Airlines are suffering losses in the billions and mass layoffs are planned. The high rise office building, another magnificent 20th century accomplishment, is meanwhile rendered a doubtful place to work - all those people hurtling 100 floors or more to their deaths from a seemingly unassailable building. But the changes run deeper than that. The United States, by far the most powerful nation in the history of the world, is suddenly revealed as the most vulnerable as well. The markets move downward.
Oil prices descend.
The president declares war. On terrorism, of course. They're nowhere and they're everywhere. There could be several hundred thousand of them, secreted around the world, waiting for the big day when the signal comes from headquarters. One of the most chilling stories to emerge so far is the fact that several of these gentry were living utterly undistinguished lives - they had kids in the local school, they were community minded, and really nice people.