"You did some fine shootin' yourself, pard," said Pierre. "Did I say that right?"
"Yep, and your French/Texas accent was spot on."
"Maybe you should start writing all this down," said Elspeth, "You could send John a bill later."
"Yes, I will think about that. The bullet, it passed through. It could have been much worse."
"Who blew up the boat?" said Fred. "That was a nice piece of work."
Fred was louder than normal when he asked the question and a couple of patrons looked in their direction. John noticed and moved his palm in an up and down motion to quiet the group.
"That was me," said Charles in a quieter voice. "I had a couple of those left over from a previous job."
"Blew 'em clean out of the water," said George. "We just got there when it went off. Real purty. We were a mile up the coast when we heard the shots. With all that diesel burnin' and lightin' up the water, it was like shootin' rats in a barrel. Haven't had that much fun in years. You always knew how to show a guy a good time, John. Maybe, not as good as those parties you used to have."
John leaned closer to the table. "Thanks, but I'm afraid those days are over. Did you guys check the news this morning?"
"Yeah, John. China still says it's all under control. No problem. You sure this is goin' down like you said? Maybe they'll find a cure. Then, everything will be back to normal. What do ya think?"
"And don't forget, George, no other countries have said anything. Not a peep," said Fred. "John, we're trusting you, with our whole life. Everything we've saved and everything we had. I got rid of mine at a discount price. This better be what you said."
"Don't worry. You haven't wasted your money or your life. Just to bring you up to date, so you know what we know, Masako, tell them everything your father has told you."
"Sure. As some of you know, my father works at a newspaper in Tokyo …"
"The biggest newspaper in Japan and he's the chief editor," interrupted John.
"Yes, and the newspaper's Chinese correspondents said the hospitals were full, tents were set up outside to hold new patients, bodies were being dumped into mass graves and no form of preventive measure had worked. They tried the usual methods of fighting a virus and nothing helped. Also, it takes months, sometimes a year, to develop a vaccine. The virus is spreading so fast that they won't have time to develop a vaccine before it has attacked the whole world."
"Sounds real bad, little lady."
"It is, George. He said several cases have occurred in Japan. That was a week ago. I talked to him this morning and the paper's correspondents in China have disappeared. They sent in several reports after I left Japan and those reports said that the virus had spread all over China, with the worst around Ruhan, of course. He thinks the government has imprisoned the correspondents or taken away their phones. If the correspondents had only become sick, they would have sent a report before they became totally disabled."
"Sounds like dedicated folks. Probably have some Texan blood in 'em."
"Also, when we left Japan, there were several cases of the virus on the southern island, Okinawa, the one closest to China. This morning, he said that not only Okinawa, but also Hokkaido, the northern island has been closed down with dozens of cases. At least two cases have been found north of Tokyo. Mortality is over ninety percent, maybe over ninety-five percent. It seems cruel to reduce so much suffering to a simple statistic. The whole world is changing, billions will die and it all becomes one little number. My father thinks Japan will no longer function within two months."
"Hot dang!"
Masako's voice had become scratchy and she stopped talking, took a long drink of water and used her napkin to blot her eyes.
"Marceau, please tell them what your father said."
"Before we left, France had discovered the first cases. It was kept highly secret, but my father, like John's was in the business of, as John puts it, knowing other people's business. This morning, he said over a hundred in France were sick and the first two have died. The French doctors have tried everything to find a cure or a vaccine with no luck." She stopped talking and started crying. "It is the end. My father said that, but I did not believe him. Papa, I am so sorry for doubting you."
"Thank you Marceau. Tom, what do you know?"
"My grandfather and John's stepfather worked together. Granddad stays in touch with his former students and coworkers. He said that over five thousand in Britain are sick and over a thousand have died. Germany is in even worse shape. He also said that most of Southeast Asia has been infected, including Cambodia and Viet Nam. Korea has begun to report cases and several have been found in India. He believes that several million have died in China and more than ten million are sick. In a country of over a billion, ten million sick is not really a problem, the nation will keep going -- if it doesn't become worse. But if it keeps spreading, things will fall apart."
"That was something I forgot about," said Fred. "If China stops shipping and people stop seeing goods in the store, we'll have a panic bigger than anything anybody has ever seen."
"China will be functionally gone in another month, maybe only a few weeks. If they stop exporting, then, as you say, many of the things on store shelves here and in Britain will disappear within days and major panic will take over. He thinks the panic will hit the United States, whether any virus cases show up here or not. We may have two weeks or a month to be ready, but not more. Maybe less."
"Oui," said Pierre. "I hate to be the one who says it, but we would be better off if the virus did hit here quickly. There would be less competition for goods."
"Pierre," said Marceau, "You are so horrible. How could you think such a thing?"
"Simple logic, mon amour. We have to obtain so many things. You saw all the lists we made on the ship. They are vast. We will be working day and night."
"Soon it'll be like the wild west Texas towns. And not in a good way," said George.
"John, how do you know we won't become infected?" said Harry. "We will have to go out in the public to buy supplies."
"I don't, Harry. I suspect that Cho and I and maybe Fred, George and Charles are immune to the virus, but I'm not sure. My plan was that we all do what we have to until the first case shows up in our area. After that, the five of us are the only ones who go out in public with Cho and I doing most of that."
"You sure we're immune?" said George.
"I'm sure Cho and I are immune to the virus. I'm not sure about anybody else. However, once the virus strikes and people die, the bodies will pile up and rot in the streets. Nobody will be immune to that. When that happens, we will all have to stay away from strangers or take a big risk. The place where we are going to live is in the mountains. The nearest neighbor is a mile away. Unless we go to Montana, this is our best bet. I'm thinking that the virus will only be a problem for a month or two. After that, we can all go where we want, but should still avoid strangers for a while."
"This is all so sad," said Marceau.
"Sad, but that will be our reality. If that's all anyone has to say, then we should be heading for home."
"How far home?"
"Maybe four hours. Depends on which way we go. What do you think Fred, will you or George need to stop off anywhere on our way?"
"Not me. George, how about you?"
"Nope. John said to be ready to go and I'm ready. Might be a good idea to stop off at some grocery stores and start picking up supplies. Maybe Wal-Mart for some shells. Sounds like we can't have too many. I used half a box last night. You do throw one helluva party, John. Always did. I'm wonderin' if you have some Texan blood."
"It looked like you were trying to wipe out all those guys, not just scare them off."
"I only wish I was the one that sunk the boat. That was amazin'. But that honor goes to Charles. Like I said before, when you see a rattler, you stomp it. Sounds like Charles has some experience with rattlers."
"Snakes, yes. Mostly, the two-legged variety. And I agree. Stomp those
critters."
"Also," said Fred, "it sounds like we need another vehicle. Our SUVs are going to be full with people and luggage. I have a roof rack and we can put some stuff there, but not enough for even a week's groceries for eleven people. But if what you're saying is true, we'll have to do some serious shopping. The two SUVs are not going to be big enough."
"What are you thinking about?" asked John.
"Either a large van or a small box truck. Wouldn't have to be new. I figure we'll be foraging a lot, but not a thousand miles away. We'll want to keep it local to reduce travel time."
"Vans are more common," said George. "Less noticeable. Lots of people have vans. Nobody would notice a ratty lookin' white van going down the road. But pull up to a grocery store in a box truck and people will be askin' what you're doin'. Why do you need all that food? One of the most important rules of survival is to blend in. Not be seen. Don't make waves. While you guys are out shopping, we'll scout around for a van. I have plenty of money left over from sellin' my place."
"Better use it soon, or it will be worthless," said Masako. "It is so strange to say that. We've been trying all our lives to make money and keep it, but soon it will all be worthless. Buy now or waste it. Convert it into something that can be used or bartered. So sad. The whole world is going to change and we don't know what it's going to change into."
"I do," said George. "and I'll bet that so does Fred and Charles and John and probably Cho, too." At least short term. Lots of people will die from the virus and we'll have a panic. Maybe two panics. One for the virus and one for people running out of somethin' to eat. Don't know which will come first. But either way, when the panic hits, all the rules are gone. People will do anything for a loaf of bread, and they'll kill you if you get in their way. People will be mean, nasty and evil. It'll be horrible. We'll really have to be on our toes. Trust nobody, suspect everyone. Isn't that what you always say, John?"
John nodded and smiled. "Afraid so, George."
"That will last for maybe a month until most either starve to death or are shot. Most people have a week of food in their house, maybe two or three. Another three weeks to starve to death. "Then, we'll have a period of snipin'. Two or three months, I figure. Everybody will see everybody else as a competitor for the little bit of food that's left. So, whether you are tryin' to rob somebody or not, if you get in their sights, they'll take the shot. Just to reduce competition and to eliminate you as a possible threat."
"How do we counter this sniping?" said Tom.
"We travel at night and we are careful," said Charles.
"I have some ideas on that," said George. "By the end of the snipin' period, everybody will be set up or dead. Snipin' will be down, but not completely gone because a few will have food for six months or more. Maybe then, we'll have a time of better safety and some cooperation. Sometime in there, one of these crazies will decide that, in all the chaos, they are boss and we'll have a little war. Then, maybe, another time of peace until the next little war. Could be fun, if we have enough food and bullets, if you like little wars."
"Oh my God," said Masako. "That's horrible."
"Masako was right also about money. After the panic, havin' money left in your pocket will be kind of like being voted off the island with the immunity necklace in your pocket. I think I know exactly what I'll spend my extra money on."
"What's that, George?" said Harry.
"Jim Beam. I'll hit every liquor store we pass."
"Better keep it locked up when Elspeth is around."
"Bloody cheek of that boy. Harry! How dare you! Tom, you should do something about him."
"Me? He's your brother. He knows you better than anybody does. You do something."
"Tom. How dare you! Besides, I've tried. He's impossible. I don't know why I brought him along."
"I'll check the GPS," said John. "We'll pick up as many canned goods as we can carry, but spread them out across half a dozen stores. Some firearms too. If anybody sees us stocking up, they might do the same and it could start the panic. That will happen soon enough. I don't think it would be as soon as next week. How's everybody been taking it here, so far, Fred? You see anything at all?"
"No panic buying or stocking up. If I didn't have a lot of faith in you, I wouldn't be involved in this, at all. The media hasn't been making it a big story. Just another case of flu in China. Just like all the last ones. Page two in the paper."
"That don't mean nothin'. The liberal media suppressed lots over the past few years. This won't hit the news until the editor is eatin' his last cracker and diggin' that last bit of peanut butter out of the jar."
"The news did mention that social media in China was shutdown a week ago," said Fred. "Claimed it was a technical glitch. They say the Chinese government has it all under control. Back online any day now. Nothing about exports. I managed to sell my condo and drove for two days to get here. I sold my pickup and bought this SUV. I have a lot riding on this."
George shook his head and looked at all around the table, one by one.
John knew that many questions were on his friends' minds. Many doubts existed and his leadership skills were on the line. He had to give the others confidence and emphasize the severity of the situation, now and in the future.
"We all have a lot riding on this. That's why I asked Masako, Marceau and Tom to update us. It's going to be bad and soon. I guarantee you it's worse than I said. I didn't want to say too much on the phone. Those NSA listening programs are better than anybody thinks. You can trust me on that. It's something I do know about. Cho and I were in that business."
"You never say too much on the phone, pardner. That's how we know it's you. Heck, I haven't been saying much myself. If a conversation with you ends and I don't ask myself. 'What the hell was that about?', I know it wasn't John. Just checkin', good buddy. Worse, you say? You're saying this is the SHTF episode that the preppers have been plannin' for."
"Preppers? What that?"
"Preppers are people who have been expecting what they call the end of the world as we know it for a long time. Since we just had breakfast, I'll say that SHTF means when the 'stuff hits the fan.' A lot of the people in the US have been convinced for many years that so many different things could disrupt our society that the end was near, regardless of how it came. Even had lots of television programs about it.
"Those are my favorite shows," said George.
"Some think a meteor might hit, or maybe a volcano would erupt, spewing crap into the air and killing all the plants. Others say there will be a political uprising or the government will try to take people's guns and start a war. A class war has been mentioned. A few states have been talking about seceding. Some are concerned about all the illegals that the government refuses to deport. A few point to previous problems with the power grid and how the power plants are strained to the breaking point at times. Some think a problem could occur at one of the atomic power plants. A terrorist event could happen or an earthquake. Almost anything going wrong in the oil countries of the Middle East would shut down half our oil supply and cause a panic. Many worry about an atomic war or a religious war, and others are concerned about a virus like the one we now have. This virus or something like it could have come from anywhere, even here in the US.
"Yeah," said George. ""Maybe some guy was lookin' for oil in the Amazon and stirs up some muck and it has a weird virus in it. Nobody ever made it out alive before because they were on foot and died the next day before they could get out of the jungle. But now, the guy hops in a chopper, then a plane, and he's back in the US before the first symptom. I've been worried about that for years."
"Right, George," said Fred. "And John didn't mention just normal old earthquakes and tsunamis wiping out the coasts. Some think we could have a panic because of some really monster weather event with giant hurricanes, tornados, snow storms, ice storms, droughts and floods."
"Sounds like you guys have been readin' some of the prepper blogs," said George.
&nbs
p; "Each of those things," sais John, "has a small probability of happening, normally, but there are so many of them that the numbers begin to add up. And now, they've added up to one hundred percent. Any of you ever been involved with the preppers?" John cast a cursory glance around the group before stopping with George.
"I guess you're talkin' to me," said George. "I've been readin' a lot about preppin'. Especially the lists of things we'd have to buy to be prepared. Rice, beans, canned goods. The critical list has over a hundred things on it. More on the secondary list. Not like the old days when all you needed was your rifle, some shells and a canteen. And a horse of course."
"For now, George, why don't you be our quartermaster? On our way to the house, we'll stop off and pick up things. I'll give you the lists we've already put together. You can advise us and keep track of everything. That doesn't mean that we can't buy what we want. It just means we buy what George tells us, first."
"Sure, but even with a van we don't have enough space for all that. It'll take a lot of trips. Every day."
"Well, start thinking about it and write some things down. Today, we'll buy the highest priority items along with starting a stash of food. The house should already have water, heat and shelter. It may need some work. We won't know until we're there. Two or three small towns are nearby. A city, seventy-five miles away. We may have to buy some building materials in the next few days. Shingles, lumber, nails. I saw the place a year ago and it was in decent shape. We'll start making several trips a day as soon as we're settled in. What's the number one item?"
"Toilet paper, followed by whisky."
"I know what the toilet paper is for. What's the whisky for?"
"Everything else. Food, barter, antiseptic, pain killer, memory killer, beauty enhancer."
"Whisky make people beautiful?" Cho said, looking at Elspeth and wrinkling up her nose. "You sure?"
"Cheeky bugger."
"It makes people appear beautiful to the person who has consumed the whisky and usually that's good enough, especially if the bar is about to close," said Fred.
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