Mission: Imperative!
“Conrad has his eyes on the clock this time. The ball is snapped. Conrad, back to pass. He’s looking…..looking. He fires to the left! Incomplete! Intended for DeMarki. That will bring up third and long.”
“Well, Sal, Conrad’s a bit shaken, but he’s not doing too badly over all. He’s now 8 for 15. I mean, he’s no Baxter, that’s for sure, but hopefully his confidence will grow.”
“Yeah, that’s true, Bob, but I still don’t understand Baxter and the others not being willing to follow the league’s mandate. It’s not like it’s…it’s…”
“Well, unreasonable…”
“Yeah! Well, I don’t think it’s unreasonable at all. He needs to think of his team….I mean, this is a team effort, after all. I think some people are just resisting for, you know, maybe…. maybe religious reasons, though even that doesn’t make much sense any more. I mean, what religion would they be following now?”
“Well, people have all kinds of reasons for choosing to do things… or not to do them, but I hope this won’t drag on for too much longer, because I think the league has been more than fair so far…”
“Well, the league’s been patient…”
“Yeah, but I’m not sure how much longer this can go on. There are…what…probably an average of two players on each team that are in violation. Some are starters, too, which is a real problem for some of those teams.”
“OK. We’ll continue this in just a bit, Bob. It’s third and long. We’ll see what Conrad can do now…. The ball is set, Simpson at center, Conrad in the shotgun…. The ball is snapped. Conrad back. Conrad looks to the right. He’s going long to a wide open O’Neal!….and he overshoots him!… And there’s a man down. Time – out.”
“Wow! That’s either a complete lack of confidence, or inexperience… or maybe both! How can you miss a guy who’s that wide open?”
“Well, this is where they could really use Baxter. In fact, look down at the bench. Welsh is really gesturing to Baxter and pointing out to the field! And, Bob, you know exactly what the head coach is saying, or rather… yelling! If Baxter would co – operate, they wouldn’t be in this jam!”
“They wouldn’t be, you’re right. But the mandate’s clear. If you don’t have your implant, you can’t play! It’s just that simple. And with two weeks left in the grace period, you know that something’s got to give.”
“The injured man appears to be Simonson…. Well, and it’s interesting that you mention the grace period. That grace period has already ended for the rest of us last week. It caused quite a stir at half – time at the food court, now that the scanners have been installed at all the registers.”
“Yeah, I saw that. One of our camera crews got some shots down there of some of those customers who were refused service…… Well, it’s not like folks didn’t know it was going to happen, though, Sal…”
“No, you’re right. InterWorld has done an amazing job getting the word out over these last months since the new law was internationally mandated. Those folks will just have to get their implant if they want to purchase food. The new head of InterWorld has made it clear that it’s actually for their own safety ….and ultimate good!”
“It’s sort – of a quality control issue. And, I kind – of resisted too. I mean, I wasn’t sure if I wanted the intrusion. That’s the way I looked at it initially. Did you wait at all, Sal?”
“Oh, no! Well, I couldn’t wait! I enjoy eating too much! Ha ha ha! And besides, my wife does a lot of entertaining, and she didn’t want a ripple in our social life!”
“Ha! Well, that’s reason enough. And, what do you think of the new InterWorld logo?”
“You mean the three dice?”
“Yeah! I think it’s quite catchy, actually. And symbolic, of course. I mean, with the leader’s number showing on all sides, it’s a way to show people that they really can’t lose by joining InterWorld — that it’s a “safe gamble”. And anywhere it’ s displayed, folks can go and get their implant for free.”
“Well, it symbolizes that everyone’s always a winner. And it has a calming effect on people since that terrible day a while back when so many people disappeared.”
“Ugh! Don’t mention that day! But, you’re probably right. People have been so confused since then, and this has given them a degree of unity, a sense of reassurance. Although I must say that, personally, I’ve still had an uneasy feeling. I can’t say why. And, come to think of it, isn’t it amazing – well, a little ominous, really – that the English translation for the acronym of the new order should wind up being “B.E.A.S.T.”? Ha! I mean, that’s just…weird. But just coincidental, I know.”
“Well, all of that’s probably true, but thankfully there’s really nothing to worry about any more. Our implants have been painless. Our future is secure. The leader has confirmed that. OK, let’s get back to the game…”
Just as surely as the Word of God has been clear about creation, there will certainly be an end. The scriptures give us many details and warnings. The last huge judgment was the flood. The next one is just around the corner…
