In the year 2077 the world suffered a massive economic crash. Two ruthless business men were there to pick up the pieces. When the so called “Second Depression” had ended they were quite wealthy. Their estimated gross worth was 1.2 Centillion. Knowing a tremendous opportunity was being handed to them; they bought out every international corporation in the world and performed a global power coup. They installed themselves as leaders of the modern world. Or as they preferred to be called “Universal Communist Dictators of the World.” Their names? Caleb and AJ.
*
The problem started on an early Tuesday morning. AJ strolled the streets of Toronto as the sun began to claw her way over the distant skyscrapers. He was dressed abnormally in simple track pants and a blue hoodie. He often liked to go for walks in the early morning before the city rubbed sleep from its eyes. He supposed this represented a softer, gentler side of him that no one really saw. All anyone ever really saw when looking at him was his eccentric side. Caleb and he spent money as naturally as breathing. This caused most people to assume that their egos were bigger than their bank accounts. But when two men hold the world in their hands it is impossible to swell ones ego. But as AJ gingerly meandered down the street something caught his eye, a tall blond girl stepped from her humble abode and began jog up the street with a large backpack in tow. Suddenly AJ was hit with an oddly unexplainable yet powerful force. Then he felt something jump inside him. He supposed it was his heart. She was a fantastically beautiful woman, perhaps the most striking one he had ever seen, probably the no older than twenty-five years. AJ watched her distance herself from him and tried to shrug her off as he continued his walk.
The days went by and the colours faded, the tastes dulled and sun darkened. He would sometimes wake up in the dead of night and think about her. It was getting to him and the things around him stopped being enjoyable. One morning he found himself walking past her dwelling once more. He watched as she opened the door and once again began to jog across the yard and up the street. Her gorgeous blond hair swished in the wind. She still held her back pack over her shoulder. The next day was different.
As the woman, (now dubbed “Ms. Just Right” by AJ) walked across her front lawn, wearing a dashing blue shirt and dark jeans, she noted a familiar face standing on her property.
“Aren’t you that Dictator?” she inquired pursing her lips. It was not a common occurrence to meet the world leader standing on your front lawn.
AJ was afraid that Ms. Just Right would hear his heart pounding.
“It was just like that one story, with that loud beating heart. What was that called?” he thought. Then he spoke, “I was wondering... maybe if you would like to join me for a date?” She stared at him blankly.
“No,” the reply came as she turned and began to jog up the street, the backpack still hanging from her shoulder. AJ was shocked. None had ever refused him. He was more than shocked! Her reply had sent him reeling!
*
Caleb strolled across the freshly manicured grass in his living room. Yes, you read right- Indoor grass. His living room happened to be on the top floor of the CN tower. A confident smile gripped his lips. He was clad in a golden suit, his eccentric image completed with a golden top hat rimmed with glimmering diamonds. Caleb looked out over the Toronto skyline. In the distance a hulking shadow caught his eye. The shadow was a gigantic statue covered in a blue curtain. The statue was of course his. Well his and AJ’s. He put his hand on the door of the bathroom, one of the twelve bathrooms on his floor. He had to freshen up for the unveiling of the statue.
“AJ, AJ, AJ,” he said to himself, “Where was AJ staying? He needs to get ready for OUR big night.” His last statement was accompanied with a devious grin. All his nights were big nights. His smile widened significantly. Caleb began to push the door open.
