THE PRICE OF WATER

 

 

In the year 2008, following a nuclear winter, the world is a dark place. Buildings crumble, the streets are filthy and the homeless population has exploded. Intense radiation has created a new breed of man with psionic abilities. The wealthy continue to prosper while the poor die, cold and alone.

 

Gold, silver, gemstones, all the precious commodities of old, are worthless now. Food, clothing and more importantly clean water, are where the money is to be made. Machines line the streets filled with food and water for the public to use – for a small fee.

 

A filthy, middle-aged man (obviously of little wealth) staggers up to a water vending machine. Pulling a handful of change from his pocket, he begins inserting it into the machine. A cold, feminine voice coming from the machine says, "You have inserted $4.75. Please insert an additional $0.25."

 

"Stupid machine!" His face flushes red as he kicks it. "Give me my water!"

 

 Turning around, he addresses a well‑groomed man. "Sir, can I borrow a quarter?"

 

"Get lost, ya’ bum!"

 

A wealthy looking young man approaches the poor man. But before the frustrated man can ask for the money, he hears a voice in his head telling him to get a job. It takes him a second before he realizes that he has encountered a telepath.

 

Shaking his fist in the air he yells, "Friggin' TP's, you think you're better than everyone else!"

 

For the next ten minutes he begs and begs for the mere twenty-five cents, but to no avail. It is then that he notices another destitute man shining shoes for money. Tearing a piece of cloth off his pants, he begins offering to shine shoes for a quarter. Another wealthy man steps towards him and, taking pity on the poor man, agrees to pay the quarter.

 

Finishing his job, he sprints back to the machine and places the quarter in the slot. In the same cold voice the machine says, "You have inserted $0.25. Please insert an additional $4.75."