The First American President (standard:horror, 6497 words)
Author: hvysmker	Added: Apr 13 2006	Views/Reads: 3441/2260	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Hopefully, not a portend of the future. Only fiction, I hope.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

She had to be extremely careful.  The ring had a half inch needle in its
center, one containing a nerve agent.  A single prick of the substance 
could kill any number of people. 

Reaching the meat counter, Sarah pretended to check over the offerings,
choosing a half dozen plastic wrapped roasts, examining and pricking 
each with the ring, before laying them back down.  The same with 
hamburger, pork, and other types of meats.  She had been warned not to 
seem suspicious by infecting all the items, just a good sampling of 
each. 

Picking a couple of unpricked packages, she wandered down other isles,
ending up at the vegetable department, where she infected some more  
packages.  Sarah pricked a couple of loaves of bread at random, on her 
way out; capping the ring again before picking up her baby. 

* 

June Cleaves pushed in on the browned top of her roast.  She noticing
clear liquid spurting out, free from any trace of blood.  Taking it out 
of the oven, June waited the requested half hour before cutting, 
meanwhile she set the table, scooped mashed potatoes out of the mixer, 
heated up a couple of cans of ready made gravy, set the table, and 
other things preparatory for a meal. 

Finally, cutting the beef roast, she brought it to the dining room table
where her husband, Tom, and three kids were waiting. 

“Here you go, dig in,”  she instructed.  June had nibbled as she worked
and wasn't very hungry herself.  She decided to start cleaning the 
kitchen and utensils while the others ate.  As June left, She noticed 
her son Johnny scarfing his food down.  The boy was in a hurry; 
football practice started in an hour.  June smiled at her hungry brood. 


A few minutes later, June heard loud noises and screaming coming from
the dinning room.  Dropping a pan back into soapy water, she ran out to 
see what was happening.  Her son, Johnny, was in convulsions, slamming 
his limbs and neck around as if he were beating off wasps.  As she 
watched, he collapsed to the floor, where she could hear him thrashing 
around.  Looking toward her husband, June saw her spouse, bug-eyed and 
shaking, as he started to convulse. 

Being a former nurse's-aide, June tried to keep them from swallowing
their tongues.  Her two younger daughters were sitting in shock.  
Julie, on a teenage vegetarian kick, sat wide-eyed.  June only saw the 
back of Janet, her other daughter, as the girl disappeared through the 
doorway. 

“Julie.  Call 911, and hurry up.”  June yelled, trying to check johnny
out.  The pupils of his eyes were rolled up out of sight. 

*** 

CPS 07/06/10 Washington, D.C. The price of the dollar has dropped to a
record low, and faces losing more face -- value that is.  The EU 
(European Union) has accused the US of printing billions of dollars of 
extra money recently.  More dollars on the economy reduces their value 
in the International Community.  Once the staple, against which all 
other currencies were judged, there has been an increasing lack of 
interest over the last few years since the Iraq war started.  The 
difference is not apparent within this country but every American 
tourist in Europe or the Far East can tell you all about it.  It takes 
more American Money to buy foreign goods.  Some foreign businesses 
hesitate to take dollars for their products or services.  An advantage 
however to American industry partially compensates.  We find more 
overseas sales for our products as they take advantage of the lower, to 
them, prices.  The worse effect of more money on the community is the 
real possibility of inflation.  In the recent past, American Dollars 
had been backed by gold, but now only on trust. As more of them flood 
the coffers of the International Market, that trust is eroding. 

* 

US Army duty in France was nice for a bachelor, Ssgt. Peter Thompson
figured.  After a hiatus of fifty years, France had finally allowed the 
US to build a small, largely symbolic, NATO base. The sergeant was 
stationed in the little town of Chinon and found the girls friendly and 
the rent cheap.  Along with his rank, came enough money to live 
comfortably on the economy, meaning he bought his food and paid his 
rent in Euro's.  At the time, the exchange rate was effectively set at 
$1.25 per Euro.  The official rate fluctuated but most businesses, 
except banks, used the effective working rate of five American quarters 
for one Euro. 

Ralph had put off paying his rent for almost a week.  When he did go
downstairs to pay the landlord, Mr. Chenault, the man insisted on 
double the amount, showing Ralph a local newspaper -- in French of 
course.  The Ssgt. could read a little French and, between that and the 
large front page graph, could see that the American Dollar had 
decreased in value, overnight.  It was now only half the value of the 
day before.  Ralph had screwed himself by putting off paying his rent 
on the first. 

He did have enough in the bank to pay, but found the official bank rate
even more punishing.  To top it off, Mr. Chenault insisted that Ralph 
pay in Euro's from then on.  He said he no longer trusted American 
money. 

Ralph found out most other stores and businesses also refused American
money.  They expected it to go down even further in value in 
relationship to the Euro, and didn't want to have it on them.  Neither 
did Ralph, for that matter.  He told his bank to immediately convert 
all his Dollars and to do so when his next payroll deposit came in.  He 
didn't trust the dollar either. 

Ralph's standard of living changed.  It was like getting his pay cut in
half, overnight.  He eventually had to move into a cheaper apartment 
and drink at home to save money.  The PX and commissary on post got 
more of his business.  Even the girls weren't anywhere as available as 
before.  A lot of French stores wouldn't take American money at any 
price, insisting on Euros. 

* 

There was an upsurge on spending in the US.  Vacationers no longer went
to other climes, but stayed In the United States.  It just cost too 
much to travel.  Homegrown businesses boomed, with some not seen in the 
US in ages starting back up, like the Steel, footware, computer 
accessory, and television industries.  Overseas products were too 
expensive in comparison. 

Unemployment rapidly got down to zero percent, then begged for more. 
Industries needed workers, which meant higher wages offered to keep the 
ones they had.  With more money floating around on the economy, there 
was more demand for products.  Consequently higher prices. 

The government was hard pressed to prevent inflation.  The prime bank
interest rates went way up to discourage building.  With the cost of 
building rising, old factories and buildings were restored, raising the 
wages of construction workers out of proportion.  That created pressure 
on labor unions to raise their own people's wages.  Both to get 
currency off the streets and take advantage of it's movement, the 
States and Federal government started raising taxes.  The United States 
Economy became a veritable mess, refusing to completely stabilize.  
Methods that had worked in the past didn't work the same way this time. 


*** 

CPS 08/08/10 Washington, D.C. The big news in Washington today is the
arrest of Senator Ralph Bailey.  The longtime Senator from Idaho was 
arrested in his home early this morning by agents of the Federal Bureau 
of Investigation.  According to our sources, the charge is Advocating 
Terrorism.  The controversial Senator has long been accused of having  
un-American sympathies due to his record  of  voting contrary to 
Presidential suggestions. 

* 

Senator Edwards received a surprise visit from a high official, with an
office in the basement of the White House.  It occurred in the 
Senator's office. 

“The President called me this morning.  He urged me to try convincing
you again, Ralph.  He's getting really, really, peeved that you refuse 
to join the team.  He fears that where you refuse, others might follow 
your example.  For this war, we need the entire Congress behind us.  
How else are we to fight these terrorist bastards?” 

“What ‘Terrorist Bastards' are you talking about, George.  We got hit
once, and a damn good one, but I see no reason to abrogate rule by law, 
the government, and the Constitution.”  The Senator was mad.  He had 
been devoting himself to fighting the constant government encroachment. 
 The last three Presidents had taken more and more rights from citizens 
and gotten more and more of them for the Executive branch. Congress 
itself was getting to be a symbolic organization, only there to vote 
according to White House dictates. 

Senator Edwards almost threw the President's representative out of his
office.  The man had the audacity to threaten him -- a United States 
Senator. 

That night, his home had been invaded and the Senator was taken into
custody, locked up in a restricted part of a Military Airport.  No 
explanations were given, and no phone calls allowed.  It was all all 
lawful, under the Patriot Act. Some unknown whistle-blower had 
implicated the Senator in a terrorist conspiracy. He had to be held and 
questioned until the charge could be checked out.  All in the name of 
National Security. 

*** 

CPS 08/23/10 Monasas, Massachusetts. In reminiscence of bombings a few
days ago in Utah, Monasas Mass, suffered the results of an exploding 
gasoline truck.  The driver was seen to leave, in another vehicle, 
minutes before the explosion, which killed about sixty people in the 
small town, destroying the entire business district as well as passing 
cars on a major highway going through the town. 

* 

The little man known only as Mr. Hassam hung up the payphone.  Hung it
up with a lot of force.  He was pissed.  His boss had given him another 
assignment.  It would be impossible to get another driver in the time 
allotted. 

“God damn it.  I was told I wouldn't have to do it myself,” He cursed,
fuming.  But the money was good, and the results of failure too damn 
swift; he had to do the job himself.   Driving from Denver, Colorado, 
all the way to Massachusetts.  One hell of a long trip for one man. 

At least he had a truck ready, and a friend in Boston.  Hassam, not his
real name of course, made a phone call, arranging to be picked up at 
the end of the trip. 

“Look, Jim.  Stop with the questions, can you pick me up or not?  Yes,
six am next Wednesday, in a town named Monasas.  Now make damn sure 
you're there.  Yes, I'll pay you -- two thousand just for picking me 
up, and for not telling anyone, okay?  Just as soon as you pick me up, 
and only if you're on time.  If you're late, I'll be gone.”  Hassam 
checked over the truck again, to make certain it was ready, and started 
for Massachusetts. 

It was am uneventful, but boring and tiring trip.  He pushed ahead until
too tired to go another mile, then stopped and slept along the road.  
Except for that, Hassam stopped only for fuel, and even that was an 
involved process, involving taking the rig off the expressways and into 
small towns to fuel up.  He couldn't afford to have people remember his 
truck stopping at stations along the expressways. 

On entering Massachusetts, he noticed he was ahead of schedule.  Hassam
slowed down and got a good few hours sleep at a highway plaza.  
Refreshed, he pushed onto the final part of the trip, arriving at a few 
minutes after five am.  Hassam pulled into a small, closed, gas 
station. 

He wiped any places on the vehicle where he might have left
fingerprints, made certain he had all his possessions, and stood 
outside the truck.  He didn't have to wait long before a blue Ford 
pickup stopped near him.  It was his friend Jim, with a teenage girl 
along. 

“Who the hell you got with you, I expected you to be alone?”  Hassam was
mad, things had been going so well.  He climbed in the passenger side. 

“Don't get hot under the collar, Mike.  This's my daughter Jill.  She
wanted to get out of the house for a while.  We're going to see my Aunt 
Mary after we drop you off.  By the way, where you going?” 

“Just head back to Boston.  I'll tell you when we get there.” 

“Hi, Mr. Adamoski.  I'm Jill, my father told me all about you, that
you're a government guy and all, how you worked together in Vietnam.” 

“Right, you got it right.  I'll bet he did.”  Hassam sat quietly,
simmering. 

When they got to the outskirts of Boston, a town Hassam knew slightly,
he directed Jim to a factory area and told him to park behind an old 
closed warehouse. 

“One hell of a place to get out, Mike.  You sure this is it?”  Jim
asked. 

“Yeah, this is it,” he told Jim, “come with me, over to the back door, I
need to talk to you a minute.” 

“Sure, you wait here, Jill.”  Mike got out, leaving the motor running,
and followed Hassam to the doorway. “What's up, Jim?  You got the 
money?  I gotta get going.” 

The silencer made only a couple of ‘phutts' like a balloon leaking air. 
Hassam held Jim upright by the collar as the body shuddered and became 
limp.  Dropping Jim's corpse, he hurried back to the truck. 

Jill, watching through the rearview mirror on the passenger side, saw
her father drop, and the other man running back to the truck.  Her 
father had told her, among other things, that the two had done a lot of 
killing in Vietman, and not to trust this Mike.  Which was why she was 
watching closely. 

She threw herself into the driver's seat and put the pickup truck into
gear, roaring away.  If she were wrong, she could always come back, she 
figured.  Jill knew she wasn't wrong by the way the back window 
shattered, and the windshield starred with a hole in it. 

*** 

CPS 08/25/10 Columbus, Ohio. Four Ohio cities have passed resolutions
severely limiting the passage of tanker trucks through their city 
limits.  They are to be allowed only between three and four am, and 
only on certain roads with heavy police escort.  The vehicles are to be 
searched and tested prior to allowing them to be escorted through town. 
 Mayor Scott Trembell, of Clyde, also stated "Identification of drivers 
and telephone calls to the transportation companies to verify trip 
tickets will be the norm.  Any discrepancies will lead to arrests and 
or rejection."  Portable x-ray equipment and chemical testing will also 
be used. 

* 

“We can't help it Mr. Simmons.  Gasoline delivery is always late.  The
boss gets his orders, and he said to up the price.”  The gasoline clerk 
told Mr. Peter Simmons, “With less product, and the same operating 
expenses, he has no choice.  It's not to ‘Stick the Public'.  Our 
profits are way down.  It takes a longer time to get the gasoline here, 
and costs more to transport it.” 

“It's a shame, the way you take advantage of us.”  Peter was hardly
convinced by her long tirade.  He needed gasoline for his delivery 
truck.  Before long he would have to raise his own prices.  He couldn't 
afford to absorb the cost. 

“I just wish I could go back to buying in bulk,”  he told her, getting
his change, “but the environmental laws keep me from using my own 
tank.” 

* 

“Sorry, Mister Thompson, but if these prices don't go down soon, I'll
have to quit,”  Tom Jones told his boss.  Tom was a contractor for a 
delivery company.  He used his own truck in his work, and gasoline 
costs came directly out of his profit.  He was about breaking even at 
the moment, and had no money in the bank to operate on a deficit, all 
his money had gone into buying his truck. 

*** 

CPS 09/11/10 Bimfot, Oregon. Two more tanker explosions in Northern
Oregon, making a total of three to date in that State, destroyed a 
large shopping center and an area of highway leading into Binfot this 
morning around eight am.  The latest explosion was on a road closed 
partially by construction barriers. At the time, a three vehicle 
accident had temporarily closed the two remaining lanes, backing up 
traffic for miles, until the accident could be cleared.  The driver of 
the large tanker fled before the explosion, and is believed trapped in 
a wooded area by State Police.  Although still under investigation, the 
first explosion is suspected to be because of lightning, not terrorist 
activity. 

* 

Mike Adamoski, aka Hassam, leaned against a huge tree in the wilds
outside Medford, Oregon.  He was out of breath, his legs quaking from 
his efforts to evade the Oregon State Police. 

“Damn it,” he gasped, “I shouldn't have been so sure.”  Nearing Medford,
Mike had stopped at a State Rest Stop to use the rest room.  While he 
was at it, he armed his explosive charge, set the timer and dropped it 
into the tank.  Hell, it was less than an hour from town, and would 
save him a little time when he got there.  He could park the truck, and 
leave right away.  He hadn't figured on an accident at a road 
construction site. 

There was no way to stop the explosion, the watertight charge being at
the bottom of 20,000 gallons of gasoline, which was itself flowing 
around two hundred pounds of plastic explosives. 

Mike kept checking his watch, waiting for the road to be cleared of two
semi's, lying on their sides and blocking the entire road.  There were 
far too many vehicles behind him to back up and turn the big rig 
around. If he took to the fields, he would certainly get stuck. And 
there were cops all over the place -- he had to wait and pray. 

Eventually, the time came when he wouldn't be able to reach his
destination, no time.  He could still park on the outskirts, and hope 
he could make it in time to be picked up by his ride.  But that time 
also came, and left, and he couldn't even make it to town before the 
explosion. 

If he left right then, he could park alongside the road, at least take
out some traffic when it exploded.  He could hitch a ride and be long 
gone. 

That time also passed.  Only ten minutes to go by his watch, and the
road still blocked.  He had to get out, the hell with the cops. 

Mike got out of his rig, walked along the side of the vehicle, as though
checking something, then casually walked to the roadside.  Looking 
around, he saw no policemen watching him in particular, and jumped the 
little fence, running as fast as he could across a wheat field, aiming 
for the woods on the far side. 

“Hey!  Stop!” 

Mike looked over his shoulder while running.  It was a police officer
standing on the road.   “Come back here.  Why are you running?”  Mike 
couldn't stop.  There were no shots, but when he reached the fence on 
the other side of the field, he saw several men, one the police 
officer, chasing him, but far behind. 

About the time he got about thirty feet into the deep woods, the truck
exploded.  He was thrown off his feet into some thorny berry bushes.  
Not taking time to look back, Mike struggled out and continued running. 


That had been hours ago.  He knew that by now the police and helicopters
would be searching for him.  Chances were at least one of his pursuers 
would have survived.  Now he was lost in the deep woods of Oregon 
State, his mission failed, with the resulting loss of income. 

*** 

CPS 01/15/11 Washington, D.C. Four Members of the Supreme Court have
been killed and two hospitalized for minor injuries.  Apparently a 
suitcase bomb went off during a session.  The survivors have been 
rushed under security to an undisclosed location for their own 
protection.  An emergency session of Congress has been called, and is 
expected to spend the night if necessary -- for the purpose of 
replacing the Justices as quickly as possible.  The constitution has no 
provision for so many of them dying so quickly.  President Peterson 
told the press he does happen to have enough names ready to replace 
them. Assuming Congress will okay them in the emergency. 

* 

“What's this crap?”  Justice Travis complained to his associate Supreme
Court Justice Jackson, “They've approved Edward Nagle to the position.  
He's spent half his career under the threat of going to jail.” 

“I know, but what can we do about it.  He's a good party hack and will
go along with what the President wants.”  Justice Jackson could only 
sigh, “that's the way things are now.  That bomb was a warning to us, 
just like in arresting that Congressman -- go along with the program, 
or die.” 

“Isn't that the truth, He's probably been put in with us to watch us
forthe White House.” 

“Nothing we can do.  I don't know about you, but I want to stay alive to
take care of my family.” 

“I noticed, the Secret Service just happened to be out of the room when
it went off, and can't seem to figure out how the bomb got in the 
room.”  Jackson had noticed, “and they work for the  President.” 

*** 

CPS 01/17/11 Dallas, Texas. Forty people, most residents of the south
side of Dallas have died in the past twenty-four hours.  Like in Nome, 
it has been traced to one store, a different chain than in Alaska.  
That store has also been closed until further notice. 

* 

Kamie Evens wanted to visit her parents and younger brother.  She took a
few days off from her studies at the University of Texas at Houston.  
She owned a four cylinder Volkswagen which was very good on gas.  It 
was still expensive to drive, but she hadn't seen her family for over 
eight months, and was anxious to see how brother John and his 
girlfriend were getting on. 

The roads were almost empty all the way, most of the few vehicles being
small economy cars.  In fact her old car was now worth ten times what 
it had been a few months before. 

Kamie pulled into her parent's driveway, in the suburbs of Dallas,
sitting still for a few minutes to relax her mind from the trip.  
Getting out, she used her key to open the front door and go in. 

“Ma, It's me, Kamie,”  she cried out, “Where you guys at.”  She gasped
and grabbed the edge of the door.  Her mother was collapsed on the 
floor, a pot of potatoes scattered around her body, the juice long 
dried up.  Rushing over, Kamie slipped and fell on her mother, with no 
reaction from the body.  Jerking up in fear, she tried to take her 
mother's pulse.  Kamie was a premed student.  Her own heart was beating 
too fast for the task, but she knew the woman was dead.  Her flesh was 
far to cold to be alive. 

Her father was sprawled across the left side of his easy chair, not
noticing the Hourly News, still playing on the television.  A quick 
search didn't turn up her brother.  Thank God, she thought. 

Kami picked up the telephone and dialed the emergency number.  It took a
while, amid a lot of tears, but she reported the deaths.  The girl went 
out to her car, to hang her head and wait for an ambulance. No way she 
wanted to ever go back inside that house. 

*** 

CPS 02/22/11 Washington, D.C. The Federal Transportation Commission has
halted delivery of gasoline, except when approved by local law 
enforcement authorities and heavily guarded by either uniformed police 
or security guards approved by the various police agencies.  Trucks, 
even empty and in parking lots, will be checked daily and kept under 
twenty-four hour guard.  Most municipalities will also have their own 
checks in place in the coming weeks.  Consumers can expect vastly 
inflated gasoline prices as a consequence, when even available.  States 
are expected to impose some sort of rationing and priority on it's 
dispensing. 

* 

“What the hell you talking about, George?”  Elmer bitched at his old
high school buddy, who owned and operated the only gasoline station in 
the little Tennessee town, “I know damn well you have gas.  Now you 
fill my tank and gas can.  How the hell can I mow my lawn without it?” 

“Sorry Elmer, nothing I can do.  You'll have to see the Sheriff.  He
ordered me to lock my pumps.  The only people I can give gasoline to 
are government vehicles.  Police cars, road working trucks and the 
like.” George bitched right back, “I can't even fill my own pickup.  I 
have to have permission to take out my tow truck.” 

There would have been a picket line or crowd of demonstrators by noon,
except for the remote location.  Cities of any size had them, 
demonstrators, that is.  George was lucky in that nobody wanted to use 
precious gasoline to go all the way out to his station to demonstrate. 

Most businesses across the country had to close temporarily, except for
cities with public transportation.  Even then, without taxis or private 
transportation -- even delivery trucks coming in --, most closed. 

Things got better, once plans had been made and implemented for guarding
the gasoline and oil supplies -- but it took a few days.  A few days 
with the country all but shut down.  When things finally got settled, a 
lot of businesses had to stay closed, especially in rural areas. 
Suppliers, delivery vehicles, and employees, couldn't get to them. 

Crops rotted in the fields, it being to costly to harvest them. 
Businesses couldn't get workers to come in, it cost too much in fuel.  
Many businesses also used gasoline and diesel.  Costs of goods climbed 
due to transportation and manufacturing costs. 

The State Governments had to eventually call a moratorium on State and
local Taxes, as a way to get some production back.  The cost of running 
the country fell on the Federal Government, who had to print more 
money, further extending inflation and devaluating the dollar. 

*** 

CPS 02/28/11 At least ten more Senators have been arrested.  A dozens by
FBI and Secret Service Personnel swept through the Senate Building 
yesterday afternoon, arresting Senators and some aides.  The building 
has been isolated from communications since the raid, with no one 
allowed in or out.  It is strongly expected to have something to do 
with the arrest of Senator Edwards last week.  The arrested Senators 
and aides are being held at an undisclosed location with accordance to 
the Patriot Act. 

* 

“You can't arrest me, I'm a United States Senator, also a lawyer,” 
Senator Patrick, from Texas, protested to deaf ears.  A Secret Service 
Agent held Patrick's hands behind him, slipping on a pair of handcuffs. 
 As the Senator left, he saw another agent pounding a large padlock 
hasp into the side of his door. 

He was hustled, along with a number of other men and women, down the
main corridor and out the back door.  All along the corridors, other 
heads could be seen looking out, but didn't dare to interfere.  The 
lesson wasn't lost though.  Don't screw with the President, was the 
message. 

They were sent to an undisclosed location, to be held for questioning
under the Patriot Act.  No lawyers or rights, thank you. 

*** 

CPS 03/07/11 Dramadary, Vermont. Terrorist have now hit Vermont.  The
small town of Dramadary, Vt. has also had ten lives lost to the nerve 
agent sarin.  Like the other cases around the country, it is believed 
to be from packaged meat.  Some packages, in the little country store 
furnishing the town with groceries, have been found to contain the 
nerve agent.  All those packages have tiny puncture marks in the 
plastic covering.  Police believe it is one or more terrorists, going 
from one town to another, picking a store at random and pricking the 
packages with poisoned needles. 

* 

Terry Johnson looked like a normal working man.  Dressed in dirty
overalls, a trimmed beard and mustache, with a smile on his broad face, 
nobody noticed him in Krocker's Food Mart.  He ambled from one aisle to 
another, picking up and studying different products.  He would hold 
them to his face like he needed glasses, studying the dietary labels.  
Often shaking his head, he would replace a container, then pick up 
another brand, comparing calories, food value etc. 

At the same time, he was puncturing plastic coverings on such things as
meat and the thin skins of fruits, injecting poison into them and 
replacing them for sale. 

Terry knew what he was doing.  He liked the idea of killing.  The
Government had killed his Father and Uncle.  It had also sent him to an 
asylum for ten long years -- now let them suffer.  Maybe if he killed 
enough, his friends, the subterranean Mole Men, would take over.  Then 
he would be a Prince among Moles. 

Sure, Terry was a looney, but one that could pass for normal, which was
all they wanted.  They being his bosses.  If he were caught, who would 
even believe him? 

*** 

CPS 03/23/11 Los Angeles, California. Long lines at gas stations, the
lucky ones to have fuel, typify this city.  Lines that have been seen 
to go around the block several times, completely blocking roads from 
any other traffic.  Despite costs of up to $20 a gallon, people are 
known to wait for over an hour at some stations.  Some enterprising 
stations are making waiting autos park in consecutive lines.  That way 
they can turn their engines off until their particular line is called, 
thus saving the gas formerly needed to edge forward.  This reporter 
counted eighteen lines of twelve cars each at one station, almost 
filling the lot of a small shopping center next door. 

* 

“Damn it, we've been here two hours already,”  Michael bitched to his
son.  They had put off getting gas until Mike's payday.  At $22.99 
cents a gallon and with hours to wait at the station, his son brought 
along a portable radio.  No reason to run the battery down by using the 
one in their pickup truck.  The back seat contained an assortment of 
magazines and snacks.  The snacks not being strictly necessary as there 
was a food stand at the station.  That and picnic tables were making 
the purchasing of gasoline into a social occasion. 

The most popular gasoline dealers were the ones near theaters and other
entertainment.  While one member of a family waited for the gas, the 
others could go to specially made half hour movies at a nearby theater. 
 The new type theater had a telephone exchange, letting drivers notify 
their families when necessary. 

*** 

CPS 04/22/11 Washington, D.C. Some seventy-four members of the House of
Representatives have resigned their positions, affective immediately.  
It has been noted that most of them were the most vocal opponents of 
President Peterson. 

* 

The floor of the House had become nearly empty.  So many Representatives
had quit rather than take a chance on being arrested.  States couldn't 
fill the slots, since only a fool would accept the position.  As an 
emergency measure, a ruling had been made that, before a bill came up, 
it would be cleared unofficially by the White House. 

If the President didn't like the idea, it was shelved.  If President
Peterson approved of it, it would be passed by almost 100% of congress. 


*** 

CPS 05/02/11 Washington, D.C. An emergency bill has passed congress and
is believed to be signed tomorrow by president Peterson.  The bill will 
appropriate twenty billion dollars to protect gasoline sources and 
transportation.  It may lead to additional Federal taxes on gasoline.  
The new law will pay salaries for additional security for the product, 
all the way from production to dispersion.  Right now, in a few areas 
of the country, the price of gasoline has risen to a little over $25 
dollars a gallon.  Even at that price, it is still sold out soon after 
delivery.  Last year at this time the same areas fluctuated around $5 a 
gallon.  A lot of minimum wage employers have shut their doors, 
employees finding it cheaper to stay home than to go to work.  Other 
employers are furnishing free or cut rate housing near their places of 
employment in an effort to keep workers. 

* 

“Where are we going to get the money, George?”  President Peterson asked
his Chief of Security, “we just flat assed don't have it.” 

“I guess the same way we have been, just order it printed,”  was the
reply.  United States Currency was steadily declining in value.  Many 
countries didn't accept it from tourists. 

*** 

CPS 05/12/11 Washington, D.C. It is hard to find a store dispensing food
where you can walk through anymore.  Most stores stop customers at the 
door and take their grocery lists, filling them by employees.  Private 
security agencies are paying inflated wages to lure employees from 
other occupations.  Any business that handles foodstuffs is looking for 
improved security.  It's cheaper than lawsuits.  Most will eventually 
raise their rates as the cost of security and fuel rises. 

* 

“May I help you, Ma'am?”  the store clerk asked Mrs. Murchison.  At one
end of the counter, across the supermarket entrance, were a stack of 
Zeroxed catalogs.  Signs over the counter displayed pictures and prices 
of products on sale. 

Customers would come in, grab a catalog and fill out forms on what they
wanted to purchase.  Then they would wait in line for an available 
clerk to service them.  No customers were allowed on the floor of the 
store itself. 

Security guards were on duty throughout the store, checking on the
clerks.  The waiting area did have coke machines and serve free coffee 
while you waited.  For a fee, orders were filled by telephone and 
delivered to the customer's home.  Many customers preferred the service 
because of the cost of fuel. 

*** 

CPS 05/20/11 Washington, D.C. The new Supreme Court has been sworn in. 
Their first big case would be on the legality of the House of 
Representatives backing President Peterson in his bid to temporarily 
shut down the Senate.  The House approved his request, right after 
swearing in the new Supreme Court and before shutting down for the 
weekend.  President Peterson wants the Senate closed down while it's 
members are investigated for Un-American Activities.  If approved, the 
investigation is likely to take years.  In the emergency, President 
Peterson is expected to ask the House to also suspend Presidential 
elections for the duration of the current War on Terror, since it 
obviously reaches all the way to the US Congress. 

The End?


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