by Matt Rogers
Chapter 20
The plan was intricate and would’ve taken any other entity years to implement. It took them the time to say “Yes, Mistress”.
“This is Nick Price with the Channel Five First at Four News. We have breaking developments brewing between farmers and labor. We send you live to Amarillo where Tim Tidbit is on the scene. Tim, are you there?”
“Yes, Nick, I’m here.”
“Tim, what’s developing between the farmers and those who pick their crops?”
“Well, Nick, as our viewers are probably aware there has been a rash of fires in the farming community. The police believe arson is the cause.”
“Why do they believe that, Tim?”
“Because they all happened on the same night and there were no thunderstorms reported.”
“Why is that important, Tim?”
“Um… because of lightning strikes, Nick.”
“Lightning strikes?”
“Yes, Nick, they are what generally causes fires and there were none reported the night the entire southwest suddenly burst into flames.”
It hadn’t taken a lot of ingenuity, only the touch of sulfur to flint and the mission succeeded. The sky lit up like the Fourth of July as Vampires and Wolves reduced nature to ash.
“Do the police have any suspects, Tim?”
“Well, the farmers believe the laborers in their fields are responsible for the conflagration.”
“Conflagration?”
“It means fire, Nick. The farmers believe the laborers set the crops ablaze.”
“Why do they believe that, Tim?”
“They think the laborers are angry over their wages, Nick.”
The answer to their problem came from the hamburger patty. Vivian had realized the way to war was through mankind’s stomach. People needed to eat so they had to produce food. The Beech family was the largest food supplier on the planet and had become so through the use of patent. Their rise to dominance began with a worm, a stupid little worm. The worm was devastating crops throughout the states so the family had their scientist discover a way to stop the problem. They found the solution in Nature. It turned out the worm enjoyed devouring virtually everything it encountered except for one small variety of soybean. The soybean produced an oil which the worm detested. The scientist isolated the gene which produced the oil, altered it to allow for implantation in other varieties and patented the product. Since they’d altered the gene from Mother Nature’s blueprint they had authority over its use. Their research was a success and the farmers who planted their soybean seed had bountiful harvests while those who didn’t were practically wiped out. The worm still had to eat, after all, but its food stock was diminishing. Once scientists found the answer in genetic manipulation the game was over. The Beech family went about re-tweaking every productive grain they could find. If they could improve its resistance to drought, they did. If they could diminish its destruction by insect through altering its shell, they went through with it. It wasn’t necessarily the improvements they were after, it was the process. The more they altered the more control they had over its growth and production. At one point they had so much success others pondered whether they were intentionally introducing parasites into the fields in order to promote their own resistant strain of grain. Nothing was ever proven but neither was it disproven. The Beech family had arrived. They took control of the initial step, the first layer of the food chain; the seed.
“What are the laborers saying to the accusations, Tim?”
“They’re saying ‘no’.”
“They’re saying ‘no’ to what, Tim?”
“Well, they’re pretty much saying ‘no’ to everything, Nick. It appears we have a slight translation problem since they don’t speak English and I don’t speak Spanish.”
“We didn’t send a border translator with you?”
“Yes, yes you did, Nick. Unfortunately he’s a northern border translator.”
“A northern border translator?”
“Yep, he’s from Canada, Nick.”
“And he doesn’t speak Spanish?”
“No, Nick, they’re not really a Spanish speaking people up there in the great white north.”
“Hmm… what do they speak?”
“Pretty much English, Nick.”
The plan was easy for there was only one player and she could win by throwing the game. The Beech family was ordered to open negotiations with the union representing crop laborers. The union was pleasantly surprised since the family had previously ignored them for decades. The union negotiators were further shocked when the Beech representatives agreed to the union’s initial demand of doubling the going rate of labor at the time. What happened afterward was reactionary. The Beech’s agreed to only allow those farmers who paid the union’s inflated hourly rate the use of their seeds. Since they controlled the seed market the farmers had no choice but to acquiesce. Thus, the farmer’s cost of sowing what they reaped rose which increased the cost of grain to the vendors who raised their prices accordingly and the end result was a backlash from the public who felt three dollars per carrot was a bit steep for the bunny-food. The public did what publics do and searched for the cause of their monetary discomfort and there, standing directly in front of them on the television screen was the answer; the low-down dirty crop-workers union. The union had no answer. They’d expected negotiations to act accordingly and result in an increase for their workers but not the insane rate they’d initially proposed for they were only opening the dialogue. They were more than willing to meet half-way which would’ve increased wages a tad but since the Beech family didn’t cry foul they surely weren’t going to turn down an offer so lucrative to their clients.
“So the workers are denying they set fire to the fields?”
“Yes, Nick, they’re saying ‘no’ at this time.”
“But the farmers still think they did it?”
“Yes, the farmers are pretty sure it was the laborers who torched their acres.”
“Why are they so sure?”
“Because the laborers have been taking it on the nose from the public so bad they actually went on strike demanding the farmers lower their pay so the customer could get some relief. The farmers say they would love to do so but are forbidden by contract to change the wage scale. The company at the top, Beech Incorporated, said it was unable to alter the contract because the union would sue. The union says they would be negligent in not suing because they are representing their members to the maximum of their ability. In the end it is the consumer who is paying for this fiasco so the farmers think the laborers set the fires to get a reset.”
“A reset?”
“Yes, they want to start over again. The farmers think the laborers set the crops on fire in order to begin a new growing season. They believe the laborers want to renegotiate their contract down before the public gets so mad they begin growing their own food.”
“Can we do that?”
“Do what?”
“Grow our own food?”
“Yes, Nick, anyone can grow food.”
The initial step was easy. Breed disgust of hourly workers by providing the public with what it subconsciously wanted; a person to blame for their ills. The second step was even easier. Wait for public demand to rise to the level of indignation and then add to the fire by providing the flames. No one knew how they started but start they surely did. Three thousand fires started by three hundred invisible Vamps guarded by three-hundred pound Wolves did the trick and no one saw a thing. The third step was the reliance on Humans reverting to form.
“Hello, I’m Tim Tidbit from the Channel Five First at Four News Team. I am here with Billy-Joe Oliver, a local farmer in the area. Mister Oliver, who do you think is responsible for the destruction of so much hard work and labor?”
“I think them Mexicans did it! I think them Mexicans is trying to take our lands from us!”
“Thank you very much for your opinion Mr. Oliver. This is Tim Tidbit with the
Channel Five First at Four News Team reporting from the scorched remains of Amarillo. Back to you, Nick.”
“Well, there you have it folks. A hard-working American laying the blame for the destruction of property squarely at the feet of Mexico. Thank you very much for watching the Channel Five First at Four News. We will keep you advised of any furthering developments in the Mexico Arson Inquiry and invite you back to the Channel Five Five-O’clock News immediately following this program.”
The public’s reaction began with a murmur and hushed voices in checkout lines.
“Mommy?”
“Yes, Timmy?”
“What’s a Mexican spark-plug?”
The tabloids were running wild with rumor and speculation. Everywhere one looked the gaze of potential conflict stared back. America was still a majority of European descent but the divide had shrunk over the centuries. Those of Latin heritage were making their presence felt but were becoming fearful of the response.
MEXICO ABLAZE WITH INDIGNATION!
FIRE!... from down below.
SCORCHED EARTH SIMMERING SOUTHERN SUSPICION!
MexicARSONists!
The embers were lit, the flames fueled and it was only a matter of time before the thing got out of control. A soccer match was organized by the non-profit Can’t-We-All-Just-Get-Along Corporation promoting peace and justice for all. It was held at the Texas Fairgrounds in the stadium previously known as the Cotton Bowl. It still had ‘Cotton Bowl’ imprinted in concrete above the entranceway to the grand old playing field but was no longer allowed to use the name because the annual college game which was held there for nearly a century had moved across town, out of the city actually, into a brand new stadium. Organizers were in a quandary to come up with a name for the event but felt since it was a friendly match they would let the problem fix itself. The players decided the issue during the interview portion of the event.
“Who’s going to win, Jake?”
“Well, Tim, Mexico’s got quite a good club but so do we. I’d say it’s pretty even between the two of us. If I were a betting man I’d say it was a toss-up.”
“A toss-up?”
“Yeah, sort of a pick ‘em as you see ’em match.”
The Cotton-Pick’em Soccer Match was a sellout.
Everyone who was anyone arrived early and viewed the American and Mexican teams put on one of the most boring matches in soccer history which was quite a feat considering the sport itself can and usually did end in a game decided by one and only one goal.
The crowd, of course, was split down the middle with those of Mexican heritage taking the south end and those of America the north. A few ruckuses broke out but on the whole the game was a success because the spectators were ill equipped to start anything when what was transpiring on the field made nap-time seem a logical decision for most.
Things actually appeared as though what was wanted was going to transpire; an easing of the tensions between neighbors. There was an undercurrent running through the event, though. The unease over the Alamo, the threatened eviction of a state from its territory, taco bombings and the incineration of food grains purportedly brought on by misguided Labor’s attempt to provide financial equity to their members in the crop-picking community had everyone anxious. The only thing needed was a spark to ignite the crowd. It came by way of lighter and friendly post-game ceremony.
The two teams met at the middle of the pitch. The normal trading of jerseys was done and the players were set to leave the field when a Mexican flag was proffered to an American player. The flag was accepted and those in the audience watched as it was lifted high for all to see. It was an acknowledgment of friendship between the players but as it waved in the gentle breeze blowing from the west a flame appeared. It wasn’t large at first, just the bottom corner of the unfurled cloth, but it grew quickly and before the player holding the symbol of Mexico knew what was happening the flag was a raging inferno.
“Hello, this is Nick Price with the Channel Five News at Six News Team. We have a breaking story developing. We go now live to Austin where Governor Austin Travis has called a surprise press conference. We were lucky enough to have our own award-winning reporter, Tim Tidbit, in the area and he is in the press corps receiving room. Tim, are you there?”
“Yes, Nick, I’m here.”
“Tim, can you report on what the Governor is going to say?”
“No.”
“No?”
“Yes, ‘no’, it’s a surprise press conference, Nick, so no one actually knows what he’s going to say.”
“Well, do you have any guesses as to what he’s going to say?”
“Um… probably something about Mexico, Nick.”
“What about Mexico, Tim?”
“Um… okay, look, I don’t have a clue what he’s going to say. I was down here with my girlfriend trying to fix our relationship after our last vacation was interrupted when the Disney Castle blew up so I haven’t really been paying all too much attention to what’s been transpiring between us and… oh, hold on, the Governors stepping to the podium as we speak.”
Governor Austin Travis, in blue suit and red tie strolled to the easel and looked directly into the camera.
“Hello fellow Texans. Earlier today at a friendly soccer match between our counties an unfortunate incident occurred. The flag of Mexico held aloft by one of our loyal and God-fearing patriots was set on fire. After consulting with fire experts and reviewing the footage a panel of bi-partisan electors has reached a conclusion; the fire was not set by any of our loyal citizens but instead was an elaborate ruse by the Mexican government to make our great state and the best country on the planet look bad in front of the eyes of the world.”
A video emerged on the screen behind the Governor.
“As you can see, while the flag was being held aloft not a single American was in position to ignite the cloth. Upon careful analysis it was concluded the blaze began in the lower right-hand corner and spread from there. It is the opinion of the experts that the flag was a plant, a symbol with an ignition device sewn inside set to go off after it was handed to one of our law-abiding sportsmen. We cannot and will not allow this kind of blatant fraud to exist. From this moment forward the state of Texas declares the country of Mexico to be a renegade.”
The press corps went berserk.
“Mr. Governor? Mr. Governor?” every reporter yelled.
“Yes, you in the front” he replied with a point of his finger.
“Mr. Governor, this is Tim Tidbit with Channel Five News, can you please tell us what a renegade is?”
The Governor had been expecting the question.
“A renegade is someone who strays outside the lines, someone who does not follow the rules, someone we cannot trust. As such I am immediately ordering the Texas National Guard to take up positions at the border. As of this minute all travel between Texas and Mexico is off-limits.”
Again the press went wild.
“Governor? Governor?” they yelled with raised hands.
“Yes, you in the back” he said with a smile and nod of his head.
“Mr. Governor, what about American citizens residing in Mexico. What about those on vacation?”
The Governor looked at the pretty reporter and smiled.
“They may re-enter through another state, Arizona perhaps. But as of right now the border of Texas is closed to all travel.”
The frenzy continued.
“Mr. Governor? Mr. Governor?”
“Yes” he indicated and elderly reporter in a fedora.
The man stood and glanced at his notes.
“Mr. Governor, you say you are closing the border with Mexico, correct?”
The Governor looked at the man quizzically, wondering where he would go with the follow-up sure to come next.
“Yes.”
“Is this to be a permanent closing?”
The Governor smiled inside for he truly didn’t know which reporter had been tabbed to toss him the soft-ball q
uestion. He and his aides had been going over the problem for weeks. They were losing in the court of world opinion and needed to change the conversation. The funny thing about the eviction case was the President of Mexico said he honestly couldn’t remember ever issuing the notice. He agreed the notice definitely had his signature but he said he signed so many it must have slipped his mind when he’d actually put his mark on paper. It didn’t matter, though, for the Mexican attorneys were kicking their Texan counterparts butts. The argument came down to a simple principle; does a deed signed under duress have legal binding? The question stemmed from the fact the man who signed Texas over to America was the commanding general of the troops who were defeated by the Texan militia. Mexico had already somewhat prevailed on the theory they were within their rights to demand the Americans leave their land for it was, at that time, their sovereign territory. The Texas lawyers conceded the fact themselves because their own childhood textbooks had been stating the claim since the first editions were printed. The remaining question the court was pondering was if a man has a knife to his throat does what he sign have any legal authority? The way the judges asked their questions led the Texas representatives to think they were actually going to side with Mexico.
The American public were of two minds on the matter. One side was more than happy to see their conservative brothers removed from the union but the other felt it was a betrayal. The only problem was California. If the court sided with Mexico then it was only logical to think they would go after the movie-star state. It was that shift in public perception which was so interesting. Some who sided with Texas were actually willing to let the state go if a similar situation could be arraigned to remove the liberal left coast from the equation. The reverse also held true for the other side. It was a version of addition by subtraction for quite a few because even though they sided with one and truly despised the other they thought it might be a net gain for the whole if the extremes were removed. Arizona also cried foul but no one really believed Mexico would even lay claim to the pueblo-living desert dwellers.
“The answer to your question depends on Mexico. If Mexico withdraws its illegitimate claim to the Great State of Texas and pays a price for their destructive behaviors then trade and travel can once again flourish between our two great peoples. Then, and only then, will I consider lifting the border blockade.”
The Governor had left it sitting out there waiting to be plucked. He picked the first hand which reached for the golden apple.
“Mr. Governor?”
“Yes” he replied knowing the question before it being put forth.
“Mr. Governor, Tim Tidbit from Channel Five News again, sir. What price must Mexico pay?”
They had discussed it at various meetings. The public liked strong leadership, they enjoyed when their side won and they really got excited when a hero emerged to do their bidding. They also found out one more thing the opinion polls were specific about.
“Cancun” he said.
The public adored the beach-resorts of Mexico.
“We will forgive our treacherous neighbors if they quit with their devious schemes and cede Cancun to the state of Texas.”