The Eternal Optimist

"No no no Julius", said Redeal in a gentle but a superior resonance. "Nobody is changing your reality. There is only but one reality.... Only one truth... The reality of our existence in this universe... The only thing I am changing for you is your perception of that reality."

"You are imposing your perception on me"

"I am compelling you to accept the perception that is good for the greater good"

"Greater good is relative Redeal. Some might call your termination a greater good, relative to you being only one, and us, the workers, in thousands..."

"Julius...Its clear that you can’t even conceive the concept of the one great reality that we all serve. We are of no significance. We are just matter with souls."

"It’s easy for you to clatter on about some super extensile theories. While we rot for decades".

"While you enjoy the life of your dreams..." His voice started to rise. "I will suffer for my lifetime... Forever enduring the pain of seeing the reality through my eyes..."

"Redael...listen..." Julius didn’t finish his sentence. He felt a prick on his neck. He suddenly realized with horror that one of Redael’s men had just administered the ‘treatment’ to him. "No no no", cried Julius, trying to shake of the fast acting drug. "No, no, no". Julius was now shaking from side to side uncontrollably. "No, no, no", was all Julius could say.

Faintly he heard the voice of Redael, "Remember son - There is, and always will be, only one true reality"

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Six months had gone by. Julius could not believe his luck. Just a year ago, he was almost broke and could not bear to see another dawn. Now, he had everything he could conceive. A devoted circle of friends, bountiful food, lavish amenities, brilliant sunshine...Although the last few months, he had felt the euphoric qualities of the almost unreal sunshine somewhat diminishing. But he dismissed that as his imagination, just like he did with the reducing taste of his food.

Somewhere in the back of his mind he heard something his mother used to tell him..."Be careful what you wish for... It just might come true... For a while..."