LA Fire Tracker: A Short Futurist Play
After the Apocalypse came fire tourism, with a catch.
Act one: In his hotel room James is anxiously waiting by the phone. The moment it rings he picks it up.
James: Hello? Yes, that is me. What took you so long? I have been waiting hours. What another person? Who? I thought it's just the two of us, your ad said private tour. Well, that's fine, as long as you can trust him. What a scientist? I suppose you're right. I just hope he doesn't interfere in our plan. I'm really counting on you. I know you're not the only fire tracker in town, but my hunch is you're the best, based on the info you sent me. Yeah, I've got my gears, the masks too, wouldn't forget that with all the smoke in the air. Right, dust too. I know, got two big bottles of water, paid a fortune for them, should be sufficient for a three day trip, no? Great. Okay so what time are we heading to the hills? (Looks at his watch) That's fine. I'll just meet you in front of the hotel lobby. See ya.
Act two: James and the fire tracker, Seth, are in an open jeep driving through the smoldering rubble seen on the screen above them. Only James is wearing a mask.
James: You're not wearing your mask?
Seth: No, not when we're driving.
James: Okay, I won't either (removes his mask and smiles to Seth, who smiles back). So, how's the business?
Seth: Pretty slow. You're my first customer in four months.
James: And that scientist. Are we picking him up?
Seth: Yes, in a few.
James: You have a pretty slick ad on social media, LA Fire tracker, exclusive tour of the fire zone, the ground zero of the West Coast. It grabbed my attention the moment I saw it.
Seth: Thanks, so did a lot of people, until the novelty wore off. What about you? Did you say you're a painter?
James: No, I wish. I'm a performing artist, came here looking for a Hollywood job but couldn't find any, so been doing odd jobs for some time and then decided to become a photographer, which was a hobby of mine in high school. So I spent my savings on this (points at the camera on his lap), hoping to make something out of it.
Seth: Wise decision my friend. Once we get to the fire zone you'll see it was worth it.
James: Curious how you became a fire tracker, if you don't mind me ask?
Seth: Not at all. It started back in 2025 when the great fire started and we had to evacuate and then watch our home go up in flames on TV. Then a couple of years later, when that other fire broke out in the middle of the Olympics and they cancelled it with all the ash causing all sorts of respiratory problems for the world athletes, I was actually a volunteer and distributed food to the firefighters on the front lines. That's how I befriended a couple of them and learned a great deal about our doomed hills, with global warming and no rain. Then one night when we were drinking I heard one of them say after Hollywood and Disney, fire tourism would do well. Lo and behold, that caught my imagination. So, I undertook a remote a class on LA topography and another on climate warming and just about everything else there was to know about the endless LA fires that broke out periodically, you know their points of origins and spatial expansions, their trajectories and the impact of winds, etc. So, after a systematic study, I also learnt the tool of local tourism and incorporated some of it in my brand new enterprise, making sure that it is copyrighted to protect against the copycats.
James: Fascinating.
Seth: I suppose, and also dangerous, which is why I insisted first thing to sign that paper in case something happens to you.
James: But nothing will, right?
Seth: I hope not. In all these years out of several hundred fire tourists only a handful ended up in flames, but most survived their injuries, thank God.
James: But not all of them.
Seth: No, not all of them. I'd say five or six, but it was mostly their own fault, for getting too excited and moving too close to the fire, which is not a wise thing to do since it can move pretty rapidly. Actually one of them was a real nut case and until the end was convinced this is all AI. imagine that. (Laughs) And this other guy simply wanted a close peek at the celeb homes turned to ashes, out of pure envy I suppose. I remember he was a religious freak and bored me to death with his blame game on paying for our sins. Another tourist was Zoroastrian and wanted to worship the great fire as they do in their temples I hear. This fire has now assumed the role of deity for some.
James: That's hardly surprising. In every natural disaster you find conspiracy theories and search for the supernatural. But our new mantra should be reason and reason alone, instead of letting the fire consume it along with everything else.
Seth: Look (shows his arm). It once happened to me. I too became careless and ended up in hospital for a few weeks with moderate burns.
James: Ouch.
Seth: (Pointing at his neck) Here too.
James: I am sorry. So even the fire tracker can be tracked by fire.
Seth: It's more like the trappers. You evade some and then new traps show up unexpectedly. (waves at a man waiting for them). There's our man. (car breaks. The man, Leo, gets in the car).
Seth: Leo this is James, James, Leo. (They nod to each other). You can put your backpack on the back seat (Leo hands it over to James who places it next to him).
Leo (puts on his mask): The air is so suffocating here.
Seth: This is nothing. Wait until we get to the ridge. Are you sure you're up to it?
Leo: Of course. A man can't let trifles keep him from questing for truth.
Seth: Even if the truth is annoying and displeasing?
Leo: Usually that's the case. As a scientist you learn to pay some prices for the truth.
James: It's not just scientists.
Leo: And what are you?
James: I'm an artist, photographer, have heard so much about the zone that figured must see it for myself. To find out in person what killed Hollywood.
Leo: Oh no my friend. You're definitely mistaken. Hollywood committed suicide long before the great fire.
James: I don't know about that. A lot of good things came out of Hollywood. Tell me Seth, do you think the industry will ever come back?
Seth: Not sure. They seem pretty comfy in their new studios in the desert.
Leo: Yeah, the hills are the killers.
Seth: My grandmother always said the demons live in the hills (laughs and then points) Put on your seat belts. We're getting off the main road now, it's going to get bumpy (James and Leo put on their seat belts. The car has erratic motions).
Leo: This is making my stomach turn. Can you go any slower please.
Seth: No. To beat the curfew, which begins in an hour or so we need to get out of the perimeter, otherwise we'll spend the night at the police station.
James: Look can see the flames (points).
Leo: Wow. Magnificent.
Seth: Good eyes, but we won't be going that direction. The real zone is to the left.
James: And what do you call that?
Seth: small show, kids stuff, nothing to brag about compared to the zone, which is simultaneously a source of dread and pleasure in a sick sort of way of course.
Leo: Is it not forbidden, won't they shoot us if we cross into it?
Seth: Well, kind of but don't worry, I know how to get around their barricades through the back alleys, and dodge the bullet.
James; I still don't understand what the fuss is about.
Leo: I do. They're afraid what people find out.
James: About what?
Leo: Everything. The origins, the screw ups, the deliberate malfunctions, and the unburied dead.
James: Still?
Leo: You would think. I'm just assuming.
Seth: I think there's definitely more to it than that. It's since become the vultures' sanctuary. They must be smelling the dead, which might be piling up.
James: How?
Seth: I don't know. The mafia, the political factions -- that used to settle their differences at the ballot box, now do it through bullets and assassinations.
James: I sense a great deal of cynicism that, frankly, I don't share. I still think there is a viable American democracy worth fighting for.
Seth: You're deluding yourself my friend. That died the moment Hollywood died -- the illusion industry can't pull off the same miracle in desert now; the magic is gone, for good or bad. (stops the car) We go on foot the rest of the way. Get your gears gentlemen.
Act three:
The three men are walking and then stop.
Seth: This is good. We camp here tonight. I'll get some woods to make some fire (walks away).
Leo: God. I'm so tired.
James: Me too. My knee is bothering me now (massages his right knee, and then plays with his camera).
Leo: I haven't seen you take any pictures yet.
James: I'm saving it for the zone.
Leo: I hope it is worth all this trouble.
James: Are you having second thoughts now?
Leo: No. I think Seth will lead us to where we wanted.
James: I was talking to him before we picked you up and I felt a certain fear on his part, even though he's done it multiple times.
Leo: Well, he did tell us this a hazardous journey, didn't he tell you?
James. You're right he did, but honestly I thought of like a Hollywood action set tour, maybe to dispel my own fear.
Leo: Yeah, very awe-inspiring. Interesting how we design the means of our own self-deception, until..
James: Until wh.at.
Leo: Until we're hit with the reality, like a truck running over us.
Seth (enters, carrying some wood, starts the fire. They all gather around it).
Leo: Tell me Seth. Are you ever scared of going back to the zone?
Seth: Scared? We’ll, not really. Every time it's a different zone, different experience, and I've gotten used to the .risks after all these years.
James: Risks? You. didn't use that term before.
Seth: I may not have said risks but pretty much conveyed to both of you that there are risks, and not just from the fire.
Leo: What else? The cops?
Seth: Yes, the cops, the national guard, even the armed aerial drones, but most of all from the alien creatures..
James (half raises in shock): Aliens?! What are you saying? That we might run into aliens there..
Seth: .Not just there, here too.
Leo: Here? Why here?
Seth: Because aliens are not exactly trained to read road signs and feel free to roam around..
James: My god. You 're starting to scare me now.
Seth (laughs): Relax. I'm kidding. You two are sophisticated adults and yet so easy to play with your fears.
James: Not funny. After all those UFO sightings, it's difficult to believe they don't exist.
Leo: Or that they had nothing to do with starting those fires.
James: But why would they? What's in it for them?
Leo: Who knows. Maybe some sick entertainment (laughs and then stops when they hear some animals). imagine sitting on their lawn chairs on the hills overlooking the ocean, calls for a new LA Invasion movie, one that shows them too smart to take us on directly.
James: I'm not a dark and death worshipper like you my friend. You've been watching too many B-movies. (turns his head hearing noise) What is that?
Seth: There are all sorts of creatures out there, but they're hard to see, especially in darkness.(withdraws his harmonica and plays it and then stops after a few minutes).
James: Music can be so soothing, reaches the soul when everything else fails.
Seth: I inherited this from my grandpa, always keep it company in my pocket. Well, gentlemen. Let's try to get some good sleep. We have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow.
Leo (trying his cell phone, but is frustrated that it does not work). Damn. It is not working.
Seth: Of course not. Ever since the telecommunications towers were burnt down, this whole area is cell-free, which is a good thing, don't you agree?
Leo (grumbles): Not when my wife is expecting a call from me.
Seth: I'm sorry. I thought everyone knows that. Well, sweet dream.
Act Four:
Leo is dreaming. His dream is shown on the screen as the three men are sleeping.
Leo is standing at a podium, smiling to the thunderous applause.
Leo: Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. As a proud scientist, I am thrilled I can share with you the essence of my journey to the great fire zone, to report to you that it deserves all the exotic, mysterious, and mystifying attributes we attach to it. The Hollywood sign is long gone but the fire zone shall live forever. Someone the other day asked me what is the meaning of it and I said meaninglessness, but of course. The fire zone is the ultimate testament to the meaninglessness of life, and as a pile of ash has no Owl of Minerva to rise from it. From that torched ground only the tree of nihilism grows. Now, I'm a scientist and not a philosopher, but having seen the zone in my own eyes, I can frankly tell you that it's the ultimate eye opener, like a massive new chapter in an old book that not only refreshes your memory, it reconstructs it and leads you to new conclusions, above all, that the quest for happiness is illusory and we're the victims of our own misperceptions.
A voice: How did you survive when the fire guide and your other companion didn't?
Leo: I kept a safe distance, which was not easy given the allure of the mighty fire, but they didn't and thus paid the ultimate price, although in doing that they might have achieved what I didn't, which is the truth of the real movers of the fire.
A voice: Do you plan to go back -- ever?
Leo: No, never. Once is enough. I intend to stick around longer and, to be honest, am not sure if I can resist following the leads of my perished comrades.
A voice: Are you suggesting that the zone is worth dying for?
Leo: We all live for the truth, don't we? And there's a burning fire there that excels in the art of destruction.
A voice: Why do you think we haven't been able to tame it all these years?
Leo: I am not sure. Maybe it's too powerful for our resources, or maybe it's our tendency to neutralize ourselves with making errors after errors.
A voice: Then teach us how to stop making those errors. Is it the fossil fuel industry?
Leo: I'm only capable of telling you my own error, which is to shy away from my own mortality and never preparing for it. One must look into the jaws of defeat to learn the tricks of winning.
A voice: Professor. You've enlightened us with your ignorance -- would you say your trip to the fire zone was worth it?
Leo: Most definitely, but only if you give up on the notion of life worth fighting for. Once you resign to nihilism, extreme nihilism, then good things start to show up. Then you really appreciate the important things, life, family, love, nature, faith, health, mental health.
A voice: What would you say to others who have been to the zone and describe it as a hellescape.
Leo: Nice, and very apt, description, it's an escape from us, the worst part of us, which is the tendency to glorify our accomplishments, when in fact we are a failed species.
A voice: I thought you were a firm believer in the power of science, professor.
Leo: I was (to himself) and now I'm sold to my own superstition. (Darkness and then sound of creatures. Lights on again).
James: Leo wake up.
Leo (jolted): What is happening?
James: You were screaming. Did you have a nightmare?
Leo: Sorry. Nightmare? I don't remember. Weird. Morning already?
Seth: No, the light is from the fire. Look out there (points).
Leo: My God. It looks so close.
Seth: Must be a new fire caused by the wind carrying the embers. We better get moving.
(They pack and get ready).
James: How much further?
Seth: I'd say a half day. (They start walking out of the stage.).
Seth's voice: We're here.
James's voice: Here? Oh my god, no, you're a creature?! Help.
Screams of Leo and James, then silence.
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