Author’s Nostrum

Earth 2040. The world is now a different place, nor utopian or dystopian, but median. A new age blend of prosperity and destitution. Nearly five years ago in the year 2035 life started falling off the face of the earth at an alarmingly exponential rate. With the vast growth of technology and the mysterious evolution of matter a group of researchers from the United Kingdom created a biological elixir known as Author’s Nostrum. It’s purpose is to restore ailing health by hooking its patients up to an I.V. powered by Microsoft Industries. While the patient is hooked up to the I.V. which is hooked up to a Nostrum Generator a writer with a laptop, tablet or iPad hooked into the generator writes life into the ailing patient by means of a story. A hidden advantage of this new elixir is that it not only saves lives, but also carries the hidden potential to extend life spans.

“I wonder how many patients they’re gonna flood us with” John said aloud. “I mean I can handle as many as they send me, but I hope we don’t get wiped like we did yesterday”. “Oh quit your wining” Sharon remarked sarcastically from across the way at her station. “I’d say it’s been pretty quiet the past 24 hours” Clive added. “How can it not be?” John began.

“For the past two days we’ve either saved or failed to save every non reading soul that stumbled through that door.” “Give it a rest, Bakersfield” the team’s lead Stephen demanded. “Five years ago the universe felt like humanity wasn’t reading enough and decided to make writing our currency for survival. The thing is, you become a great writer by reading a lot. So those of us who are bookworms and writing nuts have now become the lifeline of humanity. In other words, if we don’t write, they don’t live.”

“This isn’t the life of a writer that I wanted” Sharon started. “Sure. I love writing. I’ve lived for it nearly every day since I was a teenager, but I never wanted my writing to leave the fate of humanity in my actual hands.” “I don’t think any of us did” John added. “But to be fair we did used to say writing is life.” “Yeah jackass, but we didn’t actually want it to be the end of someone’s life if it never took off” Sharon exclaimed irately. “Look guys” Clive started. “All I ever wanted to do was write screenplays and perhaps win an Oscar or an Emmy for best adapted screenplay, but sometimes life just doesn’t turn out how you planned.”

“This is where our writing has brought us and the best we can do is-” before Clive could finish, the alarm went off just over his head. “Looks like we got one” Stephen called out. “Everyone get to their stations and power up the nostrum”. Three paramedics bursted through the door with a female patient on a stretcher who was sweating profusely and breathing heavy. “How far along is she?” Stephen asked as he and John lifted the young woman from the stretcher and onto the operating table. “About 20 minutes” the male paramedic responded.

“Sharon? Clive? Is the nos ready?” Stephen asked sternly. “Yes” the duo replied simultaneously. As the young woman continued to convulse Stephen stuck an IV In her arm. “Alright John, get to it.” Stephen commanded. John rushed to his laptop which was hooked up the nostrum and began typing:

Life is a complicated rollercoaster. One minute you’re doing what you love for the fun of it and the next you’re doing it to save lives. John and his friends never imagined that the craft they practiced for a hobby with future hopes to entertain would end up being the lifelines of the entire planet. During their first writing assignment to save a life the group was excited that humanity was benefiting from their craft, but their faith in their abilities started to dwindle once they were given patients that they couldn’t save. The mortality of what they were up against had finally come into realization.

“Keep going, John” Stephen called out. “Her heart rate is starting to slow down.” “Am- am- am I gonna die?” The young woman asked as she breathed heavy. “No” Clive responded as he rushed to her side. “You’re not gonna die. You’re in the hands of the best writers on the planet and we are not going to lose you.” The woman then reached into her pocketbook laying right next to her and pulled out her identification.

“Stephanie Saunders” Clive read as she handed him her license. “If- if I don’t make it please call my husband and my kids and let them know that I love them very much.” “That’s not gonna be necessary” John interrupted. “You’re gonna tell them yourself after you make it out of this alive.” Stephanie anxiously nodded in agreement as John’s fingers took off once more.

John and his group of friends were recruited by the military and taken to a secluded facility where they were briefed about the ensuing deaths aand how their gifts for writing were the keys to saving humanity. They all felt the pressure of the weight of the world on their shoulders, but nevertheless were determined to save the earth with their callings. They have spent the past five years working their minds and fingers to the bone, writing endlessly to save lives. Most of their efforts have been successful, some unfortunately have not been. Yet they remain strong willed and continue to write.

“Okay take a breather, she’s stable.” Stephen Commanded. John eased his red palmed fingers off of the laptop’s keyboard with exhaustion as the young woman’s heavy breathing slowed down and her heart rate decreased. “Is she gonna make it?” Sharon asked. “Yeah, she’s gonna make it” Stephen replied. Everyone then took their seats while letting out sighs of relief. “Thank you all…for saving me” Stephanie said calmly while breathing easy. “You are most welcome” Stephen replied. “Ah, it was nothin” Clive added. “Just doin’ what we do best love” Sharon said with a smile. “Happy to help and definitely happy to write” John concluded.