Breaking Britain (Completed)

Chapter 15

15
Saturday 5th January 2030
19:30

          There was a nervous wait in the makeup room for Maria Anello. A lovely girl around her age, named Sylvia Tanner had been running around, arranging her makeup, getting her drinks and coaching her on how to remain calm. Maria had found the girl warm and welcoming and had envisaged that, had they met somewhere else they could have been good friends.

           'There will be moments when Mr Watson will attempt to bring you down', Sylvia said continuing her discussion, about what Maria should expect during the show, 'don't worry too much about it, he's only keeping the discussion interesting'

            Maria nodded, looking at the unrecognizable face in the mirror, whilst rubbing her index finger.

            Sylvia placed her hand on Maria's shoulder. It shocked Maria and she flinched slight.

             'Try not to let your nerves get the better of you. Everyone is aware you weren't meant to be doing this. So, just go out there and do your best'

             Maria looked up at Sylvia. 'Thanks Sylvia'. She placed her hand on Sylvia's.

             Sylvia bent down to her ear. 'I'm engaged to a Bangladeshi boy. So, go knock that Percival Granthom for six', she whispered.

               Maria thought it was strange how she was going out to represent all the ethnic minorities in England and her family were very narrow minded Italians. They held their Christian values highly and had little regard for those of Muslim or Hindu beliefs, or any other belief. They had brought her up as a bigot. Maria would never have considered marrying anyone but another Christian Italian and when she was younger, she was embarrassed if any other Italians saw her walking the streets with a black person, especially a boy. Things had only started to change, once she had joined the Multi-cultural British Society. 

            Seated there looking at this young lady, her age and clearly English through and though, she couldn't help but look in awe of her. She was a brave white girl, engaged to a Bangladeshi, disregarding all the prejudice going on, disregarding others people's views to be with the person she loved.

            "What a brave, brave girl', Maria thought.

            A knock came at the door and a man wearing headphones and a mouthpiece pushed his head through a narrow gap he had created opening the door.

            'They're ready for you. Miss Anello'

             Maria thanked him.

             Sylvia lead Maria to where the studio was. Maria was asked to wait, she would then be shown to her seat.

            Maria hadn't recognized Percival Granthom when he stood behind her waiting to be guided to his seat. Percival hadn't realized it was the young lady standing before him, who would be debating against him. However, Carl Bennington, one of Percival's many entourage and chief advisor, had noticed and recognized Maria and had quickly advised Mr Granthom of her.

            Percival was just about to introduce himself, when the same man who had poked his head around the door of Maria's ready room, came up and asked Mr Granthom to follow him.

            Maria watched as a middle aged man, slightly greying and impeccably dressed, took a seat on the far chair of three, that surrounded a table. She realized that this could only be Percival Granthom. There was a slight resemblance to the photographs and television shows she had seen him in. She always knew that people looked different in real life and Percival Granthom was living proof of this, he looked younger in real life and definitely shorter and slimmer. She recalled how the unfamiliar face had looked at her in the mirror and realized it would be the same for him.

           The same man who had lead Percival Granthom to his seat, came over to Maria.

            'Miss', he looked down at his clip board before attempting to say her name again, '...Anello, can I show you to your seat'

           'Thank-you', Maria said, nodding her head. She followed him to her seat.

           Percival saw Maria Anello approach and rose to his feet to greet her.

           'Miss Anello, I was sorry to hear about Madu Obina', his smile seemed genuine and he offered his hand to her. She took it, it was firm. The hand shake of someone who was used to being in control.

             A moment later Mark Watson made his way to the seat between them, followed by his entourage, complaining about the amount of concealer that had been "plastered" on his face.

             He stopped his complaints as he approached the two awaiting guests.

             'Mr Granthom, it's a pleasure to see you again', they shook hands. Mark turned to Maria, who had risen to her feet. 'And you must be Maria Anello', he said taking her hand, 'I wasn't expecting such a beautiful woman in our presence and I certainly hope to see much more of you', he said flirtatiously.

              Maria couldn't help herself, she blushed. Mark planted a kiss on the back of her hand. An uncomfortable feeling went though Maria and she felt a little exposed.

               All three took their seats. Maria looked around, daunted by the multitude of cameras facing in her direction.
               A man stepped out from the shadows. 'Live, in ten seconds'. A board lit up with a countdown. Eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.

               'Hello. Welcome to the Mark Watson show. I'm Mark Watson and today's show is a special one. In the wake of all the violence that's spread like a plague through our great nation. We have two people who are at the heart of the violence. On my right we have Percival Granthom, leader of the New England Group, whom many of the violent incidents have been attributed to and on my left, standing in for the recently departed Madu Obinna, is the lovely Maria Anello, who is a representative of the Multi-Cultural British Society......'