Monday:
As they rest for the night, the group finds a functioning old tablet in an abandoned cabin. Jas fiddles with it, managing to get a few minutes of connectivity before the signal fades. A video pops up—a recording of Elizabeth May addressing Canadians.
“She’s talking about a wealth tax,” Jas says, turning the screen so everyone can see.
Elizabeth May’s voice crackles through the weak signal: “...a fair redistribution of wealth, taxing billionaires to ensure no one is left behind. We can’t have a green future without addressing inequality.”
Roman nods. “Makes sense. The rich always seem to survive these kinds of things, don’t they?”
“But does it ever actually happen?” Ivy Mae asks, skeptical. “Or is it just talk?”
Jas frowns, replaying the video as far as the signal allows. “Maybe it’s just talk, but at least someone’s saying it.”
Before anyone can respond, the tablet screen flickers back to life, and a new video plays. This time, it’s a strange news segment about the Canadian dollar.
"Hold on, what's this?" Jas says, adjusting the volume.
The news anchor’s voice is oddly cheerful: “In a shocking turn of events, the Canadian dollar has soared to unprecedented levels, outpacing the U.S. dollar by a staggering two-to-one ratio. Experts are calling it ‘The Week the Stock Rocked,’ a time when the Canadian economy, backed by a sudden surge in innovation and global confidence, has claimed its place as a world leader. The Canadian dollar now stands at $2 CAD to every $1 USD—an unimaginable feat just days ago.”
Roman chuckles. “Is this real? The Canadian dollar doubled overnight?”
Ivy Mae raises an eyebrow. “A lot can happen in a week, I guess. If this is true, maybe some things can change, even when it feels like they won’t.”
Jas scrolls through the report, half-smiling. “If we can flip the economy like this, maybe we can flip the system, too.”
As the video continues, the news segment begins discussing how Canadians are celebrating the newfound wealth, and even giving it the nickname “True North Bucks.” The group exchanges looks, as if the impossible might just be within reach.
Maybe it’s wishful thinking. Maybe it’s satire. But in a world where everything seems so out of control, sometimes, a little belief in the unbelievable can spark the change we need.