Interview

“Kevin, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Relax.  It’s often a shock.  I’m Peter.  Where are you from?”

“York, originally, but I’ve moved around a bit.”

“You have.  How do you think it all went?”

“Pardon?”

“Your time.  How would you say it went?  A success?  Did you achieve much?”

“Ahm.”

“There’s nothing behind you.  Nothing to see – the past, as it were.  Just concentrate on me.  Tell me about something you feel went well.”

“Well, I've always tried to be independent, I paid my way.”

“Good. That’s never a bad thing.  Helpful?  Considerate?”

“Yes.  I think so.”

“How about regrets?”

“Of course.”

“Anything you’d do differently, given another chance?”

“Oh?”

“It’s just hypothetical.  We pass this way once, and all that.”

“I see.”

“I told you, there’s no point in looking back.  Just look at me and try to answer as best you can.  What would you do differently, if anything?”

“Lots.  There’s too much to remember.”

“There must be a couple of things that spring to mind.”

“Of course.  Oh, God.  I’ve done some terrible things.  I don’t know where to start.”

“How about some of these?  It’s a file we keep.  There’s one for everyone.  Do you recognise any of these actions?  Are they the ones you were thinking of?”

“Well, yes some of them.  But I’m not sure about this one and this one.  I’ve never been to these places, and I’ve never killed or maimed anyone to my knowledge.”

“This section’s always difficult. ‘Omissions’.  Always causes problems.  York.  United Kingdom?”

“That’s right.”

“Leeds, London, Bristol.  Ah, Madrid, very nice.  Democracies.  You voted for your Governments, or didn't vote, is that true?”

“Yes.”

“Enjoyed an enviable quality of life, all modern conveniences: electricity, internal combustion engine, air travel.  Very comfortable, yes?”

“Yes, but…”

“Where do you think it all comes from? You’re aware of the strife in those places?”

“Of course.”

“The petroleum wars?”

“Yes.”

“Of course you are.  And what have you done to prevent the suffering?  What steps have you taken?”

“Sorry?”

“Oh, come, Kevin.  You lived in a democracy.  What did you do?”

“I worked hard.  I minded my own business, tried to be self-sufficient and generous when I could be.”

“We can discuss that next, under ‘Explicit Actions’.  Let’s stick with ‘Omissions’ for the time being.  Are you familiar with any of this?”

“Yes, they’re refugees and civilian casualties.  It’s awful.”

“Dreadful.  Never changes.  The only thing that’s changed is the number of people carrying the guilt.”

“How?”

“Democracies.  I’m so much busier these days.”

“Look, Paul..”

“Peter.”

“Peter, all this suffering.  The deaths.  The refugees.  The injured.  You can’t blame me for that.  What about politicians? The wealthy?  Tyrants?...   What are you doing?”

“I’m signing the Order.  I’m sorry.”

“But we haven’t looked at ‘Explicit Actions’ yet.”

“No point, I’m afraid.”

“You’re not interested in the good things I’ve done?”

“I’m sorry, Kevin, but I’m terribly busy – so many to see today.  Population growth, spread of democracy – you’re all so much more culpable.  Now, if you wouldn’t mind moving along.  Door on the left, please.”

---

“Hello.  Jacqueline, isn’t it?  I’m Peter.”