Smartystan

When Hector Vergara walked through the Ivory Gates and his SUV rolled over the Streets of Gold, he felt an overwhelming sense of revulsion at the opulence. Knowledge that the whole place of Smartystan was built by labor eased the pangs at least. He stepped out and finally got his chance to meet Dr. Strong. The two men looked each other in the eyes. Their differences in philosophy could have sparked a powder keg of emotions and a heated discussion. This, however, did not happen. They shook hands as gentlemen and headed into the skyscraper.

In Dr. Strong’s luxurious office, he welcomed his foe to sit down and even break bread.

“We have a wide assortment of different breakfast items on the menu that I can have specially made for you,” Dr. Strong explained.

“No, I’m fine.” The revulsion had returned.

“So let’s get right to it, then.”

“Let’s.”

“We’re in a war. There hasn’t been an actual war in all of the world for quite some time now. It’s just that the United States has fallen down the drain. We’re supposed to be the leaders in the battle to win souls. And you know that I only mean that in the most rational of ways.”

“Of course. What we’re here to do is to make for an alliance of the ACA with what you have going on here,” Vergara said. His voice sounded strained like there had been a bit of grit stuck between two gears.

“Did you need some water?” Dr. Strong asked.

“No, no.” He cleared his throat. “Continue.”

“We are on polar opposites. This place in which you currently occupy as a guest is about achievement and ability. You have a record and an entire group focused on the meek, mild, and humble. We’re all about pride.”

“I can see that. This is where we most disagree. Human beings should be average, modest, and lowly. That’s what God put us on this Earth to be.”

“As you know I’m a firm nonbeliever in the theory of God. I am an advocate for reason and the individual and a radical for capitalism.”

Vergara laughed gently. He rolled his head around slightly and grinned.” I know, I know. The best of the best. But doesn’t that make it harder for the people of lesser ability to live out their lives and raise families?”

“If it is their choice, it will be that they only do that. What the difference is lies in the fact that the people of this country-state are achievers. On whatever level of ability, the point is that they strive to be great. They want to thrive in a world that begins and ends on ability.”

“Dr. Strong, this is where it gets heated.”

“Well, turn on the burner, then.”

“These are human beings! They’re not for making them prized chattel to be carted around on floats demonstrating their superior skills.”

“There is no chattel in this place that stands on two legs. Even the synths have a life to them because they are partially made of organic matter. In your world, there is still poverty, crime, and addiction because you have yet to allow the people to rise above their stations and claim victory over death.”

“Death? Who said anything about dying?”

“The view you hold is a case for perishing. It is a muddled view of how humans should be and it is corrupt, sir. It stares down the nose of anyone who might be better than them and you have to divide the heads of the showy flowers so that everyone is equal. I say to that: Evil.”

Now Vergara had fully awakened. He shifted his body to put his weight on the table and planted his hands there, too.

“The only thing that is evil is that fantasy world you created out there that subjugates the worker and doesn’t allow him to flourish.”

Dr. Strong chuckled and offered one to Vergara. He shook his head no.

“Now, you mentioned ‘flourish.’ What better place is there to flourish than here? We have young people making fortunes because there are no income taxes. Entrepreneurs spring up out of basements, garages, and dorm rooms like the most beautiful of fruit bearing trees. This, sir, is the ultimate in bringing together the achiever and what can be imagined and attained. I am proud of the place that my fellow Founders created. There’s so much about understanding that to flourish you must first be unchained by the idea of the average, the run of the mill.”

Vergara twitched. “I looked forward to this meeting today, doctor. I thought we could find some common ground.”

“It’s not too late. Is it?”

“I think we don’t see the same ideals as the other. What I am trying to do is position hard working people to be self-sufficient and to create a world where the minds, any mind can come together no matter what their intellectual or physical ability or both.”

“I am just the opposite. I want to have absolutely excellent people no matter their chosen profession, to live and develop with a healthy sense of rationality and selfishness.”

Vergara rolled his eyes. “There you go about selfishness….”

“Yes, I do. Not everyone is selfish, contrary to popular belief. People may have some concern for their own lives, they might want the best out of their life and their values, but that’s not true selfishness.”

“And what is this ‘true selfishness?” Vergara asked, a bit too pleased with himself.

“It's simpler and deeper than that. Selfishness says you treat other people like humans rather than animals and make sure your neck isn’t yoked like a yak.”

“How can someone not be selfless and unselfish? What does it all mean?”

“It means you never act irrationally, and if you happen to find yourself in such a situation, you find a way to rectify it. Quickly. Selfishness isn’t about being better, it’s about being the best.”

Vergara mulled the words. He looked down at his three piece suit and then looked at his watch. He squirmed a little bit in his chair at the barrage of words that flew from Dr. Strong’s mouth. He then blurted out, “Isn’t everyone a little bit selfish sometimes?”

“This is counterfeit egoism. It is not a true understanding of what it means to live an individualistic life.”

Vergara’s head spun. He then shot to his feet. He stretched out his hand.

“Until we meet once more,” he smiled.

Dr. Strong blew smoke away from Vergara and shook his hand.

Back in his SUV, Vergara punched the seat and told the driver to go home.