This is part one of my salute to syndicated spy shows of the 70’s-80’s, shows that almost always had a mind control episode.
MD, MF, Ft. Feedback alwatys welcome either at eviltwinmordred@gmail.com or at Deviant Art.
THE SWORD & ROSE (PART ONE)
My name is Mark Blade, formerly of the SAS.
After a misunderstanding that led to me and the Service parting ways, I was recruited by this man, Lord Campion, into joining in his “consultancy” firm. An organization called Rapier, International. We help Democracies get done what their own agencies can’t.
This is Rose, Lord Campion’s half Aussie daughter. An upcoming model and actress, she has a wide range of skills.
On his deathbed, Lord Campion made me promise to look after her.
Despite my best efforts, trouble always seems to find Rose.
Me and Control, the bloke who took over for Lord Campion, decided the best way to keep her safe was to bring her into the family business. And that’s how we became a team. A team they call.....
Prologue: (Fade in)
- LAURA:
Obey the Master of the Dance....must obey....must obey...
- General:
Girls....you should go enjoy the pool. Colonel Han and I have business to discuss. (Laura and the two other women go into the pool, giggling as they do.)
(He waits until the ladies are frolicking in the pool and lowers his voice, speaking to Han)You know I appreciate your patriotism...almost as much as I appreciate your fine taste in women, Colonel. I just think a coup now is....premature.
- Col. Han
- (with force, but
respectfully):
Please, General...... President Lee moves closer to Washington and London every day..I’m telling you, the fool trusts me...every day he complains to me about our Comrades in the USSR. He is going to betray our Revolution...
- General:
Enough, Colonel. Look....I agree our security forces must be ready to step in if needed...our comrades in Moscow know I can be relied upon...but the Army shall act when I and I alone think the time is right. Let the President have his little summit in 10 days...if he goes too far with the imperialists then I can re-assess the whole situation. Now...enough... I wish to enjoy your lovely gifts.
- Han
- (giving a slight bow of
deference):
As you wish....General.
- General:
Ladies......what’s the matter.......and who the devil are you?
- Zinoviev:
- (ignoring General Tang)
Ladies, time to attend your Dance Master. Begin the performance now.
- General:
Colonel Han...arrest this....
- Zinoieiv:
Bravo..my troupe..Bravo. Now go...get dressed and go into the van. I will join your presently. (The three woman robotically step out of the pool and walk off screen)
- Col. Han:
Incredible....I....I believed Moscow.....what they said about your techniques...but to actually see it operational......such beautiful women transformed....
- Zinoviev:
Yes...my ballerinas perform my choreography with perfection. Now Tang is gone...only President Lee stands in your way. But this was but the First Act. Now we must hurry to Australia, to cast our leading lady.
- Col. Han:
But why this complication...you already have three brainwashed killers...why not just use one of these ladies to kill President Lee?
- Zinoviev:
The Ballet I have written needs a far more spectacular finale. Imagine it..Colonel....not only is President Lee killed in a Western Country, under the protection of their security organs, but the assassin is known to be a mercenary who works for them...almost one of them. We both remove a traitor and cripple the West’s credibility forever.
- Col. Han:
I suppose....
- Zinoviev
- (pulling from his coat a 8 by
10 photo):
Trust me, Colonel....in ten days, this lovely woman shall be the prima donna of my greatest production...“The Death of President Lee.”
- Rose:
I can’t believe this.....and you’re going along with it?
- Control:
Lady Campion....you know I hold your abilities in the greatest respect....you have become a skilled and resourceful agent.
- Rose:
Pffft. You clearly don’t respect me enough to stand up to this Colonel Han and his male chauvinism.
- Mark:
She’s right about that, Chief......besides..I thought Communists were for equality between the sexes.
- Control:
Actually...I don’t think Lady Campion’s sex has anything to do with it....I took from our conversation he was far more concerned with her class.
- Rose
- (even angrier):
What the devil does that mean?
- Mark:
Easy Poppet, I don’t think he doesn’t means “class” as in manners.
- Control:
Exactly...they don’t want your involvement because you’re an aristocrat. Look...I don’t like it either, but try to see it from Colonel Han’s point of view. He’s worried about President Lee’s well being after the mysterious death of General Tang, so worried he has hired Rapier, a very British and very capitalist security firm, to provide security. He’s sticking his socialist neck rather far, don’t you think?
- Rose:
Politics! Why can’t i work quietly...behind the scenes...Colonel Han need never know.
- Control
- (standing, his patience running
thin):
I have given my word, Lady Campion. Your father left me in command, and I will not marr our first assignment for an Eastern Block State by breaking that word.
- Rose:
Oh all right....you win. I guess I’ll take this modeling assignment, Rodney has been on about.
- Mark:
Something fun?
- Rose:
Lucrative. This Greek photographer, Makreides, wants me for a swimsuit shoot. Rodney says he’s offered a queen’s ransom for two days. Since, I appear to be free from any Rapier duties, I might as well say yes.
- Mark.
Then what are going on about? We’ll be working...putting our necks on the line...and you’ll be poolside, dipping your toes in the water.
- Rose:
Don’t blame me....blame Control....and this Colonel Han. At least Makreides appreciates my talents.
- Rose:
I’m Rose Campion....here for the shoot with Mr. Makreides.
- Laura:
Of course, we’ve been expecting you..I’m Laura O”Neil. (They shake hands.)
- Rose:
Are you in the shoot, as well?
- Laura:
No....I am Mr. Makreides’ production assistant.....but where’re my manners, please come in....shoes off, please....house rules.
- Rose:
OK (she pauses to pull off her sandals, dropping them by the door, and enters.). So where is the “Great Man”?
- Laura:
Mr. Makreides is outside on the pool deck...making some last lighting touches. He wants it to be perfect for you....he’s almost ready, come this way and I will show you your wardrobe.
- Laura:
The first outfit is in the closet.
- Rose:
I can’t wait to see it. I love seeing a new line before the rest of the world.
- Rose:
I...I don’t get it....some sort of beach coverup?...I......
- Zinoviev:
Well done, Laura. Ladies....place our star in her wardrobe and bring her downstairs for her first lesson.