THE DREAM KILLERS | Part 2

Finding no news of interest that day, he turned to social media—a space that occasionally hosts noteworthy stories major outlets overlook for various reasons. After scrolling past some trivial online chatter, he stumbled upon video clips of European sports fans who had arrived for the World Cup, currently being held in the United States. What caught his attention most was their surprise and reactions as they encountered American life and culture for the first time. From the roads, stadiums, and vehicles to the food and the hospitality of local people, these fans found everything in the U.S. vastly different from what they had long believed. These discrepancies intrigued them, prompting them to compare them with living conditions in their own home countries.

When Nicholas heard several fans remark that their previous views of America had been shaped by misinformation from major media corporations over the past few decades, he furrowed his brow as a sudden, sharp tension gripped him. He realized instantly that such statements would not sit well with his boss—and whenever his boss was displeased, someone inevitably ended up dead. Nicholas shifted in his seat, completely forgetting his breakfast. He knew a task was coming his way. He leaned in, listening more closely to what the European soccer fans had to say.

In these social media clips, the individuals reveal that the warnings they had been fed back home—portraying the United States as a chaotic, crime-ridden place plagued by constant shootings, and describing Americans as cold, prejudiced, and deeply flawed—were nothing more than false propaganda. After arriving in the U.S., they now realize that life here stands in stark contrast to everything major European media outlets had long told them. Witnessing the truth firsthand, these visitors have begun to question conditions back home; some even wonder why Europe cannot be more like the United States.

Nicholas watched the clips carefully and, recognizing their significance, decided he needed to inform his boss immediately. He called Brett—a colleague currently on the job—to let him know he would arrive within the hour. He could hear the surprise in Brett’s voice on the other end of the line, though Brett asked no further questions. As he changed clothes to head out, Nicholas pondered the videos he had just seen. Although he had yet to speak with his boss, he was certain that the man would be furious once he saw the content. Nicholas knew his boss never looked at social media, dismissing it entirely as nonsense posted by idle people with nothing better to do. Nicholas knew many people viewed posting their own video clips on social media as a modern-day way to earn money. His boss, however, sees these individuals as fools—lured by these companies into squandering their time and effort, ultimately enriching only the owners of those social media platforms. These owners exploit the labor of the masses to sell advertising space, effectively treating the public as unpaid workers—or even enslaved people—to generate wealth for a select few.

Nicholas figured that his boss’s perspective stemmed from his immense wealth; only gains in the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars could capture his interest—anything less was simply beneath his notice. Nicholas, however, never voiced his own opinions to his employer unless they directly concerned the man’s operational plans. His boss had no patience for others’ views, save for a select few in his inner circle. As a bodyguard, Nicholas knew he had to remain tight-lipped, speaking only when necessary.

While strapping on a bulletproof vest beneath his dress shirt and suit jacket, Nicholas felt certain that once his boss finished reviewing those video clips, people were going to die—or, if they were lucky, end up severely beaten as a warning. The “luckiest” ones might merely face termination or financial ruin. He clicked his tongue, realizing this morning marked the start of a hectic period, a sharp departure from months of predictable, routine life. He had no idea how long this intensity would last, but he knew one thing for sure: it wouldn’t end until his boss was satisfied once again.

(to be continued)