The Procedure

In a futuristic dystopian society where the wealthy can transfer their illnesses to the less fortunate for money, a struggling family finds themselves caught in the web of inequality and exploitation. The father, a former truck driver, lost his job to automation, while the mother's career as a bank teller became obsolete in a digital economy. Their daughter turns to unconventional means, running a futuristic version of OnlyFans to make ends meet, while they struggle to care for their sick son. Amidst this backdrop of societal upheaval, the family's lives intersect with the dark underbelly of corporate greed and exploitation. When the father takes a risky opportunity to transfer an illness from a wealthy individual at the clinic, a technician's negligence leads to a disastrous outcome. Instead of successfully transferring the illness, the technician's distraction results in the wealthy individual receiving the illness back, causing a scandal within the clinic. A shocking revelation: the procedure can function without a recipient. As the truth begins to unravel, the clinic's doctor, burdened by guilt and a sense of responsibility, vows to help the main character and orchestrates a risky plan to confront the CEO of the company. During the meeting, the main character manages to obtain evidence linking the CEO to the exploitation and cover-up. With the help of the doctor they live stream the interaction to expose the truth to the world. However, despite their best efforts, the news media labels the scandal as misinformation, discrediting the truth and shielding the company from accountability. In the end, while the main character's bravery and determination inspire others to question the status quo, the pervasive influence of corporate greed and apathy from the wider society ultimately prevails. This thought-provoking and impactful story explores themes of societal injustice, corporate power, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.