Crashed: The Death Of The Dollar (6 page)

"Oh fantastic," said the Bishop.

"Now, I'm going to tell you up front that we're well guarded up there. Any surprise visitors will be met with .50 caliber bullets well before anyone is close enough to be a threat to us. The way the road winds, we'll be firing while there's still a few miles of rough road to get to us."

"Understood," he replied.

"Good," Mike said firmly. "Now, do you think we could work something out with you and some other trustworthy people around the Saint George area to set up somewhat of an underground food network?"

"What do you have in mind?"

"Well, I've got a twenty-six foot livestock trailer I could bring animals down to you every few weeks or so. We could meet up here. I should be able to bring a few cattle down, half a dozen sheep, and at least a dozen goats every six weeks or so. We could also bring down whatever extra produce we used to sell. You bring your own trucks and trailers to take it all from us," Mike told him.

"And you want what from us in return?"

"Trust, and information. I want to trust that you'll keep me... keep us a secret. At any cost, don't let anyone outside of those helping with the pickup know about us. Also, to trust that you'll do the right thing with the food, and make sure that those who need it most get it. And you continually find out all the information you can, local and regional especially, and keep us informed." Mike paused and looked at everyone so excited for the meal they were preparing. "Anyone finds out about us, the food stops immediately. And I just might come looking for you."

"Absolutely," the Bishop happily replied. "I'll start talking to a few men I know I can confide in as soon as we get home tomorrow. When do you want to meet up again?"

"I'll see you here about the same time next week. Bring a truck. I won't have any animals with me, but I'll fill a bed with produce."

"Done." The Bishop stuck his hand out to shake Mike's, but Mike walked away. "Thank you so much for being willing to help out through all this!" Mike didn't say a word as he waved to the ladies that he was ready to leave.

"One last thing Bishop. Here's a radio. Climb to the top of that hill right there, and you should be able to get a signal to us. Other than a beep to let you knew we heard you, don't expect any response. And don't use it unless it's really damn important."

As he started to turn his truck around, the Bishop hurriedly waved him down to stop. "Excuse me, sir, but I didn't even catch your name?" he asked.

"Why don't you just call me Thomas Paine," Mike said, prompting the ladies to chuckle.

"Yeah, and I'm Taylor Paine, and this is Jessica Paine," Taylor added, laughing at the fake names.

Bishop Christensen just nodded and smiled. "A lot of common sense in using aliases. We'll see you next week."

"Nicely done, Taylor," Jessica said with noted sarcasm. "You practically introduced us both as his wives."

“No I didn't,” Taylor replied casually. “For all he knows I could be his sister.”

"Why the fake names anyways?" Taylor continued.

"Because, if the name 'Mike Williams' gets spread around with what we're doing, the government will just pull the county records and know right where to find us. And now that they have a first name for Jessica, we have to be sure not to give out Stacy's name."

"We're okay on that for now," Jessica said confidently. "We bought our property in Stacy's name. My name isn't on it."

Mike looked relieved at this news.

"So why 'Thomas Paine'?" Taylor wanted to know.

"I don't know, that's just the first name that came to mind. He's one of my favorite authors. He wrote 'Common Sense' back before the Revolutionary War to inspire people to want freedom and independence from Great Britain," he told her. "I've got a copy at the house. You should read it."

They all had dinner together at the ladies house that night. Brad was proud of his shish-kebabs he'd made, and Mike had him sit at the head of the table. Taylor spent more time talking about their trip to deliver the food than she did actually eating.  Mike, in as few words as he could, told the others about the arrangement he made with Bishop Christensen. Brad, following Mike's years of example, gave him a nod of approval. The ladies were very happy to hear about it. Taylor and Stacy were both excited about getting to talk with other people somewhat regularly.

After dinner, Jessica wrapped her arms firmly around Mike, looked up at him and said "You're a good man, Mike Williams. We're doing the right thing," and then she gave him a quick kiss.

"I'm tired," he said, as he walked towards the door to go home. Stacy grabbed his arm and pulled him over to hug him. "Thank you. I'm proud of you too." 

Taylor walked past them, out the door, saying "I'm coming up to your place. I want to read that book you were telling me about."

They walked in the door of his house, and Mike went straight to the bookshelf. He pulled out 'Common Sense' and handed it to her as he made his way to bed. "Oh, this should be a quick read," she remarked. "I'm just going to sit here to read it tonight."

"You can take the little truck to go home when you're done if you want," he told her as he laid down.

Taylor yawned several times as she read the forty-eight pages. When she was done she sat there in a daze, staring at Mike sleeping soundly. She felt too tired to want to go home, so she took off her boots and pants, and crawled under the covers to cuddle up with him.

Chapter 5

Reluctant Leader

It was the last day of September. Fall was setting in, and it was starting to get pretty cold at night up on the mountain. Mike had been thinking about it for a few weeks, knowing this time of year was coming. His rammed earth house, with it's three foot thick walls, stayed pretty much the same temperature every day all day. The sun moving to the south warmed up the inside through the windows during the day, and the thermal mass of the home kept it comfortable at night without needing a fire until the most bitterly cold months.

The ladies house was well built by standard construction practices, but they were still complaining in the mornings about how cold it was getting inside. After tending to morning chores with Taylor and Brad, Mike went down with them to their house. "Good morning," he said as he walked in.

"Good morning," they returned.

"I've been thinking about something," he told the four of them. "You're all up at my home more than here most of the time, and you all spend the night on occasion anyways. I think I'd like the four of you to move in with me for the winter."

Stacy and Taylor squealed with excitement. Even Brad got excited by the idea, yelling "Yay! Can I have the loft for my bedroom?"

"Sure, boy," Mike told him. There were two lofts with an open area between them, but he knew Brad wanted the one to the east, above his room, with a view down the canyon.

"Mike, are you sure about this?" Jessica cut in, dampening everyone's mood. "I know you're used to us being around all the time. But are you sure you're ready to have us all there every night?" Jessica was nervous, but not about the idea of moving in.

"We'll be fine, Jess," he assured her. "Besides the daily living practical reasons, I do have another reason too. We know the government has gotten wind of our food program and been trying to stop it. Granted they could still find us up here, but not heating this house would slightly reduce our heat signature, for the thermal imaging they probably have in their drones. And I'd just really like to have y'all living up there with me."

Mike was making excuses for himself mostly. He wasn't all that concerned about drones. And his last comment again set Stacy's and Taylor's emotions into overdrive. Stacy was completely in love with Mike and knew he was the closest thing to a husband she'd ever have way up in the mountains. Jessica felt the same way, but still didn't throw herself at him the way Stacy did.

"Okay, so is that a yes?" he asked.

They all turned to look at Jessica. She gave her normal slight grin as she walked up to hug him. "I love you," was her answer.

"Alright. I know you don't need to bring too much. Your dressers and clothes should be it, right?"

"I think so," replied Jessica. "There's a lot we can leave down here and just come back as we need." She paused for a moment as the others got to work. "Can we talk for a minute?" she said quietly, motioning Mike outside.

"Is everything okay, Jess?"

"Um, well -" She was obviously nervous. "Um, I'm pretty sure I'm pregnant."

Mike didn't know what to do or say, but the eruption of cheers from Stacy and Taylor inside didn't leave him any chance to respond to her either. Mike and Jessica couldn't resist laughing at them as they excitedly rushed outside to celebrate. Brad, completely clueless as to what all the commotion was about, came outside as well. As usual, he said nothing, just walking up with a puzzled look on his face. Mike grabbed him into his side to hug him.

"Looks like someone's going to be a big brother!" Taylor shouted.

"Oh, this is so awesome!" Stacy added. "You're going to be the best big brother in history!"

"Hey, you two," Mike cut in. "Don't you have stuff to do?" letting them know to go away for a few minutes.

Taylor turned back as she was walking in the door, "Oh, hey, I think you're going to need a bigger house."

Mike, Jessica and Brad sat down together. Mike put his arm around her and squeezed her into him, kissing her forehead to reassure her that they were in this together. He looked over at Brad. "What do you think little man. Are you ready to have a little brother or sister?"

He smiled real big as he nodded his head up and down. Mike just rubbed his head. "Go on back inside so we can talk."

"Okay," Mike sighed. "Before we go getting so happy about this, um, how do we make sure you really are?"

Jessica just rolled her eyes at him. "I am pregnant. I've missed two periods, and there's nothing else going on that would explain that. Besides that, most women just tend to know what's happening inside our bodies. It's just like with Brad. I just knew then too. Except this time, at least I know who the father is." She still felt ashamed about not knowing who Brad's father was. It was the one and only thing from her prostitution days that she felt embarrassed about.

"Look,” Jessica continued, speaking more softly and glancing towards the house. “Stacy's all excited for us right now, but by tonight I'm betting she's going to be pretty upset."

"Why is that?" he asked.

"She can't have kids, Mike. She's infertile. Most of the time it doesn't bother her, but I'm sure it will some now."

"Oh, damn," Mike said. "I had no idea."

"Really, Mike? Don't you think that if she could have kids, she'd probably be out here with the same news?"

"Okay, okay. Give me a break. My whole few months of experience with women leaves me a bit naive sometimes still. Let's go get a move on and get things - Wait, are you going to be alright to do this? I can move your stuff for you. You just sit tight."

"Oh no. Don't you start pampering me. When I need help, I'll let you know. But I'm going to keep doing my part around here."

"Well, then get off your ass and get it in gear," he told her with a smirk. She got up, smacked him playfully on the arm, and got busy getting her things together.

Brad's stuff was the hardest to move, since they brought his bed and dresser, and had to get them into the loft. After lunch, Mike reminded them that they had to get food together for a drop off the next day. They got the animals they were taking into a pen, then loaded up twenty crates of produce and stacked them in the root cellar.

They met up with Bishop Christensen and his crew as normal the next day, except for Taylor staying behind at the ranch. The crew from Saint George had made a habit of loading the livestock and produce into ten to twelve trucks and trailers and taking different routes to their separate areas. The Bishop was eager to talk to Mike.

"Hey, Thomas. How's life in the shadows treating you?" he said in his normally jolly tone of voice.

"Well, we've had a lot going on. I think I'm going to need your help for a change," Mike told him.

"Oh, you name it and I'll find a way to make it happen."

"Well, we're pretty certain Jessica is pregnant."

"Congratulations man!" the Bishop grabbed his hand to shake it and laughed. "That's awfully neighborly of you!"

Mike had to make himself resist the urge to punch him. He'd thought about hitting him a few times in the past too, but just too see if he could not be so obnoxiously happy all the time. 

"Well, Bishop, obviously we're going to end up with a need for a lot of baby stuff. And for us, making quick runs to the corner Walgreen's isn't exactly an option. So I'd like to start stocking up whatever we need soon."

"I'll have a truck load of boxes ready for you next time we meet. The government gives diapers away without question or taking off anyone's value. I'm sure we can come up with some other things that would help out through the pregnancy."

The Bishop turned towards his wife. "Hey, Susan, could you please come here?"

"What do you need Hun?" she asked. "We're kind of busy moving these crates and giving them back the old ones."

"Would you pull Mr. Paine's wife to the side and speak with her. They're expecting. See if you and the other ladies can start working on maternity clothes and finding out anything she wants or needs."

"Oh, that's wonderful news!" Susan exclaimed. Jessica heard her and knew exactly what they were talking about. "Which wife?" she asked.

"We're not part of these polygamist groups ma'am. We're not religious at all," Mike quickly interjected, an annoyed tone in his voice. "It's Jessica who is pregnant."

"Yes, that's right," the Bishop said sarcastically. "They're all just neighbors."

Mike really wanted to hit him. "Well, as of yesterday, they all live with me now. That was just for convenience with winter around the corner."

"Look, Thomas, we don't judge how you guys live. And we don't care. A blind man can see that all three of those women love you. And your little boy over there is sure something to be proud of. Good kids don't happen by accident." The Bishop was more serious than Mike had ever heard him before. "We've got some other matters to discuss."

"Okay, shoot," Mike said.

"There's a lot going on," he began as they sat on Mike's tailgate. "Vegas is seeing a lot of fighting. Nevada ranchers traveled to the city to start fighting back after the BLM took over all the range cattle, with the well-known Hage and Bundy families leading the charge. Then the casinos shut down. Performers were refusing to work without real pay, and no one could use their value to gamble with so they lost their customers. It was rioting for the first week, but then they apparently started coordinating more structured attacks. From what I'm hearing, a lot of people have died and the feds are sending in troops."

"Wow," Mike said in amazement. "We've heard only of some 'disturbances' on the news."

"Oh there's more, Thomas," the Bishop continued. "There's a lot of people kicking up their own little news stations. Most of it's just local stuff. It's short lived reports since they're trying to avoid having their signals traced. But we've picked up some reports from all the way up in Richfield too, and some of what they're doing is relaying reports from Provo, Salt Lake, Grand Junction and even Denver."

"Yeah, we've heard a little bit of that, but not a lot. We've been pretty busy so we're just hoping to catch some of it when we're able to tune in. Harvesting and winter preparations have monopolized our time."

By this time Stacy, Jessica, Brad and Susan had all walked up, and the others had left with the food to deliver and livestock to process.

The Bishop went on, "Well, it seems most of the broadcasts happen at the top of the hour. They only last about ten minutes or so, and we never know what station they're going to be on. But maybe knowing that will help you guys be able to follow more of what's really happening."

Mike gave the Bishop a nod.

"Hey Mmm.... Thomas," Stacy spoke up, almost giving away Mike's real name. "What about that cool radio station thing you've got? You said you could send voice and computer stuff all over the world didn't you?"

He shot her a somewhat mean look. "Look, I don't know how involved in all this I want to be. Giving away food is fine, but that's it."

"You've got a radio station?" the Bishop asked, showing significant interest. "Well, before you reject the idea, I've got more to tell you. Word of you has gotten around. Now, don't be mad at me or anything over it, please. I swear I've never said a word outside of the crew that comes with me."

Mike was livid, and it was clear to anyone as his face went straight red and his breathing picked up. Stacy backed up, having never seen him angry like this, even when they'd first moved up to the mountain.

"Look, Mr. Paine, most of the info out there about you is way off. It's inaccurate and should never be able to lead anyone to find you. If anything makes me think any of you face any danger, I will find a way to let you know immediately."

Mike's redness faded away some and his breathing slowed.

Bishop Christensen continued. "It's not just the food. The rumor mill is in full swing. The name 'Thomas Paine' is on most people's tongues. Some think you're the former governor using an alias, from before the feds shut down the state government. Most seem to think you're a retired army general. But the one thing everyone seems to believe: you're here, and you're capable of leading a successful resistance against the government," he concluded with a half-hearted smile.

"What a bunch of bull shit!" Mike said angrily and dismissive. "Dammit, I don't mind dropping off food to help out some every few weeks, but that's it. I just want to live my life in seclusion. Enjoy my peace."

Jessica grabbed Mike by the hand. "Hey, look at me. Don't be mad. You know in your heart we're safe. Yes, we enjoy our peace. You've given us a terrific life even in the worst imaginable time. All he's asking is that you think about doing something to help bring peace, or maybe some freedom, back into everyone's life. Just think about it."