"Sea Counsel"
            By, Dave Ulrich

                                        Lights up.

                                        The CHIEF is standing center stage, preferably
                                        behind something resembling a podium

                                   CHIEF
            I'd like to thank you all for coming out. I don't see that we
            are lacking anyone. We were initially going to bring in the
            Pacific, but it was an organizational nightmare, and we all
            know how they are about scheduling.

                                        The CHIEF takes a few strange breaths.

                                   CHIEF
            We've held meetings like this from time to time mostly on low
            level alert and as a reminder to the civilians about netting
            and general safety issues. However, intelligence has obtained
            information about a grave threat to our health at certain
            depths. One that, this time, cannot be ignored.

                                        The CHIEF gives a disapproving look to the
                                        audience.

                                   CHIEF
            Several of our operatives have given their lives to gather
            details of human activity on land. It is not good, folks. We
            are all big fish here so there is no need to soften the blows
            -- which reminds me, you'll find recommended ways to
            communicate the dangers to your clan civilians, in the
            information packets that you should have received upon entry.

                                        He shoves a page off the podium to the ground
                                        with his elbow and continues.

                                   CHIEF
            On land nuclear and chemical weapons are becoming more
            prevalent. In fact, they are now in the hands of the most
            unlikely land countries. The prophecy of the guardian country
            developing a taste for blood is at last becoming a reality.
            As our Pacific neighbors learned long ago, at certain depths
            we cannot survive human warfare.

                                        He changes tone for intensity.

                                   CHIEF
            We must require "No Swim Zones" at anything less than two
            kilometers deep.
            If your race cannot withstand such depths, we have marked a
            zone in the very center of the Atlantic as far from land as
            possible -- a distance within which we hope the radiation
            cannot penetrate. Although of course, pre-testing is
            impossible... as we have no opposable thumbs.

                                        A beat.

                                   CHIEF
            There will be no questions, all necessary information can be
            found in your aforementioned packets. Thank you for your
            cooperation. Good day.

                                        He swims offstage.

                                        Blackout.
            THE END

"Sea Counsel" debuted January 17, 2003 with the following cast:

CHIEF - Christopher Clarke

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