Here's the latest installment of my current dark scifi project. This is chapter 11. 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.
Splashing cold water from the bathroom onto his face, Tom grinned. "Nope," he said to his empty apartment. "Still thinking about her."
Tom couldn't help it. He was smitten with Jo. And this was a welcome distraction from the chaos that had been unleashed by the Domino interview. Even as links to the actual interview were censored, the mainstream press reported endlessly about Hunter Domino's drug problem. At the same time, another independent news outlet published leaked memos confirming the existence and nature of 321SIM.
Shortly thereafter, social media was saturated with advertisements promoting 321SIM. Reds got ads about how the mandate would make families stronger. Blues got ads about how the mandate supported marginalized communities. Then ten thousand physicians signed a letter called the Great Cleveland Declaration, which described 321 Syndrome as a fictional ailment and condemned the government response to 321 on public health grounds. The most prominent signatories were taken into custody as probable cases of 321 Syndrome, while the rest were quickly blacklisted on social media.
On the day the Declaration was released, seven 321 copycats asphyxiated at Chicago's City Hall, bearing messages holding City officials responsible for the city's violent crime. This event drowned out all discussion of the Declaration in the news, and was used to refocus public discourse on the question of how to provide police departments with more money.
Considering all of this, Tom was livid. He felt a growing need to speak out against everything, but this need was matched by a serious fear of what might happen to him if he kept going against the grain with his reporting. Jimmy, Tom's editor, suggested that Tom write a no-holds-barred op-ed reflecting his sentiments. So that's what he did.
Titled 'New World Order 321,' the op-ed laid out the major problems with the 321 response, described the shocking extent to which the media was being manipulated around the issue, and called for the immediate resignations of every person in business or government who had participated in the 321 debacle in any way.
Jo called an hour after the article had been published. "Wow, you stopped just short of calling for outright revolution," she said.
"Yeah," said Tom. "I toned it down as far as I could without sacrificing integrity."
"You know," said Jo. "They might come for you. The Syndrome goons. I couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to you."
"Maybe," said Tom. "But my doctor agreed to say that I'm already being treated for 321 Syndrome, so I've got some protection on that front. Of course, my doctor signed the Declaration, so she might be losing her license soon."
"Jesus," said Jo. "I hate to even be thinking this, but what if we left the country? We could go to Latin America or something. You could still do your work, and there's a serious need for harm reduction down there."
"Tempting," said Tom. "The idea of running away anywhere with you is tempting. But I kind of feel like that would be a temporary solution to a problem that's already expanding beyond our borders. Mexico is now calling 321 Syndrome a public health emergency. So is the UK and Germany. Canada and the other Five Eyes countries won't be far behind. This shit's the actual new world order, emphasis on world."
"I thought that's where you might be at," said Jo. "Still, a girl can dream."
"Truth is, I have been thinking of moving, but in the other direction," said Tom. "Putting myself in the center of things in DC or New York. Maybe Chicago. Rentals are insane everywhere, so cost isn't really a consideration. The question I've been asking myself is where can I do the most good?"
"Hmm," said Jo. "I've been asking myself the same thing. Street level crises are exploding everywhere. But after 321, the donation floodgates opened so I'm funded for whatever I want to do. And you know, since I started coming on your show, I've been getting job offers from all kinds of companies claiming to want to introduce harm reduction into their business practices."
"Probably the same companies Jimmy's been selling five figure ads to," said Tom. "Now that the Hope Gazette is an uncensored blockchain media outfit."
"Could be," said Jo. "The point is that we have options. Real options. And I think the most important question might not be where we can do the most good, but what do we really want?"
"All I want is to be close to you," said Tom. "If I'm being honest, that's where I'm at."
"Same," said Jo. "Tell you what, my lease is up in a few months. What if you moved in with me and we took that time to figure out our next steps? It'd be a little cramped, but I feel like we'd manage."
Tom silently punched the air in enthusiasm upon hearing the question. "I'd have to break my lease but fuck 'em," he said, as calmly as he could. "I would love to move in with you for a few months to figure stuff out."
Jo emitted a small joyous squeal. "Okay!" she said. "We're doing it!"
When the call was over, Tom checked in with Jimmy. "Tom," said the editor. "Your piece is getting good traction. Hey I got a story for you if you're ready for another one. Can you go to Washington and interview some of the Domino Effect politicians in person? The Confessed, they're calling them. I'll email you the list. Take all of the time you need to put it together. Everything on the company dime."
"You know what?" said Tom. "That sounds great. With everything going on, I haven't really had the time for much long form journalism. And I'm actually very curious to hear what these Confessed have to say."
"I knew you'd be up for this," said Jimmy. "Also wanted to run something by you. What do you think about being paid in cryptocurrency? They're coming after the Gazette now more than ever and it's only a matter of time before they get to our bank accounts. I can do UST, USDC, and HBD. All dollar-pegged."
"Huh," said Tom. "You're probably right about the risk. I could take crypto, but I'll have to do some research and get back to you about which one."
"Putting the Gazette on the blockchain was the best decision I ever made," said Jimmy. "Only reason we're still operating."
"For sure, Jimmy," said Tom, hanging up and thinking about how perfectly everything was going. The world was a total mess, but he was headed to DC to interview politicians and be with Jo. In a way, it all seemed to have been leading up to this. Ever since 321, Tom had felt pulled by an invisible force into matters of increasing importance. This force had pulled him into the Domino interview, and now it was pulling him to Washington for both personal and professional reasons.
Tom didn't have a clue where it was all heading, but he felt certain it was heading in the right direction.
(Feature image from Pixabay.)
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