Sci-Fi/Fantasy

In a future where the world has been devastated by war, few intact and inhabitable areas remain. There a society has emerged where emotion is suppressed, with the result that crime and violence have also disappeared. Anyone who starts to have feelings is diagnosed with Switched On Syndrome (SOS), a condition requiring immediate treatment with numbing drugs. The story focuses on two workers at an information services company who become attracted to each other. As with so many tales of forbidden love, they strive to keep their relationship a secret, but it’s only a matter of time before they’re discovered by the all-seeing authorities. ■ Title — *Equals* ■ Director — Drake Doremus ■ Cast — Nicholas Hoult, Kristen Stewart, Vernetta Lopez ■ Rating — PG-13 ■ ©2015 \| 1h 41m \| Drama\, Romance\, Sci\-Fi ■ Watch it free with ads on Fandango: https://athome.fandango.com/content/browse/details/Equals/770860 ■ Watch it free with ads on Tubi: https://tubitv.com/movies/687554/equals ■ Available free without ads to Kanopy subscribers (details below): https://www.kanopy.com/en/product/5324496 ■ Kanopy streaming service is available free to holders of DC library cards. DC libraries will issue cards to residents of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and other nearby areas. Visit any branch to obtain your card. Kanopy is also provided free to Loudoun County library card holders who live, work, or study in Loudoun County. ■ As with most of our online features, you can watch this one whenever you like. Members who watch at the scheduled time may enjoy exchanging comments with other members on this page. If you post a comment before the show, please avoid spoilers. Comments posted after the show may contain any content, but Oddball Cinema encourages members to always avoid spoilers unless there’s some particularly important details you need to mention. ■ Many of the movies on our online events from as far back as March 2020 are still available for viewing. However, titles sometimes move from one streaming service to another. If you find that the links on an old event no longer work, you can search for the current providers of any title here: https://justwatch.com

What can be a more geeky night out than spending an evening solving puzzles in a pub, especially after a pandemic? Yes, Puzzled Pint is returning to being in-person! See www.puzzledpint.com This free event works like this: On the website puzzledpint.com is a puzzle. Solve it and find out where we'll be puzzling on Tuesday -- it'll be at a pub near a metro station. Go there and do free puzzle sets! The puzzle sets are meant for teams of three or four people -- if you don't have a team and want one, you can form a team here on Meetup, or the kind Puzzled Pint people will likely help. Some notes: -- These are "puzzle hunt" style puzzles, which have an interesting style of their own. If you are new to this kind of puzzle, DON'T PANIC when you first see the location puzzle, and don't hesitate to get hints. After all, the point is to have fun, not be frustrated! -- Also, for new people, a basic guide is available here: http://www.puzzledpint.com/files/3513/8254/7894/2013_10_22_Puzzling_Basics_Infographic.pdf -- Note that this event isn’t hosted by GNO, but by Puzzled Pint. Feel free to post here to form groups etc, but don’t expect the kind Puzzled Pint Organizers to have read any messages here. -- If people come late, they can either form their own group, or join a pre-existing group. However, since the event is designed for groups of 3 or 4 people, forming a new group will probably work out better. The 7:00 time is just when they start handing out the puzzles -- if your group wants to start later, that'll be fine

**NOTE: The limit for this event is 8 people. Due to a meetup glitch, it won't save with 8 people as the limit so only the first 8 people will be able to attend.** For MB2 Draft, entry will be $30 Weekly Draft night in NW. We currently meet up at Franklin Hall near 14th and Florida. U Street Metro is the closest stop. I'll have packs but feel free to bring packs if you have them. Entry is $17 (you can bring Play Booster packs to lower the cost by $3.50). If it is a special set, it will be more.

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Is ICE Above the Law?”** An examination of the federal officer accountability crisis and of unconstitutional and unchecked assertions of power, with Scott Michelman, legal director of ACLU-D.C. and lecturer on law and Shikes Fellow in Civil Liberties and Civil Rights at Harvard Law School. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-ice-above-the-law](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-ice-above-the-law) .] The Trump administration has encouraged Immigration and Customs Enforcement members and other federal agents to commit horrifying abuses based on claims that they have “absolute immunity.” The results have been devastating. Renee Good, Alex Pretti, Ruben Ray Martinez, and Keith Porter Jr. are all dead at the hands of federal agents, and countless more have been subjected to needless violence and trauma. A recent ACLU and YouGov poll showed that 93 percent of voters—including 89 percent of Trump voters—believe that federal agents should not be above the law. What many Americans don’t know is just how difficult it can be to hold federal officers accountable when they violate constitutional rights. Join Scott Michelman, legal scholar and ACLU-D.C. legal director, for a deep dive into why it’s so difficult for most ordinary people to seek justice from federal agents and what can be done about it. He’ll discuss legal precedents that limit the ability of ordinary people to seek justice. Although the Supreme Court had held for most the past half-century that federal officers should be suable just like their state counterparts, it reversed course in a series of cases over the last 10 years, declaring in 2017 that permitting suits against federal officers was a “disfavored judicial activity” that courts should almost never allow because Congress has not specifically provided for such suits. You’ll learn about the ramifications of an alarming accountability gap between federal and state officers. For example, after Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd in 2020, Mr. Floyd’s family sued the City of Minneapolis and police officers for violating his constitutional rights and secured a $27 million settlement. Federal law, however, does not allow the families of Alex Pretti and Renee Good to file that type of lawsuit against the federal agents who shot and killed them just miles from where Mr. Floyd was murdered. You’ll learn how federal and local lawmakers can fix this problem. Potential federal remedies include reform bills pending in Congress right now, such as the Constitutional Accountability Act. At the local level, the District of Columbia could pass a law authorizing federal officer suits for constitutional violations. Finally, we'll talk about what people in D.C. and across the country can do to push for meaningful reform. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: ICE agents confront an angry crowd at the Minneapolis site where one of their fellow agents, Jonathan Ross, had just killed Renee Good. (Photo by Chad Davis / Creative Commons.)

It's Burger night at Bar Louie for $8 craft burgers WITH fries! Grab a seat, order a burger, and join the conversation as much or as little as you like.

I have been pretty quiet here for a minute, but recently started going to the weekly Commander night at Hobby Place and really enjoy it. The right balance of competitive and chill. They get a sizeable turnout, no entry fee (though I highly encourage buying a pack or two to thank the store for hosting). Format appears to be a range of difficulties, I know a few top tier decks are floating around, but most players seem chill and play say 3-7 range on a 1-10 scale. Its also nice to see a store hosting in this area. Its metro accessible and lots of parking on the block around it. From Braddock Metro: * Simply walk East on Wythe St for 10 minutes, the store is on your left. Driving: * Its at the corner of the N Washington St and Wythe. Get there and drive around the block to find street parking. I'm told they will stay open until after midnight for Commander. I've stayed as late as almost midnight, despite the store closing at 9pm. Big kudos to the store staff for being that cool.

We will be reading "There is No AntiMemetics Division" by QNTM (2025) We will be meeting at GameOn Bar. So, please come join us for some discussion and a drink and/or food. [There Is No Antimemetics Division by qntm | Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54870256-there-is-no-antimemetics-division) Most of us will be reading the 2025 version of the book. However, if you've read the earlier self-published version, please feel free to join us. It'll be interesting to compare the two versions As per usual we are crowd-sourcing book ideas and voting on the top books. We encourage you to add votes to the books [DC Science Fiction Book Club Suggestions - Google Sheets](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mprXaa6bcEW5EL_uprN16-RBcetO6pbqA4vHDTjtowI/edit?gid=0#gid=0)

**NOTE: Meetup is SATURDAY this month!** A special Meetup this month. Some sad news recently reached us that our dear friend and Meetup stalwart, Simon, passed away in April. Simon's mother reached out to us to let us know and to share that our little get-togethers were among Simon's favorite activities, and she talked about how he used to call her and they would discuss how he was going to vote for our next episode. She told us that Simon was very devoted to environmental activism and suggested The Nature Conservancy (nature.org), if anyone wanted to give something in his name. In honor of Simon, let's choose this month from four environmentally themed episodes. *Galaxy 4* \- The Doctor\, Steven\, and Vicki encounter a planet where two alien races are so busy fighting with each other that they can't get it together to cooperate to escape the planet's impending doom\. Pretty far\-fetched\! \(3 animated episodes and 1 live\-action\.\) *The Green Death -* The 3rd Doctor, Jo, and UNIT meet Global Chemicals and the mysterious BOSS, who promises unlimited cheap, clean energy so long as you don't mind the giant carnivorous maggots. *The Android Invasion -* The 4th Doctor and Sarah battle the Kraals, a race of people who have so devastated their own planet with radiation and pollution that even Earth looks attractive. *Arachnids in the UK/Praxeus* \- The 13th Doctor and the Fam encounter first hand the monstrous consequences of a whole lot of pollution\. When you RSVP, please rank the four options above in the comments in the order of preference (1 being "Yes! I desperately want to see it!" and 4 being "Meh."), and we will abide by the choice of the attendees. For the Meetup itself, we ask everyone to bring something to drink and something to eat (snacks/munchies - you don't need to bring a whole ham or something!) to share with the group. We'll have food and drink as well and maybe a themed cocktail if the inspiration strikes... We are a couple blocks from the Columbia Heights Metro (15th and Harvard NW). We'll provide the full address ahead of the event. Note also that we are a walk-up - two flights of stairs. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Having secured a secret entrance to the Wreck of the Returned, the Starfinder Society is finally ready to launch a rescue mission into the Wreck, to liberate the lost Starfinder Zizenzi and the countless other citizens of Akiton who’ve been abducted by the Functionary’s forces and await forced conversion into mindless servitors of the Wreck. While numerous teams prepare to enter the conversion facility, First Seeker Sarmak has tasked one special team with breaching the conversion facility’s central control room and dispatching the cure to conversion through the ventilation system. If successful, all the converted innocents within the Wreck will regain their autonomy and break free from the Wreck’s control. Unfortunately, the central control is sure to be heavily guarded… Prepare for battle, Starfinders! A Starfinder Society Scenario designed for 3rd through 4th-level characters, playable in 2-3 hours. This is an adventure in the ongoing Invasion's Edge metaplot. Written by Matt Morris.

Let's meet at Ledo's in Springfield to have a comic book meet up meeting Saturday. I'll be wearing a super hero t-shirt. Mike T

*Root* is a game of woodland might and right. Stalk the woods as one of the Vagabonds, seize the initiative with the Eyrie birds of prey, rule over your subjects as the Marquise de Cat, or command the Woodland Alliance to create a new order. With creatures and cunning, you'll rule a fantastic forest kingdom in the ultimate asymmetric board game of adventure and war.

We will be playing two games of **Nemesis:** **Retaliation** with up to 4 players per game. All experience levels welcome. Expect the game teach to start promptly within the first 10 minutes. In **Nemesis: Retaliation** players take on the roles of highly trained marines, entering the alien nest with strict orders and the most advanced tools available. But will they be well-prepared enough to face the unrelenting horde that awaits them? Players must survive against overwhelming odds and the possibility of betrayal at every step. This is a semi-cooperative game in which you and your crewmates must survive on a ship infested with hostile organisms. To win the game, you have to complete one of the two objectives dealt to you at the start of the game and survive. You will find many obstacles on your way: swarms of Intruders, the poor physical condition of the ship, agendas held by your fellow players, and sometimes just cruel fate. Find [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXRMfvCweLI&pp=ygUfaG93IHRvIHBsYXkgbmVtZXNpcyByZXRhbGlhdGlvbg%3D%3D) a how to play video on youtube. Find [here](https://awakenrealms.com/download) the rulebook. Note: Please remember to update your RSVP if you can not attend the event. By updating your RSVP when you can't make it other players on the waitlist will have a chance to attend. No-shows may make it harder to attend future meetups. Also, all library rules apply to this meetup event. Mainly that no food is allowed in the library. Covered drinks are allowed.

Do you want to sacrifice little children/pets in order to summon your favorite demons? Are you interested in creating monstrosities/crimes against nature and passing them off as "dates" for sexy singles? Do you want to pretend to be a human while actually being a robot bent on the destruction of humanity? Join me in playing hilariously dark party games including but not limited to Let's Summon Demons, Master Dater (yes, that name is on purpose 😅), Human Punishment, and many more! I will also have Mortal Kombat 11 available.

Join us for Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn! Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, reporter Camille Preaker faces a troubling assignment: she must return to her tiny hometown to cover the unsolved murder of a preteen girl and the disappearance of another. For years, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed in her old bedroom in her family's Victorian mansion, Camille finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Dogged by her own demons, she must unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past if she wants to get the story-and survive this homecoming.

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia

June is Fantasy month! • The book we will be discussing is The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. (determined by votes from May Book Club. Message me your e-mail if you'd like a free digital copy of the book) • This event will be at the Dublin library (Room 3). Feel free to come whether or not you've started or finished the book. • Small snacks will be provided. You're welcome to bring your own snacks & drinks too! Let me know if you’d like to volunteer to bring snacks or drinks for the group. Please try to update your attendance if anything changes so we have an accurate head count for print outs and snacks :)

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/a/9/6/600_348310902.jpeg Instructor - Crow, HPS Class fee is $30 at the door or approved exchange RSVP with Advance pay of $25 (discounted) by PayPal on the web or by contacting Enchanted Elements (614) 437-2642. Reservations made directly to Enchanted Elements will be added to the class list manually not online. Private Instruction ~ Closed to the Public ~ Initiated Members Only Please come prepared for ritual. Blessings ~ Crow

Based on the novel Roadside Picnic, it is NO picnic, but rather one of the masterpieces of world cinema. Andrei Tarkovsky's 1979 Soviet sci-fi classic, recounts the expedition of a writer and professor led by a mysterious guide called "The Stalker." to a futuristic wasteland called "The Zone." Dripping with existential dread, it continually presents strange occurrences that will have us debating the meaning of what we've just viewed right through the ending. *Stalker* (1979) can be streamed for free on HBOMax, the Criterion Channel or Kanopy. It's also available for rent on Amazon Prime and AppleTV. The Columbus Library has two copies on disc.

In the year 2044, in the age of AI, a woman named Gabrielle (Seydoux) tries to purify her DNA by purging the inherited memories of her past lives. She (re)lives her life in 1910 Paris and 2014 Los Angeles, and as the procedure goes on, the lines between her worlds become blurred. These three timelines have a lot of connective tissue holding them together; certain symbols and motifs appear repeatedly, not to mention Mackay’s Louis, a figure whom Gabrielle seems drawn to in each lifetime. *The Beast / La Bête* can be streamed for free on Kanopy or the Criterion Channel. It's also available for rent on Amazon Prime, AppleTV and YouTube.