Life on Mars

Chapter Twenty-six

Jak felt exposed arriving so early, but they'd soon been absorbed into the growing crowds. Becoming more and more anonymous amongst the masses as the time grew nearer. As a precaution, they stayed in visual contact, so there was no need to be on the grid or have communicators on. The Square had filled up quickly as people streamed in from the surrounding alleyways and streets. In no time at all, this enormous space felt compact and claustrophobic. 

As the excitement grew, so did Feng's tension, his eyes darting around rapidly. After hours of waiting, the unmistakable figure of Pierrot had appeared on all five of the screens enabling them to relax as all eyes switched to tonight's host. The footage had begun with 2D cameras shadowing his movements backstage. There was no sound, just the over the shoulder shots, smiles and backslapping as the crowd shared the backstage preparations. 

The loudest cheer had come when Pierrot had knocked on a dressing room door answered by a smiling band member. Gilly had waved to the camera before ushering Pierrot inside, leaving the camera and 200,000 audience members outside waving back. After a few moments, Pierrot had theatrically opened the door, waved to an unseen figure inside and continued his backstage tour. After numerous similar scenes, he'd given the final thumbs-up into the camera and was heading for the stage. The sound was switched to the stage as the larger than life figure of Pierrot took to the stage to the rapturous approval of the crowd. Heathen had seen nothing like this, for organic humans to physically gather together was both incredible and nerve-wracking. Jak was warmed by people physically being in each other's presence once again. Pierrot's voice echoed from every corner of the square.

"Good evening, people of Heathen, where have you all been?" he said followed by his trademark booming laugh. The crowd roared in approval. This whole thing was just as exciting for Pierrot. He was without doubt the biggest entertainment host in Heathen and yet people had seldom seen him in the flesh. Most often, he would have been on screen or holographic form.

"Where did all these people come from?" He put his hand across his eyebrows as if looking into the distance. "I thought there were only ten people living in this beautiful city?" he exclaimed, and once more, they screamed.

It was time.

Pierrot continued to warm the crowd, teasing and cajoling them ready for the big event.

Jak gave a subtle nod to Feng and the pair pushed their way towards the centre of the square. The tower that held the screens was so big that it was impossible to see any of the screens close up and so as they got nearer to its base, the crowd thinned out. There were random groups of people underneath getting some temporary relief from the people around them or meeting others. The two humanists were well-rehearsed in guerrilla action and didn't hesitate. They marched confidently across the 100 yards towards the maintenance access gate. Both wore just the trouser portion of grey boiler suits with the empty arm sections hanging limply by their sides. On top their open-neck, black shirts were open to the chest. There was nothing official about their dress, but it was as nondescript as they could muster. As they approached, Feng pulled out a laser slicer and cut through the lock in an instant movement. Even if anyone had been looking directly at them, they might barely have noticed what he'd just done. Jak pushed the gate open with his backside and rolled inside, followed by Feng who slammed the gate behind them.

Up above, the echoing voice of Pierrot continued toying with the crowd below and they were responding with vigour. The tower was a little like a lighthouse structure except it widened at the top to accommodate the screens and looked more like a gigantic chalice shape from a distance. One more locked door at the base and they were inside the inner core. Dim lights illuminated the dusty air and highlighted a spiral stairway that disappeared into the darkness above. Their boots echoed on the steel steps of the hollow tubular structure as they ran endlessly upwards. The roar of the crowd outside was muffled, but still, it shook the structure under their feet. Finally, they reached their goal and pushed the door open into the unmanned control centre at the top. They were now below the screens and saw the real scale of the crowd spread out below. Tens of thousands of eyes on the outside all seemed to stare up at them when, in reality, their gaze was fixed 20 metres higher. Every last one mesmerised by the face of the greatest entertainer in living memory, Pierrot.