Midas w-2

by Russell Andrews

  Justin shrugged off the comment, but he could see the way his father and Bruno were looking at him. Bruno’s gaze shifted from Justin over to Reggie, then back to Justin. He didn’t say another word about it, just nodded as if he’d confirmed something in his own mind.

  The lunch went on, Justin’s father a bit amazed at Bruno’s stories, Roger Mallone finally regaining some color in his face, and then the phone at the bar rang and, as part of the background, he heard Art answer the phone, say, louder than normal, “What?! Jesus Christ!” Justin turned around, saw Art hurriedly slam the phone down, go to the television that hung in the corner of the bar, and use the remote control to click it on. Art switched to CNN and Justin saw several customers get up and rush to stand in front of the TV. He heard the solemn tone of the commentator, then without saying anything, he too stood and moved to the bar. He found himself standing next to Reggie, and he realized the entire restaurant had surged forward. They were all circling the television, and there was total silence except for the newscaster’s voice, saying, “Again, this just breaking story coming to us from outside Washington, D.C. Edwin McElvy is standing by outside the McDonald’s in Silver Spring, Maryland, the site of what is apparently the latest suicide terrorist bombing here on American soil. Edwin?”

  The scene on the television shifted to an African American reporter standing across the street from a McDonald’s. In the background, firemen were working fervently to put out the flames that enveloped the boxlike structure. The building was basically a shell, with smoke clouding whatever was left standing. The odd thing was that the golden arches in front of the building-the ultimate corporate symbol-had been untouched. The smoke seemed to give them a divine glow as they loomed above and behind the newscaster.

  “Thank you, Al. Another tragic bombing has occurred, the third on American soil in the past several weeks, this time shattering this quiet D.C. suburb and striking at perhaps the ultimate symbol of American culture. The bomber, who was killed in the explosion, apparently strolled into the fast-food restaurant at approximately one-thirty this afternoon, a little over half an hour ago. According to one of the two survivors, a young woman who worked behind the counter, a Middle Eastern-looking man came in, walked up to a customer, a woman in her forties, who was there with two young children, and said something to her. The witness, a young woman named Dinitia Ogilvie, did not hear what was said, but she reports that the woman began to scream uncontrollably. Mere moments later, the bomb went off. Approximately fifteen customers were killed, along with the entire McDonald’s staff, with the exception of Ms. Ogilvie.”

  “Edwin, excuse me for interrupting.” This was from the first newscaster, Al something, back in the studio. “Were there any survivors other than Ms. Ogilvie?”

  “One little girl survived, Al. I don’t have any of the details, or any identification. The only information I’ve got is that she seemed to be around eight or nine years old and she was hurt quite badly. She’s been taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Washington where the medics were not sanguine about her chances, but, of course, right now the whole world is hoping and praying for her and we’ll keep everyone apprised of her condition. It’s somewhat of a miracle she’s made it this far.”

  “Thank you. Is there any information at all about the bomber himself or about the reason for this particular target?”

  “Right now, Al, we don’t know anything about the bomber. The FBI has not been able to even enter the building so far. As you can see, firemen are still battling to put out the blaze. So anything I reported would be merely conjecture or rumor, and that’s not what the situation calls for.”

  “No, that’s absolutely right. Thank you, Edwin McElvy. A very good job under very difficult and traumatic circumstances. We’ll be back to you as events develop.”

  The newscaster began a rehash of recent events-the explosions at Harper’s and La Cucina-and Justin turned away. He was overcome by something he hadn’t felt in a long time. Rage. He could feel the blood rushing to his head and he looked down to find his hands clenched. The customers at Art’s had broken their silence now but Justin couldn’t understand anything they were saying. It was a cacophony of noise and, as he started to sway at the bar, he felt the rush of conversation turn into something physical and stifling and he realized he had to get out of there fast. He was going to burst and he knew what could happen, what he was capable of, when things burst inside of him. So he began pushing his way through the crowd. Head down, he made a path for the front door, vaguely aware that his father was watching him curiously, that Bruno saw what was happening, that someone was in his way but then Bruno was there and the guy was gone, lifted out of Justin’s path, then Justin was outside, on Main Street, in the cold. He’d left his jacket inside the restaurant but he was sweating as he stood on the street. His breath was coming hard and quick. He forced himself to slow it down. He remembered what Deena had taught him during her yoga lessons: breathe deeply, breathe through the nose, let the breath go all the way through, feel it in your face and your neck, your chest, all the way down and out. .

  He was feeling better. The world was coming back into focus. The red and yellow lights that were flashing behind his eyes had gone away. And then he felt someone come out from behind him, step out from the restaurant to join him on the street. He turned. It was Reggie. She’d left her coat behind, too, and as she stepped to be beside him, her arms went wrapped around her torso and she shivered. They stood together, saying nothing, until she spoke quietly and gently.

  “You all right?”

  He liked the way she said it. Not condescending, not even too curious about what had set him off. Just concerned and letting him know that’s the way she felt, no judgment involved.

  He nodded. “Better,” he said.

  “It just got to you, huh? I mean, another explosion.”

  This time he shook his head and she looked surprised. “So what?” she asked.

  “It was the target. The people who got killed there.” He swallowed deeply. Took another slow yoga breath.

  “What target?” When he didn’t answer, she said, “You mean specific people?” This time, when he gave a quick, curt nod, she said, “But they don’t know who was in the place. They don’t know the identity of the victims yet.”

  “I do,” Justin said.

  “How can-”

  “Where was I yesterday?” he asked. And when her eyes just narrowed, he said, “Silver Spring.”

  “You’re talking about the pilot’s family.”

  “Yeah.”

  “But just ’cause you were there, that doesn’t mean-”

  “Yes it does.”

  She kept quiet, stared at him intently as if trying to figure out which one he was: smart or crazy.

  “The little girl I talked to. She said she and her sister wanted to go to McDonald’s but their mother was too afraid to take them out. I told her she’d get to go soon, that she should help her mother get over her fear.” He exhaled an icy breath. “I guess she felt a little safer after I left. Or else she didn’t care anymore.”

  “Jay, you don’t really know it was them.”

  “A little nine-year-old girl. Hannah. They said the guy, the bomber, went up to a woman with two kids. The one that’s still alive, barely, they said she was eight or nine. A mother and two kids, same age, it’s not a coincidence. I went and talked to them and now they’re dead. Or might as well be.”

  “Why?” she breathed. “Why would they kill a mother and two little girls?”

  “I don’t know,” he said. And shaking his head, he said it again. “I don’t know. But I’m going to find out. I’m going to find out why and I’m going to find out who.”

  She kept quiet now, which was the right thing to do. They stood out there together, maybe ten more minutes, until Bruno came out, alone.

  “You want me to take your dad and that other guy to the airport?” he asked Justin.

  Justin nodded.

  “You gonna need me for a
nything after that?”

  “No. Thank you.”

  “I don’t like this shit either, Jay. So if you need my particular skill sets, whenever that might be, I’m offerin’.”

  Justin raised his eyes wearily, an acceptance of Bruno’s offer. Then Bruno went inside, returned a few moments later with Jonathan Westwood, Roger Mallone, and Connie Martin. The actress looked concerned. Mallone looked frightened. Justin’s father was impassive. He said nothing to his son, but he did reach out and gently squeeze his arm.

  “Bruno,” Justin said. “Check with the pilot. Make sure no one, and I mean no one, had any physical contact with the plane. If anyone did, make sure it’s checked out before it takes off.”

  “I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” Jonathan said. “It’s my usual pilot. He couldn’t be more trustworthy.”

  “But these aren’t the usual circumstances,” Justin told him. To Bruno he said, “Check out every little detail.”

  “If you need anything, let me know,” his father told him.

  “Hopefully, you’ve given me enough. But I will. Thank you.”

  “Jay,” his father said, then stopped. His lips were pursed as if the words were stuck inside.

  “Go ahead and say whatever you want to say.”

  “The thing is, I don’t think I have anything to say. I feel like I should give you some advice, but I doubt there’s anything I could tell you that you don’t already know.”

  “I guess we’ll see soon enough,” Justin said.

  Jonathan nodded crisply and Bruno led his group down Main Street to where his SUV was parked. Justin couldn’t help himself; he held his breath when the engine started up. As the car pulled onto the road, he relaxed.

  “The big guy. Bruno,” Reggie said. “What are his particular skill sets?”

  “Pretty much what you think they are.”

  “Must be nice to have so many people who want to help you out.”

  “I guess it is.”

  “You need any more help?” she asked.

  “Yeah,” he said. “I think I’m gonna need all the help I can get.”

  23

  Associated Press story, circulated on America Online

  Updated: 03:37 PM EDT

  President Anderson Approval Rating

  Carries VP Dandridge to Top of Polls

  By DEB REYNOSO, AP

  November 21

  Concerns About Civil Liberties

  Dismissed by Attorney General

  Priority Given to War on Terror

  Washington, D.C.-According to the latest Gallup Poll, the recent spate of terrorist activity within the United States has propelled President Thomas Anderson from the lowest to the highest approval rating he has achieved in the seven years of his presidency. In the wake of those positive numbers, Vice President Phillip Dandridge now has an unprecedented lead over any possible opposition in next year’s presidential race.

  Prior to the suicide bombing of Harper’s Restaurant in East Hampton, New York, on November 4 of this year, the percentage of Americans who approved of President Anderson’s performance stood at 42 %. The poll has a margin of error of plus/minus 4 %. According to those questioned in September of this past year, the President’s numbers were down because the majority of people disapproved of the way he was handling the economy as well as the ongoing military situation in Iraq, the various human rights scandals that have emerged there, and what Secretary of State Clayton Bendix calls “The Path to Peace” in the Middle East. As a result of such negative reaction, Vice President Dandridge’s poll ratings were dragged down as well. The Vice President lagged well behind his two likely opponents for next year’s election. The poll now shows, however, that an overwhelming 91 % of the American people approve of the job President Anderson is doing. A nearly equal amount, 88 %, support the Triumph of Freedom Act the President is currently attempting to pass through Congress. The legislation is the centerpiece of the administration’s self-declared war on terrorism.

  Carried by President Anderson’s newfound popularity and support, Vice President Dandridge’s numbers have surged. He is now viewed favorably by 78 % of the American population-up nearly 30 % from the previous poll-and 67 % of registered voters now say they will support him in the next presidential election.

  There has been muted criticism from political opponents that the President and, in particular, Vice President Dandridge and Attorney General Jeffrey Stuller, are using the Triumph of Freedom Act to greatly limit civil liberties, as well as to cement their political standings, but the public does not seem to agree. The Vice President stated yesterday, “No one wants to erode or abridge anyone’s civil rights, especially the President and myself. However, as President Anderson and Attorney General Stuller have said repeatedly, what people must understand is that we are at war. And during wartime, priorities must sometimes shift away from the idealistic and toward reality. Right now, the reality is that we must and will do everything possible to protect our country and our country’s citizens from further attacks. That is the President’s priority, and it is, he believes, the country’s priority. To that end, his hands must not be tied and he must be able to deal with these unprecedented attacks.”

  According to the Gallup Poll, President Anderson and his likely successor have correctly assessed the desires of the American people and the Congress. The Triumph of Freedom Act is expected to unanimously pass through both the House and the Senate within a matter of days. During the same period of time, the Supreme Court is due to make a ruling on the treatment of prisoners being held as suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay. The President has drawn a line in the sand, openly declaring that any and all prisoners seized during combat with Afghanistan and Iraq, or as suspects connected with any act of terrorism, shall be considered “enemy combatants” and thus not subject to the rules of the Geneva Conventions. If the court rules in the administration’s favor as it is expected to do, and if the Triumph of Freedom Act passes, terrorist suspects will be able to be detained and questioned for an indeterminate length and with no right to legal counsel.

  At a press conference, Shirley Greene, the lawyer for five men living in upstate New York recently accused of being members of a terrorist cell and currently being detained at the U.S. military base at Gitmo, as it is often called, said, “No one is denying the horror of the acts [such as yesterday’s McDonald’s suicide bombing] being committed. And no one wants an end to such acts more than I do. But the ramifications of what the President and Attorney General Stuller are trying to do are at least as terrifying as the terrorist acts themselves. Mr. Stuller wants us to understand that we are at war. Well, even during wartime, people have rights. The reason we’re fighting this war is to preserve the very rights that Attorney General Stuller is trying to take away from us.”

  Mr. Stuller did not respond directly to Ms. Greene’s criticism, but at a separate press conference, he did say, “This is not the time for anyone to be questioning our government’s commitment to freedom or to give any encouragement to an enemy bent on destroying everything this country has stood for and fought for since its inception. I will not dignify such criticism with a response other than to say that those critics will also be protected from terrorist activities by our actions and our policies.”

  President Anderson issued a statement saying that he fully supported Mr. Stuller and his handling of the terrorist attacks. “We have done a remarkable job gathering information,” the statement said, “under the supervision and leadership of Attorney General Stuller. I expect that the whole country will soon realize, when new facts come to light and this terrorist cell that’s attacking our country is destroyed once and for all, what an extraordinary job he’s doing. It will not be long before the siege we have experienced is over and the evildoers responsible for it are brought to swift and final justice.”

  The only voice of caution within the government has been from Assistant Attorney General Ted Ackland, who is often mentioned as a possible vice presidential
running mate for Mr. Dandridge. Mr. Ackland said that he supported the steps taken by the administration to curtail terrorist activity but he acknowledged the dangers that come with such steps.

  “I understand the concerns that citizens have about the potential for the abuse of the rights of individuals,” he said. “I share them. Most thinking, caring people do. But those concerns must, at least momentarily, be weighed against the concerns for the greater good. If we should ever lose the war on terrorism, such rights would be nonexistent. My belief is that we should put a time limit on this proposed legislation, see how the government handles its newfound power, and then reexamine the situation. Wartime is no time to panic or to make irrevocable decisions. It’s a time to lead decisively but thoughtfully. It’s also a time to constantly examine one’s decisions so errors can be corrected and we can move into the future with a clear sight and sound mind.”

  Attorney General Stuller had no comment on Mr. Ackland’s comments but he did stress that he agreed with the President’s position that the Triumph of Freedom Act should be passed as a permanent fixture of this and future governments.

  CNN Moneyline story, circulated on America Online

  Oil Prices Percolate Close

  To Record Levels

  November 21

  London-World oil prices bubbled to record highs today as OPEC’s top official said producers were powerless to manage a spike driven by factors outside its control.

  U.S. crude futures by 1600 GMT were up 8 cents at $55.25 a barrel, surpassing Friday’s $53.92, to reach an all-time high in the 21-year history of the New York Mercantile Exchange contract.

  Crude rebounded strongly on Wednesday from a reversal early in the week that raised hopes among consumer nations that the worst might be over for an oil price scare threatening to blunt global economic growth.

  Struggling to cope with growth in fuel demand fired by world economic expansion, OPEC says it can do little to douse prices now up more than 25 percent this year.