Committee: Episode 1. By Roy Smith

"Mum, why are there no safety cameras here?" asked a short boy eating a chocolate iced cream as his mother fumbled for her purse at the cash machine. The chocolate was smeared across his mouth and all over his sticky fingers. He was standing up on the railings, swinging with one hand holding the top bar, looking around at the tall buildings shading the closed bank.

I'm sure there is somewhere" snapped Gabriela Dorn, a slim woman in her late forties. She slid one of the shopping bags to the floor and twisted her hand to reach another bag that was hanging from her shoulder. "Will you stop that Dean ... you'll drop it all over yourself."

Dean didn't seem to listen and carried on searching the skies and biting at the chocolate. Light was fading and Gabriela wanted to get on the motor-hub before five. Any later and the crowds would make public transport a collection of sweat and grime, leaving her longing for the safety of the mock-countryside secure village where she and her family lived. Dean had failed the necessary tests to make him eligible for the Tescorp Education Centre damning him to be educated with the masses in the Modern Learner Academy, which occupied floors 30-79 of the Kremo building on the outskirts of London. He was doing okay, but would never be able to reach any of the advanced professions his mother had planned for him. He was 8 years old and a failure. His best hope was sponsorship from one of the arts foundations or to get lucky on TV. Her own job at the hospital could be depressing, but at least the Committee paid well and it was near enough to the MLA that they usually made it home without the indignity faced by later commuters.

"I told you to stop it Dean!" She stared at him making him step down then turned her interest back to the cash machine. Placing her left hand on the life scanner she inserted her card and began tapping the keyboard. After completing the six pattern and rhythm security codes she was given access to her account. Despite years of digital revolution no one had yet had the heart to completely abandon printed money. Coins had pretty much disappeared years ago and were now used only amongst real enthusiasts and some of the poorer communities. Gabriela thought it was a nuisance, preferring direct scan as payment, but she needed it for fare and to keep Dean in iced cream and sweets on the way home. She removed the crisp notes from the dispenser and turned to take her son's hand finding him nowhere to be seen. Panic.

She span around looking in all directions. Where had the little bastard got to? didn't he know what this part of the city was like? She always warned him to keep close and stay near the cameras. He'd been talking about the cameras. Her eyes caught a glimpse of a lone child in blue, across the square. Had he been wearing blue? What had he been wearing? The figure in blue had gone down the alley past the motor-hub entrance and she ran towards it dropping her bags and purse. What was he thinking? She called after him, but heard no reply, sound lost as the latest transport wheezed from underneath the city and into the sky, creating a cloud of smoke hanging around the hub's tower like a giant, grey doughnut. She ran, dodging the few wandering tourists and salespeople scattered about, her attentionlocked onto the target ahead. As she rounded the corner into the alley, she screamed as a figure in black, seated on a large silver motorcycle smashed into her, sending her flying into the wall where she fell crumpled and lifeless onto the pavement.

Committee: Episode 2