Disparitis: Disharmony, Imbalance, Inequality

By David Buik

Disparitis, Catalytic Events

Professor Franz Schumacher, world renowned German environmentalist has irrefutable proof that the world is incapable of coping with his projection of 12 billion human beings inhabiting the earth by 2100. His moral dilemma about the future of the planet has reached breaking point.

Disillusioned by human greed and indifference to the environment, Franz's plan is the elimination of 5 billion people to arrest the downward spiral of destruction caused by unstoppable population growth and consumption.

Social destabilization, climate manipulation and technological innovation are used as catalysts to achieve his objective.

The resulting international reactions, not always foreseen, span every continent in a series of interwoven and intriguing events.

Set in 2020, this shocking yet academically sensible scenario is exciting, disturbing and captivating.

Disparities, Catalytic Events is the first in a trilogy of a potentially true story of what the future might hold.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tellwell Talent
• Release date: Sep 11, 2018
• ISBN: 9780228806547

David Buik

David BuikDavid Buik is a Scottish writer, academic, mathematician and futurist.

Book preview

9780228806547-DC.jpg

Dedication

To Pat Buik

My Literary Inspiration

and to

Charlotte and Oliver

My Legacy

Contents

Prologue

Pearson Precious Metals Head Office, Chicago, USA

Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos

Jubilee Gardens, London, UK

Professor Franz Schumacher

Stuttgart University, Stuttgart, Germany

Stuttgart Medical Addictions Centre, Stuttgart, Germany

Stuttgart University, Stuttgart, Germany

Stuttgart Medical Addictions Centre, Stuttgart, Germany

The Bell and Whistle Pub, Central London, UK

Stuttgart Medical Addictions Centre, Stuttgart, Germany

United Nations European Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland

Franz Schumacher’s Home, Stuttgart, Germany

3D Chess

CIA Headquarters, Langley, USA

La Gioconda, New York City, USA

CIA Headquarters, Langley, USA

The Equalizer Movement

M16 Headquarters, Vauxhall Cross, London, U.K.

Homeland Security, Nebraska Avenue Complex, Washington D.C., USA

Jubilee Gardens, London, UK

Homeland Security, Nebraska Avenue Complex, Washington D.C., USA

OD Enterprises’ Offices, Guildford, Surrey, U.K.

Hogwash Pub, San Francisco, USA

The 6-year-old President

Franz Schumacher’s Home, Stuttgart, Germany

Blantyre Elementary School, Blantyre, Malawi, Africa

Stuttgart Airport, Stuttgart, Germany

Blantyre International University, Naperi, Blantyre, Malawi

Yidnekachew Tessema Stadium, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Africa

Billionaires’ Response

Beverly Nicely’s Mansion, San Diego, USA

Beverly Nicely’s Mansion, San Diego, USA

The Cork and Bottle, Temple, London, U.K.

Mystery Underground Bunker, USA

Art of War

Jingshan Park, Beijing, China

Yidnekachew Tessema Stadium, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Africa

The Lifeboat

Franz Schumacher’s Home, Stuttgart, Germany

Dr. Zen’s Medical Centre, Tokyo, Japan

Nippon TV Studios, Tokyo, Japan

Mr. Weather

Princeton University, New Jersey, USA

Henry Standing’s Apartment, New Jersey, USA

Cramped Cabin, Khulna, Bangladesh, SE Asia,

Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

Party Debate

Equalizer Party Headquarters. Washington D.C., USA

Hofstra University, Long Island, New York, USA

Deserted Island, South Pacific

Malawi

UN Office, Blantyre, Malawi, Africa

Smoke and Mirrors

The Whitehouse, Washington D.C., USA

Bert Smythe’s Bunker Mansion, Texas, USA

Bangladesh Freedom March

Whaikhyang Border, Myanmar, SE Asia

Khulna, Bangladesh, SE Asia

Chittagong, Bangladesh, SE Asia

Kyauktaw, Myanmar, SE Asia

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, London SW1, UK

Kyauktaw, Myanmar, SE Asia

Exploding Dice

OD Enterprises Offices, Manhattan, New York, USA

Equalizer Party Local Office, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Washington Memorial, Washington D.C., USA

Equalizer Party Headquarters, Washington D.C., USA

Oval Office, The White House, Washington D.C., USA

Eureka

Bert Smythe’s Underground Bunker Mansion, Texas, USA

Peter Chapman’s Mansion, Washington D.C., USA

2454 Penfold Drive, Washington D.C., USA

Underground Bunker, Somewhere in the United States of America

Alice Squires Mansion, New York, USA

Levelling the Playing Field

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Kara Soar American Military Base, Makhmour, Iraq

Large Tent, Deir ez Zur, Syria

ExxonMobil West Qurna Oil Installation, North West of Basra, Iraq

T.U.C.U.

Dugway Proving Grounds, Tooele, Utah, USA

The White House, Washington DC, USA

A Change of Plan

Equalizer Party Headquarters, Blantyre, Malawi, Africa

Hilton Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria, Africa

N’djili Airport, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa

The Jungle, Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa

African Development Fund Offices, Lagos, Nigeria, Africa

It’s a Billionaire’s Life

Private Villa, Cayman Islands, Caribbean

Bert Smythe’s Private Island Paradise, Caribbean Sea

The Long Wait

Somewhere in the Jungle, Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa

Boardroom in the Sky

Middle of the Jungle, Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa

The Split Kimono

Manhattan Coffee Shop, New York, USA

Zadar, Dalmatian Coast, Croatia

Bert Smythe’s Private Island Paradise, Caribbean

Different Underground Bunker, USA

Double Dealing

Colonial Club, Lagos, Nigeria, Africa

CIA Headquarters, Langley, USA

CIA Headquarters, Langley, USA

The Jungle, Democratic of Republic of Congo, Africa

Blantyre Airport, Blantyre, Malawi, Africa

Miya and Zane

Franz Schumacher’s Home, Stuttgart, Germany

Stuttgart Airport, Stuttgart, Germany

Dr. Zen’s Medical Centre, Tokyo, Japan

Stuttgart Airport, Stuttgart, Germany

New Year’s Day 2026

Private Luxury Villa, Samoa

Dr. Zen’s Home, Tokyo, Japan

Serendib Suites Hotel, Blantyre, Malawi

Chinese Politburo Offices, Beijing, China

Shagotom Council Offices, Sittwe, Shagotom, SE Asia

Franz Schumacher’s Home, Stuttgart, Germany

Napoleon Smythe’s Luxury Yacht, off Kauai, Hawaii, Pacific Ocean

National Park, Botswana, Africa

Sarah Montgomery’s Flat, Berkeley St., London W1, England

Boardroom in the Sky, Cloud 9

Newsrooms Worldwide – BREAKING NEWS!

Copyright

part one

Catalytic Events

2020 to 2025

Prologue

Pearson Precious Metals Head Office, Chicago, USA

Friday 18th December 2020

The petite blonde secretary had delivered fresh cappuccinos and chocolate cookies to the 24th floor wood panelled office in Pearson Precious Metals head office. It was 10:55am and Ron always liked to start on time. The board members anxiously scanned their notes on the automated office system.

Billionaire Ron Pearson, CEO and President of Pearson Precious Metals, marched in precisely at 10:59. He was looking dapper in a made-to-measure Louis Vuitton suit and smelled of the new Chanel 9 for Men. Handsome and a genius, this was to be his big day. By the tender age of thirty-eight, he had taken his company from inception to the deal of a lifetime. The takeover of his biggest rival in Nigeria would create an entity worth $78 billion and take his personal worth to $16.2 billion according to the flattering article in the New York Times this morning.

‘Admittedly,’ he thought, ‘my father’s initial contribution of $600 million was useful, along with his international connections, but if it hadn’t been for me, we would not be where we are today.’

Not only that, last night, Fiona, his gorgeous wife of three years had produced his first baby, a boy who would take on the great Pearson name. The final choice of names, David or Andrew, was still going through his head as he walked in.

Ron took his place at the head of the large board room table, the atmosphere in the room a state of excited apprehension. He had just announced I now bring this meeting to order when a loud bang was heard. The large boardroom window shattered and all that was left of Ron’s head was a pulverized mess. A high calibre bullet had hit him in the centre of the forehead, blowing away his top-quality brain along with the rest of his vital head infrastructure.

There was no pandemonium, there was no panic, there was just a shocked silence interrupted by the ringing of the conference table phone. Zombie-like, Hugh Simon, the vice chairman, pressed the answer button, a subconscious, automatic reaction. Over the speakerphone a voice with a sombre tone stated: The Equalizer has Struck. Hugh noticed a little sticker with an equals sign on the answer button. ‘I’ve never seen that before,’ he thought.

***

Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos

Friday 18th December 2020

George Banks, President of International Banking Incorporated, had had an exhausting week. His flight from London had been delayed, his wife had been bugging him about their next holiday in the Bahamas, and this stuff about The Exterminator, The Equalizer, or whatever, was getting to his team. Finally, he was back in his private mansion on the island and could get some peace and quiet. He eased his portly, tanned body onto the chaise lounge. ‘Not bad for 60,’ he thought, ‘although I could do with losing a few pounds.’ Life was good though; there were some benefits to being a billionaire, after all.

George had bought this mansion in 2010 and had made it his ‘special project’. All his favourite pastimes were catered to. The landscaped tennis court with views across the ocean and the swimming pool with its natural limestone outcrop truly made this a delightful haven to escape from the vagaries of the capitalist system. George was particularly proud of his quartz tile chess set with giant ceramic designer pieces which gave a certain individuality to the property. All this cemented George’s impeccable taste for ‘class’ and ‘elitism’. ‘I’m good,’ he thought, ‘and I’ve never been beaten at chess in my own garden.’

Not only was it a haven from work, it offered privacy from his wife and family. While he had to spend some time, for tax reasons, at the ‘insufferable T&C location’, his family had no such reason to be there. The two blonde topless members of his ‘support staff’ romping in the pool would not be interrupted by his wife’s concerns about ‘distractions putting her husband off his work’.

The weather was gorgeous, the blue sky starting to change colour as the early evening haze filled the sky. Sunset was just an hour away. George decided he would have his first drink of the day before joining the girls in the pool. He waved his hand in the air.

The immaculately dressed butler came to his side. I have a gin and tonic for you, sir – your favourite – would you like some ice with that?

Thank you, said George, absently, enjoying the pool view. That sounds perfect.

The butler put his tray onto the table, poured a large slug of Williams Chase gin into the exquisite crystal glass, delicately dropped three large ice cubes, nearly the size of ping pong balls, into the drink and added a dash of tonic. He smoothly continued by supplementing the drink with a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint and handed the completed beverage to George.

George cupped the crystal glass in both hands and savoured the aromas. He took a large swig of the gin and tonic, enjoying the calmness of the moment. He looked up. The girls in the pool were swaying and fuzzy. He became aware that he felt nauseous and was becoming dizzy. It wasn’t them swaying, it was him! He looked down into the glass and saw inside the melting ice cubes a couple of small equals signs. He drifted into unconsciousness, never to return from it.

***

Jubilee Gardens, London, UK

Friday 18th December 2020

If grandchildren are very special, 4-year old Hannah said, in a loud high-pitched voice, then great-grandchildren must be even specialer.

Hannah was holding her great-grandfather William’s hand as they strolled happily through Jubilee Gardens in London. William had decided to enjoy the remaining years of his life by finally taking time off and giving to his third generation the attention that the first and second generations had missed.

At 86, he had already decided to give 90% of his money away and spend more time with the family. His life had always been dedicated to making the world a better place, and he had done exceptionally well, making billions from his talents as an investor. But today was a holiday. He was taking his ‘specialer’ great-grandchild to the London Eye to see the sights of London from above the city.

As they held hands and walked through Jubilee Gardens, without a care in the world, they watched the buskers and actors in their mime outfits.

A masked magician, dressed in a cape and top hat, had accumulated quite a crowd and was mesmerizing people with trickery and deception. The magician was clearly very good and had a competition called ‘Win £100 by Finding the Dice’. With great flair, he placed a dice under one of three mugs and rapidly moved them, stopping to ask one of the punters which mug the dice was under. £100 is yours if you pick the correct mug, he called out in a tone bordering on hypnotic. A handsome young man with a group of five friends was coerced into guessing and failed to pick the right mug, which caused great humour to his friends, and derision for himself.

We have a new candidate the magician called out loudly to the crowd, which had swelled to about a hundred strong. The famous billionaire, Mr. William Barren. If Mr. Barren can guess correctly, I will give £100 to the charity of his choice and £100 to everyone here this afternoon.

The crowd went crazy, chanting: William! William!

Show us how it’s done, Mr. Barren, called out a single voice from the crowd.

William, who knew he was well known, was quite taken with the response from this range of individuals and a little glad that Hannah could see his popularity. In the past, he had studied a bit of magic and sleight of hand and thought that he could possibly get the right choice. Anyway, he had nothing to lose, and the crowd was very enthusiastic.

William! William!

The chanting continued as the magician placed a dice under the middle mug and began an elaborate routine, slowly moving the mugs around. So slowly, in fact, that a 4-year-old would have no trouble finding the correct mug.

The magician came to a stop. So which mug is the dice under, Mr. Barren?

William kept his eyes firmly on the mugs, knowing exactly what the magician had done.

Which mug do you think it is, Hannah? William asked, without moving his eyes.

It’s the middle one, great-grandfather, Hannah said excitedly.

The crowd was silent, apprehension filled the air.

William waited a few moments, building up the tension in the atmosphere and enjoying every minute of it.

It’s the middle one, said William, in a flat tone.

The magician hesitated, before replying: You win, Mr. Barren, it is the middle one. But you lose, because it’s also the left and the right.

In one swift movement, the magician lifted all three mugs, showing dice under all of them, each with an equals sign showing. He spun round in a puff of smoke, in which William seemed to detect a whiff of garlic and disappeared in front of the crowd. William grasped his throat, took his last breath and collapsed on the ground, dead.

Hannah stood in shock as her world collapsed as quickly as the body of her portly great-grandfather had.

Chapter 1

Professor Franz Schumacher

Stuttgart University, Stuttgart, Germany

Tuesday 16th June 2020 (6 months earlier)

Professor Franz Schumacher stood at the front of the lecture hall where he had spent the last thirty, years deep in thought. Just two more lectures before he finished his teaching career for good.

The first class was an excellent group of first year students where he saw great learning potential. They had shown considerable promise and he had hopes for their valuable contributions to humankind. His final class, post graduate students, had not grasped the full magnitude of change taking pace in the world and he had been getting increasingly frustrated about their learning abilities.

Franz Schumacher’s illustrious career had resulted from his ability to combine his professorship in environmental studies with his United Nations work, which comprised of both environmental and humanitarian projects, was international in status and had taken Franz to many of the poorest places in the world.

This had been going on for over 30 years and had taken a toll on Franz. He was still as keen as he could be to implement infrastructure and irrigation projects to reduce droughts and starvation. However, these successful projects, designed to help humans, had increasingly resulted in further destruction to the planet as these same human beings expanded their dominance over nature.

Franz’s professional claim to fame and the reason why he was highly respected within the U.N. occurred in 1987. Franz went out on a limb and published his own population projections which were dramatically different from the official figures.

Officially, global population was projected to peak at 9.2 billion by about 2075 and would then drop off, stabilising at a lower level. Franz’s figures reached 12 billion by the year 2100, at which point global instability increased dramatically. There was no comparison between the two sets of figures and Franz had been vociferous in his reasons behind the differences, citing African birth rates, longer lifespans and mathematical probability.

It would be over 25 years before he would be vindicated and ‘official figures’ were revised to 11.2 billion by the year 2100 and acknowledgements were made for the serious defects in the projections. Franz still maintained his 12 billion figure was more realistic although he knew that he himself would not see that realization having already reached the ripe old age of 59.

For Franz’s first twenty-five years with the United Nations, there had been many successes and personal satisfactions. Franz’s six-foot frame had been a great advantage on his international trips. To see a thoughtful, tall white male, taking notes and asking questions earnestly with real passion was not what most government officials and NGO staff expected. To see action in terms of real improvement in living conditions was even less likely, but it happened under Franz’s term.

But, for every human birth, a ‘natural animal’ death occurred. It wasn’t a direct correlation, but it was close enough. One of Franz’s secret hopes was that some of his students would take up the cause and expand his work and, because of a greater magnitude of challenges, their voices would be heard.

Franz looked up as his younger students entered the lecture hall.

***

You only had to attend one of Professor Franz Schumacher’s infamous environmental lectures to comprehend that human beings influence the planet.

Class, this is your last lecture of the term and next year you will have Professor Helmut taking these lectures. Franz began, "Professor Helmut is an excellent professor and I hope you do not forget everything you have learned during your first year at the university.

I would like to start by reviewing some of the aspects of this year’s studies and the links between population levels and environmental degradation. Franz started. First, I would like to hear what you remember about how human beings have impacted the environment over the last 200 years. Anyone? Amory?"

Amory, a young man in his early twenties stood up.

We’ve created an agricultural society where we can feed ourselves all throughout the year, Amory said earnestly.

Good, replied Franz. Agriculture, excellent, over the break I would like you all to look at your food, farming and remember how human beings eating habits affect our world. Two important aspects that are particularly relevant now are the amount of people in the world changing their dietary habits. Examples of this are the conversion of rice to meat in China, and the current volumes of monoculture farming like sugar beet and palm oil. He wrote the word Agriculture on his whiteboard. Who else has a suggestion – Clotilda?

Humans have chopped down trees to make homes, suggested Clotilda.

Excellent, replied Franz. Human beings do indeed cut down trees to make homes and many other items. I’m going to label that item deforestation. Please remember when we discussed that in detail and where the remaining trees in the world are. He wrote Deforestation on the white board as the second item. Next, please.

What about carbon emissions from cars and power plants? asked Goethe, from the back. That’s important, isn’t it?

All these items are important, integrated and cumulative, the atmosphere has no country borders. replied Franz, adding Carbon Emissions to the other two items on the board. Any more suggestions?

The oceans – they are affected by human activity. stated Joanna, firmly.

Oceans is a great topic, Joanna, with many important components, Franz replied, adding Oceans to the board. Please remember these four topics over your break. Your plan next year will be to learn in more detail what humans have done to impact the planet to date and extrapolate the effects over the next 25 years plus. As you discuss these topics you will come across other prime effects, like species reduction, which will also be discussed in more depth.

Franz took a deep breath before continuing.

"I would like to add one more important point.

There are people in high positions of authority who are called ‘Climate Deniers’. They do not believe that human beings are causing changes in the planet’s weather patterns. Over the period of this course, we did not debate such political topics, we merely followed the progress of history to show what has happened. When it comes to using a qualified crystal ball to project outcomes we will act on science, which means no irrelevant hyperbole, just true science."

After a short moment of silence, Franz said: Right, Deforestation, who can tell me the total amount of forestation in the world, where it is and how much is left of the original amount?

He let the students debate numbers and geographic locations for a few moments before pulling up a world map on the large screen at the front of the lecture hall.

Here is a map of the world which shows the existing forests infrastructure. Interestingly, the largest amount of forest left is in Russia where over 25% of the remaining forests of the world exist. You can see the other large areas are in Canada, Brazil, and the United States of America. The grim feature of all this is that the current figure is just 30% of the original world total and some forecasters project that there will be no tropical rain forest, the area here, here and here, by 2050.

Franz pointed with his laser pointer at Brazil, Central Africa and China.

The bell rang, and the first-year students happily closed their laptops and left the lecture hall thanking Franz on the way out.

Franz smiled benignly, thinking about the future he was providing for them.

His aspirations were frequently annually dashed when many of his top students joined consultancy companies working for the largest corporations in the world. Typically, their work involved advising on destructive infrastructure projects and their skill sets were used to justify the ‘environmental safety’ of these projects. He found it very depressing.

Franz left the lecture hall and walked down the hallway for a short break before his next lecture.

Professor, Professor, one of his students called out. It was Stefan, a twenty-five-year old post graduate student, one of his greatest prodigies. Franz had spent a considerable amount of time mentoring Stefan on his thesis entitled ‘Controlling Species Reduction for Large Wild Animals in Central Africa’.

This was such a personal topic of interest for Franz, who had visited Africa on more than twenty separate occasions, that he had become emotionally attached to the work. He also saw the research as useful for one of his United Nations projects.

Yes, what is it, Stefan? asked the professor kindly.

I wanted you to be the first to know, professor, Stefan smiled excitedly. I have been offered a research job with the African Development Fund for their new project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is to ensure environmental compliance with their new $10 billion lithium mine and the starting salary is $250,000 per annum. It’s for all the electric cars the world now needs. There’s a huge demand. Isn’t that great?

Stefan turned and scampered happily into the lecture hall. Franz’s world wobbled, and he cracked.

Professor Franz Schumacher’s concluding lecture was not to be forgotten. The 16 post-graduate students had taken their seats for the last lecture of the year, having finished their final exams at Stuttgart University. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly and, this evening, they would be attending the University Ball in the great hall.

With such a celebration in prospect, the students were astonished when Franz strode into the room, his tall frame elegantly adorned with a purple suede jacket and matching pants, pink silk shirt and neckerchief, looking very serious. The outfit wasn’t the surprising issue; Franz had a varied wardrobe, and, throughout the semester, he had worn a range of clothes from old ‘Who’-style fringed jackets to ‘Dr. Who’ style capes. There was a rumour around the university that Franz was an ardent nudist and had once given a lecture, calling himself Adam and wearing just a green thong to symbolize a fig leaf. This apparently was to demonstrate the effects of climate change, but none of the students had really understood the underlying message, they were more fascinated by the carrier.

What was surprising was his countenance which looked out of place on a day like today. Unlike the smiling students, Franz’s face was clouded with concern, very unusual for the popular and helpful professor who knew everything there was to know about the environment and was a very willing mentor to his students. They loved him, and the feeling was reciprocated.

Today, Franz strode with purpose and addressed the class from the podium.

Congratulations to all of you for completing our comprehensive environmental course, designed to arm you to solve the problems of the future, he started, in a somewhat sarcastic tone. You are now the best humans on the planet to address the intolerable position we are in. Before you leave and forget all the important knowledge I have attempted to inject into your brains, I want to ask you all three simple questions.

Franz paused, adjusted his glasses and peered at his protégés. I want you all to remember this day when we decided the future of humankind on the planet, he said mysteriously.

This was not the normal Franz Schumacher. There was an ominous tone in his voice. Something had changed him.

Tell me, class, what is the most dangerous situation threatening the world right now? he asked in a very demanding tone.

All the celebratory atmosphere drained from the room and the students glanced at each other with a feeling of unease.

Species reduction, ventured Carl from the second row, testing the situation with a truism style answer.

Franz glared at Carl. Have you not learnt anything over the last three years? he growled. I said the most dangerous situation; species reduction is a response or reaction to this.

Carl was shocked by with Franz’s response and demeanour.

Melting ice caps and ocean acidification, Gudrun threw in, coming to Carl’s rescue and hoping she could deflect the rather strange behaviour emanating from the professor.

Before you tell me any more of the dire predictions and disasters presenting themselves to the world, stop and think. There is a common theme here.

Franz was not his normal, controlled self. His face was radiating a combination of fear, fury and impatience.

Are you all right, sir? asked Christina, with concern in her voice.

Franz lowered his shoulders, dropped his voice to a conspiratorial tone and whispered: We’re all doomed, we’re all doomed. And then, just as briskly, pulled himself to his full six feet and said in a loud voice: "The answer is this: there are too many human beings, too many people. It’s been an ongoing feature of all the lectures; species reduction – too many people; deforestation – too many people; ocean acidification due to carbon sequestration – too many people!

In 1950, there were 2.5 billion people on earth; now, there are over 8 billion, more than three times greater, consuming like crazy. The latest United Nations’ projected population figures are 11.2 billion by 2100. My personal figures are more than 12 billion. It’s all over. This is my last lecture at this university and the world is on the edge of collapse.

Franz shouted at his shocked students, We have to reduce the number of people on this planet and we have to do it now!

Franz felt a sixth sense that his students still hadn’t got it and his frustration went up one more notch.

"Disparitis" he shouted out, his mind reverting to the Latin studies of his youth. Disparitis, that’s what the world is. And do any of you geniuses know what Disparitis means? he shouted threateningly.

Franz answered his own question.

"I’ll tell you what it means. It means we are in a disastrous position, but it also says more. It means Disharmony, especially between humans and nature. It means Inequality especially between human beings themselves, and it means Imbalance which is what I’m feeling now because you lot just don’t get it."

Franz looked at the large ornate globe which sat on his desk.

You see that globe. It’s the world. he stated ferociously. It’s balancing on the desk. This is what I mean when it’s out of balance.

Franz picked up the heavy globe and hurled it with great skill at the large screen which it shattered with a huge crash. It seemed like Franz suddenly had super human strength and the spectacle was incredibly impressive.

Now that ‘s what I mean by the world’s out of balance – get it. Franz shouted.

The students were mesmerized. ‘Wow, not bad for an old man’ thought Carl, nearly breaking into applause.

Luckily for him, before he made that potentially unwise decision, the classroom door burst open and a member of the administration staff with two massive security men could be seen in the hallway. They marched into the room, seized Franz and bustled him out. The astonished students were left hanging on each of his parting words, too many people, too many people, too many people, growing softer as the footsteps faded down the hallway.

***

Stuttgart Medical Addictions Centre, Stuttgart, Germany

Wednesday 17th June 2020

Franz sat uncomfortably in the padded cell, his wife Greta by his side. There was one window near the ceiling where light was filtering in from outside. Two men in white coats impassively stood by the door. Greta, an attractive blonde who looked about forty years of age, held Franz’s hand and looked anxious.

Everything will be fine, dear, she calmly said. You’ve just been overdoing things.

Franz sulked and said nothing; the sedation drugs were kicking in and he was feeling very tired.

Helga and Hans asked me to give you their love, continued Greta, sensing Franz’s increased relaxation.

Again, he didn’t respond.

We just have to answer some of the psychiatrist’s questions and I’ll take you home. It’s been a long day, Greta prattled on, partly to mask her own stress of the situation.

Franz tried to move his hands and found them shackled to the table. He pulled against the cuffs, frowning.

It’s just to stop you from hurting yourself, darling, just relax, you’re so tight, Greta continued trying to pacify Franz.

At that moment, an elderly psychiatrist knocked at the door and was let in by one of the surly attendants.

What have we here? he asked in a jovial manner, taking a seat opposite Franz and Greta. Doctor Hyde was wearing a grey suit which had seen better days and a semi-white shirt displaying some of the eggs he hadn’t had for breakfast.

I’m Doctor Hyde and I will be giving you a quick assessment. I gather that you may have been overdoing things and you’re getting a bit agitated. We don’t want you harming yourself, do we? Doctor Hyde smiled with a ‘I-know-better-than-you’ look.

Franz scowled at the psychiatrist. ‘You guys, you’re all as mad as March hares,’ he thought to himself, in his light-headed state.

Franz is very involved with some major projects and, with the end of his university career, he has been under a lot of pressure, Greta explained, trying to avoid the potential conflict between Franz in an emotional state and a psychiatrist who could keep him locked up. We have a family party for his 60th birthday tomorrow, so that will be pleasant and relaxing.

Well I don’t think this will take very long, Dr. Hyde said, looking at his notes. This is the first episode of this sort?

Yes, Doctor, replied Greta, with a professional air.

And you are Professor Schumacher’s wife? continued Dr. Hyde in a friendly manner.

Yes, we’ve been happily married for, wow, it must be nearly 27 years. Greta kept up the friendly tone.

And nothing like this has ever happened before? asked Dr. Hyde.

No, nothing. I really think it was just a momentary aberration. I’m sure that, after a couple of days at home, he’ll be fine, Greta said, keeping her own anxious feelings to herself.

Okay, Franz, said Dr. Hyde, turning to the patient. I just want to ask you a couple of questions, is that all right?

Franz nodded his head slowly.

How do you feel now? the doctor asked.

Sleepy, replied Franz.

Good, good, the doctor’s voice trailed off as Franz drifted into a distant memory.

***

Stuttgart University, Stuttgart, Germany

Thursday 12th April 1990 (30 years earlier)

Okay, class. A young, long-haired, lanky environmental lecturer called Franz Schumacher stood in front of his students. We have a lot of problems in the changing world of the environment, he told his ten post-graduate students, who were between 21 and 24 years of age. You have to be passionate about your environmental studies.

A young coquettish blonde in the front row put up her hand. "And just how passionate do you have to be?" asked this beautiful apparition, in a semi-sarcastic tone