Scene 01
Wonka races down the hallway with his doctorate sash waving behind him. In one hand he grips his walking cane, and with the other he grasps the brim of his top hat. At the end of the hall is a small service window. Behind the glass a heavy-set elderly Homeworder sits, calmly shuffling through scraps of paper and feeding them into a small machine that makes a grinding sound as he inserts each sheet. Wonka recognizes the man and calls out his name.
Wonka
Delivan!
Wonka's dress shoes are slippery on the smooth floor and he almost slides face-first into the glass.
The old man, Delivan, looks up from what he is doing and smiles as he greets Wonka.
Delivan
Doctor Wonka, well this is a pleasant surprise. We don't get to see you around these these days. You know I was just telling the new...
Wonka
Delivan, (Wonka interrupts.)Hate to see you - Love to chat. (Wonka pauses and gasps for his breath. Delivan thinks for a second and looks confused) Strike that; reverse it. (Delivan nods and smiles) Delivan, I missed the shuttle to Prolodges and I'm giving a talk in five hours. I know it's last minute, but I need a ship.
Delivan
Well, Doctor, I wish I could help you, but motorpool's fresh out of transports..As Delivan speaks, Wonka shuts his eyes and clenches his fists in exasperation.
Wonka
Anything, Delivan, I'm desperate, here!Delivan picks up a small screen on the desk in front of him. He pushes a few buttons as he speaks.
Delivan
The conference on Prolodges is a big deal. All our major transports are all booked up or already gone. If you wait you might be able to share a ride with someone or perhaps a transport might get checked in.
Wonka
Delivan, you must understand. I have no time. I should have left hours ago. I am the key note speaker. If you have anything that could get me there.
Delivan
Well, If you need to get to Prolodges in less than five hours the only thing I have that can make that time would be a glass elevator.
Wonka
A what?! Lord man, I'm no truck driver.
Delivan
Oh no, Doctor, this is an older model. Very easy to control. Practically flies itself.Wonka sighs heavily
Wonka
Are you sure it's the only thing you have?
Scene 02
Delivan
You see Doctor, this unit was built back when we had to employ our transports instead of just use them because they had enough intelligence to be considered sentient life forms. Back then, you only needed a captain and a few fellas to move the stock, but all the difficult calculations of space and time were all done by the elevator itself. (Delivan lets out a gust of laughter.) In fact, this unit could probably get you to Prolodges a week before everybody else gets there.
Wonka noticed that they were approaching a large doorway at the farthest edge of the hangar. It didn't look like the other doorways which had large steal doors that automatically opened and shut as people passed through them. This doorway had, what look like, two brass pillars on each side. Across the top of the doorway is a large sill of the finest marble, and across the bottom was a wide ebony sill. The doors were made of what looked like hand blown textured glass that was far too detailed to see through. In the center of each door was a large round brass doorknob. Delivan walked right up to one of the doors and stopped. He looked back at Wonka and smiled.
Wonka
So, this ship is through here?
Delivan
Doctor, (Delivan's smile widens.) this is the ship.
Delivan reached out and touched one of the doorknobs and it swung open. The doorway led to a room which was also made of glass. On the floor was black and white checkerboard tile that led off to the left and right as far as the eye could see. Doctor Wonka frowned and looked back to notice that Delivan an had not entered with him.
Delivan
You know Doctor, it occurs to me that you may have never seen the inside of a glass elevator before. Just walk down the hall to get to the bridge. The ship will take it from there.
With that, the door began to close.
Wonka
But, wait, which way...
The door shut, and Wonka was alone. He reached out for the door, but there was no knob on the inside, and it did not budge.
Wonka
Delivan! (No answer.) Crazy old bastard!
Old Glass Elevator
Doctor Wonka.
Wonka looks up and around the room, but the voice seems to come from everywhere.
Wonka
Yes?
Old Glass Elevator
I have been waiting for you. You will need to get to the bridge if you want to launch in time.
Wonka
Yes, well the thing is...
Old Glass Elevator
Both directions will lead you to the bridge. I will begin the pre-trip calculations for Prolodges.Doctor Wonka began walking down the seemingly endless corridor. As he walks he begins to speak to the ship.
Wonka
How is it that you know that I'm going to Prolodges?
Old Glass Elevator
Everyone is going to Prolodges.
Wonka
Ah, so it was an intellectual deduction?
Old Glass Elevator
No, it was actually database access. Although I have been sitting in this hangar for several millenia, I have full access to the Homeworld central computer system. Your name is Doctor William Wonka. You are the key note speaker for the Kreb's conference this evening. You are speaking on the universally addictive qualities of simple carbohydrates and in the fourth paragraph of your address you misspelled the word acetylcholine.
Wonka
Well, your proof reading skills are obviously proficient. Let's see if...As he spoke, the hallway opened into a large round room filled with lights, screens and control panels.
