The Future is Tomorrow

Ch.1 Even Endings have Beginnings.

"Cure for the common cold FDA approved and to be distributed in America today." Read the headline on the television. " Cure for the common cold?" Jason thought to himself, "Why not try to cure something more worthy of being cured.. like cancer or ALS." Jason shook his head as he poured milk into his cereal bowl. He was eating fruity pebbles, his favourite type of cereal. Fresh out of high school and currently jobless Jason didn't have much of a choice but to keep up with current events, either that or play video games. Jason was different from most people his age, however, he didn't enjoy socializing or going out much. To be quite frank he didn't even really enjoy video games. Jason, more of an intellectual mind, much preferred reading or building something as opposed to going out and getting sloppy drunk like the other teenagers. "Who the hell is even going to want a cure for the common cold? Just pop some ibuprofen and boom you're fine." Thought Jason aloud. "Hey watch those cuss words mister." Scolded his Mother as she grabbed her keys and headed off to work. "Be good, please don't burn the house down, oh and for Pete's sake, look for a job today?." Insisted his mother as she shut the door and was off to her car. "I've been looking Mom!" Shouted Jason through the wall that separated the two.

Jason finished his cereal and headed for the bath. "Can't job hunt looking like the spawn of Satan." Jason muttered to himself as he turned the knob for hot water. Jason loved hot showers most about the start of a new day, it was almost as if he was starting a fresh and new life. Almost as if he was staring a life in which his single mother didn't have to work two jobs to support him. Almost as if he was starting over in a new world. "A new world, hah, imagine that." Thought Jason as he rinsed the soap out of his hair. Once finished with his shower Jason picked out his clothes for the day and headed out in search of a job.

On his way to apply for a Steak N Shake position that was available he saw people lined up outside of the clinic adjacent to the restaurant. Jason walked over to one of the people standing in line. "Yo, excuse me sir, mind if I ask what all of you are waiting for?" Asked Jason as he tapped the stranger on the shoulder. "We're in line waiting to get our cure for the cold, brother." Replied the man. Jason looked around, it was quite a big line. "Is it free?" Jason inquired. "Totally, that's the best part about it man." Said the stranger. "Well, I'll have to stop by here and pick up mine after my interviews." Jason thought to himself. He turned and headed for Steak N Shake, time to nail this interview.

Jason seemed to be in the interviews for an eternity. However, finally done, he was told he would receive a phone call within the next few days, from every employer. "Jeez man this is hopeless." Jason thought. He peered down at his watch, holy shit already 6 pm. He headed back home, best not to be late for dinner, mom would flip. Once he returned home his mother was already cooking. "You know they're giving out that cure for the cold for free down at the clinic?" Jason told his mother. "Baby, if it was supposed to be in our bodies God would have already put it there." She told Jason as she fixed him his plate. "I guess you're right, but it's free, what could be the harm in it?" Asked Jason. "Baby nothing good in this life comes for free, think of it this way, the devil is free, but God has to be worked towards." Preached his mother. She was a religious nut if you couldn't tell already. However crazed over religion she might be though, she did give some solid advice at times. "I suppose you're right ma, how was work?" Their small talk continued until Jason headed off for bed. Jason often times had trouble sleeping at night, his mind always running a thousand miles an hour. He thought about this cure, and how it was being distributed, who was it helping? The people, but what is the government getting out of it? If there's one thing Jason has learned it's that the government always has to get something out of it.

  Jason awoke the next day to the sound of static. He glanced down at the television, eyes half open. "That's odd," Jason thought to himself, "normally there are cartoons on this channel." Slowly he sat up in the bed, stretching his arms. He glanced over at the clock, 2 pm. "Shit, I haven't slept like that in quite some time." Jason muttered. Walking into the bathroom, he flicked on the light and turned the hot water knob.

  After his shower, Jason got dressed and headed downstairs to cook breakfast, or, uh lunch? "Guess it's brunch." He said as he cracked an egg onto the frying pan. While the egg cooked Jason decided to flick on the television to see what was on. Once again all static. Every single channel, except for the news channel, which had a banner running across the bottom of the screen. "That's weird." Jason thought as he read the banner. 'Cold Cure Gone Horribly Wrong: If you or any of your family members had the cold cure injection known as: Zytac then your lives might be at risk. BREAKING NEWS: after only a day what most people thought to be the end to a nuisance known as the common cold has killed several of those who've had injections. The company known as Zytachion Incorporated will be liable for damages. To receive compensation please contact: 1-800-976-8972. This is a nationwide issue, and your government is working to resolve it.' "You're government?" Jason thought to himself, " What the hell does that even mean? You're government.. Man I hope mom's alright"

  Jason's mom returned home precisely on time, as she normally does. "Mom, have you heard th-" Jason began. " The news?" Asked Jason's mom, "Yes, I have, it's absolutely terrible." She walked to her room to change out of her work clothes. " This is pretty much another black plague," Jason thought to himself, " Holy shit, this is gonna go down in the history books." Jason's mother returned from her room, now wearing her pajamas. She made her way to the stove and cooked dinner for the two, chicken strips and collard greens. " Wow mom, doin it big tonight aren't ya?" Accused Jason jokingly. Jason's mom put down the chicken strip she was about to take a bite of. "Well, I got a raise at work honey, I think things are finally starting to go our way." They smiled at each other and finished their dinner. After dinner, Jason went up to his room to read. He was reading Hamlet, a Shakespeare classic, when he finally decided to catch some z's. "Man, a lot of people died today, someone's gonna have to pay big time, that corporation is going to go bankrupt." Jason thought as he drifted off to sleep.