Fodder: A Collection of Scenes

Letter to the President

My first night before I would become acting President of the United States was plagued by nightmares and restless aches. In my dream, I was kidnapped and interrogated. They asked me question after question, very odd questions at that. It felt like a survey or questionnaire, except for the fact that I was handcuffed to a chair. It was still terrifying, but I didn't feel like I was in danger per say. Anyway, I was glad when that nightmare was over.

I woke up in my new room, but I didn't feel different. Reality still felt like a dream, but it wasn't because I was groggy with sleep. I turned over uneasily in my unfamiliar bed and noticed that there was a sealed note folded up on the nightstand. I picked it up with annoyance. I couldn't have a meeting my first hour as President could I?

Good morning Miss President,

Ordinarily, congratulations would be in order, but these are dire times which makes this an even more serious job. My name is Balthazar Rae. I am the appointed President of the United Nations and your superior. When you campaigned to be President, I am sure that you were under the impression that your job would be to make America a better nation. This is not your job. Your job will essentially be damage control. This is all surely confusing for you, but last night we determined that you were qualified for this job. The fact of the matter is, everything that you have been told up until this point is false. Democracy is a lie and freewill does not exist. My job as President of the United Nations is to unite the leaders of each country to fabricate and enact procedures that will neutralize our nations and citizens. Today, you will be briefed on the situation and everything will be explained to you, including your role in this master plan. Someone will be by your room shortly after lunch to escort you to the meeting.

Good Luck,

Balthazar Rae

President of the United Nations

I let my hand fall limply into my lap. I didn't know what to do, how to feel. My eyes moved slightly as I searched my mind for a rational explanation. It could be a joke, right? Yeah...maybe. Still something in me said it was real, no matter how much I wanted to believe it wasn't. Plus, what happened last night makes sense now. I wonder what would have happened if I had failed their test...This is serious. This is dangerous. What am I doing? What choice do I have really? I was President now, part of some weird conspiracy. Maybe they were doing this for the greater good. I have to hear them out at least. There could be a completely reasonable explanation. Or they could all be fascists.