The Bridge

(Part Three: The End of Civility)

Lines formed as falling celebrations became an hourly occurrence. Families tried to fund a commission to travel to the bottom of the Wilson Sinkhole but their efforts were blocked by the courts. The bodies of their loved ones were never recovered.

Peaceful protesters came from around the country but were always rebuffed by the hard words of the politicians and celebrities who spoke daily at the bridge. As the popularity of the celebrations grew so did the anger of the crowd toward the protesters. It was no longer considered civil to speak against the rights of those who jumped from the platform.

As the rhetoric grew, so the mood of the entire country turned against anyone who took a contrary stance to this popular form of suicide. Litmus tests were created to exclude people from employment, membership in certain clubs, admission into prestigious universities, housing, and social media sites. The public at-large simply ignored the injustice taking over their nation.

Then, one day, it happened. The protestors were praying in their designated area, well away from the platform. The crowd, ginned up by the speech of an international celebrity ran in on the prayer meeting, snatched up those gathered and dragged them to the rainbow platform. Then, one by one, they threw them off, and into the abyss.

As the first victim fell screaming, the crowd erupted in laughter and applause. News of this was reported around the world. Most defended the crowd and mocked those who died simply because they held an alternate view. A view that life is precious. Those who couldn’t support such barbarity kept their opinions to themselves lest they be attacked.

(To be continued)