Stasis

It’s hard to pin down exactly when the whole, horrible thing started.

It may have been last August, but even if it was, it has become completely irrelevant. It began with the elderly pensioner watching the late news bulletin on television. The newsreader was saying something about changes to the tax system, when his evening newspaper slipped off his lap and he began to doze… A bell was ringing somewhere. He opened his eyes, realising that it was his own front door bell. Feeling that it was late to be getting visitors of any kind, he got up and went through to answer it.

He didn’t recognise the man that stood on his front step. With an apologetic smile, the stranger explained that he needed to show him something. At this point, he produced a small object and held it up. Without warning, he pressed something and a cloud of spray hit the old man in the face.

Within seconds, he became groggy. If it weren’t for the stranger holding him up, he would have collapsed to the floor. He was supported while they both made their way back to the lounge. The stranger settled him back into his chair and crouched down in front of him.

He began by apologising for what was obviously a huge intrusion, but said that it was necessary. Barely able to understand what he was being told because of the stupor he was in, the other explained that all this was necessary because on the following day the pensioner was going to do something that would have dire results for the future of mankind. He said that this could not be allowed to happen. He went on to say that it had been agreed that perpetual stasis was the only solution available.

With that, the old man was alone.

He was looking at an artist’s impression of what the new stadium would look like. He realised that he’d just been listening to an item about a proposal to build a new football stadium. The newsreader then droned on; he was saying something about changes to the tax system…