[ WP ] All 10 billion humans in the world wear wristbands that display their rank in terms of access to global resources in real time . Yours just jumped from the middle of the pack to # 19 in a span of 10 minutes .

Mediocre. That's the only word that anyone has ever used to describe me. Not good or bad looking, just mediocre. Not wealthy or poor, just mediocre. Not a genius or an imbecile, just mediocre. 
 
 4,739,111,853, the number on my econiband, was just a reflection of my mediocrity. 
 
 Today started out, you guessed it, mediocre. Just like every other day of my life I woke up at 7 o'clock, let the dog out, took a shower, ate breakfast, brushed my teeth, went to work. 
 
 Ah yes, work. You see like most people I hated my job but it payed the bills. I was your standard low level paper pusher for a fortune 500 company; which one is n't really important they're all basically the same anyways. I sat at my desk waiting for the hands on the clock to be pointed at five and twelve. My boss was likely going to yell at me for something that I could n't reasonably be held responsible for. Those low billion assholes are all the same, get a promotion and a little more money in their pocket and they suddenly become God's green gift to whatever room they walk into. Luckily it was Friday and I would n't have to deal with that particular brand of bullshit for a whole two days soon. 
 
 4,143,812,573, my paycheck probably just dropped into my checking account. That's what I thought anyways until I saw it tick down again. 
 
 4,143,812,572. Then again, 4,143,812,571. And again, 4,143,812,570. I did n't think much of it at first. Sometimes people die and it ticks down a couple numbers and then some people are born and it ticks back up. The number was always in flux, it hardly sat on the same number for more than a few seconds because of it. 
 
 2,612,241,498. That's when the alarms started going off in my head. This is not normal. I decided I'd go to an ATM on my lunch to try and figure out what was going on probably just a computer error but I had to be sure. 
 
 2,000,000,543. I could n't even make it to lunch. I showed my econiband to my boss who laughed a little under his breathe, not quite a snicker but still condescending, `` I know how much you make. That number ca n't be right, you should go get it sorted out.'' Prick. 
 
 1,207,215,032. My pace quickened as the number continued to plummet. It just could n't be that low. I did n't *want* my number to be that low. I *liked* being mediocre. 
 
 542,004,785. Finally, my bank was in my sights. At this point I was almost sprinting. 
 
 1,000,001. I was about to tick under a million when I burst through the door. There was a line of about six people ahead of me. Good, I had a chance to catch my breathe and compose myself before talking to the teller. I bead of sweat dripped down my cheek and fell squarely onto my econiband. 
 
 19..... `` Next!'' I thrust my wrist under the scanner. John Moyenne, 31, Global Econ rating 19, Current account balance $ 28,000,000,000. 
 
 That could n't be right, it just could n't. The teller gave me a look of disbelief that said he thought the same. 
 
 `` One moment Mister Moyenne, I think you should be talking to someone...'' he paused for a moment, `` Above my pay grade.'' I glanced at his wrist and saw that his econiband was hovering in the high six billion range. I felt bad when I blurted out, `` You're probably right.'' 
 
 The teller stepped away from the counter and was gone for what seemed like an hour but was probably only 10 minutes or so. `` Would you mind following me Mister Moyenne,'' said a female voice coming from behind me. I turned around and saw the most beautiful woman I have ever seen standing behind me. She was about six feet tall with black hair in a pixie cut and wore a pencil skirt with a frilled black top that. She had a knowing smile across her face that showed the slightest hint of dimples on her cheeks. Her teeth were whiter than fresh snowfall on a mountain top. And her curves, oh the curves on this woman. To say she had an hourglass frame would be an understatement but I ca n't think of a better way to describe them. I hardly even noticed the two gargantuan men in all black suits that flanked her. 
 
 I expected her to pull me into a back office but instead she started walking out the front door. I trailed a few paces behind her and the suits a few paces behind me. One of them opened the door to a luxury sedan and she climbed in beckoning me to follow. The door slammed behind me just as I sat down. 
 
 I glanced at her wrist for the first time to look at her econiband as I was too distracted by the rest of her before. Most econibands were clunky pieces of plastic with an LED display that looked like a child's watch. Not hers though, it was well designed. Sleek and tailored to her wrist. It was made of some kind of black metal with red and gold spirals that almost looked like flames. The most startling thing about it was the number though. An unwavering 666 that was *engraved* into it. 
 
 `` Do you like it? I can have one made for you,'' she said eyes looking towards the driver indicating that he should start driving. `` It would have your number on it, not mine, of course,'' she added playfully looking at me for the first time since ushering me out of the bank. 
 
 `` There has to be some sort of mix up. I'm-'' 
 
 `` There is no mix up Mr. Moyenne,'' she interrupted me, `` You've been selected for a... unique opportunity if you will.'' 
 
 `` Can you explain to me what in the hell kind of opportunity puts 28 billion dollars into my account?'' 
 
 `` In due time. Would you like a refreshment?'' 
 
 `` No,'' I responded curtly. 
 
 `` Oh... are you sure? It's going to be a long ride.'' 
 
 `` I'm positive.'' 
 
 My mind began racing. What opportunity could put *28 billion fucking dollars* into my account. My gaze was fixated on her econiband when the car finally came to a stop. My hand instinctively went to open the door. 
 
 `` Just a moment Mr. Moyenne, I think we should do a little prefacing before we begin discussing the details of the opportunity you are about to be presented with,'' she said while gently placing her hand on mine to stop me from opening the door, `` Have you figured out who I am yet?'' 
 
 `` I have a guess,'' I said timidly. 
 
 `` Go on then, who do you think I am?'' Their was a grin on her face that unsettled me as if she already knew what I was going to say. 
 
 `` Well, based on your econiband I'm going to take a stab in the dark and say Satan.'' 
 
 `` Clever boy!'' she exclaimed, `` Most people do n't get it that quickly, in fact, about half of them make me do the whole fire and brimstone show for them.'' 
 
 We sat in silence for a moment; awkwardly, at least it was awkward for me, staring at each other. 
 
 `` Do you want me to do the fire and brimstone? I can if that's more to your liking.'' 
 
 `` That's okay, I'll take a rain check,'' she giggled a little. 
 
 `` Oh? What's the matter then, you've got this look perplexed look on your face and while I am Satan, I ca n't read minds.'' 
 
 `` No one's ever called me clever before.'' 
 
 `` Today, I think, will be filled with firsts for you Mr. Moyenne.''
