[nzlug] Juicy sci-fi plot here

[David McNab]

On Tue, 2007-07-03 at 11:31 +1200, Liz wrote:
> Ahh but the key difference is that i paid a premium for my bike, and you get a 
> crap bike for cheap, windows is expensive and linux is free ... complete 
> opposite :)

Now there's a plot for a sci-fi:

In the not too distant future, everyone - even babies - wearing
breathing masks with high-tech filters, following some horrific
industrial accident which has polluted the world's air with unspeakably
toxic pollution.

The filter company charges by the breath, sending a monthly account to
all mask-wearers.

Some people buy filters off the black market, that have been hacked to
under-report their breathing, or not even send the info to the filter
company for charging - heavy jail terms.

Newspapers and news sites full of horror stories about the terrible
things that happen if people breathe raw contaminated air. Everyone way
too afraid to take off their masks.

One guy - long-haired retro hippie with sandals - takes off his mask and
encourages everyone to do the same. Some start to follow him. After they
remove their masks, they usually choke, cough and experience unpleasant
scary symptoms for a while, but within a few weeks start enjoying normal
breath, even better breathing than before.

More and more people are taking off the masks, but being called loonies
by the overwhelming majority who cling in terror to their masks.

Then the truth comes out - it's revealed that the filter company has
been adding a secret addictive ingredient to the filters, to cause the
horrible symptoms in people who take off the masks and breathe raw air.

Another truth comes out - the industrial accident was a farce, the air
was fit for breathing after all.

Add the usual suspense/thriller plot elements - the filter company
sending hit-men etc, lead it up to the big chase, and the ultimate
revelation. Also add the right measure of gratuitous sex/violence, and
toss in a relationship drama between a raw air breather and a mask
wearer. Raw air breather ends up in happier relationship with another
raw air breather.

Ending - the raw air breathers still in the minority, while the
mask-wearing majority ignore the revelations and continue to pay the
filter company.

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Cheers
David