Schedule-H: Case #2
Overdose is lethal
It was 4th September 1998, when the Reich issued an order.
“From this day forth, all use of paper currency is invalidated. Notes and coins are obsolete. Transaction had been remodeled. This marks the beginning of a new era, the era of a single Father-world, where the revolutionary Scheduled class-11 pills is the only unit of currency.”
Twenty years have passed. Twenty gruesome years, somewhere in a publication office, New Jelting.
“I bet 50 E-pills on you getting whacked by the boss again, scum,” spat a Sters clan servant.
Phinalus Trunt clicked his tongue, it was not worth arguing with that lousy clan, unless he wished to be found dead by the gutter. He looked into the eyes of the dark-eyed man, but shook his head and moved towards the door. Many clans hated him, and he couldn’t fall for all their taunts.
Bracing himself, he opened the door, “May I come in, Mr.Rift?”
The half-hearted grunt that followed, meant that he could. He closed the door as he came in and took a seat in front of the man.
“You’ve submitted a hot-take about the economic fluctuations caused by the currency I take?” Rift slowly began, without looking up, “What do you plan on doing about it?”
Phinalus looked confused, “Sir?”
“Well, the ones above me aren’t pleased to have a story mocking the fuhrer’s decisions, and want your immediate suspension,” the short man looked at him in the eye, with a frown, as though he’d stepped on animal excreta.
It was something Phinalus was used to, for his family stood against the reforms of the Reich for the longest time. It took his grandfather’s execution to shut his parents’ spirit. While they served a house arrest, it was on Phinalus to earn for the family. It was almost a miracle for Phinalus to get this job, afterall, no one wanted to hire rebels like him.
Though somewhat distraught at losing his only job, Phinalus couldn’t argue. He got up to leave the room.
“But, it can be withdrawn if you decide to accept your misinformation,” Rift explained, as he slowly placed a paper bag on the table.
Phinalus proceeded to open it slowly. The contents were: An old newspaper clipping of his grandfather, a cigarette box, and a small packet filled with D-pills. He looked incredulously at the packet. He was going to be fired, but why was he getting a packet of pills? Why is someone trying to bribe him…? He expected blackmail, not bribes. He slowly looked up to the sight of Rift’s gold tooth smiling at him.
“What should I do?” Phinalus sighed, keeping the contents back into the cover, and placing it back on the table.
“The Reich has requested for you to visit the currency testing facility. They mentioned wanting to prove to you otherwise,” Rift smiled, “I’m sure that would make for a good article.”
Phinalus’s personal belief was that the Reich never did anything if not for profit. He lived in a multi-nation where there were cases of people being ‘spirited away’ in absolute secrecy. That didn’t frighten him, but an open request from the World-Government, the 4th Reich, did.
But, he still took the card that was offered, and exited the room. He let out an almost tired sigh, immediately before hearing the unpleasant voice of the servant.
“Here you go, 50 pills! You’ll need this for when you’re fired.”
Phinalus looked up to see a small pouch flying towards his face, hitting him on the face with a thud. It fell into his hands, as he let out another sigh.
December 1998, Holiday season
The world, as we know, disappeared, into swirls and mist, into patterns and hallucinations. Into a living nightmare. People now lived in a society where money could be consumed, and that its value depended on how many unconsumed units are in the market.
Humanity witnessed its worst-ever condition, since possibly the stone ages. ‘Wild’ would be an understatement when trying to describe all the chaos that ensued. The fires of madness that burnt that month, almost destroyed a billion lives.
But in a few years, this would be forgotten entirely, washed out of the minds of the people. Money could truly bring happiness now.
This series was written in collaboration with Nikilesh V.
