Cavern put the phone down slowly. After thirty years on the job, he didn’t need telling a summons to the White House wasn’t good news. When crisis after crisis hit, protecting the quality of drinking water suddenly became an important job.
More than an hour into the meeting, the cards were finally on the table. The president was instructing him to introduce antidepressants into the water-supply.
Cavern looked down. “It won’t work.” he said quietly.
“How do you know that?” the President asked. “You haven’t tried it.”
Cavern could hear his voice from a distance. “They did. Nearly thirty years ago.”
There was a stunned silence. The Defence Secretary was the first to recover: “So what was their solution?”
Cavern swallowed. “Soda,” he said weakly, “they put it in the soda.”
* * *
T. Mastgrave’s Philosophical Story Challenge: Is greatest happiness the greatest good?
Stray Thoughts 
I like this, very dark twist. It reminds me of a couple of short stories I’ve read in the past.
Thanks. I probably owe the idea to one I vaguely remember. I tried to google it, but there are too many conspiracy theories around, for a mere story to show up.
I remember someone forms a sort of club, and members take a counter-medicine to find out what reality is really like, but it’s different for everyone…?
I don’t know the story, but it sounds like a lot of fun!
I had another shot, and think it must be “Faith of Our Fathers” by Philip K. Dick, from the book Dangerous Visions. Must find my copy and reread it.
This is really good!
I’m glad you like it!
Yes. YES. I like this. A most imaginative piece. Rouses the imagination to fill in the blanks.. Outstanding.
That’s very kind of you.
But what a nightmare…