From Within (3 page)

The sounds of voices chattering and ice clinking against glass filled the large private theater. A man who appeared to be in his late 30’s stood next to a tall cocktail table. Next to him was a blond woman. She leaned against the table staring down at her drink, swirling the ice around every few seconds. They appeared to be a couple. He wore a tuxedo, as did every other man in the room. Just like every other man in the room, the only item worn that was unique was the watch. They were all very nice tuxedos, however, the layman’s eye might think they all had the same designer. She wore a formal gold colored dress. It appeared to be made by a special designer. There were reflective adornments that peppered the dress which made the wearer appear to sparkle under even the slightest amount of light. As with every other woman in the room, everything about her dress and jewelry was unique. Large and bright diamonds were common throughout the room on the ears, necks, and wrists of the ladies. There was probably more money in clothing and jewelry in the room than most could hope to save in a lifetime.

The man’s gaze concentrated on different clusters of people around the large room. He listened to each group and then turned his head to focus on the next, hoping to hear subjects of his expertise that he could walk over to join in on. She appeared bored. Occasionally, others in the room would walk up to the two and talk with the man about important sounding topics. As they approached she would look up with a smile and appear interested but she was still not. She wanted to be entertained beyond what this party was offering. Perhaps it wasn’t the type of people she had expected. Maybe she had been to so many similar parties that they no longer gave a rise to any excitement in her.

A buzz from a speaker clicked on and a familiar microphone tapping sound from a sound test pounded from the speaker. “Ladies and gentlemen,” a man across the room began to speak and the chattering voices ceased. “I’m glad you are all enjoying yourselves. We must now begin the business portion of our gathering. The final preparations over the last couple of years have now brought us to within mere months of implementation.”

The room erupted into applause. The man with the golden lady now attached to his arm made his way through the groups of people to the microphone.

“Indeed,” he said, leaning into the microphone.

The woman was now smiling next to him. No doubt she was eating up the fact that all attention was on her man.

“I commend you all on your patience. We have been planning for this for decades. I must tell you,” he built in a dramatic pause, “the planning is over.” His volume was quickly rising. “It is now time to put this plan into action!”

The room, once again, erupted into applause.

WWNL interview

Late October 2036

“For our feature on this evening’s news Marcus is speaking with a local business owner right here in Manhattan. Marcus?” Ava said with a smile.

“Thank you, Ava. I’m here with Ralph, owner of The Gourmet Grocer. Ralph is among New York City’s many grocery business owners that have recently been contacted by the government about oversight and management changes that go into effect this coming week. Ralph and the other grocers will now have nearly every business decision going through a government committee. Ralph and many of his customers are worried that the government will start instituting rationing on food. Ralph, what is your take on all of this?”

“Thank you, Mr. Braden. Well, I believe the only reason that the government chose to basically take over the grocery business is because they want to control what gets out to the public. I see no other reason to choose this industry over any other.” Marcus noticed Ralph was very well-spoken. He very much preferred his interviews to go smoothly like this one was.

“Ralph, if you don’t mind me asking, how’s business? I only ask because one might think that the reason the government would do something like this is to keep a failing business afloat.”

“Yes, it would be logical to think that since that has been a past practice of our government and other governments around the world. However, the grocery business is doing fine. People will always need food and as long as owners and management of a company know how to run a grocery store, then they should have no problem keeping a sustainable revenue. Honestly, profits have been down but, we still have profits. With the shaky economy, there has been businesses closing and our inventory variety has decreased. Thankfully, there are alternative products we still have. Some are cheaper, but there are still options. To me, these actions by the government are nothing more than steps toward an ultimate goal of a complete takeover of my business and all grocery stores.”

“Ralph, were you aware of the decision in Congress about a month ago that increased the government’s power to manage businesses that they considered to be a necessity to the country’s infrastructure?”

“Uhh...no, Marcus, I don’t believe I knew about that.” Ralph raised an eyebrow.

“Well, I’d like to remind folks that a little over a month ago, WWNL reported on the matter along with a story about the government confiscating the assets of charity organizations. Ralph, you may not have noticed much in the news because Congress pushed this item through both the House and the Senate all in one evening. To me, it sounds like they didn’t want the public to know.

“Yes,” Ralph chimed back in. “It must’ve been pushed through really fast because I always watch the news and I never saw anything on the matter.”

“Yes, Ralph, it’s very unfortunate,” Marcus said as he turned from Ralph to look into the camera. “It was only a few weeks ago I made some comments on the decisions. Our viewers will remember that I predicted that very soon we would see government takeovers happening. I, however, predicted food distribution would be the first to go, with the intent being the trucking companies that distributed the food around the country. I did not imagine that grocery stores would have been taken over, but I suppose they are a part of food distribution to the public. For our viewers, what is your opinion? Is the prediction that the government will start rationing food like Ralph and other owners think is a possibility, something for the public to worry about? Go onto WWNL’s website to weigh in on the matter. Thank you Ralph for taking time to be here with us. Stay tuned to WWNL throughout this week and next for more on how the government will utilize this new power they voted to themselves. I’m Marcus Braden reporting from on the street in Manhattan. Back to you, Ava.”

WWNL Interview

November 2036

“Many of our viewers will remember our guest today as we followed his steady rise to infamous business success. Son of European immigrants that fled economic crisis a few decades back. Marek Dominski, now one year shy of 40 years old, is the CEO of Dominski International. His company’s beginnings were from the long time Wall Street investing icon, The City Mutual. Since Mr. Dominski’s takeover in majority ownership and becoming CEO, the company has seen a mass expansion unprecedented by most financial experts. During the long-term market recession, Mr. Dominski’s company has watched their stock prices skyrocket.”

Marcus turned from a camera and readjusted in his seat. The camera panned out. He now faced Marek Dominski. Three cameras sat across from them. Their two chairs sat angled towards the middle camera. Marek sat straight and confidently. He appeared comfortable and natural in front of the camera. He had one leg propped up on the other and laid one arm across his lap. This made his expensive A. Lange & Söhne watch easily visible to Marcus and the cameras. Marcus had glanced at the watch many times as he and Marek chatted prior to the interview beginning. He guessed it cost no less than $110,000 for the artful masterpiece. Marek had neatly trimmed dark hair. It appeared there wasn’t a single strand out of place. His custom-tailored suit and power-red silk tie were probably priced just as much as the watch.

“Welcome, Mr. Dominski.”

“Thanks for having me again, Marcus. Always a pleasure,” Marek said. He had only a slight accent remaining. Having spent most of his life in the U.S., his speech had acclimated greatly compared to his parents. “Remember Marcus, you can call me Marek. I think I’ve told you that every time I come on your program.” Marek and Marcus both chuckled.

“Marek,” Marcus said with emphasis referencing the previous comment, “the U.S. is entering its’ sixth year of an economic depression and your company has only been succeeding, seemingly untouched by the poor economy. How is this possible?”

“Well,” Marek began with another chuckle, “we certainly don’t always succeed. I know our stock price probably makes it look otherwise, but we have our failures. I just make sure that our successes more than outweigh the failures. We are an international, multi-industry conglomerate.”

“That’s a mouthful,” Marcus added.

Marek continued without skipping a beat, “Even if there was worldwide economic collapse, there will still be some industries that do well. We have diversified investments across so many companies and industries that there is no way for me to remember them all. Pharmaceuticals in the U.S. and Europe, manufacturing in Southeast Asia, mining in Russia and China are some of our major ones.”

“What makes you so confident in the places you invest? How do you know they’ll be a success?” Marcus asked.

“I’ve built a time machine,” Marek joked. He and Marcus laughed. “No, it just takes lots of research. Research on the company’s history and their goals and plans for the future. Research on the individuals that run the company. We try to learn absolutely everything we can. There will always be risk. There is no way to avoid it. We aim to minimize it with education.”

“About a month ago, I interviewed a grocery store owner,” Marcus said. “His particular industry is seeing a government takeover. What are your thoughts? Any worries?”

“Obviously, there are worries and questions anytime something like this happens. My company has dealt with some of these issues with governments around the world. Is it a buyout? Is it a managing takeover? Is it industry wide or is it just the one company?” Marek asked the questions hypothetically. “Each situation could mean a different thing. Yes, most of the time it means a loss in some way for the ownership, but there are a few rare times that the stock stays strong. Again, we research everything we possibly can. I have many people with retirements in our mutual funds or that own some of our stock that I must consider as well in making a decision to hold or sell our interest.”

“Marek, what do you think this means, not just for the investor, but for the citizens of the U.S.?”

“Honestly, my gut tells me we shouldn’t worry. Dominski International doesn’t have anything in the way of grocery stores, but we do have some stake in the food industry. We have heard the rumors of the expansion of the federal government taking over more in the food related industries and Dominski International has made the decision to continue to hold all these assets. We obviously will monitor the situation, but that is business as usual for us. Currently, all legislation coming out of Washington is for power of managing authority. Those situations usually don’t hurt stock prices. I imagine they are just trying to prevent more people becoming unemployed.”

“Interesting points. I have my worries, however,” Marcus said.

Marek had a big smile. “Oh, I know Marcus. You’ve made that quite clear in your newscast.”

“Good to know you watch the program,” Marcus shot back with a smile. His eyebrows furrowed as he became serious, “It’s just the quick and secret actions done by congress to accomplish these overreaches doesn’t add up for it to be for protecting the industry and jobs. If they are acting to protect, why not make it public?”

“You make interesting points as well. I look at it more from the business perspective, though,” Marek answered.

“Marek, always a pleasure to have you on the program. I know our viewers love to follow you as well. You are a hero in the business world.”

“Too kind. Thank you. Always a pleasure to be here,” Marek said with a smile.

“Before we go,” Marcus said as he pointed to Marek, “any hot stock tips for our viewers?”

Marek peered off beyond Marcus for a moment and then answered with a shrug of his shoulders, “buy low, sell high.”

February 2037

Will sat on the aging couch in the living room with his legs propped up on the ottoman. Frayed fibers lined the edges of the pillows. They had given under pressure as many bodies over the years had plopped their weight down on the couch. His legs were draped with a thick blanket quilted by his mother. Another one of his mother’s quilted masterpieces was wrapped around his shoulders. Heavy curtains completely covered the large picture-window that viewed out the front yard and beyond to the beautiful mountain views. Had the curtains been hung aside, a view of the distant moonlit high mountain peaks could be seen through the clear night sky. Even with the curtains being drawn shut, the icy winter air still pierced through the large picture window as if it were a fog bank slowly creeping into a mountain valley. A fire flickered from the room’s side fighting back the cold while providing some warmth and low light. A wooden lamp sat upon a matching wooden end table beside the couch providing sufficient light to the half of the room opposite of the glowing fireplace. The other half of the room where the fireplace was located still housed dark corners only briefly lit by the flickering flames.

Will stared down at an outdoor survival book in his lap. It was well-worn as this was not his first time reading it. When he wasn’t reading the book it was stored in his rusty Jeep for his mountain excursions and it always traveled with him up the mountains in his pack, which contributed to the rough edges and rounded-off corners. Along with the book, he religiously followed the author online. He would watch all his videos he posted about survival and Will would practice different survival techniques on his trips out in the woods. He quickly shut the book and glanced up at the clock. He had to hold his gaze and narrow his eyes for a moment before his eyes readjusted to the distance so he could tell the time. He guessed that he had been reading for a couple of hours. He decided he should start his ritual of readying himself for bed. He wanted to get an early start on the next days tasks.

Will’s mother had decided to spend most of the winter at her brother’s house in town. Will and his mother’s home was just outside of the city gas lines and their heat was from a large propane tank. With fuel costs at an all-time high, the two had decided this arrangement would work best. Beth’s brother, David, was away from his home most of the year with his job sending him all over the country and all over Europe as well. He liked the idea of his sister watching after things for him. Beth had been allowed to stay on at the gift shop. The owner, Mr. Jacobs, knew she and her son depended on the income and was fine keeping her and a couple of others in his employ as long as customers still came through. It was also to their advantage that Will had used his skills to fix things at the small store and at the owner’s home from time to time. From her brother’s centrally located home, Beth only had a short walk to work and didn’t have to drive at all to get anywhere around town.

Will was comfortable with chopping firewood for most of his heat and only running the central heating system to keep it warm enough to prevent the water pipes from freezing and cracking. He split his time in between his own home and his relatives. Many of his jobs were in town and staying at his uncle’s was quite convenient. He also enjoyed taking charge of his own house. There was always plenty to do on their large property and at the house. Will always had a running to-do list in his head.

Will thought of Lea as he readied himself for bed. He had finally worked in a time to be frank with her about his intentions. At the beginning of winter, they had decided they would be together. This made him smile as he thought about that long evening conversation. In the midst of the collapsing civilization around them, she had the power to free him from his gloomy moods.

Will unrolled his sleeping bag onto the couch and unzipped it open. He moved his hands back and forth over the length of the bag smoothing it down flat. He switched off the lamp and picked up his pillow from the side of the couch. With one single movement, he placed it down while he swung his legs up to the couch and fell down into place on the sleeping bag. He zipped himself in. The remnants of the fire was a slowly pulsating glow. There were no more flames to be seen. Will watched the glow slowly fade as his eyes grew heavy. Each blink grew longer and longer as the minutes passed. He finally gave in and fell fast asleep, not realizing how much his life would soon be quickly changing.

*****

The next morning Lea woke early. She had spent the previous afternoon and evening with her parents reorganizing their store of home-canned fruits and vegetables and then turned their latest purchase from the local butcher into home-made beef jerky. Lea’s mother, Juana, had come up with the recipe on her own and it was an instant family hit.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Juana would blow off compliments. “I’m sure the recipe is stuck in my brain from something my mother taught me.”

“Mom! You told me you never made beef jerky with your mother!” Lea always challenged back.

It was a fruitless argument that happened anytime a compliment came on the popular recipe.  She wanted her mother to get credit for something so pride-worthy and for her mother to stop being so modest about it.

With the previous day’s activities keeping her at home rather than hanging out with Will, Lea had turned in early which was why she awake now during the dark of the early morning preparing her breakfast. Lea carefully picked up her freshly toasted bagel from the toaster with the tips of her thumb and finger and dropped it on her plate. She quickly put the tips of her fingers in her mouth to cool the sting from the hot bagel. She took the knife and meticulously spread cream cheese on one half of the bagel and then spread peanut butter on the other half. It was a morning favorite of hers. She started doing the combination of cream cheese and peanut butter because when she had only one of the two, she would always crave the other once done.

Lea sat in the kitchen with the t.v. across in the living on with the volume low. She could hear a door open from down the hall and wondered if she had the volume too high. Her father, Alejandro, stepped around the corner with his morning eyes mostly closed.

“Uhhhgh,” He moaned. “Lea? Why are you up so early?” He slightly stumbled over his words as his body was not quite awake yet.

“I went to bed too early so now I’m up for the day. Am I being too loud?” Lea answered.

“No, I couldn’t hear you. I woke up and was getting a drink of water and noticed the light coming from under our bedroom door and thought we accidentally left it on. I’m going back to sleep...” His sentence trailed off and he turned around and dragged his feet as he went back down into the dark hall.

“G’night,” Lea whispered loudly as he had turned to go back to bed.

Lea only heard a grunt in return. She turned to look at the clock on the microwave and figured Will was probably not even up yet at this hour. She knew he was up early many days but was not sure of his plans for this day since they did not spend the evening together as was becoming their custom. Lea kept looking down at her fingers. They were worn rough from the packaging and vacuum sealing work from the previous day. She guessed they packaged around six dozen bags of the jerky. It was the most they had ever done but they all knew it still would not last them until their next jerky making day.

Lea finished her breakfast, placed her plate by the sink, and then switched off the kitchen light. She maneuvered her way across the room to the couch in the living room by the dim light of the TV. She turned the volume down still further since she was now closer but still kept it up enough so she could still hear. She was sitting on the edge of the couch leaning forward towards the screen with her legs crossed. The leg still on the ground was anxiously bouncing up and down. Lea was watching the ultra-early morning news broadcast which was re-runs from the late evening news from the night before. Her mind would wander occasionally to chores or Will. Her attention was jolted back to the broadcast when she realized it was live and the familiar voice of Marcus Braden, the normal evening news broadcaster, was speaking quite emotionally on riots.

Marcus on in the morning? Riots?

Lea would hear news of riots on a regular basis these days, however, it would still always concern her since her small hometown was situated on a well-traveled road.

“The state of unrest in our country can no longer be downplayed or ignored,” Marcus’s voice rattled the speakers. Lea pushed the ‘volume down’ button down a couple of times and moved off the couch and knelt in front of the TV so she could still hear and not wake her parents.