[ WP ] It 's 2079 in the United States of America and prison lobbyists have taken over the lawmaking process . Because of this 99 % of the population is either imprisoned or on parole due to one of the million insane laws passed in the past five years .

`` And since *when* has swearing in public been an imprisonable offence?'' I asked. 
 
 The officer did n't even break stride as he put my arms behind my back. The cafe owner, one of the few left trading honestly, looked terrified. He had n't meant to provoke me to the point of swearing. Once I had said'for fuck's sake' the police had been called in, and as is usual in this day and age they come pretty quick - after all, there were very few people left to arrest. I resisted. 
 
 `` Resisting is n't going to get you anywhere,'' the police officer said. `` You are under arrest-'' 
 
 I looked at the shopkeeper. Did he dare? The cop had his handcuffs out. 
 
 I kicked out, my heel striking the cop's shinbone, and as he reeled backwards I turned around to face him. He looked surprised, but there was something more - terror. US cops were not used to resistance anymore. Seeing this, I threw everything into my punch. The crunch of the cop's nose breaking was followed with the thud as his back hit a table. I stuck out my foot, and the cop went over it, crashed into the table, and moved no more. 
 
 In the sudden silence the sounds of the fight were magnified many times over. 
 
 I looked at the shopkeeper. Oh, I was really in for it now. Attacking a cop was one of those old-fashioned criminal offences that could now earn you life in prison. And as surprising as it might sound, I did n't want to spend my life in prison. It was really ironic how I, the dangerous criminal, was on the loose while my friends were all on the inside for something simple like texting while driving. At their case, the prosecution had said it was the singular worst case of texting and driving he had ever seen. He had looked down for five whole seconds. Now, we ca n't have *that, * now can we? Anything but texting and driving. Six months minimum was handed down. It would definitely be way more in my case. 
 
 The shopkeeper stared at me as if I had just murdered his mom. I hesitated. He'd seen me. `` Sorry about the damage,'' I said to the shopkeeper. 
 
 He shook his head instantly. `` No, it's nothing! Do n't worry about it, man.'' I saw that he looked absolutely terrified. Heh, being a criminal was fun. When you've done something to deserve life imprisonment anything goes. So I screwed up my mouth, put on my best gangster face, and snarled, `` If you say anything, I'll be back, and there'll be no more second *fucking chances. * Now is that clear, amigo?'' 
 
 He nodded quickly. I strolled out of the shop. There was n't much time to lose. Every citizen of the US had a contigency plan for moments like these. You never knew when you were going to be arrested, and hovercar getaways were exclusively reserved for the 0.001 %. Mine was to go to the end of this street. Could I get there? 
 
 I saw another officer approaching, and quickly I ducked into a side street. There were two thirteen-year old boys - possibly brothers - hiding out there, and they both jumped back in surprise. `` You-'' 
 
 Before they could say a word, I lunged for them, and put one hand on either mouth. 
 
 `` Now listen to me, you *cocksuckers, *'' I said. The swear had the desired effect - their eyes bulged. Both of them now knew they were dealing with a proper criminal. `` Do n't say a word to the police. I'm going to need your help to get away. You boys heard of a getaway plan? Nod for yes or shake for no.'' 
 
 They both nodded. Now came the part that was complete bullshit. 
 
 `` You're going to help me, or I'll kill you two.'' 
 
 Hearing this, they struggled a bit, but I had them both under control. Quickly, their shakings subsided. `` But I wo n't, if you help me. Will you help me?'' 
 
 Two nods. I released them both. `` Very well. There's a policeman out there and I want one of you to be a decoy. The other person will come with me to the end of the road. If we meet someone else on the way, I'm your father and I'm taking you to see the execution, alright?'' 
 
 They both nodded a third time. 
 
 `` Alright, let's get going,'' I said. `` Wo n't want to miss when a judge is shot dead, now wo n't we?'' 
 
 One of them was already moving. Seeing the police officer through the side street, I took a deep breath. This was either going to work or fail spectacularly. 
 
 Would there be more? 
 
 -- - 
 
 The first inkling that the officer got of trouble came from the boy's screech. 
 
 `` Stop!'' the officer said. `` You are wanted for truancy!'' 
 
 I pushed the other boy ahead of me. `` Walk,'' I said. `` Your brother will join us.'' 
 
 That was the second lie. I had no idea what would happen for his brother. Did it matter? The boy was walking ahead of me. The policeman was looking the other way, chasing the screams of a thirteen year old boy who was running for his brother's life. Such was life for the few free citizens in the land of the free. 
 
 What could possibly go wrong? 
 
 I reached the end of the road without incident. There was an abandoned shop on the corner. I could see my grab bag in there. A gun peeked out of the top. Hey, at least the prison lobbyists left the Second Amendment untouched. I got over and stuffed the weapon deeper into the bag, before I noticed that the boy was still standing there. 
 
 `` What?'' I asked, playing the part. `` What're you still doing here? Scram!'' 
 
 `` Did you... did you say there was going to be an execution?'' 
 
 I shouldered my pack. `` Yeah, Chief Justice of some sort. Why?'' 
 
 He did n't say anything. I looked at him, saw how well his face matched his brother's. In my head I was already rehearsing my story to the Canadian border force. And then I looked at the boy again, and it hit me. 
 
 `` Oh, no, no... he's not your father, now is he?'' 
 
 The boy was silent. 
 
 I sighed, knowing now that there was no choice. The boy had saved my life. Canada could wait. 
 
 `` Right, let's go,'' I said. `` We're going to save your dad.''
