D.I.S.P.U.T.O. project – anti-utopia by Alexander Beltov
He was definitely going insane. He should get rid of it. Of this damned black bracelet. However, let me explain first.
In the beginning, everybody was obsessed with the idea of having fun. There were different stages of the entertainment, called film industry – the big screen, DVD, 3D, hologram. One could get fed up watching how somebody else, an actor, portrays emotions, feelings, relationships, actions, all sorts of things. But from the entertainment industry, one can make big money. And somehow, very naturally, a new entertainment was created, a dream by request. I do not know much about that technology, or any details, but I know that these dreams can be programmed and via a bracelet, put on the left hand, transmitted to the person’s brain while he is sleeping. You can just rent one, put it on your wrist, fall asleep and start dreaming. And in the dream, you see yourself taking part in a real life action, comedy, or anything you wish. The porno industry also released some versions. In connection with all this, the business with tranquilisers and sleeping tablets also blossomed. Therefore, for 24 hours (the time for renting the bracelet) you can take part in the game a few times. But than something happened. Some users suffered mental changes as a consequence of going too far with the bracelet. They were using it to experience the same dream over and over again and at the end believed it is a reality. This continued until a group of concerned citizens took the matter to court. The court decided using the bracelet creates a risk of mass psychoses and psychiatric disorders and banned it. However, the business of programming dreams did not die out; a new field of implementation was found. Actually, the court utilized the bracelet again. A new law was enforced. The criminals were sentenced to carry the bracelet with the programmed dreams in which the perpetrator became the victim of the crime.
Alex was one of the convicts sentenced to carry such a bracelet for 90 days and couldn’t handle it any more. He was with the bracelet only for eight days and was already scared to death. He tried not to sleep for the first two nights, but that was it. The following nights were horrible. To describe what he went through in words, was impossible. There were killers in masks, sharks pursuing him, earthquakes, and tight ropes around his neck. What sick mind programmed this? And he had to carry the bracelet another 82 nights. He couldn’t. Not any more. The fact that he was not in prison did not comfort him. He wanted his life back.
§
Alex was walking through this part of the town for the first time. Poor, dirty district. There were not even garbage bins and the litter was everywhere. No streetlights, no numbers on the
houses, no street numbers, nothing. How could he find the address? Actually, the man who gave him the address wasn’t sure about it, but he had to try. He was looking for Emir Galen. Not long ago Emir was a relatively rich member of the upper class. Every event planner wanted to invite him, but very few were granted appointments. Until about two years ago, when his world collapsed. First, his young wife died in a car accident, and then he became the prime suspect and was accused of ordering her murder. The man, who committed the crime, was found dead in a chalet in the mountain. He was found sitting on a chair; his head on the table, with a bullet in the temple with stacks of money in front of him. The police did not find any clues or leads to the crime and 6 months later the case was closed and was reported as a suicide.
The media exaggerated the trial against Galen. In the courtroom, the best legal team clashed with the prosecutor. As defendant for Emir, an expert in criminal law was appointed. He obviously did a good job, because Emir was sentenced for ten years, but after second and third appeal his penalty was changed to 120 days with the bracelet for nightmares. He had survived the ordeal and Alex wanted to see him and find the secret at any price.
§
He finally stopped in front of a house. It matched the description, dark windows, and uninviting, abandoned look. Was it possible for Emir to live here? Could the men, who the media portrayed as rich and famous Maecenas, be living here? He is going to find out now.
Alex knocked at the door. No answer. Silence. Knocked again and waited. Again nothing. Was the house abandoned? Or were the residents out at the moment.
He just wanted to knock for the third time, when the door opened very little. At first he couldn’t see anything. Alex opened his mouth to ask for Emir Galen, when the person who opened made a sign for silence with his finger touching his lips. Alex nodded in agreement. The man opened the door abruptly and pulled him inside. The door closed behind him. The man from the house lit a dim light and the darkness faded. He found himself in a small room.
‘Did somebody see you coming?’ were his first words.
‘I didn’t notice. Actually I don’t know. I am looking for…’
‘I know who you are looking for’ interrupted the man before Alex can finish. ’You are looking for me. Come in.’
Both men entered a bigger room with much brighter lights. Alex noticed there were no windows. Either the architect was an eccentric, or the windows were built in later. Most probably – the second.
‘I don’t want publicity any more,’ said the man as if he was reading his thoughts.
Now under the light, Alex could recognise the man. Although very different from what he remembered from the media few years ago, there was no doubt in front of him stood the very same Emir Galen.
‘The guy that you paid, to hand you my address is a very old friend of mine. We knew you would come, that’s why we didn’t search for you.’
‘Who are you?’ Alex stared in wonder.
‘We are the same as you. Come on, I will show you something.’ Emir pointed at a door, which Alex didn’t notice until now. First impression from the room they entered was unexpected. It looked like an army headquarters. A lamp hanged over a table in the middle of the room. The furniture was unpretentious – four chairs, two lockers for files, typewriter, who knows how old, and that was all. No carpets, couches or some comfortable furniture to give the room any cosiness. The two windows at the wall were covered with black curtains and under them; there was a bucket, probably filled with water. Following the direction at which Alex was looking, Emir came close to the windows and opened the curtains. Alex was very surprised to see there were no windows. Instead of windows there were two blackboards hanged on the wall. Yes, very ordinary blackboards, same like at school, to write on with chalk. Under them was a bucket with water and a sponge for cleaning.
‘Can you see what is written here?’ Emir pointed at one of the boards, where something was written. The other blackboard was cleaned and looked like a painting, which the artist just started and only did the background in different shades of grey.
‘Very convenient. You drag the sponge over the text and nobody can recover the writing.’ Emir smiled. ‘We don’t want to become objects of a special attention, if you know what I mean.’
Alex came closer to see the text better. Names of people. Written in order, one under the other. He counted up to twelve and found that eight of them were crossed out and something was written opposite each name. His name was on the list and was not crossed, which he didn’t know why, but it made him feel better. Emir Galen’s name was also there and was not crossed.
‘Did you get it?’ Emir didn’t wait for the answer of his first question.
‘No.’ Although he had some idea.
‘Those are us. Actually, these are the remaining ones. The convicts with the bracelet for programmed nightmares. I can see yours on your wrist. I’m lucky, as you can see I don’t have it any more.’
Instinctively Alex covered the bracelet with his left hand trying to hide it from Emir. The absurdity of this reaction embarrassed him and he removed his hand. The bracelet sparkled in the light with its evil black shine.
‘Can you bear it?’ Emir looked at him inquisitively.
Alex sighed heavily, but couldn’t answer. He would love to, but didn’t know the answer.
‘Why are there only four names marked? What does it mean?’ he asked.
‘Those are the survivors. As you can see, my name is also not crossed out. Except the two of us, there are two more, whom I will introduce to you a little later. We get together very often, but at different places to be out of sight. We like to be discrete, you understand. This place is something like a headquarters. The real action happens here.’
‘What action? Can you neutralise my bracelet? Or to remove it somehow?’
‘We tried, but it is not possible. The bracelet is made from very hard metal and is encoded. You know money is not a problem for us but every expert who tried, failed. If we cut it, it will not be possible to put it on again. You know that if a convict is caught without the bracelet, they immediately put another one on his arm and he is taken to the prison to serve his entire sentence there. You don’t want this, do you?’
‘I am just looking for help. Please help me. Emir, help me!’- Alex began to loose his hope.
‘I know how you feel. That’s why we gather here. We got a cause, a mission. We don’t want this to happen to other convicts like us. The crossed out names were people like you and me. Do you want to know what happen to them? You can see that those are two thirds from all cases. This shows the current statistic. We have a mission. We must stop this. Its not only you who needs help.’ Emir was breathless when he finished talking. His eyes were wide open from the pouring emotions. At this moment, Alex thought this is the most honest and strong person he ever met. Some unknown feeling for him. What was it? A conscious pity for others? Or was he not an egotist any more? The society, they live in, was good only to the selfish. Those who were admired – the rich, the famous, the successful, the idols – were also selfish. The model was created from egotists for egotists. People work more with only one goal, to consume more. The more they consumed, the more they cared only for themselves. A vicious circle, he never thought about.
§
Few hours later four people were sitting around a table in Galen’s house, three men and to Alex’s surprise, one woman. From all of them only Alex was still wearing the bracelet. They were the survivors. He looked at them and could not believe – criminals, convicted by the society who had the mission to rescue the others from suffering.
He was introduced to Rose, a pretty young girl, who survived the bracelet for an entire 60 days. How did she do it? He was starring at her until she blushed. His interest in her was a little too much. But she was exceptionally beautiful. The other man’s name was Thomas. He managed 90 days with the bracelet and not long ago joined Emir’s group. It seemed to him that Thomas was a very nervous type. He looked around most of the time. After refusing to sit next to Alex, Emir didn’t have a choice, but to place Thomas opposite him, across the table. Alex avoided looking at him, but it was impossible.
‘So, tell us what you have done. You first, Rose. Did you meet the reporter from “The Republic today”?’
‘Yes. Yesterday at lunchtime, as we arranged. After he heard my story, he offered to edit and publish my autobiography. He is not interested in our mission. He said that we could make good money from this book. I’m furious.’
‘Good. It’s not what we expected, but this book of yours can be very useful for the cause,’ said Emir smiling. ‘And now you Thomas.’
‘They don’t want to meet us. They are afraid that the authorities are just waiting for something like this, so that they can accuse them in connections with criminals. I get a point blank refusal.’
‘Thought so too,’ sighed Emir. ‘This is the group you heard about,’ he turned to Alex. ‘They were against the bracelet when it was only an object of entertainment. We invited them to join us, but obviously, the officials frightened them too much.’
Alex nodded in assent.
‘Now I will tell you what I did,’ continued Emir. ‘I got them at last. We have the medical reports of Doctor Stefano about Marko’s case. We also have the post-mortem. It did cost me a fortune. I just want to explain to our new friend what it is all about – Marko was one of us, but he didn’t make it. Still with the bracelet on, he was going for treatment, or he thought so, to Doctor Stefano, a famous psychiatrist. He was found one morning dead, lying at a construction site. It looked like he threw himself from the building. In the post-mortem, there was written “… many bruises, forehead fracture, hipbone fractures, broken left ankle, severe internal bleeding…”.More interesting is Marco’s file from Doctor Stefano. In that file, there is not a single word about mental disorder. Meanwhile he was being treated for insomnia.’
‘That is not possible!’ Rose almost jumped with outrage.’ We must corner him, I mean the Doctor.’
‘Rose, please wait’, Emir interrupted the emotional outbreak.’ We have a more effective plan. We can send him a new patient. Alex is suitable!’ Few seconds passed before he carried on. ‘Can you please understand that Doctor Stefano is a very well known practitioner, whose opinion of the side effects of the bracelet can be very helpful to us? One of my friends from the past, very powerful man, recommended him to me.’
All three of them were looking at Alex, expecting his reaction and he didn’t know what to say. He doubted that the idea of the Doctor is really a good one.
‘OK. I will go.’ Hesitated Alex.’ We will get what we need.’
‘Bravo Alex! I already told them few days ago, you are a reliable person.’ said Emir with a broad smile.
Rose reached over the table and put her small hand over Alex’s hand. Her reaction was unexpected, but to Alex it meant much more than words.
‘All right,’ Emir spoke again. ’This is our next move. I see it’s already very late. We better have some drinks and get a good rest. Tomorrow our new friend has a very important meeting. Alex, if you want to, you can sleep here. There is plenty of space in my house.’
‘Thank you very much. I prefer to stay here. Anyway, nobody is waiting for me out there.’
§
The night was horrible. He woke up few times, sweating, grasping the sheets, fighting the worst nightmares beyond imagination. Each time he opened his eyes, he saw Emir Galen sitting on a chair next to the bed, explaining to him in a soft voice, where and with whom he is and that it is only a bad dream. Devastated and deadly tired Alex fell asleep and everything happened again.
Next morning, while in the bathroom, he saw in the mirror a terrible face – distorted, unshaved, with blue circles under the eyes. He barely recognised it. This was his own face.
Rose appeared from somewhere. The only good thing in the beginning of the day. Did she also spend the night in Emir’s house? Alex thought it was inappropriate to ask and did not know why this seemed so important to him.
‘I know how you feel’, the concern in her voice was sensible.’ But we can do only so much for you. Tonight is my turn to stay by your side.’
‘Thank you!’- he muttered. ‘Thank you for everything!’
‘Emir went to bed, but I will come with you to the clinic and wait until you finish.’
§
Few hours later Rose parked in front of a white building, outside the city. There were no parked cars in front of it, which he found very strange.
Over the entrance of the building was written “Science Institute for Psychology and Psychomotor research”. It was not a psychiatric clinic as he expected.
‘Are there any doctors here? You said Doctor Stefano treated Marco. But this here looks like a science institution.’
‘Of coarse there are. He works here and he owns a private clinic. We must convince him. Actually, you must convince him. I am already clean’, Rose showed up her two wrists. ‘You can see. I don’t have a bracelet. He wont pay attention to me.’
The security guard at the gate stopped them. They insisted on contacting Doctor Stefano through the intercom and permission was given. Alex spoke with him and felt the Doctor is not very enthusiastic about meeting him, but he could not refuse.
‘You go. I will wait here.’- Rose slightly pushed him. ‘Doesn’t matter how long you stay I’ll wait.’
Alex went in the passage and she remained at the gate. He turned to wave at her and her silhouette at the door, lit by the sunshine, looked like an angel from heaven. He felt like going back, but didn’t do it.
Alex had never seen a quieter building than this institute. Somehow he found his way through the labyrinth of corridors and in few minutes was standing in front of Doctor Stefano’s room.
‘When is this Mr.Galen doing to leave me alone?’ The first words that came out of the Doctor’s mouth were not very encouraging. ‘Why is he sending you here? I also told Marco what you must do to pass the time of the sentence. Didn’t he tell you?’
‘I don’t know Marco. I don’t even know if you are the person I must see, but I am desperate. This can’t go on…’
‘OK, come in!’ interrupted Doctor Stefano and opened the door for Alex.
The room he entered didn’t look like a doctor’s room. It was more like an office. Large desk, laptop, printer, scanner and huge wall unit filled with books. No couch or bed, or any medical tools to show the man he was talking to was a doctor.
‘The prescription for all of you is the same.’ Doctor Stefano started first, after they made themselves comfortable on the chairs. ‘Walks in the park, hobby, which you never had time to enjoy, sports, swimming, any physical activity. Visit the friends you haven’t seen for a long time, your relatives. You mustn’t have a single boring day. Every day must be different from the other. Go for the trip you always dreamed of and …’
‘You probably don’t know but I am not allowed to leave my place of residence while serving the sentence’, this time Alex interrupted him.’ I want from You …’
‘You want to be alive until the sentence is up. Sorry, but you are a criminal and this is the penalty the society gave you for your deeds. This is a sentence and you must serve its terms.’ Suddenly Doctor Stefano’s voice became more powerful. It looked like he is burning from the inside. Either Alex aggravated him or he was never on their side. ‘If you are not allowed to leave the town you can find many other ways to make yourself busy and useful for the community. Excuse me, but I have a very busy day and wouldn’t keep you any longer.’ Doctor Stefano became very polite again.
‘Thank you Doctor. Excuse me if I offended you in some way, but it wasn’t deliberately. I am just seeking help and not only for myself.’ Those words affected the Doctor and his expression changed.
‘You can come to see me again, if the advice I gave you doesn’t work and can’t ease your suffering, good bye for now though.’
Alex stretched his hand and the Doctor shook it goodbye. Alex took this gesture as encouragement. This was quite optimistic. He rushed down to the exit knowing there is Rose waiting for him. He wanted to see her as soon as possible.
‘What happened?’ asked Rose, but Alex couldn’t talk. He didn’t say a word until they left the building.
‘He doesn’t want to be involved in giving me any medical help. He is talking some common nonsense, but worse, he is very negatively predisposed towards us. Why didn’t Emir warn me about this?’- He looked at Rose, expecting an answer, and this time she didn’t say a word.’ I still need help badly. At least you know. I cannot do it anymore, not even one more night! Take me somewhere else.’
‘I am not taking you anywhere. We are going back to Emir.’
§
On the way back they made few unnecessary circles around the block. Rose was a good driver, but he had enough. She navigated very successfully through the narrow streets, parked cars and traffic jam with her battered “Ford”. The reason was to avoid bringing “visitors” to Emir’s house, as she put it in words. Once they made sure nobody is following them, they finally entered the driveway in Emir’s house .Rose covered the car with a tarpaulin, unlocked the gate and they both came into the house. There was nobody jet. They remain alone, only the two of them, until late in the evening. Alex managed to relax with closed eyes a few times, but never fell asleep. In this way he recovered a little his body strength, drained from interrupted rests. In the mean time he asked, trying to find out from Rose, how she survived her ordeal with the bracelet. Her answer was always the same – ‘I went through the hell, don’t you understand?’
§
Later in the evening, Emir and Thomas came back. After a few minutes, all four of them sat around the table. Alex told them about his encounter with Doctor Stefano. Emir had also some news.
‘Friends, the situation is becoming very serious! Today somebody tried to contact Thomas. I think it was the secret police. Show them!’
Thomas pulled from his pocket a crumpled peace of paper and put it on the table.
‘I received this from the waitress, when paying for my coffee at an ordinary coffee bar.’
‘Have a look.’ Emir pushed the paper to the middle of the table. ‘Can you see?’
Alex reached for the paper and carefully opened it. It was a till slip, but after the amount to pay, it was written, “Look at the back”. He turned the list and red “You are not like them. Don’t get involved. If you want to have a job and to get back to your normal life, call this number – 717-313-124. Don’t tell anyone.”
‘Look, Rose,’ he gave the paper to the woman.
While Rose was reading the note, Alex looked at Thomas. He was very uneasy and avoided his eyes. That didn’t make him guilty. Maybe he had some remorse.
‘Listen now,’ Emir was very serious. ‘Two very basic rules – first, we can not leave the house empty. They will try to brake in. Second – nobody is allowed to go out alone. Is it clear?’
‘Are you sure it’s them?’
‘For now we assume. We knew they would not leave us alone. I think they also visited Doctor Stefano.’
They talked for a while and decided to have a supper. The discussion about next important steps was left for the next morning. Everybody was physically and emotionally exhausted. They needed some rest. Rose and Emir prepared quickly the food – frozen pizza, baked in the oven, eggs, ham and a little beer were just enough. After dinner, it was time to get some sleep. Although Alex didn’t want to, he had to go to bed. This time was Rose‘s turn to stay with him.
§
‘How are you?’ asked Rose, once they were left alone in the bedroom.
‘Suppose you know, dizzy. You must help me.’
‘I will help you as much as I can. You must trust me. Don’t look at the others. Thomas probably was taking something, maybe tranquilisers or something of this kind. We questioned him. He denied, but his look showed the opposite. Do you know how I looked after my sentence was over? Have you seen those old movies about the concentration camps? Can you imagine me like that?’
‘If Thomas knows some way, even some drugs, let me talk to him about this now. Please! I need help!’
‘No!’ Rose’s eyes were striking at him. ‘No, for Goodness sake. Remember, even the addicts need to sleep. This is not a solution. You become a slave. Do you want it?’
‘Can you offer me something better? Just don’t say “Be strong”! I have heard this already.’
‘No. I will help you, but not completely…’
‘How “not completely”?’ interrupted her Alex.
‘I will explain to you. You can live a relatively normal, but unpleasant life. You will be irritable, tired, with speech difficulties and loss of balance.’
‘All right. Tell me!’ he asked eagerly.
‘First of all, you will sleep about six hours a day. We can start with six and slowly decrease them to two hours sleep. It is very little, but you can avoid the nightmares, or almost avoid them. Only one per sleep will remain. At least it is something, isn’t it?’
‘Good, only if I can completely…’
‘You can not. Your body needs this sleep. We call it “paradoxal sleep”. I do not know much about it jet, but as much as I know a human being cannot live long without it.’
‘What do you mean?’ Alex tried to understand.
‘It’s very simple. A person, deprived from this kind of sleep, dies. In the olden days, there were competitions. The last known record is 266 hours without sleep. In our days, nobody keeps statistics any more. It is proven, this kind of competitions are dangerous for the participants. 10 days is the maximum for the human brain. More than that it is life threatening. The brain switches off and is not clear why. You have to consider the need of brain “prophylaxis”, not physical rest. Otherwise the brain simply switches off every organ, even itself. This is a survival instinct. The brain is still functioning, but how , we don’t know. A monitoring of the brainwaves with the latest technology, shows that during “paradoxal sleep” the brain is still active. This activity keeps it alive. It continues about 10 minutes per cycle. A normal sleep consists of four to eight cycles. You may start with three and after few days we can reduce them to two. If you get used to two cycles we can try for one. You cannot skip that one. This is the time for your torture.’
‘How do you guess, when to wake me up?’
‘Easy. For beginning you must learn to sleep with the lights on. I need to see your face. I am not going to sleep tonight. Tomorrow I will catch up. And please, don’t turn. Otherwise, I have to wake you up. I need to look at your eyelids to see your eyes moving under them during the “paradoxal sleep”. The breathing is faster. Usually a person changes his pose. Don’t worry, I can recognise the beginning and the end of each cycle. I will not wake you up for three cycles. Then you may have a little “slow” sleep, which you need for physical strength. Let us make some calculations. Now is almost 11 pm. If you fall asleep normally after 15 – 20 minutes, let say at 11.30 that means you will be in condition of “slow” sleep until 30 minutes a.m. The “paradoxal sleep” follows. First for the night. About 1 a.m. the whole cycle is over. Next one finishes around 2.30. Third cycle ends at 4 o’clock. After your third for the night “paradoxal sleep” I can let you have one “slow” and wake you up at 5, or when I see the beginning of next REM.’
‘And what does REM mean?’
‘Rapid Eye Movement.’
‘O, yes. You mentioned it. So, I will have nightmares three times tonight?’ asked Alex openly disappointed.
‘Yes, you will, but we can try to reduce them. You must be better tomorrow. We do not start immediately with two.’
‘Let me try. Please, Rose. I can’t…’
‘Alex, it is difficult and you are not in good condition.’
‘Two and that’s it. Wake me up in the beginning of the third nightmare, or how you call it “paradoxal” sleep. What kind of word is this? You don’t have to reed me a good night story, I am very tired, but stroke my hair, please, as my mother…’
‘Don’t be stupid! This is not the right time!’
‘I was just joking’, defended himself Alex, but secretly he wanted her to do it.
‘See, I did it myself with the help of a clock, of course. I couldn’t guess the exact time, but somehow I managed. After it was all over, to have a normal sleep again, was very difficult for me. Now, I must say, I am OK. And I am telling you again, I went through the hell. Emir and Thomas don’t consider this as a relief, but there is no alternative, et least for now. They cannot offer you anything better. Their goal is to stop this, ones and for all. I also want it, but until we reach that point, we cannot loose more people. In the meantime, be careful with Thomas. He might involve you in some trouble. I don’t know much about Emir. He found me. The truth is it was after everything was over, but I still needed some support. I don’t know how he went through that, he never told anyone. Only imagine, 120 days! It’s impossible! Certainly, with my method it is not possible.’
‘I will find out. I must find out!’ he would love to believe in his words.
‘OK, but leave this for tomorrow. I will cover your eyes with this cloth, but only until you fall asleep. I must see you eyelids. Am sorry, there is no other way. You have to get used to it.’
‘Thank you. Good night.’
‘Good night to you too,’ smiled Rose and kindly caressed his hair.
They both understood how awkward the situation is and didn’t comment.
§
‘Alex!’ No answer. ‘Alex, wake up. It’s time!’
He felt somebody shaking him and tried to open his eyes, but it was not that easy.
‘This is not a dream. Open your eyes, please!’ He finally could recognise Rose’s voice. Yes, it was her voice for sure.
‘Is it time?’ he uttered slowly.
‘Yes, it is.’
‘The same again.’ He opened his eyes but the bright light made him to close them immediately. ‘Put the light off, please. It is shining straight into my eyes.‘ He tried to cover his eyes with one hand. ‘What time is it?’
‘A little after three. As we agreed, enough for tonight. I left you only two times in REM, after the second time you had some deep sleep, very necessary for your body. Hopefully I woke you up just on time – at the beginning of the next nightmare. Now if you please, get up and leave the bed for me. I am dying for some sleep.’
With great displeasure Alex sat in the bed, still half asleep. However, Rose did one thing right – she woke him up at the right moment, before the beginning of the third nightmare. He should thank her but at this moment he forgot his manners. Alex got up and went slowly to the door, dragging his feet.
‘On your way out, switch off the lights, please.’ said Rose, already in the bed. She looked really exhausted.
‘Good night Rose,’ for a second time he wished her. He turned off the lights and left the room.
A dim lamp was lightening the passage. He knew his way to the kitchen, but walked slowly, trying not to make any noise. Only one thought was crossing his mind, “strong, hot coffee, no sugar”.
He had his second coffee, when Thomas appeared at the door. Alex didn’t expect to see him so early in the morning.
‘If I was you I would be in bed until noon.’
‘I know, I felt the same way’, Thomas poured his coffee. ‘How do you feel?’
‘I don’t know, I don’t know any more. It’s very difficult!’ he answered with a deep sigh.
‘You can break something or scream loud to relieve the pressure. Come on. Don’t keep it inside.’
Alex felt like exploding.
‘You probably know this is one of the methods to cure stress. In some Japanese companies they install punching dolls in one room…’
‘I know,’ Alex stopped him talking with a sour grin on his face.
‘Can you hit me now? Just like that, without a reason. Maybe it will make you feel better.’
‘I can’t. Actually, I can, but I must not.’
‘Don’t keep the anger inside. Come on!’
Thomas sat comfortably at the table. He put one teaspoon of sugar in his coffee and started stirring it slowly.
Suddenly Alex hit the table with a fist, with all his power. The stroke was so powerful, that the coffee cup flew up in the air and fell upside down, spilling the coffee all over Thomas. He was neither surprised nor angry.
‘Good, good. You see, you can do it. I was talking exactly about this.’ Standing up Thomas was trying to clean the spilled coffee from his clothes. ’You did it. Bravo! You don’t have to care about the others, your only concern must be how to relieve yourself from the hidden, accumulated anger. Remember, you are angry at everybody about everything.’
‘Sorry, I don’t know what happened to me..’, very embarrassed Alex tried to apologize.
‘Don’t be sorry! Nothing to worry about! We can wash the clothes, clean the table, make more coffee. The most important thing for you now is to get better.’ Both began cleaning the mess and putting everything in order.
‘What is going on here?’, Emir was standing at the door looking upset. ‘I woke up from some noise. Is there a problem?’
‘No,’ Thomas laughed. ‘Alex released a little pressure. We managed. There was a little spilled coffee. That’s it. Everything is right.’
‘Good. I am coming just now.’ Emir disappeared.
‘Is everything OK?’ asked Thomas with a smile.
‘Yes, it is.’ Alex answered not very sure it was true.
§
They were just about to begin with the lunch, when Emir ran into the room .His face showed that something very serious has happened. Both, him and Thomas had left for grocery shopping this morning, but Emir was not caring any bags.
‘Hallo Alex! How are you?’ Not waiting for the answer he carried on – ‘You see, I had a call from the journalist, whom Rose met a day ago. He wants to see her again urgently. Can you please go with her? I told him she wouldn’t be alone. He doesn’t mind.’
‘But Rose is still sleeping. I don’t know if…’
‘Wake her up. It is important! She knows the place and time of the meeting – same like before.’ Emir looked at his watch. ‘You have approximately one and a half hour.’
The place of the meeting was a small restaurant in the middle of nowhere. At least the tablecloths were clean, the hosts – well mannered, and it was almost empty. Only one table, except theirs, was full – some family having dinner. Rose ordered vegetarian food. She was starving. Alex took only a cool drink. Both were nervous, tired and sleepy, and it was visible, especially for Alex. He was thinking about the journalist. If he called Rose just to flirt with her, or to waste their time, he wanted to put him on the right place. Alex was not a fighter, but didn’t like anybody to play him, especially not now. While these dark thoughts circled in his head the journalist from “The Republic today” came along. He was punctual. Despite this, the young and smart looking man didn’t seem trustworthy to Alex. Rose waved at him, but he was already walking towards their table.
‘Hallo!’ He greeted both of them.
‘Hi! This is Alex. He is with us. Alex, this is Roman.’
‘Hi, Alex! Nice to meet you. Is this the famous bracelet?’ he looked at his wrist.
‘Hallo. It is.’ Alex felt uncomfortable. Did other people notice the bracelet? He looked around embarrassed, but nobody was paying attention to him.
‘A beer for me, please, a draft.’ Roman gave his order to the waiter, who came to serve him immediately.
‘Let us come to the pint,’ began Rose, when the waiter left. ‘Why are we here?’
‘The situation is very interesting,’ said Roman, becoming suddenly very serious. ‘Emir knows, but you maybe don’t. My father was one of the most respectful journalists in the country. He passed away, god rest his soul. More then 35 years he was an outstanding journalist. During the first 10 years of his career, he worked as a military correspondent. He has been at the hottest places, whenever necessary. And at the front line. He had many military distinctions. When I started my career as a journalist, the most valuable gift from him was to give me his connections and sources of information. Our job is like any other, but the main asset is the source of information. I will give you a name. You must tell me do you know anything.’
He gave them a small, folded piece of paper. Rose took it first and after reading it shook her head. ‘It doesn’t mean anything to me. Have a look.’
She gave the paper to Alex and he opened it, but he also didn’t have any idea. On the paper was written “D.I.S.P.U.T.O.Project” with very small letters.
‘What is this?’ Alex wondered.
‘I don’t know, but I hope to find out. I think it has something to do with you.’
‘Where did you find it? Why do you assume it has something to do with us?’ asked Alex as he jumped from the chair and leaned over the table his face almost touching Roman’s face.
‘Take it easy!’ – Roman moved backwards. ‘I am not going to reveal the source. Do you want help? This can be a start. We can try to find out together.’
‘Why should you do this? What do you want from us?’
‘Alex, sit down!’ commanded Rose, trying to keep calm.
‘Can’t you see, I may lose my job because of this?’ Roman made a short pause. ‘But if we find out that this is something big, it can be my best chance, my good luck, the once in a lifetime opportunity. I am not the one who will miss this chance. I am not sitting all my life in my fathers shadow, let him rest in peace.’
The waiter brought their order and the three used the silence to calm down and to put their thoughts in the right direction. The inner went on quiet and undisturbed. They looked like old friends meeting regularly. Nothing suggested the storms brewing in their heads.
Despite Rose’s protests, Roman insisted and paid the bill. The three parted kindly, after arranging to meet again in case some news came up. First Rose and Alex left the restaurant holding hands. Roman left a little later, finishing first his beer.
§
‘What now,’ asked Alex and nervously buckled the belt. He felt like suffocating slowly but surely in the car.
‘Now we are going to the Public Library. You don’t think we can leave the matter unclear,’ said Rose driving carefully. They were in a traffic jam. ‘Don’t we have to talk to the others first? Generally speaking, can you trust this journalist?’
‘Do we have any other choice right now? We are going to the library. We can check on the internet. Emir would do the same. Then we can go back.’
The Public Library was an outstanding building in centre of the city. To find a parking was not so easy, but she found an empty spot. For their luck, the library was not crowded at this time. They went to the computer, connected to the internet, and wrote “D.I.S.P.U.T.O.Project” in the searching space. The answer was “Informal meeting of The G8” (Great 
– read more…They clicked on the link and red “The page doesn’t exist”.
They had nothing to do any more. But this was something. They had some info and a starting point. On the way back, they decided to do some shopping . It was still early.
§
The time suddenly stopped for Alex. He could only remember a huge black shadow hanging over him.
‘You are not ready jet! You are not ready but you went too far. This journalist of yours did a good job. How did you find him? Now other people are also searching for you. That‘s why I am taking you to a save place. Don’t be mad! We have to rescue you.’
Alex couldn’t see anything. Hi was blindfolded and felt uneasy, but the words he heard were comforting. He was sitting on a chair with arms tied at the back. His whole body was sore. He was sitting for a long time in this uncomfortable position and was glad to hear somebody talking to him.
‘This is it! The Project! And you are part of it.’ The voice sounded familiar to Alex. He couldn’t remember from where, but was sure he know this voice.
Somebody took off the bandage from his eyes. He closed his eyes for a few seconds. The light was too bright and blinded him. After a while, he was able to see clearly the man in front of him and to recognise him. He was Doctor Stefano.
‘I will free you only if you promise me not to fight. I wouldn’t like to call the security.’
Still frightened Alex nodded with implicit consent.
‘Listen, don’t be upset. I didn’t tell you, but we can not complete the program if you are not ready,’ said Doctor Stefano, slowly untying his wrists.
‘Who are you, and for what we must be ready?’ – Alex asked with a husky voice, massaging and moving his hands for the first time after his kidnapping. A blood chilling fear was taking over his body. He felt this is the end.
‘The world is waiting for the “Righteous”. The Purgatory is not a place but a condition, a state. You are in this condition now. Sorry, you should be there for 90 days, but we have no time.’
‘Where am I? Where is Rose?’ Alex remembered he was not alone.
‘Rose is with Emir and Thomas. Don’t worry! We sent them a message that you are here. We are meeting them later on. You have been here before. We are in the institute. You are save here.’
‘OK,’ Alex relaxed a little. ‘Tell me now what is “D.I.S.P.U.T.O.” and who are you.’
‘We don’t have much time, but in general “D.I.S.P.U.T.O.” is a project for saving the world. A few years ago at a meeting of the G8, the project was created. I was there. The project is my creation. If we do not take urgent measurements, the end of our world will come very soon. Have you read the Bible?’
‘Not actually, although I am a Christian, I haven’t.’
‘Do you know who is really righteous?’ The professor made a short pause. ‘You don’t? Those who have sinned and have remorse, who deeply regret their sins, who can acknowledge the sin. If you have to create a truly righteous person, you have to find a real sinner. You are my Mary Magdalene.’
‘But why you need those “righteous”?’ Alex didn’t know what to think.
‘To share and manage the world resources. To do it fair and without greed.’ Doctor Stefano’s eyes were glowing with excitement.
‘This is not possible, at least not in this world.’
‘You are not right, Alex. If the G8 want it, it will happen. I was there. The decision is final. We will change the mindset of the people. It will not happen immediately, but slowly, through many years of hard work. It will happen after an entire generation grow up. We must build a society with very strict class differentiations. Every class will know the hierarchy. Only a society of different classes can trigger the progress. Look at the world’s history. But we are talking about class-unconscious society. Why “unconscious”?’ The Doctor was choosing the right words. ‘A class-conscious society creates favourable conditions for changes and at the end for revolutions. Refer to the history and Marx’s theory of political economy and division of the classes. What happens now with the global resources? Irregular, disproportional distribution and consumption is the answer. Misspending, waste, speculation and accumulation of wealth are blossoming in today’s world. Do you really grieve for this world?’
‘What are you saying is very true, but can you change the world? To me it looks like a fantasy, an imagination.’
‘According to the plan, The Project. The new Antiterrorist law from this year stipulates the first step. Every person, from birth till death, must have an implant. It will contain the entire information about this person, his identification. But not only that. Through the implant, the person will receive most of the dreams he will have during his lifetime. The programmed dreams will become the blueprints of the person’s subconscious mind. Once we reprogram his subconscious mind, we can change his mindset. The mindset of a person is the prerequisite of his, or hers realisation in the society. Managers, workers, scientists, sportsmen, mothers and fathers, social and political status – we can specify every aspect of a person’s life. A High Commission will be appointed to implement a profile to each individual. Only righteous people can be members of this commission. An institution of scientists, experts in prognostics will support and assist the High Commission.’
‘This can not happen immediately, can it?’
‘No. It can’t. We will start with the kids. It will take a long time and we mustn’t waste any. We have to start now. The real benefit is, when we change the mindset of an individual we can prevent him from becoming conscious about the differences between the classes and his position in the society. We will deprive the population from self-consciousness. We can not endanger our own creation, our new society.’
‘Please, Doctor Stefano, take off my bracelet! I can not stand it any more!’ Alex tried his luck again.
‘I can’t, as I told you before. You have to endure until the end of your punishment. I told you what to do to ease the sufferings. Nothing changed. And you are not ready jet. We need you only after the “Purgatory”. Sorry,’ said the Doctor with a firm voice. ‘Now you know you have a mission. Be stronger! You must persevere! Many of us didn’t make it. You must! Try to understand – we are not villains, we are saviours. And you have to stop digging information about the project. That journalist made enough noise around it. We suspect that somebody else knows about it and keeps silent. We are not sure jet. We don’t want some other group to take control over the project. Are you finally convinced?’
‘Do I have any other choice?’ said Alex still not believing.
‘Did you want to have a cause, didn’t you? Did you want to save others from suffering, didn’t you? I am offering something you never ever dreamt of. I know Emir and Rose can be Righteous. They are complete. Have you heard how they talk? You and Thomas need some more time. You are still in the “Purgatory”. Now we must take you to a safe place.’
§
They finally reached hotel “Stone Palace” – huge and shiny. He had never been there. The receptionist was obviously notified about them. He invited them to sit and wait in the lobby, until the others come.
‘They are quite late, but they are coming. We will wait here, don’t worry. From here, they are taking us to a safe place. Behind us are the G8. Tell me again about that note to Thomas. It’s a pity you didn’t memorise the phone number. Is not from us. I hope Thomas keeps it. We can find them. I knew there is something suspicious. Are you listening?’, pulled his hand Doctor Stefano. Alex’s attention was somewhere else.
Alex was sitting exactly opposite the big monitor in the lobby. Willing or not he looked at it. It was some reality TV. A young reporter was at the accident site. Police, fire brigade, ambulance, they all were at the scene. The area was cut off from the traffic and civilians with yellow tape. It wasn’t any sound, but from the expression of the reporter’s face was clear that he was very emotional. Maybe first time for him. At the bottom of the screen it was written – “Live from “Freedom Bridge”. Car plunges from 20 meters high. No information of survivors. Rescue operations continue…” Then they showed the river and the searchlights circling over the spot. A diver appeared making some hand signals to a crane, rolling a thick rope, the end of which the diver must had hooked to some big object in the water. The object was still too deep in the water and it shape was not clear. Finally, it was pulled slowly, the water pouring out of it and Alex could see it was a car. All lights and cameras pointed at the vehicle and the picture was very clear now. Alex felt some invisible hand grabbing his throat – the car looked the same as the one he was sitting in, as a passenger, for the last two days. He kept starring at the monitor, his mouth open, his eyes popping out, almost breathless. Seconds later he was completely sure. The cameras were focusing from short distance at the old, battered “Ford” which Rose was driving…
Doctor Stefano followed his eyes and was shocked from what he saw.
‘You must survive! You have to stay! We are going to create more “Righteous”, you will see,’ Doctor Stefano was holding on to his arm. ‘They will never stop us! The project must become a reality! Don’t betray us now!’
Alex was pale and shacking.
‘Don’t give up! Wake up!’ screamed the doctor at the less and less understanding Alex.
In this moment his survival instinct switched on and took over. Alex turned empty eyes to Doctor Stefano. ‘Who are you? I don’t know you. Where am I? Please, don’t hurt me! Please!’ he was begging, protecting his face with hands. Then he knelt on the floor, completely loosing his mind and strength. ‘I am only a victim!’
§
7 years later
The man, leaning at the palisade for a long time, has been watching the kids playing outside. It was a warm day and the teacher had taken the children to the playground. At first sight they looked just like any other playing kids, but something was very strange. There was a strict order in everything what they were doing. Some of them, builders, were building small houses from plastic panels, other, the managers, were telling them where and how many houses to build. Few were playing the security guards, who kept the order. The man smiled, as they reminded him of a beehive, he had seen on some TV program. Or maybe ants?
It was time to leave. He didn’t want to look suspicious. It was not appropriate for an insane man to stay around children.
In his mind he wished ‘Go well’ to the small people, turned around and taking a deep breath walked away.
The New World! He hoped it would be better than this. He did not want to look back. He would find his new place as soon as possible. He might be mad, but not stupid.
Excerpts from the Project “D.I.S.P.U.T.O.”, established at the Great Eight’s meeting.
D.I.S.P.U.T.O. PROJECT
Control over the globalisation and prevention of socio-economical crises
The main task of the project is the establishment of common world organisation for control and distribution of the global resources – natural, industrial and human.
Taking into consideration the major problems endangering our civilisation – constant increase of global resource deficiency, incontrollable increase of human population, migration, political and economical, irreversible climate changes caused by global worming and all social, economical, technological and moral challenges before the humankind, The G8 decided on the following exceptional measurements:
Planning and management of the natural resources. Complete expropriation and centralisation in favour of the Organisation.
Planning and management of the human resources.
-Developing each individual’s potential in a determined by the Commission sphere.
-Planning and management of human resources for labour market (local and global)
-Planning and management of provision for basic existential needs of each category of human resource
-Strict monitoring and control over human intellectual development. Prevention and intolerance to any ideology (i.e. anarchistic, revolutionary ), endangering by any means the order in the society.
In order to proceed with the realisation of the Project the Executive committee appoints:
-Commission, establishing the social position of each individual. This position will be determined according to the needs of the society
-Institute for prognostics, providing scientific research and prognostic with main subjects:
1.Energy and commodity deficiency.
2.Food deficiency.
3.Demografic boom.
4.Information deficiency.
5.Global infrastructure.
Conclusion
Society divided by classes is a trigger of progress.
Classes, deprived from access to resources fulfilling basic human needs, become self- conscious.
Self-conscious classes create revolution.
“D.I.S.P.U.T.O. Project” – developing a society, consisting of individuals lacking class-consciousness.
Alexander Beltov
30/08/2008
This material is Copyrighted under Creative Commons 2.5 Bulgaria
contact : beltov[at]disputo[dot]org
