Outline

Setting
This story takes place approximately 1000 years after a cataclysmic event that transformed the world into a wasteland of ruins, the leftover history of a civilization that was wiped off the face of the earth. In reality, this ancient civilization was destroyed by a highly contagious computer super-virus that burned out the mind of anyone who looked at it. Because the culture’s ubiquitous usage of computers and screen technology, almost everyone died. Present day people are the descendants of those who did not use computers on a regular basis for whatever reason (ex. poverty, politics).

Our protagonist, who goes by the moniker “Lizzie Curious”, lives in the ruins of Egypt, Africa, and works as a journalist on the crime beat.

Her society bears marked differences from what we are familiar with. There is a strict caste system and at the top are god-kings who live quite apart from the masses.  The are, in fact, direct descendants of the hackers responsible for the computer virus, and despite depriving their subjects of most technology, enjoy it lavishly in private.

Outside their walls, a strict caste system exists.  Although most citizens can read, the act of writing is reserved for the trustworthy few and only for specific purposes (such as reporting news, and crafting contracts). Lizzie, in creating the journal we receive, transgresses this establishment.

Plot
The story begins when Lizzie breaks the news story about a cult that the police raid. She reflects on the strangeness of the cult and includes reproductions and description of some of the evidence. Only one religion is tolerated in this society, so cults would be criminal. Lizzie is more surprised by this bust than any other because of the broad class spectrum of those involved, as well as the historical artifacts the cultists have accumulated and revere. All of them have to do with the power of words, language, and writing.  This strikes a chord in her, as a scribe.

There hasn’t been a religious crime in a hundred years, so the government wants to make a firm example of the guilty. However, they also feel that giving away too much detail about the artifacts would raise unwelcome questions by the public. Lizzie wrangles an interview with one of the cultists before they are prosecuted. She will include parts of this interview in her journal, which is increasingly becoming a kind of time capsule as her suspicions grow–she fears that she is on the verge of uncovering something significant and rather dangerous, and wants to preserve this knowledge in case she is silenced. The cultists believe that the universe was created through Power Words, and that there exists a Word so powerful only God can speak it.  These studies, and the discovery of such Power Words were their aim.

As she learns more, Lizzie’s entries transform into her own musings on the power of words, and she wonders more and more about the truth of her society’s history.

She uncovers a relic–a computer with a screen–and is shocked when she is invited see a god-king and notices a lookalike there as well. Screens such as that are strictly forbidden, as part of their culture’s creation myth (which was largely manufactured by the god-kings/hackers). The god-king insinuates that her latest inquiries are not encouraged, and firmly suggests she find a new hobby or a new city (remaining cities include one on each major continent).

Of course, she doesn’t follow this advice, and only becomes more obsessed. Inevitably, she discovers the truth, but we see it comes at a price: In uncovering the “word” of ultimate power (the virus’ source code), it consumes the pages of the journal, her writing, and–by nature–you, the reader as well.

Major Plot Points

• Introduction
• Cult of the Lexicon bust
• Establishing the setting
• Government’s reaction
• Some musings
• Interview with cultist
• Reflection & increased paranoia
• Archaeological find (computer)
• Meeting with god-king
• Uncovering of truth (virus, history, etc.)