The Park (Evenstad Media Presents Book 1)

by Foster, Voss

  Unfortunately, I must inform you that this is a private email address. I will forgive it this time, but do not contact me here in the future. Otherwise, I will be forced to inform the legal department of this, and they will likely spin it as a case of harassment. I believe both of us would like to avoid such a mess.

  However, if it would be helpful to you, I will of course be happy to write a letter of recommendation to any employer. Merely contact Veronica, my secretary. I trust that you also kept her email address. If not, it is available on the Contact page of our website.

  I wish you the best of luck, as I do all of our current and former employees. I look forward to seeing you back on your feet.

  Frederick Evenstad

  Chief Operating Officer, Evenstad Technologies

  JOURNAL 06RITA

  ENTRY 011

  DATE: 5/24/2074

  Evenstad, I want you to know something. Pay really, really close attention to this, all right? Good.

  I hate you, you slimy asshole. I've never hated anything, I can tell you that much, but I damn well hate you. If there's a Hell, I hope you don't go there. You don't deserve the fucking luxury of it.

  This Manfred, I just don't know how the hell you could drag him into this. He's obviously too old, and he's obviously sick. He's trying to hide it, too, but it's just so damned obvious to anyone with eyes. And you bastards have eyes everywhere in this place. I don't know if he was healthy when you fucking kidnapped him and dropped him here, but he's obviously not well now, and I bet he hasn't been well for a long time, to look at him. But you had to play out your psychotic little game, didn't you? So you'll just leave him here to wither while the world watches.

  How's that going to look to the viewers, if they watch him die off, day after day? Don't you assholes have a drug company or a medical company under your control? Yeah, I'm pretty sure you do, somewhere in your damn collection of companies. But that's okay. You just worry about your rules and your games and your fucking bullshit TV show. We're just lowly humans, anyway. Not even your damned employees. We all may as well be scum, those of us who are left.

  I want you sons of bitches to know one more thing, though: I'm going to live. I'll live through your torture even if it's only to spite you. Fucking count on it.

  ENTRY END

  BREAKING NEWS: EGYPTIAN INSURGENCY ENDED

  5/27/2074 at 3:14 p.m. EST

  This afternoon, US, Russian, and Indian forces removed a group of terrorists from power in Egypt. The group, calling themselves the Egyptian Restoration Movement, had taken control of the main government offices in Cairo some weeks ago. The ERM's goal, according to their mission statement, is to 'bring Egypt back to glory' by restoring economic health and general prosperity. While troops from several countries were deployed, they did not arrive in time to save Egyptian President Chatuluka bin Awad al Misri, who was murdered not long after the Egyptian Restoration Movement took power. More troops will be arriving in the following weeks to aid in the stabilization of the Egyptian government.

  Specialists from Evenstad Farms will also be arriving shortly to provide humanitarian aid. They intend to help revitalize the economy so as to avoid a group like the ERM from rising again. A temporary president is to be elected later this week by the remaining members of the now restored Egyptian government.

  We will keep you updated as more information is made available to us here at The Cruise.

  UPDATE: 5/27/2074 at 6:08 p.m. EST: After deliberation, the Egyptian government has agreed to allow US troops to stay in Egypt as protection until they can be certain that the threat has fully passed. In order to minimize the risk as much as possible, Evenstad Farms has agreed to buy out the farmers they initially came to aid. Marta Evenstad, COO of Evenstad Farms, says that it is a temporary measure, implemented 'to keep the farmers safe while still providing them with financial stability.' The specialists will work the land in their place so that 'fertile croplands aren't left to die and become useless.' This measure will protect the farmers' current and future interests, and the land will be returned to them 'when the Egyptian government deems the country safe from terrorist activities.'

  TO: Evenstad Media

  FROM: Natalie Klein

  SUBJECT: Manfred

  SENT 5/27/2074 AT 4:47 p.m. EST

  I have seen the latest episode of your program, only to watch my husband, not to support you. And yes, I have written to beg you. My Manfred is unwell. More unwell than I've ever seen him. So unwell that I am unsure that he could pull back out of it, even with the finest medical care. But he deserves a chance, and you will give it to him. You have to. Have him forfeit. Have him buy out his contract somehow. We will find the money we need for it. But please, let him come home, while there's still something of him left to send home.

  Natalie Klein

  —

  TO: Natalie Klein

  FROM: Evenstad Media

  SUBJECT: RE: Manfred

  SENT 5/27/2074 AT 4:52 p.m. EST

  Mrs. Klein,

  As we have told you before, your husband has signed a contract, and he knew full well the possible risks when he did so. We apologize for your hardship, but the contract is legally binding.

  Regards,

  Evenstad Media

  JOURNAL 03BLAKE

  ENTRY 010

  DATE: 5/27/2074

  Well, we're staying here with the old man. I'm kind of okay with it. I mean, I never thought I'd be okay, putting myself into potential danger like this, but I am. Yeah, Manfred's pretty harmless. And he looks like hell. But that Craig guy just isn't sitting right with me for whatever reason. He makes Manfred happy, though, and keeps the old guy comfortable. Which is okay. You shouldn't die alone. Grandpa told me that before he passed. It was hard for him. He didn’t have people the whole time, for days. That's when I started sticking around there, once I found out. It just wasn't right in my heart. It sounds so mushy. I've never admitted that to anyone. Well, anyone but Grandpa. The day before he went, he told me that, in the end, all that's important in life is having people around you that don't want anything. No money, nothing in the will, no life secrets from an old man or anything like that. Just someone who wants to be with you because they know that this is going to be the last time they might see you.

  So yeah. I'm okay sticking around. If Rita changes her mind and decides we need to leave, I'll go. I may not be happy, but I'll go. I just hope that doesn't happen. Not if he's dying.

  Dying. I think he really is dying, though. Not fake. Really, really dying. And Evenstad is just letting it happen. I really don't want to think this is real, that I actually… and I don't want to think that Rita lied to me. But this Manfred guy? He's like… I don't really know what to think anymore.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 02CHRISTINA

  ENTRY 016

  DATE: 5/28/2074

  I found lights on in a house. It's the first time I've seen that so far, so I can only assume there's actually some people. I could be wrong, but what the hell? Even if I am, it doesn't put me in any worse of a situation than I'm in at this exact second.

  I'm not going to head over there yet, though. Yeah, I can pretty much handle anyone in there with that golden light thing I found in the house, but I'd still rather try to get a count, if I can. It doesn't really matter how long it takes to ferret out the information I need. What do I have to live for, other than seeing Evenstad burn?

  ENTRY END

  Obituary of Kathleen Marie Horstmann (2034-2074)

  Kathy Horstmann (2034-2074) was found dead in her home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania late last night. She is survived by her son, Damian Horstmann. Funeral services at Terry Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 30th starting at 9 a.m.

  JOURNAL 10MANFRED

  ENTRY 014

  DATE: 5/28/2074

  This will not last long. I am weak. I can barely type, and I do not even bother p
retending to eat. I cannot hide this any longer, not even from David's murderers. At least Craig does not leave my side. None of them do, actually. It is particularly odd, but I welcome the company. It is not my Natalie, and it is not my children, but it is some comfort, at least.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 05CRAIG

  ENTRY 015

  DATE: 5/29/2074

  Rita's brought something up to me, and I really have to agree with her. I'm damn sure not happy about it, but it's the right thing to do. Manfred is miserable and I just can't watch it any longer. It's time to fulfill my promise. I'm going to help Manfred the best way I know how to. I have to end his suffering. Well, we do.

  In the end, it's going to be Rita. We've worked it all out. I know I can't pull the trigger. It sickens me, but I know it wouldn't happen, and Manfred deserves to be out of pain. So I'm giving her Susan's old medallion to do it. It's the only one in the house that can afford him any level of dignity. It should be painless. Just a simple shot through the head. That's painless, isn't it? He deserves painless. I just hope my part is enough in this. I promised I'd help.

  ENTRY END

  04

  Obituary of Natalie Lorraine Klein (nee Harrison) (1990-2074)

  Natalie Klein (1990-2074) was found dead in her home in London, England late last night. The autopsy has revealed a drug overdose as the cause of death. She is survived by Damon Klein and Katherine Thomson. The wake will be held at her home Saturday, June 2nd, at 1 p.m.

  Valued Evenstad Enterprises contributor,

  You may have heard of Evenstad's newest project, Evenstad Farms. Our work in Egypt is off to a wonderful start, and we have high hopes for the end results, both for the world food crisis as well as the farmers in Egypt.

  Now is your chance to get in on this. You have, in the past, been very generous in support of our projects. We want to extend the chance to you again. For a small injection of funds, you can be a part of this exciting new initiative. If you are interested, please call our toll free number 1-888-003-8000 A representative will be happy to help you and provide any information you may need.

  We look forward to working with you on this and future projects,

  Evenstad Enterprises

  JOURNAL 05CRAIG

  ENTRY 016

  DATE: 5/29/2074

  We buried Manfred today. Rita and Blake offered to help me, and I was okay with that. I wish we could have done more for him. He deserved more than that. So much more than that. He was a much better man than I ever would have guessed I could meet in a place like this. He never once wanted to hurt anyone. Not that I could tell, anyway. He was so sweet, and he didn't let this evil damn competition get to him. He stayed pure as ever, and I admire that. I couldn't do it. I killed Susan. Even if it was in self-defense, I ended her life. She might have been innocent before all of this. It could have just been this that made her break like that. I don't know anything about her other than what I saw in here.

  But this isn't about me. I'm too self-centered anyway. This is about Manfred. He's dead. To his family, even though you'll never know, I'm sorry. I had a hand in killing him. Even though it was to put him out of this misery Evenstad tossed him into, I'm so unbelievably sorry for your loss. For the world's loss. You've got to believe me.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 02CHRISTINA

  ENTRY 017

  DATE: 5/29/2074

  Those idiots over at the house with the lights must want to die. They all came out. Three of them, carrying a body. I watched the whole thing. They dug the grave, buried it, and then hung around outside, waiting for me to just come along and take them all out of the picture. Dumbasses. They might think that everything's okay. We're still playing, and we're still in god damn danger. Even me. I know that. If I go over there and things don't go right, I'm done. Dead. But I've always taken risks, and they've gotten me this far. Before all this stupid Evenstad bullshit went down, I had a pretty damn good life. Even if I couldn’t cook.

  And I didn't make it happen by waiting around. I made it happen with action. So that's exactly what I'm doing next. I'm taking action.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 06RITA

  ENTRY 012

  DATE: 5/31/2074

  Well, Evenstad, we got out alive. I'm not totally unscathed, but I'm breathing. You can't get rid of us quite so easily. But kudos to that psycho business suit bitch. Someone else is finally concerned enough with your ratings to give a damn. She's sure as hell good at it, too. So nice choice on her.

  Craig let us all come back here. I don’t know where you found him, but this house is pretty well-protected. He even managed to take apart your medallions and wire them up to make booby traps. I mean, that's pretty fucking cool. Even you have to admit that. Maybe you can keep him alive somehow. At least long enough to pick his brain and figure out what the flaws are with your design. It would sure as hell make my job here a lot easier if I didn't have to kill him. It's not something I'm looking forward to. Not that I can't make it happen, but I really don't want to, if it's at all avoidable. He's another good guy and he definitely doesn't deserve this. Not that anyone does, really.

  Blake's been nursing my injury. He's a sweet kid. I… damn, Evenstad, you're getting some juicy shit on me here, aren't you? Yeah, well fuck it. I can make this confession. I might be seeing Blake as more than just a pawn lately. Maybe. I don't know for sure. Which sucks, and I'm sure whatever psychiatrists and psychologists and other eggheads you hired knew it would suck. Two people thrown together like this for long enough have to form some kind of bond. It seems pretty fucking inevitable to me.

  I still have to kill him. I know that. You know that. When it comes time, I bet the viewers will know that, too. I'm just hoping I can. I mean it. You might have actually beaten me at this by bringing Blake in. As much as I've complained about him to you, maybe you did know better, you slimy little assholes.

  Ciao.

  ENTRY END

  TO: Niels Evenstad

  FROM: Marta Evenstad

  SUBJECT: Profits

  SENT 6/1/2074 AT 12:18 p.m. EST

  Brother,

  Accounting has given me the projected profits, based upon our current work and our initial investments. I've had them send a copy to your financial department, as well as to your secretary, but I could hardly contain my excitement when I saw the numbers. Assuming that everything goes as planned, we will be clearing 15 million dollars profit within the first three months of this. And that's based only on the farms we've set up in Egypt.

  This is wonderful, Brother. I think this might even be better than you'd intended when you first presented the plan. I will, of course, continue to work. I only wish to make you and the family happy.

  Marta Evenstad

  Chief Operating Officer, Evenstad Farms

  —

  TO: Marta Evenstad

  FROM: Niels Evenstad

  SUBJECT: RE: Profits

  SENT 6/1/2074 AT 1:46 p.m. EST

  Marta, this is fabulous news. You are doing so much for the family, so much that neither you nor I can truly see the end of the ripples this will cause. All good things, of course. And yes, it is far better than I ever imagined. Carry on with things as you are. I have complete faith in you, and I'm proud to call you my sister. I knew I made the right choice when I suggested you to run this business.

  Niels Evenstad

  Chief Operating Officer, Evenstad Media

  JOURNAL 05CRAIG

  ENTRY 017

  DATE: 6/1/2074

  It's all gone. Every last one of the CESUs is gone. Which means that somebody got in here and took them. They left the ones I had hooked up, thank God, but that means somebody has the laser I use to work on them. Even worse, they have that golden light one. I'm pretty sure that's what burned down the other trailer. Just thinking about that is what's keeping me from falling asleep now. I don't wan
t to be around if someone else has that damn thing.

  I haven't mentioned anything to the others. As far as they know, I only have what I had on me, and the two I wired up for defense. I want to keep it that way, too. If they found out I lost two CESUs, especially the one that took us down, that could put me in danger. I mean, the only reason Susan kept me around as long as she did was my brain. If I was stupid enough to lose them… well, it might not be good for my continued health and well-being.

  I just can't believe someone got through here like that. I thought I was well-protected. I thought I fixed it up well enough after Susan got through. Apparently I was wrong. Go figure. One more thing I can't do in this stupid-ass game.

  ENTRY END

  JOURNAL 03BLAKE

  ENTRY 011

  DATE: 6/5/2074

  Rita's better, finally. Her injury wasn't as bad as I thought. I figure that burn on her leg did some serious work on her, but it must have just been at the surface. I hope the stuff I did was helping and not just getting in the way. I mean, I'm not a doctor or anything. I just tried to make her comfortable. I guess it's not that important. She's good to go now.