Contents
After: Five
Overview
Allie is coached by federal investigators to endorse a mundane explanation for the midair disaster, pinning the F-16 losses on an accidental collision. She agrees to sign a statement and rehearse a media-safe account, despite knowing otherwise. Agents then pivot to publicizing her upcoming wedding to shape a happy narrative.
Summary
The day after the landing, Allie meets with Simon and Garfingle. She tentatively suggests the 747 may have brushed an F‑16 or that the fighters collided avoiding the airliner. Encouraged by Simon, she agrees to sign a statement affirming the collision explanation.
Simon probes how Allie would describe events on television. Allie rehearses a script blaming lightning, black clouds, and fear, dismissing the “monster” as Horation Matthews on board. The big, mustachioed agent signals approval and leaves, while Simon prepares to formalize her statement.
Allie challenges the plan, asking if authorities can make all survivors tell the same story after what they saw. Simon coolly insists they can, implying dissenters are unstable and noting most passengers kept their shades down, tacitly admitting an alternate truth while enforcing the official line.
Concluding the interview, Simon congratulates Allie on her impending wedding and mentions PR coordination and People magazine photos, revealing a strategy to wrap the catastrophe in a comforting, media‑friendly ending.
Who Appears
- Allie ShinerSurvivor pressed to endorse an F‑16 collision narrative; agrees to sign; prepped for media; learns her wedding will be publicized.
- SimonLead investigator who coaches Allie’s statement and TV script; insists on the official account; promotes wedding PR angle.
- GarfingleLarge agent with a Burt Reynolds mustache; signals approval of Allie’s compliant answers and departs.