Drafts of “The Phoenix: Part 2 – The Exploitation”
2020/10/19 20:54:
# The Phoenix Part 2: The Exploitation
## Other Birds
2: Eagle/Caladrius – Alan or Brian interview with a much-misunderstood, high-
numbered “Birds” channel. Eagle pecked out appendix, but regrew on
encountering a Caladrius
3: Bluebird – egg thief dressed in clothes that look like Mister Bluebird has
frequently been on his shoulder and rarely missed.
4: Phoenix struggling to fly. Almost as bad as when A, B & C once walked among
Pinguinus Giganticus in Florida.
5:harpy – public gallery raised. A, B, or C scared of heights and reminded of
rappelling down a cliff to snatch a quick view of a harpy.
6: Caladrius – optimism resurrected like the caladrius’ effect on their car
7: Griffin – Frequent car problems once ‘pull started’ by a griffin, but this
time pulled along by the crowd while they ride on the roof.
8: Cockatris – Crowd watching screens, still as if turned to stone.
The media arrive, each with their own angle.
—–
With little regard they swarmed into the courtyard
covering the ground with some speed.
Perpetually jostling those in the vanguard.
Every one of them wanting the lead.
It was the journalists who first arrived at the front;
each clutching their pad and their pass.
Those just risen the worst, their inexperience an affront
to those who were still holding a glass.
Next came photographers, tightly gripping their gear.
They seemed to arrive from all quarters.
But more worrying by far than their abrupt influx here
was the way they understood the reporters.
Then bringing up the rear came the television crews;
each faking a semblance of glee.
Trying to make it appear their position was a ruse –
that this was where they wanted to be.
“On me in three, two, one.” said one correspondent
as he frantically battled his hair.
He failed but pressed on, neither dismayed nor despondent
“This is Giles from Mythology On Air.”
“Hi, I’m Candy, reporting for Dumbed Down News.”
said the woman neighbouring him.
She clearly had the hair for the job, and also the shoes,
and was fortunately also quite dim.
Then there was Isiah from Is Armageddon Enough?
(whose coffers were doing just fine)
He was taking this chance to solicit all sorts of stuff,
finding the phoenix a sign.
Numerous nature channels were scattered any old how,
and once again it was Alan who mused
that it seemed as if the woman from “Naturist’s Now”
had gotten just a little confused.
Alcohol had flowed, and undeniably showed
the clear ambiguity of words
when one business’ founder, awakened and found her
station was simply called ‘Birds’
With copious flannel, this high-numbered channel
had landed Brian in front of a mike.
As he spoke without break, they discerned their mistake –
interviewer and lensman alike.
He was wittering on how his appendix had gone;
succumbed to an eagle’s vexed peck.
But a caladrius’ knack had caused it to grow back
At least, the last time he checked.
By now, one reporter had finished his story.
Was the first one to pull out his phone.
Expecting the glory, but clearly denied for he
let out a terrible groan.
His phone had been seen; he was tapping the screen
but to little effect so far.
The god of mobile phones was being so mean
he could not get even one bar.
In succession you could spy, each of them try.
It seemed they were in a dead zone.
Each regarded the outcry, and the lone kiosk nearby,
then all made a dash for the phone.
One falling behind, caught in a fine bind,
unhappy at being in the rear,
cleared this Gordian Knot and tried nipping through shot
but Isiah had other ideas.
His patience had strayed, his temper was frayed,
now unravelling, becoming undone.
But when push came to shove the reporters all bayed
and the pack turned on its heels as one.
The soundman and camaraman gave of their best
but stood little chance in the mayhem.
The reporters howled in delight, but this was when the rest
of the camera crews turned upon them.
This was quite the event, unfortunately it went
unreported by those with civility.
Much testosterone was spent, and serenity was rent
by the media’s violent proclivities.
Now a soundman called Mike was struck by a strike;
sent flying by someone’s left hook.
As he staggered and reeled, he saw something that appealed
so pointed and urged all to look.
Avoiding each other’s gaze they got up off the floor.
Turned back to reporting to the world.
Grabbed their equipment, took their positions once more
as a new chapter to the story unfurled.
———————————————
2020-10-18 22:38
# The Phoenix Part 2: The Exploitation
## Other Birds
2: Eagle/Caladrius – Alan or Brian interview with a much-misunderstood, high-
numbered “Birds” channel. Eagle pecked out appendix, but regrew on
encountering a Caladrius
3: Bluebird – egg thief dressed in clothes that look like Mister Bluebird has
frequently been on his shoulder and rarely missed.
4: Phoenix struggling to fly. Almost as bad as when A, B & C once walked among
Pinguinus Giganticus in Florida.
5:harpy – public gallery raised. A, B, or C scared of heights and reminded of
rappelling down a cliff to snatch a quick view of a harpy.
6: Caladrius – optimism resurrected like the caladrius’ effect on their car
7: Griffin – Frequent car problems once ‘pull started’ by a griffin, but this
time pulled along by the crowd while they ride on the roof.
8: Cockatris – Crowd watching screens, still as if turned to stone.
The media arrive, each with their own angle.
—–
With little regard they swarmed into the courtyard
covering the ground with some speed.
Perpetually jostling those in the vanguard.
Every one of them wanting the lead.
It was the journalists who first arrived at the front
each clutching their pad and their pass.
Those just risen the worst, their inexperience an affront.
to those were still holding a glass.
Next came photographers, tightly gripping their gear.
They seemed to arrive from all quarters.
But more worrying by far than their sudden appearance here
was the way they understood the reporters.
Then bringing up the rear came the television crews
each faking a semblance of glee.
Trying to make it appear their position was a ruse –
that this was where they wanted to be.
“On me in three, two, one.” said one correspondent
as he frantically battled his hair.
He failed but pressed on, neither dismayed nor despondent
“This is Giles from Mythology On Air.”
“Hi, I’m Candy, reporting for Dumbed Down News.”
said the woman neighbouring him.
She clearly had the hair for the job, and also the shoes,
and was fortunately also quite dim.
Then there was Isiah from Is Armageddon Enough?
(whose coffers were doing just fine)
He was taking this chance to solicit all sorts of stuff,
finding the phoenix a sign.
Numerous nature channels were scattered any old how,
and once again it was Alan who mused
that it seemed as if the woman from “Naturist’s Now”
had gotten just a little confused.
Alcohol had flowed, and undeniably showed
the clear ambiguity of words
when one business’ founder, awakened and found her
station was simply called ‘Birds’
With copious flannel, this high-numbered channel
had landed Brian in front of a mike.
As he spoke without break, they discerned their mistake –
interviewer and lensman alike.
He was wittering on how his appendix had gone
from an eagle’s irritated peck.
But a caladrius’ knack caused it to grow back
At least, the last time he checked.
By now, one reporter had finished his story.
Was the first one to pull out his phone.
Expecting the glory, but clearly denied for he
let out a terrible groan.
He had his mobile out and was tapping the screen
but to little effect so far.
The god of mobile phones was being so mean
he could not get even one bar.
In succession you could spy, each of them try.
It seemed they were in a dead zone.
Each regarded the outcry, and the singular kiosk nearby,
then all made a dash for the phone.
One falling behind, caught in a fine bind,
unhappy at being in the rear,
cleared this Gordian Knot and tried nipping through shot
but Isiah had other ideas.
He’d been getting worked up and his temper was frayed
and this now caused it to become undone.
But when the first strike landed the other reporters all bayed
and the pack turned on its heels as one.
The soundman and camaraman gave of their best
but they stood little chance in the mayhem.
The reporters howled in delight, but this was when the rest
of the camera crews turned upon them.
Now this was a story but there was nobody remaining
to tell it which could be considered careless.
But for the original spectators it was certainly entertaining
as testosterone showed off its prowess.
Now a soundman, who by coincidence was called Mike,
was sent flying by somebody’s left hook.
As he was staggering about he saw something they’d all like
so he pointed and urged them to look.
Avoiding each other’s gaze they picked themselves up off the floor
and turned back to reporting to the world.
They all grabbed their equipment, took up their positions once more
as a new chapter to the story unfurled.
———————————————
2020-10-12 21:48
# The Phoenix Part 2: The Exploitation
## Other Birds
2: Eagle/Caladrius – Alan or Brian interview with a much-misunderstood, high-
numbered “Birds” channel. Eagle pecked out appendix, but regrew on
encountering a Caladrius
3: Bluebird – egg thief dressed in clothes that look like Mister Bluebird has
frequently been on his shoulder and rarely missed.
4: Phoenix struggling to fly. Almost as bad as when A, B & C once walked among
Pinguinus Giganticus in Florida.
5:harpy – public gallery raised. A, B, or C scared of heights and reminded of
rappelling down a cliff to snatch a quick view of a harpy.
6: Caladrius – optimism resurrected like the caladrius’ effect on their car
7: Griffin – Frequent car problems once ‘pull started’ by a griffin, but this
time pulled along by the crowd while they ride on the roof.
8: Cockatris – Crowd watching screens, still as if turned to stone.
The media arrive, each with their own angle.
—–
With little regard they swarmed into the courtyard
covering the ground with some speed.
Perpetually jostling those in the vanguard.
Every one of them wanting the lead.
It was the journalists who first arrived at the front
each clutching their pad and their pass.
Those just risen the worst, their inexperience an affront.
to those were still holding a glass.
Next came photographers, tightly gripping their gear.
They seemed to arrive from all quarters.
But more worrying by far than their sudden appearance here
was the way they understood the reporters.
Then bringing up the rear came the television crews
faking a semblance of glee.
Trying to make it appear their position was a ruse;
this was where they wanted to be.
“On me in three, two, one.” said one correspondent
as he frantically battled his hair.
He failed but pressed on, neither dismayed nor despondent
“This is Giles from Mythology On Air.”
“Hi, I’m Candy, reporting for Dumbed Down News.”
said the woman neighbouring him.
She clearly had the hair for the job, and also the shoes,
and was fortunately also quite dim.
Then there was Isiah from Is Armageddon Enough?
(whose coffers were doing just fine)
He was taking this chance to solicit all sorts of stuff,
finding the phoenix a sign.
Numerous nature channels were scattered any old how,
and once again it was Alan who mused
that it seemed as if the woman from “Naturist’s Now”
had gotten just a little confused.
Alcohol had flowed, and undeniably showed
the clear ambiguity of words
when one business’ founder, awakened and found her
station was simply called ‘Birds’
With copious flannel, this high-numbered channel
had landed Brian in front of a mike.
As he spoke without break, they discerned their mistake
interviewer and lensman alike.
He was wittering on how his appendix had gone
from an eagle’s irritated peck.
But a caladrius’ knack caused it to grow back
At least, the last time he checked.
By now the first of the reporters had finished his account,
embellished with a modicum of licence,
and, given that calling this through to his office was paramount
most were surprised by his silence.
He did have his mobile out and was tapping the keys
but to little effect so far.
The god of mobile phones he apparently could not appease
for he could not get even one bar.
One by one they pulled out their phones to try
but it seemed that they were in a dead zone.
They looked at each other and the solitary kiosk nearby
then all made a dash for the phone.
One of them thought he’d try out a short cut
and give pushing through crowds a miss.
He tried to just nip briefly through shot but
Isiah was not having this.
He’d been getting worked up and his temper was frayed
and this now caused it to become undone.
But when the first strike landed the other reporters all bayed
and the pack turned on its heels as one.
The soundman and camaraman gave of their best
but they stood little chance in the mayhem.
The reporters howled in delight, but this was when the rest
of the camera crews turned upon them.
Now this was a story but there was nobody remaining
to tell it which could be considered careless.
But for the original spectators it was certainly entertaining
as testosterone showed off its prowess.
Now a soundman, who by coincidence was called Mike,
was sent flying by somebody’s left hook.
As he was staggering about he saw something they’d all like
so he pointed and urged them to look.
Avoiding each other’s gaze they picked themselves up off the floor
and turned back to reporting to the world.
They all grabbed their equipment, took up their positions once more
as a new chapter to the story unfurled.
———————————————
2001-06-03 00:00:00
With little regard they swarmed into the courtyard
covering the ground with some speed.
Perpetually jostling those in the vanguard.
Every one of them wanting the lead.
It was the reporters who first arrived at the front
each clutching their pad and their pass.
Some had only just risen, communicating by croak and by grunt.
Some were still holding a glass.
Next came photographers tightly gripping their gear.
They seemed to arrive from all quarters.
But more worrying by far than their sudden appearance here
was the way they understood the reporters.
And then bringing up the rear came the television crews
keeping up a pretence of glee.
Trying to make it look as if their position was a ruse
as if this was where they wanted to be.
“On me in three, two, one.” That was the voice of an anchor
while he frantically battled his hair.
He failed but professionally continued without rancour,
“This is Giles from Mythology On Air.”
“Hi, I’m Candy, reporting for Dumbed Down News.”
said the woman who was neighbouring him.
She clearly had the hair for the job, and also the shoes,
and was fortunately also quite dim.
Then there was Isiah from Is Armageddon Enough?
(whose coffers were doing just fine)
He was taking this chance to solicit for all sorts of stuff
for he seemed to find the phoenix a sign.
There were numerous nature channels scattered any old how,
and once again it was Alan who mused
that it seemed as if the woman from “Naturist’s Now”
had gotten just a little confused.
By now the first of the reporters had finished his account,
embellished with a modicum of licence,
and, given that calling this through to his office was paramount
most were surprised by his silence.
He did have his mobile out and was tapping the keys
but to little effect so far.
The god of mobile phones he apparently could not appease
for he could not get even one bar.
One by one they pulled out their phones to try
but it seemed that they were in a dead zone.
They looked at each other and the solitary kiosk nearby
then all made a dash for the phone.
One of them thought he’d try out a short cut
and give pushing through crowds a miss.
He tried to just nip briefly through shot but
Isiah was not having this.
He’d been getting worked up and his temper was frayed
and this now caused it to become undone.
But when the first strike landed the other reporters all bayed
and the pack turned on its heels as one.
The soundman and camaraman gave of their best
but they stood little chance in the mayhem.
The reporters howled in delight, but this was when the rest
of the camera crews turned upon them.
Now this was a story but there was nobody remaining
to tell it which could be considered careless.
But for the original spectators it was certainly entertaining
as testosterone showed off its prowess.
Now a soundman, who by coincidence was called Mike,
was sent flying by somebody’s left hook.
As he was staggering about he saw something they’d all like
so he pointed and urged them to look.
Avoiding each other’s gaze they picked themselves up off the floor
and turned back to reporting to the world.
They all grabbed their equipment, took up their positions once more
as a new chapter to the story unfurled.
—————————————-
2001-05
Each part of the poem concludes with the reactions of three observers (along
the lines of the three wise men of Gotham). The first two tend to have
conflicting views. The third one says nothing but has a tic in his eye (they
are all twitchers). At the end of the last part the first two agree for the
first and only time and the third says nothing but smiles (but still has a tic
in his eye).
These 3 observers are Alan, Brian & Charlie. I suspect that they will be
starting each section as well. If each section is physically located in a
different area then the poem could arrive at each area when they do.
Look up words/phrases connected to fire/burning & resurrection.
Sections
1. The Immolation.
An old rather dull Phoenix is preparing its nest ready to die causing great
interest.
When it does it bursts into flames and is reborn in bright reds, oranges &
yellows.
Unfortunately it has damaged the building and is arrested for arson.
At a public building. Could have at least one person mistakenly try to snatch
eggs (there aren’t any) and end up getting their fingers burnt (literally).
2. The trial.
In the courtroom. A,B & C in the public gallery + could be called as
witnesses.
At the (well protested (inflammable attitudes?)) trial it is found guilty and
rather harshly sentenced to death in the electric chair.
3. The decision.
A,B & C drowning their sorrows in a bar getting angry. Eventually decide to
throw a protest.
4. The protest.
Outside the location for part 5. Interfering with preparations wherever
possible. Mobilise the rest of the bar’s patrons at the start and pick up more
on the journey. This could mirror the phoenix’s resurrection with attitudes
getting greyer and greyer until they pick up with the new resolution.
5. The electrocution.
At the witness stand. Should be a major public turnout also watching via TV
screens outside the building. This would probably be where A,B & C would be.
Its colours have dimmed by the time it is carried out. (Gives us time for a
protest movement?). It is strapped into the modified chair. The switch is
thrown. The phoenix dies and is reborn in brilliant blues and whites.
(Differences may extend to speed and manner of movement as well)
