Humanity's Evolution: Part XIV

By Renee Hughes

His lecture ended creating a complete moment of silence. Dave stared unblinkingly at all of us and then left. The spell broke. "He is amazing," I said to Gershom. "Yes, he is," he said but the look on Gershom's face said otherwise.

"What's wrong?" I asked. My companion shrugged his shoulders. "I had hoped Dave's conclusions would not simply echo yours," Gershom admitted. "He has a flare for presenting multiple sides of an issue. I am disappointed he didn't bother this time."

He expressed the same dissatisfaction with Sandra. I understood why and yet earlier he wanted me to consider Dave for our committee. A committee I refuse to fully create until the planet project had been officially approved. On the surface, Dave's endorsement would seem to be exactly what Gershom would want.

I pointed this out to him. "Not exactly," Gershom corrected. "I wanted you to tell Ezekiel that you had committee members in mind before the vote. This will reassure the Little Dragons that if the planet project is approved, you the committee's strongest advocate, has qualified representatives committed to creating the social code. That is not the same thing as what Dave did."

He was being unreasonable but before I could tell him so, Dave came towards us. The lecturer seemed even taller up close. He and Gershom shook hands, and then he shook mine. His hand felt both strong and delicate at the same time. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Anna" he said. His voice was still soft but it sounded more shy than mesmerizing. "You are a very impressive lecturer," I said. He then laughed a pleasant sound. "I cheat as Gershom no doubt told you," he said turning to my companion, who gave him a knowing smile.

I shook my head at his outrageous comment and had to concentrate on suppressing my own smile. "Your research is sound. Using a tactic or two to capture an audience's attention is not a way of cheating but a necessity," I said. "I wish I had your gift." Dave gave a gracious nod of thanks. "I found your own lecture captivating."

"Is that why you didn't bother to present an opposing point of view?" Gershom asked him. Dave turned towards my companion. "I admit I was tempted because you also presented yourself well in your debate. If you based it solely on facts, I would have gone with your side Gershom. But Anna presented a unique point of view that I never considered. The planet project's inhabitants enlightened with our knowledge could surpass us. There is a real possiblity that the one who created us knew this and would bless this course of action. What a legacy that would be for our race to create inhabitants unburdened by our ancestors' struggles for human equality."

His words moved me but not Gershom. "Even at the expense of free choice?" he pushed. "Now you are getting into an entirely different debate," Dave protested. "I don't think we are removing free choice. We are simply explaining the knowledge the inhabitants would use to make their own choices." Gershom shook his head in disagreement but didn't say anything more.

Dave turned back to me. "I am interested in being on your committee," he said. I glanced over at Gershom who was looking at both of us. "If the vote passes, I will keep it in mind," I promised him. Dave wasn't disappointed. "Sandra said you were hesitant to select members until after the vote but I still thought it best to let you know anyway."

"Well, we won't have to wait too much longer," Gershom said drawing our eyes to him. "The scientist, who proposed the project will be speaking momentarily. Then it will be time for the vote." My heart warred between excitement and dread. Once the Little Dragons made their decision, there would be no going back.

That ends Part XIV. Next month is Part XV. If you have enjoyed this piece, please consider giving a donation of time or money to your favorite charity. A few worthwhile local organizations are Safe Futures, Inc., Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut and Thames Valley Council for Community Action. Together we can make a difference!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Humanity's Evolution, Part I

The grass felt smooth and wet beneath my bare toes. The sunlight's warmth tingled on my face. I even sat down in the wet grass to enjoy the sensation of dew soaking into my clothes. A contented sigh escaped my lips. I sat in my favorite park a perfect place for my lecture. It held a wide expanse of grassy land dotted with tall towering trees. A small bird with beautiful crimson feathers alighted next to me. It's beaded eyes looked directly into my own. I smiled at it. The bird melted away and was replaced by a tall man stretched out languorously on the grass. "Hello Michael," I said. "You could have stayed a bird." He didn't answer until he wiggled his body on the grass savoring the wetness like me. Then he turned towards me and gave a firm negative shake of his head."  Crimson-backed  tanagers don't talk. Remember, I am a purist," he said. I nodded my head.  It was  an old argument. Michael believed that when he transformed into a physical
Read more

Humanity's Evolution, Part II

By Renee Hughes The wind picked up and the sunlight increased. I felt the swirling changeable nature of energy, the Little Dragons had arrived. I turned to Michael. "How will you watch my lecture?" I asked him eyebrows raised. "I am a purist remember," He said. "I will stay in this form." I nodded pleased with his decision. We both stood staring as a moving vortex of vivid colors woven together with rays of pure light grew in the sky. I waited for our brethren to descend from the heavens. I had modified my spiritualistic nature for this lecture. As long as the Little Dragons assumed some type of human form, I would be satisfied. Only a few hundred complied. That was disappointing. Most of them remained in the sky. "Please," I called out to the vortex. "The Planet Project could be a monumental achievement for our race or the biggest mistake of our existence. I need you to join me here!" The air shifted and a very tall man appeared
Read more

Social Conundrums, Part XIV

B​y Renee Hughes G​ ershom Hannah didn't live up to her word. S​even days were gone and other than our earlier conversation nothing more was said about Res publica . I still saw Hannah almost on a daily basis along with the rest of my supporters. Our protests against Mediator Kim's Third Way were garnering attention from the Little Dragon community at large. More than once I tried to catch a moment alone with her, but she was deliberately avoiding me. I was beginning to wonder if she had promised me too much seven days ago. I​f that were true, then the whole enterprise would fail. It didn't matter how many arguments we presented because Anne and her entourage were refuting them all. We might as well be back in the committee room arguing the same old points only this time we had a bigger audience. I didn't get any impression that the Little Dragons really cared enough to do anything more than just listen. A large public outcry is what we sought, and we weren'
Read more