She was implying that he still had her. He bowed his head reverentially and said, “I lost enough, Mom.” He nearly choked on the last word. Patton paused and composed himself. “I love you Mom, but if I don’t do this I’m afraid of what I might do to myself.”
She understood what that meant and it would have to be enough for her. She’d lost her husband, but they’d lived a long life together. She had never lost a child, but Patton’s leaving would probably be as painful. Patton lost his wife and three children, all at once, in what must have been a terrifying few moments. The ordeal caused him two years of emotional agony. Patton had tried and tried to put it behind him, but finding his way through the maze of pain was impossible. Now, here he was, on a train, headed to some experiment and a new life. He had no idea what to expect. Behind Patton was the pain of a broken and unfulfilled life. Ahead of him was, well, he didn’t know yet.
Patton thought back to that crucial moment of his life when he was about to, once again, sink into the abyss of depression and alcoholism and possibly another suicide attempt. It was then that he’d seen the email advertising this crazy experiment. At first it had seemed like another email—something he’d normally delete. However, it quickly became his last hope of creating any type of life for himself.
The email read:
“A group of prominent social scientists is planning a social experiment. It is designed to show how a society will develop if every person begins with equal opportunities and economic status. The people chosen for this experiment will reflect the current demographics of the United States’ most recent census. A sample of nearly 32,000 people will be chosen, which represents approximately a hundredth of a percent of the population of the United States.
“Individual applications to this email will be entered into a large database. An algorithm will randomly select the combination of respondents that best represents the country’s political, social, ethnic, and economic dynamics. If you are interested in participating in this experiment, please log onto www.microcosm.org. More information and details are available at this site.”
It was during another long, sleepless night that Patton clicked on the link and entered his information. The survey proved to be a very detailed. It asked for some basic demographic information, but also some very personal questions about his life and his beliefs. When he finished with the survey, Patton was notified that he would have to sign a contract. Once the contract was signed, he would be bound to complete the experiment—the timeframe was unknown. If he failed to live up to the contract, he would have to pay a penalty of five hundred thousand dollars—this in order deter participants from leaving the experiment and skewing the results.
Patton learned that each individual or family group would be given an equal amount of money, or “economic credits” as they were called. They would be free to spend those credits however they pleased. They could indulge themselves with luxuries or they could invest in a business or professional practice. Participants could go about it alone or could merge their credits with other individuals or groups to create more buying power. No personal wealth could be brought in from the outside.
The experiment would essentially give the subjects total political and economic freedom. No government would be established by the organizers. In order to get the federal grant money, the federal government required there be essential services like police, fire, water, and sanitation services. The organizers agreed to provide these services until participants would take over. Luckily all of these services would be provided by participants.
The expressed purpose of the experiment was to place everyone on equal economic and social footing. Researchers would then observe events as they played out. The money would be the control mechanism in the experiment. No longer could people complain that they’d had an unfair disadvantage—people would either sink or swim by their own abilities and decisions, or lack thereof. As far as Patton could tell, the organizers did not give suggestions on how. They would let people choose for themselves what to do with their credits.
Once the experiment began, participants could leave for only up to four weeks at a time and could only do that three times per year. Family and friends from outside could come and visit, but for only one week at a time, three times per year. While these conditions seemed harsh to Patton, it did make sense. Obviously, the organizers felt that if participants spent too much time away the experiment would suffer because conditions would not reflect reality. Individual members of a family group could leave permanently, but at least one member of the family had to remain until the end of the experiment or pay the financial penalty.
Once participants were selected, they received access to an online catalog from which they would select their housing, transportation, and business, among several other details. At this time they could contact other participants to merge economic credits and build corporations. Once all of the participants made their selections, the process of building of the town began. The building of roads, housing, and businesses took over a year. Now that the town was complete, people from all over the country were now making their way to the Pocatello valley, which straddled the border between Utah and Idaho.
Researchers scoured the continental United States for the ideal landscape. They wanted an area that experienced all four seasons and had a diverse landscape within a relatively small geographical area. Also, the spot had to have a very small existing population, which would make it easier and cheaper to buy their property and move them out. Many parts of the country were considered, but the Rocky Mountain region was ultimately selected. Professional location scouts from the film industry were hired and sent to Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. After weeks of searching, the Pocatello Valley, located just north of the Great Salt Lake, was found to be the perfect spot. It was chosen for its isolation, its versatility, and its fertility, which made it both beautiful and ideal for farming.
A small lake was dredged, deepened, and expanded. It would serve as the southern border of the main part of town. The surrounding hills, once barren and covered with scrub grasses and sagebrush, were planted with trees and wildflowers. A city center was surveyed and residential, commercial, and industrial plots were laid out. Building lots outside of town, up along the low hillsides, could also be selected. Patton picked a plot in the eastern hills, just above the lake.
Patton was simultaneously excited and frightened when he was notified about his selection. It would be difficult to tell his mother. Worse, however, was the sense that he was leaving his family behind forever. The thought of not visiting their graves was almost unbearable, but he had the feeling he was supposed to do this—that somehow it was his destiny to be involved.
Now tired from reliving those recent memories, Patton leaned his seat back, put on his headphones, clicked play on his iPod, and prayed for sleep.
The train descended into Reno, Nevada at dawn. Daylight broke brilliantly over the Great Basin. The sun muted the city’s lights and street traffic, which usually bustled into the early morning hours. There were few cars on the streets. A small number of pedestrians were braving the chilly early morning air. The train began to brake and a sudden lurch woke Patton. He rubbed his eyes, yawned, and looked at his watch. It was just after 6 A.M. He’d wanted to sleep longer but all passengers had to leave the train so that others could be brought aboard. His stomach growled. He would need coffee and breakfast before exiting the train.
Patton showered and dressed and then made his way up to the dining car. He tapped the bar to get the barista’s attention and ordered a large latte. While waiting for his drink, Patton looked around the car. It was slowly filling with more tired-looking passengers. His gaze finally rested on a tall and athletic-looking blond woman, who was leaning casually against the far wall. She was talking mutedly on her cell phone. The woman turned towards him and their eyes met. He turned away, embarrassed, pretending that he hadn’t been staring.
&
nbsp; “So you’re doing this crazy experiment, huh?” the barista asked him, setting down a napkin and then his coffee. She was young, maybe in her late teens or early twenties, and was probably just as bored as he was.
“Yeah. It sounded interesting,” Patton said, yawning.
He wasn’t in the mood for conversation and luckily the barista moved away to serve another customer. It turned out that the new customer was the blond woman he’d been ogling. He felt a rush of blood in his cheeks and turned away, taking a sip of his drink. The woman was pretty at six in the morning with no makeup and wearing yoga pants and a fleece jacket. Her blue eyes simultaneously exuded confidence and intelligence. Their eyes met again and she gave him a beautiful, radiant smile. Yes, she was dressed down, but Patton could imagine how gorgeous she would be dressed up for an evening out.
“Hi,” she said a little shyly.
“Hi.”
“How’s the coffee?”
“Surprisingly good.”
“So you’re doing this crazy experiment huh?”
Patton suddenly felt like talking to someone.
“Yes. Didn’t really have anything else going on.”
She snorted a laugh and nearly choked on the coffee she’d just sipped. At first he was confused. He answered her honestly but then realized his answer must have sounded strange.
“I’m Jennifer,” she said, still laughing and wiping at her mouth with a napkin.
“Patton,” he replied, extending his hand.
She took it and shook it firmly. She had a strong grip.
“Patton as in General Patton?” she asked, her eyes wide and playful again.
“Yes, actually. My grandpa served under him. Grandpa was one of the few who actually liked him, I guess.”
The handshake continued and when Patton noticed it had gone on longer than normal he pulled his hand away. Their eyes were still locked, but she turned away shyly for a moment. He cleared his throat.
“Can you believe they’re kicking us off?”
She met his gaze again and smiled.
“I know, right? Jerks.”
She laughed and he smiled. The awkward silence returned—the kind that occurs when two people are clearly attracted to one another. She was nothing like his wife in appearance. His wife was shorter and stockier, although still athletically built. Jennifer was a few inches taller and built like a marathoner. Patton was taller than her, but not by much. She generally liked larger, more muscular men, but she could tell that he was in good shape. He also had flashes of grey over his temples, which let her know that he was at least her age, and possibly a little older.
“So what are you doing today?” she asked, her eyes shining.
He shrugged, hoping she would invite him to spend the day with her. “I dunno. Maybe do some shopping, maybe a little gambling. You?”
“Can I join you?” she asked, knowing he would say yes.
They went to their rooms and retrieved things they might need. They met back at the dining car and detrained together. As they stepped off, Jennifer took Patton’s arm. He looked at her in surprise. Their eyes met and he suddenly wanted to kiss her. He swallowed hard and turned away.
The early morning air was brisk. Frost covered the grass and there were iced-over puddles in the gutters and in potholes. They could see their breath in the air as they walked and talked.
“Nice morning,” Jennifer said, gazing up at the ragged line of the Sierra Mountains to the west. The sun was behind them and it cast a bright light onto the mountains’ face.
“Yeah,” Patton agreed. “You want to find a place for breakfast?”
She nodded and they continued walking towards the larger buildings. They meandered through the streets, making small talk and window-shopping. After a few blocks they found a small diner. They were seated and both ordered coffee and juice.
“What do you really think of this experiment?” Jennifer asked.
Patton paused, thinking. His opinion had changed from minute to minute and he was gauging how he currently felt.
“It’s kind of exciting and nerve racking all at once,” he answered finally.
She nodded in agreement and he continued.
“I mean, leaving your past behind. I can’t imagine that someone who was … normal … someone who felt like life was going well for them would come and do something like this.”
She looked at him skeptically and said, “I think maybe someone who is adventurous. Or maybe someone who felt like they’d accomplished all they could and wanted a challenge or something.”
Patton nodded and asked, “Does that describe you?”
“I guess you could say that,” she replied warmly. “I’ve been successful, but I’d like to think I can make a new start.”
Their waitress, a cute blonde with a bright smile and Eastern European accent, arrived at their table with menus. She took their orders then left.
Looking at her ring finger again, Patton asked, “So you’re not married?”
She fought the urge to say something sarcastic, but instead replied, “No. I’ve never been married. I was always too busy. What about you?”
Pain creased his face and she was instantly sorry for asking. She couldn’t blame herself, though. He’d brought up the topic.
“I was,” Patton said sullenly. “She died.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said with sad eyes and reached out to touch his hands.
“It was a car accident,” he said, taking a deep breath in an attempt to ward off the inevitable sting of tears. “Her and my three kids. She was pushed off the road by a semi-truck that didn’t see her. They crashed through the railing and …” he trailed off, not able to finish.
The vision of that day suddenly entered his mind. His returning home from work and her not being there. The highway patrolman pulling off his hat and not being able to speak. Him falling to his knees asking if any of them had survived and the patrolman telling him that no, they had all died. The emptiness of their home and his total loss of meaning. The alcohol, the suicide attempt, going into the hospital—it had all been too much in too short of a time. Tears stung his eyes and he wiped at them. When he continued it was with deep emotion.
“It’s been hard,” he said, realizing how stupid and simplistic that sounded. “I’ve made it through until now. I kind of see this whole thing as my last chance.” He looked away from her, embarrassed. She reached over and held on to his hands.
“I’m so sorry, Patton. I can’t begin to imagine. You’re strong for finding a way to carry on,” she said, tears rolling down her face. She patted his hands. He nodded and smiled weakly at her.
Patton appreciated her sincerity but he was done talking about it. Jennifer understood. She took in a deep breath and let it out loudly. She smiled at him and squeezed his hands before letting go. Luckily for them, their server arrived with their food.
The new friends finished breakfast and spent the rest of the day in town. They found a casino that was close to the train station and gambled for part of the day. Jennifer talked about finding a movie but nothing interested either of them. Eventually it was time for them to get back to the train. They agreed to meet at the dining car later that evening but both wanted to rest after their long day. The two parted awkwardly, not knowing whether to hug or kiss or just shake hands.
Jennifer pulled Patton in for a hug and kissed him on the cheek. When she pulled away Patton wanted to kiss her on the lips, but thought it could wait. He stood and watched as she walked away. Just as he’d hoped, she turned around to look at him. Their eyes met and they both smiled. She turned again and walked away. When she was out of sight, Patton turned and walked towards his own room. He didn’t stop smiling the entire way.
CHAPTER
2
Patton was half asleep, listening to music and playing computer chess. The train had
been moving again for an hour or so. The sun was bright and shining through his window. He heard someone talking loudly behind him and then felt someone sit next to him. He’d been enjoying the solitude and was annoyed to have an unwanted seatmate. Patton pretended not to notice the person and stared ahead, hoping he wouldn’t be dragged into a conversation.
No such luck.
His new seatmate was an attractive man, probably in his late twenties or early thirties. He had dirty blond hair that he wore over his ears and partway down his neck. He was clean shaven, with a strong jaw line. His most striking feature was his eyes. They were an opaque blue that looked silver from the right angle. Their eyes met and Patton nodded in greeting.
“How’s it going?” the young man asked, much too loudly in the confined space. “David,” he continued, offering his hand.
Patton shook it out of obligation. The young man had a strong, confident grip and Patton could tell from the man’s forearms that he was a religious weightlifter.
“Patton,” he replied with a nod a near grimace. He quickly turned his attention back to his chess game.
“Chess huh?” David asked stupidly.
Patton clenched his teeth in annoyance but the expression went unnoticed. Instead he simply replied with a terse “yep” and turned his attention back to his screen.
David activated his touch screen and began searching for the chess app. “Is there a way that we can play each other?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Oh, I bet there is. You’re just scared,” David said with a fake, overly-gregarious laugh.
Patton grimaced. “Actually, no. I just don’t think there’s a way to do it.”
The younger man nodded but could tell that Patton was annoyed.
“Either way,” Patton continued, “I’d rather just play by himself.”
David looked at Patton dumbly and an awkward silence began to build between them.
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