The classical deserted island is quite old, even more so if you follow Lost, so I was thinking, while waiting for a plane, what could be the modern equivalent?

So, the secret police/federal law agency have arrested you, have informed you that you will be flying tonight, but they allow you to pack a small bag.

What would you take with you, considering it probably will be confiscated anyway, and maybe even used against you?

Consider the agents are no fools, so no weapons or potential explosives, and you should restrict yourself to objects that are currently in your usual residence.

It is just a mental exercise on what we value, but not so much, or maybe what would Bourne do? How an object's importance depends on circumstances.

Bacon!


More seriously :
A guitar/ukulele and a lot of tabs.
If I'm allowed to keep it, it's hte perfect opportunity to learn how to play.
If not, well, at least I tried.

And you can always hang yourself with the low E string.

Yeah, in case I really can't stand being such a crappy player.

I would take three changes of underwear, my newest pyjamas (I am sure somebody will see me on them), my ready made plane travel toiletry set (including the plastic bag for liquids, which shows I am optimistic, I suppose, this is all a mistake) and then starts the hard part.

The old mp3 player, with the socket charger. A blank notebook and a wooden pencil (I first wrote a mechanical one, because I prefer them, but a wood one will be easier to keep).

So far I am still in shock, packing as if this were a short trip.

My mobile phone, even if it will be confiscated at the plane. Maybe the agent that takes it will answer calls about my well being.

A book, but which one? Which one would be fitting, and stay with me longest? One of the books I am currently reading, for the plane, the one I like most, to distract myself. And something to take myself away, even if I only have the memory of a last read. Maybe old style immersive fantasy (Dunsany's The Yann Country). Or something that would put thing in perspective (Primo Levi's Survival in Auschwitz).

And my wife's Lorazepam pills, maybe to just rub the edge off, maybe to overdose myself in the plane's toilet, depending on how I am taking things so far.

All the pairs of glasses in the house, in case one stays not so far from me. Maybe they will replace broken ones. Depends on who are they, I suppose.

Besides chemically, I am almost sure escape does not enter my mind. I do not think I can escape, either here or there, so my only choice is to make it through. Take whatever comes and weather it. As well I take a cheap watch, little money and leave my marriage ring. I do not see myself credibly bribing someone with a watch.

Getting back to Primo Levi, some differences but some similitudes in attitude to the Jews under the Nazis.

Probably just a comment to my wife to tell everyone we know, to see if they can raise a serious protest, but briefly and softly, to keep her from being taken as well.

Fear. That is what I really take with me, but I would still go meekly.

I'd leave my nerve endings at home. And the expensive specs.

The truth, to see it woefully inadequate against the want of the interrogator for a conspiracy.

Duct Tape, although that might be confiscated if the secret bureau in question ever saw any episode of Macgyver.

You set that on fire, they're going to let you go. If not, it'll still be a party.

quote:

Originally posted by Wanderer:
Duct Tape, although that might be confiscated if the secret bureau in question ever saw any episode of Macgyver.

Did they replace his SAK with duct tape in the Belgian airings of the show?

Well, I'd take those books gathering dust that just haven't managed to crack, a macbook with complete Adobe suite and japanese/french/german/chinese language courses. And some gold coins to barter with guards. Maybe that'll shorten the waterboarding session time...

Of course, unless it's all a joke for some reality TV show or someone subscribed me to The Game, that would all be immediately confiscated, of course. So, perhaps better to prepare in stress-resisting physical techniques? Oh, it's tonight. No, not much time for that. Cyanide pill in fake tooth? String of piano wire, cleverly, uh, tucked in? Glass shiv? Do I want to survive, keep my sanity, attempt escape, go down with as many as possible with me? Would I wait at my place for the knock on the door?

I think it's a flawed scenario. A more realistic update of the desert island would be, you're being taken to a legal prison for a specified amount of time, what do you pack?

Of course.

The problem with the prison scenario is that in most countries you can receive many items through more or less open channels.

The fact that you most likely will lose what you take with you is a deliberate part of the mental exercise.

As well as the equivocal hope that the ones coming for you are more or less the good guys, this is all a stupid mistake and someone will realize it and you will be back soon.

Most people return from the rendition, unlike trying to run away.

A very small GPS unit with a good battery. Tucked into a convenient cavity. I think it might be useful to know where you really are, so you have some idea of what the rules might be like.

Comfortable underwear and clothes, my hair wax, and a couple of library books. Coincidently I had reserved "One day in the life of Ivan Denisovich" a couple of days ago. Seems like an oddly appropriate choice.

quote:

a couple of library books.

WG: Mrs. Fashionpolice, my name is William Gibson. I'm the CO at this underground prison facility. I regret to inform you that you will never be going home again.

FP: Um ok, but I think we should return your books to the library, because I'm going to owe a lot of money in overdue fees...

I figure the library will be able to track me down to send me the bill for the overdue fines and book replacements.

quote:

Comfortable underwear

WG: Mrs. Fashionpolice, my name is William Gibson. I'm the CO at this underground prison facility. I regret to inform you that you will never be wearing comfortable underwear again.



FP: Sweet. Let me go grab my hair wax before I try that on for you.

Just for the record, it's hair wax not hair removal wax.



Best stuff ever.
Wanderer should use it for his spikes, so they don't poke Meru you know where.

quote:

hair wax

WG: Mrs. Fashionpolice, my name is William Gibson. I'm the CO at this underground prison facility. I regret to inform you that you will never be growing hair again.



FP: Um, can I please get my books back from you, please.