The Fake Birds, Alexander Bogey ‘24

“The birds are fake.” “What did you say?” “Everything you know is a lie.” Many questions were raised by this statement, but Larry was indeed a complicated man. I only saw him as part of my night school, but he may have been the smartest and most academically pushed person I have ever met. “Most birds are dangerous metal machines. They fly around and listen to whatever conversations they need, completely fooling the main population. Listen, I don’t have much time, but I must tell you about the truth.” Larry looked up in the sky with awe, or was it fright? “You are not making any sense, Larry.” “The idea to spy on the masses has sprung up with every great civilization, and this free country is no different. The president used to ponder on what could be the best way to spy without causing any suspicion. So, they killed off the national bird population. My friend, the American government, has tirelessly persecuted every last one of them and has replaced them with smart drones with high-definition cameras and miniature trackers. No one could stand up to the enemy.” I was the closest thing that he had to a friend, even though I never saw him outside of our night school that we were forced to attend. He always seemed to be missing something, something deep down in his heart. He would always politely decline any attempt to meet up, not even for a beer. It is weird because the government has been pushing alcohol lately due to it being healthy and having good effects on behavior and brain development. The bars were now all government-owned, and the money goes to all the tax goals they promise. It is weird to drink alone. Lately, his facial expression started to show signs of despair, and he seemed to become more distant and colder to his surroundings. He seemed to be going through a phase, and now he seemed almost possessed by his stupid theories. “Mass genocide against flocks of all kinds were committed. These led to the deaths of many, like the extinction of the mighty cassowary, the strong goose, the beautiful bird of paradise, the intelligent flamingo...” I started to laugh; this was simply ridiculous. There was no way he took this joke so seriously. “You find this funny, don’t you? I can’t believe how naive you are.” He pulled out a cigarette. Hold on. Larry never smoked; he never did. It hit me he was not playing around. “Larry, I found a dead hawk by the road to the station. Surely that could not be fake.”

“They kept the corpses of the massacred, which they leave in random places so no one would get suspicious.” “What about those nature documentaries about penguins and seagulls we see at school.” “The government controls all animal shows and media, of course, and has the birds represented as fake illusions.” “What about chickens, Larry! I ate one last night!” “Fortunately, the chicken, turkey, and duck population were spared, but we now persecute them for their meat and their eggs, which is essential for the economy.” “What is going on! Have you gone insane!” “No, I am just enlightened. I am not expecting you to understand all of this at once, but you will soon see the truth. You will see what is behind all those lies.” “What do you think this is! Tell me!” Larry threw his cigarette on the sidewalk, stomped it, and walked out into the night. I hoped his midlife crisis would be over soon. He disappeared after his mindless ramble, and I sat at my desk a week later, missing his presence. My mind wandered over different things, bouncing across thoughts here and there. His humble state was a key part of the classroom, but no one had questioned his removed presence. Was he chasing his theories? I chuckled to myself, but then my mind drifted to deep worries I held for him. Was he really all right? The teacher pointed at me, “What is the 54th amendment?” “The right to watch and read things only by the government.” “And why is this so?” “So, everything we learn must be monitored and edited so we can only see information that is right and true.” The bell rang, and I started packing my things. “All right class, heil the land of the free, the rightful conqueror of the world.” I was the last to go, and I heard the camera shut off when I left the room. I went for one of the many trains, of course heading home to the cubicle complex. When I got home, a package was lying on my mat. That was weird. I never ordered such a package, and you could only get so many each year. I spotted a note on the side. From: Larry Larry! My heart raced. I couldn’t believe this. Could this be the answer to why he was gone? Was it a gift? How did he sneak it in here? I opened it up. I burst out in laughter. A metal bird was in there. He really has gone insane! Oh, wait, that is not good. Where did he get the skeleton from anyway? There was a button. I picked up the robot and pressed it. The bird’s eyes lit up, and a hologram came out of the beak and projected its way to the middle of my quarters. A unique logo popped up and was replaced by the face of a shaken woman. “I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe how ignorant I was. No one

questions the birds, no one! I am documenting this as part of my joining the leading factories that are making the world’s drones. I forget how I came here, but I must record my account in case if anyone finds me. I can safely say that there are three types of drones/robots. The first is the ClassAdrones, whose job is to look over the people and act naturally. Such drones are pigeons and geese, which should be avoided. Class B would naturally be for defense. Such birds are vultures and owls, which are controlled to attack and order hits on enemies of the state. The third naturally are realistic animatronics made to mimic real birds for pets, which are so good at their job that they can trick anyone gullible enough. There are so many lies; my mind cannot take it. I had to show the world this, but how? Please, if you see this, do something to fight back!” I was shocked. What was happening? This was too much. Have I been lied to my whole life? No, that is not possible. All the years of learning science and common sense prove otherwise, but there was no way this message is a prank! I know people like Larry and me could not afford anything of this proportion. So is it real? No, but maybe? Why! WHY! I lay on my mat. I had to do something, anything at all. I arrived at my office building, unhinged. I felt tired as I walked through the double doors. When I arrived at my section, I slowly analyzed the place. My coworkers were sitting down in their stations. I passed by one to see him lying face down. I ran around, and the next person was in the same position. I checked, no one was moving across the whole office. Except for my supervisor, who zombied his way out of his office. I tried to free him from his state, and I shook him as hard as I could. Then he just died. Oh no, oh no. Then I saw it; the windows were open. Class B drones charged into the office in the shape of hawks, and one drone did its job on the designated person. They tore up their chests and killed every last one of them, and then they went for me. I wanted to run, but I couldn’t! Then there was darkness, and I fell through the building. Metal birds filled the sky, laying waste to the ground below. I screamed. I woke up in my room. That is weird; the dream processor is usually shut off by default. There was no way I actually dreamed. I took the sleep cord out of my neck and left for another day of hard labor. “Look who woke up.” I jumped, and after looking around, I could not find Larry. That was his voice, right?

“Get outside, and meet me behind the street.” I hustled out, and there was Larry, in his trench coat smoking a cigar. “I know, this is shocking. Well, you have learned a lot.” “How did you talk to me from so far away.” “Your information chip in your brain.” “But those things open your mind.”

“Open it up to how the birds are fake, right?” “All right, the thing about the birds.” “What about them?” “It is true, right?” “I am afraid so, and I happen to be one of the last left.” “Last of what?” “The owl race. I am a shapeshifter.” Larry had told me a lot, so I just accepted it. The message he was telling me started to make sense, even though it was very absurd. I then accepted it, even if it was ridiculous. He was the only one I could trust. “We hacked the chip, and we are slowly opening it up to lose control. That is why you are starting to believe. These new hacking-proof systems are a pain. Anyhow, the birds that are still alive have evolved into deadlier and smarter beings. The reason for this mass extinction is that humans knew we were strong, and they would not let anyone be above the superior species. So, we fled to the heavens, wherein secret we have been planning. Please, will you help me with the resistance’s final mission?”

Alexander Bogey ‘24 Scholastic Honorable Mention