"Looked at that way," he said, relaxing his stance, "it could have been anyone, couldn't it?"
"I think so, yeah. And that's why it intrigues me so much."
"Because of what happened at your father's jobsite when you were a kid?"
"Could be, yeah. I mean, that accident could have hurt anyone. I just happened to be standing in the wrong place. But since it did hurt me, I was the one whose course through life was altered as a result. It could have been my father, or a co-worker, or even the foreman. And in each case, what changed would have had different consequences. But because it was me, I'm living this version of my life instead of another one. Well, what you started has changed the course of who knows how many lives."
He held up his hands. "Hey, you're not going to hold me responsible for what a million strangers do. That's their problem."
"No it's not. It's their opportunity. It takes a lot of effort to turn a ship around. Whatever it was that you did, however it happened, a ton of people suddenly stood up and changed the course of something a whole lot bigger than their own lives. And it wouldn't have happened without you. You're not responsible for what happened, or for what any of them might do, but without you it would not have happened at all."
"So, you don't think they'll want to string me up if they found out who I am?"
Margot chuckled. "Well, right now they might, especially the fat cats who just got bit in the ass by the concerted actions of a whole lot of people you inspired. But in the long run? No. I don't think so. More likely, they're gonna want to know who you were, so they could properly thank you for the world you helped to create. But that's probably a way off."
"Good. Then I made the right choice in picking you for this interview. After all, there's no picture to tie the alias to, and you can't peg me either since you're blind."
She was still for a long moment. Then, she flipped her recorder off and stowed the mike. As she held out her hand to thank him, she grinned mischievously. "They'll find out eventually."
He grasped her hand. "Oh? How?"
"There was a loophole in your restrictions. I have a camera. I took your picture. But it won't be released until I'm dead."
Charlie withdrew his hand. "A camera. Where?"
She pointed to her right eye. Cutting edge tech. And the best part?"
"Hmmm?"
"The research was paid for by the founder of the company your friends helped cut down to size. But he won't know that for some time."
THE END
Copyright 2009 by P. Orin Zack
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
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