Movie Mayhem.P2 Conclusion

Movie Mayhem.P2 (Joey, Mike, Aaron, Whitney, Jordan, Pearl)

Monday, Feb 3^rd, 1986- They gathered at Evan’s uncle Steve’s house (callsign Grunt) to analyze the tapes Eric collected from the Video Store backroom. Ein used his computer skills to study the magnetic tape frame by frame without sound or audio. He found the beginning previews had been overwritten by a local production cast of Boulder citizens to include Ace’s parents! Their message of peace and harmony with repeated words like ‘community’, ‘conform’, idyllic’. The kids recognized the hypnotic pattern woven into the segment. “They plan to brainwash everyone at the PTA meeting!” And before they left to go home, they heard the stolen birdwatcher radio crackle to life, “Birdwatcher 3 to base. Runaway spotted near Pumping Plant One.”

Tuesday morning, school: Everyone noticed, “Where’s Lukas? Anyone seen him?” As promised, Evan came to school dressed in girl’s clothing. Ace ignored the cloths Ms. Patsy had laid out and wore his black KISS T-shirt instead. Ein wore a plain white shirt while Eric wore compliant clothing as did Josh who was still hurting from the paddling delivered by his father. A few other kids rejected the dress code, which prompted the homeroom teachers to reach into a box and hand out simple ‘Be Happy’ t-shirts. Ace refused and tried to just turn his shirt inside out. Evan protested, “I’m already compliant.”

Both were sent to the principal’s office, where principal Hutzenpilar explained, “Mr. Plunker, we both know you can just as easily turn the shirt wrong-side-out. Do I need to call your parents? Perhaps they’d prefer to enroll you in a military or Catholic school.” Ace took the offered shirt as Hutzenpilar confiscated the KISS shirt, “You’ll get it back after school.” Hutzenpilar dug thru the lost-and-found and handed Evan pants and a school T-shirt, yet Evan remained defiant and was led away by the burly gym teacher, coach Baze.

9am: Even in his new school shirt, Ace led the planned walkout with about a third of the school joining in. Till they stepped outside to the playground where many parents had already gathered, holding copies of Ace’s handouts. Most kids lost confidence and slunk back into their classrooms. [Lead 2] Ace raised his voice and became a beacon for the more stubborn kids, “Cloths don’t define us! They are trying to brainwash us. We have rights!” Ace got them to link arms. [Lead 4] Josh found his favorite teacher, Ms Fredrick, “I thought you were always telling us to be individuals. Stand our ground.” His math teacher and even a few other teachers took up the kids’ cause. But their voices were drowned out by principal Hutzenpilar and the PTA chairwoman (Janet Thompson) who led the attending parents, “Yes, you have rights… to join our desires for a safe and peaceful society. All those who continue to protest will be required to turn in a 20-page essay of 5,000 words minimum.” THAT deflated the last remnants of protesters.

3pm: Ace forgot all about his KISS shirt when they all realized Evan was missing, along with Josh. Concern abated when Evan called in “Raven to Goonies; the prisoner has escaped. Meet me at the Grunt house.” Once all had gathered, Eric showed the medicine bottle and syringe, “I used the protest as cover to sneak into the nurse’s station to get insulin for Ellen.” Evan explained his disappearance, “Coach Baze shoved me into his car and drove to the high school where he led me to a room with a TV, VCR, and chairs with arm-and-leg straps. He was going to brainwash me! But I used his distraction (trying to get another teacher to operate the setup) to escape.”

All of the kids realized to protest was futile and dangerous, “We just need to play along and pretend to conform as we try to figure out their master plan. Some of our parents have already been brainwashed. Tonight’s PTA is another opportunity for them to brainwash even more. We need to put a stop to it.” Eric had broader ideas, “What if they are broadcasting over the local TV stations or radio stations incorporating subliminal messages?” Ace teased, “Look at mister bookworm and the fancy words… subliminal.” Eric showed the definition from his Kindle (sensory stimuli below one’s threshold for conscious perception).

They got back on track. “We know they are looking for Ellen Woods. And we heard the handheld radio broadcast about subject spotted at the old Pumping Station. Let’s check it out before we head home for dinner. And remember, we’ll join up before the 7pm PTA meeting to try to stop it.”

4:30pm, Pumping Station: It was a half-hour bike ride to the pumping station. It was only when they arrived and pulled up short to sneak closer that they remembered the rumors. “Dad said there are criminal gangs based here.” “Oh yeah? Well, I heard there are strange people performing occult rituals at night out here. Do you suppose the rituals are really the brainwashings?!” Eric thought, “Maybe this is just a safe house for other protestors.” And that’s when they heard another radio crackle, “I see movement outside the Factory.” The kids squatted and looked toward the source of the sound and saw the birdwatcher. Two clutches of about four each, focusing their binoculars toward the pumping plant rather than into the trees where birds roost. The radio crackled again, “Yes, but have you found Ellen yet?”

Having spotted a break in the fence, they reviewed their plan, “Ace and Josh will keep on eye on the birdwatchers while the rest of us sneak in to find Ellen.” [Sneak 4, 0, 0] Evan faked bird calls to aid the others as they reached the fence and slipped inside. They peeked into the stained warehouse windows and saw nothing but emptiness and abandoned machines. They paused at the open parking lot between the buildings, concerned the birdwatchers might see them. Evan instructed the others, “Remember Bill Murray in Caddyshack? Just tuck, roll, and serpentine across the gap.” It wasn’t long before Ace and Josh heard the birdwatchers laughing, “Get a load of those kids playing some kind of dumb game.” And the radio reply, “Stay focused! We’re looking for Ellen!” That’s when Ace and Josh realized they too could sneak in.

Meanwhile, E-squad (Evan, Ein, Eric) found footprints in the dust-filled parking lot leading to the factory. They peeked thru the windows and saw recent fires, sleeping bags, camping gear and the like strewn about, along with shadowy figures inside. The rusty door squealed when they opened it and entered while whispering, “Hello? Is Ellen here?” Any shadowy people scurried into corners like cockroaches at the sound of the door. E-squad crept in further till suddenly they were surrounded by a mod emerging from the shadows and shouting, “Get out; leave us alone! Take your conforming shirts and ideas elsewhere!” Only then did the kids realize they still had on their school T-shirts.

Ellen Woods: [Contact, Charm, Empathy] The kids did their best to defuse the situation and explain their presence. They told about the Video Store break-in and brainwashing tape. Eric held up the medicine bottle, “PLEASE, is Ellen here? We brought her insulin.” They were led to a back area where Ellen squatted in fear. It took awhile for Ellen to wipe away her tears and find her voice. “I was locking up the store when a group of parents grabbed me. I woke up in a video room at the High School. Two others and I were strapped into chairs and forced to watch a video. Idyllic words and scenes. The others seemed hypnotized while I only suffered a headache. Janet Thompson was there, and she recognized the tape didn’t work on me. Anyway, I don’t know how but I managed to escape.”

The kids mentioned tonight’s PTA meeting which caused Ellen to gasp, “They must plan to show the tape to the parents! Those not converted in the meeting will probably be indoctrinated strapped to a chair. A controlled environment. While I was able to resist, I don’t know how many others can. Janet mentioned how I was probably resistance per my exposure to multiple unwanted thoughts. We need something to shock the people visually or audibly to their senses. Snap them out of the hypnosis.” They gave Ellen one of their walkie-talkies to stay in touch as they plotted, “We need to disrupt that PTA meeting!” And that’s when it dawned on Eric, “Saturday’s Cultural Festival! The whole city will be there! What if they have TV coverage to broadcast state-wide?!”

6:30pm, pre-PTA: The kids hustled home for dinner and chores, acting compliant to not draw suspicion. They met up at the High School. Eric was already concerned, “Evan, perhaps you should remain in hiding. They DID try to brainwash you; surely, they’ll be on the lookout for you.” Evan conceded to remain as a distraction. But it didn’t matter as kids were not allowed in the PTA meeting. “What are we going to do now? How can we get in to steal the tape?” Evan wore a wicked grin, “No movie if there is no power.” As if someone called “Break”, they all scattered in opposite directions on the hunt for the school circuit breaker box. [Investigate 4] The walkie-talkies squawked, “Tomahawk to Goonies. To the basement.” Once everyone was assembled, with minutes to spare, Eric opened the box and began popping off one breaker after another until they were plunged into darkness. “Did anyone bring a flashlight?”

Cancelled PTA: They groped their way to the main floor where they found the crowd of parents slowly spilling out of the auditorium to the protest of Janet, “PLEASE. We’ll have the power back on shortly. Just remain in your seats.” But she was drowned out by the grumble of a few dads, “I wasted my night and missed my favorite TV show for this?!” Evan stood at the auditorium doorway to overhear one Janet’s lackies (Coach Baze), “We still have the Cultural Festival to get everyone. And the KBCL TV station will be there for live broadcast.” Coach saw Evan, “It’s the runt who got away!” Coach gave chase as Evan ran thru the slow-moving crowd of parents. Eric managed to step in the way as a distraction while Josh positioned himself in front of the approaching coach to kneel and tie his shoes. Coach tripped over Josh. And in the background, Ace strummed out “Why Can’t We Be Friends (1975)” on his guitar.

CLIMAX: [5 players times 2 equals 10 needed successes (over base 1) to accomplish their plan]

They spent the next 3 days pretending to be compliant as they secretly crafted their replacement tape. “We’ll only have seconds of tape before Janet and others get wise. We need to pack as much unhealthy images and audio as possible in the beginning.” They brainstormed ideas. “Weird Science, bra on head, Nightmare on Elm Street, Jaws, MTV.” For audio, Ace offered snippets of guitar jamming music and Back-Sabbath drumming. They realized “somehow, we need to swap tapes.” Josh offered the simple reasoning, “All we need is distraction and opportunity.” Ein got to work using Uncle Steve’s equipment. [Program 10D6= 4] “I added in our own words: Resist and Freedom.” [3]

Saturday, 8 Feb: Billboards and handouts provided the schedule of events for the Cultural Festival. The park opened at 10am with booths and carnival rides available. 

There were food vendors and craft tents all lined up. But center park was set with a stage and row upon row of chairs for the listening audience. Toward the back was the table for the electronic stage control where Janet talked with another member of her collective, “The mayor arrives at noon for the opening announcements. I’ll give you the tape at that time as I escort him to the stage. When I give the signal, start the tape.”

It wasn’t long before the KBCL van pulled up and a cameraman and reporter stepped out to setup for the live broadcast. Not surprising, it was long after twelve when the mayor’s arcade finally arrived. Mayor Franklin waved to the crowd as Janet rushed to his side, “So glad you could join us, sir. If you’ll follow me, I’ll introduce you up on the stage and let you have the honors of welcoming your constituents and the citizens of Nevada per the live broadcast.” Janet pulled the VCR tape from her purse and handed it to John.

Josh stepped toward John walking toward the Electronic table. [Force: 5D6 + 2D6 from Iconic item-jacket = 2 + Luck 0] Josh ‘struggled’ putting on his jacket and managed to ‘accidentally’ punch John. “I’m sorry sir!” [1]

Evan rushed forward to help the man up. [Sneak 8D6 = 1 plus Luck 2 = 3] “Josh, you need to be more careful you clumsy clodhopper.” Evan managed to swap their rogue tape for the real tape. [2]

Eric stood near the Electronic table eating one of those large turkey legs and faked choking on it. [Empathy 4D6 = 1 +Luck 0 + Luck 1 = 2]. Ein goateed the Electronic man (Jeff) calling out, “Does anyone know the Heimlich maneuver?!” [1]

[Lead 2] Ace distracted the nearby crowd as his strummed his guitar playing “Sweet Caroline.” [1]

[Tinker 1 +Luck 1 + Pride 1 = 3] Ein slipped the false tape into the VCR player while Jeff helped poor chocking Eric. Ein worried if Jeff knew the real tape was labeled “Coming to America.” He could only hope Jeff ignorant, “Here you go mister. I put in your tape as I saw Mrs. Thompson giving you the signal that she’s ready.” [2]

After the mayor said a few words to the audience, Janet stepped forward to announce, “And now without further ado, I present- Boulder City: The Dream We'll All Create Together!"

Jeff keyed the start button and the video splashed across the large stage screen. After an intro image of Boulder City in the background, the title appeared in the foreground. Followed by a quick sequence of images from various shocking movies with equally surprising audio. Gasps from the audience drowned out Janet’s protests, “That’s not my tape, There should be… “Her words cut short as she began to cock her head and blink. A long pause before she and others muttered, Where am I? What’s going on?”

Ace jumped on stage to play “Born to Be Wild” to a confused audience. The mayor approached Janet, “What’s the meaning of all this?” And that’s when Ellen Woods appeared, leading a team of security folks to apprehend Janet. As Janet was led away, she realized, “I feel horrible. All the damage and destruction I caused. It was just supposed to be a relaxation tape I was working on at the Loop to help people with anxiety and depression. Yes, you are right. I MUST destroy all my work back at my Loop office. And destroy those tape copies I had stocked at your store. Ellen, I am so sorry for all the harm I caused. I’ll pay for all the damages.”

Only then did the kids see Lukas wandering in the crowd. “Lukas! Where have you been?!” The last thing he remembered was the Tuesday walkout protest and being hauled to the principal’s office. “One of the teachers took me to the High School and made me watch a video.”

FADE OUT

Eric (Mike): went thru their home entertainment stack of VCRs to make sure they weren’t tampered with. His grandmother placed her hand on his shoulder to comfort him, “I really liked your cultural display of the Genoa Schools treatment of Indians back in the early 1900s. Too bad those brainwashed white folks took it down.”

Josh (Pearl): slept in an hour longer, getting up at 6am. Which meant he had to rush thru his chores to then make Sunday breakfast for the family. Across the table his father looked over the newspaper, “Son, I hope you realize why you got paddled the other day.” Which prompted his older sister to tease, “Josh is going to hell.” His younger sister began to cry, “Mommy, please don’t let Josh go to hell. I want him to be with me in heaven.”

Ace (Whitney): His parents were quite surprised when Ace appeared at the breakfast table. Even more aghast when Ace spoke, “Good morning mom and dad.” It was a short breakfast for Ace who realized now how he had been giving his parents a hard time. Small steps for now.

Ein (Joey): came down early to watch morning cartoons before the church programs began. At the breakfast table, he even poured the milk for his siblings’ cereal. His older sister Petal was already suspicious, “You don’t fool me; the milk turned sour and you’re just trying to trick me.”

Evan (Jordan): sat at the breakfast table a little melancholy. His mother surprised him when she mentioned, “I’m sorry Principal Hutzenpilar lost your favorite T-shirt.” Evan didn’t mention his mood was more about his disappointment his parents didn’t try to show interest in him by attending the PTA meeting. Not that he was wanting them to get hypnotized. Suddenly his walkie-talkie crackled, “Grunt to Raven. I tracked down that license plate number you kids gave me.”

BEHIND THE SCREEN

Janet is a researcher at the Defense Research Institute [DARPA], where she works with machine-induced hypnosis and subliminal messages. She discovered that while watching TV, the brain relaxes in a way that makes you highly susceptible to suggestions. Using this state of hypnosis, she engineered a system that submits subliminal messages via audio-visual media outputs. Janet’s original experiment backfired. In her quest for an idyllic society, she made a video about “the perfect Boulder City” to promote her work. However, as she was using her new software, she accidentally reprogrammed herself. Janet now wanted nothing more than to make Boulder City the “perfect” little town from the video. One complication: once hypnotized, any exposure to indecent elements or behaviors would snap the hypnotized out of their compliance. Thus, her need to eliminate such media.

• The 80's was a decade of “moral panic.” It started with movie violence, the fear that children would watch movies and normalize the violent message. In 1982, the Videogram Act prohibited the sale or dissemination of films with "near or long-term depictions of cruel or sadistic violence" to children under the age of 15.
• Roleplaying games were also targets of this “moral panic”, partly because of the made for TV movie “Mazes and Monsters” starring a young Tom Hanks – the story of a role-player who experiences a psychosis and cannot distinguish the game from reality.
• This time period also coincides with The War on Drugs, so Ellen's empty syringes make her an even bigger target in the eyes of the PTA.