(The studio lights up to two newscasters already in their positions. They hold stacks of paper in their hands that they don’t even glance at, mere props. The newscaster on the left speaks first, lips parting to reveal a streak of red against the teeth.)

NEWSCASTER 1: Breaking news: The reports are in, and only seventy-three people were killed by gunmen over the weekend.
NEWSCASTER 2: That’s a decrease of six from last week.
NEWS 1: Right you are, Jimmy.
NEWS 2: If we keep this up, we could be down to the single digits by the end of the year!
NEWS 1: Good news indeed.

(Lights are cut.)

(Lights blink back to life.)

NEWS 1: Breaking news: The president offers his most ardent thoughts and prayers to those who lost their lives during the horrific tragedy that occurred last night.
NEWS 2: Sincerely ardent.
NEWS 1: Yes, most sincerely.
NEWS 2: Nothing could have been done to avoid it.
NEWS 1: An unavoidable tragedy.

(Lights are killed.)

(Lights rise. The first newscaster’s mascara is running.)

NEWS 1: Breaking news: Investigations have concluded that there were no survivors from the mall attack this morning.
NEWS 2: None whatsoever, Mindy.
NEWS 1: That brings our count to— (She swallows, glances at her notes.) —one hundred and ninety-two.
NEWS 2: For the week.
NEWS 1: Yes. (A pause.) For the week.
NEWS 2: Well, it is an unfortunate reality of our society.
NEWS 1: Unfortunate indeed.

(Lights are mutilated.)

(Lights are resuscitated. This time, a new anchor has joined NEWSCASTER 2, though she is nearly indistinguishable from the first.)

NEWS 3: Welcome back to our twenty-four-hour watch of the hostage situation taking place downtown.
NEWS 2: This just in: The terrorist has just released a list of demands.
NEWS 3: What are they, Jim?
NEWS 2: We’ll find out… right after the break!

(Lights scream in agony before being shut off.)

(Lights are propped up again, though lifeless.)

NEWS 3: Thank you for joining us again. When we last left off, the terrorist had made their demands in exchange for the safety of the hostages.
NEWS 2: Tell us what they are, Cindy.
NEWS 3: I’d be glad to. (She clears her throat.) For the promise of stricter gun laws, the scoundrel will let all those poor people go, so—and I quote—“this will never have to happen again.”
NEWS 2: What an unreasonable request.
NEWS 3: Quite unreasonable.
NEWS 2: Good thing we’re a country that doesn’t negotiate with terrorists.
NEWS 3: Very fortunate, aren’t we?

(Lights fade away.)

(Lights are flickering, in a headache-inducing rhythm.)

NEWS 3: The hostage negotiation is over.
NEWS 2: Not that there was much of one to begin with.
NEWS 3: Right you are. The threat has been neutralized.
NEWS 2: Shall we add that to the counter?
NEWS 3: No need. The counter already doubled during the break. One this way or the other isn’t going to do much.
NEWS 2: I do believe you’re right.
NEWS 3: When we come back: Are asylum seekers a danger to your family? Don’t go anywhere.

(Lights hiss and fizzle out.)

(Lights come on. The newscaster chairs are empty, swiveling idly with a breeze.  Static like that from an old TV constantly drones in the background.  Under it: the sound of a child’s wail. There’s no more threat, because there is no more non-threat.  All is one: a collective cry of suffering.)

(Nothing could have been done to prevent this.)

(The lights plunge into darkness one final time.)