Tick tick tick. 47 days to go. Will there be a shock to The System? If so, what voltage? A slight sensation of discomfort that quickly passes? A medium jolt that lingers and causes concern about System operations? Maybe a tweak or two to shore up the modus operandi? And then business as usual moving forward? Maybe the circuit breaker will be needed. Flip the switch. Get back up to speed. Maintain normal functioning. Increase voltage capacity. Command and control maintained.

Or. The jolt reverberates. There are minor aftershocks. The teacups in the System’s cupboard rattle. Wall art is at odd angles. The shockwaves recede into stasis. Damage assessment ordered. Check all support apparatus. Make repairs ASAP! Meanwhile assure the public the danger has passed. A return to stability and order. Pronouncements acknowledging the cause of the incident issued and assurance that every effort will be made to rectify said causes.

Or. The initial jolt is followed by even more intense aftershocks. System operations unstable. Certain segments completely unable to adjust. Circuit breakers ineffective. Pictures crashing down. Chandeliers severely swaying. Fissures appear in increasing length. Pipes burst. Code Red issued. Hang on. Ride it out. System redundancies kicking in. Backup contingencies switch flipped. Fortifications being ordered.

But. The biggest shock of all hits. The System’s foundation fails. Things fall apart. The center cannot hold! Run for higher ground! Take what valuables you can easily carry. Rest assured the financial apparatus will provide for System supporter recovery. Get as far away as possible. The structure has collapsed but the Safety Net is still functional. The cause of this calamity need not be assessed. Exit strategy protocol in process.

Fourty seven days.

Tick tick tick.