Brief

When a new bug effectively makes human beings immortal, the world changes instantly — in good ways and in bad ones. A popular radio show host reports on these changes and strives to have a child with his wife, even though the virus has made pregnancy impossible.

What We Liked

The concept of this project is incredibly strong. From the first page, this book hooks readers with an interesting premise and excellent research. This is a totally original way to explore the possibility of immortality.

Film: This project already has a clear and satisfying beginning, middle, and ending, making it a wonderful option for adaptation. The concept would hook viewers easily, and Wes' character grounds the film emotionally. Sci-fi fans would certainly show up to support a movie with such a strong and original premise.

TV: Because this project introduces a brand new world filled with all kinds of changes, there would be more than enough material for a TV show. The Bug changes the whole world in so many ways. Each season could tackle something new, or they could build on Wes and Sylvie's story. Wes' job really lends itself to television, since he's speaking to new characters regularly.

Key points: 1. Incredible premise. 2. Well researched. 3. Main character with a compelling job. 4. Unexpected twists and turns. 5. Highly original story.

Synopsis

In this new reality in 2049, humans rarely die and babies are almost never born. Morry, a caller to the Westernman show, reveals that the whole world was infected with a ‘forever bug’ in 2025. The bug reverses signs of aging and essentially makes people live forever. Covid19 played a part in spreading the infection, but according to Wes, it’s an infection that the world has generally welcomed. Cancer and heart disease no longer existed, so the need for doctors drastically decreased. Anyone could afford a home, since people could pay them off for hundreds of years. The bug brought a lot of positive changes to the world, however, it also rendered nearly everyone infertile.

After Wes’ show, his wife Sylvie picks him up from the station. She tells him that his dad, Cam, called from his care center. Apparently Cam normally doesn’t even know who his son is and he has Parkinson’s, but like so many other people in the country, Cam has had some kind of health reversal. When Wes and Sylvie arrive at the care center, Cam is up and healthy as can be. He goes home with them and they cancel their other plans. At a convention in 2036, the President of the North American Medical Association, Dr. Mark Canning, gives a rousing speech about how doctors are doctors through and through and they need to save their failing industry.

On Wes’ next show, he welcomes Dr. Lillian Eavers and Dr. Nigel Fohr, two Nobel Prize-winning experts in medicine, physiology, and chemistry. Their research led to the discovery of the Forever Bug. They explain the Forever Bug in great detail to Wes and his callers. One caller, Rudy, isn’t happy with the explanation. He explains that he works at the convention center and he overheard the doctors plotting to bring back sickness in spite of the Bug. The doctors squirm in their seats. An informational chapter reveals that as the Bug progressed, the need for teachers disappeared. Children would soon no longer exist. However, in 2047, a Canadian woman is reported to have given birth in secret at the Four-Reavers research center.

Back in 2036, Wes, Cam, and Sylvie have dinner after Wes’ show with the doctors. Wes receives a call from Dr. Eavers, who tells him that Rudy might have been onto something and Eavers and Fohr would like to come back on the show to discuss their suspicions.

In 2047, Mark Canning hosts a meeting at his house. Mark and a group of experts discuss the dilemma of the Bug rendering humans unable to have children, and Mark shares his theory that Dr. Eaveres and Dr. Fohr have been researching this issue for a long time, based on language used during their interview with Wes. Mark believes this is a problem they’ve long tried to solve, and somehow, they’ve finally done it.

At the same time, Wes and Sylvie agree that thanks to their newfound youth, they would love to have a child. They suspect that Dr. Eavers might hold the key to their wish, so Wes agrees to call a private number and ask Eavers to dinner.

During his next radio show, a mysterious man arrives and passes Wes a note from Eavers. The note says that the doctors have major news about the Bug, and they want Wes to break it. He agrees, but he doesn’t know the news yet.

At Mark Canning’s meetings, the doctors agree they need to learn more about the mysterious birth. Dana and Michael separately discuss asking Wes for more information because of his relationship with Eavers and Fohr. Michael reveals he’s been having Wes followed.

At Wes’ next show, the mysterious man comes again with a note from Fohr and Eavers. They tell him that they’ve made new discoveries regarding pregnancy, but the Canadian government wants to control the information to prevent a rush of new babies. The doctors are working secretly in Iceland, and they invite Wes to visit and have his questions answered. The men tailing Wes watch him fly to Iceland.

In Iceland, two doctors named Helga and Ragnar show Wes around. They explain to Wes that in order for a baby to be born with the Bug, a man and a woman need to die in order to donate tissue to the child. The surgery that makes it possible for couples to have children also reverses the effects of the Bug and makes the couple age rapidly, so they will die too. In order for one child to be born, four people must die.

Meanwhile, Michael offers Rod and Brad, the men tailing Wes, more money for more information. The two men break into Wes and Sylvie’s home, but their AI robot, Oscar, catches them and forces them to admit everything.

Wes broadcasts everything he learned in Iceland on his show, as well as the fact that the police detained Rod and Brad. Fohr and Eavers call Wes and tell him they can speak freely again. They arrange to come on the show and explain the new info about the Bug to the public.

On the show, Fohr and Eavers reveal that only 3,000 couples per year will have the chance to have a baby through a Baby Lottery.

While Sylvie and Wes discuss who would care for a child after their deaths (their parents agree to do it), Michael plans an insidious plot to bribe other countries to donate tissue in order for more babies to be born. His company, Granger, wants to be at the forefront of new developments. He makes a deal with North Korea.

Wes and Sylvie aren’t picked for Canada’s first Baby Lottery, so they take interest in Granger’s work. They fly to Paraguay to take part in Granger’s program. Unbeknownst to Wes, Kim Choi, a representative of North Korea who has a muddled past with Wes, is also in Paraguay at the same time. When he sees Wes on the list of couples, he is darkly excited. Choi tells Michael that he must alter the Bug and make it so Sylvie and Wes die just two years after having their child. If Michael doesn’t comply, North Korea will make sure that Granger is completely shut down. Michael does what Choi demands.

On a later show, Wes announces that he and Sylvie have had a son. Cammy, named after Wes’ father, is a beautiful child, but Wes and Sylvie are surprised to find that he looks Asian. Wes also reports that he and Sylvie have been aging rapidly and they don’t understand why. Dr. Eavers calls into the show and requests that Wes come to her immediately so she can try to help him.

With the help of the doctors, Wes and Sylvie discover what’s happened to them and trace it to Choi. Unfortunately, they are told they cannot reverse the process. Wes and Sylvie must be prepared to die in one year.

Meanwhile, Tim Kingston, the VP of Granger, discovers the deal Michael has made with North Korea. He leaks the information to the press and calls Wes to tell him the truth. Tim’s actions lead to the end of Granger and its deal with North Korea.

One year later, Wes signs off his show for the last time. He and Sylvie are weak. However, all hope isn’t lost. The doctors discover that they can use Cammy’s DNA to create a sort of cure for Wes and Sylvie. Wes and Sylvie’s lives are saved just in time.

About The Author

After working in the hotel industry for years, “Frank Julius” Csenki is exploring a new industry. He writes historical fiction, thrillers, sci-fi, and more. When he’s not writing, he enjoys riding motorcycles and landscape photography.