24: Australia [Not really funny]
In a not-so-distant possible future, Angus Macarthur sits at a table in a strongly-lit basement room somewhere underneath the Central Office of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation in Canberra. Two officers, Dwayne X. and Daryl Y., stand opposite him.
Dwayne: "Mr Macarthur, we know you've been involved in preparing the device. We know it will go off in less than 24 hours. Now, for the last time, tell us where it's hidden."
"No."
"Mr Macarthur, are you aware of the special powers we have under the 2004 legislation?
(scornfully) "Hold me for 24 hours? While you liaise with foreign intelligence agencies? I'm not scared."
"We know you're a member of a terrorist organisation."
(defiant) "I don't have to say anything. Don't you guys read the Crimes Act? I'd rather die..."
"Mr Macarthur, it says here you are a dual-national, with UK citizenship as well as Australian. Is that correct?"
(cautiously for the first time) "Yes, but..."
"Are you also aware that under the 2015 Citizenship Act, the Minister may at any time decide that the interests of this nation are served by revoking your Australian citizenship?"
"If so, we would have no choice but to commence immediate deportation proceedings. There's still time for you to be on tonight's flight to London."
"But, you can't do that! They're a pack of..."
"Exactly, Mr. Macarthur."
(Dwayne reaches for telephone)
"Wait, wait, I'll tell you. It's underneath the northernmost pillar..."
(Daryl foolishly interrupts before Macarthur can reveal the device's location) "Erm, excuse me sir."
"Not now, Daryl!"
"Dwayne, you need to read this text message right now, sir"
(reading Daryl's screen) "What? They've revoked his UK citizenship already? We were too slow!"
(turning back to Macarthur) "Mr. Macarthur, you've had a very lucky escape. Are you the citizen of any *other* country, by any chance?"
"No, why?"
"Too bad. We can't leave you stateless. Guards, take him back to his cell."
(Exeunt.)
Dwayne: "Mr Macarthur, we know you've been involved in preparing the device. We know it will go off in less than 24 hours. Now, for the last time, tell us where it's hidden."
"No."
"Mr Macarthur, are you aware of the special powers we have under the 2004 legislation?
(scornfully) "Hold me for 24 hours? While you liaise with foreign intelligence agencies? I'm not scared."
"We know you're a member of a terrorist organisation."
(defiant) "I don't have to say anything. Don't you guys read the Crimes Act? I'd rather die..."
"Mr Macarthur, it says here you are a dual-national, with UK citizenship as well as Australian. Is that correct?"
(cautiously for the first time) "Yes, but..."
"Are you also aware that under the 2015 Citizenship Act, the Minister may at any time decide that the interests of this nation are served by revoking your Australian citizenship?"
"If so, we would have no choice but to commence immediate deportation proceedings. There's still time for you to be on tonight's flight to London."
"But, you can't do that! They're a pack of..."
"Exactly, Mr. Macarthur."
(Dwayne reaches for telephone)
"Wait, wait, I'll tell you. It's underneath the northernmost pillar..."
(Daryl foolishly interrupts before Macarthur can reveal the device's location) "Erm, excuse me sir."
"Not now, Daryl!"
"Dwayne, you need to read this text message right now, sir"
(reading Daryl's screen) "What? They've revoked his UK citizenship already? We were too slow!"
(turning back to Macarthur) "Mr. Macarthur, you've had a very lucky escape. Are you the citizen of any *other* country, by any chance?"
"No, why?"
"Too bad. We can't leave you stateless. Guards, take him back to his cell."
(Exeunt.)