Epilogue
"Prozium is your source of life. Without it you'll die – because emotions – hatred, rage - cause death. It's our road to freedom. Our great society deserves to be free – free from threats, free from the rebels that violate our peace. I will lead you to this freedom – to the ultimate perfection."
Andrew Ross knew that this wasn't only a metaphor. Prozium III was implemented. He could recognize its effect – The new drug was significantly stronger than its predecessor, which showed in people's indifferent expressions and apathetic looks.
He desperately hoped that there are still Librians who heeded Crow's warning and skipped the dose while there was still time. Of course he knew that most of them didn't have the chance to learn the truth. But those who got the message and their families – at least some of them – knew.
Andrew's wife standing by him, was one of them. She was afraid of skipping the dose completely, but faced with the facts she took this risky path. Andrew taught her to hide emotions and observed her. He was a demanding teacher and she, understanding the situation, did her best to satisfy him. So far, no-one saw through her, but there was still much to do. The thing that most worried him were the blood-testing patrols. Andrew was lucky he hasn't encountered any so far, but so far no-one invented a method of fooling an EPPT. That meant that they would get every remaining sense offending Librian, eventually.
For a brief moment the Cleric thought about James Crow. Last time he saw him was when he was lead by the Security straight to the Hall of Destruction. He was on the dose, that was clear from the first sight. Still, there was something odd in his behavior.
"You wanted to die, didn't you, Crow?" Ross asked inwardly.
He understood this choice, in a way. After all, being a sense offender in this new society required a rare, special kind of courage.
Andrew hoped he'll have enough of it.
THE END