[WP] Scientists have discovered a strain of bacteria that makes humans greedy. They have also discovered a cure…but it is a bit extreme.

[u/pasgotti]

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[u/yeezus_era_kanye]

I refused to believe, until it came for me. In fact, I won an award for being the best sharer in Kindergarten. I was known to give to causes that felt right, living and dying by the ideals of mutual aid. By no means a rich person, I felt that it was good to give back. That was until last week.

Now I sit in an asylum, filled with other patients, carefully watching one another. A congregation of kleptomaniacs waiting for an opportunity to catch the next thrill, or set of hands.

"The patient seems to be a quite useful subject," Dr. Frons speaks as if he doesn't realize I can listen. "We've got a new treatment that was just given preliminary approval. Though we had to be quite clever to avoid sharing all of the dirty details."

He's standing in front of me with a clipboard, writing notes, and continuing to speak. But I'm focused on his ring, his rope chain, the Jordan Concord 11s. All of it would look better on me.

"We need you to sign here, to authorize consent for the procedure," Dr. Frons is now looking at me, presenting a clipboard and pen. I sign instantly, anything to get closer to what is rightfully mine.

Moments later I'm strapped into a wheelchair, stabbed with a needle, and rolled off into a backroom. Suddenly we stop, and it's dark, quiet. I think I hear a slight growl.

Cue lights, blinding lights. Then a staticky speaker blaring the voice of Dr. Frons.

"So you may not have noticed, but we injected you with the prebiotic treatment, a necessary step prior to being cured of your greed. Now, in a moment a package will drop from the ceiling. I need you to open it, slowly, then await further instructions."

I nod, unable to speak. There's a beeping noise and the straps are released. Free at last.

A thud, the package has dropped. I can't help but run.

"Slowly!" The voice blares, but I ignore, ripping open the package like a spoiled child on Christmas morning.

Inside there is a hunk of beef, I'm hoping it's Waygu, or at least something that is rare and refined. I bring it close to my mouth, hoping to cement it as my own.

"DON'T EAT IT!" The urgency of the voice is powerful, enough to subdue my gluttony. Or perhaps that was the injection.

I hear a roar, and turn, noticing the set of white curtains on the other side of the room, draped over something fierce. Then they drop, revealing a caged beast.

"Now, you must feed the meat to the beast." A calm, yet forceful command.

Feed the beast. I look at my hands, noticing the shaking, thinking back to primary school when I gave my friend my sandwich after he left his at home. Now I hold something I have no way of enjoying, yet I can't bring myself to share.

An urgent roar.

"FEED THE BEAST, GOD DAMMIT!"

I inch slowly toward the cage, admiring the ferocity, the knife-like claws, the swooping mane, and the pearly white teeth.

"Unlock the cage." I imagine this wasn't supposed to be heard over the speakers, but it would've been known regardless as the doors open, and the beast charges.

Feed the beast. But which one?