Originally posted in Aphelion-webzine's May Flashfic Challenge, and now here. What would you do if you could control everyone's mind on Earth?
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Eric told himself it was all
luck. He daydreamed a lot at work, sometimes good ones, sometimes
vengeful. Then he would notice something on the news. A manager
at some company known to defraud others set a fire and burned down
headquarters. A group of disparate people gathered together and
donated a large sum of money to a homeless shelter. Or an annoying
co-worker suddenly quit, and left town.
He thought it was egotistic to
think that he had anything to do with these events – it was just
fate being kind. But things seemed to be taking a strange turn.
Like that program he had recently seen on TV, called The Secret.
“Ask the universe what you want, and the universe will deliver it.”
And indeed, Eric's track record of getting wishes granted was
getting good.
So it was that one day, he decided
to focus his thoughts on something good and useful for humanity, as
he saw it. He concentrated on world peace. He envisioned
results from all nations putting down their arms, laying off most of
their military people, except those needed for emergency rescue
operations. The benefits of this seemed obvious to Eric: more
resources available for humanitarian purposes all over the world.
And gradually it came to pass.
Wars in the Middle East and Africa petered out. New treaties were
signed. Spokespersons said, “War has gotten old and tired.
There must be a better way for humanity to settle differences.”
Suddenly populations that had lived in fear could settle down and get
on with the business of living. Even reports of atrocities among
tribes-people in Central Africa dwindled to nothing. Humanity
sighed with relief.
Eric was so overwhelmed with the
results that he hardly dared think anything else for fear it would
take hold. But he soon realized, ephemeral 'housekeeping' thoughts
and impulses had little or no effect. It took frequent, concerted
thinking on a subject to bring about effects. Still, some things
needed doing, and he did them. His boss decided to give him a large
raise, the restaurant he frequented decided to give him free meals
more often than not, and many, many strangers suddenly bought the
books he sold online. When Eric found a stylish penthouse condo he
liked, it took some concentration. But the management soon held a
special promotion of some kind, and Eric won the condo for $1.00.
The county tax assessor decided
on a whim to value his property very low, so his taxes were minimal.
The grocery store he frequented awarded him a first prize of free
groceries for a year. Some people remarked on his amazing luck. But
if anyone got too close, he would concentrate, and their thinking
soon changed. Eric had no trouble convincing desired sex partners
to party with him. However, one time he had multiple partners, and
things got out of hand. He couldn't concentrate on willing them to
perform, and enjoy whatever he was participating in, at the same
time. So some lost interest, and hastily left his condo. He
learned to modulate his control and his desires to keep things within
safe limits and under control.
The world slowly changed. The
pace of living slowed. Peace and calm were good, but day-to-day
life became nothing but more and more of the same dull routine.
Eric started getting bored, and more than a little annoyed.
So it was that one day, Eric began
to meditate on total freedom. He had seemingly turned humanity into
compliant sheep, moping along, doing nothing but his bidding. Now,
he decided to set them free.
He began meditating on the concept
of total freedom. “Do what you want! Take what you want! Get
wild! Get crazy! Get naked! Live a little!”
At first, nothing happened.
Folks at the grocery store talked in the usual dull monotone.
People at work spoke in hushed, peaceful tones . Eric persisted.
Maybe it is like turning an ocean liner – I need to keep at it.
So he focused on people having an
orgy in the street, or robbing a liqueur store, or staging a
walk-out, before he went to bed.
Eric awoke with a start, hearing
an incessant wailing. He rose, looked at the clock: 3:07AM.
What the hell?
He looked out his wall-sized
window, and saw flickering lights. Looking down, he saw mayhem.
Crowds in the streets, fighting and throwing things. A few
firetrucks and police cars, surrounded by mobs. Smoke rising, fires
burning. Uh-oh....
He composed himself, and sat down.
He began to think of peace, calm, settle-down thoughts.
The knock on his door brought him
up short. He rose and slowly walked to his entrance. He peeked
out the tiny spyhole, a seeming anachronism a short time ago. And
saw several rough, angry people. They pounded on his door.
“Yeah, you. Come on out, you
rich pig, we want to talk to you!” One of them spit on the
spyhole.
Eric yelled “go away! I'm
calling the police!”
“They're a little busy right
now,” yelled one of them. “C'mon, give me that crowbar. We need
to get in there and show this guy who is in charge.”
As the door splintered, and the
lock gave way, Eric tried a last maneuver: Thinking calm, peace...
You want to put down that crowbar,
you want to walk away, and leave the nice man alone...
Then, Eric 'heard' an overriding
voice in his head. “Attack that rich bastard, and kill him!
Destroy everything. Anarchy rules.”
The bearded, mustachioed man came
up to Eric, but didn't hit him right away. He laughed out loud.
“What? You think you are the
only human being with a talent? I'm only surprised at how easy it
was to turn everything around. Almost like I had help or
something...” Then the man shrugged, and swung his crowbar.
The End
