Forest Park: A Zombie Novel

by Jamie Marks

  However, he did look at the Tex Senior keeled over in his limousine, after a suspected heart attack felled him while he headed home from a charity dinner in aid of a children’s cancer benefit.

  Harris related to Ambrose, that Carnegie speculated on the stock market with great success. He had always been a gambler, and old money loved to gamble until the Dot-com crash.

  More than one hundred million dollars of his fortune had disappeared overnight. Within a few days of the Wall Street financial collapse, Carnegie told his friends who surrounded him one night that, “the meek will inherit the earth.” As such, he would now, after many years of living the high life, recommit to his duty and go back to a simple soldier’s life.

  This sudden change of heart shocked most, but it also gained him enormous respect among his peers and the political animals in Washington.

  Using his newly gained respect and meekness, Carnegie pushed his military and political career along, and much to his surprise, he was far more successful at being poorer than what he was being rich; of course, nobody really knew that all the riches had gone.

  He was now perceived as a levelheaded guy, a man who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but who now lived on a base and drove an ordinary sedan. He even demanded his children work through college to teach them a lesson in life, and unless they could pay their own way to Harvard, he wasn’t going to pay a cent to aid them.

  “All good things come earned through work and dedication.”

  In 2003, Carnegie stepped out of a Black Hawk helicopter and set his feet down firmly on Iraqi soil.

  According to the press, Carnegie led from the front, he took fire alongside his troops, he even fired back on occasions, but that was only a rumor.

  Instead of shooting, Carnegie preferred to carry a swagger stick, trying to emulate Patton.

  He was known for leaping into foxholes and sharing cold rations --- he drank the doughboys’ coffee and radioed in fire missions against insurgent positions.

  However, all that was a lie. Carnegie was a hopeless coward who never made a brave decision that wasn’t based on profit margins and backed by accountants. With his newfound taste for politics, Carnegie knew that everybody loved a hero, but without the cash to support his ambitions, he was well on the way to go nowhere unless he could find a way to have both--- the heroic status and the dollars to back it up.

  Ad-Dawr is a small rural town not far from the birthplace of the fallen Saddam Hussein’s home town of Tikrit, and the rumor was, Saddam was hiding somewhere in this area after the collapse of his regime.

  It was also said that Saddam had emptied Iraq’s bank vaults just before he skipped town and disappeared with hundreds of millions in foreign currency and precious jewels, not to mention millions and millions in bonds and securities.

  Tex “Cash” Carnegie then decided to busy himself with the hunt for Saddam and his lost millions. He pursued this beast day after day and night after night until he finally found what he was after, down a hole next to an abandoned farm, protected by two Bath party supporters who swore to protect what was hidden in the hole with their lives.

  Which both did after its discovery.

  Within weeks of Carnegie’s find, his closest companions on the ground (who had made a secret pact with Carnegie to divide the cash) in Iraq, also began to pay a heavy toll for their relationship with General Carnegie.

  One after another, until the general was the last man standing, they passed on and up into the waiting arms of God Almighty. Except by then, he was standing on American soil and being presented with the Medal of Honour for bravely fighting to his final round, while protecting his wounded officers and men until rescued.

  As luck would have it, the general was the only one to survive this fierce encounter with hundreds of insurgents one bleak night fifty miles from Baghdad.

  The President had found a general for a hero and Carnegie once again started to live it up and was heard saying, “Life is too short not to enjoy what God has given you, if riches are among his gifts bestowed upon a man, then who am I to deny this God-given blessing. For I believe the meek will inherit the earth, and as such, I accept what has been given to me and not deny God his wishes. I am a humble man.”

  “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts and self-proclaimed humble men,” Harris said to Ambrose that dark stormy night in Washington.

  Toward the end of the long oak table sat Thomas Holtz, the Vice President. Holtz was a close friend of General Carnegie and a bitter opponent of both Schwartz and Lieberman. Holtz had only recently celebrated his 55th birthday, and the anniversary of his first term in office as the Vice President of the United States. Dignitaries from all over the world had come to celebrate this (and the President’s) milestone at a lavish public reception for the press, and then a private party behind closed doors with scotch-filled glasses and fat Cuban cigars.

  It was around this time when close friends and associates began to see the cracks showing in both the President’s relationship with Holtz and the relationship the President had with many of the Washington long-timers.

  Within the early months of the President’s first term in office, things began to change around Capitol Hill.

  Favors had ceased having a price tag, and the old men of the Hill were now just glimpsing a new vision of the future. The era of Green Politics had arrived in Washington.

  The new President’s electoral success was due to his acceptance of global warming and his views on old-fashioned values and religion.

  Faith and Green issues was the cornerstone of his election campaign, faith and an urgent need for social change to begin a golden period of wealth and prosperity for America. The new President wanted to bring American jobs back home, and be the Green savior of American industry, and he vowed to allow each young American to have the right to choose between Darwin and Creation in public schools. He believed creationism was a science and a practical alternative to the men in white lab-coats --- this belief now clouded his view on the current crisis. A terrorist act may be the act of the devil, but even the devil submits to the plan of God.

  Before the crisis, the President preached that small towns were on their way back, and that the young people who had left the land to chase opportunity in the city and to avoid the crippling debts of farming, would now be encouraged to stay. Both Holtz and the President were hitting the streets, proclaiming that with government incentives and a building from the ground-up approach that the country was going to turn around, a country, which had for years been lost in the mire of international wars and globalization.

  They equally preached a simpler approach to both domestic and foreign problems.

  They both preached America for Americans.

  Having faith as a cornerstone of policy was always a winner in Holtz’s eyes, a guaranteed win, but there was only one drawback to this approach. Holtz wasn’t a particularly religious man and what had happened during his first term while he was second fiddle, had seriously begun to worry him and the others who surrounded him.

  The fact was the new President scared Holtz --- he was unpredictable and based many of his decisions on prayer and conscience, but worst of all, his near fanatical Christian brothers and sisters from the church easily swayed him.

  Within months, some of Holtz’s long-time friends were in jail on corruption charges (no matter what party they belonged to) and it seemed to Holtz that it was only a matter of time before the Feds knocked on his door as well.

  All over Capitol Hill, people were running scared.

  The President, only days before the current crisis broke, was considering what he called “the eye of the needle tax,” based on the premise that a rich man had as much chance of getting into heaven as a camel had in climbing through the eye of a needle.

  He was about to propose higher taxes on America’s leading companies and corporations, which Holtz and many others believed would cripple any new economic recovery. This new tax would provide for dramatic social reforms and Gr
een initiatives, and cost America’s richest billions, “Something they could afford,” the President said.

  At the end of the table sat the President, Joseph Walker, his gaunt face and tired eyes relayed his anxieties and troubled thoughts. His deep brown eyes gave him a hint of innocence and naivety, which was in a way true.

  Walker was a profoundly thoughtful and honest man who lived his life according to the gospels and his own personal piety. To those who first met him, he seemed deeply out of his league in the cutthroat world of big-time politics. A country boy with honest expressions and truly felt emotions, he radiated a certain vibe. He made you feel special, almost as if you were his entire world, and your problems were also his.

  He made a man feel that he was also carrying your burdens, like Atlas, he had the world on his shoulders.

  It was a gift.

  To people like Holtz, it was a gift that they couldn’t comprehend.

  Walker could shame a man with a single look. He made bad people feel dreadful for their failures --- for their corruption and their back-door dealings.

  However, in making others feel insecure about their way of life. He was creating enemies of his own, some very powerful ones indeed.

  Walker looked around the table, seemingly holding eye contact with everyone, even though he only scanned the table for a moment or two, then he spoke.

  “Gentlemen, I want to thank you for coming to this meeting today. I know you all have pressing matters to deal with which concern this current crisis, and I understand that you will wish to go back to deal with those matters as soon as possible.”

  The table nodded in unison. Except for Harris, Ambrose noticed.

  Walker then continued. “First, I would like to start with some relatively good news. It appears the flu element of the epidemic is easing. This may be due to the wide use of Tamiflu, limited as it was. I’m now told that the flu virus has mutated into a less lethal form. Even so, according to the experts, it does seem possible, but remote, that we may all become carriers. This means our people may not succumb to the virus as easy as before. However, the long-term consequences of the mutation remain unclear. Nevertheless, it’s a step forward, and with time and prayer, I’m sure better news will be forthcoming. I don’t believe I will be understating the fact that this is the greatest dilemma that this country has ever faced, not to mention our friends in Europe and Asia. Our nation is in the grip of terror, and our people are looking for leadership and especially to us for a solution to this crisis.” He paused for a moment to let his words sink in.

  “And I for one do not intend to let them down. First, I would like to express my gratitude to all you for being so prompt in dealing with this situation and for accepting the meager resources that we have at hand. The situation is far from perfect, but the work all of you have done so far has been brilliant.” President Walker looked around the room to reinforce this sentiment.

  “Now, before I continue, I would like to hear some of your opinions on what solutions you have in mind and what challenges you believe we have to overcome to get through this. So I open the floor. And please use my Christian name; we can drop Mister President for this occasion.”

  Alan Lieberman went first. “Joseph, I’d like to say that the leadership you’ve displayed during the last week was outstanding, and I speak for everyone here when I express that truth. You’ve been an inspiration to everyone at this table and to our citizens who look to you for guidance and reassurance.”

  President Walker smiled and nodded his acceptance at what his friend had said. “Thank you, Alan.”

  “Joseph, what we have here is a legal black hole.”

  President Walker nodded again.

  “Law and order has broken down causing bedlam on the streets. The police are over stretched, and our friends in the military have their hands full, both overseas and at home.”

  Carnegie glanced over at Homeland Security Advisor Kurt Schwartz, hoping for a response. None came. Once Lieberman gets started, he’s hard to stop, Carnegie remembered.

  “What I’m concerned with is this. When a cure for the condition that is afflicting the contaminated population is found, it will be too late. Many people have taken the law into their own hands, in misguided attempts at self-defence, instead of trying to isolate and contain the infected. I would like to point out that some National Guard and other military units have sent the wrong signal to the average person in the street by not opting to use restraint first, as ordered. I understand these incidents are at most isolated, but already too many people have died thanks to shoot first and ask questions later. Once a cure is found and this condition reversed, we will have blood on our hands if we do not do something to stop gun violence. We need effective gun control.”

  “This is ridiculous!” Holtz said.

  “What is ridiculous is the number of guns on our streets,” Lieberman answered.

  “The guns on our streets, using this crisis to push your gun-control agenda is beyond inappropriate...” Holtz said.

  Carnegie added, “It’s outrageous!”

  Lieberman shook his head in disbelief, “Inappropriate and outrageous --- both of you wrote the book!” he said, and then turned to face President Walker. “Listen to me, Joseph. I understand there are some, true cases of self-defence involved. I don’t deny that. However, armed people, who are trained or not, are more than capable of defending themselves against one of the infected. As such, a trained soldier working in a unit is more than able to round up these people safely and deliver them to holding facilities.”

  “I agree with you about gun control. Although I am unsure whether this is the time,” President Walker said.

  “There is never a good or easy time, Joseph,” Lieberman said.

  “Why is this even being considered?” Holtz interjected. “So there are guns on the streets, I for one think the people who are using them probably need them.”

  “And I have to agree,” Carnegie added. “Our boys are doing all they can...”

  “I’m not saying they’re not doing all they can,” Lieberman interrupted, “what I was saying was this, things can get done without using the most violent option first. “ Lieberman said in a raised voice.

  “It’s obvious you don’t know what you’re talking about,” Carnegie said, sounding disgusted. “Liberal policies don’t work in times of crisis. Sometimes a man has to take action --- so I’m not too surprised you can’t get your head around what needs doing.”

  Lieberman shook his head. “You’re a bigger idiot than I have given you credit for, General. I assure you, once this is over you’ll be finished, one way or another.”

  “Is that a threat, Lieberman? What right do you have to threaten a national hero?” Carnegie said.

  “I don’t make threats, General. You should know that by now.”

  Ambrose smiled as he listened and thought, buying medals has its drawbacks.

  “That’s enough,” President Walker suddenly said.

  “Mr. President, I would like to know what he meant by that,” said Carnegie.

  “You know what he meant, General, but we’ll deal with that rumor at a more appropriate time. We’re here for solutions and not arguments. So bury your hatchets,” President Walker added, silencing Carnegie.

  “The solution isn’t to detain people, Joseph. The situation outside has gone beyond getting bad by the day, it’s getting worse by the hour,” Holtz said.

  “I know what the situation is, that’s why we’re here,” President Walker said. “The situation, no matter its severity, doesn’t call for open slaughter. I won’t abide by that, and I will tell you now that it’s not an option, not ever while I’m the President.”

  “Nobody is speaking about open slaughter,” Carnegie said.

  “I know perfectly well where this debate is heading, General. I may seem naive, but I’m far from it, nor will I be steamrolled by a man who’s used to no one’s authority but his own, General. In fact, I think it would be best if you
waited outside, and if I need your opinion again, which I doubt, I’ll call for you. You’re dismissed, General.”

  Carnegie looked over to Holtz, who shrugged his shoulders.

  Carnegie slowly left his chair and exited the situation room, never to speak to the President again.

  “But look at that, Joseph?” Holtz said pointing to the half-dozen monitors showing news reports from around America and the rest of the world. “What about that, Joseph? You say you don’t want slaughter, but virtues can only get you so far! We have to take action; we can’t rely on pipe dreams and wishful thinking.”

  President Walker said nothing.

  “You talk of slaughter,” Holtz continued, “and it’s happening right now. It’s a fact. Can’t you see the truth of it?”

  “I think that’s enough,” Kurt Schwartz suddenly said.

  “So you speak now!”

  “This is getting us nowhere,” Lieberman added.

  “For once I agree with you,” Holtz interposed, “we need direct action. We need to eradicate the problem, by any means possible --- let’s stop dancing around this all-important issue. We need to fight back...”

  “Ah!” Lieberman said. “There it is! The right wing’s answer is to solve the world’s problems, with a gun or an ICBM.”

  “It’s our only choice. We can’t reverse what has happened to these people; the time has passed. It’s not guns out there killing people now --- it’s Dead people killing people!”

  “It’s not our only choice, Thomas,” President Walker said. “With more time, we can solve this.”

  “Really, Joseph, we’re looking at the end. We have planes falling from the sky for God’s sake, and we have anarchy on the streets --- who’s going to do a damn thing about it?” Holtz said.

  “I doubt it’s the end, Thomas,” Lieberman said. “I think Joseph is correct. We need more time.”

  “You can doubt what you wish, Alan, but people are in trouble out there. The nation is in trouble out there,” he said pointing to the monitors, “and you’re struggling to see the big picture. What’s really happening?”