Barcode

Introduction

All throughout history there are examples of men who have wanted to rule the Earth. Napoleon Bonaparte and Adolf Hitler are two that history hasn't let us forget. Neither man succeeded in their attempts for one reason or another. For many years, no man dared to attempt this seemingly impossible feat. No man that is, until the year 2515. That was the year everything changed. The fate of the world was now in the hands of one man and his family, and we could do nothing about it.

One may wonder how this could have possibly happened. No one can provide you with the exact answer. It happened a few years after the Fourth World War. Every country was left in shambles and it was taking longer than it should have to reconstruct.

Many wanted a leader who could rise above the damage and lead us to a better future. The man who came into power did the exact opposite. At first he gained the acceptance of the countries that needed him the most. Countries like The United States of America, China, and Great Britain were left in poverty because of the war that happened fifty years earlier. He gained their trust and vowed not to change any of their laws, but like any story could tell you, a little power can change any man.

The more countries that begged for his help, the more control he gained. Within ten years this man had taken control of the entire world and it had all happened too fast for anybody catch their breath. Many tried to rebel, and many tried to assassinate him, but it was all in vain. The man never died. We all could see that he wasn't going anywhere for a very long time.

The man's name is Iredell Marcusio. His age is unknown. His origin is unknown as well. All we know is we can count on being one world again. Under Marcusio's rule we function as one country. This means we all have one currency, we don't need a passport to go to another "state", and we all make the same amount of money. The entire country eats the same thing for their meals. This means we have no fast food. There is no immigration or debt. For your eighteenth birthday, you are given a house depending on your career choice. When you get married, you receive a house based on both of your incomes. Many may think this is perfect, but it's just the first level of our fine country.

Are you ready for the next level our society? The government takes around forty percent of your paycheck. You are only aloud to have a certain amount of children based on your income. You must be married to have children. If you are not married the government will take your child until you are. Still not so bad? Okay how's about when you are born you are given a barcode. It is tattooed on your arm. Each time you shop, watch your hologram, get into your hover car, shower, or even go to bed you must scan your barcode. If you don't scan your barcode you will have a representative at your door searching your house, car, or wherever you are. If you do not scan your barcode you will have to issue a public apology. You are not allowed to stay out past two a.m. no matter how old you are. The exception is if your job requires you to be out later, even then you have to be home no more than thirty minutes after you leave your job. Representatives are constantly watching you. If they want to, they can come into your home uninvited.

Level three of this fine establishment includes the fact that everyone must go to college. No matter if you can afford it or if you even need it. One scan of a barcode can give your whole life's story. It can tell if you are happy, sad, or sick. It tells the doctor what your disease is and the coroner how you died. If you break a law you must face Marcusio in person. Your sentencing is broadcast all over the world for everyone to see. There is no divorce. You must stay with the person you chose "till death do you part". Once you choose your career at eighteen you must stick with it. You are not allowed to change it. You must pay to give your opinion.

The representatives have confiscated most of the weapons, but The Resistance invented two very lethal, very painful weapons. The first one is the scrambler. The scrambler rearranges your barcode and causes your body to shut down. You writhe in pain for a few minutes, then your memory is lost, then you take your last breath. The representatives have a hard time identifying scrambler deaths because their barcode is no longer in existence and their history is lost. The next weapon is the deteriorator. It does just what the name says. One shot turns you into billions of tiny particles. Now, take a moment and then tell me: Do you think this is the life for you? It certainly is not the one for me.