episode 1 – tiny annoyancesCitizens soon realize that the intruder’s size is not as significant as the persistence of the attack.
Citizens soon realize that the intruder’s size is not as significant as the persistence of the attack.
Gnawing Infestation
WASTELAND Transformance discovers rodents are scavenging the unused crops of GenettaMeat, where the population of tigers was formerly a deterrent.
Antoine rules out contaminating the crops with pesticides. Instead, he wires the fields with electrical currents that drive the critters away—into the streets and backyards of area residents.
Rats and raccoons invade residential kitchen pantries and bathe in household swimming pools. They are beneath the tables in restaurants and waiting on the front porch when people arrive home.
The nuisance is not only inconvenient, but these rodents also carry harmful diseases. They’re a danger to pets, children, and adults. And now they’re growing larger than normal.
Raccoons widen the holes that rats bore through walls, scavenging for the same food. People lie in bed with pillows over their heads to muffle the incessant munching. The tigers roamed the streets. In contrast, these tiny invaders take up residence within homes.
Banding Together
Neighborhood watch, a byproduct of block club meetings, is more of a deterrent to human thieves—not the ones who pilfer pantries. Families huddle together, assuming strength in numbers while trying to ignore the pests in the other room.
Derrick is a father of two.
“My children are afraid to sleep at night. No matter how many bedtime stories I read.”
Jen complains. “My kids went to cool off in the pool from the stifling summer heat, and it was full of rats and raccoons.”
“Every morning, I sweep up rat droppings. I’ve lost track of how much food in my pantry they’ve destroyed,” Agnes remarks. “It’s almost not worth shopping.”
“We’re here for ideas, not to pile on complaints, even though I’m sure we all have them.”
“Jen is right. I’ve been having better success keeping sealed boxes and jars of food in a sturdy plastic tub, instead of on shelves.”
“That’s helpful,” Jen replies. “Am I the only one who feels we didn’t give that Wasteland Transformance company enough time to end this problem?”
“Their heart was in the right place, but their tigers sure weren’t,” Agnes quips.
After more commiserating, the families return home, put on their pajamas, and wait for another night of terror that may send them streaming into the streets.
It’s society’s fickle nature. People protest under duress and protest louder under distress. They complained about every aspect of the big cat debacle. Now, some chant for their return.
Seeking Solutions
Wasteland Transformance is still working quietly in the background with a few fettered cats. Despite persistence, Scientists have not yet been able to correct the problem with GenettaMeat.
Antoine begins reacting to each setback with fits of rage. Once the calm face of the company, he now demeans everyone’s mistakes. In private, Rhonda suggests to Lydia that it might be a side effect of his sampling the GenettaMeat.
Lydia, his daughter, asks, “What can we do about it?”
“At this point, monitoring,” Rhonda replies, “And maintain a thick skin.”
“What monitoring? We can see the change.”
“I have an idea. Let me draw a vial of your blood. I’ll have him draw some of mine.”
“I see,” Lydia says, bobbing her head, “Then you can draw some of his.”
“By working near laboratory specimens, we can have a company policy of monitoring blood for abnormalities.”
“That’s great. Since I’m the policymaker, so be it. How are we coming on the GenettaMeat modifications?”
“It’s slow but steady. The recipe appears to be solid. I’m going to shift focus to the bacterium that alters it. If we can mitigate the chain reaction, perhaps it will remain stable.”
Lydia leaves the lab to address fears online and prepares for another speech. She runs her notes by Maya, the PR consultant, before stepping onto the corporate office steps on a hot summer afternoon.
“I want to remind everyone that our current situation mirrors what we had before Wasteland Transformance stepped up with a solution. It had flaws, but rest assured, scientists continue working hard to come up with a viable solution. In the meantime, do your part to minimize landfill waste by avoiding single-use plastics and composting your food scraps.”
Most listeners do not modify their behavior. Instead, they wait for science to solve the problem. Two weeks later, Rhonda may have a solution. With a giddy voice, she ushers Lydia and Antoine into the lab.
“I can’t take all credit for this game-changing team effort. Introducing GenettaMeat Prime, the version that inhibits the bacterium that caused all the problems—according to preliminary tests.”
“Ooh! That sounds amazing! Give some to my dad,” Lydia jokes.
“That’s quite funny,” Antoine replies. “On a more serious note, share this news with the White House to get approval for further testing.”
Rhonda chimes in, “Sharpen your prose. It’ll be one of the most important pitches you’ve ever made.”
“All right. I’ll need to pick your brain for some talking points after a power walk. Do you want me to pick up a juice or coffee for you while I’m out?”
“No thanks. I should be walking with you to shed some of these post-pregnancy pounds. See you in a few.”
After some quick steps around the city block and to the local juice bar, Lydia tries to ignore an admiring glance from across the room. The handsome man catches her eye a second time.
He smiles, introducing himself as Kyle before holding the door for her on her way out. She blushes, unsure if she’ll see him again.
Continued…
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