Doomsday Clock

— Boss, do you agree that an idea can transform the world? It’s like the lever Archimedes of Syracuse mentioned, the fulcrum that can change our understanding of human capabilities.

— You're right, Alex. In the Heavenly Chancellery, we gave you the Ten Commandments hoping everything would go smoothly. How cruelly mistaken we were. Life was simpler before, but it felt more comfortable and confident. People were more genuine — I'm not referring to Pithecanthropus. There was less envy and more authentic friendship. And as for money? What money? As it was said in a famous film: "No amount of money can substitute for a great soul and a fair heart."

— This is "Cinderella," Boss. In that story, it’s not “money” but “connections.”

— What's the difference? If there are connections, there is money, and vice versa.

— You're right about that, Boss. But without money, humanity is stuck in a cycle: money-commodity-money. People will die for gold.

— And do you enjoy living like this?

— Whether I like it or not, what can you do?

— Protest.

— What's the point? Imagine if a garbage dump was set up right outside your home. Residents and I could start protesting and holding rallies. We’d end up fined or even jailed for disturbing the peace. If a lot of us took to the streets, the dump might just get moved elsewhere. Fighting evil often feels useless, and that’s what most people believe. That’s why we live as though we’re surrounded by garbage. Everything depends on the person, don’t you agree?

— It’s becoming harder to find a decent person in power. It seems like only immoral individuals rise to the top, aided by a complicit electorate. And on a universal scale?

— What do you mean?

— Human civilization is closer to the Apocalypse today than ever before. As scientists, who else can you trust if not scientists? —the situation regarding international security is worse now than during the Cold War. The Doomsday Clock, have you heard of it? It’s been moved to 100 seconds before "midnight," symbolizing a global catastrophe. That’s 20 seconds closer than just a year ago. If we continue down this path, we might have only five years left. After that… well, I’m afraid to say precisely what, as I’m not privy to the Almighty’s plans. But it’s close to what you advised me to do with human civilization, remember?

— Of course, I don’t remember. So, there’s nothing to be done? No way out?

— An uncontrolled chain reaction has been set in motion. The countdown is underway, like a fuse on an atomic bomb. Hands are tied. The Almighty will decide when the time is right.

— So, I saved people from imminent death? Postponed the Apocalypse by a few years.

— It seems that way. Turned the clock back. Well done. But the other side is that you could have been saved on Enceladus, a minor planet where I sent you, and today you stand on equal ground with everyone else. Not today, of course, but soon—when the time comes. Five years will fly by, and you won’t even notice. The wine has already been poured into the cup; all that remains is to drink it. The servants of God have one duty: to always fulfill God's will and in any weather.

— Can’t understand how you can talk about the imminent Apocalypse and still do business. How can that coexist?

— Well… there are different types of Apocalypse. There’s the coronavirus, for which there is no cure; it could wipe out humanity in a matter of days. There's abrupt global warming, leading to oceans overflowing and devastating tsunamis, including in Antarctica. A solar flare could incinerate all life on Earth while leaving material values intact, like a neutron bomb. Who knows what other horrors could occur? It’s hard to believe such calamities are possible under this seemingly peaceful sky. We don't know the Creator's or the Devil's interests or their plans. A new Abraham has not yet arisen to turn away the hand poised over the sacrificial lamb— his son Isaac — at the Lord's command.

— Is there any way to contact the Creator and negotiate with Him?

— About what?

— Well… about the Day of Judgement, at least.

— Why discuss Judgement Day when there’s the Inquisition? Investigation, inquiry, torture, sentencing.

— But not everyone is bad; there are both sinners and righteous people. We were promised life after physical death — the resurrection of the flesh.

— And who made that promise?

— The Bible states: that after Judgement Day, the dead will rise. Jesus said so.

— Your Jesus is a romantic, a dreamer. You interpret the Holy Scriptures very arbitrarily, my dear. That is, firstly. And secondly, you should refrain from entering into negotiations that will, a priori, fail. Your good intentions, I assure you, will clash with the decision already made. The Father sees right through you. He will not tolerate objections and bickering, and any doubts about the correctness of his verdict will be considered blasphemy. He is a despot in his way. It only seems that there, in Heaven, you are judged strictly and impartially, maintained neutrality, like a referee on a football field — nothing of the sort. There are favorites, darlings of fate, and losers — it's a real-life situation. Being determines consciousness, and circumstances determine the need to take decisive measures. The will of the Creator knows no barriers, and it is the source of everything in the universe. I Am not here to forgive you, little people, if you have crossed yourself and lit a candle in the church. Look at yourself: you hate human vices - licentiousness, irritability, drunkenness, greed, pride - in others, but you easily forgive them to yourself. There is not a drop of humility in you! You are dust at His feet. Our heavenly Father, the Lord Almighty - and I was allowed to see him at any time of the day without reporting, having an "all-terrain" pass - is not like who you imagine him to be.

— And what is he like?

— But you are not supposed to know that. It is not your rank. Judge for yourself, if everyone knows what he is like, how he dresses, what he eats and drinks, where he likes to relax and so on, gossip will immediately begin. And then there will be photos in glossy magazines and gossip. People are so greedy for sensations that are not worth a damn.

— That's true. I want to know everything, who's with whom, why, where, and when. There's even a game like that on TV. It is a guessing game, chewing gum for the mind. Although... You don't need any mind for that. Chew what they give you, be like everyone else - and you'll be happy, have a roof over your head and lentil soup. - Thank God that's not a threat to us,

— Talking about lentil soup. We've had enough of chatting, Alex. It's time to stop for the day. And it's already late. Come on, I'll walk you to the hotel; we'll have some coffee for the road. What do you think, don't you mind?

— I'm always "for," Boss.