Blood Salute

By AKB. Kumar

Heroine Ruby from a country named Indaana takes a flight to a country named Cheenaana as she receives an appointment letter to join as a Biological Scientist in Duhan Lab. Fortunately or unfortunately she becomes the Confidence Keeper of the Cheenaana Chief, Kin Pin.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Rose Publishers
• Release date: Apr 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9789358190960

Book preview

FADE IN:

EXT. MAIN ROAD – DAY

SUPER TITLE: Capital City, State of LAAKEERA in a Country named INDAANA.

A White color Police Pilot Jeep sounding the ALARMS and FLICKERING LIGHTS makes its way ahead. Behind that a MERCEDES BENZ follows flying the Black & White horizontal striped NATIONAL FLAG on the front Flag post and State’s embossed Emblem of a LION affixed on the front Grill. Few more cars also follow the Black Benz. Other vehicular traffic comes to a standstill. As the V.I.P’s Cars pass past, all the vehicles take sudden sharp turns.

LATER.

We push into a close-shot of an open HUGE ARCH GATE. On top of the Arch with a Superimposed Title: INDAANA UNIVERSITY. COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. All the vehicles APPLY sudden break.

CUT TO:

EXT. A GROUND IN FRONT OF THE MAIN BUILDING – DAY

WE see outside of a White Gigantic Building–the edifice is the INDAANA UNIVERSITY. Ground is packed with approximately 2000 Boys and Girls. The STUDENTS STANDING at ease in rows and files. All of them in Convocation—Ceremonial dress: HOOD, SUIT, TIE and SHOES.

WE hear their HUBBUB (O.S)… WE see a BANNER: CONVOCATION CEREMONY 2020.

CUT TO:

EXT. PODIUM – DAY

University convocation Celebrities Vice-chancellor, Principal, Provost, and two Faculty Members uniformed in Black Regalia are sitting on Chairs. The GOVERNOR in Safari Suit sits on an Elegant Chair in the middle. A slim Cutie Impresario in Silver Kurtha and Paijama (Indaana apparel) appears before the Rostrum.

IMPRESARIO: (adjusting Mike) Well, the Convocation ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Batch of The Indaana University of Science and Technology is over… But… before the ending we are going to witness a most significant event which our University never ever had witnessed.

We hear (O.S) CHEERING from the Audience on the ground.

IMPRESARIO: (CONT’D) Let’s wait till our Honorable Governor of Laakeera State performs it… Prior to, I invite our Heroine Student of the year Twenty Twenty Miss. Ruby Thom to come forward.

Miss. Ruby Thom 23, well-built beauty Student gets up from the Chair and strides… Cheers from the Audience on the ground. She halts at the front of the Podium.

IMPRESARIO: (CONT’D) Now I request Mr. Governor ANTO DAVY, he is the Chancellor of Indaana University as well. - To confer upon graduating Convocation of Miss. Ruby Thom, the Topper and the State Gold Medalist.

GOVERNOR, Stout above 60, gray haired gets up from his chair, paces towards Miss. Ruby Thom and pats on her shoulder. The Impresario hands over Governor a Hood. He places it on Ruby’s head and claps his hands. The Audience, looking at each other, also follows suit with enthusiasm.

Ruby adjusts the hood smilingly. Impresario hands the Governor a Gold Medal tied on a ribbon like a LOCKET. Governor puts it around her neck. The area again echoes with CHEER.

IMPRESARIO: (CONT’D) Again I request our Governor to speak a few words on this occasion to encourage the passed out students.

Governor paces and appears before the Rostrum. Impresario adjusts the Mike for Governor.

GOVERNOR: Dear Assemblage… First of all I congratulate all the Students who have been conferred. - And it is not only you I, (Swiveling head to dignitaries) and you… but the entire Nation is proud of our Student Miss. Ruby Thom. It’s not that she has risen to topper in the exams; neither has she grabbed the prestigious National Gold medal. It’s something else. Can anybody guess: what’s that!

Audience’s SILENCE. Dignitaries LOOK EACH OTHER with suspense.

GOVERNOR (CONT’D) You say… who is our neighbor country?

DIGNITARIES: (O.S.)Paakkaana…

GOVERNOR (CONT’D) — No. The other one?

AUDIENCE: (O.S.)Cheenaana… Cheenaana… Cheenaana…

GOVERNOR: (CONT’D) All of you aware—a month back Cheenaana Delegates came here for Campus Recruitment. - And Miss. Ruby was selected—the official order from the Govt. of Cheenaana received only today.

Governor hands over an Envelope to Ruby. She takes and kisses on it. Area booms with applause.

GOVERNOR: (CONT’D)She has been appointed as a Junior Fellow of the World famous Duhan Lab of Cheenaana. And you shall know that We, the Govt. of Laakeera State has signed a MOU. (pauses) - Cheenaana would construct an enormous Lab in our State. Our Students can join there for higher studies. - Obviously for jobs as well.

Jubilant Audience CLAPS and breaks the silence. Beat.

GOVERNOR: (CONT’D) We gotta provide the earmarked 100 Hectares of land on the Hills of our Eastern Ghats. Besides, the construction of their gigantic Corporate Office in the heart of our Capital is already progressing… (beat) It would be the tallest chiseled-jaw building of our nation, Indaana.

Again the Audience and Dignitaries continue CHEERING.

GOVERNOR: (CONT’D) So by next week Miss. Ruby Thom’ll gonna to the Fastest Developing land.

And let all of us wish her a Bon voyage.

CUT TO:

EXT. PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE – DAY

Principal sits behind a big table. She is 50, moderate fair with oversized goggles, in colorful Sari and Blouse reads a LETTER. Handing over the letter she smiles at Ruby. Ruby seems perplexed.

PRINCIPAL: (feeling pride) - You’re lucky Ruby. Seeing Heijing, the Capital of Cheenaana and a job in Duhan Lab, Undoubtedly a dream of all the Students! (thinks, then smiles) We heard TONG HONG City is a Paradise for Tourists! You shall enjoy the life of Modern World culture, especially the beau monde…

Ruby’s head-down, keeps silent and plunges into a soliloquy. Principal studies it and raises Ruby’s CHIN.

PRINCIPAL: (CONT’D) Whataappen Girl..! Are you sad..? You’re gonna fly the colors of our Country in another Country… I know you’re as bold as brass. You may react against misbehaving. You’ve retorting power.

RUBY: (whispers) Cheenaana is a controversial Country!

PRINCIPAL: (CONT’D) Don’t poke your nose into that Country’s Affairs. I count you not as a student of Artificial Intelligence. You’re naturally intelligent my dear. Obey your Guide… (thinks) Write an uncommon thesis — Obtain PhD. Become a Biotech Doctor — Create innovative inventions which would help not only mankind, but the fauna and flora as well. But, be fearless; show your identity…

Principal moves back to her seat. Ruby is still in Soliloquy…

RUBY: (V.O.) Beware! Will it lead to a second Tianaman Circle upheaval! Thousands of Protesters fought against the prevention of Right to Speak by stoning the attacking troops and setting fire to Military vehicles. (beat) Reporters and Western diplomats estimated that thousands of Activists were killed, and 10,000 were sent to the Concentration camp. That’s what the Cheenaana Government is! (beat) - Umm… let it; - I’ll face it.

PRINCIPAL: So, which Airport you’re boarding? In the appointment order, there’s a Chartered Aircraft for selected Students from almost all the nations. – They’d be gathering at Indaana Capital Old Telhi Aerodrome. What about your Boarding papers?

RUBY: (Gathering sense) Agents from Cheenaana Embassy’d be there.

PRINCIPAL - Righto Ruby, All the best life ahead. We do remember you in our prayers.

RUBY: So do I Madam.

CUT TO:

INT. 5* STAR AIRCRAFT – DAY

Ruby sits on the extreme rear corner side seat. She lends her ears to an announcement.

ANNOUNCEMENT (V.O.) Do you hear there…This is the Captain of the Chartered Airlines No.5* Star speaking. On behalf of the Cheenaana Embassy, I welcome aboard All the Lady Students from 150 Countries. This’s a non-stop service from Old Telhi in Indaana to the Capital City of Heijing in Cheenaana. Our flight time will be one hour and 50 minutes. Jovial journey to all!

Ruby fastens her seat belt as another announcement echoes.

ANNOUNCEMENT (V.O.) Flight attendants and Cabin crew prepare for take-off.

We see the signs of restlessness due to the turbulence encountered by the plane. We hear the noise of the heavy vibration. After passing above clouds, the bird is airborne. Ruby feels giddiness.

One Pleasing Airhostess approaches Ruby while passing around the cabin with a loaded trolley to offer hot or cold drinks and snacks. She watches Ruby’s uneasiness.

AIR HOSTESS

(soft) Whataappen dear! Any problem?

RUBY:(Stammers) Yea. I’m a first time Air-passenger…

AIR HOSTESS:(Smiles) Ooo hoo… we’ll make Your first time the best time.

RUBY:(splutters) - Um, I feel giddy…

AIR HOSTESS: Not to worry dear. - It’s Air-sickness. Just chew this tablet; you’ll be well…

Air Hostess hands over Ruby a white-colored tablet Ruby eagerly takes it and puts it in her mouth and starts chewing… Feeling fresh, Ruby requests her to have one more Tablet by showing action. Smilingly, Hostess gives one more tablet to Ruby.

AIR HOSTESS:(Warns) - This causes drowsiness. Beware of overdose. You’ll have to fly only a Thousand miles.

Ruby closes eye-lids, another announcement echoes.

ANNOUNCEMENT (V.O.)

Now sit back, relax and enjoy the flight. - Thank you.

We see Ruby’s sitting-cum sleeping close pose. HER SLIGHTLY-OPENED LIPS. We hear her feeble snore–Ruby plunges into SOUND SLEEP. We push through the Plane as small as a bird and then to a tiny spot up in the sky. We feel: She dreams of a series of events that she experiences in her sleep.

CUT TO:

EXT. GREATEST WALL – DAY

Her P.O.V: She sees a GREEN MOUNTAIN afar and a zigzag Amber colored lengthy structure resembles a gigantic PYTHON lying over it. As it comes Tighter and Tighter, she recognizes it by the Super Title: GREATEST WALL.

Lot of mechanized and other vehicles such as BICYCLES, HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGES, CAMEL and HORSE RIDERS plus PEDESTRIANS are frequenting atop the WALL. Their hubbub (O.S.)…

Title: A COUNTRY named CHEENAANA January 2020.

LATER.

The scene pushes into a close-up of a locked HUGE CAST IRON GRILLED decorated yet YELLOW with age ancient GATE at the bottom of the wall with a Title: RED HALL.

CUT TO:

INT. GREATEST WALL – RED HALL – DAY

She is inside a RED colored HUGE HALL. Hall is House Full. Approximately 500 SCIENTISTS STANDING at ease on the floor in rows and files. All of them are attired from head to foot in RED—Rimmed cap, Suit, tie and boots. They seem ditto as if an array of HUMAN sized MONGOLIAN DOLLS cast in the same die in a factory.

She hears their Hullabaloo (O.S)… Unlike others, she sees two young LADIES: PERLY and RUBY (Herself) in Doctors’ white uniform positioning at the front row either side of the center passage.

Suddenly We hear a Mike announcement

ANNOUNCEMENT (V.O.) Red alert… New Chief of Cheenaana arriving.

In the hall, SILENCE pregnant with suspense. Audience sits ERECT.

CUT TO:

INT. STAGE – DAY

A Huge Red satin CHEENAANA FLAG embossed with two VIS-À-VIS (one SILVER and other GOLD lined) DRAGONS on the CENTER of the FRONT CURTAIN of the STAGE. Below that it is written in Italics: we welcome Our New Chief. As the Curtain rises the DRAGONS become alive and open their mouths, their TONGUES ejecting outside. We hear a bugle ALERT. (V.O.) The DRAGONS go back and settle on the REAR Red satin curtain in their previous positions on another Background FLAG.

LATER.

INT. STAGE – DAY

CHIEF of CHEENAANA strides forward and halts in the middle of the stage facing the audience in ATTENTION position. He is Shorty, around 50 and has SIX-PACK STOMACH. We notice him like a Mongolian—having yellow complexion, flat nose, and small eyes. His body is hairless except thick BLACK HAIR on his head, twisted downward NARROW-MUSTACHE and EYEBROWS' tails upwards. Exposing his WAX type sturdy body, he wears only a BROWN colored tight LOIN-COVER made out of His Pubic Hairs like a Wrestler hides his BULGE MALE ORGAN inside.

We see Top portion of a BLUE colored PEN SITS inside the brief in line with his BACKBONE as he turns about and gives salute to the DRAGONS on the Curtain. Both Dragons shiver and produce a HORRIFYING NOISE as if acknowledging the Salute.

INT. RED HALL - DAY

SCIENTISTS come to ATTENTION position enmasse. We hear a slogan.

SCIENTISTS’ (O.S.) Welcome and Good morning Chief.

INT. STAGE - DAY (CONTINUOUS)

As the audience takes their seats, CHIEF of CHEENAANA scans them sans confidence—his UNHAPPINESS.

CHIEF:(in nasal tones) You Yellow Scientist Komrades of Cheenaana, you decided this Morning is Good. It has to be confirmed within minutes. Hope all of you want a good life… - But, who wants Death?

RED HALL.

We see suddenly a SCIENTIST (GUNNER) sitting at the side of the middle row stands up and fires the CHIEF in Long Range. We hear a gun blast followed by the GUNNER’S SHOUT.

GUNNER:(O.S.) You want Death…

STAGE/HALL.

All the eyes of the AUDIENCE toward the stage. In their (P.O.V.) CHIEF vanishes. Simultaneously, they hear a thud and the GUNNER (Scientist) collapses on the floor.

RED HALL.

CHIEF surprisingly holding PEN in his LEFT HAND, appears beside the DEAD GUNNER with