The Voice of the Revolution (standard:drama, 3471 words)
Author: TJC	Added: Nov 09 2006	Views/Reads: 3674/2384	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A radio talk show host finds out that the new America he helped create comes with a price.

THE VOICE OF THE REVOLUTION 

Rob Layton had been asked to stop by the front office before heading
home.  He hoped it was nothing major because he was looking forward to 
enjoying dinner, a glass of red wine and his young sexy wife once he 
got home.  He'd been talking all day on his radio program, and though 
he loved the loyalty of his “revolutionaries” he was tired and just 
wanted to be plain old Rob for a while and not the “voice of the 
revolution.”  Besides, they'd accomplished their mission of making the 
United States a nation of values and laws based on solid Christian 
principles and decency.  The border was sealed,  law enforcement no 
longer had their hands tied by needless warrants and roadblocks, 
abortions were now against the law, the labor unions that had curtailed 
productivity had been cut back in nearly all corporations if not 
outright eliminated, and people were finally waking up to the fact that 
hard work and faith went a long way toward living a decent life.  If 
one didn't want to be active in their church, they certainly didn't 
have to, but of course it made one an outcast in society.  Rabble 
rousers and malcontents no longer had a place in the country.  Working 
was a privilege and people had come to the realization that having a 
job was something they should cherish and that complaining and turning 
their back on God and country were no way to show appreciation.  Hard 
work and values mattered once again.  The people were safe from terror 
and they were happy.  No longer did they have to endure movies with 
gratuitous sex and violence, as the country's new mandate on film, 
television and book screening made the arts far more family oriented.  
People had little to complain about and few worries.  Crime rates were 
at an all-time low and employment rates at an all-time high. Things 
were so good that Layton had begun talking on his program about other 
things, such as sports, which he'd always secretly preferred.  
Occasionally some bleeding heart would spout off or do something in an 
attempt to bring back the days of decadence, but then Rob would simply 
attack the person on air and in no time the man or woman would be 
destroyed financially and personally.  That was a necessary part of his 
job in order to keep good order in the new nation of normalcy and 
values. 

“Rob, how are you today?”  Asked Alf Reynolds, the CEO of Honesty
Broadcasting Network, as he opened the door to the spacious office 
overlooking Manhattan.  He was a thin, well dressed man and a loud, 
happy guy most of the time.  He was also one of the richest men in the 
world with hundreds of thousands of people employed in his empire.  Rob 
owed a great deal to Alf, as his confidence to give him his own show 
had made Rob a star and rich man in his own right. 

“I'm good, Alf,” Rob replied as he shook the man's hand.  He then
settled his large frame in the familiar brown leather chair in front of 
the massive desk.    “What's going on?  You wanted to see me?” 

“Yes, there's this college professor of media arts by the name of Hugo
Edwards,” said the CEO.  “I'm told you know him.” 

“He was my professor in college years ago and my mentor when I was
starting out,” Rob said.  He wasn't quite sure what the puzzled look on 
Alf's face meant but he didn't like it. “Hugo Edwards is a good man.  I 
imagine he is about ready to retire isn't he?” 

“We hope so.  Some people in the government and I have been discussing
him and we were hoping you'd have a chat with him.  After all you're 
one of his former students and a star of the game as it were.” 

“A chat?” 

“Yes.  Maybe show him that retiring would be a good thing for him.”
Layton laughed.  “That old guy is stubborn and if he doesn't want to 
retire, then there's little I'll be able to say to convince him.  
Besides, he's a good man.  I learned a great deal of my radio skills 
from him.” 

“Have a chat with him.  We want him to step down.” 

“Why?”  Layton felt his stomach tightening.   He knew from other
conversations like this, that he was going to be asked to “hit” him.  
Whenever someone was causing trouble,  Layton was told to “Hit him on 
the air” and that usually put an end to whatever the problem was. 


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