Kyle Fowlie Draft 1 (50%)

Milk Run

Thesis

On a dystopian, futuristic Earth a young boy is set on a seemingly simple task by his aging grandmother but is quickly forced to adapt or perish in a world he thought he knew.

Setting

Young Lucas and his grandmother are huddled in the 3^rd story of a large apartment building, trying to survive against the natural and unnatural events that have torn apart the world we once knew. The Grandmother is slowly succumbing to the environment and is attempting to prepare Lucas for what he eventually has to do, leave the shelter and attempt to survive in a world gone awry.

It is the year 2198, just twenties years after “The Great Un-Plug”. Before this day, Earth wielded technology capable of sustaining a large virtual network where privileged members of society could replace their limited reality with a life-like, un-hindered alternative for a hefty annual subscription. The technology was new, and as a result, still quite expensive. This fact created a social divide where only about fifty percent of Earth’s residents could afford access to this new frontier. Earth Two, as it later became known, was practically limitless and quickly transformed into the highlight of the century. An entirely new social infrastructure was developed. Laws were established and punishments drafted. Naturally, as more time was spent within Earth Two, less was spent in Earth One and the remaining population quickly grew resentful. After much civil dispute (and coaxing from international government leaders), Earth Two was finally declared “free-to-use”. Although the lure of living in the (nearly) infinite realm proved too much for most, a sizable group of the population flatly refused to participate. Lucas’s grandmother was one of them.

The Great Un-Plug came when the Earth’s natural magnetic poles unexpectedly flipped. By this time, Earth Two participants were not only physically connected to the system but were emotionally and mentally bonded to the fate of their virtual world. Power systems all across the globe were only interrupted for about 30s, but the Earth Two failed at a catastrophic level and the entire simulation stopped for every one of it’s 7 billion members during that time. Imagine suddenly waking from your near-perfect existence and remembering that the real world was hellish in comparison. Some didn’t even survive the switch. The sudden impact of the real Earth destroyed the minds of approximately 800 million people instantly. Earth Two naysayers had a field day and the mass extinction was enough to convince a lot of people that perhaps being bonded to a massive virtual simulation wasn’t such a great idea. Unfortunately, approximately 5.2 billion people were suffering from “post-virtual stimuli” syndrome and eager to return to the “real world”.

A massive dispute broke out amongst the people of Earth. Some demanded that Earth Two replace the former and the rest demanded the opposite. The dilemma was unsolvable by any conventional means, but people tried. The Great Debate was televised on the second anniversary of the Great Un-Plug. Leaders from around the world attended and represented both sides. Progress was eternally slow. Pros and cons were made for each side, but neither were willing to budge and the standstill continued. Effort was made to devise a plan where each party could keep what they wanted but splitting a population in two wasn’t easy. Just as progress was finally being made, a rouge radical broke into the meeting and began firing into the stands with automatic weapons. He was quickly dispatched, but managed to slay 22 people. Chaos ensued, within the Great Debate and outside it. Both sides blamed the other despite the death toll being even. Small skirmishes broke out in the middle-east, then in the south-east. China saw civil war rage within it’s borders and several countries attempted to help them put out the proverbial fires but it was already too late. Famine and disease crept in, and times grew desperate. Virtual time became a drug and a vital commodity. Earth One began to burn, and anyone who managed to squelch their opinion for one side or the other hid indoors.

Characters

Protagonist – Lucas: a simple-minded, young adolescent who has been largely sheltered his entire life from the harsh realities that lay outside. Although some might call him “spoiled” by today’s standards, Lucas is generally strong-willed and calm natured. He understands the good in people, but has trouble with the growing evil’s and can be easily tricked by them if he isn’t careful. Loyalty is a trait he has yet to learn, growing up in the company of no one his own age. He cares deeply for his grandmother, the only other person he has ever really known, although can’t help feel that something is missing from his situation. He remembers others, but cannot think clearly of their relationship to him or even see their faces. He is growing more and more curious and asks often of the current state of the world, the past and the coming future.

Ally – Grandmother: the last living barrier between Lucas and the growing chaos that continues to press in towards them. She was a strong, fierce lady in her younger years but time has worn away her edginess. She has a keen ability to spot a lie, a talent lost on poor Lucas. She is determined to keep Lucas safe but knows that her health is failing quickly and she will not be able to protect him forever. Each day she tries to teach him something useful but knows too little of the world now to be sure of anything.

Ally – t33to (“tee-toe”): t33to is the latest generation in a range of personal artificial intelligence devices designed purely for the elite social class (before the incident). Lucas inherited his very own t33to from his grandmother several years ago, although the device used to be his fathers. Some modifications were performed during the time his father owned it and the device was said to sometimes mimic his quirky attitude and resilient spunk.

Enemy – The World:

Outline – In Progress….

1. Introductions
   1. Grandmother is reading to Lucas (perhaps he is reading to himself, depending on age). This story tells mostly about how the world once was but provides a little context as to the stories setting.
   2. Grandma gives him stuff?
   3. Grandma tells him he needs to travel outside in search of “milk”
      1. Lucas doesn’t know what milk is but is very reluctant to leave the building.
      2. He questions his grandmother but is persuaded to leave (how?)
   4. Lucas enters the harsh world.
      1. What does the world look like? What are the dangers? How does he survive?

Obstacles Faced by the Protagonist

1. Coming of Age

Prototype Story

“Lucas!” A distant voice echoed throughout the hallway and into the living room. Lucas was busy drawing, a hobby he found more and more rewarding. He curled his hand using his palm as a pivot point and outlined the trunk of a large tree, a figure he had only witnessed in books. A sliver of sunlight reflected of the metal surface of the t33to A.I system wrapped around Lucas’s wrist. “Lucas!” It was hard not to hear her voice. The apartment building was all on a single floor and only had 4 rooms. He squinted at his picture, nodded in acceptance and moved his feet towards the voice.

Lucas’s grandmother sat in the kitchen staring out one of the boarded-up windows. Lucas could tell that she was deep in thought. He stood at the kitchen doorway for a moment, perplexed by her obvious emotional struggle. “What is it?” He finally asked. “I need some milk,” she mumbled. “Would you be a dear and fetch some for me?” Lucas stood silent for a moment, viewing his grandmother with a quizzical look. “M-milk?” he stammered. She turned to look at him. “We use to go on ‘milk runs’ to the store, but I’m sure it’s not that easy any longer. We need food and water, Lucas. You remember what I taught you? You remember what to look for?” Lucas put his chin into his chest and stood still. A single tear rolled down his cheek and plunged off his chin onto the tile floor.

I’m sorry Lucas, but you have to try.