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to seal off all roads leading into the stricken community. Nobody is being allowed to enter the area.' |
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The TV showed Chris at her news desk, the picture of Stan Fisher on a screen behind her as she spoke into a telephone. 'Stan,' she said, 'is anyone coming out?' |
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'As a matter of fact, Chris, three cars have come out just since we arrived. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to interview any of the survivors. They were immediately taken into custody. I presume that authorities are questioning them even as I speak to you.' |
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'In effect, they're being quarantined?' |
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'That seems to be the case, Chris.' |
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'Do you know whether they had come into contact with the rain?' |
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'It appears that they hadn't.' Stan again filled the TV screen and the camera pulled back, showing a man in uniform beside him. 'Chris, this is Commander Brad Corkern of the Highway Patrol. Sir, what can you tell us about the situation in Bixby?' He held his microphone toward the man. |
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'Well, Stan, I'm afraid we don't know a whole lot at the present time. As you've mentioned, we're doing what we can to prevent people from going into the rain area. We've had a total of eleven people come out since the time we established the roadblock here.' |
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'Rattled. Plenty rattled. But they don't appear to be infected.' |
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'Infected. Is it a disease of some kind?' |
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'We don't know what it is. We've talked to these |
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