I left this world back in 2023, and I said at the time, rather tongue-in-cheek, that I’d like to return in 100 years and see what my country and the rest of the world would look like then. In 2023, the United States was in turmoil, stopping just short of complete chaos, but certainly not far from it. There was a group in Congress calling themselves the “Freedom Caucus” who stood for everything BUT freedom. The right-wing Republican Party had strayed so far from any sense of humanitarian values that I believed they were on a collision course. Guns were more plentiful than people and violence was always right around the next corner. And around the globe, troubles were brewing. An arrogant Russian dictator, Vladimir Putin had invaded Ukraine and was trying to expand Russian territory in hopes of building an empire. Democracies ‘round the globe were being challenged. Climate change, coupled with massive deforestation was a significant threat to the environment that few were taking seriously. And so naturally I wondered what the next century would bring.
It is now, as I have just learned, 102 years later, the year is 2125. One minute I was living happily within my wolf pack, and then I found myself here, on a street corner in a city I almost, but not quite recognize, scratching my head and wondering WTF happened. Well, might as well make the most of it, take a look around, and see what the world has turned into in my absence. The first thing I notice is that there are no trees, no flowers, nothing I would define as nature at all. And very few people …
I find a wallet in my pocket with $215 in it … enough for some breakfast, at any rate. Now to find a coffee shop … a Starbucks or something. Let me just ask this lady wearing a mask and waiting for her bus …
Me: Excuse me, ma’am?
She: Don’t you dare come near me … I have a gun and I’m not afraid to use it!
(Okay, one question is answered … the gun culture is still alive and well in the U.S.)
Me: No worries, ma’am … I was just wondering if you could tell me where the nearest Starbucks is?
She: Starbucks??? I have no idea what you’re asking.
(Another question answered … Starbucks didn’t survive into the 22nd century)
Me: Where is the nearest restaurant where I might get a bit of breakfast?
She: Two blocks down and on the left, there’s a Trump diner.
Me: Is there any other restaurant in the vicinity? I’m not a fan of anything with the name “Trump”.
She: Where are you from, anyway? Outer space?
Me: I’m from out west, ma’am, and I haven’t been on the East Coast for over 100 … er … for several years.
She (slowly backing away and reaching into her coat pocket): Go! I’ll buzz for the police … you’re that escaped lunatic they’ve been talking about on the news, aren’t you??? That’s why you look like you belong in a pack of wild animals!
Well, that certainly went well. I moseyed on my way before she had a chance to sic the police on me, but already I was getting some answers about the state of affairs here. I needed coffee, food, and a newspaper in that order! I started walking, and eventually came upon a little café that serves sandwiches and hot coffee, so I ordered an egg & cheese sandwich and a large coffee. The tab came to $14. Another question answered.
I found a day-old newspaper on one of the empty tables and snatched it up to peruse while munching on my sandwich. The headline read:
President John White to Meet with Congress Regarding Debt Ceiling
Some things never change. Reading on …
Russian Troops Near French Border
WHOA!!! Last I knew, Vladimir Putin’s Russia was still fighting to take Ukraine! Reading on, it appears that what were once Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, Austria, Germany and Italy are now all a part of the ‘Russian Union’. No … this can’t be right!
I look around the small café … there are only three other patrons, all wearing masks that they pull down to take a bite of food or a sip of their drink. Finished with my tasteless sandwich and weak coffee, I leave a $1 tip and exit the café. I notice there are few people on what was once a bustling street. I also notice they are all wearing masks, walking in a strange way, almost as if they are afraid … of what? Has there been another pandemic like the one we had back in 2020?
There is a strange scent to the air, rather like dirty laundry. I see a man who looks friendly enough, so I approach … with caution.
Me: Sir? Excuse me, but I’m from … er, out of town … and I was wondering if you might be able to help me …
Him: What do you want? I have a gun and I will use it.
Me: No no … I mean no harm, but I’m a bit lost and wondered if you could tell me how to get to the nearest library?
Him: What? Library? There are no libraries here! The last one closed when I was a child. What do you want it for?
(Knowing it will sound weird if I tell him I want to see what has happened in the world over the past century, I try to think of a reasonable answer, but this is a new world to me …)
Me: I just hoped to find a new book to read, that’s all.
Him: Book??? (He laughs maniacally) What, are you from the 21st century? (more laughter) Books are illegal … I think you should move on now … get away from me before you get us both arrested!
I resume my walk down the street, take a right at the next corner, and suddenly I hear a booming electronic voice booming from all directions, echoes bouncing off the buildings …
ATTENTION! Curfew is in one hour! Anybody caught outside after 6:00 will be arrested on sight! I repeat, curfew is in one hour! GO HOME!
Oh how I wish I could go home, back to my pack where life was simple and relatively safe.
(To be continued … maybe)
Filosofa's Word 
Could be in Kansas though….
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Could be almost anywhere, couldn’t it?
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I can see all of that in my mind, though maybe not Russian troops at the French border. They are having a hard enough time taking on one country, it seems unlikely they could tackle the whole of NATO at once.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks, Pete! Well, as for the Russian expansion … it wouldn’t have been all at once, but rather over a course of 102 years, time enough for them to learn from their mistakes in Ukraine over the past year. But, I hope my story never comes true!
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Good start!
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Thanks!!!
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It’s a world where the rich and powerful gain even more from the rest of us but spreading chaos, fear and misinformation. Sadly that has been a winning election strategy in far too many countries.
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Yep, money talks and drowns out our voices. I suppose it has always been so, but today it seems more blatant. Sigh.
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Well, this is all very Zager and Evans isn’t it.though I don’t think they did 2125 Wasn’t it 2110? I can almost believe fully what you predict except thet I doubt thrre will be any wolf packs that you could appear from by then,You obviously dropped onto a wealthy subject, perhaps even a memeber of Congress with that much cash on them, and you got away easily with the price of your breakfast. I’m looking forwatd to her conclusion.
Cwtch
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Heh heh … nah, Zager and Evans did “In the Year 2525”, and I considered using that year so I could put the song at the end of it, but … frankly I don’t think humans will still be on Planet Earth in the year 2525. Awwww … now don’t break my heart and tell me there won’t be any wolf packs left in 100 years! But, given how much people like to shoot animals for sport, you may be right. I’m not sure if there’ll be a conclusion, but … maybe.
Cwtch
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You’re quite right 2525 but though it gord up a century at a time ir changes to end in ten at one point of time folllowed by the line’ If God’s a’comin he ought to make it by then’.Unless I misremember it was 8510.
cwtch
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Yep, you were mostly right …
Cwtch
In the Year 2525
Zager and Evans
In the year 2525
If man is still alive
If woman can survive
They may find
In the year 3535
Ain’t gonna need to tell the truth, tell no lies
Everything you think, do and say
Is in the pill you took today
In the year 4545
Ain’t gonna need your teeth, won’t need your eyes
You won’t find a thing to chew
Nobody’s gonna look at you
In the year 5555
Your arms are hanging limp at your sides
Your legs got nothing to do
Some machine is doing that for you
In the year 6565
Ain’t gonna need no husband, won’t need no wife
You’ll pick your son, pick your daughter too
From the bottom of a long glass tube, whoa
In the year 7510
If God’s a-comin’ he ought to make it by then
Maybe he’ll look around himself and say
Guess it’s time for the Judgement day
In the year 8510
God is gonna shake his mighty head then
He’ll either say I’m pleased where man has been
Or tear it down and start again, woah woah
In the year 9595
I’m kinda wondering if man is gonna be alive
He’s taken everything this old earth can give
And he ain’t put back nothing, woah woah
Now it’s been 10,000 years
Man has cried a billion tears
For what he never knew
Now man’s reign is through
But through eternal night
The twinkling of starlight
So very far away
Maybe it’s only yesterday
In the year 2525
If man is still alive
If woman can survive
They may thrive
In the year 3535
Ain’t gonna need to tell the truth, tell no lies
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I wasn’t anywhere near close when you consider I said it jumped 100 years at a time when it;s actually a thousand.
Cwtch
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CLEVER! Have you considered writing a book??? 😁
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Tried it a few times, and concluded that it’s not my forte, though I wish it were! I’d love to write a book … Jeff and I were thinking of co-writing one during the last year or so of Trump’s administration, but life got in the way. Maybe someday, but I think I do better with blogging than I would with a book. I’m really glad you enjoyed this little piece from the dark recesses of my mind, though!
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Speaking from experience, there’s no getting around the fact that writing a book takes TIME! And it’s something you pretty much have to stay with on a regular basis because it’s WAY too easy to “put it aside” until you’re “more in the mood” or “not so busy.” I do think you would be good at it, however, based on your blog posts … AND this little demonstration. 🙂
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I wouldn’t mind spending the time … heck, I already spend a good 10-12 hours a day blogging! But, if I try to write fiction, it comes out dull & dry, and if I write of history or political issues … well, there’s always somebody before me who has more authority and knowledge on the subject anyway. But I haven’t completely deep-sixed the idea yet! And thanks for the vote of confidence, my friend!
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One small suggestion … do as you did on this post. Combine politics with fiction!
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‘Tis something I’ve considered. Thanks, Nan!
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Reblogged this on Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News.
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Thanks, Ned!!!
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Pingback: You Aren’t In Kansas Any More … — Filosofa’s Word | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News
Oh Jill! Scary at how true could be!! Well done!
And I finally sent my email, so that you can have a smile. 😉
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I know … apocalyptic in a way. It was in my mind and just wouldn’t leave. Yes, I did get your email and will respond shortly! He is a good man!!!
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😊❤
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