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CHANNEL AVATAR Part 1:  "G" is for "Grant"

CHANNEL AVATAR Issue 1:  Scene 2

[The house.  It has more the air of a fraternity, if a bit neater.]   [It is morning, and NAYA sits groggily with a glass of juice in the kitchen.  PERRY, a large black man, 23, is eating breakfast under the supervision of LACHLAN, 24, an earnest-young-student type.  GOLDA enters, stretching and looking none too awake until she notices NAYA’s condition.  She happily sneaks up behind her.] GOLDA: [Overly loud and enthusiastic.]  Good morning!!   [NAYA turns to glare at her.] LACHLAN: Golda. GOLDA: [Smiles at the guys but is undistracted.]  Hung over, are we?  [NAYA turns back to her drink, trying to ignore her.]  Must’ve had a good time last night! SHI-YING: [Entering and going to the refrigerator.  His damaged hand is hidden by sloppy sleeves and a bandage.]  She’s never had a good time in her life.  [Pulls a large bottle with a prescription label on it out of the refrigerator.]  Except maybe as you.  But then you’d be the one with the hangover!  [Starts to fill a sports bottle.] GOLDA: [With dramatic emphasis.]  Hmm . . . I can think of a few good ways to have fun as you . . . . SHI-YING: [Pausing.]  Yeah?   [GARRET enters, wearing a uniform indicating University Security.  He is white, 27, and very handsome.] NAYA: [To her drink.]  Don’t encourage him. GARRET: Now, kids, play nice. LACHLAN: [Diplomatically, to SHI-YING.]  You’re going to be late for school.  Do you have the right ID chip? SHI-YING: [Makes a face but finishes his task and puts the respective bottles away.]  High school sucks. GARRET: Give it some time, Shi-Ying.  Want a ride? SHI-YING: Hmph!  [He leaves.] GARRET: Me and Perry, then.  How about the rest of you?  Meter’s running on the campus express! LACHLAN: I really should hit the library, if you don't mind dropping me off, too. GARRET: You coming, Golda? GOLDA: [Broadly.]  Not me.  I worked late last night!

CHANNEL AVATAR Issue 1:  Scene 3

[The house.]   [NAYA is relaxing on a couch, reading an electronic journal with a cover story about the latest scientist to earn a spot in the Ivory Tower.  GOLDA can be seen beyond, on the phone.]   [LACHLAN comes in from outside and occupies a chair by the couch.] NAYA: [Glances over but retains her position.]  You’re home early. LACHLAN: [To the ceiling.]  Virus in the library system.  Took out every word starting with "g." NAYA: Hmm . . .  I wonder if that would make them anarchists or atheists?   [LACHLAN laughs appreciatively and takes his jacket off.  GOLDA comes over and sits on the arm of the couch.] GOLDA: Hey, Lachlan, you’re home early. LACHLAN: No luck at the library.  I think I may need to go to the state library this weekend. NAYA: [Behind her journal again.]  The state library?  Didn’t they get DoS’d last week? LACHLAN: Yes, their catalog’s still down.  But I was thinking of actually going there and reading actual books. GOLDA: Oo, concept.   [While LACHLAN and GOLDA are smiling at each other, NAYA looks at him suspiciously over the journal.] NAYA: So you’re thinking the ENTIRE weekend? LACHLAN: [A little sheepish.]  I know it’s short notice . . . . NAYA: I’d be happy to keep an eye—on Perry.  [Goes back to her journal pointedly.] LACHLAN: Now, Nye . . . .  [Failing to get a response, he looks at GOLDA.] GOLDA: [Taking a minute to catch up with the conversation.]  Oh, no.  I’m not getting stuck with Shi! LACHLAN: He doesn’t need a babysitter, Golda, you just have to make sure he’s not getting into trouble. GOLDA: Hmph.  Why isn’t Garret taking him? LACHLAN: [Shakes his head.]  He’s working.  There’s an Ag Tech conference this weekend, and security’s pretty tight.  [Seeing that GOLDA is unmoved, turns back to NAYA.]  Couldn’t you do some lab work with him, Nye?  I don’t know where you are with his new prosthetics, of course, but if there’s something useful the two of you could do, then it’d work out well for everyone. NAYA: [Tries to ignore the suggestion but finally throws down the journal.]  Well, fine, if you’re going to go be logical about it . . . . LACHLAN: Thanks, Nye. GOLDA: And I’ll look after Perry.  I’ll even start today.  I was going to go pick up something for dinner anyway, so I can pick him up, too. LACHLAN: Thanks.  I’ll call the center and let them know you’re coming.   [LACHLAN and GOLDA get up and go in their respective directions.  NAYA mutters under her breath, then lays back on the couch with a sigh.]

CHANNEL AVATAR Issue 1:  Scene 4

[The lab:  a research lab for medical engineering.  Lab benches carry diagnostic equipment; shelves contain supplies and prosthetics in various stages of completeness.  The outer walls have computer workstations, with the students on the other side of the lab from YONGHUI and NAYA.  Between NAYA’s desk and the far wall is an inner door.]   [YONGHUI is at her workstation.  A couple of students are working in the background.  NAYA enters and goes to her area.  SHI-YING follows, but heads toward the inner door, and finally stops by a window in the far wall.] NAYA: [Glances automatically at YONGHUI’s screen as she passes, but gets nothing because it’s a security screen.]  How’s it going, Yonghui? YONGHUI: That would depend on the "it" in question.   [Properly rebuffed, NAYA takes her lab coat, and then goes to one of the lab benches and gathers some supplies and tools from shelves and drawers.] NAYA: Vicente!  [One of the students comes over.]  Shi hurt himself again.  Want to take a stab at it this time? SHI-YING: I heard that. NAYA: You want that hand fixed or not? SHI-YING: [Crosses and hops up on the lab bench.]  I’d rather you get that fixed already.  [Looks toward the door.] NAYA: [Drily, as she supervises the student’s repairs on SHI-YING’s hand.]  I’m sure we’ll get to it eventually.   [SHI-YING makes a face at her but doesn’t pursue the argument.  The student finishes quickly and with NAYA’s approval returns to his previous place while SHI-YING tests his work.  NAYA goes back to her desk.] SHI-YING: [Jumping to the floor.]  Later, women. YONGHUI: Shi-Ying. SHI-YING: [Hesitates at the door before turning back.]  What?   [YONGHUI looks at him pointedly and he reluctantly returns.  YONGHUI nods and turns back to her screen, leaving SHI-YING to wander around the lab, finally perching on NAYA’s desk.  Eventually the students leave.] YONGHUI: [Joining SHI-YING at NAYA’s desk.]  Naya.   [NAYA comes over from the lab bench she has been using to avoid SHI-YING, and YONGHUI produces two flash drives (or whatever form of removable media seems appropriate), giving one to each of them.] NAYA: [Quietly pocketing hers.]  The grant application? YONGHUI: The budget sections. SHI-YING: [Taking his with distaste.]  Both of them? YONGHUI: For backup.  You only need to hold it until the deadline on Tuesday. NAYA: We’re stuck with each other for the weekend.  Wouldn’t it be better— YONGHUI: [Waves off the objection and returns to her desk.]  It’s all arranged.  Just be careful. SHI-YING: [In a stage whisper.]  Five’ll get you ten the real budget’s hidden in her underwear drawer. NAYA: [Looks at him narrowly.]  And just how do you propose to prove it?   [SHI-YING grins and leaves.]

CHANNEL AVATAR Issue 1:  Scene 5

[The house.]   [NAYA comes home from the lab to find GOLDA, PERRY, and SHI-YING watching TV.  She detours through the kitchen to get a drink before joining them.] GOLDA: [Pouty.]  You just had to work late tonight? NAYA: What?   [GOLDA glares at her and SHI-YING in turn.] NAYA: Lachlan already left?  [To SHI-YING.]  I thought you had decided to break into Yonghui’s. SHI-YING: Very funny.  [He exits to the kitchen.] NAYA: So what did he do? GOLDA: Just peeping again.  Hmph.  Really oughtta keep the little perv on a leash. NAYA: It’s an idea. SHI-YING: [From off-screen.]  Like anybody’d bother to peek at you anyway. NAYA: [Literally rising to the bait.]  Only because you know if I ever caught you, I’d— GARRET: [Coming in from outside.]  Good evening, ladies.  Perry. SHI-YING: [Reentering with an odd-looking drink.]  About time! GARRET: Shi-Ying.  Problem? SHI-YING: One guess.  [Makes a face at the girls then disappears up the stairs.]   [GARRET looks toward the girls.] NAYA: Never mind. GARRET: You shouldn’t be so hard on him, Nye. NAYA: Yeah, I know. GARRET: Nye. NAYA: [Sighs.]  Anyway, we’ll be in the lab most of the weekend.  Working on his body always makes him happy.  [After a slight pause.]  I don’t suppose Lachlan said when he’d be back? GOLDA: [Smiles.]  Well, he didn’t say anything about missing class next week. NAYA: So, what, not more than 46 hours or so . . .  [Gets up and also heads for the stairs.]  But if you can keep Shi out of the way tonight, Garret, so much the better!

CHANNEL AVATAR Issue 1:  Scene 6

[The inner lab.  All the windows are covered.  Two benches occupy the middle, with a computer station attached to each.  On one bench is a tank containing a robotic body suspended in the same liquid earlier seen leaking out of SHI-YING.  A number of cables run from the body out the top of the tank.  The tank is otherwise closed, with gloves inserted into the sides in various places.]   [SHI-YING is on the other bench with a number of cables coming out of him and various sensors attached.  There is a student at each computer checking the readouts while NAYA looks over their shoulders.  NAYA gives SHI-YING the occasional instruction, and he cooperates with comparative grace.  The body in the tank copies his movements, sometimes imperfectly.] YONGHUI: [Entering abruptly.]  Where is Golda?   [SHI-YING’s computer beeps as the others look up, startled.] YONGHUI: I can’t reach her. NAYA: She didn’t say anything to me.  [Looks at SHI-YING.] SHI-YING: How should I know? YONGHUI: [Drily.]  The direct approach is usually best.   [SHI-YING looks expectantly at NAYA.] NAYA: Actually, that’s not a bad idea, while we’ve got you hooked up.   [SHI-YING considers, then sighs and stares off.  NAYA indicates something on the screen to the student.] SHI-YING: They’re at some art thing.  What do you want? YONGHUI: "They"? NAYA: Perry. YONGHUI: I need someone to go to the Dean’s Office.  The commitment statement for the grant got waylaid in transit.  They’re willing to let someone in for a new copy today, but we have to get it now or wait until Monday. NAYA: I could— YONGHUI: If you don’t have work to do, you should update your CV. NAYA: I thought I was supposed to hold off on that. YONGHUI: The dummy file was deleted twice last week; it’s unlikely anyone will go after the real version before the deadline.  [Looks at SHI-YING.]  But it might be risky to send out one of the students for grant materials. SHI-YING: [Starting to remove his attachments.]  Is that a compliment or an insult? YONGHUI: Go. NAYA: [Pulls out some of the cables to prevent SHI-YING from doing so.]  But I promised I’d watch him. SHI-YING: [Hopping off the table and grabbing his clothes.]  So do it from a distance. YONGHUI: You can monitor from here.  [As SHI-YING heads for the door.]  Closely.

CHANNEL AVATAR Issue 1:  Scene 7

[The University.]   [SHI-YING is again threading his way across campus.] NAYA: [From the lab.]  Shi, where are you? SHI-YING: Oh, come on . . . NAYA: Humor me.  You know how Yonghui gets.  Especially about deadlines.  Besides, I did promise Lachlan. SHI-YING: I’m en route, what do you want.  If Dad was still running things . . . NAYA: It was even worse when Dr. Wan was around. SHI-YING: Sez you. NAYA: Says the one who actually had to work with him.  Great scientist, yes.  Great boss, no.  Great father, rather circumstantial— SHI-YING: Shut up!  Like you even really knew him! YONGHUI: [In the lab, from behind NAYA.]  Naya. NAYA: This from the kid who associates his father with the smell of janitorial supplies. SHI-YING: Just because you got to work in the lab! YONGHUI: [Shaking NAYA by the shoulder.]  Naya!  Is something wrong? NAYA: [Looks up, a bit startled.]  No, nothing.  Look, just pick up Yonghui’s file, will you? SHI-YING: What do you think I’m doing? NAYA: Fine.  Let me know when you get the file, and I won’t bother you again. SHI-YING: That’ll be the day.

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