End of Women: Part Two

In Manu Tua

'Today President Hobart gave his seventh speech since taking office, underscoring his commitment to reasserting traditional values on a waning American society. While attending the state funeral of Brettick Rand The President notably excluded all female representatives from the guest list, leading many commentators to believe that the recent surge in anti-female thinking has indeed reached the highest offices in the land.'

The newsreader shuffled his notes and suppressed a wry smile as the camera tracked back to take in more of the studio. Beside him were two men and one woman, besuited and bespectacled.

'We are joined now at the roundtable by journalist Sam Humphrey, political activist Shailene Lucille and recently elected Senator of Pensyllvania Lucas Johnson. Welcome to you all.'

Lucas Johnson bobbed his head and leant back in his chair. The newsreader opened his palms to his guests and began the debate.

'First of all, the question on everyone's minds is, what on earth is happening in this country?'

'Its a good question, Mike,' said Sam, 'when the President talks about traditional values, he will of course strike a chord with many-'

'Bigots?' Shailene interrupted, tossing her huge wollen scarf high up over her shoulder. 'That's what you mean, isn't it? Bigoted men? Misogynists?'

Sam stammered awkwardly. The newsreader shook his head.

'Its best if we dont jump to conclusions about-'

'What more evidence do you need?' Shailene fumed, her long fingers rattling like maracas on the polished table-top, 'Women are being locked up without trial, imprisoned like animals, tortured by demented psychopaths!'

'That is just conjecture,' Sam breathed, waggling his finger back at Shailene, 'there has been no proof of any of that. True, more women than ever are going to prison,but there is strong evidence to suggest that crimes committed by females were being ignored by the so-called justice system.'

Shailene fell silent, overcome with anger, eyeballs popping like champagne corks.   She crossed her legs under the table, her long floaty dress creating a sudden draft as it rippled through the air. 

'Mr. Johnson,' The Newsreader turned to Lucas at last, smiling with exasperation, 'anything to add?'

Lucas leant forward gradually, adjusting his spectacles and clearing his throat. He was young man, much younger than your average Senator, but with a force of will through some experience that few men ever achieve.

'I think what we have seen,' he began, speaking to the Newsreader and to Sam, 'is that in the past six months, the public's opinion on the issue of women has changed course. We may be seeing the start of a renaissance of man, whereby we finally embrace the genetic and hormonal differences between our two species, and stop indulging the female desire for equality in favour of recognising the actual nature of their nature.'

Nate Howard woke up suddenly. He had left the television playing all night again. 

Groaning, he rolled over and grasped at the remote on his nightstand, fingers fumbling around its cold edges, until he found the off button just in time to cut Shailene off in mid-retort.

He fell back onto the sheets, yawned and stretched. His left arm bumped into something warm and soft. Pulling back the covers slightly he saw the sleeping face of his beautiful girlfriend, Alyssa. She was silent and perfect. He wished she could stay there forever, and he with her.