The Sleepwalk Initiative: Chapter 1
Mason sat transfixed, staring at the television. His voice should have been hoarse from shrieking in anger. Or maybe a remote-sized hole should have met his gaze on the screen in front of him, while dark shards of glass poured across the carpet. At the very least, he should have been on his feet, pacing wildly around the living room. As it so happened, however, he could not even so much as bring himself to blink. His leg muscles were tense, and his lungs were tight. The only outside sensation to rival the hypnotic allure of the glowing screen was the feeling of his wife’s hand gripped in his, which was quite warm.
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Millie’s always cold, Mason thought to himself.
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As his mind was thrust into a war for attention between the television and this new revelation, the television seized the initiative. The news call-up tune blared triumphantly across the living room. Although the headline had jumped across his phone just moments before, seeing eight o’clock primetime heavyweight Brad Sossman flash onto the screen made his stomach drop.
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“Folks,” Sossman reported breathlessly, “We have just received official confirmation that the Sleepwalk Initiative has passed by a thin majority in both houses of Congress. The bill is being rushed to the President’s desk as we speak, and he is expected to sign tonight. LEN has given me a special two-hour primetime block to cover every angle of this breaking news. Dedicated to unwavering truth and integrity in journalism, I’m Brad Sossman, and it’s a privilege to be your host tonight.”
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“It’s over,” Mason breathed.
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Next to him, Millie drew in a few sharp breaths before breaking into tears. Mason quickly drew her close to him and gently cradled her head against his neck. But his eyes remained welded to the screen.
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“And here to break it all down with me is our senior legislative correspondent on The Hill, Kelly Santeramos. Kelly, we know what just happened, but I think what the people back home really need to know is this: how is this going to impact everyday life moving forward. What can we expect?” Sossman queried, leaning back slightly.
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“You know, you’re absolutely right Brad,” Santeramos launched in with fervor. “And what the people really need to know is that out of the record breaking, nearly 17,000 page bill, are two big takeaways: in thirty days, the Sleepwalk Initiative goes live. But more importantly, every member of the public must be Uplink compliant in fifteen days.”
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Millie suddenly whirled to face the television, her eyes piercing through the room like knives.
Mason noticed Sossman’s left eyelid twitch on screen.
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“Well Kelly, I think that’s certainly more aggressive than most folks were expecting. We had previously discussed a six-month adoption timeline on the program just last week,” he said, almost as a question.
“So I think it’s really important to note here that some last minute revisions were made to the bill,” Santeramos replied. “The committee moved fast to get it revised before the proposed deadline.”
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“Well you know me,” recovered Sossman. “I’m a data guy and I’m not satisfied until the facts are laid out in front of me.”
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A side panel pushed Sossman and Santeramos aside in favor of a large pie chart.
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“New data from the department of energy shows that 51.2% of the adult population is Uplink compliant as of today, before the bill passed. As we have seen, this number has plateaued over the last several weeks,” Sossman gestured as the pie chart was replaced with a bar graph.
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“It would seem,” he concluded solemnly, “that we have a divide over nothing less than the future of our country. Kelly, thank you for your expert coverage as these events unfold.”
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Santeramos nodded curtly before the screen was again dominated by Sossman.
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“That divide,” he sprung back, “is why we have two very special guests with us today. I’d like to welcome to the program founder of the Fourth Enlightenment Think Tank and Chief strategist for the Advancement party, Danielle McAnderson. Danielle.”
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McAnderson nodded slightly.
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“Next I’d like to welcome Doug Sadlebright, CEO of Manual Dreams Roam Free and policy advisor for the Preservation party. It’s great to have you both with us tonight. If I may, I’d like to start with Danielle. Your thoughts on this landmark legislation?”
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“Brad, as much as I’m sure Doug is going to resent me for this, it’s pretty straight forward. Today was the biggest win for people around the country and for global citizens everywhere. One year of optimized, ethical, A.I. directed labor, and we boldly propel ourselves 1,000 years ahead into the future technologically. Advanced medicine, housing, farming, and security that our most vulnerable community members most desperately need. It’s our golden opportunity to work together for the betterment of humanity, no less. Future generations will smile when they remember us.” McAnderson waited with a self-satisfied look on her face.
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“Doug?” Sossman prodded.
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Doug, who had been struggling to stay quiet, exploded.
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“Danielle, that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. Forgive me if I don’t trust the same administration that brought us Pineapple gate and Consolidated Sands. You seriously expect me and millions of others to just be zombified for a year and hope you and your friends at the Advancement party bring us back from the grave? I really know you’ve got my best interest at heart!”
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At this, Mason jumped up and pointed at the television, index finger stabbing the air wildly.
“Finally someone says it!” he exclaimed with a high-pitched laugh.
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“Doug,” Danielle countered, “This is exactly the fear-brokering the Preservation party has been peddling for far too long. As we have said many times before, the Uplink will induce a trance-like state, not death. The Sleepwalk Initiative is safe. It is ethical. And above all, everyone, including yourself, will be well taken care of by the administration.”
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“If you think for a second that I or the millions of-” Sadlebright began rapidly.
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“I’m sorry you two, but that’s our segment,” Sossman cut in, his eyes widened as they unlocked from some point beyond the camera.
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“For everyone at home we have continuing coverage of this breaking news, so stick around. I’m Brad Sossman, and I’ll see you after this short break.”
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Mason jammed the power button into the remote. He looked over at Millie, who seemed to have taken an intense interest in the threads of the carpet. Then she looked at him.
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“What do we do?” she asked quietly.
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Mason searched for the answer somewhere behind the couch. Then, he grabbed her hands and looked at her.
“What do you do when there’s nothing you can do?” he asked.
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The first wave of calm in a long while washed over Millie.
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“You do what you can,” she answered.
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Mason nodded. That motto had never failed them over the years.
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“Tomorrow,” he said. “We go to work. Lucy goes to school. Then we all come home at the end of the day.”
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All written work is the exclusive intellectual property of Joshua Dauber. Redistribution or resale of any kind is strictly prohibited and will be prosecuted. Copyright © 2023 Joshua Dauber. All rights reserved.
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