The Pandemic and the Real Story

The satellite phone rings. Jeff grabbed it quickly, he’s been waiting for this call. “Well, is it complete?”He nods as the response is given, then a big grin appeared on his face. Jeff hit the buzzer to call his assistant. Doris entered and asked, “Yes sir, what can I do for you?”
     “Set up a meeting with, The Partners.”
     That’s all she needed to hear. It was a group of the ten most influential business people in the world. Eight men and two women. They made the decisions that guided the world, in their favor. There were no world leaders from the free world in this group. World leaders followed the orders of The Partners without question.
     “Will you be meeting on the island?” Doris inquired.
      Jeff stirred his coffee. “Yes, the meeting will start promptly at 4:00 pm tomorrow. That’s eighteen hours. More than enough time for everyone shut down their current activities. This is their number 1 priority.”
     “Is there any message I need to pass on to them?” Doris adjusted her skirt.
     “Tell them, we have the chip.”

* * *

      At 4:00 pm on a remote island in the Pacific, the meeting starts. Everyone is in attendance.
     Jeff hits the gavel on the exotic wooden block. “The meeting is now officially open. Any questions?”
     “So, it’s true the chip is ready but has it been tested?”  Amal was always the first to raise a question.
     “Yes, I have confirmation. It works as we predicted. We are ready to initiate mass installation.”
     Edwardo leans on the conference table. “What about the vaccine? Do we have enough?”
     “We had the vaccine developed before we released the virus and we’ve been producing product for the last six months. We have enough.” Jeff looked around, “and before you ask the production of chips will be completed in one week. So we’ll be ready to distribute the vaccine with the chip on the first of December.”
     Carmen let out a puff of air. “Once the world is chipped we will have total control.”
     “It’s a great day. One we’ve been working toward for years.” Jeff put both hands on the table. “Any other questions?”
     “What about our vaccine shots?” Carmen asked. “The ones without the chips.”
     “They’re available today. You can be the first to get one if you like.”
     Carmen shifted in her seat. “But how do we know there won’t be a chip in them.”
     “We wouldn’t do that to you. Don’t you trust me?” Jeff smiled.

Laugh with Strangers

There are things we all miss during these quarantine times. I’m sure it’s different for each of us, but equally difficult. Family and friends are most important to me, which I’m sure many would agree. So if you can still visit with them without concern that’s a great thing. It’s likely that many of people miss dining out, gathering at a bar to watch a game or going to some large social event. I believe these will return in time, but I guess we have to be patient, which can be difficult. More difficult than one might have expected.
     Laughter lightens the mood, so for me it’s important to find something to laugh about every day. It can be difficult for some people especially for those that live alone, but thankfully I have my family to give me a chuckle.
     The laughter I miss is a laugh with a stranger. I’m social and I talk with strangers all the time. Many times those short conversations give me an unexpected laugh. I miss those laughs and that connection. I hope this pandemic doesn’t cause people to distance themselves from strangers forever because they’ll be giving up those unexpected laughs. “Just Saying . . .”