... Cortnée stared at the door. Taylor couldn't see his eyes, but he knew the struggle going on inside them; Pink wouldn't rest until Rebekah's Wall was complete. As unobtrusively as he could, Tay took the Sovereign's hand, the only comfort he could offer. How many nights had Cortnée simply collapsed on their couch, wanting nothing more than to hold the boy's hand and rest peacefully, without the constant threat of Pink taking control?
"Are you sure you'll be okay Cort?" they were alone in the corridor, no need for formality. Who was it behind that door, that had the man so fearful?
"Yeah, I . . . I . . . don't know," the flint-coloured eyes that turned to him were wild. Cortnée gripped his hand like a vice, near crushing his fingers. Taylor bit his tongue, forcing himself not to make a sound; he could feel the Sovereign's trembling, see the fight going on in his eyes.
*extend, h(a)unted imagery etc, build up desperation*
There had to be something he could do! Desperate, he didn't think twice, simply acted on the first thing that came into his head.
Gradually, slivers of information wandered up to his brain; his fingers brushing over stubble . . . gentle hands coming to rest at his hips . . . the softness of Cortnée's lips against his own. . . .
It ended as quickly as it had begun. Neither could tell who was more surprised, Cortnée or Taylor.
The Sovereign managed a half-smile.
"Thank-you," and looking more relaxed, he pushed open the chamber door, which slid silently shut after him....


Lyrics
pronoun (I, Me, You) = Cortnée
no capitals (i, me, you) = everyone else
- = directly related to Cortnée


Comfortably Numb
hello
is there anybody in there?
just nod if you can hear me
is there anyone at home?
-come on now
-I hear you're feeling down
-I can ease your pain
-get you on your feet again
-relax
-I'll need some information first
-just the basic facts
-can you show Me where it hurts?

there is no pain, You are receding
a distant ship-smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but i can't hear what You're saying
when i was a child, i had a fever
my hands felt just like two balloons
now i've got that feeling once again
i can't explain, You would not understand
this is not how i am
i have become comfortably numb

-okay
-just a little pin-prick
-there'll be no more aaaaaaaah!
-but you may feel a little sick
-can you stand up?
-I do believe it's working, good
-that'll keep you going through the show
-come on it's time to go

there is no pain, You are receding
a distant ship-smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but i can't hear what You're saying

when i was a child, i caught a fleeting glimpse
out of the corner of my eye
i turned to look but it was gone
i cannot put my finger on it now
the child has flown, the dream is gone
and i have become comfortably numb

This is Zac's brainwashing. He's been sent to the 'counsellor', who will help him 'work through' his phobias. The counsellor is actually Cortnée. The kiss from Tay is a last ditch defence against Pink. It doesn't work; the second the Sovereign closes the door, he's Pink. He coaxes Zac into a state of hypnotism, then induces a mild fever followed by numbness. Once Zac is in the appropriate brain-washed state, Pink places the doctrines deep in his brain. Zac remains in the numbed state, where he is unable to think independently and only acts when he instructed to do so. He's now become another of The Company's mindless players, who will at their first performance, suss out all the undesirable citizens.

Cortnée = 26; Isaac = 21; Taylor = 18; Zac = 16