Scene Two: The Pennywell Barracks

W;ednesday 19th December 1923;

The winter morning dawns typically late over Manhattan, the air is still and crisp but for the horns and exhaust of the near stationary Traffic. After the previous nights incident at Hotel Algonquin, a number of tired individuals are paid an unexpected visit.

Sylvester was woken up from an uncomfortable nights dreams only to nearly suffer a heart attack. Standing over his bed are two men with gas masks and full body suits. In military uniform, they look like a special branch of the Army.

"Mr Markham, please don't be alarmed. We must insist that you come with us immediately. We believe you might have been exposed to a toxic agent yesterday at the Hotel Algonquin." One of the two men was holding a rather large device with which he seemed to be scanning the air for something. As he held it out in front of Sylvester or his mud-stained clothes the device emits a small clicking sound. To Sylvester's relief, there was no clicking noised being emitted when they scans his wife or children.

Sylvester dresses quickly and follows the hazard-suited men to a van parked outside. "Honey, take the children to our country house and stay there until you hear from me. I will be ok, don't worry. Oh, and turn on the heat over there ok? I'll explain later!"

Barrington had spent the night at the Algonquin in a comfortable 4th floor room. He is woken to a loud knocking at room door, and stumbling out of bed is stunned to find elaborately dressed soldiers in the hall. He is ushered down stairs, through the lobby with barely a chance to dress and call for replacement shoes to be brought over to him. "I mean really, I never !!"

A Major over sees the evacuation, he has only a surgeons mask covering if face but wears thick leather gloves. "I realised you are concerned but it is imperative that any contamination is contained and you are secured as soon as possible. Once you have been treated there will be time for a full briefing, please if you would." Barrington passes and catches one of the soldiers address him - Major Sarek.

Outside a large Army truck (and several Army cars) have held up traffic, causing quite a scene - no doubt they'll make it into tomorrows papers. When Barrington climbs into the back of the truck he is not surprised to find a number of new acquaintances from last night; Sylvester, Joey Malone, Jeff, Kevin, and in addition is both of the Detectives (Stapleton and Hyatt) and rather irritable chap who turns out to be Joseph Gerber, the coroner of the poor deceased man. Notably absent is Siobhan the mysterious women from the previous night - although they make final stop on there way out of the city and pick up the young EstelleBlakely before leaving Manhattan.

The convoy travel over the George Washington Bridge, through New Jersey, Hoboken and then further in land to a small village. Barrington catches a sign proclaiming the village as Pennywell (population 45). The Army vehicles turn from the main road just outside Pennywell, cross a small creek before entering a large military base.

The truck reverses into a very large warehouse, possibly an old aircraft hanger. The rear doors are opened and the group are ushered directly into a holding pen - a 25ft square area fenced with 6ft high chicken wire. Obviously thrown together at short notice the area has rows of platform seats, barrels with small log fires burning for heat but even with the hanger doors closed it is bitterly cold. A makeshift toilet is in one corner, complete with hospital curtains jury rigged as surrounds. Blankets and jugs of water are waiting.

Major Sarek barks a few orders and most of the unit disperses. "Soon as the doctor is ready we will begin the detox procedures `- get you out of the cold and on your way home as soon as possible. Just hold tight please."

Within the hanger besides the holding area are a number of large army trucks and pieces of machinery but also several large tents. The marques are military but bare red crosses.

Disorientated and exhausted the group are left to talk amongst themselves for a period. Detectives Stapleton & Hyatt barely contribute, both visibly ill - putting everyone else on edge and fears of the worst into minds.

Sylvester calls one of the guards over to ask for coffee. Although hesitant to talk he finally agrees to help and disappears from the hanger - but not before his squad badge is noticed. Each soldier has a similar patch on the arm, an 'A' in a Hexagon - 'Alpha Squad'. This puts Gerber in an even worse mood, "I new something was fishy about all this, Williamson the man from last night, he had a strange mark on his arm - a tattoo of the same symbol."

Major Sarek and another soldier with a surgical mask (the Doctor persumably) appear from the nearest tent, and from a side entrance to the holding area call Detective Stapleton first. Questions from the group are deflected by Sarek who quickly moves Stapleton into the tent. Estelle and Joey are nearby and glimpse the interior - there is a examination table, a wheel chair and what could be two temporary showers rigged up.

The detective is gone more than 15 minutes before Jeff catches a brief sight of the Doctor wheeling Stapleton in a wheelchair into second larger tent from the first tent. He is in hospital clothes and unconscious.

Moments later the Major & Doctor come for Detective Hyatt but Gerber makes quite a scene. "Like Hell you will `- we saw you wheel the detective in there." Sarek is quick on defence, "Calm down, it is simply the effects of the inoculation shot, it makes you very drowsy but is otherwise harmless `- I have had it myself for Christ sake." With some difficultly he removes his jacket, rolls up his sleeve to show fresh bandage. Hyatt ignores the exchange is moves to the Doctor, clearly keen to address the symptoms he is suffering.

There is another lengthy wait. Noises of running water, a shower perhaps, can be heard. While waiting, everyone takes a moment to warm up with some coffee when the soldier returns with several urns and some cups. To one side Joey notices a group of soldiers moving a number of barrels in the corner of the hanger. They are taking great care, the barrels marked clearly, several with 'HD' and other with 'T'. He keeps the sight to himself, the only time he likes being the centre of attention is on stage - and right now with The Man all around, his nerves are shot.

Hyatt is wheeled out and then the process is repeated, this time with Gerber - grumbling as he goes. Sylvester and Barrington the two British in the group chew over the bizarre events of the morning, Jeff piping up every now and again - all the while watching the adjacent tent vigilantly. Kevin sits nursing a cup of coffee, clearly exhausted. Joey to one side is keeping to himself and Estelle waits nervously, very aware she is attractive young girl in company of strange & serious men, none of whom she trusts.

The Doctor collects Kevin next, Jeff gets his name as Cooper. After more than ten minutes Estelle makes out quiet talking from the tent, questions she thinks - if there's a shot and it knocks you out, how can there be questions? She shares a worried look with Joey before Cooper returns again. "Miss - lets get you out of this cold shall we, you'll be home in no time." His accent is from the deep south and somehow doesn't match his tall and lean figure. Estelle hesitates a moment but she's no shrinking violet. She stands and joins him.

The inside of the cluttered tent Major Sarek is waiting and senses Estelles obvious concerns. "Its all very straight forward Miss Blakely. Let me explain what we will be doing and you'll see there is no need to worry. First you'll change from your clothes behind this screen which I'm afraid will have to be destroyed. There is a shower above you with an antiseptic spray, you'll rinse with this to remove any contaminates from your hair and body. There is a second water shower also, after which there is a gown for you to change into. I understand your concerns but you need not step out from behind the curtain - so your modesty can remain intact." He gives a genuine smile.

"After which you can take a seat and Doctor Cooper here will administer the inoculation shot, this will take care of any further possible contamination - its only a precaution but better safe than sorry." He flashes another believable smile.

Estelle steels herself against the nerves, steps behind the curtain and begins to undress. "So what exactly have we been contaminated with Major?"

"There are a number of dangerous chemicals kept on this base Miss Blakely and it is most unfortunate but you have come in contact with a particular one. I can assure you that getting you here so quickly has meant you will be perfectly fine."

"What - so you mean it was a weapon of some kind, how on earth did it get in the hotel, I don't understand. And how did that poor girl Siobhan get caught up in this?"

"I'm afraid there are some details which I cannot discuss Miss Blakely - it is a question of military intelligence. But we are working with the police to establish how Mr Williamson come to be in position with these chemicals."

"He was a soldier here at Pennywell wasn't he?"

"I'm afraid I really can't discuss that. Please if your ready, the first shower - its rather chilly I'm afraid." Estelle has barely a moment before the freezing spray hits her. A few minutes later she is changed and waiting in the wheelchair as the Doctor prepares a syringe. There is the slightest pinch of the needle and then the clear liquid slow slips into her vein. It moves slow and heavy moving through her, warming her numb feet and hands. The last thing she remembers is the Major blurred face, his mouth moving, open and shut like a funny little Army fish, and a voice - her own.

The cold and numbness has gone when Estelle wakes. She is in a much larger tent, warm under a heavy blanket, and thankfully her gown remains on. Around her the others are stirring, Sylvester, Joey, Jeff and Kevin have all been through the process too.

Estelle can see another officer, a Colonel, enter the recovery tent, Major Sarek salutes. What follows is a heated exchange but it is barely in ear shot and she can only catch a snippet.

Sarek: "Release them sir `- but .. "

Colonel: "If there decontaminated then they are to be release immediately. When I said to work with the police I didn't mean bloody incarcerate them."

The Colonel storms off. The Major jabs a clipboard at Doctor. "You heard Colonel Dobbins - get them out of here."

Over the next twenty minutes Cooper circulates, takes blood pressure and fairly quickly the group are supplied with basic fatigues to wear and moved back into the hanger. Several of the Army cars are waiting and without any sign of the Colonel or Major everyone is ushered into cars.

Detective Stapleton starts on about seeing the Major but the young soldier driving replies nervously "My orders are clear sir `- I'm to drop you off at your residences. If its any help I believe a letter is being sent." Stapleton replies with a withering stare and then sighs, resigned to there unceremonious exit.

The three cars pull out of the hanger and slip through the base. Its early afternoon and the sun is dull in the cold sky as they cross the bridge back into Pennywell.

Editing in progress
Draft Copy