CONVERSATION ACROSS TIME - 2

Four Minutes

(This scenario takes place at the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis. It aims to show what happened in a small town in England and the steps that were taken or planned in response to a thermo-nuclear war. Many of the comments cannot be exact since many individuals were bound by the Official Secrets Act. The plan outlined in the discussion actually existed…).

I: I understand you are in charge of the arrangements for this town in the event of all-out war.

“James”: That is correct, but you must understand that these are merely precautionary measures that can be easily amended as requested by the central authority.

I: Do you believe your town has been identified as one of those who will be in the first wave to be targeted and if so, why?

“James”: Yes, we know for a fact that we are on the target list. As to why, you know I cannot divulge secret information, but as you know the area well, I assume you know why – and will not identify either us or the target…

I: Naturally; I also am covered by the Official Secrets Act but coming from another time.

“James”: I think that comment says a lot to my ears – and my mind…and you may have already said too much!

I: Returning to your plans; can you give some indication of what they are?

“James”: We plan to evacuate all citizens under the age of 35. We have checked and find that from a total population of about 4,500, some 1,875 will be evacuated.

I: And where will they go and how?

“James”: Some 8kms along the railway track is a long tunnel. They will be taken there and both ends sealed against radioactivity.

I: But that is on the other side of the river, and even assuming you can get them across, what about food, water and other facilities?

“James”:  Each family will be instructed to bring all the food and water they can carry…

I: And how long will they be required to stay “underground”?

“James”: Until we are advised by the central authorities that it is safe for them to come out.

I: Four minutes is all the warning time we will have of a nuclear strike. That’s not long. Have you had a test run to see how much time it takes to finish the evacuation?

“James”: We have thought about this very carefully. We have decided NOT to test our plans as we believe this will cause panic amongst the general public; we believe it is important that we can rely upon the television service as well as local radio to warn people of the event, and at the same time giving them instructions as to where to assemble and what to bring with them.

I: With all due respect, to transfer that number of people, already in a state of panic, across the river (and will you have enough boats?), walk them 8 kms down the railway track and then be sealed inside a tunnel for God know how long, is totally crazy. Four minutes: four minutes is no time. Can you get them across the river in that time? Can you walk them (a frantic mob) 8kms down a track to a tunnel and seal it? I cannot believe all this is possible, and your plans have more holes than a sieve. You will bring chaos to the area; you will have a mad stampede of almost 2,000 people – and no outside help – it is absolute lunacy!

“James”: We have sent our plans to the central planning authority and have had them approved. Those in central authority agree with us and therefore the plans will be implemented… if they have to be. However, listening to you, I now think we will not have to evacuate people.