Stale Donuts: A Gender First Among Equals

Stale Donuts

A Gender First Among Equals

Copyright © 2005 by Christopher J. Farmer

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording,taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN:  978-0-5957-9483-6 (ebook)

Contents

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

C HAPTER S

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

CHAPTER 31

CHAPTER 32

CHAPTER 33

CHAPTER 34

CHAPTER 35

CHAPTER 36

CHAPTER 37

CHAPTER 38

CHAPTER 39

CHAPTER 40

CHAPTER 41

CHAPTER 42

CHAPTER 43

CHAPTER 44

In every hive there rests a queen. In Democrahive, every female is a queen.

Primus inter pares

In a world completely conquered by humans, Nothing remains but for humans to conquer each other.

CHAPTER 1

A NEIGHBOR’S POWER

This is Ms. Shelly Wulters live with Impartial Facts, Democrahive’s leading Micropulse News Channel! We would like to thank our sponsors, Verified Speech, The Citizen Wellness Brigade of Boston and the Old York FactPaper! Bob, what are the facts for this hour?

„ Thank you so much Ms. Wulters. We are still waiting for the Democrahive authorities to comment on the new recombinant virus that has been detected in the food supply but sources that wish to remain anonymous within Democrahive claim that this new bug is highly virulent.‘"

„Ah yes! Well if the information came from Democrahive…"

„Oh, I am terribly sorry, Ms. Wulters. You are right! Even though the information has come from Democrahive, the ‚anonymous‘ source really isn‘t ‚anonymous‘. It must be true!"

„That‘s right Bob, so let‘s not forget that! What information has Democrahive given us about this new virus?"

„Ms. Wulters, scientists from the Democrahive Department of Agriculture have determined that the virus is humankind made but its source is unknown. It is believed that the radical animal rights organization, The Animal Rights Under God Brigade, have unleashed this new virus to protect animals from human consumption."

„ That is terrible news! What does Democrahive have planned in response? It is a criminal offense to experiment with unauthorized biological organisms without the consent of the state, I would assume."

„ You are absolutely correct, Ms. Wulters! Absolutely correct! The source within Democrahive‘s Department of Agriculture has confirmed to me that special anti-terrorist units are now being deployed to track down and liquidate the personnel responsible for this dangerous terrorist act. The priority is finding the terrorism-enabling lab itself to isolate and determine the source of the infection. Democrahive is going to issue a formal statement on the matter later today, but they wanted us to ensure that the public is informed that no citizen is to eat any freshly-cut, unprocessed meat products whatsoever until the extent of the contamination within the agro-cattle supply can be determined.."

„Bob, I think we have a live clip now of Chuck from the Argentexas Beef-Cattle Harvester‘s Association. Chuck, can you hear me?"

„Yes Ms. Wulters, I can hear you.‘"

„That‘s great Chuck and thank you for coming on the program on such short notice as you were ordered to do. „

„Not a problem, Ms. Wulters. We all watch Impartial Facts down here in Argen-texas. „

„ Thank you for the compliment, Chuck! Now Chuck, how did this happen? How did the terrorists from ARUGB manage to unleash yet another recombinant virus into the food supply?"

„Ms. Wulters, this new humankind virus attacks the brains of cows, pigs and sheep, from what we can determine, and it also gives the meat a rancid, acidic taste that cannot be tolerated by anyone that consumes it, even when cooked properly. It is the most dangerous form of the virus that we have seen since ARUGB started this form of terrorism back in 2041. It is also highly contagious and we believe that it is spreading across the country even as we speak."

„That is terrible!"

„ Yes Ms. Wulters, it is terrible. Very, very terrible. I just don‘t know what these folks were thinking by doing this again. It took us almost ten years to inoculate against the last agro-weapon attack by this group and now this new virus has appeared. I expect the beef and pork markets to collapse in the coming days as they did after the attack in ‚41.‘"

„Chuck, I want you to stand by today and keep us updated about this new crisis that has befallen the cattle industry.‘"

„You just give us the word, Ms. Wulters.‘"

„Oh, I will. Count on it. Bob, back to you. Are you still with us?"

„Yes, Ms. Wulters, I am still here.‘"

„That‘s good. Can you tell our audience what Democrahive is planning to do besides hunting this terrorist group down with anti-terrorist teams?‘

„Ms. Wulters, I have been told that a citizen within the Democrahive Department of Agriculture by the name of Doctor Simon is going to organize a crisis team to respond to this new agro-terrorism threat. Doctor Simon‘s credentials are listed by the Democrahive Department of Agriculture as an expert in the microbiological sciences."

„Bob, do we have Simon available for an interview?"

„Notyet, Ms. Wulters. I am working on that right now."

„Great Bob! Let the team know when you can reach Simon."

„Willdo, Ms. Wulters."

Wellfolks, you heard it here first! There is a new recombinant virus that has been unleashed into the beef cattle food supply by ARUGB, The Animal Rights Under God Brigade, and this new bug has made all meat products inedible for humankind consumption! As you would certainly agree, I hope our security forces get those ARUGB terrorists once andfor all…Now for our next story this morning, police have arrested a very dangerous man in the Secular-Washington sector of Democrahive for felony Image Intolerance crimes. You would think that in this day and age that citizens wouldn’t insult someone, especially a female, for her weight. The suspect was captured outside of the Secular-Washington Gravitational Metrorail Station and his name is…

Turn off the hydrogen television.

Yes, Doctor Simon a computerized voice returned and the large, flat-paneled hydrogen television blinked off. Were you dissatisfied with the news this morning?

No, I am running late because I have an emergency meeting about the new terrorist virus.

My name is Doctor Simon Willdash, but you wouldn’t know that. You are a computer that is programmed to think that I have one name, but my name has two parts. We have discussed this in my mind before, many times. Unfortunately we will not be able to discuss this together openly because to do so would be a risk to my life and my daughter’s future, Skip.

Doctor Simon, Renee has awakened.

Thank you, Skip. I am going to take a shower. If I receive any calls, take messages.

Yes, Doctor Simon.

The water was hot and refreshing. Renee had her own bathroom, a requirement by the state for all families that bore daughters. The state found a special importance in the female, and this conditioning started when vast female voting blocks in the early decade of 2011 began block-voting candidates into political office in the old system to ensure the success of a twenty-year plan to form and shape global government, a government that later became the Democrahive. By 2026, women were the majority in corporations, elected office, in universities, and the former United Nations. Over time, law upon law was heaped onto other laws to give females a different status in society, a new status. The new status included new special rights like their own bathrooms in residences regardless of age and income. When the state teaches certain citizens that they are a special group worthy of special rights, they can get anything they want. Everything became a hive activity.

By 2040, eventually there were enough domestic laws passed so there was no longer any need for a legislature. All interpretation of law and the creation of new ‘common laws’ which applied to everyone with the full power of the state behind them became instruments of utility by judges themselves. A legislature was a redundant mechanism that conflicted with the global agenda cast in 2011. Citizens only needed to vote for the ‘board’, the leadership cell of Democrahive, and all internal controls placed upon the citizens of the new state were managed and supervised by the newly emerging matriarchal judicial oligarchy. Legislative treaties no longer existed because the Democrahive was global and the handful of states in various regions that rebelled against it weren’t of particular value to the transnational state anyway. For their trouble, Democrahive ensured that they remained failed states.

Doctor Simon, I am receiving a flash call from the judicial branch of Secular-Washington. Do you want me to accept this call or record?

Accept it, Simon replied from the shower, raising his voice. He lifted his eyes to the corner of the bathroom and saw the familiar blue light of Skip’s surveillance of him and the light flashed after the instruction as Skip’s core programming took over.

Doctor Simon? a strange voice appeared over the universal intercom in the house.

Simon quickly shut off the water in the shower and stepped out of the basin and wrapped a fluffy people’s towel around his soaked body.

Yes, he replied.

Doctor Simon, my name is Ms. Joanna Deetale, and I am one of the clerks that helps assist Judge Caveat with her important day to day judicial functions…

I know Judge Caveat, Simon replied. Most men in Secular-Washington did, regardless of status.

That is great, Doctor Simon! Judge Caveat would like you to drop by today for a hearing.

A hearing?

Yes, Doctor Simon, a hearing. Can you hear me? Apparently one of your neighbors has filed an official complaint against you. Do you know of a neighbor in your area named Ms. Monica De Jure?

Yes, I know of her, Simon’s voice lowered with concern.

Did Ms. Monica De Jure approach you about Peer Success Training?

She did, last week.

Long Pause.

Hmmm…Doctor Simon, when this claim first reached my desk I thought that it was a mistake. If Ms. Monica De Jure contacted you directly about Peer Success Training last week and you have failed to follow-up with your end of the deal, I have no choice but to pass this on to Judge Caveat. She wants to see you.

I did talk to Ms. Monica De Jure, but I explained to her that I am part of the Democrahive Department of Agriculture research contingent and we have recently had some terrorism issues related to ARUGB which needed my direct attention. I was planning on meeting with Ms. Monica De Jure next week and would certainly be available for Peer Success Training then.

Another long pause.

Uh, Doctor Simon, Ms. Joanna Deetale’s voice dropped, I am not interested in any of that. The case file states that Ms. Monica De Jure contacted you last week to inform you that she had selected you for Peer Success Training. As a successful citizen, you know what it means for unsuccessful citizens to have to stand on the outside of your successful life and wonder how you became successful. It is important that successful citizens nurture unsuccessful citizens and only with your cooperation can we make this great program a success itself.

I understand.

Very good. Now, Judge Caveat will need to see you today. When can you come in?

I have an emergency meeting about the new virus this morning. A team of scientists is waiting for me in Secular-Washington.

I will tell you what, Doctor Simon. It just so happens that I have an enforcement officer near your community. I will send him right away to pick you up. See you soon!

The line went dead.

There were many crocodile tongues doing the talking, but very few were doing any listening. It was always like that.

Renee, get dressed fast!

Daddy, I need at least another thirty-five minutes.

We don’t have thirty-five minutes! An enforcement officer is coming to pick us up in ten minutes!

What did you do? Renee appeared at the entrance to the bathroom, her hands combing through her long dark hair quickly with a new sense of urgency.

I didn’t do anything wrong, but years of listening to Skip has convinced you proac-tively to think otherwise.

I am not in any trouble, Renee. I have to see Judge Caveat about an important matter.

Alright daddy, let me get dressed real fast.

Thank you.

Relief.

CHAPTER 2

ANOTHER NEIGHBOR’S POWER

Skip, leave all of the windows open for about an hour so that we can get some fresh air in the house today.

Yes, Doctor Simon, the computerized voice returned. Areyou in any trouble, Doctor Simon?

No, Skip.

They enter the gravitational carport together, father and daughter. Renee’s mother died in a terrible gravitational car accident almost five years ago. It took three years to convince the family agents of Democrahive to let Simon care for his daughter alone, with special circumstances and instructions by the state, of course.

Are you nervous?

Yes, daddy.

Don’t be. All women like you get a new last name when they turn fourteen.

Skip has explained to me for a very long time what would happen but it seemed like it was so far away. Now that I will be turning fourteen in a few days it is difficult to grasp. I know that I shouldn’t be nervous about it, but I am.

You will be nervous about the crowd that will be assembled to congratulate you, Simon smiled.

True, she replied. I know that.

Of course it is true.

Have they hinted to you what your new name will be?

It will always be Willdash, regardless.

Renee shook her head, No, it is a surprise. I wish that mother could be here with us to see the commencement.

Simon opened his mouth to speak but thought better of it. Religion was a dangerous subject in Democrahive and proselytizing was forbidden. This was because all bibles were banned as intolerant to others. The intolerance did not have to be directed at all groups, just those officially recognized by Democrahive. That meant all of them.

They stood together waiting for the enforcement officer to arrive. Simon was dismayed when he saw his next door neighbor Mack quickly appear through a slice in the hedgerows along his property, Mack’s feet trudging upon the ground with purpose towards them. Fences to beautify property were legal but no property could be contained completely because the citizen of the modern state did not have a right to privacy. The philosophy of privacy could cause self and external harm and was eliminated by the state. Complete fences prevented citizens that belonged to the Concerned Neighbor Program from moving about the community to check upon the health and welfare of their neighbors. The list to join the Concerned Neighbor Program was always a very lengthy list. Mack was a member himself.

Renee, go back into the house and go to my den and get my flash communicator. I am sorry I forgot it.

Sigh, alright dad. She replied and scurried off. Mack peered past Simon to study her as she moved back into the house.

Hello Doctor Simon, Mack said, extending a hand. Good to see you.

Hi Mack, how are things?

Good, good, Mack answered. Things have been pretty good. Our neighbors have been keeping their properties up to state standard, which is good news. I haven’t had one single request for property seizure under the People’s Heroic Salvage Program this year.

Now that is remarkable, Simon replied.

True.

When was the last time a property in our community was seized?

Mack lifted his eyes from the door to Simon’s house and raised a hand to his chin in thought. I suppose the last seizure due to a claim placed under the People’s Heroic Salvage Program was about three years ago, just before I assumed duty in this community as the local manager of the Concerned Neighbor Program. I see that you have taken great care of your property. It always looks nice. That is very important too since if it didn’t look nice and clean and well-maintained it might offend a member of the community. The reason the People’s Heroic Salvage Program is so successful is because there are always citizens willing to work hard to keep their property to standard knowing that it can be seized by another citizen if they let it deteriorate.

Yes, it is a huge motivator, Simon agreed but internally dissented.

Bastard.

You know Simon; I was reading in the FactPaper this morning that your daughter is approaching her fourteenth birthday. I wanted to congratulate her.

Don’t go there.

Yes, she will be getting her new last name in a few days. She is pretty excited about it.

I’ll bet.

You have to admit that Democrahive sure knows how to take care of the ladies in society, Simon joked.

With good reason! Look at how they have struggled as a minority group for so long. So why are you out here standing in the carport?

Renee Willdash and I are going to commute together today.

Now that is unusual. Does it have anything to do with the new virus?

No.

Oh. I thought that it might.

You thought wrong.

No, an enforcement officer is coming by to pick us up. I have a meeting with Judge Caveat.

You’re kidding.

No. Just found out a short time ago. By the way, aren’t you going into work today?

No, Mack replied. I have the day off, well, in a sense that is. I am going to catch up on some work that I have to finish with the Concerned Neighbor Program. Probably do some inspections today of all neighbor property in my sector.

Sounds like you will be busy then.

Sure will, but hey Simon, I was meaning to talk to you about something that is important to me.

Here it comes.

Sure, Mack, you bet.

You are what, fifty years old now?

I am fifty-two.

I am fifty, Mack said and smiled. We are basically the same age. Almost brothers, if you think about it.

Never.

You were born in Canadian-Michigan, right?

Eh, no, in Quebec-Maine.

Oh, that is right. Sorry, I remember that you have told me that before but I forgot. I was born near Boston.

Yeah, I know that Simon. Look, I am going to explain something to you and I hope that you understand, well, I am pretty certain that you will understand.

Alright.

You see, I remember when Patti was killed and I have always wondered why you haven’t taken advantage of the Life Experience Program.

I knew it.

It is something that hasn’t interested me, Mack.

Well I have been interested.

You bastard!

Really, since when?

Since I thought about what I am eligible for and entitled to, Mack said and then turned to Simon so that he had his full attention. Surely you think about it as well.

I can’t say that I have ever thought about it.

Not once?

Not once.

It must be your work then.

Get to the point, Mack.

Well, you and I were born into a different generation. We witnessed the transition to Democrahive. We are also getting older. Do I miss the old system? Sure I do, but I see the benefits of this new system.

Men like you sold out the old system.

Thinking about the old system can be dangerous, Mack. You could wind up in a Medimasculinity Program. I don’t think you would want that.

Look, I know you remember the old system because you were born into that system. I remember it. The new system is different, but it seems to me that there are benefits given to men like us in the new system to help us forget about the old system.

Do you think the Life Experience Program is one of the benefits?

I do.

So are you going to apply for it?

I already have. I have applied to be placed on your daughter’s Life Experience Program potentials list. You son of a bitch!

CHAPTER 3

THE ENFORCEMENT AGENT

The sleek grey gravitational car lifted above the plush green trees of Simon’s property and hovered there as the enforcement agent who commanded the craft waited for priority state transportation routing information. Citizens that were fortunate enough and successful enough to own and operate a gravitational car had to first call into a central dispatch computer linked into their city and community to inform the centralized government where they were going. This central computer then gave them permission to access the gravitational car lanes. Democrahive government employees such as enforcement agents had top priority for the gravitational car lanes, and exclusivity of all government gravitational car lanes, which of course were more numerous than non-government transportation lanes.

Enforcement Agent Butch, you will be receiving gravitational car lane permissions in thirty seconds. Scanning for drug and alcohol use. A voice sounded roboti-cally through the car’s radio as they hovered above the property. Sensors flashed inside the vehicle and all the occupants were scanned for chemical abuse. No citizen was immune from this test every single time they operated their gravitational cars.

Simon peered from the backseat window with his daughter sitting next to him and saw Mack below staring up at them with a small notebook taking notes.

Notebooks and busybody neighbors were all part of the Concerned