episode 2 – tasting redemption
The public perception of Wasteland Transformance is key to the success of containing rampant animals and solving the environmental crisis.
The Reopening
The public perception of Wasteland Transformance is key to the success of containing rampant animals and solving the environmental crisis.
Lydia secretly meets with her father at the corporate office to get a rundown on the stage of each containment center. They also discuss how to relaunch the company in a way that instills public trust. Antoine sits her down in the conference room for a slide presentation.
“Key to the success of Wasteland Transformance is the development of GenettaMeat. It has all the nutrients necessary to sustain animals without the need to hunt prey.
“We have converted three garbage dumps into beautiful containment centers. Twelve more were under construction before the closure, with more requests from every local state and abroad.”
“That’s impressive. Where does the cat waste go?”
“Good question, Lydia. We convert it into fertilizer for commercial use.”
So tell me, what went wrong?”
“Animal adaptation. They imitated the earth movers they saw digging ditches and then tunneled their way from confinement. As we made adjustments to the design, more holes sprang up.”
“Do you realize you’re telling me the tigers can’t be returned to you?”
“No. Hear me out. The key is building an impenetrable footing for containment walls along with a moat. The completed centers have already been retrofitted.”
“That’s a relief. So that’s the message we need to get out. posts from some activists who think GenettaMeat is driving the tigers mad.”
“I am very aware of the formulation. It sanitizes and regenerates a healthy food substitute. I’d bet my life on it.”
“Really? Would you taste it on camera to regain public trust?”
“It hasn’t been approved for human consumption.”
“That’s where I come in. As the President’s liaison, I have the authority to override the Food and Drug Administration for this special case. We’re not selling it to consumers. Can you handle that?”
“Let me think. The texture is more akin to a soft jerky with the appearance of red meat. To give the company a fresh start and save humanity, I guess it’s low-risk publicity.”
“Great. We’ll arrange a press conference at the best facility. When I ask about its safety, make your taste seem unrehearsed.”
The Public Tasting
A press release from the White House informs reporters and activists of the grand opening. The invitation to tour the new Wasteland Transformance containment center design is a key feature. There, Lydia, as the new face of the company, shares what she learned from her father. Then she requests he step from the audience.
“Mr. Gormely,” Lydia begins with a smile since it’s her last name. “The ability to replenish rows of GenettaMeat with byproducts of environmental waste is a brilliant idea.”
“Yes. It’s the key to saving the planet for future generations.”
“I have to ask what’s on the minds of many citizens. How safe is it?”
“I know people imagine us feeding automobile tires and glass bottles to the animals, or worse. But I assure you, it’s nutritious and tasty enough for humans with proper approval.”
“Would you be willing to prove that for our viewers?”
The crowd falls into a tense silence as cameras click and the audience holds its breath, eyes widening in anticipation. Viewers at home stop what they’re doing and sit down in front of their televisions. Antoine walks over to the crop, kneels, snatches a piece from the ground, and holds it up to his mouth for several photos. Everyone is waiting to exhale. The moment he bites into it, there’s an audible gasp followed by a hesitation, as they await a possible adverse reaction.
He smiles and says, “It tastes like jerky.” Everyone breathes relief and applauds, as he takes another bite.
Lydia closes the conference with poignant words. “Keep in mind that this is not about finding an alternative for school lunchboxes. This is the food that will transform our neighborhoods into a place where our children will have no fear of predators. We hope to let the tigers, or whatever animals, do their job by returning them to these beautiful and secure containment centers in every city locally and abroad.”
In a touching moment of solidarity, the camera pans to the father and daughter, once at odds, embracing each other. The press conference is an overwhelming success. Social media praises Lydia’s new role and the reopening of Wasteland Transformance.
More Unsettling News
Back in her role at the company, Rhonda uncovers troubling data in the lab that sends a chill down her spine. Hit appears GenettaMeat may be altering cell growth. To keep from alarming the public, she keeps it quiet pending further confirmation. As the military prepares to transfer the captive tigers back to Wasteland Transformance. Veterinarians at the government containment zones observe adult tigers progressively growing.
At the office, Antoine privately praises Lydia’s press conference. “Your mention of ‘tigers, or whatever animals’ was spot on. There aren’t enough tigers for every containment center. We hope to expand the concept to other carnivorous animals with rapacious appetites.”
Continued…
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