[ WP ] Dragons exist on Earth , but humans are still the dominant species . Write realistic stories about how life would be different .

“ 1-minute weather update for Wednesday, June 22, 2016. ” 
 
 The TV was set to the local news channel. A generic looking weather reporter stood in front of a map of Canada and the United States. 
 
 “ Forecast for southern Ontario calls for clear skies, but the storm system forming in the northeastern United States is expected to move into Canada on Friday night. Unfortunately expect showers in that region for the weekend. Now, on to news, John? ” 
 
 The scene cut to a man sitting at a generic looking news channel set. Behind the anchorman, was an artificial looking newsroom—it looked like it was part of the set. A typical ploy from any media company—they always try to sell themselves as authentic. 
 
 “ Thanks Terry, let's hope the sun stays out though. ” John the anchorman pointed his index finger at the camera, as if Terry the weatherman was right there in front of him. “ I'd like to get out on the range. My swing always needs improving. ” John the anchorman ’ s large jaw emphasized his equally large smile. His chin stereotypically looked like a miniature version of someone's bottom. He laughed and it was horrendous—it reminded me of a typical Wall Street laugh. 
 
 The scene cut to Terry ’ s reaction and he was laughing with a similarly annoying tone, until it cut back to John. Those damned privileged bastards do n't know what it's like. Their clean haircuts and fake tans… They could both jump in a… 
 
 “ Now then, top stories for today: the United States Senate approves dragon-control proposals, the European Union urges Britain to remain in the trading cooperative, and an art installation provokes the question of dragon rights. Stay tuned after a message from our sponsors. ” 
 
 The news program ’ s computer generated outro plays, its logo is the last image viewed. 
 
 The immediate advertisement involved several young dragons gathered around a woman that wore safari attire. They congregated on flat land on the slope of what looked like a mountain at first. In the distance an adult dragon soared through the air over the summit. “ Please donate today. These young dragons were abandoned at a young age. Their seniors are cruel. They prey on these young ones. Without parents… ” The woman gently caressed a young one ’ s chin, “ They will be killed by their elders. ” The woman looked up as the camera panned to view the circling adult dragon above, very reminiscent to a vulture. I wondered if that big ole ’ dragon thought about eating the woman and her crew in order to kill the young ones. I ’ m sure the crew was equipped with anti-dragon artillery. 
 
 Many older dragons that lived near the cities knew not to mess with humans. But the young ones that surrounded that woman, and that adult dragon that circled above didn ’ t look scared one bit—they were in their natural habitat, after all. That adult must have been waiting for an opening. But I wonder how many adult dragons died in the making of that film. After closer inspection, through my hazy eyes, the smoke coming from the summit indicated the mountain was in fact a volcano—the dragons' breeding ground. 
 
 Despite being a charity advertisement, there was something genuine I felt about these kinds of corporate propaganda, but perhaps I was just getting old and becoming sentimental. But it may have been the liquid courage coursing through my veins. 
 
 Large bold letters marched along the bottom of the screen, like the brave men and women that fought wars across the sea. The letters spelled out a last ditch plea to donate and a number to call. 
 
 There was always a damn number to call. These people couldn ’ t get with the times and leave a simple Twitter handle? 
 
 *** 
 
 I looked around the room and suddenly the room was spinning. 
 
 “ When did I get so drunk? ” I muttered under my breath. 
 
 I focused on the bar and noticed the empty mug in front of me had traces of residual beer. I picked the mug up and examined it. 
 
 “ Hey! You want another? You can just ask you know! ” The barkeep was a big guy. Typical… for a fantasy setting. 
 
 “ Yeaahh, ” I slurred in response. 
 
 “ Tch. You damn drunk. I should cut you off. ” The barkeep poured a fresh mug of beer as he spoke. 
 
 “ What a hypocrite, ” I whispered. 
 
 “ You got somethin ’ to say? ” The barkeep placed the mug in front of me, the beer sloshed. 
 
 “ Don ’ t. You. Worry. Your. Pretty. Little. Beard… ” I felt like time had slowed down. “ I ’ m... a paying customer! ” I emphatically threw a finger up in the air to emphasize my point. 
 
 “ You damn drunk. ” 
 
 *** 
 
 “ For our top story, the dragon owner activists urge the United States Senate to reconsider approving the dragon-control approvals. We go to our correspondent at the Capitol where a peaceful rally may get ugly. Lisa, are you there? ” The butt-chin was back on the TV. 
 
 “ Yes John, I ’ m here with Sandy and with her is… ” Lisa the correspondent was a redhead with freckles. I thought she was so beautiful. 
 
 “ Jenny... This little one is named Jenny. ” Sandy the activist said. She was holding a leash with a dragon at the other end. It was the size of the young ones from the charity advertisement, but it was fully grown. 
 
 That North American breed grew to a very small size as far as dragons were concerned and they couldn ’ t fly since they didn ’ t develop large enough wings. Jenny the dragon curled up around its owner ’ s feet, its tail wrapped around one leg several times. 
 
 “ Sandy, can you tell me why you and Jenny came to this rally? ” Lisa ’ s voice was angelic. 
 
 “ Well, if I ’ m being honest, I didn ’ t plan on coming. I didn ’ t even know about it actually. I saw this group of people... ” The camera panned to the rally as a whole. There were all walks of life that was represented and just as much diversity of dragon species. There were small dragons like the North American Jenny, medium ones that had full fledged wings to support flight, and large ones that looked intimidating at first sight due to their hulking bodies and impressive wingspans. None of them breathed fire however. It wasn ’ t a scene out of classic science fiction novels. They were normal everyday pet dragons. “ And Jenny got so excited. ” 
 
 “ If you didn ’ t plan on coming, what attracted you to this diverse group of humans and dragons? ” Lisa was so admirable for asking such telling questions. 
 
 “ It was… Well… It was Jenny. She was so ecstatic about seeing so many dragons in one place that I had to join this impressive gathering. I didn ’ t even know what the rally was about. ” Sandy blushed. 
 
 “ Oh I see. That ’ s very honest of you. Well thank you for sharing Sandy. That was a short story, ” Lisa turned to look directly at the camera, those eyes pierced my soul, “ But as you can see John, there are many kinds of dragon owners, and some of them follow what their dragons want before anything else. ” 
 
 The scene cuts back to John the anchorman in the newsroom. “ Thank you Sandy, and thank you Lisa, for sharing your journey. On to our next story... ” John ’ s voice faded into the background, but so did his face. Darkness overwhelmed my vision, and I passed out.
