The hidden Utopia

A planet known for it's trashed wastelands and it's global poverty proves to be much more on the inside than anyone could have ever imagined.

I've traveled to most places in our galaxy and I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. Although we are all of the same species, each planet propagates different forms of government based off a variety of factors. Cultural norms, physical environment, hardships endured and an array of immeasurable contributions. Variety is the spice of life they say, but tomorrow's journey to the outer most planet of our Solar System, Agricola, may define how I truly feel about that saying. Let's just say the planet has a reputation that would make a serial killer shutter.

As i begin to descend into Agricola and land marks become visible, I see a vivid reminder that where I am going is not somewhere I need overextend my stay. Makeshift tents supported by rotting wood dot the "city" where I am about to land. As i continue down, I see the attire these people wear. They are a simple farming civilization and their clothes can testify. They have used a variety of vegetable leaves, stems, and certain vegetable husks to dress themselves in. Can they, truly, be this poor?

We finally land and immediately, the smell overtakes the cabin. The pungent smell singes my nostril and my stomach grows weak. Rotten vegetables piled up high all around us as we walk through the village. The people smell like they haven't bathed or eaten in months. As I continue to follow our GeoMap, I see something that could horrify the hardest of men... There are dead children lined up through the alleyway, their lives most likely taken by disease. This place is truly the hell of our galaxy.

I speed up and continue walking towards the government house. When I reach it, it certainly lives up to my lackluster expectation and fits right in with it's environment. On my planet, we would describe it as a run down cabin, but apparently this is the gold standard for Agricola. I walk up some broken stairs, stained with liquids that derive from a multitude of sources that I don't need to investigate.

"Welcome, Mr. Inspector" he yells down at me in his chair, smiling with one of his front teeth missing.

"Good day sir, I'll be very brief and to the point." I say attempting to set the tone for a quick meeting.

"Ah, I see. You dislike our little planet? You pass judgment because of what we lack? Oh my good man, don't be so quick to judge!", he says with a mischievous smile.

"N-- No, I'm not judging! I just have a very heavy work load and I need to be out of here in a timely manner" I rush out the words, trying not to offend. I am a man of all people and I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

"Ah, busy worker man, huh? Well then, let me get straight to the point. Let me show you what Agricola is about, then I'll let you leave.", his face is not smiling anymore but he appears to speak differently now. Confidence and bravado fills his voice and he gives an aura of pure confidence. It's intimidating because it came from no where and it chills me to the bone.

He stands up out of his raggedy old chair, it creaks louder than my old grandpa's rocking bench. He walks over to a small painting of his planet on the wall and touches the top of it. Then he mumbles something.

"... and they will all bow."

All of a sudden, the painting hinges down towards the ground, only hanging by what was the bottom. Behind it, a beautiful glowing button illuminates the whole room, it's colors changing faster than I can keep track.

"Ok Mr. Inspector. Hold on to your marbles!" he says with his biggest smile yet.

He gently pushes the button with his index finger. I brace myself while closing my eyes, my body tightening as if I am about to take a punch. I wait a few seconds expecting something to happen but nothing does.

"Is this a joke?" I say with frustration. I don't like being scared.

"No, my goodman. Take a look outside. Let me show you OUR Agricola."

I walk to the front door and open it up, my heart is racing faster than it should be. Why am I frightened?

I began to push it gently, as if I am trying not to wake anybody. My eye's widen as I see what this old man has in store for me.

Somehow, we've teleport... or maybe we flew? My mind is trying to grasp the situation that I somehow managed to get myself tangled in.

We are in the middle of a busy intersection in a city that's more grand than anything I've ever seen. Hover crafts zoom by me, children play in the air, levitating somehow. The skyscrapers that now tower over us extend all the way to space, shooting through the atmosphere, staggering the landscape like stalagmites.

The old man is now standing right next to me. I look over at him, my eyes reaching for an explanation with my voice soon to follow. But it's not a "him" anymore..

.

The most beautiful women I've ever laid eyes on is now smiling at me, her green eyes radiate like an imploding star. She almost looks fake, as if no organism could be made so perfectly.

"You see Mr. Inspector, this is Agricola. We are the outcast, We are the judged. We keep it this way so we can rule under secrecy and without distraction. This is the planet of Gods. Now, since you are here, you cannot leave." She's glowing but her face is very serious.

"I'll give you five minutes to take this in, then we begin. Don't try to communicate with anyone because it won't work." Her eyes piercing through me, her gaze is almost unbearable

She walks away towards the back of the room and sits quietly, her golden dress floating ever so softly above the worn wooden floor.

I stand in disbelief. This is Agricola?

If this is truly the planet of Gods, then why am I here?

So much for my heavy workload.