Electronic Gags Read Online Free PDF

receives a continuous electric shock till he retreats from the
prohibited area.”
    “This
is a brilliant idea, patriots,” President Ward said. “I think we must adopt
it.”
    “Long
live Patriot Brandon Ward, the great statesman!” Derek Henderson, the Minister
of Foreign Affairs shouted, punching the air.
    “Long
live!”
    “Long
live the National Party!”
    “Long
live!”
    “Long
live the Ten Districts of America!”
    “Long
live!”
    Henderson
cleared his throat. “Your Excellence, Patriot President, I’m worried the
electronic gags will attract a lot of international criticism of our
government.”
    “We
are a sovereign nation,” Brandon Ward said, banging the table. “We are the most
powerful country in the world and we have veto power in the UN Security
Council. Other countries can shout themselves hoarse but they cannot interfere
in the internal affairs of our country. Long live our sovereignty!”
    “Long
live!” replied the Cabinet.
    “Long
live our super power!”
    “Long
live!”
    “Anyone
else with something to say?”
    The
foreign minister sighed. He knew he would have a hard time defending the
electronic gags on international fora.
     “Long
live Patriot Ward, the supreme leader of the Ten Districts of America!” Dr Kirk
shouted, waving a fist.
    “Long
live!”
    “Long
live our economic prosperity!”
    “Long
live!”
    “Your
Excellence, the program will cost a lot of money.”
    “Dr
Kirk, this is an important program and you must give it the priority it
deserves,” the president ordered. “Cut down on education and health. We need
electronic gags to end this problem of rebels once and for all. The economy
cannot grow without peace and tranquility. The gags shall guarantee peace and
tranquility in our country. Besides, the state will make money when citizens
start buying airtime. Arrange money for the program.”
    “Yes,
Your Excellence,” Dr Kirk said sadly. She knew the president was being
paranoid. There was no rebel threat to warrant such waste of money. It wasn’t
easy being Finance Minister of the Ten Districts of America. President Ward
always started expensive programs outside budget. It was a miracle the TDA’s economy
was still running.
    “Test
the gag on the prisoner,” President Ward ordered Reed.
    “Yes,
Your Excellence.”
    The
professor’s rivals watched, hoping the device would fail.
    “Say
democracy,” the professor ordered Michael.
    “Democracy,”
echoed Michael.
     Immediately
the laptop beeped.
    “Say
human rights,” President Ward ordered, enjoying the spectacle.
    Michael
obliged, sending the laptop beeping.
    “Say
United States.”
    “United
States,” Michael echoed and the laptop bleeped.
    “His
location, picture, name and ID number will also appear on the computer and the
system will record everything he says. If the subject is in a political
gathering, we will know the names of all the people in the gathering. One more
thing... the electronic gag recognizes distorted human voices. If a citizen
tries to fool the system with voice-changing devices, the electronic gag will
immediately send an alarm to the main computer. If a citizen starts whispering
the system will charge him three times the normal rate.”
    “Give
him ten seconds of airtime,” the president said with a child’s delight at the
sight of a new toy. “I want to see how the electroshock belt works.”
    “Okay,
Patriot President,” Professor Reed said, tapping the keys of his computer.
“Count from one to ten,” he ordered Michael.
    Michael
counted nervously. Before he finished saying seven, an electric shock enveloped
his neck, jerking his head. He felt as if a thousand needles had pierced his
neck at once. “Oh God!” he moaned, bringing back the electric shock.
    “Wonderful,”
President Ward said. “Professor Reed, you are a genius. The electronic gag will
give us total control of our citizens.”
    The
professor giggled, basking in his newfound glory.
    “Can
you