WAVES OF TRANSPARENCY (FINAL EPISODE)

Sreekumar K

In the afternoon session Patricia dropped a bomb on everyone. Her speech was very positive when it started. But as it went on the room felt colder than it actually was.

"Knowledge creation and dissemination will become more democratic as language ceases to be the only medium of communication between brains. When we substitute words with waves, knowledge will become no one's monopoly. Education, science, technology, health care and such fields of human activity will take a quantum leap. From the morning session, it should be clear to you all that the technology to link brains using gravitational waves is available now. Those who invest in this will be the only ones to make any money out of it. The opinions and suggestion you shared with us about its pros and cons are invaluable for us. Since the consortium feels that you were not adequately rewarded for that, they plan to make you shareholders, free of cost to some extent. At the same time, you are reminded of the agreement between you and the consortium regarding how one of you should volunteer to take part in the field test."

It was then that July and Emily realized the imminent danger that Michael had warned them about.  Michael also  remembered that economists does not think any lunch is free.

Six years ago when they signed the agreement, everyone thought only of the huge amount in their bank accounts. None of them thought of the unfortunate person among them whose mind would be made totally transparent one day. No one really believed that such a technology would be available during their own lifetime. But now they realize that fate caught up with them.

They all felt like unfortunate convicts who fell unconscious hearing their death sentence and waking up only on the day of execution. They looked at each other to see how the others were taking it.

Each of them got up to explain why they were not able to volunteer. Secrets are what make us individuals and personalities. Secrets make us unique. Without our uniqueness, none of us counts, Janet argued. Several of them quoted Havlock Ellis statement that all are secretive even to themselves.

When a man's mind is made totally transparent he is as good as dead. And killing a person is no legal. Even if a person approaches the court for euthanasia, he won't be granted the request unless there is a proper reason for that. And mostly such requests were rejected. Such were the arguments.

 

Patricia listened to everything. She smiled at the arguments fully knowing that the consortium could by any court under the sky. She reminded them of the huge amount they would have to pay back if nobody volunteered. Still no one budged.

"There is only one opting for me now. It is forced on me. I have nothing personal in this," as she said this, she glanced at Cheng Lee first and then at Jean. One was her history and the other was her future. She too didn't want to think of one of them being the scape goat.

"So, we will try lots now. We will use random number prediction for that. I will turn on the unit implanted in the brain of the chosen one at twelve o' clock tonight. Those whom I decide or myself will have access to his or her mind from then onwards," said Patricia in a quivering voice.

Emily jumped up to say that there is nothing called a random number. All the other supported her and Patricia too had to agree. Michael and Emily kissed in public.

Patricia could sense that everyone was suddenly infuriated about the consortium, about the project and about herself.

So, actual lots were tried. Everyone's names were written in bits of paper and dropped in a box. A waiter was called in to choose one. He took one and thinking that the one he chose got some handsome prize, he wanted for compliments. Janet gave him a dollar and sent him away. He bowed out of the room.

Everyone was anxious to know who it was.

Everyone could hear their neighbour's heart beating.

Everyone wanted it to be someone else, no matter who it was.

They all prayed to that effect and then realized how mean they were. Each of them saw themselves as such ruthless people to wish doom on their own dear ones.

But they also knew that the chosen one would have a life worse than death. A state in which one ceases to exist while still alive.

Even the few atheists were seen crossing themselves.

Finally, Patricia read out the name.

Jean Larvin

No one spoke for a while.

They were asking themselves whether they should congratulate their dear ones for their luck or show their sympathy for the unfortunate one.

Finally, Avanthika spoke for the first time that day.

"Don't worry Jean, nothing will happen to you. We are all with you. Without implanting a unit on your body, nothing can be done. It is illegal to do it without your permission.

Nobody else said anything.

"There is no solace in that Avanthika. As soon as we signed the agreement, they implanted it as an injection in our body telling us it is our ID. As a neuroscientist, I knew that. But I didn't tell any of you. And now I am paying the price. I will undergo this willingly. I don't have secrets in my life from now on. I am not a person anymore. I am as good as dead," saying this Jean sat on the floor.

Nobody knew how to console him.

His body looked like a corpse to all of them.

Patricia heard about Jean's death early in the morning.

It was a suicide.

No one knew why.

There was no suicide note.

It was the room boy who saw the body first.

However, it was no news for Patricia.

She had turned on his unit exactly at twelve the previous night.

His thoughts had been slithering all over her brain the whole night.

She had mistaken them for her own thoughts and had even wondered why she felt like hanging herself.

All those nightmares were blackish red in colour.