Chapter 23 The Talkshow: Hello, Arcania

Ambassador Colton looked like a gentle old grandpa that could read you a book for a bedtime story. He stood the height of about six feet, his pudgy face was almost covered with a white, fluffy beard, and liver spots were visible on his balding head. He was wearing a sharp and neat blue suit with a purple flower on the pocket of his blazer. He smiled at us, reaching his hand on Timothy to shake his hand. I and the other just nodded at him because it was too uncomfortable for us to shake hands, especially when we can't see the sincerity on his face. He's really glad we're in front of him, standing awkwardly.
"I'm glad to be here in your office," Timothy said and smiled at the man, looking too formal and business-like which I think is natural for him since he"s been trained like that. "I brought them here, just like what you requested. These are my friends that helped me escape the airport. Without them, I would probably have died... well, not really dead. I would probably be one of those Creepers if you didn't meet me."
"Ah! Interesting bunch of young people!" the Ambassador battened in awe. He looked at our faces one by one as if we were some kind of humans with superpowers. "Tell me how was the experience facing those horrifying Creepers and how you survived over a week in an open space? I would love to know what happened to your adventure outside."
I don't know what to feel. Was this old guy just calling us to tell him the story for his amusement? Is this the kind of pastime for these rich people now?
Ambassador Colton led us to an automated sliding door that was inside his office. When the door opened by his voice command, we saw a studio filled with android cameras and lighting, all directed to a stage with chairs and couches decorated with green backgrounds for the visual effects and computer-generated imagery. It was a setup you see in television talk shows.
"Oh! This conversation is live and on-air on every television in this bunker. People must know how you survived those terrible days to give them hope and courage for your heroic deed in saving the son of the richest man in Arcania! " the Ambassador
"The what?!" Li growled.
"What's this?" Jayson asked Timothy who suddenly became silent and averted his eyes to us. We all went anxious and confused about what was happening. Why did he lead us here?
"He just wants the information about what we have seen and how the Creepers behaved during our escape. It would be great info to relay to the military and the people about what we have seen and encountered while we were outside. It seemed we were the only people who survived in Zone four during the attack."
"Then why do we have to deal with this! You didn't tell us!" Li scowled at Timothy who looked apologetic to us.
"I am so sorry. I knew you all wouldn't agree to it if I said it earlier."
"Oh, my heavens..." we all sighed and scoffed, disappointed and feeling betrayed.
"Go on! My production team will help you with the make-up for the eyes of the audience. The whole of Arcania must know your story!" the Ambassador ordered us and clapped his hand to call the attendants and make us look more presentable.
I felt so nervous and my mind was in havoc. I couldn't understand why we had to do this. Why us?
"I can't do it, Timothy." I nervously spoke to him. My hands were trembling and my forehead was beaded with cold sweat. I was never good at talking in front of many people and my anxiety always kills me, especially in front of the camera.
"It's for the people, Harriet. They all need you. You have to tell them how bravely you fought outside the bunker. You must be the symbol of hope to everyone."
Hope? I barely even have hope that I could see my dad and Carl again!
All of us were forced to sit down on the soft couches while Timothy sat beside the Ambassador who would be the host of the show. The lights dazzled me and the sound of the busy staff standing in front of the stage made me more fidgety. Mona looked anxious as well while Li's one eyebrow raised as if he was trying to calm himself down.
"Chop chop everyone! The show will start in three, two, one!"
The sound of the signature music of the show blared in my ears. I think I have heard it before but I can't remember. And then the lighting became more blinding when the spotlight was directed at us. I grimaced a bit and then the sound of the clapping audience filled my ears when there was no audience in the set. Oh, maybe a sound effect? I had no idea about this kind of stuff because I don't really watch talk shows or any sort of it.
The Ambassador waved his hand to his invisible audience.
"Good day! Citizens of Zone four and to every Zone bunker who reach this. Today, I have a great surprise to show you! I have five people, including the son of the tycoon businessman, the richest man in Arcania, Mr. Flitzenberg, to tell us what kind of horrible things happened outside when the bombs were dropped in Basil Airport." he said in a gloomy and dramatic voice as if trying to gain sympathy to the people.
He introduced us one by one, reading the information and his script that was rolling on a tv screen in front of us. I saw my face on one of the screens and winced at how anxious and awkward I looked.
"Tell us, Mr. Fraser. How did you escape such a horrible experience in that airport? All of us are dying to know how it feels being in the middle of that catastrophic event."
Jayson and I looked at each other and then helplessly told Ambassador Colton what had happened. We told him our own experiences during the military's failed attempt to evacuate all the people in the airport while the warplanes drop bombs on the building, the first Creeper that infected those many innocent people, and how in a matter of minutes, all people in that place including women and children were turned into Creepers.
I felt a heavy feeling of guilt as the topic went to the children in the airport. I could still even remember their poor faces and it shattered my heart into a thousand million pieces.
Jason must have noticed that I went silent because if I talk more, I'm afraid I might cry. So he continued telling how we got into the garage, and how we met Timothy. Well, he spared a part of how ridiculous Timothy looked during our escape from the airport.
"I wonder how hot a Creeper could be with those tattered clothes on." The Ambassador spoke, making a joke at those poor infected people, and moved his brows up and down as if trying to make his face look funny.
What?
Are these people making a joke about everything that was happening up there? That's unacceptable!
"Yeah, well as long as you won't let it rip you to pieces like a hot barbeque." I snorted and made a fake smile, taunting the Ambassador and making him realize it was not ok for me that he was blabbering such a ridiculous joke in front of us.
"Harriet..." Jayson whispered under his breath, so low that only I could hear, making it sound like a warning. I frowned. There was nothing funny about what happened to us. Why was he letting this old man make the situation look as if it wasn't gravely dangerous out there?
He should be upset like me! I can't believe they were tolerating this guy to make fun of us.
The show continued as the Ambassador made more of an impression on us as if we were some kind of superheroes. They played on-air the videos they got from the CCTVs, the ones that Commander Leo played while he was interrogating me. I can't understand what was the significance of this ridiculous stunt they were doing. They must face the true enemies and not make a funny talk show like this and make us a silly diversion for the people to forget how horrible the real situation is!
The show ended with a bitter taste in my mouth because I felt like we were used as mascots. I feel bad for all of us and I hate Timothy for dragging us into this.
Upset and disappointed, I marched away from the stage and I feel like I could knock anyone on the face because I feel humiliated in front of the whole people of Arcania. I felt so exposed and I never wanted that kind of attention from anyone.
"Wait, Harriet please let me explain—"
"I hate you, Timothy! How could you do this to us!"
I shoved him away but he stopped my arm before I could even get to push the button of the sliding door. I furiously looked at his apologetic face but no matter how many times he says sorry, that won"t change the fact that he sold us to these people.