The Second American Revolution - The Building of an Empire

by Kenneth Szulczyk

  Agent Harris didn’t believe in divine Providence, and God touched the President. Answer was simple. Jerrick Ray Davis wanted to build an empire, and that was what he set out to do. He fought for his ideas and plans, and he won. Jerrick Davis had beaten the odds.

  History only remembers the winners while everyone forgets the losers. Nobody remembers the leaders, who almost snatched total power. People only remember the dictators who grabbed complete power.

  President Davis became a dictator who took total power. He used his power to put Americans back to work, and Americans built Jerrick Ray Davis’s Empire. Building empires require hard work, creating plenty of good-paying jobs for everyone.

  Amaliji bent down and kissed the President on the cheek.

  As Agent Harris helped Amaliji leave, the President stated softly, “You have made an old dying man happy. Good bye, Amaliji.”

  “Bye Jerrick,” and Amaliji left for the last time.

  Agent Harris returned 15 minutes later.

  “Agent Harris, thank you. I feel I completed my life, and I have come full circle.”

  “Mr. President, please don’t talk that way.”

  “Many times you went beyond the call of duty and proved yourself to me. I left you a gift.”

  “A gift?”

  The President reached over to the side table and opened the drawer and pulled several documents out.”

  “I own several properties throughout the Empire. I kept a couple of properties secret like my small house on a tropical island just south of mainland Cuba. They call the island the ‘Isle of the Youth’ and the view is spectacular. I left the property deed as a gift to you.”

  “Mr. President; I don’t know what to say.”

  “You do not say anything. You have earned it. I have one question and one more mission for you. My question is what will you do after I die?”

  “Mr. President, please don’t talk that way.”

  “Please, Agent Harris. I want to know.”

  “If your son renews my commission with Homeland Security and allows me to work with him, then I’ll do it. If not, then I will go start a private security business. I could start my business in Cuba.”

  “I wish you the best, Agent Harris.”

  “My last mission for you is to sneak into Russia and find the first love of my Lidya. Give her this bank account information that contains several million dollars. If she is not alive, then give it to her children. If they refuse it, then the money is yours. After all these years, I finally forgive her. I am finally found peace with myself.”

  Agent Harris accepted the property deed and bank information. Glancing down at the property title, the agent noticed the property title was already in his name. He should go to Cuba.

  Agent Harris tucked the documents safely inside his jacket pocket and sat in the chair, reading a newspaper. He kept a good eye on the President.

  After a little while, he heard the President sleeping soundly.

  At 3:33 in the morning, Agent Harris awakened to a loud shrieking noise from the heart-rate monitor.

  The President’s heartbeat stopped.

  All the doctors and nurses ran into the President’s Room, resuscitating him but to no avail.

  Jerrick Ray Davis had died.

  Agent Harris ran into the hallways screaming, heading straight for the men’s restroom. He cried in the toilet stall and thought he should retire.

  God made only one copy of Jerrick Ray Davis, and now he was gone.

  He will complete his last mission for the President and will sneak into Russia before he retires to Cuba.

  Next day, the Empire mourned its emperor.

  Many people missed work, and they gathered in street parades. Crowds of people walked along the streets, holding candles and grieving the loss of their leader.

  In the parks, people stood behind pulpits and proclaimed the accomplishments of the leader. How he rescued America and brought the good-paying jobs back to America.

  Elsewhere in the world, leaders and heads of state were meeting. They were happy President Davis had died, but now his son held the reins of power. They knew they had little time before the Empire sent ships across the ocean to conquer new lands and people.

  Everyone knows empires always expand until they hit their limit. After they had peaked, they rapidly disintegrate and disappear into the sands from whence they came.

  World’s leaders knew the American Empire had not attained its limit. It had plenty of room to grow.

  Jerrick Ray Davis constructed his Empire to last for centuries. Historians would record him in history as a famous person with several chapters devoted to President Davis and his American Empire.

  A strong, vibrant Aric Davis stood before the Senate with the nation and the world watching as he delivered his first speech to the nation. He resembled his father.

  It saddens me to stand here today.

  Like all citizens of the Empire, we loved President Davis.

  He was a great ruler.

  He brought the manufacturing jobs back; he made the Empire’s military the strongest in the world, and added many new states to the Empire.

  However, the Great President Davis is gone.

  God called him home.

  Citizens of the Empire elected me to take his place.

  Now a new chapter opens for the Empire.

  A new age is born.

  Younger generation is taking over the leadership of the American Empire.

  Unfortunately, my father left some very large shoes to fill.

  However, I will continue his work.

  Under my leadership, the American Empire will thrive and grow.

  She will become mightier and stronger.

  No one can stop the American Empire or the strong working values of the American people.

  First order of business is we establish a holiday to honor President Davis.

  Every citizen takes a day off on his birthday, January 7 and pay homage to the first great leader of our glorious Empire.

  We owe our lives and future to President Davis.

  Without him, the United States would have collapsed into a third-world country after the 2026 Hyperinflation.

  Now, Americans will dominate the world for centuries.

  Honoring President Davis on his birthday is the proper thing to do.

  He made Americans great again and united them under one flag.

  Now we are truly all Americans!

  We are the most powerful people in the world, and nobody can stop us.

  Americans will rule the world for centuries.

  After Aric Davis’ short speech, the members of the Senate stood up and clapped vigorously.

  The Chief of the Supreme Court and head of the Senate trotted to Aric Davis. They started the ceremony to swear him in as the second President of the American Empire.

  Aric promised the citizens that he would fulfill his father’s destiny. American Empire continued growing and prospering for several centuries.

  Epilogue

  Agent Harris traveled to the Isle of Youth, Cuba to see his new home. President Davis did not exaggerate one bit. His house was built on a hill, overlooking the bay. He saw the palm trees covered the hill, and the hill descended to a rocky shoreline along the Caribbean Sea.

  When he first saw the house, he opened the front door, ran across the living room, and stood on the deck.

  Harris watched the waves of the Caribbean Sea softly crashing on the rocky shore below. Sparkling under the sun’s rays, water was a light blue, pristine.

  Agent Harris stayed at his home for two weeks. He sat on the patio every morning, drinking his favorite coffee, French roast coffee with two spoons of sugar and cream. Then he watched the morning sunrise, savoring his favorite brew.

  Agent Harris completed his last mission, sneaking into Russia and finding Lidya. He could steal the money from the bank account, but it never crossed his mind. He loved President Dav
is like a father. Besides, Agent Harris became rich working for the Empire, and he already stashed several million dollars away at his bank.

  One thing about the American Empire, it continually created new billionaires by the day. President Davis was not upset as people became rich from his Empire. Wealthy people indicated everyone was working hard and creating wealth.

  Besides, Agent Harris remembered the old stories. He remembered he was a teenager when the U.S. economy collapsed in 2016. Then times became tough. As a young man, Agent Harris showed his parents his acceptance letter during one supper. He started working for the Department of Homeland Security. His parents were so proud, and they always said if Jerrick Ray Davis never came along, then America would have collapsed. Americans would fade from history, but President Davis ensured Americans would dominate the world for centuries.

  Agent Harris snuck into the Russia for the last time and found Lidya with no problems.

  Lidya was alive and happy that Jerrick Ray Davis remembered her. Of course, she snatched that bank account information. She planned to give her grandchildren a bright future where they could travel and study in America one day, like her.

  Before Agent Harris returned home, he visited the café at the universal state store, GUM, one last time. Strolling through the door, he shook his head in disgust at the old, ugly, Soviet concrete buildings that will stand for centuries.

  Agent Harris went to see where President Davis found love, where he first met Amaliji. He sat down, drinking his coffee and peeking at the beautiful Russian blonde working behind the counter.

  Agent Harris looked under the table to see if President Davis had carved his initials there because everything in the café appeared ancient.

  Then the agent’s eyes returned to the counter, studying the woman who took his order of cake and coffee.

  Occasionally, she glanced at him as he sat at the table, sipping his coffee.

  Agent Harris went to the counter and flirted with her. Besides, if their relationship worked out, he owned a beautiful house on the beach that he could share with a beautiful woman. Besides, she would be crazy to turn down a chance to live in luxury and tranquility in the Caribbean.

  ***

  Dan, Jennifer, and Chad retired after President Davis’ death. Assuming new identities, they lived in Cabo San Lucas in Mexico, in the State of Baja California Sur. San Jose Cabo was located at the bottom tip of the Baja Peninsula on the Western side of Mexico.

  All three fell in love with the mountainous, desert climate, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean.

  One night, all three went to Dan’s million-dollar condo on the west side of the mountains. They sat on the balcony, drinking Coronas with a perfect panoramic view of the deep-blue waters of the mighty Pacific Ocean. If a tsunami wave rolled onto the shore, the wave would never touch his condo.

  As dusk approached, they watched the sun set over the Pacific Ocean.

  Chad asked, “So Dan, tell us the truth, did you ever want to assassinate Jerrick and take over the Presidency? You were the second in command.”

  “Many times. As you know, total power has no friends, but only enemies. After each time, I came to my senses,” Dan explained mysteriously.

  Jennifer asked succinctly, “What do you mean you came to your senses?”

  “Have you ever noticed everything went Jerrick Davis’s way? He stayed three steps ahead of everyone. Everything he did, he used little effort,” Dan uttered poignantly.

  “I know what you mean, in some ways it was always eerie. At any step along the way, million things could go wrong, but they never did for Jerrick,” Jennifer added.

  “Jerrick Davis was always meant to be a leader. He became the key to the revolution, and the building of the Empire. Without Jerrick, we would never see the American Empire. That was his destiny and sole purpose in life. He saved the United States by converting it into an Empire.”

  Dan paused to take another swig of beer and continued, “If I assumed power, I was afraid I would fuck it all up and everything would collapse.”

  Jennifer uttered, “Yeah; I know; you would have screwed everything up, but you’re right. Everything worked out for Jerrick. Jerrick stopped his bus in front of us, and we all hopped on. Then Jerrick drove us to the top with him.”

  “Do you think history will remember us?” Chad inquired softly.

  “We stood next to Jerrick as he built the American Empire, so we will be remembered. However, everyone will know Jerrick Ray Davis while we’ll be footnotes in history,” Dan explained.

  “We do have hospitals, schools, and airports named after us. We’ll not be completely forgotten,” Jennifer bellowed.

  Chad asked, “What about his son, Aric? It’s hard to believe that little boy grew up to become the Empire’s second ruler. Do you think he’ll be a good ruler?”

  “I do agree with Jerrick. I think Aric will do well. Jerrick designed the Empire to survive several bad rulers, but we’ll never see a bad ruler in our lifetime. Aric probably will be President for at least 30 years, and he’ll do well,” Dan concluded confidently.

  Jennifer asked, “Do you think the Empire will ever crumble?”

  “Of course, it’s inevitable. All empires will fail, but we will never see ours fail because that’s at least two centuries away,” Dan explained.

  Chad asked, “Did you ever think that Jerrick might have us purged, when he assumed control of the Presidency?”

  “I’m sure he considered it. Remember, at the top, you can’t trust anyone.”

  Dan paused for a few seconds and added, “I’m sure Jerrick had everyone watched too. I heard rumors that Jerrick planted spies everywhere, hiding them deeply within our government.”

  Jennifer became exasperated and asked, “But Dan; you were second in command. You would have seen all the budget reports.”

  “I did see all the budget reports, but one of my bright assistants accidentally found traces, where someone skimmed money from the budgets. At first, we thought we found a mistake that added to several trillion dollars over 30 years,” Dan added with mystery and awe in his voice.

  Jennifer asked in complete surprise, “Wow! You don’t think Jerrick stole that money?”

  “Of course not! Jerrick was the leader. He could ask Congress for that money, and they would have given it to him with no questions asked. One day, after we had a meeting, I just blurted out my discovery.”

  Chad voice rose in pitch, “Well, what did Jerrick say?” Chad was anxious and wanted Dan to answer.

  “He laughed it off. He said he was funding some important projects that will lead the Empire into the 22nd century as a technology leader.”

  Jennifer stated in a hurt tone, “If he didn’t tell us, then he had to tell someone. I thought I was his key person for technology?”

  “He told his son,” Dan said sternly.

  Both Jennifer and Chad asked in surprise, “What?”

  “One day I was waiting for Jerrick. His son was seven and played with some toys. He had this weird aircraft. I asked him what it was. He said his dad and him are making new space ships that will take the troops to outer space.”

  Jennifer stated in surprise, “What? Are you kidding me? Jerrick told his boy his secrets?”

  “That meant Jerrick always planned for his son to succeed as ruler. The election was a complete ruse,” Chad stated.

  “Of course it was. Jerrick always meant Aric to be the second ruler of the Empire. Jerrick gave the appearance the people had a choice, but he was the consummate poker player. He was the best of the best,” Dan said with admiration in his voice.

  Then Dan raised his bottle of beer to propose a toast, “To Jerrick; buddy, may you rest in peace. Thank you for taking us with you on your journey, for saving America, and building something that would never be forgotten.”

  Bottles clinked together, and they took large swigs of their beer.

  Tears started to swell up in Chad’s and Jennifer’s eyes. r />
  Then Chad held up his bottle for another toast and added, “Jerrick; I wish you were here with us. Thank you for being our friend. Perhaps you found peace in the afterlife.”

  Then they clanked bottles again and drank more beer.

  Then Dan added, “May Jerrick is in heaven, helping God build his Empire.”

  “But Jerrick did many misdeeds too. I’m sure he’s resting in a very warm place now,” Jennifer retorted in jest.

  “Well, wherever he is, I’m sure he’s taking charge and building something. That’s Jerrick’s nature. Jerrick gives commands; he doesn’t take them,” Chad said sadly, remembering his good ole friend.

  ***

  Thalia Davis moved out of the Whitehouse after her husband died, returning to Mexico City to retire. She kept busy, speaking at public events or reading books to school children.

  People still loved her, and they called her the First Lady of the Empire.

  In her palatial home, Thalia always walked past the portraits of Thalia and Jerrick Davis hung prominently on the walls. She felt a tinge of sadness, glancing at Jerrick’s portraits. His death left a void in her heart.

  Thalia wished she spent more time with her son, but he was always busy. Aric always was working. If he weren’t working, then he paced in his office in deep thought. Similar to his father, Aric was a workaholic, dreaming about a bigger and better Empire.

  Thalia moved out of the Whitehouse because she didn’t want to pester Aric. Besides, if she needed him, she knew she could pick up a phone and call him. Aric would answer his mother, no matter where Aric was in the world. Once Aric marries and fathers children, Thalia would return to the Whitehouse, raising her grandchildren, preparing the next generation of rulers.

  ***

  President Davis the Second paced around the Oval Office in deep thought. He pondered his next course of action. He thought about purging the malcontents in his government and the National Workers’ Party but decided against it. His dad made the Empire’s government one fast and efficient working machine. Aric did not want to interfere with it.

  Now Aric knew what he must do. During the elections, opponents crawled out from under the rocks and voted against the American Empire. Aric would go after them and make them as examples, solidifying, establishing his authority. No one dares question the President.

  Aric wondered if his dad granted a free election to help Aric find dissidents and protesters of the Empire, placing their heads on silver platters. He knew his dad was quite clever.