Imagine That: Forgetfulness

"I don't know."
"How come we aren't going like that?"
"Beats me. It seems to be only the adults. Mums and Dads and grown-ups."
"Weird."
"Yeah."
"Have you rung anyone else?"
"Only Peter and Robin. They said their parents are like zombies. Hang on, my
sister wants to say something."
"Hi, Richy."
"Hi."
"Have you got the radio on?"
"No, but I can turn it on if you want."
"Go to FM and listen to it."
I did. There was a kid on. He was making silly noises and laughing
hysterically.
"Who's that?" I asked.
"Crazy Chris," said Joe's sister, "He took over the microphone when his Dad
left the studio. He said kids were taking over the world!"
"Cool!"
"You reckon?"
I hesitated. It seemed like a good idea, but then, who would fly the
airliners? Who would operate the factories? What if everyone in a nuclear
power station forgot how to operate it? There'd be explosions. Crashes.
Disasters. Kids would have to do everything. Kids couldn't do everything.
They weren't brainy enough. Horrors!
"Maybe we can snap them out of it?"
"Who?"
"Our parents. It might be temporary!"
"Doesn't look like it."
"Try yelling at them."
"Done that."
"Slap their faces'"
"Doesn't work. Anyway, I don't like slapping my Mum. She doesn't know why
I'm doing it, and it hurts my hands."
"We're stuck then," I said, "Give us a ring if you come up with anything."
"OK."
I went over to Dad and took him by the shoulders.
"Can you hear me?"
"Yes."
"Do you know who I am?"
"No."
"I'm your son! Please try and remember. I'm ten years old and I've lived
with you and Mum for ten years! Please Dad, try to remember!"
Dad looked blankly at me. I guess that was it then.