Chronicles From The Future: The amazing story of Paul Amadeus Dienach

“Even then,” he said, “we wouldn’t consider her unethical or socially inferior. One could characterise her as careless, unlucky, frivolous or very much unable to tame her urges. One could argue that she’d be better off being free and living alone. In any case, if she didn’t have any intention of fooling anyone, her way of life wouldn’t be considered antisocial or immoral. Besides, look at all these young men and women who live alone and seemingly unmarried –and who have officially been Cives for decades now. Does anybody know or has anybody asked them how often they change partners? They may socialise with each other and speak in front of others with the utmost dignity as if nothing is going on between them, but that’s not always the case. And of course, I’d be the last person to blame them. It is not a matter of hypocrisy but a matter of moral superiority of people who do no evil, but, by nature, are not yet capable of making permanent unions. Nobody here goes about revealing their secrets. But I can’t really argue that each and every one of us waits for the Lipvirch patiently, for years and years.”

“Is there something that you do consider immoral? Are you familiar with the concept of immorality?”

“Of course! And whatever is truly immoral is exemplarily punished. In such instances we’re firm. But it’s just that they’re so rare. The people of today get a certain satisfaction from being ethical, without being forced to feel that way. Unlike you, who, if I remember correctly, had a saying that said “the forbidden fruit is always sweeter.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” I replied somewhat miffed, “since essentially nothing for you is forbidden.”

“You’re wrong there,” he responded quietly. “Our society also has certain moral restraints. If, say, when Juliet was living with Axel, she secretly met with another man, that would be considered immoral. But neither Juliet nor someone much more flighty than her would do something like that. All she would have to do is tell her partner. Why should she hide it? People tell each other how they feel and whatever the outcome—acceptance or separation—they have told the truth. In fact, most of the time, acts such as these are forgiven, especially if it’s an infatuation, a moment of passion or a loss of self-control. While, if they hide it, things become complicated and people are plagued by a guilty conscience, which in our times is very difficult to handle.”

I was wondering where he was going with this and very curious to find out.

“Never would a woman be with a man, or vice versa, out of self-interest, just to benefit from them later and not out of love or strong physical attraction,” Stefan said. “Dishonesty is inexcusable and unforgivable. What we want most is to have a calm heart and a calm mind, far from moral uncertainties like jealousy, suspicion or fear. On the other hand, our leaders have put up stricter ethical barriers for young people. Normally, until they become Cives, they’re not allowed to have sexual relationships. And it’s incredible and of great significance how the Ilectors succeeded in establishing the concept of sexual abstinence in the minds of young people at the both tender and difficult age of nineteen. Today, a partner should appreciate directness, love, honesty and respect some moral values—even if it is with some deprivation. The service is therefore simultaneously a test of self-discipline and of sexual abstinence. Only a few violations occur each year and, of course, there is no penalty.”

I asked him at which stage of life a woman decides to become a mother.

“I couldn’t possibly answer that accurately. The same as in your time, sometimes sooner, sometimes later. It depends on their temperament and on luck… There are many factors involved. Our case with Hilda is among the most common. Most of the times it takes three to four trial partnerships, born either from the Lipvirch or from strong attraction in order to find “The One”. Usually the first partnerships are shorter and may not even last year. Then they become more stable. With a little luck, three or four switches between freedom and cohabitation with someone are enough for the person to acquire a more mature mentality, which enables experience and knowledge to do their job and maybe give their later relationship the form of a lifelong bond.”

He then spoke so derogatorily about our time and its “values”: adultery, lack of straightforwardness and loyalty, everyday dishonesty, fraud, prostitution, the exploitation of weakness and poverty, perversions, violence, crimes of “honour” and sick passions. I didn’t know where to hide. He even considered the wedding ceremonies of past times as indecent: the gathering of the people, the fun, the comments, the teasing and… well… what came after: the more intimate moments of the couple.