Autumn in Utopia – Chapter 1 – Setting Out

Waxing gibbous shining bright as I go for a walk on an autumn night. I walk down the sidewalk and a cool breeze blows. Oaks and maples are in its throes. Small branches are falling on the sidewalk below. Halloween decorations are in the yards. Gravestones, witches, and pumpkins carved. In the clear bright sky are thousands of stars. On the streets below are many cars. People are in the houses, not outside. I wonder why it is they choose to hide. Thousands of people are in the vicinity. Yet here on the street is peace and tranquility.

I get into my truck and go for a drive. I’ve got a big 18 wheeler and I’m driving to the power plant to pick up a load because it’s a nice night for a drive. Nobody works anymore because they have to or are required to. Everybody works now simply because they want to. I know Grady at the plant will have a load I can pick up and tomorrow I will haul it to the processing facility. There is always work to do now and nobody really wants for anything because everybody wants to work.

The engine rumbles as I go on my way. I wave hello to some kids at play. I think what an awesome day. Just last year we were all enslaved.

Autumn in Utopia – Chapter 2 – The Conflict

Someone retaining capital and power from the days of capitalism is attempting to buy people off and control them for his advantage again. He is trying to make money off of them by offering them money. That way he can get them to do what he wants while retaining a dominant position for himself and his family for years to come. He also instills this hope in his followers. That they may be able to hold a position above others to where they can have material goods and leisure of a higher level than they are able to now under the policy of cooperation. His name is James Maverick.

I pull into the power plant and go in to see Grady. It is 10:30pm on Monday.

“Grady. How are you?” I ask.

“Just fine Walt. Did you know Maverick was in here? He offered Stuart a hundred thousand dollars a year to be his partner and run the place. He’s also got a bank project he’s working on. Says he’s got investors and everything.”

“You don’t say.” I reply. “Trying to get the great scam back in place I see.”

“Yeah,” Grady responds. “Stu didn’t take him up on it but Maverick says he’ll be back.”

“I’d better talk to Stuart.” I say.

Chapter 3 – The Conversation

“Stuart my man. How are ya?”

“Good Walt. I suppose you heard about Maverick?”

“Yeah. What’s that all about?”

“He’s trying to entice people with money. That old system again. What a waste. Having to keep track of everything so you can see who’s got what and how much. It’s all based in fantasy.” Stu says.

“I agree. Keeping track of everything. We have eliminated over fifty percent of labor just by not keeping track and worrying so much about how much everybody’s got or taking.” I reply.

“Next time he comes down here,” Stuart smiles, “I’m going to tell him to buy his own power plant and quit using ours at no cost to himself or his neighbors up on the hill in those big houses. They look like museum pieces. I’m surprised those people aren’t still wearing wigs and bell skirts.”

We laugh.

“Some people just can’t seem to keep up with the pace of the changes in the world.” I declare.