5. Headlines

A SHOW TO WOW AND WONDER
31st August, 2005
reuters- In an unprecedented move of its kind, Maxwell Knight has declared that his concert will be a "veritable feast for the senses." "My idea is to create a fusion of mystery and mysticism, to create the effect of a rockin' show! Is that cool or what?" The international pop star hit the scene last year, creating waves with his hit single "Dazed", and his second hit "Confused", catapulted him into the top of the charts. His American Odyssey tour will start tomorrow, in Los Angeles. Reports tell of sell out tickets months before the event, a testimony to the hype and his strong fan base. Watch this square for more updates on Maxwell Knight's American Odyssey Tour.

KNIGHT RULES!
4th September, 2005
reuters- Performing to a sell-out audience in the Los Angeles Entertainment Centre, Knight delivers his hits with the flamboyance and flair that personifies his stage persona. Fans were delighted with his bold and defined costume changes, as well as the illusions that accompanied his every hit. "It was like, whoa man...... Knight is fantastic. Its cool to have a singer who can do stage magic, " one fan enthuses. In the middle of his landmark hit, "Dazed", Knight shocked the crowd by pulling three dancing girls out of his shirt. They assisted him in performing the various stage illusions that he choreographed into the concert. Another fan commented "Im looking forward to his next show. Who knows what he'll do next?"

KNIGHTMARE
24th September 2005
reuters- Tragedy struck on the 6th and final leg of Maxwell Knights' American Odyssey Tour. While attempting a death-defying escape from a vat of bubbling acid, one of the restraints snapped and Knight plunged head first into the vat. Immediately assisted by the stage paramedics, the screaming artiste was pulled out of the vat and sent to the hospital for treatment. No comment was elicited from his manager, Jerry Philips at this point of time.

KNIGHTFALL
05th October 2005
reuters- Maxwell Knight is being sued by his label for his disregard for personal safety during the production of his Americal Odyssey Tour. "We have a valid investment in him, and his contract does not allow for him to run such stage shenanigans. We will sue him for breaches in contract as well as deliberately endangering the lives of the others working with him on his high-risk stunts." said his manager, Jerry Philips. When asked if he was overly concerned due to the presence of his daughter as Maxwell's stage assistant, and rumoured beau, he said "No comment."

4. Indiscriminate Pity

Maybe it was the look on his face. Or perhaps the look of his face that stunned her. She had no idea what they did to him.

Till now.

And yet he was back. Alive, moving and standing hideously before her very eyes. Assaulted by the grotesquely melted face, she took a step back, recoiling in fear. She wanted to slap him but feared the damage it might cause and the idea of feeling his face again. She stood motionless, drowned out by the overwhelming shock enveloping her.

He saw the horror in her eyes and enjoyed every moment of it. He saw her recoil, just like when he recoiled and struggled against what ate his skin. He relished the victory standing there. He hated himself for sharing his pain with her. He had buisiness to settle.

"You don't know what trouble you've caused me, my dearest Julie."

He glanced at the car parked at the edge of the cemetary. The driver was drawing a gun, walking towards them.

"And what trouble you are causing me now. You came prepared and so did I."

He flipped open his briefcase and tossed the file at her. Just then, a shot rang out through the air and a round whisked past his body.

"Its for you. He can stop firing now."

Just as he said that, he bolted off and disappeared amongst stones carved with memories.

She stood there, incapacitated, stunned.

3. Confrontation

"Miss Philips, this is most irregular."

"I know. Just keep driving."

"You do know that your father will hear about this."

Pause.

"Yes."

She glanced out of the window, watching the final rays of sunset strike the green-gold horizon. It was always so quiet in the country, she reflects. The silence was a welcome relief from the endless din that defined inner-city nights. She crossed her legs slowly, and rested her chin softly on her hands. That posture always brought tears to her eyes. One came slowly rolling down, tracing a delicate line down the curves of her face.

It will be set right, she thought to herself. It will be just as you wanted it. It will be just as it should be. Her cupped fingers trembled with hidden passion, as she silently willed away the tears that came involuntarily to her eyes.

"Miss Philips, we have arrived."

Eyes closed, she mustered her inner strength, and with flick of a finger, whisped the tear off her cheek. She gazed ahead at the arching doors of the cemetary.

And at the solitary figure standing alone, as if a knight holding silent vigil, over a very familiar gravestone.

"How dare he..." she muttered, as she pushed the car door open. "Of all the places......" She slammed the door. Indignantly walking over, she approached the still silent figure. Grabbing the wet shoulder of the trenchcoat, she whirled him around.

"How dare you..." The words died in her throat.

2. Perhaps

She arrived without pomp and pagentry that was expected of people of her stature. She stepped off the simmering tarmac and filed past the immigration with haste. Escorted to the limousine personally chosen by her father, she was whisked away off to the country where she was once able to find reprive from the dizzying bustle of the city.

As she watched the background fade into a Monet-ish art piece, she thought of her unfinished business. It had been too long. Too complicated. Too much, too evil.

______________________________________________________

He found what he was looking for. Sooner than he expected. He had travelled miles on end to reach and yet it seemed all too soon. A confrontation was looming and perhaps he felt ill prepared for what was to come.

In his backpack of irrelevant items, he kept a file. In it was all that he had to prove. Together with himself, he felt it was enough.

1. Train Ride.

He sat quietly, alone.

The New England scenery flashed past, brushes of bright and mellowed green whipping across the window, as the rain hammered down on its plastic facade. In the distance, the turbulent clouds hovered ominously, shading the world with its gloomy gaze.

He thought quietly, alone.

The carriage was empty. Just another compartment where people come from point A to sit. When they get up again and leave, they will be at point B. It had the atmosphere of such places. Stripped of individuality, stripped of personality, stripped of warmth. Just another place where you wont stay for long. Stay just long enough to get where you need to go.

He sat quietly, alone.

The train groaned softly as it slowly slid into the station. The whistle of steam punctured the air as the the doors slowly moved open. A lone figure stepped out onto the deserted platform.

The train travelled into the distance.

And then he walked.