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Type 88

Ficção Científica

On an average afternoon, a source of unknown origin broadcasts a strange warning across Earth. In 90 days, the world is going to end. No ransom is asked. No motive is given. Nothing can stop this from happening. As time slips away to the day of rec...

#apocolyptic #cyberthiller #dystopian #scifi #technothriller #threat

Speculation

9 2 0

by JosephGlocke

by JosephGlocke

At 10:30 a.m., Mike's tavern served eggs. Some guys paired the dish with whiskey Mountain Dews, others with a beer. Seven of Mike's regulars were scattered across the U-shaped bar. Mike tended it himself.

He turned on CNN. Two talking heads discussed the merits of the deadline. Each made a point to set up the other's counterpoint. Mike thought it made for compelling news.

At the corner of the bar, Lucy Shergold jumped in with her take. "I just don't understand why we're on these shows bickerin', bickerin', bickerin'. Ain't doing any good. I wanna see a report showin' us carpet-bombing someone responsible. Show me someone doin' somethin' about these Arabs!"

One of the other patrons pounded his beer as a sign of solidarity. "Amen to that, Lucy."

Mike laughed and shook his head. He served Lucy a plate of eggs.

Steve McDonald, one of the few drinking coffee that morning, leaned back in his stool and crossed his arms over his beer gut. "Don't have to worry about terrorists. No way they'd be able to get on the TVs and radios like that. And no way they have enough to go toe-to-toe with us anyways. This whole thing's another government hoax. I don't doubt it for a second. Tryin' to scare us into payin' more taxes. We should just ignore it. Only way to stand up to 'em."

Mike wiped off the bar. He laughed and shook his head. He filled Steve's mug.

Larry Kane pointed at the TV. "Both of you are way off base. I, for one, welcome whoever's behind this. Someone shakin' us all up a bit. That'll do us good! Some gratitude for what we have here. If this would've happened when I got back from 'Nam, I would've been proud." He turned his head and coughed, which turned into a fit. "Mike, I'll take another," he said.

Mike laughed and shook his head, and then slid a beer to Larry and took a dollar fifty from his pile.

The door opened, and sunlight spilled into the dim bar. Tim walked in, making a beeline toward the bathroom in the back. "Mike, the usual. Christ, I gotta piss. What are you shit heels arguing about today?"

Mike laughed and shook his head.