About DISTANCE

In the late 21st Century the world looked to geoengineering to combat climate change. Early successes had disastrous side-effects. In the wake of failure, the United States retreated behind its borders as the world fractured apart into instability and chaos. Young Americans coming of age during this time leave their country of birth to seek a more truthful relationship with the planet. Effectively renouncing their allegiance they take a one way ticket out. They go "on the carry," circulating the globe with only what they can fit in a bag.

Against this backdrop, three friends (Scott, Ben and Sara) travel on the carry to a coastal town somewhere in Latin America. Scott and Sara share a past that both prefer to leave behind, and refer to cryptically. Their destination is a paradise of sun and surf, off the circuit. Upon arriving they meet MONICA, a European scientist studying turtle migration with an older scientist (ROLAND). While they settle, large-scale disaster strikes the US near Scott's home. While details are sketchy, many believe it to be a terrorist attack launched by a group called All Eyes who target those responsible for climate disasters.

Scott and Monica move in together. Monica’s work with Roland may not be entirely what it seems. A period of surf and bliss follows, punctured occasionally by the worsening news trickling in from the outside world. Ben and Sara travel on, chasing their plan to settle near Sara's family. Following a phone call, we learn that Scott and Sara are former members of All Eyes. Scott receives an encrypted message from Sara. Their old associates are onto Roland and his work and agents have been dispatched to find Roland. In order to save Monica, Scott must sacrifice everything and return to All Eyes' grip.

"The merchant notices him suddenly, studying his face. Scott notices this. Sara notices from across the way. She and Scott share a quick look. The merchant opens his mouth to speak but Scott quickly moves on."

In the latter half of the 21st century, global warming accelerated beyond all prediction models. Funded by corporations, climatologists and geoengineers focused their efforts on management of the change rather than reversal. Climate engines were developed and rollout was enforced militarily by the United States and its allies. The solution quickly devolved into a nightmare. Storms become more frequent. Seasons deteriorated and grew erratic. Polar ice entered rapid periods of melt, remaking coastlines and devastating cities. The climate engines were belatedly taken offline. Nations crumbled under the pressure of worsening climate disasters, scarce resource and war. The United States and its citizens are vilified. Ecoterrorists lash out at the U.S. and its allies. Politicians, corporate executives, and the scientists they supported are singled out as targets.

Many Americans who came of age during the climate wars are ashamed of their country and its actions. Some take what is effectively a one way ticket out, circulating around the globe "on the carry" with only what fits in a backpack.

The world is unstable. Rumors of clandestine military activity are rife. Whispers of continued tinkering with the climate's atmosphere abound.