― Margaret Atwood
Simco Hall, U of T
Creed and I arrived in downtown Toronto just before 130 pm and I dropped her at The Toronto Star building and went on to the university.
But I no sooner arrived at my office when I was advised by the receptionist at the college that Dean Atkinson scheduled an emergency meeting at 3 pm for all department Chairs.
Obviously, something important was going down but Mollie, the receptionist, couldn't be charmed into giving me a heads-up, so that meant it was high priority and confidential.
I couldn't fathom the need for such secrecy, and it made me feel very uneasy.
Since Lev was also a Chairperson, I decided to drop by his office and see what he knew, but it turns out he was also blind-sided.
"Maybe they're rounding up political dissidents at the behest of the National Party," he quipped.
I wasn't smiling. I was worried. Weird things happen when the world is in flux and right now nothing would surprise me.
We had coffee in the Hart House Grill and I told Lev about the citizens' vigilante groups patrolling our neighbourhood, but he seemed more interested in learning more about Creed.
"Creed Williams?" He asked, eyes huge with excitement, "isn't she the feature writer for The Star?"
I nodded, "Turns out she is—didn't recognize her as such, mainly because I'm not really into local news—I prefer a more global view of things."
"C'mon Guy," he scowled, frustrated by my ignorance, "She's on CNN all the time—and you call yourself a historian?"
"Okay, guilty as charged. I suppose I could be a bit more observant."
But Lev wasn't satisfied with my lame explanation. He went on, "And she spent the night on your couch and nothing happened?" Are you blind? The girl's hot. What's happening to you?"
"Nothing," I bit back defensively. "I'm not out for a good time. The girl is really nice and was scared—hell, so was I. It seemed the sensible thing to do, to band together for support. And I really like her."
He clapped me on the shoulder affectionately, "There ya go—that's the response I was seeking from you. I'm happy for you, Pal. I hope it works out."
We left the Grill and walked across the back campus field to the administrative wing in Simcoe Hall and sat together in the conference room waiting for the meeting to begin.
The atmosphere in the room was very subdued and it was apparent no one knew exactly what the Dean intended to say.
As the clock tower bell struck three, a sombre Dean Atkinson entered along with Tom Aiken, Head of Campus Security, the Vice-President and Provost, and another executive officer in charge of University Affairs.
This was not going to be the usual Department Chairs meeting.
Dean Atkinson skipped his usual preamble and got right to the point.
"The government in response to recent EMP attacks and the subsequent collapse of the world-wide web has drafted an Emergency Measures Act which will be formally enacted in parliament this evening. This crisis requires our compliance with certain measures affecting access to information, and educating the public, especially our students, about the dangers of misinformation. We need to assist in strengthening our civil society by enacting certain technological safeguards. Over the next few days you will be given instructions about how we intend to take proactive measures to counter subversive tendencies promoted by a cabal of powerful elites. who wish to take advantage of the Emergency to sow discord. You will be informed of your responsibilities, but for now, you have been forewarned."
The meeting ended abruptly as the dean and his colleagues left the room. There was a profound silence and then the various Chairs of Departments dutifully filed out.
"What the hell just happened?" I whispered to Lev but he just stared at me blankly.
"Damned if I know, but it sounds ominous."
"That's an understatement," I hissed. "Do you think you can work your usual sources in the Provost's office to find out what's coming down the tube?"
He shrugged helplessly. "All I can do is try. What about your friend Creed—can you see if she can dig up any information from her end?"
"Don't worry, I'll ask her. But I'm scared Lev—this is serious shit and God only knows where it can lead."
He nodded dumbly and I knew we both felt the same. If the Emergency was bad, the reaction to it was going to get even worse.
I was left staring at a nightmare glimpse into our future.