MAX HEADROOM: 20 MINUTES INTO THE FUTURE

DYSKENESIS 02

Murray turned to Theora.

"Stay connected to Edison," he said, deciding he'd rather let Edison deal with telling her. "Keep me updated. I'm going to let Cheviot know what's going on."

As soon as he left, Theora turned to her Control Screen.

"Edison," she asked, "what's happened?"

"Bryce just had a pair of seizures in less than ten minutes," Edison told her as he and the paramedics arrived at the ambulance.

Once Edison was convinced that Bryce was in good hands, he ran back inside and took the lift to the helipad. There was a hospital with a helipad, but it had filled up recently with victims of the disease that Markus was covering. Martinez was going to have to land 3 miles away from the one that Bryce was being taken to.

The vu-phone sounded in Murray's office. Murray stepped in and closed the door as soon as he saw Cheviot's face.

"Murray, where's Carter?"

"At the hospital," Murray said, quickly adding. "He's fine," when he saw the look of alarm on his boss's face.

He was about to explain about Bryce, when Cheviot spoke up again.

"Since he's okay, tell him to come back in right away. I want him to cover the emergency tel-election."

"Sir, that might be a problem," Murray began.

"I'm sure whatever he's doing right now can be set aside until after this afternoon's tel-election."

"Has Peller been impeached? Last I knew…"

Cheviot's face darkened. "Simon Peller died not ten minutes ago."

Murray frowned as well. "How?"

"We don't know the exact cause yet," Cheviot admitted. "I was talking to him about a speech he was going to give when he went into a seizure. We called for help, but by the time anyone arrived, he was already dead."

Murray's eyes found the floor at this statement.

Cheviot frowned at this, knowing it wasn't Peller Murray was concerned about.

"What's happened?"

"Bryce Lynch had a pair of seizures not too long ago," he explained. "Edison went with him to the medical center."

"I see," Cheviot said. "I want a report as soon as you hear anything. No matter what."

"I'll keep you informed." Murray said. "I'll have Jordan cover the tel-election. At least until Edison returns from the hospital. You know Carter won't leave Bryce's side until he has to."

Cheviot nodded. "Jordan can cover the pre-election interviews." he said. "But I want Carter to cover the main event. Visiting hours should be over by then."