Shadows of Mr Black

Scene 9

**Scene 9: The Global Threat**

*FBI Headquarters - War Room*

The room is tense, filled with agents gathered around a large screen displaying a paused video. The air is thick with urgency. Sarah Coleman, visibly anxious, turns to Daniel Briggs as they wait for Mercer to arrive.

**Sarah Coleman**: (half-joking, trying to mask her unease) "It's been a while since Mr. Black's last video. I wonder what's going on…"

**Mercer**: (entering briskly) "Agents, to the meeting hall now. A new video just came in from Mr. Black."

Sarah’s eyes widen as she exchanges a worried glance with Briggs.

**Sarah Coleman**: (muttering under her breath) "Oh God, do you think I jinxed it?"

The agents file into the meeting hall, tension mounting as Mercer steps up to the console. He doesn’t waste any time, hitting play on the video. Mr. Black appears on screen, his signature attire unmistakable—a devil’s mask and all-black ensemble, exuding his usual sinister charisma.

**Mr. Black**: (on screen, with a mocking tone) "G'day everyone, it's been a while. Hope you haven't missed me too much. Doesn’t matter, because I’ve missed you a lot. I've been busy, but don't worry, I'm back with a bang. Literally."

The room is dead silent, every agent hanging on his every word.

**Mr. Black**: "I've been away preparing a surprise for my lovely play buddies. It’s called ‘Seek, Find, or Bang.’ I've sent a file to you, attached is a list of cities where our game will be played. I can't say all, but I can mention the countries: Egypt, Japan, Britain, France, China, and America. Good luck, buddies. Oh yeah, your time starts… now."

The video ends abruptly, leaving the room in stunned silence for a moment before Mercer speaks.

**Mercer**: "This video was sent to the respective countries' security agencies with a file attachment. Officer, have you decrypted the file?"

An officer steps forward, tension evident in his voice.

**Officer**: "Sir, I did. The first city to be attacked is New York. The date is today, at 5 PM. It’s 11:15 AM now, giving us approximately 6 hours."

Sarah looks around the room, her mind racing.

**Sarah Coleman**: "New York is so big… where do we even begin to look?"

**Officer 2**: (focused) "Mr. Black never chooses a target without a reason. He would likely aim for the most populated area."

Another officer chimes in, tapping into the logic they know Mr. Black follows.

**Officer 3**: "What about the timing? What if he targets a place that becomes very populated around 5 PM?"

**Mercer**: (taking charge) "Quick, find locations in New York that fit that scope."

**Agent Daniel Briggs**: (analyzing data) "After cross-referencing the data, we have three possible locations: an amusement park, the beach, and a church. Given what we know about Mr. Black, he likes to make a statement. He goes for shock and horror. Among these three, the one that best fits his MO is…"

Sarah’s face pales as she realizes.

**Sarah Coleman**: "The church! That devil is targeting the church, oh my God."

**Mercer**: (steady, but with urgency) "Agent Briggs, how sure are you of this?"

**Daniel Briggs**: "Given the intel we have, I’d say 75 percent."

**Mercer**: (decisive) "I can work with that. Agent Luke, contact the agents in New York and get them ready. Deploy the anti-bomb squad and SWAT teams. I need every available agent on this operation."

**Agent Luke**: "Yes, sir."

Mercer turns back to Briggs.

**Mercer**: "Agent Briggs, stay here and continue deciphering the possible locations for the other bombs."

**Daniel Briggs**: "Yes, sir."