(Queue Announcements)

FEMALE ANNOUNCER VOICE
We need you to enter the room and stand on your assigned number.

(Guests enter first preshow room.)

All systems ready. Stand by.

MALE ANNOUNCER VOICE
Standing by.

FEMALE ANNOUNCER VOICE
Once you’ve found your number, please make sure everybody can see the screen.

Please make sure everybody can see the screen.

Okay, seal genetic matching room.

(Sound of room sealing.)

Okay, Dr. Stevens, they’re ready.

(Preshow Video)

DR. STEVENS
Can everyone see me? Great, welcome to the Avatar Program. Soon, you’re gonna have a chance to undertake an amazing Na’vi rite of passage: flying on the back of this powerful animal called an ikran, or as we call it, a banshee. The way you’re gonna do this is by being matched to something called an avatar, and I’m here to help you guys get ready. But first, we have to scan you for Pandoran micro-parasites.

Alright everyone, stay on your number and move your arms a bit. Okay, start scan.

(Scanning noises.)

Hmm, you’ve all got them. But don’t worry, uh, they’re very common around these parts. Uh, let’s start the decon.

FEMALE ANNOUNCER VOICE
Initiating GMR decon.

DR. STEVENS
Stand still over your number. You’re not gonna feel a thing.

(Decon noises.)

You’re doing great.

Almost done here.

FEMALE ANNOUNCER VOICE
They’re all clear.

DR. STEVENS
Great, now let’s go over how all this works. Like I said before, you’re going to be matched to these things called avatars, which look a lot like the Na’vi. They’re created by blending human DNA, and Na’vi DNA. Once we match you to an avatar, thanks to a special link chair, your mind will be able to control that avatar.

Using avatars to fly this way was all figured out by my boss, Dr. Jackie Ogden. She leads our science team, which is part of the Pandora Conservation Initiative, and we’re here in the Valley of Mo’ara, studying banshees and their environment.

Over a generation ago, this enormous company called The RDA created a lot of damage to the area through their bad mining practices and conflicts with the Na’vi. Just like on Earth, it can take decades for ecosystems to recover.

One way to understand what is going on with an ecosystem is to study what are called keystone species. These are animals like tigers, jaguars, seals. The banshee is one of these important animals. Dr. Ogden is the foremost expert on studying the ikran and has spent years researching them. Unfortunately, banshees live high in rookeries, and humans can’t get anywhere near them without (chuckle) becoming their lunch. But the Na’vi and avatars can. In fact, the Na’vi have been riding on the backs of banshees since their earliest history. Thanks to science, avatars can ride on banshees too. That’s why you’re linking to an avatar!

It was Dr. Ogden who restarted the avatar program. It’s because of her that you’re able to go through this rite of passage today. Pandora is a breathtaking natural world. I cannot wait for you guys to see it for yourselves.

Delay version:

(In case of a loading delay ahead of you, these extra lines may be added at this point in the video to take up some extra time.)

DR. STEVENS
So, let’s get ready for our next… huh? Hm… I’ll be right back. Put the standby system on, quickly.

FEMALE VOICE
Stand by. We are looking into delays with the genetic matching system.

Starting system-wide diagnostics. Help us out and move around a little.

Starting recalibration tests. Move around a little.

Resume main video:

DR. STEVENS
Okay, to get you flying on a banshee, we need to find each of you an avatar.

Um, let’s, uh, prep the genetic sampling.

OTHER SCIENTIST
I’m on it.

DR. STEVENS
Okay, um, first we need to find a compatible match of your genetic material with the genetic material of one of the avatar bodies that we already have. Once we do that, you’ll be able to link to that avatar, and, uh, fly.

Help us out and move around a bit. Almost. Yes, got ’em!

Now let’s find you your avatar matches.

(Avatar matching noises.)

Alright, you’ve all been matched with avatars.

Uh, ooh! It looks like they’re ready for you in the next room. Uh, when the door opens, please go  inside, all the way in, and stand over the same number that you’re standing over now. And, uh, and I’ll see you in there.

(Guests move into next room.)

DR. STEVENS
Great, you’ve all made it. Uh, it’s important that you can all see me, so move a little if you can’t.

Before we send you in to the link chamber, let’s watch this piece by Dr. Ogden, who runs the program.

DR. OGDEN
Welcome, everyone. I’m Dr. Jackie Ogden from the Pandora Conservation Initiative. You’re about to experience a ceremony that’s very special to the Na’vi — flying on the back of an ikran, or as we call it, a banshee.

To the Na’vi, connecting to an ikran and flying on its back is an incredibly important rite of passage that they call iknimaya. With permission from the Na’vi, and in partnership with Alpha Centauri Expeditions, we can now bring this amazing experience to you.

The way you’ll be able to fly is by linking to an avatar that’s already on the back of an ikran. Let’s see how this works.

SAFETY ANNOUNCER
We establish a link using powerful psionic amplification equipment. A human driver is connected to an avatar, which could be physically hundreds of kilometers away. When you follow our technician into the link chamber, you’ll see a series of sixteen link chairs. Please go to the number that matches the number you’re standing on now.

First, you’ll stow your gear in the provided storage containers on the back wall. This should include all bags, cameras, and other loose items. It’s important to push them all the way in to the bin. Then, get onto the link chair the same way you might get on to a bike. Put one leg over and straddle the seat. Step all the way forward and then sit down. Wait until you’re seated before you put on your flight visors. Hold on to the hand grips as shown and slide forward against the chest pad. Soon after you’re seated, back and leg restraints will be firmly engaged, and then you’ll be ready to link. Please remember, for your safety, throughout this entire experience, always remain seated and supervise your children.

DR. OGDEN
Once the link takes place, you’ll be connected to your avatar and sitting on the back of an ikran. It’ll feel like you’re really there. Moments later, you’ll begin your flight. A Na’vi guide will lead you out. You’ll experience the breathtaking beauty of Pandora, but you might also face some of its greatest challenges. Some of this flight might be intense. But trust your guide and be brave.

As the Na’vi say during this important rite of passage, “Sivako.” Rise to the challenge. Good luck.

DR. STEVENS
Alright, you ready? Let’s get you into the link chamber.

SAFETY ANNOUNCER
Attention drivers: stow your gear on the back wall, and then get on to the link chair the way we showed you in the video. Then, put on your flight visors. For your safety, throughout this entire experience, remain seated. Lean forward, holding on to the handgrips, and supervise your children.

(Spanish safety spiel.)

Restraints activate.

(Ride begins.)

NA’VI
Sivako!

(Ride ends.)

SAFETY ANNOUNCER
Welcome back. Please step off the link chair, gather your belongings, and exit the link chamber.

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