ABOVE THE INFLUENCE

4:06 P.M

"Damn." Closing the door to the ladder I look at whatever Rivers is looking at.

"Holy cow." All over the walls and ceiling are murals of people shaking hands, kids playing, and other paintings of whatever our world would appear like if we "had" peace and harmony. Vibrant colors light up as Ziggy lights candles. Gathering around him. a grin forms across his face as he holds a candle up to his face.

Behind him is a mural, a replica of the "Finger of God." Only it's him reaching his finger up toward the heavens. "You paint this?" I gaze at it in aww. He only nods.

"Hey little man. You live here man?" Rodney takes a step towards him.

"Yeah." He takes a quick glimpse at his feet. "I thought it would be safe here."

"Your still safe." Lester moves toward him.

"Nah." Rodney shakes his head. "The cops. Their going to come in here and smoke all of us."

"Damn it Rodney." Lynn smacks his shoulder.

"They don't know where we are." Ziggy steps forward.

"Yeah. But for how long?" Now it's Rodney's turn to panic. "They shoot now, as questions later. Isn't that right Les-"

"Stop it Rodney. That's enough all right."

"Lester." Stephanie tries to place a hand on his shoulder.

"Everyone knows what's down there." He steps away from her. "If any of ya want to leave, there's the door." He heads toward the window. Stephanie follows behind him. I stand near enough to hear their conversation.

"Lester. You don't know how much longer he's going to make it without a doctor." She looks down at Jackson. "An' honestly, I'm not willing to let anyone die here, an I know nether are you."

"If we all get nothin'. Why did we do it for him? I let Ziggy down, everyone down just like-"

"Lester. We've followed you. You've hyped up this whole city, an' everyone knows who we are now. That's doing something. Isn't it?"

"Stephanie-" I didn't want to hear anymore, so sliding down the pillar, I find myself beside Jackson.

"You still haven't answered my question yet." I turn my head toward him. "You still that scared seven year old in the closet?" I turn away. "Rodriquez. I knew that name sounded familiar. I just didn't recognize it at first." He glances at his hands. "Your brave." This caught my attention. "What you did. Calling the cops on your father. Not many people do that."

"That isn't bravery. That's a death sentence." I pull on my ski hat.

"Bravery plays into all circumstances. Hell! Honestly what you kids are doing. It's all right." I look at him in question. "I see why your doing it. I'll respect it, even though I've had this treatment." A smile tugs at my lips. "If dumb and dumber doesn't mess this up, you could still have a chance at a life."

A silence falls between us.

"I'm not going to die here. I won't." He puts a hand on his leg. He notices me staring. "I'll be ok. This situation will play out right. I promise." Scanning the room with my eyes, I watch everyone in their own conversations, and Rivers pushing a trashcan over the door.

4:17 P.M

"GET UP." Lester grabs Jackson's arm, and forcing him up.

"Lester what are you doing!" I stand up in a rush.

"They want their officer, they can have him." He forces Jackson to a door leading to the roof. "Everyone stays here." Going out he slams the door, causing icicles to fall from the window.