Page 219 of The Examiner

Ben

You certainly threw my sleeper unit into a tailspin. They thought the voice speaking to them over the airwaves was the man they’d seen killed, whose body they still had and whose phone security system made them think they couldn’t get rid of it … or, at least, his head.

Ben

They encased it in epoxy resin to keep his phone working. But still that was only temporary. The industrial incinerator at RD8 gave them a way out. The fact Suzie Danners showed up here, floating around the installation like a ghost, means they were confident of escaping before anyone asked questions … until my arrival panicked them.

Ben

They must be gutted to leave the unit behind. I know it still has value – not as a Spiritfinder, but to RD8. How much will they pay to get it back?

Ben

Jem, do not open the clay head or remove anything from it. Let me take everything. I’ll make sure there’s no evidence of what AetherGen did. Ironically, that unit will ensure our organisation has funds to continue our fight against the destruction of this planet. DO NOT stand in my way.

WhatsApp chat between Gela Nathaniel and Mae Blackwell, 30 May 2024:

Gela

What was that?

Gela

It sounded like a lot of people screaming.

Gela

Is that laughter? It can’t be laughter. Are they applauding?

Mae

Gela, I don’t recall that being part of the installation. The lights went up after our film and there was Jem, standing in the middle of the room, holding a big glass cube. Inside it was a HORRIBLE model of a preserved head. Like something Damien Hurst might win the Turner Prize for.

Gela

It’s resin. Not glass.

Mae

The mobile phone strapped to the outside, as if the head is looking at it. I’m sure there’s a deep message there about our dependence on technology, but as pioneers of cloud computing it’s not the image we want to promote.

Gela

Where is she now?

Mae

Your examiner led her away. The face in that cube looked familiar. Did they model it on Cameron?

Gela

They’ve all gone. Jonathan, Suzie and Ludya. I watched them leave as soon as they saw him arrive. But, Mae, why did everyone laugh?

Mae

Our CEO finished his speech on the line ‘Wherever cloud computing goes, RD8 will be ahead.’ The lights came up and there was Jem. Now the shock is over, I can see how emotive art can be. It’s created quite a buzz out here! Seeing as that glass cube made such an impression, is there any chance we could keep it? There might be a display place for it somewhere.

Gela