[ WP ] A post apocalyptic society finds an ancient device that gives them instructions on what to do next . This device - the Bop It

I'm one of the smartest people of my time. This is simply because I can read. I taught myself. I learned of the apocalypse that had happened 500 years ago that had reduced most of the world to rubble. I'd only found about half a library's worth of books in my time on this earth, but I have learned much from them. I am struggling to teach the rest of the world what humanity once knew. About animals, about the environment, economics, electronics, farming, social structure, everything. It's a slow process. 
 
 A lot of the world is still mired in ignorance and superstition. Many `` societies'' have even resorted back to the customs of the Myans and Incans, dealing `` social justice'' through executions. As far as I knew, these post apocalyptic executions were the first examples since ancient Latin America that people had killed each other as a form of punishment. The strangest thing is that they consult a... thing on the methodology of the execution. I do n't know what it is yet because they wo n't let me look at it. The people who are at the top of the fireman's pole keep it under close guard, as they think it's sacred. Only a few dozen of these devices have been found. Even fewer still function. We do n't know what makes them work, but I'm certain I could figure it out if I had the time. 
 
 That is what I am doing right now. I'm sitting here, witnessing the public executions just to get a better idea of what this device is. I'm certain it's from Old Earth, despite how vehemently many people state it is a divine tool. Several people have already been executed and another steps up. He is convicted of killing and eating a donkey, which is a sacred animal, just like they were to the Hindus in India before the apocalypse. The executioner's consult lifted the device again and reverently kissed the center of the machine with enough pressure to trigger the device. The whole audience waited with baited breath as they waited for the item's report. 
 
 `` Bop It'' 
 
 The crowed groaned with disappointment and the criminal sighed with relief. This was by far the most merciful of sentences. The executioner took out a silver club. It was about as long as his arm and had a fairly thin handle that tapered outward to a hefty body. I think it had once been used in a sport, Bases ball or something. They use to play it with diamonds, back when the world was rich. The executioner took the club and nodded again at his consult. The consult took out a square cardboard board with a plastic arrow on it. I knew where this came from. It was from a contortionist training tool called `` Twister''. The consort spun the arrow and it landed on the left foot on the blue circle. That meant that he would be stuck on the left foot with moderate force. Yellow was a tap, strong enough to bruise, blue was enough to cause a limp for several weeks, green was a blow strong enough to break bone, and red was a hay creator, designed to irreparably destroy the limb. After his `` Bop'', the convict limped away, smiling at his good fortune. The gods had smiled on him. 
 
 Next was a thief. He had stolen a great deal from many people. His execution was the one that most of the people were here to see. The consult again kissed the device, eliciting another proclamation. 
 
 `` Pull It.'' 
 
 The crowd cheered in excitement. This was their favorite punishment, and it was clear that they felt it is what he most deserved. Even more fittingly, the board landed on his right arm. The circles did n't matter for this one. There was only the pulling. The thief bowed his head and began whispering prayers as tears streamed down his face. I had to admire his bravery, though. He surrendered his right arm, holding it out. The executioner tied a knot around it and tested it. The rope would break before the knot slipped. And I knew from experience that the rope would not break. The rope was tossed over an archway designed for this purpose and the thief was tied down to the platform he was kneeling on. The executioner heaved on the rope, audibly dislocating the mans arm from its shoulder. The thief screamed out in pain as the executioner continued to pull. His consult, also a man of considerable size, joined him. The two heaved again, putting all of their weight and strength behind it. With a wet tearing sound, the limb came free from the body, blood and tissue bursting from the wound. The thief passed out from the pain and was dragged away, blood still cascading from his wound. He may live. It depends on how good the doctor was. Or if the thief had ever stolen from the doctor. 
 
 That one left the crowd fairly satisfied. They loved blood almost as much as the vampires of Ancient Earth did. I guess if the apocalypse had one good thing about it, it was that we no longer had to live with those blood sucking monsters. The crowd calmed down and the next prisoner was brought out. My heart sank, as did the mood of the audience. This prisoner was merely a young girl, maybe 17. She had been accused with the injury of her employer. He had tried to take advantage of her and had abused her verbally. His case had been decided long ago, resulting in a destroyed right knee. However, because this girl had harmed someone, she had to face a punishment. It was the only way to keep retribution as a function of the legal system rather than a personal responsibility. Everyone in the audience hoped that her punishment would be light and that she would be set free with little incident. They waited with baited breath as the consult pressed his lips to the device. 
 
 `` Twist It.'' 
 
 The girl screamed in horror. The crowd yelled in outrage. I grimaced at the twist of outrage in my gut. The only one that remained even remotely passive was the executioner. He stepped up to do his civic duty. No board was needed here. There was only one outcome. The man slowly, almost gently, put one hand under her chin and the other on the top of her head. With a single, sudden twist, her cries were cut short. Her body slumped to the ground. The cries of her loved ones echoed throughout the otherwise silent venue. I stood from my seat and turned. I had seen enough. I'm not sure I want to understand this device anymore. What kind of object would so arbitrarily decide the fates of people, be they good or bad. I had seen murderers walk away with a bruised ankle. And I'd seen beggars who had stolen bread have their leg torn off. I will study this device only to find a way to end it. I will destroy this dealer of unwarranted pain, even if it would turn the rest of the world against me.
