Bonus Prompt [Apocalypse, Zombies]
by: aperplexingpuzzle (Team Radon Canyon)
“As you may recall, dear listeners, the City Council decided several months ago to make death a meritocracy. At the time, we at this radio station supported the measure, believing that death was something to be earned, not simply handed out. It is now my unfortunate duty to report that we were terribly, terribly mistaken in our opinion, and we apologize for the error.” Warnings: none.
A barricade. That was what he needed. The room was unfortunately sparse, but he managed to drag his heavy desk away from the wall, pushing it against the door just as another loud thump widened the crack in the old wooden structure.
“The violent protests of our town’s undead have prompted many vocal citizens to protest the City Council’s decision, calling for a return to the previous arrangement of universal death, or at the very least requesting a system wherein the undead could still be given the opportunity to earn death, rather than forever barring them from whatever afterlife may or may not exist. So far these requests have gone unanswered, most likely because the entire City Council has either been killed or become undead themselves, depending on individual circumstances. Elections for a new City Council are set to be held in several months, by which time Night Vale, as we know it, may have ceased to exist.”
The constant, almost rhythmic banging against the door suddenly ceased, and Cecil allowed himself a moment of brief relief before the horrid, rotting face of Intern Joel appeared in the window into his recording booth. Ah. His relief had been mistimed then, as relief often was—another life lesson. He considered sharing it with his listeners, but it didn’t seem to fit in with his current vein of speech, so instead he continued.
“There are, however, rumors of a ‘safe zone’ that exists somewhere in Night Vale. I’m hesitant to speak too much on the matter, as I have not yet determined how intelligent our newly undead residents are, or whether they listen to the radio. However, I am happy to confirm its existence! Carlos—sweet, beautiful Carlos the Scientist—has sent me multiple messages affirming this. He also claims that he is hard at work on an antidote to the situation, looking to ‘fix this once and for all.’ In fact,” he added, as his phone began to buzz once more, “he just sent me another message. It reads: ‘Cecil! I just picked up on your broadcast. Are you insane?? You need to get out of there, now!’ Ah, poor Carlos, would that I could!” Cecil sighed, closing his eyes and ignoring the disturbing crunch of flesh on glass that had replaced the rhythmic thuds. “But I am a radio professional, and if I lose my life this day, I will be only one among the many who have given their lives to the cause of community radio. However, to all of those listening out there who are not bound by similar constraints, I wish you good luck in finding the fabled safe zone. Unless, of course, you are among my violent, undead listeners, in which case I hope you never find that safe zone, you vile, vile miscreant.”
With a shattering tinkle that was both horrific and musical, Intern Joel managed to break through the glass with his shredded, sluggishly bleeding fist. Once more, Cecil smashed the hand with his microphone, and the intern let out another unearthly howl, but even as he drew back, two more interns shambled up to begin their own assault on the window. Cecil’s heart sank.
“Listeners, I must be frank in admitting to you that I have not been completely forthcoming regarding my own situation, in an attempt to spare you from any further pain on this uncommonly painful day. However, things here at the radio station have deteriorated to the point that I feel that I must, finally, be entirely honest in my report. I have been cornered in my recording booth by several interns who, as it turns out, are not as dead as I originally believed them to be. On a related note: to the families and loved ones of Interns Joel, Faith, and Clarissa, I withdraw my previous sentiments of comfort and well-wishing, because I am rather cross with them at the moment, and because they’re not even dead, so it seems a little unfitting to mourn their passing, don’t you think?” An insistent buzzing from his phone and the first few notes of The Entertainer caught Cecil’s attention.
“Listeners, Carlos has ceased texting me and has started to call me. As this may be my last chance to hear his melodious voice, I am going to answer it. As I do so, I take you now—once again, possibly for the last time, Night Vale—to the weather.”
Weather - The Zombie Song, Stephanie Mabey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPNqub966Tw