Abbey Briscoe-Dowden
“I’m glad you all could make it,” said Abraham in his deep, passive voice, “though it seems that we are running a little behind schedule. Let us begin.”
Voices of discussion exploded throughout the small enclosed room. Approximately a dozen people sit around the long rectangular table, they all had their own acquires to discuss but none with patience to hear each other out. Abraham heard several of them talk about nuclear missiles and others mention the return of concentration camps. He needed to bring order to this meeting before it became out of hand.
“Now everyone, settle down, settle down, we have much to discuss, shan’t we be wasting precious time” He called. His audience quietened down and brought their attention to him as he continued, “We need to address the current overpopulation crisis.”
All guests of the table tried to talk at once, exploding with ideas, suggestions and arguments. Abraham silenced them again.
“Thank you, everyone,” Abraham started, “But it appears I already have a solution, it originated decades ago…” he reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper, he unfolded it and held it up for the guests of the table to see, “A virus, it works by infecting its target and shortening the life expectancy without them feeling any pain whatsoever,”
The audience gazed at the formulas and diagrams on the paper as Abraham continued, “I suggest that we start immediately. We shall begin with the sick and the elderly.”
One of the women from the further side of the table spoke up, “Mary, sir, Mary Wollstonecraft. I am just concerned about the ethical side of this solution, I mean, doesn’t this count as taking one’s life?”
“I disagree Ms Wollstonecraft, you see, this world is in crisis. Currently we have the overall world population of just over 12 billion just isn’t suiting the needs that are required. For decades, centuries even we have been suffering from food shortages, global warming, employee struggles and general living standards are becoming more difficult to meet.”
The man directly on Abrahams left spoke up, “Is there no way for us to solve these problems without the use of this virus?” He asked.
“I’m afraid not, Mr?”
“Roosevelt,”
“As we are already aware of, Mr Roosevelt, the shortage of food and limited supplies have just gone too far, it would take centuries or to regain the replenishments that we need and that is if the population was not to grow which at this rate we are estimated to reach 15 Billion within the next 100 years.” Abraham puffed for breath.
Roosevelt settled back into his chair without another word. Abraham looked around the room, to him it seemed as if he might have chosen the wrong ground of people to assist him on his plans. Though he was not to give up yet. He analysed the faces of the room, some were looking down at the table, others were watching the walls to avoid eye contact and very few were looking straight back at him; one of them caught Abraham’s attention as he recognised the bushy moustache and messy grey hair.
“Mr Albert Einstein,” he said softly, he was almost in disbelief that he was sitting just metres from the genius he aspired so much, he was counting on him, “You’ve been awfully quiet, may I ask for you to share your thoughts upon the matter?”
Albert gazed around the room, inspecting each and everyone’s reactions. He remained silent for a moment, but then he spoke so softly and quietly that Abraham almost couldn’t hear him.
“I agree with the use of the virus,” he said. Abraham smiled. The other guests were dumbfounded and some were furious, but no one spoke. Except for one man who everyone knew was not afraid to show his opinions.
“Outrageous! Horrendous! I must say this is completely inadequate! How could we live with ourselves knowing we would be the murderers of billions of innocent lives? There must be another way!” Isaac demanded with his fist hitting the table as he spoke.
“For God’s sake!” another angry voice arose with a punch on the table, “Let’s just kill them all and be done with it!
“Mr Newton, Mr Hitler, if you would please settle down, this is a formal meeting, remember?” Abraham requested. They both sat back in their chairs pouting. “Now let’s think realistically now. This virus is guaranteed to work, it will wipe out up to 5 billion people within the next two centuries and another 2 billion the following century. That makes the ratio of population and food rations more equal and will allow the world to live as it used to several centuries ago.” He paused for a moment almost expecting an argument to arise, but it didn’t. Everyone sat kindly around the table listening in awe, most of them were lost for words but others just didn’t want to speak.
Abraham continued, “We will start this process as soon as politically possible, agreed everyone?” To Abraham’s surprise, everyone agreed expect for Isaac who opened his mouth to protest but was shot down by the surrounding group. After that, everyone agreed.
“Without further discussion, I conclude this meeting, you all may return to your time lines as I and Mr Einstein will conduct the last remaining actions into this solution. Good day to you all.”
The room cleared out almost immediately. Abraham, sat in his seat looking down at the formula that he was convinced was going to save the world. That was until Albert broke the silence.
“You understand there is a 50% chance of this virus mutating, correct?”
Abraham didn’t look at him when he replied, “It did cross my mind yes, but is there any other solution?”
“I suppose not,”
The two men sat in silence as their plan settled into reality.
50% of mutation. 50% chance of error. 50% chance of apocalypse. 50% chance of complete world destruction. Where will the odds land?
