The Separation

by Thomas Duffy

“I spoke to the folks and they want him to interview him. They want to stream it live online to a website that only they know of to determine how he's going to die.”

  “What the hell do you mean?”

  “Anna, let me explain. The quality of Finn's answers to the interview questions will determine how painful or how painlessly we're going to put him out of his misery. He's going to die. It's just a matter of time. My dad, being the kind hearted billionaire that he is, decided that he wants to know more about the moron who risked everything for something that would never happen. He said if the moron was an average run of the mill moron, he would have been dead long ago. Dad wants to see how and why an intelligent man could make such a stupid, life defining choice,” Joe explained.

  “Joe. That sounds great and everything but this asshole's head was just smashed. He doesn't look like he's ready to do anything let alone interview for his life,” stated Geoffrey,

  Joe took Finn's hand. He looked at him and saw he was clearly not doing well. Joe's parents were preparing an audience for the upcoming interview that was going to happen. Joe wanted to soothe Finn and calm him down. Joe began to speak to him,

  “Finn, I know your head hurts but look at me, can you speak?”

  Finn nodded his head up and down. Joe started to talk calmly explaining the predicament that was going on.

  “You need to get it together. There's going to be a live webcast going on a website to some of the most prominent, wealthy people in the world. You're going to explain yourself to the audience. There'll be no feedback from them. It's your opportunity to explain your side of what you've done. From there, there will be a determination of what is to become of you.”

  “I'm not in that much pain, Joe. I don't think I want to talk anymore. I'm tired of talking. I just want to relax now. Relax and, if I must, die.”

  “Finn, relaxing is not an option now. Fight for the life you were given. You don't stand a chance but defend the choices you made. The choices to try to make contact with your son when you knew it was against all legality.”

  “God damn it, Joe. I'm sorry. It was a moment of madness. Maybe I planned it but it was a sign of weakness. A sign I needed help.”

  “Have we helped you, Finn?”

  “You've helped me realize the value of life and that love is the most precious gift in the world.”

  “Save that for the webcast. It's going to definitely bode in your favor. There are two ways you could die. I won't explain them now,” Joe said.

  “Two ways I could die? Is there any way I could live?”

  “There is only one way to find out. Do the interview, Finn.”

  “How are you going to get the questions?”

  “The powers that be are getting the questions prepared as we speak. They will send the questions to my phone with the time you have to respond to each one.”

  “No chance of setting me free, Joe?”

  “None whatsoever, my friend.”

  “Finn, everyone will be watching you. The people in the world who matter most. Go comb your hair and throw some water on your face. Die in style. You're a legend, for better or worse. Who am I fooling? You're a legend for worse but maybe we can learn from you.”

  “What do you want to learn, Joe?”

  “It's my parents and their parents who are the people who want to learn. I personally couldn't give a shit what motivates you. You're just an old math teacher to me. One who is about to have the longest night of his life.”

  “Are your parents famous people?”

  “Depends on what circles you run in. They obtained their money in ways in which they kept a low profile. In the grand scheme of things, they're pretty popular in the circles they run in. They're sort of Gods to the people in the circles they run in, actually.”

  “What do you mean, Gods?”

  “Finn. They're at the top of the food chain. They determine who lives, who dies, what rules the world follows. The money they have is limitless. They could provide for my life, my children's lives, their children's lives, and their children's lives. Do you catch my drift?”

  “Yes, Joe. I do. I wish I didn't fuck up. I know now that even if I was in my best form, I would never have had the money to buy my way out of this one.”

  “Oh, you're right about that one, Finn. You wouldn't have the money to buy your way out of this one in ten lifetimes. Make that twenty.”

  “But, is money all that matters in this world?”

  “You said that love matters, Finn, did you not?”

  “But does it, Joe?”

  “To people who feel, I suppose it does. It doesn't offer any power, though. That's for sure. Love doesn't provide power to anyone. It provides moments of joy, perhaps. That's about it.”

  “You're about Geoffrey's size, Finn. Jenny, get some nice clothes out of Geoffrey's closet for Finn to wear. Clothes make the man. Let's give this man some dignity,” Joe said.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  About a half hour later, Finn had been able to make himself over to Geoffrey's room in order to put on a tuxedo. Joe suggested the tuxedo for Finn to wear so the viewers of the interview would be able to respect him as much as possible.

  Finn wondered what questions would be asked. He was curious as to what the purpose of this interview was, exactly, but was determined to answer the questions to the best of his ability. Joe was setting up a chair by a computer for Finn to sit in.

  “This is your time, Finn. This is your time to explain yourself to the only people in the world who truly matter. These are the only people who can truly save you from your fate. You want to make them understand your choices. The more they understand you, the more painless the rest of your life will be for you.”

  “Thanks, Joe. I'm ready. When does this interview start? I'm ready to let them know who I truly am and what I wanted when I tried to make contact with my son.”

  Joe looked at his phone and saw his parents sent him a message that they were going to be ready to start the interview in about five minutes. Joe went to go get the other three teenagers in the home so they could all sit together and watch the interview.

  For a moment when nobody was in the vicinity, Finn thought about trying to escape the house. He thought about running away. He then, conclusively, realized he had nowhere to go and couldn't fight anymore. He had to do what he was told.

  “OK, Finn. Get ready for your close up, Mr. Parker,” Joe said as he came back with the other three teenagers.

  “Good luck, Finn,” Jenny said.

  Geoffrey and Anna sat down without saying a word to Finn. It wasn't their place to wish Finn luck. To them, Finn's fate had already been decided and it was only a matter of time before he died.

  “It's one minute to show time,” Joe told everyone.

  Joe set up a cell phone camera which was set up on a conference call with Joe's parents and other notable people who were among the elite. These people typically had “events” like this once or twice a year where they would be entertained at the expense of a modern day fool. This time, however, the “fool” was smarter than anyone they had ever interviewed before. Joe looked at his messages for the first question and asked it to Finn.

  “Question #1, my friend, is as follows: How did you first feel when you learned of the fact that there was an opposite sex?”

  “My name is Finn. Let me start there. I am an innocent man. I have never taken a life. I have never hurt anybody other than through a low mark I once gave a student in one of my courses. You see, I am a teacher by trade.”

  “That's not the question, Finn. Answer the question.”

  “I will answer now, Joe. I thought a proper introduction was in order.”

  “These people know who you are, Finn.”

  “Understood. Can you repeat the question, please?”

  “Sure. How did you first feel when you learned of the fact there was an opposite sex?”

  “Betrayed. Hurt. Heartbroken. Lied to. But, then again, that's how I felt when I learne
d there wasn't a Santa Claus. When I finally put two and two together and realized that there was such a thing as sex, I wanted nothing to do with it despite my curiosity. I think that sex is the weirdest thing one can learn about. Especially one young adult who has been living under the separation laws where there is only one known sex. I took my suppression medication as a young man not knowing what exactly the desire that was being suppressed truly was for. I guess you can say it was all a little confusing. So to answer the question in the simplest terms, I would say I felt quite strange indeed. Do you know what I mean?”

  “Thank you, Finn.”

  “Do you have question #2, Joe?”

  “I'm waiting for our viewers to respond with that question, Finn.”

  “OK.”

  “OK, I have been told that for the answer you just gave us, you have received 7 out of a possible 10 points.”

  “I'm being scored. I didn't know I was being scored.”

  “I just found that out myself. Sorry. Let me talk to my parents for a minute via text message.”

  Joe was touching buttons on his phone as Finn realized that his score was the lowest one he probably ever received on something he was being marked on. He felt like he was cheated because he didn't know he was being scored.

  “I think I was cheated. I didn't know I was being scored.”

  “OK, Finn. Our viewers have just informed me that the answer will be stricken from the record and a new question will be created to replace that one.”

  “This could go on all day, couldn't it, Joe?”

  “Finn, I bet if this went on all day that you would be the happiest man alive. I assure you, however, that the questions will, indeed, end but not before we get into some meaty topics.”

  “Meaty topics? This feels like an interrogation.”

  “But, you know that's exactly what it is.”

  “Do we have the question, yet?”

  “As a matter of fact, we do, Finn!”

  “What is it, Joe?”

  “Did you ever think about being with another woman during the time you were married to your wife?”

  “Now, we're treading into territory that is completely irrelevant.”

  “But it is relevant, Finn. You learned about women and were told you could just have one. That must have made you mad.”

  “Not at all. I was happy to have one woman. I refuse to say anything further on that topic.”

  “OK, Finn. Then, you will have a score of 0 for that question.”

  “A 0 is fine. Where the hell are you guys going with this anyway?”

  “Our viewers are interested in the truth of an everyman. An above average everyman. I have just been informed that your answer is of the quality of a 3 on average by our viewers. And, I thought it was a 0. It appears that somebody out there believed there was some substance to your answer. Have I told you that your wife is watching? You dodged a bullet there in one respect. In another, you fucked up your future but, wait, not necessarily. These next questions you will have to ace big time to make it to the final rounds. And, we have every faith in you that you can do it.”

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  “Next question? Please.”

  “OK, Finn. I have your next question. The question is this one: What make you most proud in your life?”

  “Joe, that's a tough one but I'll take it. What makes me most proud is my son, Leonardo. A child I created who is growing up to be intelligent and dignified. My career may have been something to cherish in one respect and I certainly knew more about my career than I did about Leonardo. However, sometimes, I feel it's what I don't know about Leonardo that makes me wonder about myself. What kind of person I am. What qualities I possess. What gifts I have passed down to him. Also, his mother, Angela, who I know is watching me right now. Angela, I love you, baby. I am proud that Angela is the mother of m only child. That her genes and unique qualities have been passed down to Leonardo as well. What also makes me proud is that I was brave enough to risk everything for the one moment where the possibility of knowing my son better could have become a reality. I love you, Leonardo.”

  “Leonardo is sadly not watching. That goes without saying, Finn. But, good answer.”

  Geoffrey started clapping and the female teenagers in the house also applauded as well. Finn smiled. He believed he gave a quality answer and hoped his viewers agreed.

  “Do you want your score on that answer, Finn?”

  “You know what, Joe? I don't, actually. I don't give a shit. Next question.”

  “Well, Finn, it was good but moving on...”

  “Right. We're moving on.”

  “Do you believe the separation laws should continue for generations to come, including the current generation that your son, Leonardo, is a part of?”

  “Tricky fucking question.”

  “Not so tricky, Finn. Answer it, please.”

  “The separation laws are a lie. They are total bullshit. They are a far cry from Santa Claus lies. They affect each and every child in detrimental ways. Ways that are unexplainable. But, I'll try to elaborate. If a boy doesn't know that girls exist, or a girl doesn't know that boys exist, we find ourselves in sick, or rather unfair, territory. It's deception at it's lowest point. I know jobs were made through separation laws by educating our children and the economy has thrived as a result. This much is certain. But, I feel that sex education at an early age or giving sex suppression medication could suffice without going as far as to separate the sexes. I don't want anyone to experience the frustration me or my wife felt in our lives due to the separation laws. They should not be continued by future generations. I think the job market is stable. Things are better. Destroy these laws.”

  “Is that your final answer, Finn?”

  “Yes, Joe, it is.”

  “I have just been informed that your answer requires time to be evaluated. Right now, it is not an answer that has a score because some have requested more time to think about it.”

  “Your viewers respond fast to what I say.”

  “They seem to be evaluating your answers almost immediately. You speak but a few words and scores start coming in. You're a legend, Finn. A legend in the world of the upper classes. The world above the upper classes. A world which you should have belonged to but didn't because luck just wasn't on your side. You just weren't born to the right woman.”

  “What do you mean, Joe? I'm a legend because of my intelligence but lack of finances?”

  “Something like that. Let's get back to that later. Our players await the next question in the game, Finn. Please.”

  “It's a game?”

  “I meant interview.”

  “But, you said game. Why would you say that?”

  “It's a game, Finn. Life is a game. You need to learn that life is a game in which there are winners and losers.”

  “I fail to see life as a game.”

  “The next question is in response to religion. What are your views on what happens when a person dies?”

  “Being as the little religion that was touched upon in my early childhood left so much relevant material out, I am left to have no definitive answers as to what happens when we die. I mean who does?

  What's a popular religion without God, Jesus or the Virgin Mary? Or Buddha? A woman can't learn about Buddha, can she? A man can't learn about the Virgin Mary as a child. So when we're finally grown and making money, religion is like an afterthought. It's another topic that boggles the mind. Can I ask you Joe, before I finish my answer, does anyone know what happens when a person dies?”

  “I know, Finn. I know exactly what happens when a person dies. So answer the question or I will submit it for the final point value.”

  “I think all the shit stops when a person dies. Despite the love I have for my wife and my child, I think there is nothing but darkness in death. We don't function. We don't know we're gone. We just go. Biology over all else. The fucked up biology we don't know completely about until we're done with college. I
pray I'm wrong despite my lack of religious values. I want to be reunited with my wife and son in death but it's so hard to believe in an afterlife when I am so stuck to my guns that there isn't one. Is that the answer you need, Joe?”

  “It's able to be scored if that's what you need to know, Finn.”

  “I love my wife. That love will never ever die even long after my body has deteriorated.”

  “You've already answered the question. We have no time for extra comments. Let's move on to the next question. And you don't have a wife, you have an ex-wife.”

  “She is my wife. If this world didn't fuck up people's heads with thoughts of money and financial success, maybe our love would have overcome all possible obstacles. But, it is real love regardless of how it ended up. Believe me when I say that. I know what I am feeling for Angela right now. I would have given up everything for more time with her if I realized what I know now.”

  “OK. The next question is....”

  “What was my score on the answer I gave, Joe?”

  “It was a passing score. Our viewers at home know what it is thanks to Jenny who is keeping everybody informed about your progress. You'll know at the end. We've decided to just let you know the final results at the end of our interview.”

  “Next question.”

  “You got it. Do you think that people can be happy in the world if the separation continues?”

  “Not at all. You realize you've been lied to and then it's all downhill from there. It's a living nightmare. Happiness may come in spurts but the separation needs to stop. I'm tired of knowing about people living on drugs to suppress their sexual desires. Mankind became so consumed with making money and new creations that the world became one shit show after another. People need to shut up and go back to the time of the caveman. A time when people found out that they could be happy without materials and expensive designer clothes or whatever. I think the caveman was happier than people facing separation laws today.”

  “Let me add this, Finn. If the cavemen were so happy, why did they feel the need to complicate their existence? It's a rhetorical question. I just think the cavemen were bored.”

  “OK. Whatever you say, Joe. This interview is getting boring. What do you have for me? Is there any other question on the slate that can really make you understand me?”