maybe—this procedure is actually in place.]
[…]
[Sweet dreams…]
Wow. Most intense piece yet, right?
Local 58 is a YouTube channel which specializes in fake emergency broadcasts like the once which inspired this story. Go check them out, but I must warn you, they're not for the fainthearted!
Please read and review.