The street was crowded, and dirty; filled with spectators for the daily execution. The crowd had been waiting for some time and had grown restless. Alex could barely get through. Years ago, he would've joined the crowd, but he no longer shared the public's love for savage violence. He wasn't against it, and knew it was necessary for Society to function, he just didn't enjoy watching it. As usual, fights broke out in the crowd, and the riotcops were called in. They quickly calmed the rowdy ones with a few knocks to the head with their tranq sticks. After that was taken care of, the procession began. Alex continued on his way, caring little for the coming event. The heretic (as those executed were always called, for criminal was too kind a name for the likes of them) was brought out to the center of the plaza, where a hasty metal cage had been assembled. It (heretics were never called he) was brought out of the transport and brought in front of the cage. "Brothers and sisters," announced the loudspeakers placed throughout, "a heinous blasphemy has been perpetrated against Us recently by this beast." At this moment a spotlight illuminated the heretic, and Alex couldn't resist taking a glance at the fiend. The electronic voice continued, but Alex was too busy studying the heretic to notice. It was disgusting, as expected. Its unkempt hair and horrible hygiene were enough to make Alex sick. Even from this distance, Alex could see the utter decay of the heretic's body, the wasting away of flesh over many years of occult practice. But the worst thing about it was its eyes. They were cold and empty, utterly devoid of emotion. They were inhuman. "They all look the same," Alex muttered to himself, "and it's what they deserve, rebelling against Society like they do." With that, he quickly turned away and headed down the street as quickly as he could. The procession was nearing the climax, and the electronic announcer and the accompanying music grew louder. ".And now, It will be justly punished for its unspeakable crimes." And as Alex entered the mag-lev and prepared to leave, the screaming began.