Chapter 10: part 2

In case anybody's keeping track and as I said in the prior entry I'm writing this fictional short story starting from the ending and working backwards. I picked chapter 10 as the last chapter because it was a good round number. I really have no idea how many chapters there's going to be.

In actual news I am planning to post each chapter on a separate page so you don't have to scroll up or look through archives to catch up. You have the option of starting from the lowest numbered chapter and reading up to 10 or starting at 10 and reading in the order I have written them.

In even better news I have added a comment system to this blog. So go ahead and add comments to each of these entries if you so desire. Remember you can view each chapter in non-blog form through the story by chapters link on the right.

And finally you'll find in the convenient link to the right and below the final portion of this chapter. Next: Chapter 9.

Chapter 10: part 2

Molas stepped forward: "In all our time together, have you ever known me to be an untrustworthy person? I think we have a very trusting bond developed over the past few months. We have saved each other's lives many times in battle. I'm telling you what's behind this door is wrong."

The mysterious stranger looked like he was about to say something, but quickly thought better of the idea and backed away.

Molas continued:

"Ethically there is no excuse for forcing one person to suffer while the rest for sake of a group living in absolute bliss. Further this magical property in fact keeps the populace in a delusional state, not having to deal with the true reality of world. This, on any number levels, is absolutely wrong."

Dubois looked confused for a second than straightened up. "Please offer a rebuttal." he said finally.

Secret Keeper stood up and began:

"This in fact is not ethical. Thanks to the suffering of one many lives can in fact be saved, wrongs righted. Would you say the same of the soldier sacrificing himself to save fellow soldiers? How is this different from the an ambitious person working 12 hour days, sacrificing relationships and family so his family can have a good life? Is this really so different? Go ahead and respond, if you can, Molas."

"Yes yes, lets move on already," answered Molas. "These examples cited are all very well and good but not relevant to the discussion."

"In what way, may I ask? Seemed like good points to me..." inquired Dubois.

Molas continued:

"In fact this entire city only exists thanks to the suffering of one small child. This child did not choose to be the trade off for this society. This is hardly comparable to an ambitious worker or a war heroe sacrafising himself. Further the entire society is in effect condoning this suffering. What a selfish population! Standing by while an innocent child suffers."

"Ah! so it comes out" says the mysterious stranger.

"So this is the big secret then? That this entire seemingly utopia of a perfect society depends entirely on a single child suffering anonymously in a room? I think I understand the conflict and animosity now." said Dubois.

"Oh, we're not like those boring utopians." explained the Stranger. "But lets not get bogged down in semantics."

"Do you have a rebuttal secret keeper?" asked Dubois.

The Stranger responded after a moment:

"This isn't so much that we're condoning the suffering of this child, we are in effect preventing the suffering of many, many children through this magic. As a catalyst to prevent suffering and maintain this wonderful world of which we are now apart. Given the ratio of people living happily and not in misery to the one who is, our society is a fair trade off"

"Oh come now," replied Molas, "Can you really say that? Don't you see that by living in such an idealistic world in the form of this city you're in effect living outside of reality?"

Molas continued:

"You cannot rationalize the suffering of an innocent! Of course there is suffering in reality, there always was and always will be; that's reality! The greatest thing about reality is the inspiration and tenacity of the people who bring themselves out of such a situation. This is the flexibility of reality, you're fate is your own and life is what you make of it.

Dubois finally responded:

"You have both made very compelling arguments. Are you finished with both of your arguments?"

"We can go on as long as you are willing to hear us, however we are done for now."

"Yes, I have heard enough so I can make a decision."

Molas and the mystery man lean forward in anticipation...

"I have decided the child suffering anonymously in place of the popluation shall..."

You'll find out the real ending when I finish the NWN module...

  ¶ 12:47 AM