Act 3: "Oh, rally?"
Scene 1: Feminista Rally at the White House
"Down with Topson! Down with Topson!"
James Topson had heard the angry voices from his hotel room window for
the past 30 minutes. His room faced the Treasury Department Building,
about one block away from the White House. He said to his wife, "If they
only knew me Shirley, they'd understand."
"I know Jim, I know."
"We better get ready. Did you have any luck getting through to Delilah?"
"No Jim", Shirley Topson soothed her husband. 'How I wish I did.'
******
Francine motioned to Amanda as they pushed their way through the growing
crowd. Amanda was amazed that so many supporters for and against James
Topson had gathered at the gate facing the front lawn of the White House.
Francine was the first to spot Dee standing front and center by the gate.
The Feministas, at Senator Jezreel's request, had positioned themselves
in full view of the t.v. news cameras. Reporters and Secret Service staff
were everywhere.
A woman in a grey hooded sweatshirt stood beside Dee but Amanda and
Francine positioned themselves to flank Dee on each side. Francine could
see the outline of Dee's Beretta pistol through the thin material of her
jacket.
***
The Agency had warned Dr. Topson of the need for heightened security but
Jim would have none of it.
He told Beamon, "I don't want to walk in fear" and decided on his
own to walk from his hotel room, past the protesters, and over to the
guard post for the White House.
Jim looked over at his wife, "We better go."
***
Lee had not been joking when he told Amanda he would watch her back. He
sat in the Viper, watching the Feminista rally from a distance.
"Everything looks alright here. I better get going."
With one last look back, Lee took off to meet his 'date'.
***
Dr. and Mrs. James Topson made their way through the cheers and jeers of
the crowd. Lightbulbs flashed like fireworks from the photographer's
cameras and nearly blinded Jim. He took a deep breath and squeezed
Shirley's hand. It was then that he saw his daughter, Delilah, standing
at the fore of the group.
Amanda had never seen a father look so lovingly at his offsping. 'He really
loves her!' she realized.
Francine was too busy to notice. Her eyes were focused on Dee's hands
as Dr. Topson approached. Any move made for that Beretta...
Without warning, the woman in the hooded sweatshirt next to Amanda whipped
out a gun from under her sweatshirt and aimed it straight at Dee's father.
To Francine's surprise, Dee shoved the hooded figure out of the way and
shouted "Daddy!". The gun was now aimed point blank at Dee. Just as the
hooded figure fired the gun, James Topson jumped between his daughter and
her assailant.
He fell with a cry, wounded, to the ground.
The hooded figure shoved the gun into Amanda's hand and ran off.
Hordes of lightbulbs flashed and dazed Amanda. She stood there stunned with
the deadly weapon in her hand. Soon every news-media in the country
would feature a picture of Amanda Stetson holding the gun used to shoot
James Topson. It was still smoking.
Secret Service men grabbed Amanda and pinned her to the ground. Francine
yelled through the ensuing chaos, "No she's with us! Let her go!"
Amanda had never been more frightened in all her life. 'Where's Lee?'
Sirens blared as emergency crews made their way to assist the anguished
doctor and his newly united family.
tbc
Scene 1: Feminista Rally at the White House
"Down with Topson! Down with Topson!"
James Topson had heard the angry voices from his hotel room window for
the past 30 minutes. His room faced the Treasury Department Building,
about one block away from the White House. He said to his wife, "If they
only knew me Shirley, they'd understand."
"I know Jim, I know."
"We better get ready. Did you have any luck getting through to Delilah?"
"No Jim", Shirley Topson soothed her husband. 'How I wish I did.'
******
Francine motioned to Amanda as they pushed their way through the growing
crowd. Amanda was amazed that so many supporters for and against James
Topson had gathered at the gate facing the front lawn of the White House.
Francine was the first to spot Dee standing front and center by the gate.
The Feministas, at Senator Jezreel's request, had positioned themselves
in full view of the t.v. news cameras. Reporters and Secret Service staff
were everywhere.
A woman in a grey hooded sweatshirt stood beside Dee but Amanda and
Francine positioned themselves to flank Dee on each side. Francine could
see the outline of Dee's Beretta pistol through the thin material of her
jacket.
***
The Agency had warned Dr. Topson of the need for heightened security but
Jim would have none of it.
He told Beamon, "I don't want to walk in fear" and decided on his
own to walk from his hotel room, past the protesters, and over to the
guard post for the White House.
Jim looked over at his wife, "We better go."
***
Lee had not been joking when he told Amanda he would watch her back. He
sat in the Viper, watching the Feminista rally from a distance.
"Everything looks alright here. I better get going."
With one last look back, Lee took off to meet his 'date'.
***
Dr. and Mrs. James Topson made their way through the cheers and jeers of
the crowd. Lightbulbs flashed like fireworks from the photographer's
cameras and nearly blinded Jim. He took a deep breath and squeezed
Shirley's hand. It was then that he saw his daughter, Delilah, standing
at the fore of the group.
Amanda had never seen a father look so lovingly at his offsping. 'He really
loves her!' she realized.
Francine was too busy to notice. Her eyes were focused on Dee's hands
as Dr. Topson approached. Any move made for that Beretta...
Without warning, the woman in the hooded sweatshirt next to Amanda whipped
out a gun from under her sweatshirt and aimed it straight at Dee's father.
To Francine's surprise, Dee shoved the hooded figure out of the way and
shouted "Daddy!". The gun was now aimed point blank at Dee. Just as the
hooded figure fired the gun, James Topson jumped between his daughter and
her assailant.
He fell with a cry, wounded, to the ground.
The hooded figure shoved the gun into Amanda's hand and ran off.
Hordes of lightbulbs flashed and dazed Amanda. She stood there stunned with
the deadly weapon in her hand. Soon every news-media in the country
would feature a picture of Amanda Stetson holding the gun used to shoot
James Topson. It was still smoking.
Secret Service men grabbed Amanda and pinned her to the ground. Francine
yelled through the ensuing chaos, "No she's with us! Let her go!"
Amanda had never been more frightened in all her life. 'Where's Lee?'
Sirens blared as emergency crews made their way to assist the anguished
doctor and his newly united family.
tbc