In a time in the future and a place that seemed far, far way lived a young man barely a man. He stood at an amazing height of six foot or in the preferred metric documentation of 182.88 centimeters. Absolutely no baggage rolls could be seen with his weight and structure. One hundred and ninety pounds converted to 86.18 kilograms. The dress code for his age category and status was of a soft silver glimmering hue. He wore a simple pin above his heart.

Infants including newborns to the age of four were dressed in a soft mint green. Small children from five to eight wore a candy apple red and those in the age range from nine to twelve donned what was referred to as a robin's egg blue. At the magic age of thirteen the sexes were separated for the dress code. Young girls wore a vibrant soft coral pastel or a light lilac shade of purple. Whereas the young boys were clothed in a somewhat regal shade of midnight blue or a slate steel gray. These were the color choices until the age of twenty. Then the differences came into effect.

Single working women wore a soft golden shade. Single working men work the silver glimmering color. When a couple married they then were able to have a wardrobe of three colors with a designated colored bar across the shoulders and upper chest area. Although they had a wardrobe of the three colors it was necessary for them to wear matching robes each day. This was one of the ways society had changed over the years. Colors identified the person or couple and their status. And yes, I did mention robes. All those who were married converted to the use of robes rather than the jumpsuits used for children and singles.

Body size and height varied slightly but no one was terribly underweight nor grossly overweight. The average height was 5 foot 6 inches (170.68 centimeters).Everyone adhered to the required dress code.

From what could be learned from the history logs there was a time when people dressed as they desired. Jeans, dress pants, suits, dresses of all lengths were common attire. Hair styles had become whatever was desired by the individual. Envy was prevalent. Those who had, or could have, flaunted it while those who did not have nor probably would ever have continued, to struggle as best they could.

The powers to be of the countries refused to cooperate with each other and the last 'great' war came to be. Nuclear weapons were initially threated and eventually used. Country attempted to destroy country. Stealing, burning, raping, killing became a way of life.

Those who became disgruntled and fed up with life as it had become, began preparing some sort of future. Safe places were established and practical items were saved and stored. Communication systems were established throughout the world. They were becoming prepared for the end of what was and for the beginning of what would be.

Finally, the day came. As the countries fought and declared war, those who had planned went underground. Just as in the beginning of our creation, it actually took only three days for the world to destroy mankind. Although it actually took about six months for worldwide death. It was as if all communication between countries had stopped. Everyone was right and there was no sense of flexibility. The food and produce exchange between countries became non-existent and as the food supply diminished, people began to die.

Animals were no longer fed since people in their desperation saved the animal food for their use. Because of this the animals fed off the weak and even the dead. As the population diminished people began feeding off the animals. It was a time when the fittest and most cunning survived.

Meanwhile those who had planned their survival did so beneath the land in fortified survival bunkers. They continued to communicate with the others who had made the commitment. Their numbers were a few million, an actual drop in a bucket of water considering the population of the world. Their cultural diversities were massive but again small within the population.

Their chatter over the airway reflected on their failures and what would need to happen to ensure that there would not be a repeat. They discussed many things such as work, growth, equality, religion, government, control. Each country decided that there indeed needed to be a form of government and control. But also agreed that no one person would rule the world or the country. A council was formed and each country had two representatives, one of each gender and neither being married to the other. To avoid previous problems, there would be a dress code and the shoulder or chest bars would become a work symbol. No person would be better than another nor more important.

Scouts went out each week to determine the devastation of the land and the status of the people. Some cities were totally destroyed, some partially. The areas that had not been destroyed by missile attacks were abundant with crops, refineries had continued to work because of their automation. Canneries were at a standstill but workable. The world could continue with some modification. Six months had seemed like a long time to some and perhaps not long enough for others. But it was time to reclaim the world.

The survivors came out of their protective sites and became a world again with significant changes. That had all taken place over a hundred years ago and the world had continued just fine. The changes had worked. Each month a different past culture was recognized and those who wished to practice some of the peaceful aspects of that culture were permitted to do so. In this way history was maintained. A similar practice was acknowledged for the various religions. The only stipulation was that any of the harmful directives related to religion were eliminated and not allowed.

The council was changed every ten years and they met every month to discuss and determine changes or clarifications. The council members were also identified by a simple pin.

Matthew was the newest member to the council. He had become the only single person to be appointed, sort of an odd man out. At the age of fifteen it was discovered that he had a unique talent. Beyond being able to mind link with numerous people anywhere and at any time. Council members also had the ability to mind link. It was just one of those things that came to be when they council. During the swearing in ceremony, it just happened. Of course when their term was done, they lost this ability. His uniqueness was that he could mind link at such a young age as well as being able to filter and to listen.

Nobody listened in the past. People spoke, some yelled and others screamed but nobody heard or listened. Some of the things said could have saved the world; but it had become each person for him or herself.

The art of listening was a talent of the past, one that had diminished and caused the destruction of a population. Do you hear? But do you listen?