The Smiths and Joneses (20 page)

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              The program has taken on a life of its own. It’s become a “must watch” event. Every episode contains surprises that are discussed the next day at coffee shops and water coolers. Both networks are shocked when the ratings came in the 75% range. No broadcast program in history has ever touched such numbers. The night the first program was broadcast crime dropped by 50%, the second night’s broadcast saw crime drop another 25%. The third broadcast saw a drop of the crime rate of an additional 15%. Reported violent crime reaches the lowest numbers in 30 years. Evening travel declined 65%; most of the roads are empty, serious car accidents decreased by 70%. Hospital emergency rooms visits dropped 60%. Even critical cases didn’t want to visit the hospital during the hours the program is shown. Most of the emergency room visits during the program’s broadcast are people who got into fights taking sides from the program. Airlines consider changing their flight schedules since flights operating during the evening hours are booked at less than 10%. Both President Bloomberg and President Paul have tasked their staffs to draft a plan that will find a way to maintain the reduced crime and personal injury rates after the broadcast ends.

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              Four commercials after the clock strikes eight, the image on everyone’s screens changes to show Sean and Wolf sitting inside a broadcast truck with President Brownstone’s image on the large wall video monitor. Sean says, “Mr. President, thank you for joining us, even if it is by video. Is there anything you’d like to say to the audience?”

President Brownstone says, “Sean, Wolf, and everyone watching the program. We welcome everyone back. To those of you who might be tuning in for the first time, check out the initial two episodes on either Wolf News or the CNN web site. Speaking for myself, I can say what a night last night was. I learned quite a bit. I never realized co-ed showers and restrooms were OK, but puppies weren’t. It seems to me that the LSA has got some things backwards. I’m not sure if everyone has read today’s press release from President Bloomberg; puppies are now allowed in the LSA. It’s a very good day for young children. President Bloomberg says the press in the USA misreported their laws. I understand there’s a pool going on what type of puppy Sissy is going to get and what she’s going to name her new puppy. If we’re lucky, we’re all going to get to meet Sissy’s new puppy soon.

“Tonight we’re going to spend an evening with Bob, Carol, Leon and Beth. We’re going to learn about Leon’s and Beth’s schools to see how they compare to the average day of Scott’s and Sissy’s. Without further delays, let’s return to Burlington, North Carolina, and join the Jones family with Sean and Wolf live. I hope to join you tomorrow with President Brownie. Sean, Wolf, as they say, you’re on.”

              The image changes to show Sean and Wolf existing the broadcast truck and walking towards the front door of the Jones’ home. Before they can knock, Carol opens the door. She’s got a smile on her face while holding a plate of homemade brownies. “Welcome back, we saw last night’s broadcast. It was very exciting. We’re happy you’ve returned to spend some time with us again.”

              Wolf says, “Carol thank you. We’re happy to be back. Are those homemade brownies?”

              “Of course they are. They came out of the oven about ten minutes ago, they’re still warm. I have some fresh coffee brewed.”

              Sean says, “Carol thank you very much. You don’t have to make something for us at each visit.”

              “It’s our way to welcome you into our home. It’s the southern way.”

              Sean responds, “It’s a nice tradition. We thank you very much. Even though my belly says I shouldn’t have any, I can’t resist the smell of fresh baked brownies or cake.”

              “What type of cake do you like? I’ll have it ready for your next visit.”

              “Carol you don’t have to do that, however, if you’re going to, I really like coconut cake.”

              Carol smiles, nodding.

              Before the interview can start, Beth comes running into the room, “Hello Mr. Sean and Mr. Wolf. Hi everyone in the USA and LSA. Welcome back. Tonight we have fresh brownies and milk. Mommy says I’m too young to have coffee.” Beth grabs a brownie and a glass of milk before sitting on the love seat.

              Leon follows her into the living room. “Hi everyone, do you know I got 38,500 new friend requests? Man, I have the most friends of anyone I know. I didn’t even get through half of them yet. If you’ve requested to become my friend, be patient, I’ll get to you. Those of you who messaged me, I got your messages. I’m working on sending you a response. If you don’t hear back from me by tomorrow night, ping me again. I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone. I’m going to be posting pictures tonight so make sure you check them out. Be cool, we’ll chat soon.”

              Bob looks at Leon, “Son, this program isn’t for you to use to meet girls.”

              “Dad, I’m not doing anything wrong.”

              Sean says, “Tonight we’re going to be talking with Leon and Beth about their school day. To start off, Leon, did you watch last night’s program?

              “No. Mom said we shouldn’t watch it because it might effect how we talk with you tonight. Mom recorded the episode, so Beth and I will watch it after the program ends.”

              Wolf asks, “Leon, what about your friends, don’t they tell you what’s said on the program?”

              “Most know I can’t watch it until the end. They’re proud one of us is in the program, so they honor not telling me anything. A few of my Facebook friends posted that I’m going to be surprised about the LSA schools. I wish I could see it to know what was said. I agreed not to watch. I’ll keep my word.”

Sean asks, “Why don’t you tell everyone what you study in school?”

              “Sure, my classes this year are, English, Calculus, History of Western Civilization, Physics, Computer Science and gym. Of course, there’s lunch and a 30 minute study hall.”

              “Leon is gym co-ed?”

              “Huh? Co-ed? No way. The girls have their own gym as do we. We see them on the field, but we never play together.”

              “Leon, when you play sports, do you play to tie or win?”

              “Mr. Sean, we play to win, we learn how to play in a team, we learn how to use each of strengths to win. We learn teamwork. The best team wins a trophy at the end of the year.”

              Wolf asks, “Leon, don’t you think everyone should get a trophy? After all not everyone has the same abilities. Isn’t giving a trophy to just one team discrimination against every other team? Aren’t you destroying many people’s self-esteem? Aren’t you harming many of them for the rest of their lives?”

              “Mr. Wolf, no. Each team works hard. The gym teachers place us on the teams, and they try to make sure each team is as equal as possible, then it’s up to us on the team to beat the others by overcoming our weakest players with our strongest. We’re taught working as a team is a skill we’re going to need to succeed in life. Mr. Rogers told us; there are winners and losers; the winners worked and planned harder than the losers. Our team works to overcome our weakest player’s skills. Coach Rogers uncovers our individual strengths; he builds a team around those skills. Everything in life is based on winning and losing.”

              “Leon, should your entire life be focused on winning? Don’t you think it’s better to accept everyone is equal and play games and sports just for the exercise and fun?  Don’t you think there’s too much pressure to win? Aren’t you overstressed trying to always win? Doesn’t the desire and stress to win take the fun out of playing?”

              “Mr. Wolf, my teammates and I work hard to win. Last semester we came in third, we’re working harder and practicing after school to be first this semester. I’m not stressed to win above anything else. We want to win. We want to be the best. Others can play for the fun of it, I can tell you, one of the most fun things to do is to hold the trophy up and know we’re the best. I want to grow up and be a winner. I want to be the person everyone wants to be. I want to be famous for something.”

              “Is it fair that only one team wins? Should you spend your childhood trying to be famous?”

              “Why not? One team will always win; there can’t be ten teams that all win. There’s only one number one. What’s wrong with being famous?”

              “If everyone is equal wouldn’t everyone be a winner? Wouldn’t everyone be famous for something?”

              “How can everyone be a winner? How can everyone be famous?”

              “Because the teams all play just for the fun of it.”

              “Where’s the fun in that? I want to win. I want to be first; I want to get into a top college, I want to get a high paying job so I can get a really nice car and have a bunch of pretty girlfriends. I want to be rich.”

              Wolf continues, “Leon are you saying the only way to get a pretty girlfriend is to win and have a shiny car? Aren’t those girls very shallow? Wouldn’t you rather have a girl who loves you for who you are?”

              “Yea, but I want a 10, there’s a lot of competition to get a 10.”

              “What do you mean a 10?”

              “Like a model, you know a 10 on a scale of one to ten.”

              “Let me see if I understand you, you’re saying if you met a girl that wasn’t a supermodel and you fell in love you wouldn’t marry her because she wasn’t a ten?”

              “I’m not saying that; I’m saying, I’d like to find a ten.”

              “I think even by saying that, you’re hurting many young women. You’re causing harm to many young women who aren’t a ten on your scale whose self-confidence and self-esteem you’re breaking. Don’t you ever think about the personal pain you’re causing others?”

              “Huh? How am I causing personal pain to people by wanting to be the best I can? How am I hurting people by wanting to win?”

              “Because not everyone can win. Giving a trophy to only a single team hurts all of the other teams.”

              “Mr. Wolf, not everyone can win. Life isn’t like that. Not everyone can grow up to be a famous actor or the President. Some people are born with skills others don’t have. My friend Jimmy can play the guitar like a rock star, he taught himself to play, I can’t play any instrument, we’re all different. I like to skateboard, Jimmy has no sense of balance, he falls off of my board all of the time. It’s our differences that make us unique.”

              Wolf looks into the camera saying, “Leon, differences do make us unique. However, uniqueness isn’t always the best. Uniqueness separates people. People who are separated don’t move forward as quickly as people who are all equal.”

              Leon looks at Sean and Wolf. He turns to face his father who nods. Leon says, “Mr. Wolf, I don’t agree with you. If everyone is the same, there’s less chance someone will invent something new. No one will be a superstar; no team will win; there won’t be unique products. Steve Jobs was a genius, if he wasn’t he wouldn’t have developed the iPhone, iPad, or iPod. It takes a person with special vision to create unique products. If everyone was equal who would be a breakout product developer? Steve Jobs was different, he knew it, we all knew it, he strove for the best and people lined up to get his products. If everyone were equal, there would be nothing like Apple. Would every car would be the same? Would everyone wear the same clothing style? Mr. Wolf, all that makes life very boring.”

              Wolf says, “Maybe the government will run the product development process. The government will know what people want and more importantly what they need. Why should so many resources be wasted on products people don’t need?”

              “Who’s to say what people need? My needs are different from Jimmy’s; he needs new guitar strings, I don’t. I need new cleats for football, but he doesn’t.”

              Wolf responds, “Maybe you should take lessons to play the guitar so you and Jimmy can share the joy of playing the guitar together.”

              “Mr. Wolf I can’t play the guitar, I have no sense for making music. Jimmy can’t play football. No matter how many times I practice I’ll never play the way Jimmy does, and he’ll never play football like me. We’re both the same age. We both go to the same school. However, we’re not the same in our abilities. It would be a lie to say we’re both the same in every way. It’s not possible for us to be the same.”

              Wolf continues, “Leon, it’s not impossible. It comes down to education. You and Jimmy might be able to do things the same if you’d been trained the same. Being equal is important. Being equal brings equal self-esteem.”

              Sean jumps in, “Wolf I think we’ve spent enough time on this. Leon, what do you think about co-ed gym classes?”

              “Do you mean boys and girls playing on the same team? If so I want to play touch football with the girls, that’s going to be fun.”

              Bob says, “Leon, don’t go there that’s not what Mr. Sean is asking, keep your mind clean. This is a family program.”

              Wolf asks, “Bob, how do you know Leon is thinking something off color?”