Congratulations on another successful mission Operative Ortega. Your next mission, should you choose to accept it, is to infiltrate a big box store resistant to unionization. Many organizers have been fired in the past. But not as many as workers who have died due to unsafe environments and corner cutting. If you can get to New York City, New York, United States of America, Broadway Big Box. An interview is already lined up. Get the job, befriend the workers, organize the workers. Then you will have another successful mission. If the mission kit in PO Box 404 at the Third Street Post Office is claimed in forty-eight hours. We will know you have accepted. If it is not, we will assume you have declined. Either way, thank you for your service, and we’ll be in touch. P.S. Reminder; BAR!
Operative Ortega, looks at his watch, smiles, and sits back, as he pulls his hood over his eyes, thinking it’s gonna be a long ride.
A man sits in a seat by a mirror surrounded by lights. As a pretty girl brushes his face with light makeup. A woman approaches saying "Mister Temple, I have your mail.”
“Thanx Julie, just put it right down here.” Mister Temple says as he points to the table in front of him. Julie drops the mail and leaves. Mister Temple notices a small square manilla envelope that reads BURN AFTER READING! He says to the make-up girl “that’s enough sweetie, thank you.” She puts the brush away and leaves. As Mister Temple picks up the envelope, opens it, unfolds the paper inside and reads;
Operative Tex, you have been very successful at your long term post. We appreciate your principled commitment to our cause. Your next mission, should you choose to accept it, is to raise awareness to the coming military action against striking workers in Chile. Your broadcast is coming up soon. After introducing yourself, read the following;
“A Chilean Mine workers strike for better hazard pay under very hazardous conditions, may find itself coming to a tragic end today, if rumors of impending Military action against the workers are to be believed. Sources from inside the Chilean Government confirm it themselves as can be viewed on interjournalistsources.blog.net . Wow, we’ve certainly come a long way since Salvador Allende and Stafford Beer’s Project Cybersyn huh? Guess the days of Pinochet’s CIA backed coup aren’t actually as far behind us as we thought.”
If you are concerned, do not be. Cover will be provided. If the words “A Chilean” are spoken we will know you have accepted. If not we will assume decline. Either way, thank you for your service, and we’ll be in touch.
P.S. REMINDER; BAR!
Tex took out his golden cigarette case and stepped outside. He looked around, lit a match, lit the letter, lit his cigarette with the letter, and watched it burn to ash as he inhaled his menthol thinking, hell yeah, time to shout out Cybersyn on mainstream news.
As Mister Temple smoked a camera tech worked on moving cameras and boom mics into place. As he heard “let’s get ready we’re on in ten” announced, he walked to his cubby to get some water. Sipping from his bottle he saw a small square manilla envelope marked BURN AFTER READING! He picked it up, looked around cautiously, opened it, folded out the paper inside and read;
Operative Omega. Your long term posting seems to be working out quite well, we are pleased and hope you are as well. Your next mission, should you choose to accept it, is to insert the flash drive attached to this letter into the main teleprompter computer. Once inserted listen to the Broadcast, if you hear the word “A Chilean” spoken, press enter, then immediately remove the flash drive, excuse yourself to the bathroom and flush it. As you may have surmised this assignment is in direct connection to another. It is therefore very important. However as always the choice is yours. If a teleprompter mishap is reported we will know you have accepted. And if a Newscaster gets in trouble, we will know you have declined. Either way, thank you for your service, and we’ll be in touch.
P.S. Reminder BAR!
The technician looked around cautiously again as he headed to the bathroom stall, stood on the toilet and lifted open the small window in the corner. He removed a small flash drive from the bottom of the letter. Held the envelope outside the window and lit it with a lighter, as he dropped it into the dumpster below. He then closed the window, stepped off the toilet and walked out of the bathroom as he slipped the flash drive in his pocket. Right as he did a woman in a black pantsuit and headset ran up to him saying “Bobby, where have you been? We’re on in five. Have you seen Mister Temple?” Bobby shook his head as the women looked around calling “has anyone seen Mister Temple?”
“Here I am, I’m here, ready to go on, sorry just havin a smoke, good thing the viewers can’t smell me huh?” Mister Temple said with a laugh as he ran in waving his hand.
Operative Ortega wakes up on the bus right as it stops on third street in New York New York. He walks off the bus, ignites the letter, drops it on the ground and continues to the post office down the block. In a vacant hall in the post office he walks down it scanning the boxes until he reaches one reading 404. He removes his key that he got from the letter and opens the box. Inside is a wallet with one hundred and fifty dollars cash, a one hundred and fifty dollar prepaid Visa card, and a driver's license that looks completely real, marked John Smith. There is also an envelope, inside the envelope is a key chain with keys to a Moped, and an apartment, a resume, a TracFone, as well as a passport also looking completely real with the same name, John Smith. He smiles saying “well I guess I’m John Smith now. Most common first name and last name in the US, clever.” As he walked outside reciting to himself “hello I’m John Smith. Hello, I’m John Smith” quietly over and over again until he sights the shiny red Wolf Rugby fifty cc, smiles and says “fun” as he gets on, turns the key and takes off to Broadway Big Box.
Inside a small office within the large warehouse store. Operative Ortega sits in the chair as he hears the door behind him open he looks back seeing a man in a yellow button up shirt tucked into tan khakis looking down at a clip board as he walks around Operative Ortega to his desk, puts his clipboard on it and lifts his head as he sits down reaching out his hand saying “hello, you must be John Smith. I’m the Manager here, Ray Polo. How’s your day goin?”
John Smith smiles, grabs his hand and says “good to meet you Mister Polo. And I’m doin alright, how’s your day?”
“It’s goin good thanks for asking. Now tell me a bit about yourself Mister Smith. Why do you wanna work with Broadway Big Box?” John thinks to himself, well I’ve always been very passionate about being able to afford rent. And being able to eat at least once a week, most dietitians recommend you eat at least once a week.” He laughs slightly at his internal joke before speaking “well I have always loved warehouse stores as a business model. And a chance to work, learn, and possibly even one day manage one of the best business models, has always intrigued me.”
“Ah so your comin for my job huh?” Ray says with a laugh.
John laughs saying “well I’m sure you’ll be CEO by the time I reach manager.” Ray nods with a smile as he looks over John’s resume saying “so it seems you have a lot of experience in retail. I wonder, why did none of those jobs work out for you?”
John says “well they didn’t offer great promotion opportunities, and many a them were unionized, bluh, I don’t need no union takin my paycheck, just to talk to management for me, like I can’t do it myself.”
“Yeah were doin just fine on our own I think” Ray said.
John smiled and nodded saying “yeah, and besides they weren’t even warehouse stores, and they’d never listen to my suggestions. So it just got, ah, you know?”
Ray nodded saying “yeah, believe me I get it. I was stuck at many dead end jobs before I found Broadway Big Box. We have great internal promotion opportunities, we value the input of our staff, and no one is gonna take anything from your check. Which is higher than average, we pride ourselves on paying our workers the fullest value of their labor.” John smiled as he thought, if that were true, we’d own the business as he spoke “yeah that’s what I’ve heard and I was like that’s the dream.” They both shared a laugh.
As the laughter died down Ray said “well, I gotta say John you seem like just who we’ve been lookin for, so, when can you start?”
“Anytime. I can start right now if you need anything?” John replies.
Ray says “eager I like it. You’re definitely a Broadway Big Box man. So how about today we just kinda show you around, introduce you to some a the other staff, get familiar with your duties and stuff, then tomorrow, bright and early you can be already to start. How’s that sound?” John smiles as he says “that sounds wonderful. Thank you Mister Polo” as he rises along with Ray as they shake hands, Ray says “oh please, call me Ray, we’re very casual here, more like a family.” John tries to resist rolling his eyes as he thinks of course, then says with a smile “of course, thank you Ray.”
“No, no, thank you John” Ray responds, matching John’s smile.
Ray shows John into a room in the back. As he opens the door to a plain room, a counter by vending machines on the far wall. A woman sits eating a sandwich on a table in the middle as blue fluorescents flicker overhead. Ray says, “and this is the break room, where you’ll take lunch and coffee." John nods as he looks around. He peers up to a small old, box TV in the corner. He watches the broadcast for a second. “Hello, I’m Tim Temple. Today A Chilean Mine workers strike for better hazard pay under very hazardous conditions, may find itself coming to a tragic end today, if rumors of impending Military action against the workers are to be believed. Sources from inside the Chilean Government confirm it themselves as can be viewed on interjournalistsources.blog.net . Wow, we’ve certainly come a long way since Salvador Allende and Stafford Beer’s Project Cybersyn huh? Guess the days of Pinochet’s CIA backed coup aren’t actually as far behind us as we thought.” After that the TV goes to static before jumping to a commercial. John smiles as he thinks, Cybersyn, hell yeah, way to go, Tim Temple, not just a capitalist shill after all. Suddenly a woman with long dreads walks into the break room, sweating and holding her large round abdomen. As she squats down into a seat, and breaths heavily. Ray looks at her saying “Reshandala, what are you doing?” As he looks at his watch and continues “it’s not your break time yet.”
Reshandala takes a deep breath as she wipes sweat from her forehead saying “I know, I know, I just, I had to sit down, he’s really kicken today.”
Ray responds “you know you can’t just take a break whenever you want.”
“I don’t want to, I need to.” Reshandala replies.
“Regardless, c’mon, c’mon, get up, back to work.” Ray says as he ushers her up like cattle.
She responds “ok, ok, please just like five minutes, I just need”-
Ray interrupts saying “I’d hate to have to write you up again Reshandala. Is that what you want? To get written up again? This time you might lose your job.”
“No, no, please, I need this job.” Reshandala pleads.
“Well then I suggest you get back to work.” Ray says firmly.
Reshandala says “ok, ok,” still breathing heavily as she pushes herself up, before slipping back down to the chair. Ray watches, irritated as he clicks disappointedly. John decides not to take this anymore as he steps in saying “hey, why don’t you just tell me what needs to get done, and I’ll cover it, while you rest?”
Reshandala takes his arm saying “really? Oh bless your heart young man. Ok so I’m workin in the”-
Ray interjects “Reshandala is that really what you want? You want to push your work onto someone else?”
“It really is no problem” John insists.
Ray holds up his hand saying “that’s really nice of you John, but we take individual responsibility here very seriously.”
John, becoming enraged, actually imagines punching Ray, even clenches his fist. Before taking a deep breath, softening his grip, and smiling “as you should, but she only needs five minutes, and this way I can get an understanding of the different tasks here. Then she can come join me and grade my performance when she’s ready.”
Ray thinks for a moment as he says “ok, five minutes. Reshandala tell him what you were doing, then join him in five minutes exactly, or I’ll have to write you up again. Am I clear?”
“Yes sir!” Reshsandala says. As Ray leaves, Reshandala rolls her eyes mumbling “Stallin.” John chuckles saying “you really don’t like this job do you?”
Reshandala replies “oh no, I love it, or I would if it weren’t for our soviet style micro management.”
John smiles saying “I know what you mean, but an actual soviet style wouldn’t be so bad. You know soviet translates to worker council, something alotta people don’t know, including this place and ironically, the Soviet Union.”
Reshandala laughs saying “really? Huh, worker council, that don’t sound so bad do it Becks?” As she looks to the woman who was eating a sandwich now throwing her bag in the trash, saying “maybe with one a those I could answer your question. But” As she looks at her watch, continuing “shit, thirty one minutes, I’m already late!” As she ran out.
John loaded heavy bags onto pallets. Wiping his forehead after barely each one, while saying “oh my god I can’t even imagine doing this pregnant. You are stronger than me Reshandala, respect.” Reshandala laughed as she sat saying “oh you’re a charmer. But nah, I’m just doin what I gotta for this lil guy” as she patted her stomach and continued “my Doctor says I should try to avoid heavy lifting, but that’s easy for his ass to say. He don’t need to save up for a kid. Might double my expenses, but that’s ok at least my salary will remain the same.” She laughed. John laughed, then grunted as he lifted another box, asking “what’s his name?” “Tyron” Reshandala answered.
“Good name,” John replied. “His fathers?”
Reshandala laughed saying “shit I have no idea where his baby daddy is. No, it’s my father’s name.”
“Wow single mother, you really are a strong lady.”
Reshandala laughs “oh you’re such a flirt. Nah though, I’m just doin what I need to, between food and babysitters, this lil guy is gonna double my expenses, possibly triple.”
“You need a raise.” John says with a laugh.
Reshandala laughs saying “yeah, well you wanna negotiate that for me?”
John just smiled, whispering “perhaps” as he hoisted another box. Then he leaned on the stacked boxes, wiping his forehead “so how long you gonna be out for?”
Reshandala looked confused, wondering “out?”
John says “yeah, for maternity leave.”
“Shhhit! I wish, nah I’ll be right back here the day after, assuming they even give me that.” Reshandala says with a laugh.
John is shocked as he says “what? You’re not even gonna take a few weeks?”
Reshandala laughs “a few weeks? I can’t afford that. Unless you negotiate me that raise.” She says jokingly.
John thinks I might have to. As he notices a clipboard and pulls Reshandala up, handing her an empty shoe box, as they both wave and smile at Ray walking by. Reshandala puts the empty box on top of the stack as the corner of Ray’s serious face curves to a slight side smile as he waves, then looks back down, marking his clipboard as he continues on. Reshandala exhales sharply as she sits back down laughing with John.
P.S. Reminder, BAR!
She crumples the letter and envelope up as she walks outside, igniting it and dropping it as she walks to the nearest post office.
“Jim, c'mon you know me. I was just as surprised as anyone when I saw that teleprompter, but I just read it, that’s my job.” Tim Temple explained to his boss.
Jim replied, “I do Tim, but you knew the general order of the stories, how did you not think”-
Tim interrupted “I did, I just figured it was something breaking or something. You”-
“But you didn’t even seem to hesitate, no shrug or anything.” Jim interrupted.
“That’s my job, I couldn’t show any hesitation, we were live.” Tim explained. Jim sat back in his chair, finger tips to finger tips. Before nodding and smiling, then leaning in, pressing a button on his phone saying “June, send Bobby in here will ya.”
“Right away sir” June responded as Bobby walked through the door.
Jim said “Bobby” with a smile, “so any idea what happened?”
Bobby shook his head saying “no, I mean we been lookin at it, the equipment is fine, we suspect it was some sort of external hack.”
“Or a virus?” Jim wondered.
“We thought a that, but there doesn’t seem to be any trace. Although it is theoretically possible, a virus was responsible and then deleted itself, usually there would be some trace.” Bobby said.
“Wouldn’t we expect a trace from a hacker as well?”
“Yes, but a hacker covering his tracks this well is more likely than a virus programmed to cleanly delete itself. But we are bringing in some outside computer security contractors, so they might be able to find something more definitive.” Bobby explained.
Jim nodded, tapping his fingertips together as he said “ok well keep me posted on that. But I guess for now, how likely is something like this to happen again?”
Bobby answered “as far as we can tell right now, not very. It seems the hacker or virus had one mission and accomplished it.”
Before Jim could respond his intercom went off with June saying “sir, legal is here.”
“Great” Jim responded as he pressed the button saying “send them in.” As two men in black suits walked in. Jim stood up saying “Wendell, Dave, how are ya?” As they shook hands. Jim continues “so did you check the sources? Was it true? Or do we have a liability?”
Wendell responded “well it appears the story was legitimate.”
Dave interjected “yeah, we ran interjournalistsources.blog.net and numerous journalists have listed sources from inside the Chilean government.”
Wendell nodded adding “yeah we also checked a few other independent journalist outlets who have all reported the same thing.”
“Well that’s good, at least we were right.” Jim said with a smile.”
Wendell and Dave nodded as Dave spoke “yes, given that we suggest not going too far with this. Like just kinda letting it lie.”
Wendell added “yeah, any long investigation into this would likely just draw attention and have everyone speculating about how our equipment is susceptible to hacks which makes us appear unreliable.”
“Where as just letting this sleeping dog lie so to speak, just makes us appear to be the first to break a story. Viewership already seems to be up, along with searches for our outlet, along side searches for project Cybersyn, I myself had to look that up.”
Jim nodded and laughed as he said “yeah me too.” As he pondered, then pointed at Bobby and said “alright cancel those contractors, we’re just gonna let this sleeping dog lie, unless it wakes up.” They all laughed.
The man nodded saying “yes, but, it’s just, I mean we couldn’t run it ourselves. We”- Cristobal interrupted “couldn’t run it ourselves? What are you talking about Benjamin? We already do. When was the last time you saw one a those suits up here? Any of you?” As he looked around. Benjamin spoke “but, they’ll never let us take it.”
Cristobal exhaled sharply as he spun a stick in the fire saying “now that is the first right thing you’ve said all night. But all that really means, is we can’t give them a choice. I mean, like I been saying, it’s already ours in all but name, so how they gonna stop us?”
“HOW THEY GONNA STOP US? THEY’LL KILL US!” Benjamin screamed as he stood up. He then quieted, sat back down and continued “I mean they almost killed us just for askin for more money.”
“Yeah, and I mean even if by some miracle we managed to successfully hold off the military. Like how we gonna live? We’ll be completely cut off.” Another man jumped in. He shook his head and continued “I mean in theory I agree with you Cristobal, and I really wish there was a way but”- Cristobal interrupted “there is a way. A lake full of fish just down that trail, farm land all up and down those mountains. We have merchants and craftsmen, farmers and fisherman, we have everything we need. Look I understand your fears Diego, Benjamin. Really I do, but if we don’t face them at some point, the fears won’t be what kills us. Look I been in some talks with a professor lady. Just gimme sometime to show y’all how it could really look. And if you hate it, then fine, no harm, no foul. Just gimme a chance, don’t write me off yet, can you do that?” Benjamin, Diego, and the others look at each other, then down at the ground as they nod. Cristobal smiles, claps and says “great, now”- As a woman approaches, carrying a thick toughpad by a long strap saying “Cristobal, your tablet keeps beeping, says Lixa Calling.” Cristobal leaps up and says “ah, excelenta. Now if you'll all excuse me.” As he takes the toughpad and swipes saying “hello, Lixa, how’s my favorite American?”
John walks through the door into the plain flickering lit break room. Becks sits on a table in the center, eating her sandwich. John smiles and says “Hi Becks” as he walks to the vending machine. Becks smiles as she chews and swallows the bite “Hi John, how you likin it here so far?” John puts a few dollars in the vending machine presses a few buttons as mechanical movements sounds begin. He says, “ah, bout as much as anybody I suppose. I’ve certainly had worse jobs, but I can also imagine better, ya know?” Becks nods as she swallows again and laughs saying “yeah, I mean who can’t imagine better? But imagination isn’t reality.” John laughs as he walks over to sit across from her and says “yeah, well I’ve always been a bit of a dreamer.” Backs replies “but you’re not the only one” as she laughs.
John laughs saying “John Lennon, I like you.”
Becks smiles and says “yeah, it’s just such a great song.”
John sings “imagine all the people, sharing all the world, yoo hoo whoa!”
Becks laughs "beautiful vision. I wish I could still imagine that.”
“Oh? Why can’t you?” John asks.
Becks shrugs saying “I dunno, it just, it’s just not reality. I guess I’ve seen too much. Ya know?”
John nods saying “jaded by the real world. I get it.” He then leans in close and continues “but ya know, the world has always changed. And no matter what stands in the way, progress never seems to die. And I think it’s those dreams, that imagination that keeps it alive.”
Becks smiles saying “that’s a beautiful thought. But imagination and dreams can’t do it on their own. At some point, somebody’s gotta actually do something.”
“Right you are. So, what can you do?” Becks tilts her head in confusion as John continues “close your eyes, imagine what you want, then think about how you can get that, then open your eyes, and go get it!” With a smile and a wink. Becks eyes actually closed as she day dreams about an ideal world. John takes out his phone and begins playing “you may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one, I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will be as one!” Becks smiles as her eyes move rapidly. Soon she opens them to John smiling asking “so? What’d you come up with?”
Becks shrugs, smiles and says “I dunno, maybe one a those worker councils you were talkin about.”
John laughs saying “is that all?” As he laughs, flips his hand and continues “shit, that’s easy!” Becks laughs saying “seriously? How?”
John leans in closer, motioning her to do the same, she does, and he whispers “we’ll talk” with a wink. John then leans back laughing, as Becks is still leaning in, smiling and wondering, as she slowly leans back and takes another bite of her sandwich. John says “hey” Becks looks up, John tosses her a bottle of apple juice with a smile. Becks smiles, swallows and is about to speak as Ray walks in saying “Becks?” As he looks at his watch and continues “What are you still doing in here? Your lunch ended five minutes ago.”
Becks looks at her watch nervously saying “no, I, oh my god, I’m so sorry.” As she struggles up trying to quickly put her sandwich back in her bag. Ray shakes his head and clicks as he writes on his clipboard saying “I’m sorry Becks but I can’t let this go again.”
Becks wonders again? “No, I’m never late, I musta just”-
Ray interrupts, still writing “you were late a few weeks ago. John’s first day.”
Becks shakes her head saying “no, I mean that was only a minute, I”-
Ray interrupts again “that’s why I let it go, but now it’s five, we can’t have this become a pattern. First a minute, then five. What’s it next time? Ten? Twenty? Pretty soon you're not showin up at all.”
Becks pleads “no, I’m a good worker, I pride myself on my punctuality, you know that, please?”
Ray shakes his head as he finally finishes writing looks up and says “we’ll see what corporate says.”
Becks pleads again “no please I”-
John finally stands up and interjects “it was my fault. I started talkin to her, write me up.”
Ray shakes his head saying “no John, while your desire to help your co-workers is admirable. Like I told you, we take personal responsibility here very seriously, Becks knows that, don’t you Becks?”
Becks hangs her head, almost in tears as she nods and Ray hands her a slip and walks out. Becks begins to follow as John puts his hand on her shoulder saying “I’m so sorry Becks. I shouldn’t a”-
Becks shakes her head saying “no, John, it’s not your fault. I’m glad you talked to me, it was a great conversation. I just need to do better, personal responsibility, bootstraps, all that.” As she shuffles off. John stands there, enraged, as he clenches his fist, thinking, sure, infinite regress your way outta capitalism. Fuck, they’ve got her good, they’ve got them all believing in infinite regresses!
Over the next few weeks, John felt bad as he saw Becks in the breakroom just shove her sandwich in her mouth, swallow it in a dangerously large bite, cough, then get up and clock back in. Her lunch breaks being maybe five minutes. Still worried she’ll be late. She wasn’t. At least I won’t be late again she thought, so that’s good, it wasn’t. One day as John was loading boxes onto shelves and cutting the plastic open. He saw Ray pointing and talking firmly to Becks, her head hanging, her eyes nearly leaking. This confused John, he thought, but she couldn’t a been late, she’s eating nothing but a sandwich in one bite, two tops. What could possibly be the problem? After Ray left, Becks nodded sadly, as she walked away. John ran to her saying “hey Becks, what’s goin on? What was that about? Are you ok?”
Becks shook her head, crying as she said “I, I just can’t win. He’s upset about my breaks again.”
John looked confused as he says “what? How? You couldn’t a possibly been late, you’ve been in and out in five minutes.”
Becks nods saying “I know, that’s the problem, apparently I’m trying to get the store in trouble.”
John widens his eyes saying “what? How?”
“Apparently five minutes is too short. Labor regulations say we need at least thirty minutes for lunch, so he thinks I’m gonna get them in trouble for not taking a long enough break. It’s like if I take my full break, I risk getting written up. But if I speed through my breaks to make sure I’m not late, I look like a traitor trying to make them look like they mistreat their workers. I, I just can’t win!” As she once again shuffled away in tears. John once again clenched his fist, thinking “they are mistreating their workers, and no, unfortunately you can’t win, not yet anyway! But I promise, I’ll get you, a fucking win, if it’s the last thing I do!" As he ran off. Devious smile on his lips, and a plan in his eyes.
Sophie sits on a park bench, laughing in front of her toughpad. Cristobal, on the screen says “so yeah, I have done a lot of research on Cybersyn. And I really think that with modern technology, like the internet, and possibly even AI, I really think it can work this time. I think it could help my community and once it does the surrounding communities will see and I can get them on board. But I could really use your help.”
Sophie says “of course. I’m excited to get started. I have a flight out there tonight, so”-
Cristobal interrupts, “that’s great! What time? What airport? I will have someone there to pick you up.”
Sophie laughed saying “it’s the one nearest your mine, can’t remember the name.”
“Probably something difficult for you to pronounce huh?” Cristobal said with a laugh. Sophie laughed saying “yeah, sorry.”
Cristobal shakes his head saying “no, no don’t be sorry, I can barely pronounce you English cities.” As he laughs.
Sophie laughs saying “yeah, I guess it’s just like that, the language you learn can often make it difficult to understand the others. Your English is definitely better than my Spanish though.”
Cristobal says “well you not here yet, don’t worry, I teach you and you get it in no time huh? You a smart enough lady. So when can we get to studyin huh?”
Sophie laughs saying “thanx, and yeah I get in about midnight, tomorrow, but after customs and stuff”- Cristobal suddenly looks behind him as somebody says something to him Sophie can’t hear. He turns back and says, “I’m so sorry Lixa, I have to go, I will have someone at the airport to get you midnight, tomorrow and we will meet in person soon, I can hardly wait.”
“Me too, but is everything ok?” Sophie asks with concern.
“Si, just something with the military, they seem to be watching us. It’s k, don’t worry, see you soon!” Cristobal replied as the screen went dark. Sophie waved slightly in the bright sun, looking with worry in her eyes at the black screen of the heavy, thick, toughpad.
John sits in his studio apartment, printing small ballot like sheets of paper from a LibreOffice document. He places these in baskets, along with flowers and a letter that reads;
I have gotten to know and love you all. Because of that I wish you all autonomy. This might be a way you can achieve that, a true soviet. If you do not see this as a viable system, I expect you to just let it pass and do nothing. But if you’ve seen what I’ve seen, if you feel as I feel, and if you would seek as I seek, then I ask that you stand with one another, in solidarity against those who would seek to deny your sovereignty. And together I know you can give them a first of May that shall never, ever, be forgot! Give it some thought, I know you will choose what is best for you. And, remember, secrecy is key, as if corporate does not challenge your vote, then it goes through automatically (thanx Biden!) Anyway I have valued getting to know all of you and will forever cherish our memories together, and will never stop fighting for your rights!
With love and friendship,
John Smith.
John put the letters in envelopes, lick sealed them, stamped Happy International Workers Day on each one, and slid them into the wicker baskets handles.
The next day at work John sees Reshandala waving at him. He punches the clock, waves back with a smile and walks towards her saying “hey Reshandala, how’s Tyron?”
“Oh he’s really active today, here feel” as she guides his hand to her stomach. His eyes widen as he responds “oh yeah, ouch!” With a laugh.
Reshandala laughs saying “oh yeah, he wants out!” As she and John laugh more.
John then asks as he looks around, “hey where’s Becks?”
“It’s her day off,” Reshandala says.
John smiles and mutters “good for her!” As he walks off with a smile and starts loading boxes.
As Reshandala continues hoisting heavy boxes onto pallets, she stops for a second to catch her breath. She exhales sharply and wipes sweat from her forehead with her hand. She then looks down as her face tightens, she mutters, “uh-oh!” As she notices moisture wicking the crotch area of her blue stretch pants, feeling wetness between her legs. John, holding a box, looks at her and asks “what’s wrong?”
She looks up at him and mutters “I, I think my water just broke!”
John drops the box and runs over to her saying “c’mon let’s get you to the hospital.”
Reshandala says “no, no, it’s not”- She is cut off with a contraction as she leans over moaning in pain.
John says “ok, no, we really gotta get you”-
“No, I’m not due yet- OUCH!” Reshandala screams as she nearly falls to the ground.
“Nope, we’re goin, c’mon” John replies as he grabs her shoulders and begins guiding her to the door. Reshandala tries to protest again, but another contraction convinces her, and she slowly follows John's lead, leaning over as she walks. Near the door Ray sees them and runs over saying “hey, hey what’s goin on?”
John replies “I need to get her to the hospital.”
Ray looks at his clipboard then back up, looking confused and concerned as he says “but, but you're not due yet.”
Reshandala laughs saying “tell that to Tyron, I been tryin, but maybe he’ll listen to you.” Ray looks down in embarrassment as John says “look man, biology doesn’t always follow our schedules. I know, like damn it biology, we talked about this! But it didn’t listen and we don’t have time, she’s like goin into labor, we need to get her to the hospital, unless you want her givin birth right here.”
Ray shakes his head as he says “no, I, it’s just I don’t have anyone to cover you.”
Reshandala says “well gimme a minute and I might have a little worker for ya” with a laugh. Ray exhales sharply as John yells “DAWG! YOU CAN’T SERIOUSLY BE”-
“I’M NOT A MONSTER! IT’S JUST, I, I HAVE BOSSES TOO! AND THEY’RE HARDER ON ME THAN I AM ON ANY A YOU!” He quiets down and continues “that’s why I am so hard on you, my bosses”-
John interrupts Ray, “but I don’t think those bosses want her given birth in this store. Or am I wrong?”
Ray, smiles and lets out a slight exhale laugh saying “no, no, nobody wants that, you go, get her to the hospital, I’ll cover you here, sorry!” John doesn’t say anything, he just turns around and begins ushering a screaming, sweating and leaned over Reshandala out. Right in the doorway Ray calls “oh and Reshandala.” She looks back as John holds her still in the doorway. “Congratulations!” Ray says with a smile. Reshandala smiles through her pain along with John, as they shuffle out the door.
Professor Sophie Gadson rode in the back of a green truck. Surrounded by men holding rifles. She wondered why, but only for a second, as the history of these sorts of movements came back to her. She saw the necessity. However, she still couldn’t help but worry. As the truck slowed down as it rolled down a dirt trail into a camp with tents, cabins, logs around a firepit in the center. And more men with guns surrounding it. A man in green coveralls and a green beret. She recognized him immediately as she smiled and waved, he smiled and waved back calling “Lixa, in the flesh!” As she hopped off the truck and hugged him saying “yeah, it’s good to finally meet you in person.”
He shook his head saying “no, it’s great! I’m so excited to show you what we have been setting up, come, come.” As he motioned her to follow up a trail. As they walked, Cristobal showed her layers of fruit trees, with berry bushes within them, and shrubs and root vegetable within them. He explained, “our farmers have been trying to reorganize to a more sustainable food forest model. And, oh here” as he stopped at a small wooden awning over a map, with a telex machine on a table. He continued “this is where we have our farmers send in their data. I have been having them collect this data for a while now.”
“Quantitative flowcharting.” Lixa said with a smile.
“Yes! I read that this was originally done by only a single engineer. This resulted in only about twenty factories being indexed by the fall of Cybersyn. But as far as I can tell there was no reason for only one to do this. So I have been having all the local farmers here collaborating on this, flowcharting. They cross reference each other’s findings to assure no contradictions, then fax it in from here.” Cristobal said with a smile as Lixa laughed. Cristobal’s smile frowned as he wondered “what’s wrong? Did we mess up?”
Lixa tried to stop laughing as she said “oh no, no, not at all. This is really cool. I’m only laughing because I haven’t actually seen a fax machine in like a decade. You got the original telex brand too, that’s very amusing. In the best way. Though I do think, modern computers and scanners might work a bit faster. So how about I try to get you some a those?”
Cristobal smiled and nodded “si.” As they walked down back into camp Cristobal was explaining “and down here, I will show you our control room. I’m sure our tech is not”-
He was interrupted by a man running up to him saying “Cristobal, Cristobal, the military is posting up. Our militia has noticed more and more caravans showing up. It really looks like they’re getting ready for something.”
Cristobal looks at Lixa and says, “excuse me, Lixa, I must go.”
Lixa said “of course, is there anything I can do?”
“No, thank you. Diego here will show you to a tent we have set up for you. Keep taking your notes and we’ll talk soon k?” Lixa nodded as Cristobal blew a kiss as he ran off and jumped in a truck, hitting the side yelling “ANDELA!” Lixa stood there frightened, she stared at her toughpad, and decided maybe there was something she could do. She logged on her burner BlueSky account and posted the emergency help code.
In the hall of the hospital John stopped as nurses rolled Reshandala in a gurney as she hollered back to him “call Becks, Get Becks here! AHHHH!” John stood in the hall, smiled as he gave her a two-finger salute as he took out his TracFone to call Becks. Before he could though, he saw a BlueSky notification, looked puzzled, thought, someone’s online, this must be serious. As he clicked on it and read a post from @$MemesL1 reading; Having a beer at Stafford, random thought, Proudhon wouldn’t like Pinochet’. Do you think he could kick his ass? John smiled as he replied from his own burner account; He could, and he will! As he ran out looking through his contacts finding a group labeled EMC, emergency mission contact he thought and text it Meet for a beer at Stafford? Maybe some Chili Immediately getting a response; OMW!
Tim put his phone in his pocket after texting, as he smiled. Jim walked past him and he said “Jim, I gotta go meet a friend, I think he might have more info on that Chile miners story.”
Jim said “oh, we still on that” as he rolled his eyes.
Tim says “I know I was gonna let it go too, but I guess someone saw it, said they had somethin and I just figured”-
“Figured you’d play journalist?” Jim interrupts.
Tim begins to say “I’m not playing anything. I am a”-
“You’re a broadcaster Tim, now you wanna go meet a source? What are you gonna broadcast?” Jim interrupts again. As this is happening Bobby overhears and peers at the pair arguing as he packs wires into a box, he listens. Tim says, “I dunno, maybe I’ll do an interview.”
“A live interview?” Jim laughed as he continued “how? I mean how you gonna get all the stuff to”-
“I’ll go” Bobby interrupted.
Jim looks at the two surprised saying “really?” As they nod, he shrugs and continues “ok, get us some views I guess.” As he walks away.
Tim looks at Bobby smiling as he holds his hand out, they grip and he says “thanx man, but I gotta wonder, what made you wanna go?”
Bobby smirks and says “gotta meet a friend for a beer at Stafford!” As he walks away.
Tim, confused for a moment, runs after him saying “really? Maybe some chili?”
Bobby turns around, still walking to the door, smiling and nodding “maybe some chili.”
“Hell yeah!” Tim screams, “let’s fuckin gooo!” As he pats Bobby on the back running in front of him.
John sits on his wolf rugby handwriting edits to his letter, P.s. go see Reshandala at the hospital and pass these out for me will ya? Thanx! After he looks over it, he runs the large basket with smaller ones inside it to a town house across the street, he puts the large basket on the porch, rings the doorbell and books it back to his still running moped and zips off. Becks opens the door saying “hello?” As she looks around confused, hearing the roar of a fifty-cc engine down the road and looks towards it, only seeing a flash of red. Still confused she looks back, about to close the door, before noticing the basket. She picks it up, takes the letter out of the handle with her name on it. She opens the letter and reads it. When she’s done, she looks back where she saw the red flash, now long gone, smiles and whispers “happy international workers day John Smith." As she reaches back, grabs her jacket from a hook and runs out basket in hand calling “taxi! Taxi!”
John peels into the parking lot of a small building on a dock, a sign reads Sealey’s Private Sea Airport. At the door he bumps into two other men, says “oh sor”- He cuts himself off as he looks up and continues “say, aren’t you Tim Temple?”
“In the flesh, and this is my camera man Bobby.” Bobby waves as he rolls a rolling backpack up.
“Wow! A news anchor and his camera man, what are you guys doin at a small outta the way airport like this?” John asks
Tim and Bobby look at each other, smile deviously as Tim looks back at John and says “gotta meet a friend for a beer at Stafford.”
John perks up as he asks “maybe, maybe some chili?”
Tim and Bobby look at each other surprised as they nod, smile and say simultaneously "maybe some chili!” As Tim opens the door, holds it for John and they all walk in. Inside the man at the desk asks “hey, what can I do for you fellas? Lookin for a tour?” They all three look at each other, smile deviously and say “we’re lookin to meet a friend for a beer at Stafford!”
The man’s smile straightens as he clears his throat, pushes past them to the window by the door, flips the open sign to closed, switches the deadbolt, turns around, clears his throat again and asks “maybe some chili?”
At the edge of the camp, Chilean military jeeps form a line, in front of the line of miner militia men, standing tall and firm, rifles on shoulders, as other miners and their families scream behind them. As things heat up, words become vitriolic. Cristobal says to Lixa “I’m sorry I brought you here. I can try to get you out before this goes bad, on the lake there’s a”- Lixa interrupts, hand on his shoulder saying “you didn’t bring me here, I brought me here, because your fight is worth fighting, even dying for, so I ain’t goin anywhere!”
Cristobal smiles, as a tear almost drips from his eye as he says “you really are a helluva woman Lixa, we’re lucky to have you. I just, I would hate to see you get hurt.”
Lixa reassures him "and I’d hate to see you get hurt, but I, like you, knew the risks, and gave consent, to fight for consent, come what may! But I do have a feeling, what may, might be very helpful.” As she smirks to a confused looking Cristobal as the sound of a seaplane engine and skids skiing on the water down the trail makes him look as Lixa just smiles saying “they’re here.” As she walks over.
Cristobal, still confused, asks “wait, who’s here?”
Lixa looks back, smiling saying “Proudhon’s gonna kick Pinochet's ass!”
“Since graduation, which means you can call me Sophie, or better yet, Lixa, ok Tex?” Tex nodded as Bobby and John unloaded the packs. Lixa turned to them saying “Omega and Ortega, wow my three favorite students!”
“And the best professor we’ve ever had” Omega said. As Ortega smiled and asked "how you been?”
Lixa said “I been ok. Glad you could make it” as they all went in for a hug.
Ortega said “of course, you think we’d miss Proudhon kickin Pinochet's ass?” Lixa and Omega laughed. As Cristobal approached behind Lixa asking “so these are your friends?”
Lixa turned and said “oh yeah, you guys this is Cristobal Critez, Cristobal this is Operative Ortega, Operative Omega, and Operative Tex.” As she pointed at each one and they shook hands with Cristobal. Tex said “yeah, hey I admire what you’re doin here, and don’t worry, Proudhon’s gonna kick Pinochet's ass.” with a laugh.
“Great! So, ah, what kinda firepower you guys got?” Cristobal asked.
Tex said, “the most powerful weapon the world has ever known, the camera. You bout ready Bobby?”
Bobby said “yeah, let’s get up there, get set up.”
Cristobal looked confused and concerned, asking “wait, camera?”
“Hell yeah brother, even mightier than the pen!” Tex answered.
“I, I don’t understand, how will we take the military with a camera?” Cristobal asked.
Tex smiled and said “ah, that’s where our secret weapon comes in” as he waves over his face continuing “this face!”
Everyone laughed except Cristobal who said “I, mean no offense but, how? What if, what if it doesn’t work?”
“Doesn’t work?” Tex began to say.
Sealey interrupted waving in his plane saying “I got the back up” as he raised a canvas sheet showing the multi chamber barrel of a minigun and cases labeled C-4.
Cristobal smiled saying “that’s more like it!”
“Shit, we won’t need that, you Airforce guys, you just don’t get it! That camera and this face is all we need. The most recognizable face in news, no one could stand seeing this face get shot, so just stay behind it, and we won’t need that shit!” Tex said as he walked up the trail behind Bobby.
Cristobal wondered “but I thought Proudhon was gonna kick Pinochet’s ass?”
“Yeah and Proudhon don’t need no brass knuckles to do it!” Tex answered. They all laughed, nodded and began following up the trail. Cristobal muttered “fair enough.”
In the main camp, screams were getting louder, vitriol venomous. A general in the back of a military truck lifted a megaphone to his lips and announced “this is not your property. You are all trespassing. Disperse now and that will be the end of it! But if you do not we will expel you with force. I implore you stop this trespass, leave this property that is not yours!”
Ortega screamed “THE FUCK IT’S NOT! THEY’RE HERE! EVEN ROTHBARD WOULD SUPPORT THEM! THEY ARE THE RIGHTFUL HOMESTEADERS AFTER ALL! CONFISCATION AND THE HOMESTEAD PRINCIPLE, Y’ALL SHOULD READ IT!”
Tex laughed saying “don’t you just love it when the ancaps, accidentally argue for socialism.”
Lixa laughed saying “yeah, it doesn’t happen very often but when it does it’s glorious!”
Omega nodded setting up his camera, adding “yup, Murray Rothbard, the accidental commie” they all laughed as Omega lifted the camera, handing Tex the mic, saying “you ready?”
“Hell yeah, we goin live?” Tex replied as he took the mic.
Bobby nodded saying “in five, four, three, two” and pointing one finger as Tex cleared his throat and began “Hello everyone. Tim Temple here live in Chile, with a very special report. So wherever you are. Whatever you’re doing. STOP! Because you’re going to want to witness, this!”
Cristobal leans to Lixa asking “isn’t that from a movie?”
Lixa smiled and said, “just sit back and let him fuckin cook!”
In hospital room 404, Becks sits with a recovering Reshandala as the newly born Tyron is being looked over by the Doctors. Becks says, “I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you.”
Reshandala says “what are you talkin about girl? You’re here.”
“Yeah, but not right away. I promised I’d be here.”-
Reshandala interrupts Becks “but you’re here now, that’s what counts. And besides John got me here and everything. Say, where is John?”
Becks says, “I dunno, I guess he had to go.”
Reshandala shrugs and says, “ah well, we’ll see him at work tomorrow.”
“I have a feeling we might never see him again.” Becks mutters to a confused Reshandala. She then continues “oh and speakin a work. I was thinkin, ya know I have about a week or so in vacation time saved up. I was thinkin, you could take that.”
Reshandala, shocked said “WHAT? Oh no girl, you shouldn't have to do that.”
Becks smiles and says, "and you should be able to spend some time with your son before you come back to work, and if this is the only way that happens then so be it.”
Reshandala almost cries saying “I, I don’t know what to say Becks I love you.” As they hug, Becks looks up at the TV in the corner saying “yeah, I love you- OH MY GOD! IS THAT JOHN?” As they both look to the TV, Reshandala grabs the remote and turns it up hearing Tim Temple say, “you might remember our broadcast about the Chilean miners, well here they are.” As the camera pans over them, then back to Tim saying “and here is the military, tryin to throw them off the land that they’ve been workin for decades” as the camera pans over to the military. Soldiers ducking behind each other, and their trucks. As the camera goes back to Tim continuing “so you see we really aren’t that far from the days of Pinochet. Though one thing has changed. That is that I don’t think Americans are gonna take this anymore. It reminds me of the story of our own founding fathers. What did they do when some absent empire tried to claim the land and the profit that they’ve been workin and building for decades? They didn’t lie down did they? No, and these mine workers aren’t either. So I don’t know about y’all, but I’m gonna stand with them, with our founders, knowing they are here in spirit! And to the lawmakers in the US, it’s not too late. You made the mistake with Pinochet, you don’t have to this time. So I hope when you are inevitably asked to take a side, that this time, this time, you side with our founders! Thank you, I’ve been Tim Temple, these are the Main Miners Mutual, fighting for their lives from a military that hasn’t heard that Pinochet died, and still thinks Americans will be on their side. I think they’re wrong, so please America, don’t make me look like the ass hole!” As the camera goes dark. Reshandala mutes the TV saying “wow, I guess we probably won’t be seein John, looks like he has more important things to do huh Becks? Becks?” As she looks up seeing Becks by the door, saying “they’re bringin your baby in now, I’ll let you two get acquainted. Oh, and that basket is from John, Happy International Workers Day!” As she opens the door, she peers back saying with a wink “oh, and I voted yes!” Before she walks out.
Reshandala confused asks “what? What do you mean voted yes?” Becks? Becks?” As she looks at the basket beside her, picks it up, smiles as she opens the letter, reads it, as a tear drips onto it. As she puts it back a small ballot falls. Confused she picks it up, unfolds it, looks it over, smiles, looks back up at the TV, seeing John smiling and clapping, and she marks YES! Without looking down, muttering “happy international workers day!”
THE END!
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