Marcus Orlando, CEO of ÜberGlobal
News, is sitting in his private sky limo looking down at the city below. He
addresses his driver.
“You know, Edgar, I feel sorry for
those people down there in the lower level sky traffic. You know why?”
Edgar is not much interested in
Marcus’ views on society, but indulges him.
“Why, Mr. Orlando?”
“Because, Edgar, they have to wait
in traffic, while I just soar above them, free as a bird, so to speak.” Marcus
elaborated.
This was a very insensitive
statement. Marcus had helped make birds extinct. However, thanks to the miracle
of science, genetically engineered bird cyborgs ruled the airways.
“And don’t even get me started on
the ground traffic. People who still have automobiles are pitiful. But it’s a
good source of work for the homeless.” Marcus spouted, mostly to himself.
25 years ago, the government had
created a law to give homeless people jobs: the homeless were decreed to
replace traffic cones, as there was a shortage of plastic manufacturers that
year. Also, the law was enacted to make the homeless feel like they had some
kind of place in society. These homeless people/living traffic cones were
called “Delineators”. Now, the ground traffic was littered with homeless people
acting as traffic cones for cars driven by those below the poverty level who
had been given free automobiles by the government when they were fazed out…two
hundred years ago. The cars had been passed down through generations of poor
people.
“I hate the homeless.” Marcus
concluded.
“My brother Daniel is homeless.”
Edgar remarks sullenly.
Marcus shows the faintest interest.
“Is he a delineator?”
Edgar nods.
“Yes.”
“Hmm…pity. At least you’re not a
disappointment to your family, Edgar.” Marcus tries to console him.
This is not very comforting to
Edgar, considering the company he presently is, and has been for the last five
years, keeping.
“It would be terrible to be a
Delineator. Just standing there all day with nothing to do. But I guess they
deserve it for not making anything of their lives. Men like me, I worked to get
where I am today. I worked to be one of the most important men in the world. I
earned it.” Marcus babbles on.
He didn’t earn it. His grandfather
started ÜberGlobal News almost 80 years ago and made it the powerful new medium
it is at the moment. Marcus was born into money and will most likely die with
it, as well.
“We’re here, Mr. Orlando.” Edgar
monotonously states as he drifts into the private docking pad of ÜberGlobal
News’ Headquarters and lands the sky limo.
“Good,” Marcus replies, “because
it’s going to hectic day at work with this whole Trojan default affair going
on. I wonder if the ICNB has named this latest catastrophe yet?”
Edgar steps out of the sky limo and
walks around to Marcus’ side and opens his door. Marcus steps out of the limo
and surveys the docking pad for a moment.
“Well, time to get to work!”
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