Honorable Mention!

The Writer's Chatroom sponsored a contest with the theme "New Beginnings".

I'm thrilled to have received an Honorable Mention, but next time, I want to place a little higher. :)

Here's my winning essay...

A New Beginning?


The gavel banged on the makeshift podium, bringing order to the overexcited crowd murmuring restlessly in the under heated room.

"Welcome to the New World Order!" The speaker’s voice filled the place with power and passion. Roars of approval shook the thin walls while the overhead lights swayed dangerously on their hastily hung cords.

"Since our society successfully survived the nuclear holocaust, we want to create a nation that is forever free from war. We want to establish a society that treats everyone with respect. We want to abolish poverty and prejudice and have all citizens live together in perfect peace. This has never been done in the history of the world, yet we believe this is possible because we have been chosen to survive!"

At this point, the room erupted in frenzied applause, bringing a satisfied smile to the speaker’s lips. When order was finally restored, he continued his speech with an air of restrained excitement.

"Because what we are about to do has been an impossible and elusive dream for centuries, we need the right kind of leader to guide us. The Committee is now opening up the floor to accept recommendations for that position."

Shouts immediately came from around the room, causing the speaker to frantically jot down the ideas with one hand while gesturing for the throng to slow down.

"No Democrats!"

"No Republicans!"

"No men leaders!

"No women leaders!"

"No religious bigots!"

"No liberal sissies!"

An hour later, a hush descended on the group, as their emotions climaxed with a sense of finality. The speaker mopped his brow with a dirty handkerchief and held up the papers he had scribbled upon.

"The Committee will carefully review all of your suggestions and select a leader. Return at noon tomorrow for the inauguration ceremony."

The next day, when the sun climbed overhead and cast a feeble light within the nuclear-altered atmosphere, the crowd returned. A drum beat a steady rhythm, causing the group to sway in unison. Someone rolled a tattered red rug down the center of the room and all eyes turned toward the door.

Those same eyes widened in surprise as a huge, hairy ape walked calmly to the podium. The speaker quickly came alongside the animal, and raised his right paw in the air.
"Behold your leader!"

A few people clapped, while most silently absorbed the shock.

"The Committee has decided to return to our beginnings. Since man descended from primates, it’s only fitting that an ape guide us through this evolution of our society."
While the new leader proceeded to pick fleas from his armpit, most people thought the ape looked strangely familiar.

As the sun crawled to its zenith point, a faint ray struck the Empire State Building, which teetered precariously among the rubble. The huge ape suddenly roared and raced outside. As the citizens of the New World Order watched in horror, their leader began to climb the structure.

They wondered if a new beginning was really possible.