The screen blinked twice and Ally's lips moved, but no sound issued forth. The children on the screen, stood with hands placed over their hearts. "I pledge allegiance..."
Afterward, she hurried into the bedroom and lifted the side of the mattress. Hurry, hurry, she thought.
They would be coming. She had made a mistake during last assembly and read aloud.
Hurry, hurry.
She pulled the long white roll from the space between the mattress and box spring and began unfurling it. Then began wrapping it around her body. Voices in the hallway. Hurry. Wrapping, round and round.
She laughed when she heard the knock. She had anticipated this. Growing more anxious she stepped to the bedroom window and looked down, then placed the edge of the wrap against the inner sill, clamping the metal rod into place.
Another series of rapping, "Ally Benton! Come to the door. We know you're in there."
This time she laughed loud, "Fuck you!" she screamed and stepped out.
As she fell, she looked at the building opposite and could see her small body, falling, falling on the screen. Someone down there was videotaping. Round and round she went, unfurling and smiling.
"Haha!" She screamed when she saw the letters revealed. That would teach them.
Then she hit the pavement.
Jacob Hinter still videotaping and walking around the scene, got it from each angle. This was the second jumper in a week. Crazy days we live in, he thought.
He panned upward at the banner. There were several symbols. F-R-E-E-D-O-M. He had no idea what they meant.