The Wild Weather Show

THUNDER is sitting quietly at a table in the Rain Forest Café reading his lines for his role in the production of a play called “The Tempest of All Times”. It is a terrifying drama portraying the conflict facing humanity. He is enjoying his latte when his cellphone rings. Recognizing the ringtone as his twin brothers he answers.

“Hey bro what’s up”?

LIGHTENING in his striking voice replies “Remember we are going to The Wild Weather Show tonight. Did you get the tickets from poppa THOR”?

“Yeah! I popped by there this morning for a coffee and chat. He seemed to be in one of his dark moods. Maybe all this talk of climate change is unsettling him”.

“That’s too bad,” says LIGHTENING. “Why don’t we head to down to the city park for a quick rumble? Have some fun before the show!!”

“You mischievous spirit. It may damage your lint and take the spark out of you. Ha-ha. See you there at four”.

“Roger, over and out”.

They meet and do their normal bump and jump greeting. This causes sparks to fly and loud booms echo across the airwaves. Its frequency increasing as THUNDER tunes his vocal chords. In their intense act of striking and booming they fail to notice STORM sitting on a bench watching them with a glint in her eye. THUNDER and LIGHENING have a huge attraction to STORM and likewise STORM feels she cannot live without them. Somehow they feel her presence. They rush over and exuberant hugs display the synergy they have together. Chatting animatedly the trio heads for the Constellation Theatre hosting the Wild Weather Show.

“These front row seats are great” whispers LIGHTENING in a crackly voice.

“That just struck me too, ha ha,” laughs STORM at her joke.

The curtain opens and the lights dim.

The orchestra strikes up and the WILD WEATHER cast gathers on stage forming a chorus line and they begin to sing as the orchestra directs them.

“We are off to see the wild weather show A drama of high and low, depression A conversation needing expression To save humanity from becoming a fossil Believe me this problem is colossal The wind rain and sun Now spoil our fun So regardless of the inclemency And boggled by its immensity We are off to see the wild weather show

Sunny days are lost in pollution No doubt we have find a solution With melting ice and rising seas It’s no longer called a breeze The igloos you see will no longer be Magically turned into volumes of sea The camels are extinct as mammals Nothing to show our children but trammels We are off to see the wild weather show

If forests loose their canopy And faced with this insanity We cannot risk such a calamity That causes much profanity Ignoring the catastrophe Will trigger our atrophy Those carbons cannot leave us cold The steps we take must be bold For changes to take hold It’s not a case of whether We have to be together We are off to see the wild weather show”

WIND

AERIAL who has responsibility for the atmosphere is concerned. VANE in panic mode spins around in all directions. ARIEL is attempting to give him the latest weather report. Just then they feel a blast of air and a loud whoosh as WINDY envelops them, swirling, twisting out of control. AERIAL and VANE are blown away. Gathering themselves AERIAL continues.

“Come on VANE you know you have a crucial role in telling people about the current wind direction. Telling someone that the wind is at their back is useless now”

“Its not what it used to be AERIAL! I am suffering from vertigo from all this spinning. WINDY is becoming irrational, impulsive and just cannot make up her mind. She’s not her normal self but I have to obey her.

“What do you think WINDY?” says AERIAL looking at her expectantly.

“I cannot help it guys. These cyclones, hurricanes and tornados do it to me. It’s a chain reaction. We must find the sources and change the ways they operate. I should go now. I will arrange a meeting with my team”.

“Keep me posted my fickle friend. I want to prosper,” pleads AERIAL.

“Hang on AERIAL I think I know the cause of this irrationality. We have to change the highs and lows of WINDY’S disposition” says VANE putting a thoughtful spin on things.

“Its easier said the done my man. Humanity has always been faced with seemingly insurmountable problems. This one will be the mother of all of them. Success means we continue in a different way and failure is darkness,” responds AERIAL aware of his responsibility to humanity.

“Lets hope our efforts are not in vane. Cheers for now, AERIAL”. VANE changes direction feeling the headache coming on.

RAIN

AERIAL is perplexed by all of this turbulence. He is pacing around when he feels a drop of rain on his baldhead. Looking up he smiles “Is that you DRENCHER”? Responding to the question DRENCHER unleashes a torrent of tears leaving no doubt in AERIEL’s mind that his shoulder will be put to good use.

“Come on down DRENCHER. It sounds like we need to talk”.

It’s good to see you AERIAL. Yes we do need to talk”.

“What’s on your mind then”?

“It’s like this AERIAL. I am being forced into some bizarre situations. I have no idea why this is happening. It feels like some force is pushing me to the edge of my capabilities. With all these extra workouts I will be dehydrated”.

“Yikes! This is serious. Do you have any idea of who these forces are?” questions AERIAL.

“No. They use SMOGS to blindfold me, move me around and make me perform with ever increasing hostility”.

“So you have no idea where your load will land”.

“No idea. The rain forest used to be a favourite spot for me to pour my soul on. Now it’s loosing its canopy. I never would have done that if I had my way. Don’t ask me about the mudslides and other mayhem I am being blamed for.

“I see why you are so flustered”.

DRENCHER asks “Tell me AREAL what you think. Your knowledge of everything in the air must give us a clue to what these forces are”.

“Make no mistake DRENCHER our sleuth’s are out there night and day. Right now we are piecing bits of information together”.

“I hear that WINDY is also having problems. Could it be the same culprits”?

“Great idea putting things together like that. We will investigate. If it is the same culprit we have a better chance of stopping this monster.

“I must go now. These bad spirits will haunt me if they miss me. The last thing I want is that Icloud all perspective”

“Take care DRENCHER. Let me know what happens. We need to work together on this”.

SMOG

AERIAL is sitting on a bench under a cloud. He is deep in thought pondering what the others have told him. He doesn’t see SMOGS floating around as if waiting for an audience. After some time SMOGS gets impatient and envelopes AERIAL with the darkest shade he has. AERIAL is taken a back and realises its not the fog inside his head that is depriving him of his perception.

“I know it’s you SMOGS. My mind was lost in a haze. To what do I owe this honour?

“I might have something that interests you”.

“What is it then? Keep it short as I have an appointment in 15 minutes. What ails you?

“I am not the thinker you are AERIAL but remember I began to appear in the industrial age. The growing number of coal fired smoke stacks is likely the cause of my complexion. I may be dense but I can see your concern about our planets future”.

“SMOGS this is an important piece of the puzzle. Try to hang around and keep your eyes open for these culprits. We need to find out more about them. Thanks for covering the issue. Lets chat again soon.

“Sounds good. Bye! AERIAL”. SUN

The warmth and light emanating from SOLAR high in the sky above alerts AERIAL’S senses to the important presence of his life giving ball of fire. Respectfully he greets this next source of information.

“Hello SOLAR! Thank you for taking the time to discuss these important matters facing us”.

“My dial for heat emission is unchanged so something else is causing these higher temperatures. I have just had a conversation with SEADEEP who confirms this observation. He sounded a little acidic complaining about rising waters, something to do with ICECAP’s disappearance. We have to find out who is playing silly buggers here”.

“I could not agree more SOLAR. You have provided crucial evidence”.

“Another thing AERIAL my inability to keep the forests canopy alive means that my rays are burning up the undergrowth. Wildfires suck up the ozone and damage your airspace”.

“What I am seeing and hearing is a body of evidence that will convict the culprit,” states AERIAL defiantly.

“I cannot wait for the day that happens”.

“Keep shining you lifesaver”.

After years of deliberation and fact gathering AERIAL watches FOSSIL fuelling this turmoil. Legal action is sought. The case will be judged in the international courts of The Hague for crimes against humanity.

THE TRIAL

JUDGE JUDY is presiding with ACCUSER as the prosecutor. BIGOIL the renowned lawyer from the burning brightly case leads the defence team. Selecting a jury of impartial players was nigh impossible. JUDGE JUDY enters and all stand. There are gasps as FOSSIL enters the courtroom dressed in a superman outfit. With raised eyebrows JUDGE JUDY continues.

“How do you plead”?

“Not guilty, your Honour”.

“Very well. Proceed with your case ACCUSER”.

“Your Honour the witnesses to this perpetration have a body of evidence that is irrefutable and based on sound science”.

ACCUSER calls AERIAL et al to the witness stand to tell their story. It turns out to be a convincing argument backed up with the expertise of environmentalists and scientific data.

“Proceed with your defence BIGOIL” states JUDGE JUDY looking askance at the superman outfit.

“Thank you your Honour. My expert witnesses will convey how flawed the prosecutions science is. FOSSIL’s backers have paid big money to people and companies to correct the perception of impending doom. They claim that the glaciers are thickening, ICECAP is alive and well at Starbucks and SEADEEP is just a cold fish”.

The court adjourns for the judge to make her decision. Returning after a while she takes her place with an air of authority.

“I have reached my decision. Please stand FOSSIL”.

“I find you guilty of the following:

Your emissions have disrupted an orderly pattern. This has cost an indeterminable amount. However I have taken into account the fact that you were blinded by the vanity of your backers support”.

Therefore I sentence you to abide by the following conditions for life.

You will be subject to divestment. This means you have to rid yourself of the interests that these parties have in your potential to generate wealth for them. You will direct your efforts to promoting alternative and clean energy. This will be achieved by establishing a FOSSIL FUELS day on April 1st where you will report your progress.”

JUDGE JUDY slams the hammer down emphasizing the sentencing, rises and leaves. The court barely has time to stand before reporters swarm in. FOSSIL is led away under protection of court officials. The superman outfit fades away. THE END (is there one?)