Best of British Science Fiction 2017 by Donna Scott

Author:Donna Scott [Scott, Donna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: NewCon Press
Published: 2023-10-11T21:00:00+00:00

I step onto the bus and grab a seat that gives me a clear view of the news screen. I’ll make a decision before I reach the school. A scrolling ticker tape repeats: Vote by 1300 hours today. New options for voter benefits.

I’m quite happy with the free travel pass. Most voters choose that.

A panel of four pundits is mid-flow presenting their opinions on the referendum.

Option One: Prisoners receiving a whole-life sentence will be offered euthanasia.

Option Two: Prisoners receiving a whole-life sentence will not be offered euthanasia.

I could convince myself either way. I’ve done so several times, back and forth, during the past week. I’ve found myself surprisingly comfortable in both mind-sets. Which means… I’ll end up voting on a whim. How I feel in the moment. I slump down in my seat. Some people really care about this, and I owe it to them to make a wise, ethical decision. It’s my civic responsibility. The broadcast cuts to an advertising jingle. My wristband is vibrating. Prompting, prompting.

Roly is so… feckless. I bet he votes as soon as the referendum options are released. I blink at my app, HandsUp, and vote for option two. I need to nullify Roly’s cynicism. I receive the automatic response: Thanks for making a difference!

It’s not fair. Every Sunday evening, I put aside one hour to consider the arguments for and against. And I listen to the late-night debates. If Roly doesn’t participate properly, he damn well shouldn’t receive a free travel pass. I know his true colours now and imagine him laughing at me, mocking my commitment. But what’s he doing with his life? What’s he doing for the people, for our nation?

I should ask him: have any of your songs ever been recorded? Has any singer ever sung your lyrics? Bet not.

That’s the trouble when people decide against work, real paid work. They take the universal easy wage and look down on people like me. As though we’re greedy money-grubbers. They like to imagine they’re somehow above it all. I’m sick of their pretensions. It’s laughable. I wish I had a quid for every time I’ve heard, it’s the only way I can make time for my art. They’re pissing about like Roly.

Listening to raindrops! Jeez, you couldn’t make it up.

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