FICTION: The year is 2120, and America is once again descending into conflict…

It was what seemed from afar to be a pleasant summer afternoon in Washington, DC, but tension was mounting. Out on the historic lawns and in the surrounding streets, hundreds of thousands of people were accumulating. They organized themselves so that on one side of the Reflecting Pool were one set of protesters, and on the other side were the ones opposing them. Police helicopters flew above, and on the ground were many policemen, most dressed in black in riot gear, a shield on their arms. These policemen lined up in front of both sets of supporters, separating each group from the pool’s edge.

The topic being protested was a hot one. The Senate and House were controversially contesting hotly a bill for the legalization of recreational narcotics. The debate was coming down to the wire. At one point, a frustrated representative took out a sample of some drug while on the floor, and was promptly arrested. It was assumed that this was the most controversial debate in the whole history of the country. And the protesters on this day, the one on which the bill would be voted on, reflected that assumption.

They shouted and screamed their respective messages, until a loudspeaker started to sound with the final result,

“On the decision of the legalization of all narcotics for personal recreational use and sale, 230 yea, 205 nay,” it blared for all to hear,”and 57 yea, 43 nay in the senate.”

One side began to buzz with excitement, of course the one supporting the decision to legalize. But then the other side, instead of accepting defeat, began to charge, one step ahead of the police, getting by them, and into the pool. Splashing, running through the pool they charged ahead, most leaping past the other wall of police, and into the other crowd of protesters. There they knocked down some of the group in front, while the people behind them scrambled away.

But just then, as all the pro-legalization scurried away, a gunshot rang aloud. It pierced the ears of everyone there, and now there was a woman on the floor, obviously the victim of this strike. The police men drew their pistols, aimed them at the protesters. One shouted, “Don’t move!” to the crowd.

To Be Continued…