大象传媒

By Sophie Le G

60 minutes to go.
A bell rang in the distance echoing off the tall, daunting buildings. I saw some fleeting figures out of the corner of my eye, long hair flying, their sallow faces bearing grim, determined expressions. Dodging back inside my arms full of heavy boxes, I looked around checking that the corridor was empty before slipping silently back into the operations base.

50 minutes to go.
Concentrating my efforts on preparations I nervously asked "Who's in command out there today?", hoping whoever it was would know the necessary procedures. Everything had to be done with pinpoint precision or else havoc would reign and our carefully thought through plan would go to waste. "It's someone new today, or so I've heard", replied Smith, buttoning up his uniform swiftly. "Let's hope they paid attention in the briefing". I recalled the chaos and confusion last time there had been someone new in control.

40 minutes to go.
My throat was dry, I dashed to the tap to quickly quench my thirst. Hearing my name being called I hurried back to the others. They needed help lifting a gigantic metal container brimming with a hot, bubbling liquid. Hissing and spitting it was carefully moved onto a spotless, cold metal surface before we crouched down to wipe away any trace of the molten substance from the floor.

30 minutes to go.
Our leader Alcott, a tall and formidable figure called a final briefing. I stepped forward into the huddle and listened carefully. Rarely a hair out of place, today she looked frantic, her eyes big and wide, she was gabbling out her instructions. The smell of hot steel hung in the air adding to the tension and reminding everyone of the tasks to come.

20 minutes to go.
The noise began, penetrating the walls and seeping through the floor. We knew this was just a taster of what was to come. With renewed energy we continued our hurried preparations, placing tray after tray in their designated areas.

10 minutes to go.
"Are the doors still locked?" I questioned in a small shaky voice which sounded nothing like my own. A few people quickly ran to the doors to check that they were, pushing chairs against them to help stop the gathering mass from getting in.

0 minutes to go.
Small faces began to peer in at the windows and the barricades started to rattle.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6... we looked out at the eager eyes and the crowded bodies squashed into the corridor. Shoving and jostling to get through the door the strongest pushing others out of the way desperate to enter. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 'unlock the doors!'

The pupils flooded in, we stood courageously in line, serving spoons at the ready. Lunch is served.