#SOcS – Fore/for/four

From the diary of Jennifer Saunders

21 July

John left this morning to return to his work in the MidWest. The flooding and tornadoes have come to an end, but he is needed to help with the first stages of the clean-up operation. The scenes of destruction in Missouri, where he is headed, are too awful. One survivor has lost seven members of his family, including his four young children and his wife. The children were at home with their mother when the tornado hit. All of their bodies were found outside the house, which is no longer there. The images showed pictures of an old schoolbag, a doll and a single shoe scattered about the garden, as well as items of clothing caught among the branches of fallen trees. These things are all that is left of the victims former lives.

An email popped into his inbox while he was reading the stories. It provided positive feedback from the world government about his application to join the Military and Strategic Task Group. I was happy to see the cloud of sadness, at the misery he’d been viewing, lift. It’s better if he sets off in a positive frame of mind.

“I’m in,” he said, with a huge grin. “I’m going to be at the forefront of maintaining peace in the new society under our new world government’s direction. It’s so exciting.”

I hugged him, thrilled by his obvious pleasure at this success. “I’m delighted for you, darling.”

He kissed me on the top of my head. “It’s going to mean some changes for us. The work programme is structured as four weeks away and two weeks home, which is a little more arduous for you, but the pay is fantastic. We’ll be able to buy a place of our own.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll miss you, but I’ll manage. When are you going to resign?”

I’m going to tell Andrew when I see him tomorrow. I can’t be around him with this knowledge hanging over me, it’ll make me feel like a liar. I’ll hand in my official notice on the 30^th of June. I can only resign on either the 15^th or the 30^th of the month in terms of my employment contract. It’s all worked out well as I will finish at Climate Change Support Organisation on the 30^th of September and start the new job on the 15^th of October. That’ll give me two weeks to spend with you before I get back in the saddle.”

“That’s great. I’m looking forward to it already.”

“I’ve got to be admitted into the military hospital for a few days on the 15^th of October. The world government is introducing identification microchips for all world citizens which will be implanted over a twelve month period starting on that date. I’ll be one of the first to receive mine. Apparently, it is a very simple procedure and they insert it into the back of your hand. I’ll also be having a minor brain surgery where they’ll insert a microchip for mental health observation and maintenance into my brain.”

“Brain surgery,” I whispered. “You didn’t say anything about brain surgery after your interview.”

“It’s nothing,” he said, waving his hand to emphasis his point. “A tiny operation to insert the chip and the benefits are huge. It will monitor my brain functioning and serotonin levels. It will also give the doctors the ability to easily administer any of the new genetic modification procedures to enhance my immunity, longevity and a wide range of genetic diseases as the technology becomes available. I have to undergo the surgery, it’s a requirement of the job.”

“Okay, that helps explain it, but it does sound a bit frightening to be having brain surgery in order to take a job.”

“Its fine, Love, stop worrying,” and with a last farewell kiss, he left to catch his flight.

This post was written for Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt. You can join in the challenge here: https://lindaghill.com/2019/06/28/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-june-29-19/