The Matriarchy – Michael White

PMB – Year 3

My experiences of the new world are all fairly positive. I kept my job and continue to make a decent wage. My child goes to a nice school and we can generally enjoy the good things in life.

The only times it has not been plain sailing is when the Patriarchal society gets violent. A lot of heads of business and male politicians formed a rival faction when the Matriarchy was on the rise. I was tempted to join them with the uncertainty of male rights but I’m glad I didnt. The world I used to live in was cruel and unfair. Today, it’s more of a meritocracy, in fact I and a lot of my friends have not only kept their job but been promoted because there is a lack of glass ceiling that the old patriarchy used to create in jobs.

Myself and the Robinsons met during pre-natal classes. My ex and I would laugh about the awkwardness of the whole thing before the rise of the Matriarchy (BMB).

We actually got on so well we remained friends afterwards and to this day. We even went on holiday with them bringing along our young babies.

We learned then that they are very different to us, we are less material and more salt of the earth. They certainly enjoy grooming, spending an inordinate amount of money on how they look and they do look good for it. Despite both being overweight he always looks cool and she always looks in perfect condition for any occasion, like a movie star.

I am physically fit and naturally fair. They dye their hair. My ex broke up with me for another man shortly after that holiday and I’ve been well looked after by the robinsons.

I was seeing someone new a sweet ginger girl who was one of the leading social media campaigners for #straponselfie. After the news reporter was fired for wearing her government issued strapon (GIS) to work the media and the people supported her by declaring anyone can wear their GIS wherever and whenever they want, be that work, school or at the park. People posted themselves wearing their GIS everywhere with the caption #straponselfie. Mia, was a local celebrity and I felt lucky to be with her.

I drove to the Robinsons for a day of golf with George but when I got to their well manicured front garden I noticed his car wasnt in the drive. I rang the doorbell and Hannah appeared. She looked beautiful as always. She had her hair tied up and a striped summer jumpsuit on. It hugged at her hips and you truly saw her houe glass figure. I realised she was working from home. We greeted each other, our eyes lingered. “Wheres George?” I asked quizzacaly. “He’s out of town visiting his mother why?”, “I thought we were supposed to be playing golf today, my mistake!”, “I thought you might have wanted to come visit me?” She laughed, she looked back into her house and back at me again, her hoop earrings swinging. “Come on in and have a cup of tea”. She took me by the hand, her gold bracelets clinking. Her acrylic manicured nails red.

I walk in behind her. She gets to the kettle and as she clicks to turn it, the unmistakable noise of a gunshot in the distance. More firing as we listen staring worryingly at each other.

We both receive a message.

Citizens low and high of the Matriarchy. Please lock your doors if you are in the following neighbourhood’s:

There has been a coordinated terror attack. Please stay indoors while the authorities deal with it.

I quickly run to the door and lock it. The two of us wait to hear back from the government but hours go by. Gunfire rains down for the rest of the day. Some. Close some far away.

It gets to around 11pm and we still havent heard anything. We have dinner discussing what it could be and what our next move should be.

A very loud explosion interrupts us. She covers her ears and I stand up. I go round to her side of the table and hold her.

She admits to me that we should go to a clandestine basement that she has. “In our second year, all high class citizens (woman) were instructed by the government to create hidden bunkers in their houses as the patriarchy weren’t lying down.” She went to her cutlery drawer and pulled out a key.

She asked me to move the table in her living room and roll up the carpet. Underneath was a trap door. She unlocked it and stairs led underground. She told me to put the table somewhere and roll the carpet over the door as I came down.

When I got down. Locking the door behind me it was a treasure trove of canned food and resources. Lit by one single lamp in a corner of the room. I see a double mattress lay in the middle and she lay in it. She curled into a ball and cried. I cuddled into her. She kept wishing for peace and the safety of her husband.

She turns round and our noses are practically touching her tears stream and so I wipe them away. Telling her to pull herself together and that her husband wasnt in the list of neighbourhood’s. She stands up and adjusts her make up. Like she always does, in a jiffy shes as good as new. She smiles at me then reassures me. “The Matriarchy is strong”.

She opens a box and pulls out bedding and pillows.