LINDA: …build-up of magma underneath the surface, but only time will tell. Tom?

TOM: Thank you, Linda. Linda Peterson, reporting to you live from five miles away from Mount St. Helens, where just hours ago we saw another venting of some steam, indicating that a major eruption might possibly happen at some point, perhaps soon. We’ll be keeping our eye on that story as it develops. And now, for some of today’s other headlines, let’s go to Carol Mitchell. Carol, what else is going on today?

CAROL: A lot, Tom. A couple of car bombs in Iraq with more children dead, we’re 24 hours from the Vice Presidential debate, Bush signed another tax cut, renewed violence in Gaz-

TOM: Sorry to cut in Carol, but we’re getting some breaking news from the state of Washington. Linda?

LINDA: Thanks, Tom. It seems that nature is beginning to show her fury here at Mount St. Helens. Just moments ago, the mountain unleashed some more steam, and possibly some ash. Let’s take a look.

[Six minutes of video, with slow-motion replays of steam escaping from Mount St. Helens.]

TOM: That’s some amazing video, Linda, thank you. Now, what are seismologists saying about the possibility of a major eruption?

LINDA: They just don’t know, Tom, they just don’t know. But let’s take another look at that steam.

TOM: Absolutely. Wow, look at that! It’s almost like a - What is it, Carol?

CAROL: I hate to cut in, Tom, but we’re receiving a report that Iraqi militants have released a video depicting the execution of two more men, which brings the tot-

TOM: Okay, Carol, thanks.

CAROL: There’s more, Tom. It seems that -

TOM: We get it, Carol.

CAROL: Yeah but-

TOM: Carol, tell me, do those militants have any specific reactions to what’s going on at Mount St. Helens?

CAROL: Well… no.

TOM: None?

CAROL: Not that I know of, Tom.

TOM: So you’re saying that all your stories are completely un-volcano-related?

CAROL: I, well, yes.

TOM: Well then.

CAROL: But it’s important, Tom, dammit! Things are happening, real stories, and some of them deserve some attention, Tom. It’s news, Tom, news, and it’s our responsibility to report it.

TOM: *sigh* Okay, go ahead, Carol.

CAROL: Thank you. It seems that the execution of an Italian and a Turk was further evidence that the sit-

LINDA: - Tom? Are you there?

TOM: Oh thank god. Linda, what do you have?

LINDA: It’s ash, Tom. Analysis has determined that Mount St. Helens was spewing not only steam, but also ash.

TOM: Dear Lord! We’ll return to Carol Mitchell…. at some point. But right noiw we’re going straight back to Washington, where we have breaking news. Steam, yes. But not just steam - also ash. Here’s Linda Peterson, with an eyewitness to the terrible fury of the Earth’s core. Linda?

[etc.]