Aftermath

I have never thought I was worth the fulfillment of my destiny. Nor did I presume to know what destiny any deity had in store for me. And yet this conundrum has always left me aghast. For you see, I knew greatness was not only a pathway for me but also my headstone. How would this come into fruition would unravel before me like the dawn`s haze blown away by the new tide winds.

My story begins late at night. This harbor is a place I still call home. It has been a month since I had won an unimaginable amount of money. After the shock, awe and excitement, I had bought all I ever dreamed of and all the things and places my family and friends deserved. Within a month`s time I found myself completely and utterly bored. Surprising I know, but nevertheless I felt that there was not much else in this world. But this night…this night made me thankful, not only for my nature as an optimist but also in my belief in destiny.

I was surrounded by my three best friends as we were strolling the main pier. A cold wet wind blowing at our backs. It seemed we were born in these costly franchise clothes. Each wearing his own tapestry of suit, vest, cufflink and watch. Thanks to my generosity they spared no expense, and neither did I. confidence, it seemed, was a trademark.

The local bar caught my eye. After entering I found the atmosphere dry and mellow, except for the center table at which sat a group of vivid young man and woman. They were about our age and seemed quite homely. We marked the most attractive girls and approach them in our perfected cocky attitude. I asked if we could sit in their table, to get to know you nice people, `cause we`re not from around here and lookin` for some honest company. Of course they all mumbled yes and I sat next to a cute brunette dressed as elegant as I was. She told me her name is May and she lives close by. I felt a long forgotten sense of calm as we chattered about our likes and hates, do`s and don`ts and about our dreams.

I told May that my Ferrari was parked in the end pier and asked her if she wanted to come with us for a ride, she could bring her friends too. May then turned to her two girlfriends and one male friend, mentioned my offer and as one, the group said yes. It seems money is not only attractive but also makes one as trustworthy as one can be.

As we exited the bar I realized the night was slowly turning into day and I found May`s arm around mine and her head resting ever so slightly on my shoulder. May was curious to know about my true intentions. I tried to stir away but she persisted and told me she was saving herself for `the one`. How pitiful I thought and told her if you truly are saving yourself you should not be walking hand in hand with me. Right then she broke away and stormed off in the opposite direction. The others heard, stopped, and after a moment`s thought shrugged and decided they were content and we resumed walking to my Ferrari.

Whilst walking I was able to get to know the two girls and one guy. Boring jobs and boring names they all seem to have. The two girl names I forgot as I heard them but the guy`s name was Smith and he was a painter. We walked past a warehouse when Smith stopped, turned to me and said that it wasn`t nice what Iv`e told May and apparently I should be ashamed of myself. I laughed and that made him angry and he mumbled some more nonsense about my obtuse behavior. As he grumbled my friends have already sent off their companion girls and we surrounded him whilst moving into the warehouse. I asked him what was he going to do? Paint on us? Taunting him to throw the first punch. 

At that moment Smith came to the realization he was surrounded, his eyes searching for a way out, and I pointed into the warehouse, smiling my calm smile. Smith looked past his shoulder and saw a concrete pit, deep as pool, as he turned back I pushed him inside. The fall didn`t seem to hurt him. He struggled to climb the pit walls, of course there was no way he could succeed for the pit walls were thrice his height. Screaming his inaudible curses I am sure he was petrified. But I long lost my connection to human emotion. We walked past the pit to the adjacent room, where the curtain finally fell and I saw my technicians preparing the green gel-like liquid. They were wearing  their white coats, which made me feel this was more science than torture.

The green liquid poured into the pit as we waited for poor Smith to be immersed in it. After he finally drowned a myriad of equipment came into play. Time passed slowly as we waited in our seats. The long awaited sight approached us in the form of Smith, walking zombie-like, with his eyes wide open, controlled by a remote held by one of the techs. He was bloated with protruding objects in his abdomen. It seemed like metal rods were inserted in his dead flesh, with no apparent order or array. That hellish green liquid combined with blood smeared his whole body as Smith`s corpse stared into the abyss. It was a walking wraith, re-constructed poorly or deliberately so, I did not know. Next arrived his brain, residing in a glass container. The brain was filled with the same green gel, surrounded by a glass container. Surprisingly it seemed intact, as another tech paraded it with a cart.

As the cart came near me I noticed the mouth and eye device they have constructed. Attached to the brain through wires were two tubes looking alike in their long, wrinkled and scrawny shape. One functioned as an image absorbent and the other a voice imitator. The body was walked past the brain, making sure the brain sees his own corpse controlled by a remote, like a child`s remote car toy. They placed the cart in front of me while I was sitting and enjoying this grotesque spectacle. Suddenly I heard a gurgling sound, almost inaudible. It seemed they brain wanted to talk. I was curious of what his first words would be. As if this is a newborn taking his first steps in a new world. Yet this would be a harsh and unforgiving world.

Slowly and with great effort it said: `you….won`. What a relief. So it was still Smith…or some fraction of him. It then asked: `what…do….you…want?`. I told him that we have taken him for a covert assignment and that he is going to tell us everything he knows. I was surprised to find out that this thing had any strength left as he showed signs of resistance. I found this to be amusing. Did this thing have no comprehension of helplessness?

I stood up, place my hand on the cart handle and took this toy brain for a stroll.