[ WP ] A story set 100+ years in the past of a man writing a dystopian novel , but the dystopia he writes about is identical to the world we live in today .

``... And how in the hell would somebody pull that off?'' 
 
 Mr. Burke stared incredulously at the manuscript he held in his hand. He guffawed loudly and then adjusted his spectacles with a fat finger. Mr. Franklin tapped his foot, attempting to look more comfortable than he felt. He would be patient. 
 
 `` You say that the people will be too distracted by new technology to realize what's going on right in front of them? Who would believe such a tall tale? What about Thomas Payne? No doubt they'll have forgotten him, too. Ha!'' 
 
 Mr. Franklin forced himself to stop tapping his foot, though he resumed as soon as the thought left his head. 
 
 Mr. Franklin, of course, had not even begun to think of opening his mouth. He had found that these little review sessions with Mr. Burke were over much faster if he kept his thoughts to himself. He jigged his leg as Mr. Burke vented his every thought into the musty air, skimming the pages of the novel he had spent nearly two years finishing. 
 
 ``... Though this bit here is quite amusing in a very dark sort of manner... The idea of the leaders of this country getting together and spitting on the declaration of independence... Could be controversial, could be good... Could be bad...'' 
 
 Mr. Burke snorted into his tea, spilling it down his tie, but read on, oblivious. Mr. Franklin thought of Mr. Burke discovering this when he went home, and cursing. The thought gave him a warm, soothing feeling deep in his stomach. 
 
 For a moment, he dared interject. 
 
 `` They are n't literally spitting on the declaration of independence. The idea is that technology will advance very rapidly, very quickly. And how humanity deals with this new technology is paramount to our future, and ultimately our survival as a species. This book presupposes that it is used for malicious, dark purposes that benefit the few over the many, which, in turn ultimately leads to the extinction of the human race as we know it.'' 
 
 Mr. Franklin stared in shock as something in Mr. Burke's eye must have ruptured, turning a part of the white into a deep red. Mr. Burke stared for a moment, his mouth ajar, then composed himself as much as a man like him could. He practically roared at Mr. Franklin now: 
 
 `` This is downright negative! You want to depress people? You think they should hole up in caves hiding because they feel too powerless to fight for their country? For the very soul of their country? This country? The day the Declaration dies is the day the United States dies! Now get out, you treasonous clout, get out. Do n't come back until you've fixed it.'' 
 
 Mr. Burke threw down the pages and turned to the window. Mr. Franklin sighed, gathered up the scattered pages, and hurried out of the office. That night he resolved to try and be more optimistic.
