I swallow the bitter liquid and close my eyes. I wonder if my love has
downed her own remedy. Sheets of lightning course through the space between my
eyes and their lids. I have finally captured it inside of my body. I inhale one of the last few breaths I will
take. The stale smell of stagnant air offends my nose, but there are worse
scents. At least it is not the odor of the showers.
The light fades in a pulsing blue flash and I am terrified to open my
eyes. I know there is no other world, no paradise of the sheep or punishment of
the wicked. Still, for a moment my heart trembles. Now I smell air that moves,
it is not trapped but filled with the stink of too many people. Before I look I
take stock of my body and the space around me.
I am taller, that is wonderful. I am thicker but not fatter, this is
good. My scalp feels colder though, my hair must be thinner. That is less good.
It is almost time to open my eyes. First I grip the podium in front of me. I am
making a speech then, this is normal. Expectant sheep murmur, not violent
approval and agreement. Have I arrived in England? These are not my people. The
crowd stinks like mongrels and culture destroyers.
No more time to waste. I feel eyes upon me, they are waiting for my
answer, so they must have asked me a question. I open my eyes and things look
so different I know I am in either the future or the past. A quick look to the
camera reflecting my image and I know it is the future. That is acceptable, I
have always adapted quickly. I see in this image that while my hair is thinning
it is the right color, and so are my eyes. This trip has turned me into one of
the master race I love so much.
The people though. They are sickening; overfed, weak, imperfect. For
all of that there is anger there, a willingness to shed blood, the ability to
go to war for no reason beyond being disillusioned. They are my people. My
first people were no better when I swayed them. The leaders of the sheep, those
at the table, look at me expectantly. I cannot ask them to repeat the question.
That would be weakness.
I look to my right and see the dark skin of one who should not be
allowed in public, much less a debate. I can look no further that way. My head
jerks left. Three ugly men and a woman who does not know her place. I look back
to the crowd and know what I must say.
"We must keep the Jew from gaining power and destroying our great
nation..."
I have more to say but the crowd erupts in applause and shouts. Just like
before.
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