Original X-roads-2003

In the Future…
 
    I had the basic layout of the few blocks around the penthouse building. There were clothing stores, jewelry stores, grocery stores, all normal types of businesses. What I did not notice were any store fronts for social services of any kind at all.
    Even on the commercials, I hadn’t noticed before. No ads for lawyers ever came on. There was no need for passports or drivers licenses or identification cards. I hadn’t seen a bank, or a commercial for one. What did they even use for currency?
    I had walked several blocks when I noticed something strangely familiar in the far distance. It looked like a two story chainlink fence with barbed wire on top. It was about seven blocks further.
    I walked closer and heard a chanting and ranting mob. The closer I got the chainlink fence the louder the noise became, until it was a roar so loud it numbed my ear drums.
    I watched a woman reporter speaking to a small floating metallic robot ball. “The riots started four days ago, when the last barrier was set in place. Many critics have said it is in protest to Dawn Co.’s cooperation with the local government to control the energy, food, and water supply. Down here in Section Eight D, the Locaid Housing area, they are demanding their rights be heard. The new thumbplate technology does not include their identification codes, because they are unable to hold a job and have no identification codes in the system. Some are saying this was a way to keep the undesirables out of public places and public view. Others argue that the state is already generously taking care of their every human need.”
    She moved to the side, “As you can see here behind me, there is not a single malnourished citizen on the lot, nor are there any unclothed or disheveled individuals standing in protest. Assuredly the government is well meeting its expectations towards human rights.”
    She moved back in front of the camera. “However the question does remain are these people being pushed back further away from society. What happens when these people are forgotten about because we no longer see them to care for them? With the new genetics lab at Dawn Co. there is no longer a need for genetic mutations such as low I.Q. or criminal tendencies. Are we seeing the end of an era, is this progress in the making, or are we making a terrible mistake?”
    The crowd went ballistic at her report. They shouted slogans of elitist motives, and technology enslaving humanity. They pushed on the gate and rattled it so hard it was beginning to come loose.
    The reporter looked at me with fear in her eyes. She started to run, and as she passed me she screamed, “RUN!