Sometime in the future …

A presidential candidate campaigned to shake up digital oligarchies. But, instead of proposing their break-ups, he emphasized consumer choice.

He won by a landslide ...

Shortly after his election, he signed the Digital-Data Full Disclosure Act. In it, the law required data-driven digital companies to disclose all information linked to targeted advertising upon request to anyone.

The new law led to a historic rise in extortion cases. To safeguard and restore people's reputations, the government created a Universal Score System.

USS covered every aspect of a person's life. Yet, despite promises of fairness and transparency, civil rights groups claimed it subverted individual protections and privacy.

In response, the government established the Office of Scoring Equity.

Overwhelming requests for appeals bogged down the system. An initial appointment took months. Hearings queued up for years. Millions suffered while they watched their calendars …

————

Jim Jones, like numerous others in his situation, tried to endure his fate.

His universal score hit an all-time low. He believed it started from an unfavorable op-ed he wrote about a politician who later got elected. The article went viral. Whenever anyone searched for Jim's or the politician's name, or the subject matter, Jim's critique showed up as a top result. Including angry responses by thousands of the politician's supporters.

Jim relied on his life savings to survive because USS damaged his credit score, social rep, and job opportunities. But he knew his funds would deplete soon.

He held up a gun, ready to end it all, till the phone rang and he picked it up.

"Hello, may I speak to Mr. Jim Jones?"

"This is him …"

"Hello Jim, I'm April, calling from I-Rep-U Incorporated. We run a nonprofit corporation to assist people with low universal scores."

"Oh? I don't think you can help me … No one can ..."

"We disagree, Jim. We believe we can help! We've created 'Like Me!' a new social media platform."

"How does it work?"

"Good question Jim! All you have to do is write 100 honest reviews or biographical essays on the people we provide to you on a list. We include templates and have an AI-driven writing assistant ready to help you generate genuine responses.

"We'll strategically post your input online to support our clients."

"How will that help me?"

"Well, in turn, Jim, you'll be put on a list for the same."

"This sounds like a pyramid scheme."

"Oh, Jim, it's not. We live in a society of the people, by the people, for the people. We believe it's time to restore that principle. We provide factual data about our clients, and they, in turn, choose to review each other. It's 100% legal."

"What's the cost? What's the catch?"

"Jim, we know we can help you, but we need help too. We ask for a tax-deductible donation of $50,000."

"50k? I've only got 75k!"

"We understand that, Jim. There's no other option for you. Either you'll join 'Like Me!' or continue that plan at the end of a barrel."

"How did you know about that?"

"Full disclosure Jim. Digital hotlines must reveal everything, it's the law."

"Is that why you called me now? Because of my online chat last night with a suicide prevention counselor? They reached out to me on my private profile."

"Of course, Jim. We apply the full disclosure law to help anyone in need."

Jim's hands shook, and he dropped the phone ...

Gunfire and a thud recorded in the conversation.

I-Rep-U Inc. made their call with Jim available to the public to comply with the full disclosure law.