“You didn’t have to answer” mumbled Winston, looking down. Ray glared at Winston, as if he’d
threatened all of his life’s work, and walked away.
This was all he could remember, today. Winston Johnson had decided to take a break from
what he was doing, and decided to go for a walk. As he casually strolled down the road, he
revised his whole day in his mind. He couldn’t remember much except for the conference,
which had lasted for hours. However the only part he could remember was him asking the
dreadful question. “What is the cost of peace?” Despite all his attempts, he couldn’t remember
why exactly he asked the question.
He decided to go back, and go to bed.
The next morning, Winston got out of his suite in the hotel, and walked to the elevator and
went downstairs. While going downstairs his phone buzzed – Ray had sent a message “meet me
downstairs at 10 o'clock sharp.” Winston glanced at his watch and saw that he was late. As he
reached downstairs, he saw Ray waiting impatiently; Ray never liked to be kept waiting and was
a very punctual man. Winston inched his way to Ray when Ray stomped his way and thundered
“Winston, you’d better watch what you’re doing!” Winston replied “you and I both know, you
aren’t winning the debate this time.” Ray glared and Winston as if he’d threatened his life’s
work, and walked away. Winston turned around and casually strolled back to his room.
A few hours later, Winston got out of his room, and made his way down the wide corridor, and
got into the conference room.
This time, Ray got on stage. He began “As you all know, we are discussing world peace.
However, I would like to ask you all one thing. What exactly do people mean by asking what the
cost of peace is? Do they expect a half viable answer? It’s definitely not possible to get one,
that’s for sure. According to The institute for Economics and Peace, in 2016 violence cost $13.6
trillion. That may not prove anything. But it does put into perspective, how much money the
world spends to supposedly assure peace. Is it worth it? Does it actually prove anything other
than screaming I have a powerful army? It’s just fear of global destruction that keeps countries
in check. So you could say, world peace costs $13.6 trillion that is the most definite answer
possible”.