Tuesday Discover Challenge: Risk

Ah, Tuesday, here we are again… Today’s Discover Challenge is all about Risk, and publishing something that you’re maybe “not 110% comfortable with.” The prompt is inspired by a recent interview with Professor Tressie McMillan Cottom, a successful contributing writer for the Atlantic that had this to say when asked “why she continues blogging despite having many other avenues for publishing her writing:”

I have had wonderful invitations, relationships, and access afforded me by incredible publications. I do not take that for granted. But, as my mother always told me, “If the lease isn’t in your name, you’re homeless.” You have to have a place of your own to take the kind of risks necessary for intellectual development.

I’ve risked a lot making this blog, but I ran out of time today to talk about everything I feel like I’ve risked. I wrote this next Neeka piece in screenplay format, trying to take a risk, and I don’t know how well I succeeded. But I’ll be back to finish this, I promise. Meanwhile, enjoy.

FADE IN:

EXT. GIANT SHOPPING MALL, EMPTY – NIGHT

People are trickling out of the mall in small groups after the race. Few streetlamps are lit in the parking lot, in order to conceal the dispersing crowd, courtesy of the HACKERS.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SIDE STREET, EMPTY – NIGHT

The HACKERS’ influence reaches out here, and again few streetlamps are lit. Mutiple HOTELS, also dimly lit, are set far back from the road across vast parking lots. A young hetero couple ambles down the road.

NEEKA, 22, female, half-elf, UAV pilot that just came in second place at the SHOPPING MALL illegal race, walks amicably down the road, next to

TOLO, 23, male, human, UAV pilot that just came in first place at the SHOPPING MALL illegal race.

TOLO
I don’t get out this way much. You?

NEEKA shifts her shoulder bag that carries her UAV, again noticing he doesn’t offer to carry it, but again appreciating the non-gesture.

NEEKA
Nah. I can’t afford to shop here.

They walk in amicable silence for a block. They exchange flirty glances, smiles, and even tiny shoves.

TOLO
So, what should we do? Did you want to get a drink, or…?

NEEKA
Well, there’s not a lot out here. All the resturants are closed this time of night.

TOLO looks off in the distance toward one of the HOTELS as they continue to amble. Then his brow furrows, and he turns to NEEKA.

TOLO
Hey, doesn’t that hotel have a waterpark attached to it?

NEEKA looks over, slightly in front of her and to the right, and nods.

NEEKA
I think so.

TOLO
And you’ve never been there?

NEEKA narrows her eyes at him, and shakes her head.

TOLO smiles widely, and skips ahead of NEEKA a few steps.

TOLO
Wanna?

NEEKA hesitates. <internal monologe>

NEEKA
Ok.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SIDE OF HOTEL – NIGHT

TOLO and NEEKA easily hack the side entrance door to the WATERPARK section of the HOTEL.
DISSOLVE TO:

INT. WATERPARK – GROUND FLOOR – NIGHT

TOLO and NEEKA are again walking amicably beside the many pools on the ground floor of the WATERPARK. They chat about UAV specs, until the conversation turns to personal matters…

NEEKA
So where did you get your first UAV?

TOLO
(hesitates for a fraction of a second, then)
My father got it for me. You?

NEEKA
(noticed the hesitation, then hesitates herself for a fraction of a second)
My mom. I was seven.

TOLO
(tries to smoothly move past both hesitations)
Nice. I was thirteen.

NEEKA
Yeah.

They continue to wander, secure in the knowlege that when they opened the side door, they disabled the live feed of the security cameras in this area. And so far, no audible security has been triggered.

On their second pass past the landing pool of the BIG WATERSLIDE, NEEKA looks over at TOLO.

NEEKA
So… have you ever gone down a waterslide?

TOLO raises an eyebrow at her, then looks over at the turned-off BIG WATERSLIDE NEEKA is looking at.

TOLO
Ah, no. You?

NEEKA
Not yet.

FADE OUT: NEEKA’S FACE, IMPISHLY EXCITED

Sadly, this post isn’t finished, but I’ve hit my midnight deadline. But don’t worry, I fully intend to continue and finish the story from here! Thanks for reading!

Image credit:
I wasn’t able to figure out the original artist of today’s dragon and moon tattoo design, although it’s available on multiple tattoo sites and Pintrest boards. I hate it when I love a piece so much, but can’t attribute the artist! I thought this was a great image for “risk” though. All right, stay creative!