The Future

THE FUTURE

By C

PART I

CHAPTER 13

       John leaves the "Hill Street Processing Plant" and continues his journey. He is now in the outskirts of the city and finds himself walking along a sparsely populated road that is mostly wooded on both sides. He tries to keep from thinking of the atrocious events he had so recently witnessed, but they had been so profound that this proves to be impossible. Vivid images flash through his mind of young men, one after another, being slaughtered and humiliated.

       The trees along the right side of the road begin to thin and he soon comes to what is apparently a recreation area. It is sparsely populated except for a group of women standing around a cloud of billowing smoke next to a picnic shelter. He decides to go over for a closer look, and, as he approaches, he finds that the women are standing so close that he is unable to see what they are looking at. It is only after he gets right behind that he can observe the object of their attention.

     The women are standing around a bed of glowing coals over which a large spit slowly revolves. Attached to the spit is the body of a young man. His arms are secured behind his back, and his feet are attached to the ends of a cross bar which result in his legs being spread. The steel rod enters the body between the legs and emerges from the mouth. There is a hole in the left breast and another in the back. The abdomen had been sliced down the middle from the breast bone to the top of the pubic hair.

       John is somewhat startled by the suddenness with which he comes upon such a profound scene in an area built for public recreation, but, by now, he has witnessed far to much to be overly surprised. His previous experiences, however, do not prevent a strange, eerie, sensation from coming over him at seeing a human body revolving over a fire in the same manner that a side of beef would be similarly cooked in his own time. The weird feeling increases when he gazes at the lifeless face whose open eyes give the appearance of being awake but unconcerned about what is going on.

       Visible waves can be seen simmering around the body which gives clear evidence of the extreme heat. The skin has turned golden brown and is wet from cooked juices that cause it to glisten as it reflects light from red hot coals. They make a sizzling sound as they drip and hit the glowing embers causing smoke to billow and swirl which, undoubtedly, will instill a smoked flavor to the flesh.

       The body is firmly attached to the spit and the only movement comes from the impressive sex organs hanging from a thick patch of glistening wet hair. The large penis curves in a manner that appears to be partially erect, and the bulging scrotum drapes over a thigh as the body turns sideways. They both hang down as it revolves on the stomach. As the body starts up the other side, the sex organs repeat their movement except in the opposite direction. When it reaches the point of revolving on the back the testicles can be seen moving within the scrotum as it sags between spread legs. The thick, curved, shaft suddenly flops heavily from one side to the other. The swollen head is uplifted dispelling any doubt that it is indeed partially erect. A small stream of clear juices trickles from the partially open hole. John remembers that the roasted penises he had seen earlier had also looked to be partially erect. What he now sees leaves no doubt that, for some reason, the process of being cooked causes this part of the male body to become noticeably enlarged.

       The revolving motion continues and the testicles move along the surface of the thigh until the scrotum once again drapes over it, and the penis curves downward in the same manner as before. The cycle is repeated again and again. The movements of the sex organs are the same with the exception that the penis looks like it is still growing. John can not say for certain, but the shaft seems to be thicker and the curve less pronounced. The head also appears to be more swollen and the opening of the hole larger.

       With a start, John realizes that he has been staring, almost hypnotically, at the degrading performance that the man’s sex has been putting on in front of a group of women. He is embarrassed to realize that, once again, his attention had been drawn to this intimate part of another man's body. He looks away and glances at the circle of women. Most are holding drinks from which they occasionally take a sip. They are obviously in a carefree mood, and many are carrying on casual conversations. John does not see a single woman, however, whose gaze is not long from being directed at what was taking place on the revolving spit.

       The nonchalant manner of the women makes it clear that this is far from being a unique experience. To them, this is obviously nothing more than enjoying a cookout with friends. The fact that the meat they are watching being roasted is the naked body of a human male apparently only serves to heighten the unmistakable pleasure they are displaying.

     John is unable to control the eerie sensation he continues to feel at the unreality of witnessing such an unbelievable scene. He notices that the conversations are starting to subside and more attention being directed toward the rotating body. The amused expressions on faces increase noticeably, and mischievous, girlish giggles are uttered in response to playful nudges and murmured wisecracks. Something has obviously happened, and John glances to see what it is. He is so startled that he does a double-take. It is clear he had not been mistaken in thinking that the penis had appeared to be still growing. It is now twice as large and stands almost straight with only a slight curve remaining in the swollen shaft. Instead of flopping heavily when the body rotates from one side to the other it moves only slightly.

       John can only stare stupidly as he watches the penis continue to swell until becoming rigid and swollen in the fullest erection possible. He is at a total loss to comprehend how being cooked could possibility cause such an unbelievable reaction in a dead body. The erection has caused the scrotum to draw tight around the large testicles, which clearly outlines their oval shapes.

       The strutted ridge around the swollen head stands out in vivid detail, and the hole gapes open to the extent of being able to see inside. An increase in internal pressure has changed what had been a trickle of juices into a steady stream that bubbles and sputters as it emerges. The juices have also become milky in color, giving evidence that pressure is also forcing out semen. This is soon proven to be fact in a dramatic manner that startles John's already bewildered senses. The rigid penis gives a sudden jerk, and a thick jet of the white liquid erupts from the strutted head with such force that it travels several feet. The reaction brings a spontaneous cheer from the spectators in a manner that clearly indicates anticipating just such an occurrence. It does not take long for pressure within the internal male glands to build and cause another jet to squirt out with equal force. The process is repeated again and again while being accompanied by rousing laughter.

       At first, John can only stare in dumfounded disbelief, but he soon becomes aware of the mocking merriment going on around him. He feels his face flush as he realizes that the roasting body of a man revolving in front of a group of women in this manner, with penis erect and spewing semen, is even more humiliating than those that had been jerking in death throes. He once again feels himself experiencing shame and embarrassment even though, by now, he had seen countless numbers of erect penises being blatantly displayed and ridiculed in every way imaginable. It does not require much effort on his part to realize why it is different in this case. It is the same that made the humiliation he felt from what he witnessed in the processing plant seem far greater than anything before.

      The body being roasted is that of a man in the flesh and not a stuffed display. It matters little that he is dead and has no control over his actions. Even in death, his male body is still flesh and blood, and this makes it far more embarrassing to see women laughing as they watch a lifeless penis become erect and then actually start ejaculating before their amused eyes. The spectacle proves to be the most degrading thing he had seen all day. It makes a complete mockery out of what men, throughout the ages, have placed immense pride – the ability to become erect and forcefully eject their potent, male fluid. He can only shake his head in dismay in realizing that women have found a way to turn even this proud ability into being nothing more than another amusing display.

      A fairly strong breeze that had been blowing away from John suddenly dies, and smoke billows in his direction. The distinctive aroma of meat being roasted over an open fire immediately strikes him. It is something that he had always enjoyed and this time, despite the circumstances, proves to be no exception. In fact, he is surprised to find that the aroma coming from a human body is the most pleasant he had ever experienced. A wave of self-reproach suddenly passes through him when he realizes that not only is he enjoying the pleasing aroma, but also, his mouth has actually begun to water, and he is beginning to experience pangs of hunger.

      The realization makes him feel a great amount of chagrin, and he wants to leave as quickly as possible. Without hesitating, he turns and walks away. He is unable, however, to keep from glancing back for one last look at the unbelievable sight of a rotating human body being roasted over red-hot coals. The open eyes still give the appearance of being awake yet oblivious of the simmering heat or of the laughing women that stare boldly at the still rigid erection.

       John departs in a different direction and goes only a short distance before he comes to two pine trees standing close together. A wooden beam with two leather straps hanging from it is nailed between the trees. He pays little attention until he sees a dark stain on the ground beneath the beam. It does not take long to recognize the stain being blood that had soaked into the sandy soil. He does not have to guess where the blood came from. Not only is it still wet, but a broken arrow is lying nearby. It requires no speculation to know what occurred. It is obvious that the man had been brought out alive and killed at this spot. It is also obvious that he had then been hung upside-down from the beam and gutted as though he were nothing more that a deer - his prominent manhood hanging on humiliating display throughout the entire procedure.

      A shift in the wind once again brings the pleasing aroma of roasting flesh that is quite strong even at this distance. Much to John's dismay, he feels the hunger pangs of his empty stomach increase noticeably. A wave of self-reproach again sweeps over him and he quickly leaves in order to get away from the tempting smell.

          With the recreation area well behind, John wanders aimlessly paying no attention to the direction he is going. It is only gradually that the churning sensation in his stomach begins to subside, which makes it all the more difficult for him to ease his troubled conscience. He had been in such a state of confused turmoil since arriving that he had not even thought about eating. He tells himself that the deplorable reaction of his body was only a natural occurrence from having gone without food for so long. This line of reasoning, however, does little to keep him from continuing to be dismayed that the aroma of a human body being cooked over an open fire had actually caused him feel hunger.

       He has no idea how long he walks before he is able to settle down enough to once again become aware of his surroundings. It is not long after this that he comes to another marble covered building whose architectural style is similar to the impressive "processing plant". This building, however, is much smaller. The grounds, like those around the other building, are also expertly landscaped containing a wide variety of colorful flowers.

       There is a parking lot in front that is not only crowded but is active with incoming cars. Several groups of well-dressed women are standing in front of the building and others are making their way up the marble steps. The elegant attire gives the impression that maybe, at long last, he has finally come upon some type of event that has nothing to do with ridiculing members of his sex. These women are dressed in a manner that strongly suggests that they are about to attend a concert, ballet, opera, or some other type of theatrical performance. He feels a strong desire to see what it is, and starts to walk toward the entrance.

      As John approaches the building he notices that, like the previous one, it has letters carved in the marble above the entrance. When he gets close enough to make them out he sees that it is an inscription that reads - "ENTER A GIRL - LEAVE A WOMAN". He has no idea what to make of these words. The only people he sees are mostly older women with only a few being young. Of this latter group, he sees none that are not at least in their late teens. He again reads the inscription and shakes his head. It is certainly not the first confusing thing he has come across this day.

       John is about to go up the stairs but is distracted by a car pulling into a parking space behind him. He turns and sees an attractive middle-aged woman that he can not help but admire getting out of the driver's side. A figure then emerges from the passenger side that not only makes him forget the woman but, also, everything else. The object of his attention is a teen-age girl. She looks to be no more than eighteen, but she is, by far, the most extraordinarily beautiful female he had ever seen. He has admired an untold number of strikingly beautiful young women, throughout the day, but none come close to creating a similar impression. Up to this point, he can see only her face, but the flawless complexion and beauty, perfectly framed by long, soft, radiant, hair cascading around her shoulders, is so stunning that it almost takes his breath away.

     The girl comes around the car giving John an unobstructed view, which only serves to enhance his fascination. The sensuous features of her exquisite figure are unbelievable. Her magnificent, young, breast thrust out boldly in defiant pride, yet, at the same time, radiate an intriguing aura of yielding, feminine, softness. Her narrow waist swells gracefully into the intriguing contours that can only belong to a woman. She is wearing a short skirt, which gives him a breathtaking view of luscious thighs merging into the smooth curves of long, tapering legs. It takes only a brief glimpse for all of these tantalizing features to register, but that is all that is required for him to experience a pang of such intensity that he actually feels a constricting pain in his chest.

       The enchanting girl before him might have the fully developed body of a woman, but her buoyant, enthusiastic, movements would have betrayed her youth even if John had not clearly seen it in her lovely face. She is obviously in a state of exhilarating happiness and unrestrained excitement. Her delightful eyes literally sparkle with unbounded joy that only serve to enhance her youthful appearance and create an enchanting look of vulnerable, feminine, innocence - a look that awakens within John a swelling of male, protective instincts. His heart goes out to her in a manner that he has never experienced before, and he feels an intense lounging to take her in his arms and make passionate yet gentle love. He wants to give himself totally to this captivating creature and give her the unselfish, loving, warmth that a young woman as lovely as she truly deserves.

       The enchanting look of girlish innocence reminds John of similar expressions on faces of young women he had seen on the floor of the arena. He remembers how he had been struck by the irony of how devastatingly misleading those appearances had proven to be. A feeling of rebellion grips him as logic tells him that, the same would hold true for this girl also. He desperately does not want to accept what his mind tells him, but there is no escaping something that, in a society such as this, would be unavoidable.

       A sudden, chilling thought strikes John that he is forced to accept in spite of his reluctant feelings. The girl is of the age that, by now, she may have actually begun to perform in the arena. And, even if this is not yet the case, it surely will not be long before she begins the practice. The cold realization that this enchanting creature has either already killed men, in cold blood, or, if not, will do so shortly brings home the harsh reality of just how much of an illusion her look of youthful innocence actually is. Knowing this, however, only serves to cause a painful longing that she could somehow be spared from such a destiny. It does nothing to diminish his awe for her striking beauty or his yearning sexual desire.

       John is reminded of his earlier thoughts of possibly suggesting to the people in the space ship that they consider taking a woman from this society back with them when they return him to his own time. He would, of course, unselfishly offer his skillful services in this endeavor to enable the woman to discover the true meaning of total, sexual, fulfillment. The idea had amused him at the time, and he had considered the chances of being taken seriously so remote that it wouldn’t be worth mentioning. Now, however, he begins to have second thoughts. This beautiful young woman would certainly make a excellent candidate, and he tells himself that any chance at all, regardless of how remote it might be, of actually being able to make love to her is well worth taking. "I have nothing to lose from trying.” He tells himself. “All they can do is say no."

       John’s tantalizing thoughts are interrupted by the sound of someone calling - "Anne, wait for me." The girl turns, and her happy face registers even greater pleasure. "Oh look mother", she exclaims with excitement, "it’s Cindy". Another young woman, approximately the same age, rushes up and embraces the one he has been admiring. The second girl is also exceptionally beautiful but not to the extent that has captivated him to such a profound degree. The girls separate and look at each other, their fresh, young, faces beaming brightly, and giggle excitedly as though sharing some girlish secret. The sight has a refreshing effect on him. The excited, bubbly, actions are no different than girls their age would display in his era. He has no idea as to the cause of happiness, but it gives the harmless appearance of being something innocent yet mischievous that can only be enjoyed when young.

       The two girls, talking happily and still giggling, start up the steps alongside the older woman. John waits briefly and then follows. He passes through the impressive entrance and enters a large lobby. He is somewhat taken back, with a feeling of despair, at what he sees. The walls are expensively paneled and the floor is covered with a deep, plush, wine colored carpet. There are chairs, sofas, and tables along the walls that are as luxurious as any he had ever seen. It is not the impressive furnishings, however, that is the cause of his dismay. It is the fact that, in addition to the finery, there are the same types of displays that have been so prominent in every other place he has been. Stuffed bodies stand in various poses, and trophies mounted on plaques, and stretched hides are attached to walls. The bases of lamps on tables are the same as all others he had seen.

     There is, however, something about the overall appearance that is different. He is somewhat mystified as how it had been accomplished, but, the displays, even with the abundance of exposed manhood, had been artistically placed in a manner that they appear to blend with the cultural elegance rather than detract from it.

       The plush atmosphere gives John the impression that the building is indeed a theater of fine arts. The aesthetic manner used in arranging the sexually explicit displays, as strange as it may seem, only serve to enhance this impression. He continues to believe that a concert, ballet, opera, or play was going to be presented. These feelings are reinforced by the elegant style of dress worn by the women in the crowded lobby. He is quite sure that they would not be attired in such a manner unless an important event is about to take place.

     John looks around to locate the whereabouts of the beautiful young woman. It is his intention to stay as close as possible so that he can continue to admire her intriguing loveliness. Almost immediately, he locates the mother and companion, but the girl is not with them. He is not overly concerned. She probably went to a power room or a concession area and will soon return. All he has to do is keep these two in sight, which is certainly not an unpleasant task. As John watches, women come up and speak to the mother. It is quite obvious that she is well known, and he gets the impression that she is a person of prominence. Minutes drag by, but the girl does not return. A number of women have been making their way toward a row of open doors at the far end of the lobby, and it is not long before only a few scattered groups remain. The mother and companion also start in this direction and, still, there is no sign of the girl. He has no choice but to follow and keep these two in sight. He is certain that she will join them soon.

       John passes through one of the sets of double doors but then stops in his tracks. A sick feeling passes through him at the scene that unfolds. Up to a point, the surroundings resemble the type of theater that he had expected to find. The same wine colored carpet found in the lobby covers the sloping aisles. There are rows of plush, thickly padded, seats with armrests. Walls are concealed behind drapes that look to be made of velvet and are the same rich color as the carpet.

      It is at this point, however, that the similarity to a fine arts theater ends. The plush, carpeted, floor does not slope to a stage. It slopes instead to an oval area of white, ceramic tile. Two chrome plated steel post, about eight feet apart, stand vertical in the center, and a horizontal bar, also chrome plated, runs between them at the top. Two shining rings hang from the bar and two additional ones are secured to the floor beneath.

       A naked man is standing between the two posts. He is in a spread-eagle position, caused by the fact that his hands and feet are tied to the four rings. A velvet-covered table stands to one side upon which lays a bow and an arrow leaving no doubt as to the fate that awaits this individual. Several other objects also lay on the table, one of which is a coiled leather whip, making it apparent of additional activity taking place before the time arrives to use the bow. Several other tables are on the other side, one of which has a stainless steel top and gutter. This table is identical to the ones in the processing room. The other table contains a rack of knives, a meat saw, and an assortment of stainless steel trays and bowls. A monorail with a motorized hoist runs overhead. There is no doubt of the final fate awaiting this unfortunate member of his sex.

       John has a sick feeling of despair in the pit of his stomach.  He had recently watched the horror of one man after another being brutally slaughtered and humiliated. Even though appalled, he had been unable to control a tingling feeling of morbid fascination coming over him moments before each death. Afterward, he had felt a great deal of shame and guilt at becoming intrigued from witnessing such inhumane atrocities. His feeling of self-reproach still remain, and he has no desire to stay and take the chance of once again finding himself caught up in the same type of degrading emotions.

       He desperately wants to leave and would have done just that if it were not for one intriguing feature about this particular man that is different from those that had been slain in the arena. This man, like the others, appears to be in excellent health, possesses an impressive physique, and is generously endowed. But, unlike the others, he is not young. This man gives every appearance of being is in his late thirties with traces of gray beginning to show in his hair. To John, this can mean only one thing. There is a final destiny that awaits this man that goes beyond the events that will take place on the tiled floor. The stainless steel table and implements make it obvious that his body will be butchered even though his flesh will undoubtedly be tougher than that from younger men.

     But, providing a source of meat is obviously a secondary byproduct for this man that has been allowed to live to middle age. The primary objective is to mount his head and sex organs, with the penis fully erect, on a plaque that will hang in a prominent place on a living room wall. The hide from his torso, vividly bearing lash marks soon to be inflicted and the holes from the arrow, will be attached to the wall beneath. This man's final destiny is to become one of the mystifying displays that had baffled John during his tour of women's homes. He does not know if any of the mystery will be unraveled if he stays and watches the gruesome event, but he has to at least give it a try.

     The girl's mother and companion had taken seats in a prominent box that protrudes part way onto the tile floor. The seats are obviously the choicest which reinforces John's earlier impression that the woman is a person of importance. Most of the seats are occupied and there are only a few empty rows at the rear. He has no choice but to take one of these. After sitting down, he looks intently at the man in an attempt to see if there is anything that might provide a clue toward explaining this intriguing mystery. The man does not appear to be nervous or distressed even though he is tied in a humiliating position. The ropes are secure but not stretched to the point of causing discomfort. He gazes in different directions although, apparently, not comprehending anything he sees. It is obvious that, even though much older, he is as ignorant as the young ones that had perished in the arena.

       There are no visible marks on the man's body, which indicate, up to now at least, he has not been subjected to mistreatment. That feature, no doubt, is about to change and is apparently the reason for him being tied. He is going to be severely beaten before being killed. Why? John had speculated about this earlier when he had seen evidence of such mistreatment on the hides. It is still as much of a mystery now as it had been then. He is unable to think of any purpose being served by physical abuse, but, for this man and others of similar age, it is something that is considered necessary.

      John reflects that he has at least confirmed an earlier impression that the prominent manner in which the trophies of older men were displayed indicated that there was some type of distinct importance placed upon them. The elegantly dressed women in the audience certainly are not here to simply watch a man being killed and butchered when they could go to the processing plant and observe such activity taking place in abundance. The added feature of watching a man being beaten would certainly not be a reason for either the attire or for being conducted in such plush surroundings. It is obvious that the upcoming event is considered to be a special occasion of some type. This would surely not be the case unless the man represented something of significant importance. As to what this might be, however, John has no clue.

       A young woman steps out onto the tiled floor, and John instantly recognizes her as being the beautiful girl he has been searching for. She has changed clothes and is now attired in a short, pink, athletic style, skirt and tight fitting top. The outfit is identical to the ones worn on the floor of the arena which makes the role she is about to perform obvious. A wave of understanding floods over him that ranges from grasping the meaning of the inscription over the door to realizing the significance behind the mysterious displays of older men. He now knows that the beautiful girl has not yet killed a man. But, that fact will shortly change. The man below is destined to be her first victim. When all tasks have been completed and the body is a butchered carcass she will, in the eyes of society, have become a woman. The upcoming event is apparently a ritual performed when reaching the age of womanhood. This milestone is obviously considered to be a major achievement to merit such a special ceremony, conducted in an elegant, formal, atmosphere.

       The trophy that is to be made from the head and genitals, along with the hide from the torso, is destined to hang on the living room wall where the girl lives. It will be placed in a prominent location because it not only will represent her first kill but, also, the day in her life when she became a woman. It will serve as the centerpiece for a future collection of pubic hair pelts. Pelts that she will take as souvenirs from numerous other men destine to fall victim to her small, delicate, hand.

      None of these later conquests, however, will have the significance of this first kill. John finds that he is even able to comprehend a reason for the advanced age. Such a feature allows a woman's first conquest to be achieved over a man that is significantly older instead of merely being one approximately her same age. The purpose of the whip is also beginning to have a reason. It is evidently considered important for a girl, in the process of becoming a woman, to physically defeat a male much older than herself, until he hangs limp, before the time comes for him to succumb to the final conquest.

    Meat taken from the body of a man this age might not even be considered to be eatable, but John can see how the act of butchering him would still be looked upon as being a necessary part of the proceedings. To publicly butcher the vanquished body of her victim is the ultimate demonstration of just how profound her total victory had been. This would hold true even if the body is later disposed of and not used for food.

       John's understanding of these things comes almost instantly as he watches the girl stride, unhesitatingly, across the floor. The desirable outfit only serves to enhance her voluptuous figure along with the intriguing motion of unrestrained breasts that jiggle noticeably with each step. As appealing as she is, however, he finds his thoughts straying to when he had first seen her and at how happy and enthusiastic she had been. He now understands the cause of that enthusiasm and finds the knowledge quite depressing. The fact that such a lovely young woman could be so deliriously happy over the prospect that she is going to kill her first man in cold blood and then butcher his body is hard to accept, even after all he has witnessed. Her happy face and sparkling eyes had reminded him of the reaction a girl from his era would have upon going to her first prom. He pictures her lovely face as he had first seen it and is once again struck with how profoundly false and misleading the look of youthful innocence and vulnerability had been.

     Even thought he knows such thoughts are useless, John again finds himself wondering what mysterious, catastrophic events could have possible transpired that led to such an unbelievable society being formed. He would have been greatly surprised if he had been told that, although indeed catastrophic, there was nothing mysterious about what had taken place. The events that led to the formation of the female society in which he has found himself had been recorded in history as being World War III.