K.C. Cordell - So You Survived the End of the World: 1

Life after the end of the world aint so bad when you got the right music.

And thats why Sebastian Yun queues up Queen.

Next up on So You Survived the End of the World, he says, knowing the mic in his data cuff captures every word, a solid hour from one of my all-time favorite bands. Cuz you done earned it, my loyal listeners. For making it one more day in this living hell we humbly call home. But first, whats this?

He sits a little straighter. Or as close to straight as hes willing to get without sacrificing his deep slouch into the generous cushion of the large passenger seat. Not moving is his current life choice.

His insides are no longer attempting a coup as they had been when he dragged himself up this morning, and his heads no longer pounding like the pissed off drummer of an especially aggro metal band. Still, not moving is pretty awesome.

Doth my eyes deceive me, he asks his listeners, rhetorically of course, or do we have us a caller?

The blinking notification on his round holo-interface doesnt go away. It isnt a trick of his eyes, and maybe not even a weird glitch.

Well, aint that a treat?

From day one, hes had a standing policy to take every caller he gets. Theyre too rare for him not to. Rare as in this is the very first time it has ever happened.

He has plenty of listeners out there. He knows that much from the welcomegood and badhe receives every time he pulls up to a town in his distinctive ride.

But even as more and more people in the Midlands tune in, folks still tend to be a bit gun shy when it comes to the casual use of technology. Something about techs role in the fall of civilization rubs people the wrong way. So they listen, but actively transmitting a signal out is a bridge too far for most.

Sebastian flicks the flashing icon on his holo-interface, allowing the maybe-a-caller-maybe-a-glitch to join the live broadcast.

Howdy do, listener?

H-hi, Sebastian, says the actual caller and definitely not a glitch.

Sebastian is tempted to not only sit up straight, but to do a little happy dance. But then he remembers his whole not moving agenda. He settles for a wide grin instead.

Got a name?

Yes.

Sebastian waits.

Crickets.

So this heres a guessing game, eh? Sebastian says. AlrightyAdam. Kenny. Bobby. Larry. Curly. Moe. We might be here a while, but Im sure the listeners are riveted.

Oh, sorry. J-Johnny.

So, J-Johnny. Calling in to tell me what a kick-ass job I been doing? Or you got something you wanna share with all the fine people out there?

Well, I been thinking an awful lot.

Uh-oh.

Pardon?

I said, please, tell me whats been keeping you up at night. You know, besides the fact that everything on this godforsaken planet is actively trying to exterminate the human race.

Feet kicked up on the dashboard, Sebastian reclines in the second best seat that exists anywhere in this sad excuse for a world: the passenger chair hed installed on Her Royal Majesty, his lovingly and painstakingly restored double decker tour bus.

Of course, the very best seat that exists anywhere in this sad excuse for a world is directly to the left of him. Nothing beats the view from behind the wheel of HRM as she devours the road. But when theyre parked and settled for a day or two, Sebastian likes to stretch out his legs while doing a show. So second best seat it is.

Well J-Johnny says. Um I meanuhSorry.

Take your time, J-Johnny. Putting yourself out there to a bunch of strangers takes balls. Sebastians first broadcast had been fueled by what Meza would have called an unhealthy amount of liquid courage. Had she been around at that time. Besides, what are the good listeners gonna do? Turn to the other only radio show out there?

All my life, I been awandering

Yeees?

Whyd I have to come into the world after the fall of our greatest civilization? Why I gotta deal with savage hellions and bodysnatching sludgebrains and conniving flatliners?

The warmth leeches from Sebastian. His stomach turns to stone.

Its just a word.

Push it away.

Why do we all bother fighting so hard to make it through each miserable day?

I hear you, Sebastian says, thoughtful. But counterargument. Why not? He shrugs even though no one can see him.

This is the worst time in history to be alive, J-Johnny barrels over Sebastians contribution. The guy has finally found his nerve. Good for him. Our grandparents grandparents didnt know nothing about hunger, illness, violence. They lived in big ol cities that catered to their every whim. Our ancestors built utopia.

The dusty town on the other side of HRMs giant windshield is a far cry from the fabled cities of old. Talk about going back to square one. The shabby collection of structures behind an admittedly impressive, patchwork metal wall probably doesnt hold enough people to be called a town. If anyone wanted to get technical about it.

Sebastian wonders if its tiny population made it a village. Technically speaking.

No. Too medieval.

Hamlet?

Definitely not. That made it sound entirely too cute.

J-Johnny is still talking.

And sobbing?

And it was your showlistening to you everyday done helped me realize all of this. Thank you, Sebastian Yun. Thank you. Because of you, I got purpose like I aint ever had before.

Right, right, Sebastian mumbles. I was totally listening the whole time. Didnt miss a word. But for the folks out there who werent paying attentionshame on themrepeat that whole thing. Sorta from the beginning.

II said that I understand our purpose now. Because one day were gonna get back to what we had. We already started rebuilding civilization. I mean, a little. So its only a matter of time before we get utopia back. I probably wont ever see it, but I can keep fighting. Not for me. For the future.

Sebastian unmutes his mic, which hed had to silence when he failed to stifle a great big yawn. Well, this is awkward.

What?

I get the feeling youre waiting for me to co-sign, but that just aint gonna happen. My apologies.

Butaint that why you broadcast your show? To remind us all that we were once great and can be again?

Not even kinda.

ButBut...

I sense your brain is having a hard time with this, J-Johnny, so let me explain the world to you as it actually is. Might be hard to hear, but itll save you a whole bunch of heartache in the long run. You might wanna grab something to write with. You got something to write with, J-Johnny?

Um

Here it is. The super important conclusion Ive come to about our place in all of this. You ready?

Uh

That whole perfect civilization thing, it was a blip in the way things always have been and will be for us humans. You got more in common with most of mankind throughout history than those pampered utopians ever did. We werent meant to live perfect, easy lives. Thats all there is to it. And if we lie down and give up, wouldnt it be a big slap in the face to all the generations that came before us and survived their versions of hell on Earth so that wed have a chance to do the same?