Here's the latest installment of my current dark scifi project. This is chapter 9. If you're just tuning in, consider starting with chapters 1 and 2. Be advised that this work considers difficult subjects, including suicide. If you're in crisis, please seek help. Help is available here.
At a biodynamic restaurant just off of 14th Street, enjoying a mouthful of seaweed and pickled jicama, Jo saw a man come in from the street and head directly for their table. "Heads up," she said. "You tell anyone you were coming here?"
"No," said Tom, catching sight of the man in tan pants and a Buddha tank top.
"You're here, just like they said you would be," said the man upon reaching the table. "I can't believe it. I just can't believe it."
"We're not following," said Jo before Tom could say something less diplomatic.
"Right," said the man. "Sorry. This might sound weird but I'm here on a mission from my spirit guides. To give you a message. I'm supposed to tell you to ask the man from Washington about 321SIM. And pay attention to bees."
"321SIM, bees, got it," said Tom. "And what was your name?"
"Greg," said Greg. "But I channel an entity called Tiku. That's who put me in touch with my guides."
"That's cool," said Jo. "You probably don't even know our names, huh?"
"No idea," said Greg. "I just go where they send me."
"Hmm," said Tom. "That ever get you in trouble?"
"Sometimes," said Greg. "It's always worth it though. Now I guess I'll leave you to your dinner."
"I feel like that meant something to you," said Jo when Greg left.
"I met a man from Washington today," said Tom. "And you're wearing bee earrings."
They both burst into laughter. After they finished their meal, Tom received a phone call. "Okay, shit," he said, hanging up. "That was the guy. He's agreed to talk to me on camera tonight. Can we maybe do it from your friend's place? I can get a hotel room if not. But I would like you to be part of the conversation, if you're up for it. You've got a great policy perspective."
"You kidding?" said Jo. "After Spaceboy Greg? I'm in all the way."
White House Lead Strategist Hunter Domino didn't look so hot when he appeared in the Zoom. Feeling a familiar concern, Jo spoke up once Tom had finished introductions. "Can we do a check in before getting into it?" she asked. "How are you feeling right now, Hunter?"
"Good," said Hunter. "Sooo good. Governor Bloomberg is halting the criminal prosecution of Nickleback. My office loves me now. And Hartford has better dope than DC. Who knew?"
"Is there anyone there with you?" asked Jo. "You know, in case something happens."
"My date is in the shower," said Hunter.
"Does the term 321SIM mean anything to you?" asked Tom, eager to get started.
"Oh yeah," said Hunter. "That hammer is about to drop."
"What hammer?" asked Jo.
"The 321 Syndrome insurance mandate," said Hunter. "Noncompliance with the mandate will be considered a symptom of the Syndrome. They're talking reeducation centers run by ICE contractors and all kinds of other stuff. You know? I think I've had it. I think I might be done."
"What exactly do you mean by that?" asked Jo.
"I'm quitting my job and traveling," said Hunter. "Maybe I'll go to Peru for one of those ayahuasca retreats. Try to kick my habit. All of my habits."
"What else do you want to say about 321SIM and 321 Syndrome?" asked Tom.
"Only that the whole thing is a giant lie and everyone knows it," said Hunter. "The thinking in the Oval Office is that the country's falling apart so why not try to unify it in a fight against this Syndrome? Never mind the gazillion problems with that. Think of the money changing hands over this new emergency. Industrial medicine. Law enforcement and corrections. All the big tech companies. We're already into hundred billion territory."
"That's astonishing," said Tom. "And you say it's all based on a lie?"
"321 Syndrome is the lie," said Hunter. "It's not covid. You can't do an antigen test to detect it. And we all know what a laughingstock the list of symptoms is. So, yeah. I'm Hunter Domino and I'm going on the record to say that 321 Syndrome is a massive fraud, perpetrated by self-interested officials using the 321 tragedy as an excuse to move their agendas forward."
"Wow," said Tom. "Hearing you say it so plainly is a little chilling."
"I guess I'm curious to know what you think people might be able to do about it," said Jo.
"What to do, what to do," said Hunter. "You know they're going to have me committed or worse just for talking about this stuff. By this time tomorrow, I'll be institutionalized or dead, mark my words. But I can't just stand by and watch while everything this country's supposed to stand for gets poisoned by a handful of lunatics and their armies of sycophants. I have to do something, and this is the best I could come up with."
"So you're taking a huge risk here with us," said Tom. "And you seem to be doing it for all of the right reasons. If only everyone in Washington was so courageous. But is there anything that viewers might be able to do? You're saying the whole narrative around 321 Syndrome is dishonest. How could an average person push back against that narrative?"
There was a long pause, during which time Hunter seemed to be having difficulty keeping his eyes open. "Sorry, what was the question?" he asked finally.
"The question was how can average people make a difference," said Jo. "But it kinda seems like you're checking out. So I'm thinking this might be a good place to end the interview, to give you a chance to go and take care of yourself. I mean really take care. After what you've said here tonight, if I were you, I'd be looking at maybe taking an unplanned trip to Canada."
"Haha now you're thinking," said Hunter. "Okay, well, thanks for having me. I'm out."
Hunter hung up abruptly while Tom was thanking him for coming on. Jo fixed tea while Tom reviewed the recording and uploaded it to the Hope Gazette's 3speak channel, where it couldn't be censored or taken down. When that was done, Tom laid his head back on the couch and closed his eyes. "Pretty good first date right?" said Jo, returning with the tea.
That got both of them laughing, and Jo cuddled up with Tom. "My editor will probably call soon," he said. "Sorry if the date was a bust. Would you ... is there any way you'd want to try it again sometime?"
"Mmm," said Jo. "If you stay the night, we can try again over breakfast tomorrow."
(Feature image from Pixabay.)
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