Looking for a short story where a man gets buried in the foundation of a bridge at the end

Question

I read this short story about ten years ago, and I seem to remember that it was somewhat new at the time. If I'm remembering right, I believe it was by a female author, but I'm not certain. It is a story set in the future, where a man gets picked up in a limo I think and is driven to a certain destination to complete a project. I'm fairly certain that it is for the construction of a bridge. All the while when he's in the limo they are talking about what an honor it must be to be him.

The story makes you believe that the man must be some great politician or speaker, but then at the end in order to complete a bridge, the man crawls into one of the tubes that makes up a pillar or support for the bridge and they pour concrete over him.

It's I guess how he is being immortalized in the future, or how he gains honor. I'm really hoping to locate it again so that I can reread it and perhaps gain a better understanding of the details. Does anyone know the title and author of the story that I'm looking for?

Answer 1

Could this be Chosen?

It was published in 2008 or earlier, so at least 8 years ago, which is pretty close to 10.

“Chosen” was the winner in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy category of the 2008 Writer’s Digest Popular Fiction Awards.

It does indeed take place in a dystopian future:

The year is 2112 and the global unemployment rate is a staggering 79%. It was believed, though never proven that some had even killed for jobs.

Of course, there is a man who is buried in concrete to support a bridge:

The cold concrete rushing in at his feet shocked him. “Oh, God!” “Oh, God!” his brain screamed, over and over. On the monitor, he saw his family. A close-up showed Kenya’s tearstained face – eyes closed, lips moving fervently in prayer.

Then his mind calmed. He was the best of the best – selected for his intelligence and knowledge, physical strength, commitment and concern for his fellow man. He breathed deeply and spread his legs and arms, imagining supporting the bridge that would be built over the Bay, named in his honor. It was at his waist now. His legs were numb from the cold. Soon the weight of the concrete would prevent his chest from moving and he would draw his last breath.

There's definitely a nasty "Lottery" feel to the whole business:

“Jessiah Douglas, you have passed the test for physical endurance. You excelled in mental ability and intelligence. You topped the list in spiritual commitment and concern for your fellow man. I am proud to announce to the world that You Have Been Chosen!”

The only thing that doesn't really fit is that during the limo ride, no one is really telling him what an honor being Chosen must be (they do seem to say so elsewhere, though), and I believe the limo actually was driving him home.

During the long limo ride home, the magnitude of his accomplishment finally sank in.

The author is Beverly Smith-Dawson, and I'm not sure whether the story was published in any anthology.