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What if gas cost $25 a gallon?
DETROIT - Driver's worst fears became reality today when the price of unleaded gasoline spiked to $25 per gallon.
"I just filled up the tank for $500, I had to transfer funds from my savings to get home," said traveler Warren Steedbocker who visited his grandmother in the motor city, with a several hundred mile stretch in front of him to home in Illinois.
"I considered flying but planes use gas too."
Aside from putting a halt to travel nationwide, the soaring price of crude is changing how people live and work in unexpected ways.
According to sociologist William Gungdeed, the biggest surprise is that society is returning to the pastoral days of America's past, when people did not rely on cars for transport.
Dr. Gungdeed said few realized the impact of being a motorized society until it simply became too expensive. "Suddenly, people are taking walks, riding bikes, and grocery shopping in car-pools where neighbors split the price of gas."
"People are finally meeting their neighbors. For decades we developed into a driving society. When we go somewhere, the only walking we did was from the front door to the car. Now that automobiles are only used for necessities, people are suddenly getting acquainted with the people who live around them, whether they like it or not. There's not much alternative."
Electric cars are in such demand that the availability is scarce, and the price almost as exuberant as gas itself.
"At this point, owning an SUV is like having a ball and chain tied around your ankle, having an electric car is worth its weight in gold. With electric cars sold out everywhere, people who own them are now the privileged elite, much like those who could afford gas-powered cars when they were invented more than a century ago."
Superstores located outside of towns, like many Walmarts, are also feeling the brunt of the gas-crunch as people can't afford the trip. "Instead we are seeing a resurgence of the ma-and-pa hardware stores, grocery stores, corner stores that are in walking or biking distance. It's a complete reversal of the trend where superstores reigned supreme."
Heating in homes is also returning to the by-gone days. Modern heating systems are simply too expensive. "Wood burning stoves, fireplaces and anything that heats without gas is in vogue," said Dr. Gungdeed.
Gardening is also undergoing a renaissance as people seek to grow their own food to save money and limit their trips to the grocery store.
"The perfectly manicured lawn of the typical suburban home is being replaced by rows of tomato plants, corn and other vegetables. It's turning yuppies into communal-minded farmers."
Another result is the rise in value of older homes near downtowns, while homes in suburban bedroom communities plummet in price. "Like the old days, people want to be within walking distance of things they need: food, employment, entertainment, community. We are actually seeing a return to the pastoral communities of by-gone days, before the gas-powered motor changed everything," said Dr. Gungdeed.
Another casualty of high gas prices: commuting. "People are having to find jobs much closer to home, this in turn leads to more time spent with their families, and less smog from the constant travel."
Elaine Heatbaker is a prime example of society's new twist of fate. She and her husband both worked full-time jobs while raising their 2 children. "I commuted about 30 miles each way to work, paid for take-out lunch, hired a nanny to watch the kids, and had to keep a professional appearance which can get pretty pricey. Once the gas crunch hit, it was actually more affordable for me to be a stay-at-home mom," she said.
"Now I chill out with the kids, stroll around barefoot in my moomoo. The kids don't care how I dress, it's a dream."
Heatbaker no longer needs the nanny, and makes lunches for everyone at home. "We also got rid of the second car, which means one less insurance bill and a lot less money spent on gas and upkeep. We actually increased our income by simplifying. A pity that I didn't realize this before, but back in the cheap gas days things were so fast paced."
One other savings for the Heatbaker family came when they did not need their family psychotherapist anymore. "It cost us an arm and a leg. Turns out that all this time spent with the kids allowed me to be more like my mom, always trying to pass down the family traditions. It worked, we are more connected now. I think that's what the psychotherapist wanted for us anyway."
Heatbaker said she loves her new lifestyle, as she tills the earth in her new garden. The kids play nearby. "After I'm done converting the lawn into a garden, I'm going to stroll next door and see what my neighbors are like. We've lived here 10 years and I hardly know them," she said.
Dr. Gungdeed said if gas prices stay at their current rate, lifestyles similar to the Amish, who revere America's pre-industrial past, "will be the wave of the future."
Just then the Dr. Gungdeed had to leave. "My taxi is here," he said as a horse pulling a yellow buggy arrived outside his door.
Standard What-If disclaimer: The preceding is pure fiction.
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