Mark's life is fairly boring in the days following his employment with the Shannons. Emily continued to dodge questions about knowing Elisabeth, and Mark eventually gave up and accepted that she was telling the truth. Macey and Stephen had been shocked to return home and see Mark, and Macey at least was thrilled he was already back.
Monday morning, Mark sits at the kitchen counter with the family Plex after having returned from the gym. It's quite frustrating to spend so much time searching for employment and coming up empty handed. It hasn't been a week since recruitment threatened to never allow him to work again and so far, that promise is being kept. Any available security positions have some ties with recruitment or are so high-level he won't be considered without a recommendation from recruitment which he obviously won't get. Mark sighs, running a hand through his hair that's gotten longer over the past few weeks.
Besides security jobs, the only other option for employment in his field is the United States army or privately owned armies. Either way he'd be earning very little money, doing very dangerous work, and seeing his family very rarely. Also, some of the private armies are … sketchy. They have alarmingly high body counts associated with their names, alarming particularly when those bodies aren't of real enemies, of any considerable threats against society.
Thanks to recruitment's disassociation with him, Mark had additionally been hit with serious depression after returning hope, seeing his family's smiling faces, and realizing there is no way any of them would be getting to Terra Nova now. Of course, they can still try to enter the lottery, but there is a greater chance of scientists discovering how to make the portal go both ways than there is actually winning.
Mark groans in annoyance at the situation he'd gotten himself into. He can't regret anything he'd done, but that doesn't mean he has to appreciate the consequences of his decisions. A notification pops up on the Plex, a reminder that their rent is due on Wednesday. Not only is that the universe taunting him for currently failing to support his family, but Mark also can't help but let his thoughts drift to the greater significance that day.
In two days, Wednesday, the tenth pilgrimage will be journeying to Terra Nova.
It doesn't matter, Mark tries desperately to convince himself. He no longer as any connection to Terra Nova. Knowing that doesn't prevent his mind from getting lost in another day dream about Maddy Shannon showing up at the door again, about getting to see her and talk to her and hug her one last time before she leaves. But, of course, that fantasy doesn't actually come to fruition.
Trying to clear his head, Mark leans back lazily and clicks on the news, a temporary break from his job search. Most of the stories are depressing and overall uninformative. There was a human trafficking ring associated with some rich guy's dome that was busted (stories like that make Mark not want to allow Macey out of his sight). According to weather patterns, dust storms and acid rain showers are expected to be worse this season (predictions as such make Mark not want to allow his family to leave the shelter of their apartment). Also, homelessness in the city is reported to be up by another 2.1% since the last fiscal year and a list of foods is being added to the shortage list.
Mark glares at the screen in annoyance at all the dismal news as the blond, smiling anchor reports, "Corn is now considered an endangered crop due to surplus in demand versus quantity that can be grown in agricultural domes. Since the plant can be used to make syrups and starches for other foods, expect there to be a shortage of the following in the coming weeks: ketchup, mustard, barbeque sauce, sodas, juices, milkshakes, candies …" Mark blocks out the depressing report as he grows angry. This is the life his family is stuck with. Because of him.
The overly chipper voice continues, "This report has been brought to you by Hope Plaza, creating hope for a better future." Emotions fueling his rage, Mark furiously grabs a bowl that is sitting on the counter next to him and hurls it at the wall. The plastic material merely hits the thin surface and bounces to the floor. With that, Mark starts repeatedly kicking the side of table. His foot hurts while the table remains unharmed, but at least he is getting his anger out. Tired and in pain, Mark eventually slumps to the floor, choking back tears.
"It's all my fault," he yells aloud though he knows he is alone. Mark feels like he is a little kid watching his mother die all over again. He messily wipes his running nose on the sleeve of his shirt. The difference between this situation and his mom dying is that this time the blame is placed solely on him, nothing else. It is his fault that he can't get decent employment anymore. It is his fault that he can't get recruited for Terra Nova anymore. It is him, Mark, who is destroying his family. Now they are stuck in a dying world with too many people and too less necessities (including corn). It is because of him that his family no longer has hope and that acceptance breaks Mark's heart.
"This breaking news story is brought to you by Population Control, ensuring hope by ensuring the enforcement of our most important law. For our future, for our country, for our children: a family is four." Now the ignorant perky blond chic is really started to piss him off. Advertisements merely play off of the one thing above all people were running out of – hope.
Mark is ready to turn it off, summoning all of his courage to exit the news (a poor decision to open it in the first place) calmly and not smash the family's remaining Plex. Then, he sees what the breaking news is and freezes, momentarily forgetting his breakdown. "We are here live at District 47 High School," the announcer, a male now, is saying.
Mark sniffles his nose and sits down, mesmerized. That's where Maddy and Josh go to school. "Where an eighteen-year-old senior is being commended for extraordinary efforts uncovering a decade old secret," the man continues. He is standing in the lobby of the school that Mark is now quite familiar with. Students push all around him, trying to be part of the commotion. There, in the center of it all, is a beaming proud Principal Ward with his son of all people, John, who appears more confused than anything else as the press crowds around him and a police chief stands by with some sort of metal. What has happened since Mark left?!
The anchor answers Mark's internally asked question, "In a shocking turn of events involving a quiet, unsolved murder on the other side of the world and an investigative teenager, a terrible secret is now being corrected. John Ward, son of the principal here, has discovered merely through online surveillance of his idol that such hero, the well-known public figure, renowned scientist Dr. Ken Horton, isn't the Ken Horton who has actually represented the face of environmental science for the last few decades. After bravely reaching out to the police department through electronical correspondence, young Mr. Ward here informed them of his suspicions. It was the actions of our local police to actually act upon the random advice that led to collaboration with Milton County Park Police in Cambridge and uncovered the astounding fact: the brilliant though misfortunate Ken Horton has been identified with solid DNA evidence as an unidentified body found in that park nearly a decade ago. Who, you may ask, published the latest novel under his name? It was his former assistant Andrew Fickett who assumed the doctor's identity! For the full story and an interview with the kid behind this revelation stay tuned after this commercial."
Mark looks blankly at the screen uncomprehendingly. John Ward? The John Ward that beats up little girls for fun, has uncovered a secret this huge? For the hope that is Terra Nova, Mark wouldn't have bet on that under any circumstances. John doesn't even do his own homework, he has Maddy do that for him. And even though that knowledge makes his blood boil, it also makes Mark seriously doubt John's online investigative abilities. He waits anxiously for the news report to start again.
The report proceeds with recorded footage of U.S. army soldiers arresting the fake Ken Horton in South America which reportedly happened early this morning. "Fickett was about to secure pilgrimage to Terra Nova under Horton's identity this upcoming pilgrimage," the announcer says in astonishment as if he can't even believe it. Mark remembers how much Maddy was fan girling over the scientist when his book came out the other week. She must be heartbroken, he thinks. She was so looking forward to the chance of actually meeting him in person.
"So, John, what led you to investigate such a topic?" the interview commences.
John still appears bewildered, but shrugs and allows a smile to consume his features. "I'm just such a fan of his work. Who wouldn't want to research the dude?"
"We just admire him so much," a girl bobbles in front of the screen. Mark recognizes her as one of the group members who harassed Maddy. "I'm his girlfriend," she gushes, "Louise, and reading that scientist's stuff is like our favorite thing to do."
The police chief then presents John with a medal, a civilian recognition of great effort on behalf of the community's wellbeing. His dad claps him on the shoulder and Louise steals a kiss while kids continue to push around them. Mark is disgusted. He doesn't deserve any awards no matter what.
The celebration on screen is annoying Mark until he notices the only person in the crowd that isn't pushing forward to intentionally be on camera or get to high five or hug John. She is the last person he would expect to be in the crowd in the first place, and she is the last person he'd expect to be smiling at Mr. Center of Attention. Mark already knows that Maddy is selfless and incredible and literally an angel, but he also can't forget her admittance of relief and happiness when he beat John up. How could she find it in herself to be happy for him right now? It blows Mark's mind. John intentionally broke her rebreather, a death sentence, and now Maddy is in the crowd of students smiling him on.
The news segment goes on and the anchor asks if any of the students have any questions for their classmate. Mark's eyes pop out of his head when Maddy then steps forward, a small smile still brandishing her face. John appears as shocked as Mark, if not more. "You said you guys love to read his stuff," Maddy says quietly, her eyes piercing his. "What would you say is your favorite work by Horton? The real Ken Horton? I'm sure that as such a fan your first sense that something was off was the change in writing style with the latest novel published." John narrows his eyes at her and Louise looks ready to bite her head off. Mark has never been so happy for Maddy and, honestly, he finds this new confidence in her sexy as hell.
"Great question," anchor-man nods, looking at John who appears as lost as 2149 residents would when first arriving in Terra Nova.
John is, at first, speechless before mumbling, "There are just … so many to choose from."
"Well," the anchor prompts, "what did spark your investigation? Was it the recent publishing of the novel, as this young lady has suggested?"
"Yes."
Anchor-man looks at John in annoyance, the answer too short for his taste. "Why don't you talk us through the process of your online prowess?"
Mark scoffs at John's inability to answer the questions. No way this kid actually accomplished what he's being credited for. Maddy, however, continues to be simply delighted through the screen, her face lit with amusement. John seems to note it as well and gives her a harsh look before making brief eye contact with someone behind the camera. Mark's been doing security for a while and he picked up on the trade rather quickly. That is probably why he zeroes in on John's glance as something meaningful when anyone else would just overlook it. The crowd then jostles around again and Mark narrows his eyes suspiciously. A glimpse of Maddy's side is barely visible in the corner of the camera until two older boys, who Mark swears he remembers seeing with John before, brush past harshly and Maddy disappears.
Blinking slowly, Mark tries to convince himself that he's imagining it. He rewinds the last few seconds of the news recording, but this time there is no denying the hand that roughly grabs Maddy's arm and pulls her away from the crowd. Mark then acts without a second thought, grabbing his coat and rebreather and making a mad dash for the door. Maddy could be in trouble. And even if it isn't his job anymore, it doesn't seem natural for him not to be there to defend her.
Mark off to the rescue! What do you guys think of Mark's situation? And what the hell is going on with John?