[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.”“You said it’s a mutated or modified compound?” asked Tom.“Which could mean that the effects could be magnified many times over,” Daniel replied.“We will conduct more research to test our hypothesis, but we have already seen manifestations of depression and complacency among our citizens.I’m afraid they might be linked to learning disabilities, which is something very commonplace among the Servers nowadays, according to a statistics report I ordered a week ago.”David took a moment to compose himself, with a look of consternation on his face.“What are you planning to do, then?”“Well, we have to decide on the next step.I assume that means talking to the Elite who owns the food processing plant, and finding out who is behind this,” Daniel proposed.“I’ll take care of that,” Tom said, taking command of the situation.“This is indeed very disturbing news.On the positive side, now we are getting closer to solving the mystery surrounding the happenings in the city.I’ll hold the owner of the processing plant personally accountable for everything that’s been happening.Do you have any idea how long we’ve been exposed to that chemical?”“I don’t want to speculate,” Daniel tried to be cautious, “but the downward trend is very gradual, which could mean that what’s been happening here is not a recent development.”“Yet the city mice in your experiment showed dramatic and immediate degradation,” David pointed out, somewhat confused.“Let’s not forget that their lifespan is what, one or two years? The effects took place over several weeks.Their metabolism is much faster, and perhaps they are simply more sensitive to the chemical.I’m sorry, I am speculating here again.” Daniel stopped, realizing he was trying to defend his theory without backup.“Agreed, let’s not jump to conclusions,” said Tom.“It’s clear that we have a dangerous chemical in our food, which also happens to be addictive, therefore people consume more food than they should.” Tom rubbed his chin in thought.“We may have to move up that plan we discussed about the Scrappies living more off the land.And yet we can’t just remove our only food source from an entire class.”David moved in his chair, looking somewhat impatient.“Guys, I also want to share with you some very disturbing news.” He stopped and took a long breath before continuing, as if a heavy load was on his chest.“Do you remember when I mentioned the subliminal messaging inserted in ads? And the targeting of the subconscious mind to trigger a specific behavior to the advantage of the messenger?”“I remember perfectly well,” said Tom.“I said that knowing that this is a possibility will give us a strategic advantage.Has there been a development? Have you found something more specific?”“Yes, I have.I’d like to show you some of the clips I have and the images revealed in them.” David pulled out his tablet, turned it on, placed it on the desk, and tapped on one of the icons.A commercial advertising an upcoming show appeared, featuring an attractive young woman.She was busty with long, wavy hair and wore a perfect white smile while explaining the rules of the new reality game.At some point during the commercial, the bottom part of the image changed ever so slightly.They saw it only because David pointed to that in advance.The change was so fast it was easy to miss.It happened several times during the commercial.“Now, look at the part with the changed hue.I’ll show it to you frame by frame, and you’ll be able to see the significance of it.” David tapped in a few commands.A freeze frame appeared on the screen and showed an image so burned in Tom’s mind, he had nightmares about it.It was the heavenly realm his wife, Lucia, had chosen over him and their son.The lush vegetation, the beautiful park with the great marble building, they were all there for him to see.Large words appeared at the bottom: I have prepared a room for you in my heavenly house.Come, beloved! Tom stood up suddenly as if his chair was on fire.“What is this?” Tom exclaimed in horror.“It cannot be true!”“But it is true.I saw the same image on the big screen at Happy Endings clinic, when I accompanied several of my relatives there, so I know what this represents: a call to end one’s earthly life, with the promise of eternal heaven.I know what Daniel says, that after death there is nothing, but I personally am an agnostic.In reality, no one knows for sure.But no matter what you believe, this is huge, Tom.Happy Endings isn’t just an empty promise, it’s mass murder.We have to stop it, and we have to do it now.How many more people will die thinking it’s their decision?””You’re right,” Tom agreed.“We have to take action.Let me talk to Serge first [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]