Pongo #49

Channel 22

As wonderfully rendered as that tale was, I'm afraid I'm going to have to stop you there, Yiqua. We're getting some breaking news in that just can't wait. Apparently,

1771.1 Longwave

Film superstar Maren Gilligan was just minutes ago attacked with a knife onstage at the First Annual Marenette Convention, a gathering of her most devoted fans. Thousands of Marenettes in full costume took to Grand Central Square for what was billed as a celebration of the actress and her works when the tragedy happened. What appeared to be a woman looking very much like Ms Gilligan walked shakily downstage carrying a bouquet of flowers. It is believed the bouquet concealed a slim weapon, of the kind to be found in any kitchenware department on the high street.

At the pinnacle of Gilligan's welcoming speech, the individual tapped the actress on the shoulder and went as if to hug her. Gilligan was said to appear surprised and confused, but embraced the stranger. It was only after the embrace was broken and the assailant walked offstage that the megastar was able to turn to the audience and reveal a significant wound in her chest.

For at least two minutes, onlookers cheered, believing the blood to be part of a stunt recreating a scene from Gilligan's classic movie "Graduation Day. It was only after she collapsed and the bleeding became more prolific than special effects could conjure that security and onsite first aiders intervened.

The attack follows weeks of anxiety for Ms Gilligan regarding the suspicious behaviour of one particular obsessive fan. Officials say that unfortunately the event, one of the largest gatherings in the square's history, would have been a magnet for such individuals.

Ms Gilligan has been taken to a private hospital and a spokesperson has confirmed her status as critical, adding that her left lung has been badly punctured by the blade. The assailant is thought to have entered the stage area during a lax security changeover and escaped via the wings of the stage and into the crowd, where the crowd of costumed fans would prove an effective visual shield. It has not yet been ruled out that the individual could have been a man in disguise. Senior police officials on duty at the event, in a brief statement, have said of the attacker:

"The trouble is, you're looking for someone who resembles in every way the woman who was struck down. At present, there are thousands of Maren Gilligan fans in the area, each more closely mimicking the star than the one before them, so it really is like looking for a pebble on a beach. We have consulted top psychiatrists in the field of idolmorphosis and they say that such individuals are meticulous in their imitation of celebrities. Worse still, they claim that incidences of such obsession are on the increase.

The attack is not thought to be linked to the two recent knifings in the central district, though police are still asking that the public remain on the alert for sightings of two men, one blond and one brunette, medium build, one 6'5, one 5'11.