MICHAEL, a short man with glasses, enters the Sigment Tower boardroom, where HAROLD SIGMENT himself is standing, facing the glass wall.

MICHAEL: You wanted to see me?

SIGMENT: Have a seat.

Michael scowls but follows this instruction. The "they want us to forget" title appears on the windows.

SIGMENT: So. You missed the meeting.

MICHAEL: That meeting? That's what this is about? That's just a bunch of stuffed suits! I'm down there working on what's really important.

SIGMENT: By "really important," I assume you mean the special project I put your team on?

Michael gives a quiet look of sheepish despair.

SIGMENT: You know... the green stuff?

As the conversation continues, Michael appears more frustrated and eventually drained, while Sigment indicates no change in emotion.

MICHAEL: Just so we're clear: you're referring to Ferroza energy?

SIGMENT: Yes

MICHAEL: Named after the one guy who was ever able to control it?

SIGMENT: Yes

MICHAEL: The substance that brought about the Lunar Nexus, which nearly ended the world?

SIGMENT: Yes

MICHAEL: And you want us to make it so that it can be sold to trained killers and power-mad despots.

SIGMENT: Your point?

MICHAEL: I just... have some concerns.

For the first time this meeting, Sigment moves, turning away from the wall to face Michael.

SIGMENT: What? "Concerns"? What, are you looking for a raise? If you want some real green, you have to make me some green.

MICHAEL: It's not about the money.

SIGMENT: You know, Michael, ever since I hired you--

MICHAEL: You didn't hire me.

SIGMENT: Right. Since you were hired, I've never been able to figure out exactly what it is you want. If not money, then what?

Michael folds his arms and looks at the floor.

MICHAEL: You wouldn't understand, would you.

Sigment sinisterly raises his left arm slightly.

SIGMENT: Then explain something to me. You have some "concerns", so instead of doing your job, you decide to turn our perfectly good recruitment video into-- What did you call it? 'Kino'?

Michael adjust his glasses. In the left lens, Sigment's sinister pose is reflected.

MICHAEL: At the moment, our public image should be our top priority. With the election in a few weeks, we don't want to do anything to polarize on the fence against us. Your Ferroza plan could do that.

Michael's face appears imposed against the sky above a silhouette of the city, with Sigment at the top of his Foundation's tower.

MICHAEL: Besides, that video needs to be top-notch... for the expansion of the augmented division.

Sigment puts his finger to his chin, appearing thoughtful and reasonable.

SIGMENT: You may be right. But I'm in charge...

Suddenly, Sigment's demeanor shifts drastically from that of a reasonable businessman to that of a megalomaniacal villain. This is no contradiction, Sigment is both of these things, often simultaneously. Shadows appear across his face, both of his arms raise in triumph, and a nonexistant wind seems to blow his clothes and hair.

SIGMENT: I am a patient man, Michael, and I know you to be one as well. The green stuff can wait until after the election. The only reason I bring it up now... is because today, they found a subject who used 'green lightning'.

Michael appears shocked, and then squints with intense determination.

MICHAEL: Are you sure?

FIN.

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