Truce

What happens when nothing happens?July 9: When Detective Simon Urqhart wakes up to this sunny morning and gets ready to go to work, he doesn't know yet that this will be the most unusual day in his life - and in that of the rest of the country.Fairly soon, people start to realize what is happening-or rather, what is not happening. No crime, violence, accidents, heart attacks, arson, mayhem, murder, rape, car crashes or street fights. In other words, not a single one of the dramatic events that affect lives and often make it to the evening news or go viral on the web. The phones are silent in police precincts except for the excited public calling in to find out what's going on. Print, radio and television media go crazy, social networks explode. Meanwhile, emergency wards in hospitals remain empty of patients, highways clear of accidents, cities devoid of ambulances or fire engines howling their way to or from trouble spots.Through a variety of stories of individuals headed for a violent outburst that fizzles out at the last minute or fatal health issues that become deflected and accidents in the making that don't happen, TRUCE skillfully takes us through 24 hours in the life of our country transformed by ... what? Fluke? Miracle? World Conspiracy? Alien invasion? Something in the water?Like all the stunned millions, Urqhart and his journalist girlfriend Mandy try to make sense of the extraordinary situation. Although as elated as the enthusiastic crowds dancing on the streets, hugging strangers and yelling "Keep the truce!" the question on their mind is whether the truce is here to stay. And if it isn't, how long can it last?