Page 15 - Unlikely Stories 5

Don Quejarse

My aim will be better if I can get closer. I must risk it! I will sacrifice
myself for humanity to rid the world of this monster!”
Viejo loco, thought Primo. He walked in front of Kaiser, blocking
his view of the blank screen.
“It is not alive, Don Quejarse,” he said, slipping into usage of the
patient’s nickname. “It is just a machine. You cannot kill a channel
on it; only change to the next one. They are everywhere, turned on all
the time: nobody is getting hurt”
“Ah, they have fooled you, too, I see. I have seen their victims,
hypnotized like zombies, blank-faced, drained of will and ambition,
their strength withering away as they sit like potatoes with eyes that
are blind. If I am the last warrior on earth, I will continue the
struggle: it is a fight to the finish!”
Primo looked at his watch.
“You are a very brave man, Señor. But I cannot help you now. I
have my own obligations. It is my job to keep you alive and healthy.
If you are determined to continue this struggle, I can only warn you
that my superiors will disagree with your mission much more strongly
than I can. Please take it easy until I return.”
“Oh, very well.” Don slumped in the wheelchair, an expression of
grim resignation plastered on his ruddy wrinkled face. “But please
give that back to me. I promise not to use it while you’re gone.”
“I’m sure you won’t,” replied the CNA. He checked the brakes and
handed the remote control back to the old man. Then he strode
purposefully out of the room and down the hall, the device’s battery
secure in a pocket.

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