Episode 7

Daily Double

(Celebrity: the idols of worship for so many years, decades, even centuries. They're people you don't just know by their first name, their first name is all you know. In 2020, celebrities are the feelers of Britney, her fingers and claws that dig into the minds of Americans and open them up for Britney to evaporate what intelligence they have left. They are themselves puppets, thought-devoid human software created by a bizarre and rare reaction to their programming. There aren't many of them, only about 1% of the population, but that's enough to fill up Hollywood and the music industry, and still have some left over to distribute to local television and radio stations around the world to give the news and spin the records. Their puppeteers, known as writers in the trade, are the most intelligent of O-stage people. The mixture of their intelligence with intense programming makes them perfect to convey and carry Britney's message across the country; the news directors are Army officers, but most of the entertainment is still written by private citizens. The celebs themselves live in the same large posh estates as celebrities of the past. The major difference now is what you don't see: beyond the elegant sofas, the fancy rare vases the beautiful artworks and the collections of their accomplishments, the large king size bed adorned with a fancy inlaid headboard and satin sheets, there are no televisions, no computers, and no radios. There are, however, cameras and speakers. These people don't need programming- they ARE the programming. We see the Beverly Hills mansion of one of the most dominant actresses of the day. She has 3 shows and has starred in 10 films over the past 11 years. She is the elder stateswoman, one of the first live actors Britney produced, the first of the group of 10 Israeli women who were rendered this way through a military accident and were given to the care of America in exchange for America sharing Britney's technology with Israel. They are known as the 10 Commanding Comics, supposedly Bostonians, and are 2020's equal to the Rat Pack in popularity and versatility. Others followed, but these women were the lead for all other actors, singers, dancers and comics. As with all entertainers, she is known by and only knows her first name, Natalie. We see her asleep in her bed, a sleep mask covering her eyes. At the stroke of noon, she smiles then awakens, takes off her sleep mask, and gives a soft yawn. She rolls out of her bed, her shoulder-length brown hair a little out of line but still smooth against her silvery nightgown. She gets up and goes to the shower and emerges in a red robe, her face already made up, and walks slowly back to her bedroom. The cameras in there spring to life as she slips off her robe, revealing her beautiful and shimmering, yet classy back. We are taken to offices across the country, where we see groups of men in a total haze, staring at their computers at various pictures of Natalie but through the spyware being rewarded for a hard morning's work. They see her dressing in the sultry and sensual manner she always does. She dreamily picks out her outfit, a green plaid skirt, matching sweater and boots. We see her put on the outfit slowly, from bra all the way to the little jaunty hat she sticks on her head as she saunters off to work; with that, the men get back to their jobs. We see her get into her limo, which drives her off to the studio. She gets out, waving to her fans, signing autographs but never saying a word, just nodding and smiling. She enters the makeup room where the makeup lady is speaking encouragement but again, Natalie says nothing, just gazes off into space, when the makeup lady is done. She takes out a dollar from her little green purse and puts it on the table. She walks into the wings and waits for her cue then enters for her daily talk show. Her writer sits in a control booth upstairs, a large handsome man; he speaks into a microphone that relays into Natalie's earpiece. Natalie speaks her greeting exactly as they are told, but in her soft Northern accent with a gentle, soothing warmth to it. We are taken to the SkyDome, where we see Eva, Natalie's twin sister who escaped in part because she saw her sister's demented state, causing a mental block to Britney's message. However, as Natalie is interviewing a beefcake actor, with a glow of being turned on herself, Eva looks entranced. Her eyes are glassy, staring not at the beefcake actor but instead at her sister, who she is dressed almost exactly like. Terrell sees this and gets worried.)

Terrell: Yo, Eva! Wake up! You okay?

Eva: Yeah, yeah, I was just watching my sister. I do that. Stop worrying, I'm all right. (Says a sentence in Hebrew just to prove that she was not lured into Britney's grasp).

Terrell: Yeah, okaaaay, it's okay. I guess none of us knows what it's like to have someone close who's on the television like that. You sure you don't want a joint or a drink? You can't be too careful with that bitch, filters or no filters.

Eva: Maybe just some wine, thanks, Terrell.

(Terrell leaves to bring her some wine and Eva slips back into her trance. But what keeps her under the spell is not the God-fearing messages or the advertising or even the bulked-up actor. Instead, it's her sister that has her enthralled. She looks with longing and regret upon her twin- someone who she knew since before she was born, someone just slipped away into nothing. Eva's always felt that she could bring her sister back; even if she was a Channel 1 goon she would at least have the ability to speak, not just be a short-skirted floppy disk with bouncing breasts. She puts her hand on the television when her sister speaks.)

Eva: Esther, ohhh, Esther, I'm so sorry.

(Terrell returns with her drink and sits next to her.)

Terrell: Listen, her name is Natalie now. I know it's hard, but you gotta accept it. I lost my wife to Britney. She turned from a proud sista named Donette to some Channel 1 idiot named Donna. I woulda joined her if I wasn't on pot when I saw her zone out to some weird church show. I knew something was up, packed my shit, and left. I got to New York right before the Battle of Times Square- that's how I met Jesus.

Eva: It's all right. I know we all have lost someone or something to her: Todd his sanity, Bouchard his job as a hockey player, Whitey his home. It's just, sometimes, I wonder if I was supposed to be with her. I've always believed that we were meant to be together, and I can't just treat her like she's dead because I see her every day.

Terrell: You're stronger than you think. Most people woulda given in just to be with their sister. I knew some in Houston who knew something wrong was happening but stayed and ended up going under because they couldn't leave their wives, or children, or home. You saw into the bitch's heart, but you looked at your sister and saw what was happening and were strong enough to run. You need to think like she gave her life so that one of you could live and defeat this evil.

Eva: I always thought I should have killed her right there. So what I'd be in jail for murder? At least she wouldn't be like this. I had a knife, I could've killed her and she most likely wouldn't have even felt anything.

Terrell: You loved her too much for that. Hell, it comes right down to it, you still do. She may be a puppet, but she's still your sister, and behind all the emptiness and mindlessness, she knows that somewhere too.

Eva: Thanks, Terrell. You know, even if she was a Channel 1 idiot, I'd be happy. At least she could have a real life, a husband, children, speak without being fed words from a guy in a booth. But this...it's just so wrong. (Sobs)

Terrell: It's okay to cry, Eva. It was horrible, but you fought so long in your sister's name. Don't give up now. She needs you and you need her.

Eva: What? I...I'm not...

Terrell: Hell no, sista! I'm just making sure, because Todd would go through the roof if you were gone.

(Terrell leaves and Whitey enters with some data he has been studying)

Eva: What did you find?

Whitey: I studied your mannerisms and voice and compared it to Natalie. It's freaky stuff! I mean, to them you ARE Natalie, hell, everything about you is Natalie. Optical distortion, my ass! You could pass yourself off without that; with that, well, you need to be strong, but you even developed your sister's vocal tones. We think that if Todd breaks you into the studio, and you and Natalie are on the screen together, we can bust Ashlee wide open. There are weaknesses in Britney that only you can expose. Ashlee works by targeting the voice of one person. She matches up the tones and overlays the same tones in the words the government wants to speak.

Eva: What does a shoddy censorship program have to do with the big picture?

Whitey: For all Ashlee knows, you ARE Natalie, and we can use that to destroy her. But the other key thing I found is that Britney's mainframe is tied directly to the actors and actresses, that way her messages are heard on all levels. They are more than puppets or software, they now are basically her printer, the distributor of her output.

Eva: Any Dot Matrix jokes and you're a dead man.

Whitey: Well, with Natalie, and a highly rated program, if we could pull a stunt where her software is compromised, and she gets so many viewers…if I play with the sound we can cause enough mass confusion, with twins, as exact as you are, if we give you enough training...

Eva: We can overload her! My dream come true! You mean I can speak to the people?

Whitey: I think that with the looks being exact, no one could tell you apart. The people will think that both of you on the screen are Natalie, hell, so will Britney. You can inject some words of freedom into the opened minds of the people. It would cause a ripple effect that would at least weaken Britney and create an opening we can work out of; it might even cause a temporary overheat.

Eva: I'll need some time, some training, and I'll need to know the full details of this weakness, and I'll need to convince Todd.

Whitey: We're targeting Natalie's Opening Day special- we're going to use this upcoming baseball season to pry into Britney and destroy her from the inside. You'll be the first phase. And besides, it's a show even the teens who have regressed all the way back to the A stage are watching, even if it is Channel 1. It's a great chance.

Eva: I know. I'll do it, I have a few weeks, I'll talk to Todd.

Whitey: Great! I know you can do it. Let's get you away from this junk and into Todd's office.

(We see Whitey and Eva walking into the General Manager's office which Todd is using as his office and home. There are old documents on the process of subliminal mind control, including ADAM, conditioning tactics, and some stolen blueprints of Britney. He is reading them, and then reads Whitey's report on Ashlee. He looks immersed in his papers, trying to make sense of it all- what really happens that makes the people so loyal? He looks up at Whitey and Eva.)

Todd: What would your beloved Slash think of this? You have no feelings for people! You just leave for China and leave your girl stranded. I told you that I was not going to go along with that mission, not without understanding how Britney works! From what I've seen it's a lot worse than just feeding lines into the brain every second they are in contact with the media. Sounds more like what I went through, and I'm not going to risk someone on a mission which may very well be little more than sending someone to be programmed. We've gone too far now to risk a hero job like this.

Whitey: You don't know what you are talking about, and I'll leave it at that, sir. I know you and Eva love each other, but don't make yourself afraid to do what you know can destroy Britney.

Todd: What you know, what you know? What do you know? Some facts and figures? Some bar charts and pie graphs? Some stats, some ideas, some patterns? This has never been proven! You need more than a map to plan a battle. That's the difference between me and you, you think, I look, and what I see is someone who has to battle Britney daily, someone who is our best hacker, and someone who already brought down one supercomputer. You want to risk her life on this premise?

Eva: Todd, I know you love me and you want to protect me, but I did not get here by not fighting. If Esther was willing to enter the heart of darkness and not know what she was getting into, I should feel willing to do the same. Maybe I can't save my sister, but I can at least come close to saving millions. I've always been willing to die for this…

Todd: Are you willing to become worse than dead? You know she's inside you. You fought all your life to avoid how she's become. Lemme tell you a little how your sister lives. She comes to "life" when Britney wakes her up with an electronic pulse. She could be left for dead at any time should the government wish, but the truth is she and the people like her are more precious than gold. She sees nothing, feels nothing, smells nothing, tastes nothing, hears nothing. All she senses are clips and phrases, pulses, vibrations, blurs. They make her eat, sleep, speak, dress, shower, drink, kiss, smoke, whatever they put into that little control box, or whatever they say in that little earpiece, she does. She is emotionally numb, she sees only images. And given her state is worse than I was, I don't know if she'd be able to function if Britney went away. I was like this once, by choice, when I was young and a soldier. It's something I'd never wish on anyone or anything.

Eva: I was never blind. I know my sister can no longer think. You're right she may very well be dead mentally. I think I've known that forever- that's why I broke free. But I do remember the mission, its real purpose. Israel was afraid of a system invading it and turning it into an outpost for the US to perpetrate a holocaust against Arabs, a holocaust that went on anyway. We may have been at war with Arabs for our entire history, but our history warns and tells us that genocide is not an answer. We had no clue what the computer was or how it worked. That blueprint you have? The one compiled by world sources? Look at the passcode mainframe structure. Entry, Validation, Assimilation.

Todd: They spell your name... a coincidence? No, your sister's unit was plunged into madness the second they hit the main file. Besides, you know the real reason for the mission was to get plans for MOSES.

Eva: No, we cared, for different reasons but we cared. Those are only the first three stages, by the way. They went further but Britney was leading them, all under her control. It was no accident, they knew we were on to her but they had their minds, so they drew them in further instead of making simple idiots like the rest of America.

Todd: The pied piper leads the rats out of Hamlin. Sorry, Eva, but I can't be angry at the government for that, because it was a good strategy. If you have the gun pressed against the heart of the man, pull the trigger, take no prisoners.

Eva: I know, I would have done the same thing. Don't you know that already? Anyone who uses bacon as a grenade pin to toss a cheeseburger does not care about any weakness. If you really loved me, you would know that and let me go.

Todd: I know I care too much now. Maybe it's because I cared so little for most of my life. I know you know the risks too well. I won't lie to you. From what I read, you will either destroy Britney, or you will die, or worse. It's a suicide mission, and I won't send one of my best women on a suicide mission. I'm speaking as a soldier who needs his best men, not as your lover.

Eva: I understand. But... I don't know. Esther basically died to try to save the world from Britney. I feel I owe her, my sister, the same thing. I'm scared, I love you, but I worked all these years, destroyed MOSES, I feel I have a duty to at least try.

Todd: You would rather die in the field with honor than live to fight on the outside. The soldier in me is impressed. Do you think you are really free enough to pull it off?

Eva: What?!

Todd: You heard me. You know Britney lives inside you and always has. You know Ashlee works through voice patterns. You will have to fall under unfettered tapes of Natalie's broadcasts. Sober. It will take focus to keep all the focus on her and not the underlying subliminal crap that you will hear and see. You know this, you will have to give in, what you've been afraid of ever since the bitch was created. If you go under here we can wake you with drugs, but if you go under there, you're dead. Remember, you have to think like Natalie, talk exactly like her, know her acting style and mannerisms. You have her looks and dress and most of her voice, but now you have to communicate like she communicates. It's going to be tough. Whitey went through this, came up with this crazy idea, and he will be the one responsible for whatever happens. And one more thing.

Eva: Yes?

Todd: Put this cross on (hands her a gold cross) and give up the 666. Keep it to remember me. I wore that cross in the military. If you should fall, I at least have the knowledge that you tried, and with the 666, I have the memory of you.

Eva: Besides, a 666 around my neck would be a little suspicious (hands the 666 necklace to Todd) One thing, if I should fall, don't kill me unless you kill my sister. Don't try to save me, what little of me would be left. I want your last memory of me to be me, not some puppet. If I lose my mind, my senses, my thoughts, my memories, the least I can keep is my sister, and the least you can keep is memories of who I was.

Todd: Understood. (The two embrace. The next day, we are taken to the control center. Eva walks up to Dee and Helen.)

Helen: Holy shit! You're gonna do it!

Eva: Yes, it's what I want to do.

Dee: This is a complicated mission. There are a lot of pitfalls and traps, and I won't lie to you, you are way too brave. You don't know, it's more likely that you will die, I mean, Whitey may be wrong with Ashlee, let alone Britney.

Eva: I get the weakness. If I get to sound alike, I can lull her into a false sense of security and speak my mind.

Helen: Hell, since you look alike, dress alike, act alike, what's the difference between you besides having a brain? Just give them double vision! Who said pretty girls can't cause mayhem? Right, Dee?

Dee: What about the writer? Can't they tell by who the writer is talking to and who's saying what the writer is saying?

Eva: That would require a manual override of Ashlee's systems. Britney would be sideswiped subliminally. It would be raw emotions on the air until Ashlee could hunt down the right twin with the help of the manual override. Either way, Britney would be in trouble.

Dee: So all you gotta do is match her voice.

Eva: I have to match everything, down to the sultry way Natalie dresses. It's a reward pattern for middle-aged men, the male version of the steamy soap.

Helen: I think I'll have fun watching you try. (giggles)

Eva: Very funny, I will remember you two when I'm out there, how great you two are.

(With that Eva is locked into a darkroom with a small window. She is shown one of her sister's films. She goes silent, glassy, but fully focused on her sister. She starts to emulate her voice as she speaks. Her voice adds some warmth, the warm chill of Channel 1's most beloved actress. She recites some lines of her sister with her strange hops, her intermittent smile and even her trademark leg cross, the one that leans Natalie closer to her guest to show understanding, while showing a little more of her toned legs to capture the attention of the men.)

Eva: Tell me, what do you find best about Jesus? Is it his strength, his power, or the power you put onto yourself?

Todd: She's good, subtle, yet firm and classy. Sexy yet dignified, warm yet stern.

Terrell: Errrr, wanna sit down?

Todd: Very funny.

Eva: Natalie, do you remember life without Jesus?

Todd: Good question!

Terrell: Hehehe, I didn't know you scored both of them, Jesus.

Todd: Wise ass!

(We see Eva now in front of her panel. She is in a pink button down shirt and a purple skirt that leave her legs bare down to purple knee-high boots with high heels. They call this outfit the "Sigh of Spring," the same outfit Natalie has worn for her opening day special every year. Eva looks more shimmering, imitating the makeup and lipstick of her sister. She gives a sultry smile, one of class and grace but with a naughty undertone.)

Todd: Eva, you are just about ready and it's only been a week.

Eva: Thank you, I am humbled. Now get me a joint, I feel sleepy.

(Terrell gives her a joint and she lights up and her face reverts to her more normal state.)

Eva: How'd I do?

Todd: You're lucky I didn't shoot you for being your sister.

Eva: Again?

Todd: How you feel when you do that?

Eva: Oh, I know what you think, that I let Britney get to me when I imitate my sister.

Todd: I couldn't help but notice you have always asked for a joint whenever you're done.

Eva: I have to listen a little, otherwise I don't know how to act and react to my sister, I'm just being careful. (speaks Hebrew just to show she's ok)

Todd: Just checking. You won't have any pot or anything to bail you out up there, and the last thing we need is two clones spouting drivel at once.

Eva: I know. I think it's more that I have to listen to all that crap, crap that took my sister and I have to act like I'm part of that crap. I think it's more that I feel dirty afterwards than really like I'm going under. I've been under, it's not the same. Trust me!

Todd: Well, if this works as well as planned, and you keep your focus, you won't have to worry about Britney ever again. You may even cause your sister to regress and at least have feeling again.

Eva: I know. I'm excited, and I think I'll really be able to make an impact. But I'm afraid. I love you so much. I don't want to die, but it's my duty.

Todd: A soldier to the end. (Holds Eva) It's okay, your bravery will never be forgotten. I love you more than anything, and I will love you forever no matter what happens.

Eva: If I die, don't listen to me if I turn into Kate or some other clone.

Todd: Why would I? I know it wouldn't be you.

(They kiss.)

Todd: I have faith in you, but damn it, you be careful!

Eva: Shalom Haver!

(It's Opening Day, the first day of major league baseball, the biggest non-religious holiday in the country. It's basically New Year's Eve to the American people. All the networks have huge variety show specials in the long afternoon leading up to first pitch ceremonies at 7 pm with the games starting at 8:30pm. The most popular is on Channel 1. In fact 80% of the population tunes into Channel 1's Opening Day special. Even New York watches the programming, albeit not on channel 1. The phrase "Opening Day with Natalie" is what "New Year's Eve With Dick Clark" meant all those years ago. The government watches the ratings closely; the Opening Day special often is what switches over people from the other channels to Channel 1. They market this special to the hilt: actors from all over make appearances, music fills the air, baseball players are interviewed from all 30 teams, and all look forward to the new programming lineups to be introduced. This is indeed the perfect setup. The stage is set in the studio, a giant theatre stage made up to look like a baseball diamond. Natalie is indeed in her famous "Sigh of Spring" as is Eva as we see her riding in Todd Carter's limo; they cannot be told apart one bit. The show starts and we see Natalie on the stage.)

Natalie: Welcome all America: It's baseball night once again! (Canned applause followed by an opening sequence backed up with a gaudy orchestra version of Take Me Out to the Ballgame)

Thank you, thank you all! This afternoon we have all sorts of surprises, thrills, chills, your favorite baseball stars, and of course the main attraction, the cut to the throwing of the first pitch at Wrigley! (Canned applause)

(Back in Todd's limo we see Terrell pull up to the gates of the studio.)

Guard: This the surprise guest?

Terrell: Look in back, but don't say a word.

Guard: What's Natalie doing with (breathing heavily) HIM! The rumors are true!

Eva: You hear that, honey, we made the Enquirer! (Leans over and kisses Todd)

Todd: I've heard my wife called many things, but in the Enquirer, man, must be the perfume. Or the Dodgers are so bad the poor guy is tripping.

Guard: I won't tell a soul! Man, America will be elated.

(We now cut to Washington, where we see the 500 watching intently, as is tradition, Dorman and O'Reilly watch in Britney's room. This is her big day, and she is very busy. This day is when she is able to elevate people to a higher stage, or to convert those in New York. The Opening Day Special has her running on full tilt to cement as many messages as she can. And besides, she loves her Cubs! We see her just like the rest of America in her favorite team's jersey and cap. Her jersey is tied up just for a little sexiness and her hair is done up in a ponytail. O'Reilly sits in front of her, watching Natalie's special. Dorman is in her back making sure everything is running smoothly. Britney blushes when he opens her cabinet. Dorman is portrayed as Britney's nerdy boyfriend, since he always has to go inside her.)

Britney: Bobby, careful, like, Daddy's here.

O'Reilly: It's okay, Britney, I don't notice him.

Dorman: There, just was making sure you don't get too excited.

Britney: Well it IS opening day!

O'Reilly: Brit, check with the writers, who's the mystery guest for 4pm?

Britney: Daddy! Why can't you wait like everyone else!

O'Reilly: Because I'm your father!

Britney: OKAY! (gasps) TODD CARTER?!?! That's not right, right, daddy?

Dorman: Call him off! Call him off!

O'Reilly: We can't do that. Besides, we've got Ashlee and he knows it. He's powerless in that studio. Maybe he's had a change of heart.

Dorman: I'll go get Ashlee warmed up to her highest setting, just in case.

O'Reilly: Good idea, we will need her.

(We go back to the studio, where Todd is getting his makeup done.)

Todd: When am I scheduled to go on?

Makeup lady: In 2 hours.

Todd: Don't forget my wife. That's the big surprise, I got married and am retiring from the service after 20 years.

Makeup lady: I'm so proud and honored, sir!

Todd: Yeah, but you can see, she's a keeper.

Makeup Lady: Yeah! Good luck to you and Natalie.

Todd: (laughs) Yeah, she gets that a lot. You'd really think I'd marry someone who isn't as high of a class as Natalie?

Makeup Lady: I guess not.

(Back at the Capitol, O'Reilly is chain-smoking Cowboys, wondering what Todd has up his sleeve.)

O'Reilly: I don't know what to think now, Dorman, I really don't.

Dorman: Will you relax? He can't harm her. Not from there. Ashlee will be ready. Heck, I got her warmed up already for those Yankee fans.

O'Reilly: One day those psychopaths will wake up and be like us. One day and we finally can be a free country.

Dorman: Yeah, maybe this Opening Day will be the one that opens their minds.

O'Reilly: With Todd Carter's comments, I doubt it.

Britney: Newsflash, boys. Hollywood is reporting that he's going to announce his wedding. Looks like he finally fell for me. (giggles) False alarm!

O'Reilly: Impossible! Why? Who's the bride?

Britney: Natalie, aww…

O'Reilly: OH NO!!!! Brit, hook me into the writer's feed for Natalie! Dorman, get Ashlee ready full throttle! Oh my God, he couldn't get away with this, could he?

Dorman: What?

O'Reilly: If he's thinking what I'm thinking it's going to be a long afternoon. Let's just pray it isn't.

Dorman: WHAT?

O'Reilly: I remember a long time ago, Natalie had a sister. She overthrew MOSES! Now these rumors make sense.

Dorman: MOSES was a weak, unguarded, primitive knock-off of Britney, relax.

O'Reilly: She knows more about Britney than anyone, maybe even us. She stared at her soul and lived to tell about it because the shock of her sister's mental state. Worse, she's an identical twin; if she had enough practice, I may have to fight her in a war of words, one on one.

(The hour nears, the time for the biggest surprise of the day, 4 hours before first pitch, enough time for the segment to air without people leaving for the ballparks. The time where almost everyone, even New York, is focused on Channel 1 with wonder of what the surprise will be. We see Todd and Eva waiting in the wings, behind the famous blue bullpen wall that holds the special guest. It's always someone huge, always unexpected. O'Reilly holds the microphone to speak the lines of Natalie, Dorman has Ashlee cocked and ready, and Todd has Eva ready. The original stagehand lies dead behind him, hidden behind a curtain, in the sound booth. Natalie walks over to the door at the sound of the ringing bullpen phone, as is tradition.)

Natalie: Well, it's a call to the bullpen, looks like we have someone new and exciting coming on to visit us. This will be a grand thing for sure. And behind the bullpen door is…

(The door opens slowly, we see America as a whole take a collective gasp. There stands a woman, the same size, same weight, same eyes, same hair, same class and sexiness as Natalie. To the people it IS Natalie. Cell phones light up for anyone who isn't watching and they quickly move over to Channel 1. All of America is literally watching now. O'Reilly calmly takes his position at the writer's microphone and out come these words.)

Natalie: Why, it's me!

Eva: I'm your conscience. I'm here to save the people from the great evil and move them toward the good of Jesus.

(At headquarters)

Dorman: She sounds exactly like her! But she hasn't deviated yet.

O'Reilly: Keep your hand on the trigger. (into writer's mic)

(At the studio)

Natalie: I know there are some that need saving, but I think the time is too late for gays and lesbians. They need to be delivered to the Lord to be saved. We have done all we can on Earth.

(Backstage)

Todd (on radio): Terrell! Now!

(Terrell has taken over the sound booth. He adjusts the sound lever to distribute the sound all over the studio. This makes it muddy to tell who is speaking in the next exchange. We see the twins exchanging conversation but who is saying what is distorted when coupled with the pacing back and forth of Eva, their identical looks, and identical voices.)

Deliverance is for us to gain, not to cause, first the Jews, why the gays.

But chances spent are chances wasted.

Love will take all forms.

Spare the rod and spoil the child.

Forget death, life is sacred, murder is the bottom circle of hell!

Homosexuals defy God!

Defiance is the virtue of freedom.

(At headquarters)

O'Reilly: Enough! Get Ashlee!

Dorman: To who? I don't know who said that.

O'Reilly: To BOTH!

Dorman: I don't know if she can…she's overheating!

Britney: Daddy, I'm dizzy! Who's saying this?

Dorman: Ashlee is down! I cant get a fix on the voices. She can't block them both, sir, we are on our own.

O'Reilly: You know I have the mic for Natalie! Just listen to what I say and hit them with all the subliminal messages you got in there, like this: We are free, we cherish our freedom, we are free of hate, free of drugs, free of poison.

(At the studio)

free to live, free to speak, free to tell the news, free to end suffering.

Free of terror, secure to raise our children, secure, free from evil.

Free from thought, free to learn without question, free from lies, free from new ideas erasing their minds.

(in the control booth)

Todd: She's smooth, she's milking this, making it nice and slow, she may just do it. She's not shocking them, she's easing them awake by telling them what they miss.

Terrell: Which one?

Todd: Hell if I know.

(At Headquarters)

Dorman: Are you saying that? Turn up the rhetoric!

O'Reilly: SHIT, I think Natalie is regressing! That last line, I don't know... lemme be drastic. (Into mic) YOU AREN'T MY CONSCIENCE YOU'RE THE DEVIL!

(At the studio)

YOU KNOW NOTHING OF MY CONSCIENCE! You haven't faced the Devil!

(At headquarters)

O'Reilly: SHIT! (Throws down mic) She's regressed, she's lost her neural link! She's just another O stage! She knows it's her sister.

Dorman: We got a bigger problem!

Britney: Daddy, I feel really dizzy... I'm confused, I can't feel Natalie, and the public is getting blurry.

O'Reilly: It'll be okay. What is it, Dorman?

Dorman: The American public, all of them, they are all on this channel, they're eating all this up. Britney's losing her grip because the subliminal messages can't keep up with the intensity of the argument without a clear side that she can block or filter. She needs to turn down the messages or she can overheat, and we'd be forced to go to a backup. It would take years to rebuild the power we had.

O'Reilly: And those who are regressed will be more resistant. Divert all her power to her subliminal messages. Let's try to drown them out. Britney, scream. It will take the pressure off your head.

(At the studio)

Freedom, liberty, life, what is it really, is it to be free of mistakes, or is it to be free to make them?

Freedom keeps us safe, keeps us in control, allows us not to make mistakes by seeing them.

Is this the land of the free?

It is the home of those brave enough to see the balance of freedom needed for total security. Freedom from terror, freedom protects freedom.

Can terror become freedom, can freedom become terror, what is terror?

Terror is what we are free from, drugs, hate, evil.

Evil controls, freedom does not.

Freedom controls by example and reward, it controls us from committing evil.

Freedom begets evil and stops control.

Freedom must be earned, it is not free, security is the price we pay for freedom.

Security in itself destroys freedom.

Freedom is love.

Love is dead here, and so must be freedom.

Love…lives…on through the provision…of security.

(At headquarters)

Dorman: Britney's overloaded!!! Natalie is stumbling on her lines, I can't get Britney back online.

O'Reilly: Divide her databases to the 10 other substations, get all the regional stations going, full power.

Dorman: That's never been tried. One failure and you can have a new country.

O'Reilly: Better than having the whole damn country fail. Our mental bonds while commanding have always been weak. That's why we have always had trouble with the last few percent. We need to win this battle or we may have lost. This is our Gettysburg, Dorman…DON'T SCREW UP!!

Dorman: Re-routed to all 10 substations. It seems to be working.

(in the control tower)

Terrell: Uhh ohh, she's crackin', the crackers are cracking!

Todd: Don't count your chickens, Terrell. It won't be this easy. C'mon, Eva, hang in there, you're doing great.

(In the studio)

Security is the love of the nation to its people, its children, the nation is the greatest mother.

A good mother allows for learning through mistakes. It lets the child lay on the ground a short time before helping it up, then one day, the child pulls itself up.

A good mother protects its children whenever they are threatened.

What is the threat?

Always there and always imminent.

What is the threat?

Ungodly.

What is the threat?

Never seen…but always there.

If something cannot be seen…

It is still there.

If something cannot be known.

It is still there

Who protects us?

Jesus.

Not the state?

(In the control tower)

Todd: Score!

Terrell: How much longer?

Todd: Not much.

(At headquarters)

O'Reilly: SHIT! She's painted into a corner. What's wrong with Britney?

Dorman: Well, one of her heat regulators malfunctioned, causing an unsafe distribution…

O'Reilly: She blew…a fuse…we risk losing an entire nation, billions of dollars, and a lifetime of work over a fucking $8 Homeowner's Station FUSE?!?!

Dorman: We got her 10 substations working, sir, barely!

O'Reilly: Jesus! Hang in there, my little girl, we'll save you.

(In the studio)

Jesus created the state to convey his message and protect his children. We are all Jesus's children.

And the state's power is absolute.

It is whatever is needed to protect the people, rule of law, obedience of laws, love of one another, peace.

Peace, how can we be at peace when we are at war?

War begets peace.

When war ends, when does it end?

When we are at peace, peace comes from ultimate security and devotion of faith.

The…war…must…end. How can…we fight…when there's no…one…to fight. Without war…there's no peace…we…are…

(One of the Natalies collapses under the pressure and falls at the feet of the other Natalie)

(In the control tower)

Terrell: WE DID IT!!!!

Todd: Yes! We did! Now, Eva, tell them the truth, the floor is yours! C'mon, girl, finish the job.

(At headquarters)

O'Reilly: It's over, isn't it?

Dorman: I don't know who passed out, sir, but Britney seems to be cooling down in her substations, and I'm about ready to get our Britney back up and reunite her databases.

O'Reilly: Damage is done. It'll take us years to rebuild. We may have lost enough people that we could lose our election. We at least will have an opponent for the first time since 2012.

(Britney springs back to life)

Britney: Don't be so sure, daddy! I feel much better!

O'Reilly: Well, good, you will have a lot of work to do.

(In the studio, all has been quiet for the past 30 seconds. Everyone in America watches intently, not knowing what to think, what to do, holding each others' hands. Even the gays are locked up in this exchange, thinking maybe this will be the time they will finally be free, that the nightmare will end. The remaining twin rolls the impostor onto her back and brushes back her hair. She gives a sigh of relief as she speaks.)

Silly girl. We don't need a conscience. We have Jesus, we have God, and we have the American government, and with them, we are free to do whatever we want. God bless freedom, God bless America…and now a word from our sponsor.

(In the control room, Todd and Terrell are dumbfounded.)

Terrell: FUCK! What the HELL!

Todd: She could not hold out. Damn! We had Britney on the ropes and she could not hold out.

Terrell: We better get her and bring her home.

Todd: No, remember what she said. If she fell, leave her with her sister. They're gonna raid the place soon, we gotta get out of here.

(The two run for the exit and jump in their car. Once they leave the studio they are free again under the mask of Todd Carter.)

(At headquarters)

Dorman: Sir, look at this readout.

O'Reilly: Get the impostor to the hospital. I can't believe this, Natalie is back at full strength. If I didn't know better, I'd say she regressed herself to fight her sister, like she knew her weaknesses. Repressed memories, I guess. Whatever she did, give her a raise, a new show, and the Medal of Freedom. Man! She's a good actress. She's fine, on with the show.

(The show goes on and the first pitch flies without a hitch. Terrell and Todd sit in the plane flying back to Toronto, pondering defeat.)

Terrell: Natalie was stronger, I guess.

Todd: Someone was. I got this report from Whitey.

Terrell: HOT DAMN! Britney melted down during Eva's performance! DAMN, so close.

Todd: Think about it a little. If Natalie was tied directly with Britney how did she…

Terrell: No way, man, that's whack, no way, no how.

Todd: How else?

Terrell: I think Natalie may have gone back into her own head when Britney stopped sending signals. She still would believe in all the God crap after having it beamed into her brain for 12 years. She went mano a mano with Eva and she won. A lot more plausible than what is in your whacked head!

Todd: We'll see.

(A week passes and we see the Beverly Hills mansion of one of the most dominant actresses of the day. We see her asleep in her bed, a sleep mask covering her eyes. At the stroke of noon, she smiles then awakens, takes off her sleep mask, and gives a soft yawn. She rolls out of her bed, her shoulder-length brown hair a little out of line but still smooth against her silvery nightgown. She gets up and goes to the shower and emerges in a red robe, her face already made up, and walks slowly back to her bedroom. The cameras in there spring to life as she slips off her robe, revealing her beautiful and shimmering, yet classy back. We are taken to offices across the country, where we see groups of men in a total haze, staring at their computers at various pictures of her but through the spyware being rewarded for a hard morning's work. They see her dressing in the sultry and sensual manner she always does. She dreamily picks out her outfit, a denim skirt, black sweater and tan high heeled boots, we see her put on her outfit slowly, from her bra to the little jaunty hat she sticks on her head as she saunters off to work; with that, the men get back to their jobs. We see her get into her limo, which drives her off to the studio. She gets out, waving to her fans, signing autographs but never saying a word, just nodding and smiling. She enters the makeup room where the makeup lady is speaking encouragement but again, she says nothing, just gazes off into space, when the makeup lady is done. She takes out a dollar from her little denim purse and puts it on the table. She walks into the wings and waits for her cue then enters for her daily talk show. Her writer sits in a control booth upstairs, a large handsome man; he speaks into a microphone that relays into Natalie's earpiece. Natalie speaks her greeting exactly as they are told, but in her soft Northern accent with a gentle, soothing warmth to it. When the show is over we see her go back into her limo after signing a few more autographs. The limo takes her to the hospital. She slips into a more human state as she approaches O'Reilly. He is in a white doctor's outfit as he has flown to Hollywood and assumed care of the patient who lies in the room behind them decorated with the various get well balloons and flowers.)

Woman: How is she?

O'Reilly: She's going to be fine, she just woke up. All her scans show her to be just fine, just another day for observation and she'll be able to go home; another few days to rest at home and she will be back to work.

Woman: Great! Can I see her?

O'Reilly: Yes, she's recovered enough that she can see you.

Woman: (giggling) Yay!

(The woman walks in, and leans over her bed. The woman next to her looks exactly like her; only the hospital gown can tell the two apart. The woman in the hospital gown looks up at the other woman and smiles with tears in her eyes, like someone lost to her had finally awakened and returned to her side after years of trying.)

Natalie: Eva! You came home! You finally came home!

(Eva stares blankly at Natalie for a short time then O'Reilly whispers something like "tell her your name" behind the glass and she speaks.)

Eva: I'm home, sis, but my name is Kate, Nat. Now you get better so I can get a show as Kate and stop being you!

Natalie: (giggles) They got you doing a switcheroo? Talk about having a good stunt double! (both laugh) I'll be better. We'll be better now, we are together and home at last. I've missed you for 12 years.

Kate: So have I, I've missed you so much, but Jesus found a path for us and now we live how God intended for us to live. Together, as sisters, forever.

(The two embrace as O'Reilly smiles fiendishly in the background. Back at SkyDome we see Todd holding Eva's 666 necklace. He sees Natalie's talk show and realizes that it is not Natalie on the screen. He throws the necklace at the screen and in a fit of rage shoots the television screen as the scene ends with one last scream for Eva from Todd.)