DOOMSDAY

It was a picture perfect morning. The sky was cloudless and the scent of new mown hay hung in the crisp fall air. Doctor Issador Wish was exuberant. There was a distinct bounce in his step as he made his way through the golden stubble left in a recently harvested corn field.

The Doctor’s appearance was plain and undistinguished, average height and weight, dusty brown hair, a common face with no prominent features. He easily went unnoticed, that is until he was engaged in conversation, then his razor sharp intellect and quick wit emerged, revealing his true genius. His dark piercing eyes commanded attention and his Shakespearean voice established a dominance that bordered on hypnotic.

The shortcut through the corn field led to a narrow well trodden foot path that skirted a vegetable garden. As Doctor Wish started down the path he spied a plump red tomato that had been missed by the pickers. He ventured into the field and plucked it from the vine. As he bit into it the juice ran down his chin and dripped on the lapel of his perfectly tailored blue serge suit. Instead of a frown a smile broke out on his face, nothing could put a damper on his elation. The tomato was a symbol of his accomplishments, its sweet juice clear proof of his success. As he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and began to remove the stain he reflected on his achievements. He had in just two short years established his own kingdom. A self contained community of two hundred thirty people living on a thousand acre plot, isolated in the beautiful northern California hills.


His colleagues at Harvard had scoffed when he proposed the use of gene manipulation to mold emotions, ambition and skills. His book “Creating a happy productive worker through genetic adjustment” was scorned by most, but read by all his associates and achieved a place on the best sellers list. The revenues from the book had made it possible for him to establish his unique community.

What had been a government underground nuclear ordinance depot during the cold war now provided housing for his followers and facilities for his genetic experiment. The property boundaries displayed large red and white signs. They read “N.O.D. DANGER, KEEP OUT, and TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED.” Doctor Wish adopted the name NOD for his newly established community and he kept the ominous signs in place as an aid to maintain seclusion.

Doctor Wish continued down the path through the fields and by a cluster of ancient red woods, then down a gentle slope to a small wooden building. The structure served as a garage for the community’s only conveyance to the outside world, a large black Mercedes sedan.

Doctor Wish maintained the only telephone in NOD which he kept under lock and key. He did not permit television or radios the little community was completely isolated from the outside world.
“Good morning Governor” Alex said, as he opened the garage doors. Alex had worked as an auto mechanic before he had become one of Doctor Wish’s loyal followers. Now along with his other duties he maintained the Mercedes.

“It’s been some time since I’ve given her a good run. Do you think she’s up to the trip into Frisco?” Doctor Wish asked, as he put his arm around Alex’s shoulders and gave him a friendly hug.

“You bet sir, needs a good run to get the battery charged up. It’s not good to have a car sit around too long. You’re going to have to pick up some petrol the tanks down below the quarter mark,” Alex replied.

“I’ll fill her up, need anything else?” The good Doctor asked as he threw the remains of the tomato into the trash can and slid behind the wheel.

“Yea, while you are in the station you can pick up a can of WD-40 and I sure have a hankering for a Snickers bar,” Alex replied.

“Alex you know I can’t give you any special treatment you will have to settle for apple pie at the commissary,” Doctor Wish replied as he shut the door and fastened the seat belt.

His trip to San Francisco was overdue, it had been six weeks since he’d had a face to face meeting with Sidney, the bright young man he had appointed to run things at his holding company, ‘Wish Enterprises’. He established the company to handle his book income, and now it also managed the in-flow of cash and property that he required to be signed over to him by his followers. Sidney purchased all of the items that could not be grown or manufactured in NOD. Although the citizens of NOD had no income they lived comfortably.

Doctor Wish turned the key and the engine roared to life. As he pulled out of the garage onto the road he waved to Alex and pushed the gas pedal hard to the floor. The rear wheels lost traction and the car fishtailed in the soft gravel. Once up to speed the Mercedes floated over the poorly maintained road. In a few short minutes he found himself heading south on highway 101.