Imagine a dystopian world where Corona Virus had ravaged humanity. Blackburn appeared to have depopulated greatly and old people were never seen in public.
World Government had a plan to control people by taking away their pleasure through banning alcohol and shutting down taverns. This affected older people more than young ones. And so they gradually disappeared from society. Our world became one in which everybody had to stay at home. People formed into little camps, where they were only able to be preached at by the converted and so society became stagnant.
It was decreed at age 30, citizens needed to be regenerated and this was dressed up as a time of much celebration and happiness. Sadly, with Planet Earth forever in lockdown, social distancing was still being imposed. This led to regeneration being carried out on redundant airport carousels.
But there were some younger people who did not agree with what their government was trying to do to them. They heard tales of these taverns and having a drink together with friends. Many decided they did not wish to be a part of this New World Order, dominated by TV and social media.
Some of these dissidents decided they wanted to escape their current situation, to go to this mythical place called ‘Sanctuary’. A place people of all ages, classes and colours, could sit around together, or stand at a bar, drink beer and engage like adults with people who held similar or different views and opinions to their own. A plan was hatched by some of these dissidents to make their escape and they became known as ‘Runners’.
Unfortunately, Runners were never seen again once they tried to escape from their imprisonment. This was down to them being pursued by law enforcement officers known as ‘Sandmen’. These security operatives had a fearsome reputation. Their mandate was to take no prisoners. They said they were always ready to do a runner. Once runners were caught, they faced bans by these pursuing Sandmen. After going through on the spot trials, runners were then deleted.
But some runners did make their escape. Two of them followed an underground trail, a labyrinth of interconnected sewers linked to Blackburn’s River Blakewater. Their special smartwatches had flashing crystals which turned green as they approached their destination. This was like a breathalyser of fresh air.
Little did they know a lone Sandman had been on their trail. But it was his first mission and he wanted to make it his last. He carefully trailed them along their escape route and followed them into their sanctuary. This Sandman came bursting through the tavern door, causing near panic to everyone inside. But he quickly re-assured them he came in peace and wanted to seek sanctuary too.
He shouted: “I’ve not come to delete you. I’ve come to join you – for a pint. At last, I’ve finally found my own sanctuary!” He was welcomed into this wondrous place and everyone lived happily ever after. They had found their promised land.