[ WP ] In the near future , the world elects one person to be given a license to kill . It 's time for a new election , and you have been given the burden as executioner .

December 31st, 2029... 11:53 P.M. PENTAGON 
 
 The swish of my new Yves Saint-Laurent suit pants against my skin is cool and swift as I walk down the sub level corridor. The combination of that, the high security level entourage walking behind me, and the fact that I'm being issued a license to kill, solidifies my James Bond-esque confidence. The closer we get to the massive metal door at the end, the clearer I can make the small crowd waiting for us there. Barak Obama and an army of secret service behind him. Assault rifles at the ready. `` There he is.'' The President announce like a proud carnival barker, `` The Elected Fifth Executioner!'' 
 
 `` Mr. President! I did n't know you were going to be here!'' 
 
 The smile that dances across my face eases the black suited warriors and they relax their guard, if only a little. I extend my hand to the Commander and Chief and he excepts to shake firmly. 
 
 `` That's the point, Mr. Scissors. I wanted to have a word with you before you enter the vault.'' 
 
 `` Of Course! But can I get a selfie with you first?'' 
 
 `` Not this this time. Now, I understand you're a comic book fan. So, I'm sure you're familiar with the phrase `` With Great Power...'''' 
 
 `` Comes great responsibility''. 
 
 `` Exactly! Mr. Scissors, The citizens of planet earth chose you because they believe you embody all that is good. And, for one agree with them. It's true. You *are* allowed to kill anyone you like without the loss of your rights or protections from the law. Any law regarding murder that is. But, you were elected to make examples of the terrible people that make this world a darker place. I'm here to remind you that of the five annually elected executioners, you are the first American, and I request that you do n't let me down. I ask that you do n't let the American people down.'' 
 
 STEAM!!! Gears turning. The large metal vault door behind our country's leader contorts it's visible gears and slowly opens to us all. I marvel at the sight like a little kid so much, I forget the urge to ask Obama if he timed that. 
 
 `` This is where you will be granted your `` License to Kill'' and all that comes with it.'' Obama says, presenting the vault like Willy Wonka opened the chocolate factory, `` When you are official, the vault doors will open, and the world will be at your mercy.'' 
 
 My wide eyes glisten at the bright JJ Abrams/Star Trek-esque lens flares that blind me from what's inside. The adjust themselves to reveal a lot of metal walls, paneled lights, and emptiness. The only thing out of the ordinary sits in the middle of the room. A pillar with crescent needle space in the middle, with an electronic needle in it. A sultry woman's voice plays on loud speakers. I turn and watch the vault door close behind me as everyone walks away from the door. All their back's turn to me. The President's as well. 
 
 `` Data tracking and identification assignment in affect.'' 
 
 The vault door closes. Everything is silent. It's just me... an the machine. My mind races with all the possibilities I have in front of me, all the opportunities. All my life, I did my best to be a good person. Watching others do evil and shaking my head in shame at the sight of them. The world thought I was a bastion of morals. A seraphim of right. I feel I can be that for them. But, I will enjoy it. Oh, I will enjoy it. These are my thoughts as I feed my arm into the machine and scream in echoed agony as it tares into my forearms flesh. 
 
 
 January 1st, 2030... 12:32 A.M. OUTSIDE PENTAGON 
 
 It feels like a new world. Not so much because I had a license to kill, but because the pentagon was completely empty. From when the vault door opened, through the corridor, up the elevator, and through offices to he exit... there was not a soul to be scene. I understand, of course. Why risk it? 
 
 The first human I see as I exit the front entrance to The Pentagon is my best friend, Al. A modestly handsome man with a stylish desk job wardrobe. The pride on his face at the sight of me sends shock waves of epic adrenaline through my body. He stands next to his car holding a wooden box. The package I ordered for the occasion. A homage to one of my favorite action movies, `` Face/Off''. Al does as I previously ask him to do and opens the wooden box as I approach. There, waiting for me, are two nickel plated DE.50s with decretive swirls etched into them. I pull them out to feel their wait. Al slaps the box closed and tosses it in his back seat. 
 
 `` Yeah. I'd say you look pretty bad ass. You got the tattoo? ``, Al asked with a giddy flutter in his voice. I show him the symbol freshly tattooed on my arm. A mixture of a target's crosshairs with the design of a Ying Yang. The year 2030 inscribed under it. Al sigh's the same way David Duchovney might looking at a woman's ass. 
 
 `` Ai n't it a beauty. ``, I coo. 
 
 `` Well Funning, What would you like to do with your first day? ``, Al asked. It's funny. I do n't think I've stopped smiling since I woke up this morning. And yet, I can feel the corners of my mouth widening further. 
 
 January 1st, 2030... 10:26 P.M. My Hometown. 
 
 My ex-girlfriend, Chastity, is rehearsing in her garage with what must be her fifteenth metal band. She does her best to look tough. She really does. But unfortunately for her, leather jackets mixed with louis vuitton bags does n't make an evil person tough. The music is irrationally loud and not a single note works with the one following it. This makes it easy for me to prime myself for a surprise in the shadows. 
 
 They end their song. My ears ring while I'm sure they congratulate each other on a good job. I see her eyes lock on me. I ca n't tell if she sees my face or just a large brooding silhouette. Once I have the entire bands attention I take in the inner monologue on their faces. Trying to figure out if I cracked their key hiding spot or I'm the devil from hell sent to kill them all. I step out of the shadows and point the gun at Chastity's head. She does n't say any words, she just closes her eyes. 
 
 I play back all the evil things she's done to everyone. Lied, Cheated, STOLE... She severely hurt my career and put me in SO MUCH DEBT! Debt that I still have to pay off while I provide for my new family with my first wife. And she has admitted to me time and time again that she will have her revenge on the world. She has confessed to wanting to cause other people pain. She will continue to do it and for once.... FOR ONCE I have the real means to stop her...... 
 
 My arm shakes. My aim staggers. A very tense silence goes on for what seems like hours. Eventually... inevitably... I lower my gun. The entire band exhales relief. Chastity opens her eyes and a self satisfying smirk comes across her face. She knew I could n't kill anyone. In the two years we were in a relationship together, she never witnessed me kill a spider. The creature that scares me most. To my embarrassing shame, I put my gun away and walk back into the shadows. But, as I do, I keep my eyes locked on her. 
 
 `` Remember...'' I growl, `` This is the second time I saved your life. Any happiness you get. Any sadness, anger, pain. Any experience you have... you owe to me... Whether you like it or not.'' 
 
 As I faded away from the scene, I can see her face morph to despair. No. I did n't kill her. I did a hell of a lot worse than kill her. 
 
 December 31, 2030... 11:59 P.M. Prison 
 
 As I sit in my cell, looking back at the year I was able to kill anyone. I think I made a lot of good choices. After all, in the short time that I was a free man I did n't kill a single person. It's my mistake I did n't fully understand the rules. I did n't realize that I could still be tried for paralyzing Paris Hilton and The Kardashians by shooting their spines. But, it all worked out for the best. The world was mostly murder free in my charge and after two weeks in incarceration, my jail complex became completely free of child molesters, animal cruelty convicts, and murderers. 
 
 My 5 month sentence is up soon though. 
 

