The Silent Witness
by Jane Doe
Unknown
You’ve seen me before. Old. Rusty. I’ve been here for many decades. Why? Advanced society. Once twenty feet long, now twice longer. More advanced? Maybe. I’ve been watching you all. You might have never noticed, but I have an influence. I do not control you fully but I can decide. I can decide for you. All you need to do is drive by in your beetles with your Seashells stuck in your ears. New TV walls! Now 4 of them for a special price! Faster cars, louder speakers, smaller radios, smarter washing machines… It takes one glance and my job is done. I might live by the road but I sure don’t look poor. Colors, pictures and BIG letters – that ought to be made by a creative mind. Who would think they exist nowadays in this robot society? Do we still think? I heard there used to be small pieces of paper put together, with stories on them, called books. I wonder what they were about. I sometimes think a lot, but I would never read a book. Billboards don’t read. We’re naturally smart. But shh! No one knows. No one thinks, that’s why! I see you all moving, day after day, being busy but not having the real goal. Why are you all here? This isn’t a real life. What’s your purpose? You’re not even communicating. You don’t listen. You’re not being heard. Those little things in your ears don’t do anything, nor do the walls! You’re hurting yourself. It’s a shame that you can’t even feel it anymore. The people who raised you forgot about that…
Here they come! My parents. Yes, I have parents. They’ve been taking care of me since the previous ones died. Makes sense! So here they are – a perfect example of what people should not be like, but yet you still are. They’re changing my clothes today. It was time. Those pieces of paper seem nicer than the ones I’m wearing now. I wonder what it’s all about this time.
-“Oh my, I think I’m going to buy the new Seashells. They seem so much better. Apparently they truly listen to you!” That’s the woman. I sense your need… Do you lack a listener? You wouldn’t admit that, would you?
-“I prefer the new beetle. You sit inside and don’t do anything. It does everything on its own. And the speed is ten times faster than when they started being produced!” The man of course. You can tell. Men still need speed. Lack of freedom? I’m not the one to tell. I’ve been living outside since I was brought from the factory. I don’t really remember the first days very well. There is one thing though. I could feel it before, but I can’t anymore. Your hearts. They’re beating but they aren’t. You’re consumers in everything but love. You act but you don’t feel. And I feel bad. I shouldn’t be doing what I am.
It’s a new fridge today. New functions. Less work for all of you. Be happy! But you aren’t. I’ll still force you to buy it. It’s painless, don’t worry. You might be careful now, that I’ve revealed myself. I couldn’t keep it in, you know. Too much pain. It’s sad how poor you’ve become. I have more feelings than you. Strange how things change. Would you dare to change?
