This story is not about the America we live in.

It’s about an America that could exist—slowly, legally, and quietly—if people stop asking questions.

Civic Duty follows a retired teacher whose life is reduced to data points, compliance scores, and administrative decisions.

A speculative warning about what happens when systems replace judgment and loyalty becomes measurable.

This story is being presented on Litreading for limited time to help build the audience for its eventual primary home, New Tales Told part of Short Storyverses. New Tales Told is made up of totally original modern stories written with the feel of classic short stories (suitable for all ages). There are now more than a dozen original stories so please check them out.

We are expanding our universe of short story podcasts on our new podcast channel, Short StoryVerses. Listen to some of Don's new, original short stories on the "New Tales Told" podcast. Look it up on your favorite podcast player.

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