Calmate Change
Category C: Highly Commended (2025) Monash Short Story Writing Competition
Author: Kym Boekel
It takes a long time for people to see that things have changed, to spot the trend, to see the curve. Many would later claim that they had seen it happening. But this was new, it had never been seen before. There wasn’t a reason. No catalyst was identified. No one event that set the process in motion. One day it just seemed like things had started to go ....... right. Although, that does depend on ones' viewpoint.
The world had become a weary place. Insipid leaders that no one admired supplying misinformation by the bucket full. Insurmountable problems that left people with no enthusiasm for the fight. A pallor to life.
Horizons had receded from a world view to a country view, then a community view, then as far as your own yard and then finally just the tiny screen in your hand.
The second “pandemic” came as a jolt. It was a plague of truth-telling. The first politician speaking honestly during an interview went viral. Footage shows the politician reading from their notes. What comes out of their mouth, however, is how they feel about the "plebs" who elected them, the kickbacks they have received to support environment scouring developments and the family members they have rewarded with lucrative contracts. The politician's face contorts from astonishment to bewilderment and then anger, but never shame. It's almost like they are vomiting the truth out. An aid cuts the microphone and drags the politician away, as they continue to mouth hitherto unspeakable truths. It is later explained as the effect of prescription medication. The same excuse can't be used when the next politician briefs the press about a new tax bill. About how the bill is designed to protect wealthy campaign donors' interests. It becomes clear over time that many politicians will not be re-elected. Some withdraw from public speaking altogether, citing fatigue, but no one is fooled. Politicians learn they can only prosper when they represent issues important to the people who elected them. Funding for schools and hospitals increases, programs are decided on merit and factions work together to pass legislation that strengthens the countries future. Parliamentary debates are reasoned and polite instead of sounding like a pack of seagulls fighting over a chip. Hope unfurls like a delicate fern-like frond.
There is surprise at an arson attack on a prominent business person's home in an exclusive inner-city suburb. Emergency services attend promptly in a whirl of sirens in numbers that those waiting for urgent medical care can only dream about. No one is hurt; little damage done. But the slide begins. Revealing correspondence is seen on a desk. With so many underfunded services attending, photos are leaked, and the thread of a corrupt lifestyle begins to unravel. First court cases, then bankruptcy, divorce and health problems. But the worst thing? The business person is treated like everyone else. No more handshakes and special deals. No private club at the airport. No one looks the other way at speeding fines. Suddenly the rules apply to them too. Those around them also tumble, almost like they had turned a blind eye to how they had been supported. The partner who fled when the money dried up doesn’t fare well, losing their settlement to a poorly managed investment scheme. The kids brought up in a world of privilege learn that having skills matters.
The gambling industry takes the next hit. Weather anomalies result in pin-point storms which only damage venues with pokies whilst restaurants around them continue to trade unscathed. Betting agencies' computer systems crash continuously. Is it a synchronized hacker assault? No one knows. With no way to gamble people must get their adrenaline hit from competing in athletics. A shot put-umentary becomes the most watched show on television.
A novel virus sweeps through prisons. Scientists can't discover the vector that spreads it. It starts with a rash, fever and muscle aches that leave the prisoners weak, tired and somehow - changed. Previously hardened criminals become calm and considered. Many are appalled by their previous actions. The worst cases are the most affected, starting out-reach programs to help others. Not all prisoners catch the virus though; when the cases of the uninfected are revisited, the evidence by which they were convicted is found to be flawed. Lacking viral antibodies becomes grounds for review. The virus infects some prison guards, and even members of the public whose neighbours had believed them to be “good sorts”. These targeted outbreaks coincide with an exponential decrease in violent crime. The previously under siege court system catches up as defendants answer all questions truthfully. Judges everywhere celebrate by spending more time on their hobbies – crocheting bespoke wigs and pickleball enjoy a surge in popularity. The mental health of police officers rises to its highest level though some lament losing the thrill of chasing down offenders, who have taken to handing themselves in.
Wildlife stages a heartening comeback. Whaling ships suffer a new form of full surface corrosion, sinking slowly enough for crews taking to lifeboats to consider their career options while awaiting rescue. Gill nets on super trawlers, with their horrendous by-catch, are affected by the previously unrecognised “net fatigue” syndrome. It is thought that a new form of plastic eating algae may be the cause; the oceans have never been cleaner. The algae itself is found to be delicious, replacing the fish that used to be eaten. Algae patties with their unique umami taste are embraced by fast food chains and haute cuisine finds itself a new star ingredient on degustation menus.
The world settles into a delirium of possibility. Schadenfreude becomes news-readers favorite word prompting a fun new drinking game. Online scams dwindle as every scam text is only delivered to the scammers themselves until their computers overload with a satisfying electronic phssst. Online trolls are zapped by their keyboards, the magnitude of the shock somehow matching the repellence of their comments. Research shows some of these Pavlov Trolls learn more quickly than others about cause and effect.
Mammals, birds and reptiles bounce back as industrial developments in delicate ecosystems fall apart. Companies noted for short-term profits and long-term damage suffer so many setbacks it becomes more economical to build using better designs. There is initial concern that an unbalanced ecosystem will result, but this doesn't transpire. Malaria is all but relegated to a historical disease as increasing bat numbers decimate mosquito populations.
The golden age rolls on. News services report only good news stories and exciting scientific discoveries. Rude workplace colleagues resign, although no one knows where they go to. Road rage becomes an emotion from the past as tailgaters have their cars written off by collisions with SAPs (suddenly appearing poles). Cycling takes off as its mood elevating properties are re-discovered. The newest place to meet your life partner is at the traffic lights chatting to those who pull up beside you. There are issues with merging that take time to address, as everyone cedes right of way, but ultimately, traffic merges like a zip and traffic jams recede in the rear-view mirror. Manners improve with everyday interactions becoming moments of joy. Communities blossom as people take the time to check in with each other. Mothers get to finish their cups of tea as children enjoy playing outside so much. After school activities no longer seem important as kids invent new games and explore the natural world. Social media seems hollow compared to actually doing things with your own hands. Psychologists' patient numbers decrease as exercise emerges as the greatest therapy of all. Psychologists then turn their attention to research more pernicious mental health issues and important advances in understanding are made.
Concern rises as smaller and smaller transgressions result in ill reward. It was one thing for rude customers to lose their voices every time they yell at shop staff (until they learn online shopping is for them). But then staff who take home stationery supplies from work start to exhibit anxiety in the presence of staplers. If you don’t cross the road at pedestrian crossings your feet boot scoot you back on to the pavement. Parents who scream at their children to empty the dishwasher suffer from a vicious form of eye twitch. Children who leave dirty clothes on the floor find their parents learning all the words and dance moves to their favourite songs.
It snowballs from there, panic sets in. Cats that chase butterflies develop statue syndrome (memes of puzzled cats with disgruntled faces remain hilarious however). Use of the thumbs up emoji immediately cracks mobile phone screens. Those who don’t follow coughing etiquette experience neck cricks resulting in constant nose to armpit connection. Anyone who doesn't stand on the left of escalators become trapped on them for hours until they undertsand the system. You can tell those who are taking a long time to learn these life skills as they keep glancing over their shoulders, a hunted look on their faces.
People become scared to speak in public for fear of causing offence; even whispering to your nearest and dearest at home can have ramifications. Vegetarianism becomes veganism. Veganism becomes above ground food only after the worm protection riots of 2026. Slapping at a fly is social suicide. Reporters look scared doing live broadcasts. Curse words are scrubbed from peoples' vocabularies, from under their breath and finally edited out of their thoughts. Song lyrics are repetitive as few words rhyme with love and the only song played on the radio is “Everything is Awesome”. It is very quiet in tearooms.
Slowly the tide recedes revealing a new landscape. A person rushing back to their car five minutes outside the parking window finds that they haven't received a parking fine and an ill placed bird poop on their front window. Food doesn't fall into the lap of a distracted parent who doesn't immediately thank the waitperson. An ill chanced observation doesn't result in the television presenter drooling for the remainder of the day. There is a collective sigh. You can relax into living again. The lessons learned have become habit. Courtesy is seen as beautiful. Liking is a compliment you gave in real life, no keyboard required. Crime has eroded leaving professionals free to build programs to ensure it doesn't return. Respected politicians build for the future. Few lament the passing of the good old days...........