Shout and Silence: Bombs

NOISES FROM A WELL-OCCUPIED BAR.

S: What’s this bar called again?

S: The Old Bank. One of those repurposed jobs.

S: You’d expect more people in suits, then.

S: I think they’re marketing it as a sports bar.

S: That explains why all the channels are on sports news. Keeps people happy.

S: Well, they’re still showing the odd bit of news. You know, in between reports.

S: That explains the bright lights up there right now. I thought that was stadium pyro for a second.

S: No. It’s the bombs. Still going back and forth. They’re definitely showing this side more, though. Not sure why.

S: Which side is this one?

S: It says on the caption below.

S: Oh yeah…

A DOOR SLAMS BEHIND THEM. THE PAIR REACT WITH A SILENT HEAD SWIVEL, BEFORE RETURNING THEIR ATTENTION BACK TO THE TELEVISION.

S: What colour are the bombs?

S: What?

S: What colour are they? You know, before they’re dropped.

S: Those ones? I think they’re blue.

S: Blue, eh? Aren’t the red ones the good ones?

S: I’m not sure. I think these ones are good, though. At least, I’ve not heard anyone say anything about the blue ones, and no news is good news.

S: What about the green ones? Aren’t they the classic ones?

S: Yeah, but everybody uses them now. They’ve been sold to everyone with an interest.

S: Ah, so it’s not worth thinking about the green ones, then.

S: In terms of morality, certainly. But also in terms of success rate, I guess.

A SMASH OF GLASS. THE PAIR REACT WITH A SILENT GLANCE AT EACH OTHER’S INTACT DRINKS BEFORE RETURNING THEIR ATTENTION TO THE SCREEN.

S: Which bombs do we have again?

S: I think we’ve just got the green ones now. I could be wrong, though. And why are you asking me? I’m not the Minister of Defence!

S: It’s just something to talk about. Are we just going to sit around when there are mass bombings happening up there?

S: On the screen, you mean?

S: Yeah! A’course!

S: Well, I don’t think there’s a lot we can say that isn’t already being said. Or do what already isn’t being done.

S: Probably. I suppose we just have to live in hope.

S: Hope? Of what?

S: That those bombs stay on the screen. Or, at the very least, that they’re the good, blue ones.

A STRING OF EXPLETIVES, FOLLOWED BY SOUNDS OF A BRAWL IN THE BACKGROUND. THE PAIR CONTINUE TO DRINK IN A MUFFLED SILENCE.