scene description: [The voice of Mirali Lamoré is heard over an overhead view of a room set up for a face-to-face interview. We see two people facing each other, each sitting on cushioned chairs. ]
Mirali Lamoré (ML):
In this interview, I sat down with Gerold Philby on July 14, 2017, to review his recollections of what he witnessed on March 22, 2017, the day the Estimate took place.
[The image zooms in on Mirali Lamoré, with dark hair touselled to the side, wearing a pink and black pinstriped suit, sitting across from an older man, short-statured and balding, the top of his pale pink head surrounded by short gray hair. He is dressed in a dark gray woolen suit, somber and tailored.]
ML:
Thank you for sitting down with me, Gerold; I understand these past few weeks have been busy for you.
Gerold Philby (GP):
Oh, they have been! I've spent the last week catching up on my work. However, I don't regret it; the conference was productive, and I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with the other General Managers.
ML:
I'd like to start this interview by asking what you remember when you first met Alexandra Hanlon.
action happening: [ Gerold leans forward, clasping his hands.]
GP:
I was one of those who interviewed her, you know; Effie asked for my help. I must say, my first impression wasn't much. She looked messy, and overall, her appearance didn't seem appropriate for the position she was interviewing for.
ML:
Oh? How so?
GP:
Well, just how she was dressed to begin with. It was casual, something a tourist might wear on the surface when exploring a theme park. I assure you, if it had been me attending such an important interview, I would have dressed much more professionally.
[Gerold relaxes back into his cushioned chair.]
Have you ever heard the expression, "clothes make the man" or "dress for the position you want"? My father taught me those lessons, and Alex clearly showed why one should follow such tried-and-true rules. But it was more than her clothing choices. It was her demeanor; she just didn't fit.
ML:
What do you mean by "didn't fit"?
[Gerold sits up against the cushions and speaks slightly faster than his regular cadence.]
GP:
The Director of Habitat Liaisons has an important job. During my time here, I've found it essential to present myself as a person of authority. There should be respect for both the person and the position. Alex is decent-looking for her age, but she isn't striking or memorable. No woman can remain young or even beautiful throughout their life; I understand that, and while it may be different for a man, it's a fact in our lives, even here. So, if one could be considered mature, they would do well to carry themselves like Margaret Thatcher or Golda Meir.
ML:
I'm not sure I understand. What do you mean by "carry themselves"?
GP:
Both Meir and Thatcher were leaders in their countries during times when men held most leadership positions. They managed to lead by displaying themselves as the grand matriarch. A person everyone respects but is secretly a little afraid of. Another example would be the current Queen Elizabeth.
ML: [obviously confused]
Queen Elizabeth took the throne when she was 25. How does that correlate with your observation?
GP:
Elizabeth was an attractive young woman, which made it easier for her subjects, the citizens of the United Kingdom, to fall in love with her. As she grew older, those born later saw the grand matriarch and the older folk—well, they'd gotten used to her. But getting back to what I was saying, Alex is neither young nor beautiful, and from what I saw during our interview, she certainly didn't inspire the sense of sternness and strength I would think qualified her for this position.
ML:
But other than that?
GP:
Other than what? My dear girl, did you think I had a say in the decision? Oh no, Effie was convinced this was the person they had been searching for. She just wanted me to ask a controversial question, which I did.
ML:
Would you mind sharing the question?
GP:
I will not. Recruitment interviews are private, as I'm sure you are aware.
ML:
On March 22nd, you met Alexandra earlier in the day, correct?
GP:
I did. I attended the meeting she had with the liaisons to make sure any questions regarding Habitat Administration and policies were answered correctly.
ML:
Can you tell me more about the meeting itself?
GP:
Well, really, the entire situation was odd. I had thought Alexandra would ask direct questions and seek specific answers. Instead, she turned it into a free-for-all.
ML:
A free-for-all?
GP:
There was no focus; everyone just began saying whatever popped into their heads. Alex didn't say anything; she just listened. I found it most disturbing.
ML:
And how was she dressed?
GP:
action happening: [ pauses and furrows his brow while thinking, as he forces out an uncomfortable laugh]
Do you know, I can't remember. I was so busy focusing on the meeting and what happened afterward that I don't believe I paid much attention to how she dressed that day.
ML:
What happened when your meeting ended?
GP:
Well, everyone began heading to the nearest doors. I started to follow when I noticed Mika and Alex walking to the other side of the room, where Effie Tabir was standing next to a man I was unfamiliar with but later came to know as Richard Forester.
By the time I reached the group, Effie was in the middle of asking Alex a question.
ML:
What did you think when Alex asked the original question during the meeting?
GP:
I don't recall Alex asking about a pandemic. Of course, the conversations had become very specific to the Liaison organization by the end of the meeting, and I was most likely thinking ahead to everything else I had to do that day.
ML:
I want to play the beginning of the video for you.
scene description: [The image of Gerold Philby and Mirali Lamoré stills and then fades into a screen filled with four equal-sized images arranged in a square. The top left reveals a middle-aged woman of average height, neither stocky nor thin, with her brown hair pulled behind her head. She wears a purple tunic and pant set, matched in their design. A chyron on the screen identifies her as Alexandra Hanlon (she/her).
The image to the right of the first shows an overhead view of the room, a group of three people standing in front of Alexandra as one more walks toward them. Beyond the four is a circle of eight chairs; except for the five people, the room is empty.
The images on the bottom expose the four individuals in front of Alexandra. The left image displays a slim, tall, dark-skinned woman along with a chyron identification of Mika Phillips, she/her, standing next to a taller, lighter-skinned man with broad shoulders and textured, dark brown hair, worn in thin braids that cascade down his neck. He is identified as Richard Forester, he/him.
The final image on the right shows Alexandra standing across from the last two people. On one side, an older woman is holding a mobile interface. Her dark hair is arranged in a high bun at the crown of her head, tapering into a tail clasped tightly at regular intervals with silver rings. She is identified as Effie Tabir, she/her. Walking to stand next to her is a stocky, pale-skinned man of roughly the same age, whose bald head is surrounded by short gray hair. He is identified as Gerold Philby, he/him.]
Effie Tabir:
Alexandra, I'm curious. Why did you ask about a pandemic plan?
Alexandra Hanlon:
In our meeting earlier, Tessa mentioned how the habitats are about halfway to the optimal starting population to survive a generational lockdown. I began wondering how a pandemic would affect recruitment and relocation, especially if the world situation continues to escalate.
[Alexandra pauses, and the room is silent]
Alexandra Hanlon:
Actually, there's something more to it than my simply wondering.
scene description: [The top left image zooms in on Alexandra's face as she appears to look directly at the viewer.]
Effie, when I met you and Gerold the first time, you mentioned that one of the reasons I qualified for this job was my empathy, my ability to accurately assess the people around me, and my excellent instincts. While I'm not empathetic in the sense of actually feeling the same emotions as another person, I am highly empathic, which means I'm aware of the feelings of those around me. I also possess a strong intuitive sense.
They're separate abilities, but sometimes they work together in a way I can't really put into words. When it happens, I end up with realizations for which I have no other explanation. In this case, I'm not sure whether "feelings" or "experiences" is the better term, so forgive me if I use both interchangeably.
I experienced something that caused me to ask about the pandemic. What I felt seemed to reflect something terrible happening everywhere. It was different from the feelings I tend to associate with wars, and the only other highly improbable events coming to mind were an alien invasion or a pandemic. I focused on what we could control and wondered how to keep everyone down here safe and continue to meet population goals if something like a pandemic becomes part of our reality.
[Gerold Philby's reaction is captured in one of the bottom images. Initially startled, he quickly assumes a look of contempt. The other three stand silently and respectfully.]
Gerold Philby:
[speaking in a scornful tone]
So you're telling us you can see into the future?
[The video pauses, then dissolves back to the interview between Mirali Lamoré and Gerold Philby]
ML:
I'm probably going to ask you this every time, but could you describe what you were thinking when this happened?
GP:
I was astounded she would even begin to claim something like this to people like Effie and myself.
ML:
And then this happened.
[The video begins again, with the bottom right view showing Alexandra turning her attention to Gerold; she remains calm and collected as she answers.]
Alexandra Hanlon:
I'm not a seer or a prognosticator, and I can't tell you exactly what will happen in the future.
[She pauses, and the room is still.]
But maybe I can give us a general idea of when, even if we don't know the actual what.
scene description: [The overhead view shows Alexandra Hanlon taking a few steps back as the bottom images adjust to keep everyone in range.]
action happening: [Alexandra faces the group, standing easily, with her arms loose and hands open at her sides, her palms facing the people standing opposite her. She closes her eyes and stands silently, her chest rising and falling as she takes deep breaths. Her eyes open, and her face relaxes; her mouth is slightly parted. Everyone stands still, eyes focused on her, waiting.]
Alexandra Hanlon:
2017
[She pauses, and everyone waits.]
2018
[She counts slowly, pausing significantly between each year. Gerold Philby seems about to speak but is silenced by a look from Effie Tabir.]
2019
[Her mouth closes as her lips tighten and her fingers move toward her palms. The room is silent except for the sound of Alexandra's breath.]
2020
[Her hands tighten into fists, her breathing is audible, and her face tightens as the muscles in her neck begin to jump. Richard Forester seems to stiffen slightly but otherwise makes no move.]
2021
[Her legs and arms begin to tremble and shake; her fists are now tightly clenched, and her elbows bend as her arms rise toward her shoulders. Her breathing is labored and heavy. The images show the others in the room shifting slightly, moving in discomfort.]
2022
[Alexandra doubles over, and her entire body trembles visibly. Mika Phillips tenses; Effie looks concerned.]
2023
[She struggles to rise, her nails digging into the palms of her hands.]
2024
action happening: [Alexandra continues to rise and almost manages to stand completely upright. Suddenly screaming in anguish, she begins vomiting as she collapses onto the floor. Richard rushes to her, pulling her onto a clean section before allowing her to rest on the floor. He positions her so that she lies on her side, with her leg straight under her and the other leg bent, allowing her hips to be rotated and her knee to support the rest. He makes sure her lower arm is set straight from her shoulder and curves her other arm over it, with her hand close to her cheek and her head tilted back.]
scene description: [The overhead image captures Mika Phillips and Gerold Philby leaving the room before returning to the interview between Gerold Philby and Mirali Lamoré.]
GP:
I could see physical changes come upon her. At first, I wasn't sure if it was part of an act. But I don't believe projectile vomiting and simultaneous fainting can be successfully faked, not at close quarters, at any rate.
Richard managed to get to Alex and eased her onto the ground. He was much better suited to it than I was. Mika and I went to find supplies. I brought back water.
ML:
Let's continue watching.
scene description: [The image dissolves and is replaced by the video, with Alexandra still on the floor. The overhead image captures Mika and Gerold returning with towels and water as Alexandra begins to regain consciousness.]
Richard Forester:
[in evident relief]
She's coming around.
action happening: [Alexandra begins to sit up with Richard's help. She takes the offered glass of water from Gerold and sips it slowly. She hands the empty glass back to Gerold and accepts a towel from Mika after looking down at her vomit-riddled clothing. She carefully wipes her face and hands with the towel, then, still holding it, looks up at the four standing over her, all with looks of concern on their faces.]
Effie Tabir:
Alexandra, are you all right?
Mika Phillips:
How could she be all right? If Richard hadn't gotten there in time, she would have cracked her head on the floor! Alex, can you stand? I'm going to call Medical.
action happening: [Alexandra, with Richard's assistance, slowly rises and then stands on her own.]
Alexandra Hanlon:
I'm fine, Mika, just a bit shaky, and all I really want is to go home and shower. I don't need to go to Medical, and if anything develops later, Kevin is a member of our floor's medical triage; he'll take care of me.
scene description: [The top left image zooms in until only Alexandra's flushed and serious face shows, hiding her bedraggled figure.]
But before anything else, I need to share what I felt. From what I can tell, 2020 and 2021 reflected the same experiences I had earlier when I asked how a pandemic might affect us. While the experience could begin in late 2019, I'm certain it will be there in early 2020.
[Alexandra's head and shoulders shudder as she sighs]
As I was counting, I felt a push urging me to go further, so I continued. As I spoke of 2022, those earlier experiences persisted but were muted by an overlay of feelings I associate with war. Everything continued throughout 2023 and into the last year, 2024, and the feelings corresponding to war kept escalating.
[She trembles again and takes a moment to breathe.]
I can't describe what happened to me in that moment other than I experienced the worst pain in my entire life. I felt as if I was being turned inside out and then torn into shreds. It's like nothing I've ever gone through, and I hope never to feel anything like it ever again.
[Alexandra pauses and visibly shudders.]
I'm not saying anything will happen. As I said earlier, I can't predict the future; no one can. I can only tell you what I experienced and my interpretations, vague as they are. Having said that, if I were inclined to bet on timing and outcomes, which I am not, I'd put money on the possibility of something happening sometime around the last quarter of 2024.
scene description: [Her face stills and then fades back to the interview between Gerold Philby and Mirali Lamoré.]
ML:
What happened after that?
GP:
Mika and I took Alex back to her house. Luckily, she lives in the same quadrant as the office building, so we were able to escort her quickly. My protective instincts kicked in as I saw a woman in obvious distress. I knew we could never ask her to do anything like it again. I wouldn't want the pain she described and exhibited to happen to anyone.
ML:
What did you think of her interpretation?
GP:
I wasn't sure to begin with. It's incredible to think it was anything more than a charlatan's gasp for attention. But I pride myself on being able to read people, and I could tell it wasn't an act.
She believed everything she told us, whether it was true or not. The few times I'd met her and her husband, neither struck me as irrational. I highly doubt the PSTs would have missed something as obvious as having a flimsy grip on reality. There was something to what she had told us, and the city manager in me chose to rise to the occasion.
ML:
And after that?
GP:
I went back to my office.
ML:
Did you discuss what happened with anyone?
GP:
I spoke with my assistant, Marcel Abitbol, and discussed its possible ramifications on habitat administration.
ML:
My final question pertains to Alexandra's keynote speech. Why do you think she brought the Estimate up?
GP:
She made it clear from the day she and her husband moved here that she intended to invite the Liaison leaders from every habitat to come and work together for a week. She had initially mentioned it for September of this year, hoping she would have a handle on her position by then. The entire conference was moved up by three months because of the Estimate. We had no time to waste.
ML:
No time to waste?
GP:
As mentioned in the video, we currently hold about half the number of people we believe would be optimal. To achieve our population goals, every habitat must bring down over fifty thousand people in the next eight years. We must also plan for at least part to be brought down under quarantine. Of course, we needed to start planning quickly. There's a lot to do and very little time to do it.
ML:
Mention of the Estimate wasn't in the speech prompter.
GP:
Wasn't it? Well, it was her keynote, and I'm sure there was a reason she mentioned it. I'm finding with Alex, she always seems to have a reason for what she does, even if I find it inexplicable.
scene description: [End Video]