You're sitting at home in your living room. The tele's on in the background. As usual, nothing worth more than a moment of your attention is on.
A commercial flickers onto the screen. Judging by the subtle, slow-paced music and the low lighting, it's going to be one of those tear-jerker infomercials meant to solicit some kind of donation from the viewer. You scoff as you lift the remote to change the channel. Before you do, a woman walks onto the screen.
"Greetings," she says with a muted smile. The colours are nearly monochrome. "My name is Shiyana Gurjaradesh, and I'm an ambassador for the Elamite Relief Fund,"
Elamite? Not a country you've ever even heard of, let alone thought of. You lower the remote and watch as the woman fades out, and is replaced by images of a flooded out village in a country you've never seen before. As the images flash through scenes of devastation, the woman continues to voice over the pictures with a slightly noticeable Canadian accent.
"In this time of need for the nation of Elam, we ask that you find it in your hearts to donate to the relief efforts."
The scene changes to that of a lifeboat navigating a flooded-out street. Members of the boat-crew in fluorescent safety vests are lifting children out of the hands of their parents and placing them in the boat. The woman voicing the commercial steps back into the foreground as the images of the relief efforts are dimmed.
"Many have donated so much, but there's still so much that must be done," she raises her fists to her chest in a pleading motion. "The Elamite Red Crescent Society is requesting monetary assistance or donations of nonperishable food items, first-aid supplies, clothing, and other essential amenities and toiletries."
A phone number appears in the lower left quadrant of the screen, followed shortly by an internet URL in bold lettering. The woman holds out an open palm indicating the text. "You can contact a representative of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement by dialing the number listed on your screen, or by visiting www.rcs.ely, forward slash fl_2019_ely."
The monochrome colours of the background begin to brighten as the hues return to a more normal shade. The images of devastation are replaced with that of a tent city. A doctor is giving a vaccination to a young child in its mothers arms — a hallmark of any relief fund commercial, you muse to yourself.
"By contacting the Red Crescent Society, you can make a one-time monetary donation, or make a pledge to donate on a monthly basis. Even the smallest amount can help relieve these displaced families and help to repair the damages wrought by the severe floods."
The scene in the background shifts once again to a clip of a handful of young adults and teenagers distributing boxed aid packages round a tent city of displaced people.
The woman at the forefront smiles and folds her hands. "With the help of caring viewers like you, we can make this happen. Thank you."
The background music swells in volume as the commercial fades to black, leaving only the phone number and the URL on screen in bold text. After another second or two, they fade from the screen. You shift a bit in your seat on the couch. The difference in volume when your scheduled show comes back on is somewhat startling.
You lean back into your spot on the couch, but you keep shifting uncomfortably. The images you just witnessed in the commercial keep replaying in your head. You can't focus on your show.
You look to your left. Your phone is sitting on the end table. You lift it and unlock the screen. The time stares back at you.
What will you do?
- (Further information on the 2019 Elamite Floods can be found HERE)