Thunk Tank

Thunk Tank!
Through the PA system there's a siren that goes off, and all those mobs of hopefuls rush to their stores or line up along the corridors to prepare to display their wares. Steiner raises his wrist to peer at an overcomplicated chronometer with some surprise. "That's rather earlier than usual."

Built into a few of the surrounding walls are tiny displays about the size of a hardbound book. They open like tomes and a large magnifying glass is dropped before them to augment the image into greater proportions. Thunk Tank!
Images of an elevator at the end of a long hallway. Above the doors are the two simple images: UP arrow/DOWN arrow. A slideshow of past applicants is montaged as the doors open. Lots and lots of happy faces. Announcer: 'They come with a dream'
A slideshow of unhappy applicants being urged back towards the same elevator, but the DOWN arrow is lit. Some have to really be urged back inside. 'But not everyone has what it takes' BWooooooooo.
'But some do! And they have to go in front of the greatest minds produced. The Eschalon's five most innovative individuals have come together to judge. The wit and the dud. All for a chance to be uplifted and help keep our lands safe from the Cogs.' Bwoooooooo. An rapid montage of split-second images flash by of red-eyed chunky clunky things in a epileptic inducing shuffling of visuals.
'Anyone can apply, but will any of their inventions fly? Or will the Five just sigh? UH OH, down you go.' A rapid truck-in of jerky camera motions onto the closing elevator doors.
( Read More )