A Democracy Fallen

by Matthew Savage

  Chapter Three

  The Speech

  Nolan awoke like he did most mornings, very tired. He stared at the alarm clock. It buzzed and the time read 4:30. He hit the clock harder this morning than he did most. He stretched and cracked his neck. He looked around at the different ribbons and medals on the walls. Illinois State Rifle Champion, United States Rifle Association ribbon, State Wrestling champion. He sighed as he looked around at all them, he felt as if they were staring at him. After a moment he walked to the shower. His shower was quick and cold as it was most mornings. He didn’t like cold showers but having it cold woke him up. After he dressed he did his usual routine and checked his father’s bedroom. Just like it had been most mornings since his mother’s death, the bedroom was empty and the bed was still made. This twinge of pain from not seeing his father here should have gone away by now. He sighed and held down his anger. He headed down the stairs that led to the kitchen of the Restaurant and noticed the light was still on. Did he leave it on last night? He carefully walked into the kitchen thinking that perhaps they were being robbed. He was surprised to see his dad in the kitchen and he had set up everything and even made some French toast and eggs.

  “Morning,” his father said and Nolan stood surprised in the doorway. “I made some breakfast. I know your sister should be up soon, so I haven’t started her food yet. I don’t want it to get cold.”

  “Oh.” Were all the words Nolan could get out at first. He couldn’t remember the last time his father was here this early or had made him breakfast. “Thanks” he finally managed to say. Maybe he was still dreaming that his father was here.

  “I thought about what you said yesterday. I am not here enough. I have-” Neil stopped himself for a moment and gathered new words. “I haven’t been here. I know you both have given up a lot to do what your mother would have wanted. I am sorry this happened and things might not be what you wanted. I have been saving some money so that maybe you both could go to school again. I know if that happens I will need more help.”

  “I don’t have to go to school.”

  “You do!” His father yelled but not in an angry way but in an I-need-you-to-understand way. “You can’t and shouldn’t have to do this forever. You should be able to do what you want and have a good life. It isn’t fair to make you work here and do this forever.”

  Nolan had never heard his father talk like this. He was at a loss for words about what to say to him. What his father said were things that he had thought but he was surprised his father had felt the same way. Nolan felt guilty for having yelled at his father yesterday.

  “I am sorry that I yelled at you yesterday.”

  “Don’t be. I think I needed it.” Neil said. There was an awkward silence between them before Neil spoke again. “Help get set up. You know how Sunday’s get.”

  Sarah came down at her usual time and when she did, Nolan saw the look on her face. It must have been the same one on his earlier. Neil explained what he said to Nolan. Sarah took it better than Nolan did because at the end Sarah hugged her father. She quickly ate some of her food putting the rest into a bag and going to the front door. Nolan could see her handing it to the homeless guy out front and her shooing him away. Nolan thought to himself. If she keeps feeding the homeless they will be here every day if they get shooed away with food. She returned and grabbed a cup of coffee before opening up the doors. The morning breakfast was busy but Nolan did not feel as busy with his father there the whole time helping out. Nolan thought to himself that Neil being there made working at the restaurant more tolerable.

  After the breakfast rush, Neil ordered some food for them. He watched over the restaurant as Sarah and Nolan ate at a table. Nolan could not believe his father. It seemed like for the first time, in a long time, that things were normal.

  “Can you believe dad ordered food?” Sarah said as if reading her brothers thoughts.

  “I can’t. I can’t even remember the last time any of us ordered food.” Nolan was still astonished by the day. “I keep thinking I am going to wake up and it will be just like normal.”

  “I was thinking the same thing,” Sarah whispered realizing how close her father was to them and how empty the building was. “I walked downstairs and thought I was seeing things.”

  “How long do you think it will last though?” Nolan asked and this turned the conversation from lighthearted to serious.

  “I hope for a while. I couldn’t believe he said he wanted us to go to school. I don’t even know where I would go? After mom…” She stopped at the last part.

  “I know. I didn’t think we would be able to either.” They sat and ate for several moments before Nolan glanced at the television and saw an alert. He got up and turned on the volume. Neil came back from the kitchen when he saw Nolan messing with the T.V.

  “What is going on?” Neil said irritated by not knowing what Nolan was up to. His face quickly changed as he read the headline under the news anchor. President Marshal to address full Congress and Senate tonight. Nolan turned on the volume as the reporter spoke.

  “We are here outside the United States Capitol Building. Where President Marshal is going to address the full Congress tonight. This will be the first time in almost eight years since he has done so publicly. Rumors seem to surround what the speech could be about. The White House has not made any comments about it just yet.”

  Neil muted the volume. He had a scared look on his face and Nolan thought that his father looked a bit pale.

  “We are going to close early tonight.” Neil had a serious tone to his voice.

  “Why?” Sarah asked, with a confused voice and Nolan knew she was just as confused and shocked as he was.

  “This is important. We’ll be slow because he hasn’t addressed the nation in a long time. Something must have happened to bring on this.”

  The rest of the shift was in relative silence. The question of what President Marshal was going to talk about was on everyone’s mind. Occasionally customers would come in and give their opinions about they thought was going on.

  ‘I bet he is enacting new laws’.

  ‘I heard that there had been problems with other countries in the Middle East, I think we are going to send troops there.’

  ‘I heard he is going to address the Democratic Insurgence.’

  ‘Well, I heard the Democratic Insurgence attacked us.’

  ‘I heard he is going to ask for more funding for the United States Security Bureau.’

  Each one of these statements seemed more unlikely than the other. Before long it was around six o’clock and the President was going to address the country at seven. Neil came out of the kitchen he had changed his clothes. He had a concerned look on his face as he was making sure everything looked good.

  “I am going to the bar to watch the speech. I don’t want you two leaving.” Neil said pulling Nolan out of the kitchen and bringing Sarah behind the counter.

  “When have we ever left?” Nolan said under his breath.

  “I know, but I got a feeling about this speech and I don’t want you two leaving. I should be back before curfew.”

  This was something that Nolan didn’t believe but both Sarah and Nolan promised not to leave the house. Neil grabbed his coat and headed in the direction of the bar.

  “Do you think he will be back before curfew?” Sarah asked having a feeling she knew what Nolan was going to say.

  “I don’t think so.”

  The restaurant nearly empty except for three businessmen sitting together. They were quietly eating. A family who was just about finished when a couple who appeared to be a little tipsy strolled in. They sat at a table close to the door and they both sat on the same side of the booth. Nolan watched as Sarah took the couple's order and he could tell they were a little obnoxious. Sarah came back to give Nolan their order and could tell they were a little irritated.

  “We could kick them out.” He suggested if it was too much trouble.

  “They are fine, just
a little strange is all.” She replied and headed back to check on the rest of the people.

  It was almost seven when Nolan came out to turn the volume of the television up. Sarah locked the doors and let everyone know they were closed and that there wasn’t a rush to finish up. The drunk couple were on separate sides of the table now. They seemed a little more tamed compared to when they first came in. The family had quickly left noticing the time. The businessmen still worked on their food. Nolan had turned everything off in the kitchen and was waiting to clean, so he could watch the speech. Sarah and Nolan both sat behind the counter eating some of the leftover food their dad ordered.

  The reporter came on. “Welcome to the coverage for this important event. We just got news that the President has arrived and is in the Capital Building now. He should be appearing soon.”

  It was as if the whole restaurant was watching. Nolan wondered if they should have locked the doors sooner because they might stay until the speech is over. The camera then changed to the inside of the Capitol Building’s House Chamber. The room was filled with the Representatives and Senators that made up Congress. Most were seated. Some were standing talking to each other waiting for the President to make his entrance. After several minutes of going around the room. The news anchor talked about certain people there.

  ‘If you look there that is the Representative from Arizona, Jack Gibson. Who put forth the bill to build the Governor’s Mansion in the Southwest. There is Senator Powell from Oregon. He is one of the last elected Senators.”

  This went on for a while as the reporters talked about different people’s political history. Nolan wondered what it would be like to vote in an election. When President Marshal took office after the death of President George W. Bush. Many things changed. Including the promotion of territorial governors. Those were the people who elected Representatives and Senators in Congress. The Governors were elected by the President himself. This, as President Marshal said. ‘Was to help better the nation in the crisis after the death of the former President.’ The eventual large-scale war that took place in the Middle East lasted several years. During that time many were drafted to fight. The war didn't come to an end until the United States dropped large nuclear bombs. From what they were told the Middle East was now a wasteland. This was due in part to the dangerous levels of radiation. The Islamic United Territories had been destroyed. Those remaining Muslims were forced to convert or go into hiding. During the war, many Muslims were forced to leave the States.

  The tone of the room changed. They must have received word that it was about to begin because everyone took their seats. Nolan was so excited he wasn’t sure that he had ever seen the President give a speech. If he had he had been very young.

  A voice on the television said “The President of the United States of America.” With those words, the room stood and everyone began to clap. The camera then focused on President Marshal who walked into the Chamber Room. He had graying hair, which was very straight, and neat. He wore a black suit and red tie, which made his intense appearance that much more intimidating. He casually walked into the room like someone who walked into a party and knew everyone was there for him. He did not smile or greet anyone as he walked to the Speaker’s rostrum. He stood for a moment as he reached the Clerk’s desk where he would give his speech. Nolan could tell that the President was enjoying the applause from Congress. He raised his hand and almost immediately the room was quiet.

  “Members of Congress. Americans watching this. I would like to thank you for joining me on this historic day,” President Marshal began. Nolan wasn’t exactly sure what was historical about today. He did not want to say anything in case he missed something. “Today marks an important day in this country’s history. For the many years that I have been President, our country has faced hard times. We suffered the loss of a great American President. That event led us to war with the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, and many others in that part of the world. That necessary war brought hard economic times to this great country. We suffered greatly those years, only to overcome the hardships.”

  There was silence in the restaurant as well as the Chamber Room. The businessmen who were seated had gotten up. They walked to the register still watching the television. Nolan was surprised that they were leaving. The President had just started. He knew that they might have been old enough to remember when he gave his last speech but that didn’t mean they should leave during this one.

  “We as a country changed how we do things. The political process changed to help this country stay strong and rebuild after such brutal years. A new threat now faces this country, another threat of war. Two days ago the United States Security Bureau was attacked. The so-called Democratic Insurgency attacked a federal building. Resulting in several of its agents being killed. So it is time for this government to take action against this organization who claims to act in favor of the people. There is no doubt that this is a trying time for this country. After the attack, I proposed a bill to Congress. This bill was voted upon and agreed upon unanimously. As of this moment today the United States Congress and the Supreme Court will be disbanded so that order can come back to this country.” Congress all stood and applauded as the President said these words. “A new era in America has come. Single leadership will guide us and make this country great. We the people have decided.”

  Nolan and Sarah sat in shock at these words. The government of the United States had all but been destroyed. In Nolan’s mind, they had just become a dictatorship. He was ill with the thought of what would happen now. How had Congress agreed to this? Has no one ever read the Constitution? The checks and balances had just disappeared before his eyes. The President had the nerve to say that ‘We the people decided’. We the people had not had a voice in government for many years.

  The President spoke again “These Insurgents will be targeted and brought to justice. This country will not tolerate domestic terrorism any longer.”

  The businessmen were standing at the register. With these words, the first one grabbed Sarah and said: “you are under arrest!”

  He pulled her over the counter and was trying to get her to the ground. Nolan ran over to help her when the second man grabbed him.

  BANG!

  The man holding Sarah hit the ground, as the side of his head burst open. The drunk couple had stood and pulled guns out from their coats. The man holding Nolan was caught off guard by the sudden gunfire. Nolan threw the businessman over his shoulder in a wrestling move. He hit the ground as more gunfire erupted in the store. Nolan crawled over to Sarah who had taken cover under the register. She had a frightened look on her face hearing all the gunfire and cracking of glass from bullets. Nolan remembered the gun in the register his father left there. Nolan and his sister always hated that their father wanted it there. They were in a nice neighborhood and had never been robbed. They saw no point in keeping it. Now, however, Nolan was relieved to know it was there.

  Nolan went into the register to retrieve the gun. Sarah was confused before realization came over her face as she knew what her brother was up too. Nolan got the gun out and rose above the counter. He found were one of the businessmen were and shot twice in his direction. Nolan thought he might have hit his arm, but he was shaking from adrenaline. The businessman turned and shot in Nolan’s direction. Nolan hit the ground right before bullets started hitting the wall above his and Sarah’s heads. They could hear the window in the front break. Nolan rose again to return fire when he peeked his head above the counter. He saw that the drunk couple had taken cover. It looked like the homeless man was firing from outside the restaurant at the businessmen. Nolan saw the one he shot at on the ground and the other man rose. Nolan did not hesitate and shot several times hitting the businessman in the chest. He ducked again thinking that the drunk couple would target him next. He and Sarah moved towards the kitchen but did not hear gunfire. They entered the kitchen and Sarah grabbed a large knife. They were expecting more gunfire when a man’s vo
ice called to them.

  “We aren’t here to hurt you too. If you didn’t notice we saved you kids.”

  Nolan and Sarah didn’t know what to think. This is true Nolan thought for a second. Those people never shot at him or Sarah he didn’t think. They were trying to hit the men who tried arresting them.

  “Give us a chance to talk to you two.” the man’s voice said in a calm tone. “We don’t have a lot of time. All that gunfire is going to draw the police here, and we can’t have that.”

  “How do I know you won’t shoot us when we come out?” Nolan asked yelling from the kitchen.

  “You just gotta come out and trust us.”

  Chapter Four

  The Captain and His Wife

   Sarah and Nolan were crouched in the kitchen. Sarah was staring at her brother to afraid to speak, for fear if they started planning an escape they would be heard. If these people were right then the police would be there any minute but whose side would the police be on? Their father was a Chicago cop surely they would be on their side. Sarah was conflicted and she could see the same conflict on her brother’s face. Nolan wiped the sweat from his forehead and moved towards the door.

  Nolan looked at his sister and mouthed “stay down.”

  Sarah shook her head showing she did not approve of this idea. What if when he walked out they shot him? She didn’t have a gun she had no way of defending him if something happened. Nolan had made up his mind though, and she couldn’t expect to change it now. He gave her the gun and she was shocked that he was actually going out unarmed. He opened up the doors to the kitchen and put his hands up.

  “What do you want?” Nolan asked.

  “Where is your sister?” The man asked.

  Sarah’s heart was racing.

  “She is back there,” Nolan said with a pause and he must have pointed to the kitchen. “She is not coming out until I know why you two are here.”