Time Capsule 2023 : An exposition

Time Capsule 2023 was written for the benefit of readers of the future. The accounts in it are intended to depict in realistic fashion what the life of John Grey was like, and the difficult and inescapable circumstances forced upon him. It is my hope as the author that readers understand how the lives of John Grey and others like him were forced to be different, and how cruel and sadistic actions toward them were condoned. Ultimately, it is my hope that readers of this work gain an appreciation of this era and its victims. INTRODUCTION The book is written as an exposition that explores the circumstances and events of John Grey's life. Despite the prologue's writing style in 3rd person, omniscient narration, the book is written in 3rd person exposition, but without a chronological plot. Given that the book's accounts are scattered across geographic areas internationally (Chronologically starting in Canada, and including North America, Southern Europe, South East Asia, Southeastern Europe, East Asia, and ending in Canada) and several decades, and involve various unrelated circles of people, it is presented as an exposition. For the safety of people mentioned in the story who risked retribution for offering assistance to John Grey, any identifying details about them have been omitted to prevent their true names from being known. While the book was solely written by me, its author, this was done to avoid any risk in the security of privacy. The book was made in audio form for the same reason that also extends to the author. Despite the topic of the Prologue’s passage set in China, it is not the central point of the book. The central point of the book is the life of John Grey in the era. PROLOGUE 2009 CHAOYANG DISTRICT, BEIJING, PRC John and Feifei stood in the living room of his Chaoyang apartment on the third ring of Beijing. The two had lived together for the better part of two years, but given John’s circumstances and Feifei’s life dream of going abroad, their time together would soon diverge. She was making plans to go to the USA to pursue a masters degree, and although John had finished with a foreign-owned company where he delivered corporate training to the staff of various companies’ head offices in the city, he was unable to get new work. He was busy writing his first novel with his time. A life dream also. Feifei was concerned about their approaching separation as they spoke. ‘What you are going to do?’ She did not try to hide her frustration. Her plans for admission and relocating were complicated and not certain yet, and it weighted on her to leave him behind. John had run into problems while living in the city, like had happened in many other cities and countries he had lived in. What am I supposed to do?’ he answered calmly. ‘You see all the problems I have.’ Feifei stopped in thought and realized her question was rhetorical after all. ‘Yeah. I see what you mean.’ The two talked once again about the problems he faced. While John was patient and resigned to what seemed to be his inevitable circumstances, Feifei was more purposeful in the exchange on this day. “Did you ever notice anything different when you were growing up?’ she asked trying to stir his memory. John responded with confusion for the ambiguity of the question. He gave a moment’s thought and pulled up an account from twenty-six years earlier, 1983, in his hometown in Canada. ‘A friend from high-school once said this to me,’ he began. ‘A group of us were at her house and Eza made a point of saying to me, “Tell them how hard it is. How difficult it is!” ‘ John paused as he thought about the evening. He brought his look to Feifei and continued, ‘I didn’t know what she was referring to. And I didn’t know who they are. I think she was trying to be helpful, but I didn’t know what she was talking about.’ Feifei turned