Paradise Burning (The Virtagwalla Series Book 2) (13 page)

25

Two days prior to Xavier Rove’s trip to Australia, word leaked that ACB was abandoning its operations in Virtagwalla. News quickly went viral, and the events that followed could only be described as acts of primal human survival instinct. The situation become so hostile, the National Guard was brought in to subdue a riot of the laid off employees from within the building. Near the end of the day three workers had jumped to their death, a mini explosive was detonated on the fifth floor, and the vault had to be guarded by gunmen as employees and other unemployed citizens of Ponchertrain attempted to loot it. The streets of the city were changing. No longer was it safe to walk around in the commercial or business districts after dark for fear of getting mugged. Crime waves had broken out all across Maynard, and there was talk of gang wars scrimmaging across the city. The National Guard and Ponchertrain Police had their hands full attempting to keep the city of Ponchertrain at bay as they attempted to deal with their own budgetary cuts. Rove couldn’t handle it any longer. He needed to take action.

After releasing another brief public statement about how the island needs to hold together, he again disappeared from the public’s eye. The people of Virtagwalla had quickly shifted their opinion of the national government. Rove experienced the worst of their wrath. His approval rating hovered in single digits, and he was starting to realize his words were worth nothing more than the bottle caps people were beginning to use as money on the streets. Something had to be done. Something bold. Xavier called the two people that he thought could have the most influence on helping the situation. Borrowing Hampton Ray’s yacht, the President and his two guests casted off into the Pacific Ocean – to neutral ground.

Sitting around a table, Rove looked at his two guests. Both men looked frustrated with the situation, but patient to hear the President out. Leaning forward he started slowly, “My two friends we are in a very dire situation. Your city,” he looked towards Kel Goldberg, “is doing great farming wise, but the social unrest did start in your streets. Although they have been quiet since the college riots, we would be foolish to think there wasn’t anything simmering,” turning his attention, “Yours on the other hand is falling apart. Business by business, block by block, people are losing jobs, money, and faith in our system,” Jon Pacer sat with his arms crossed staring at Xavier. Taking a deep breath, “The three of us need to have a very frank dialogue. This nation is off track, and we need to get it back on track. I hate to pass the blame, but I think at this point we have to eliminate any option that includes action from the Parliament. They are proven to be useless. I am looking to your two for suggestions, for support, and for guidance.  What are we going to do?”

Kel Goldberg leaned forward and said clearly, “Mr. President, I have told you this time and time before. Stop this silly venture to become a state! It is destroying this nation!”

Shaking his head and laughing lightly, “Kel, we all know it is not this venture of becoming a state that is tearing apart this nation. It is the fact that one in four of our working class are without jobs. Therefore the government must provide the means of survival. And the government can not provide a level of living adequate to what the people of this island were used to. Nor we our social welfare system ever designed to support a quarter or more of the population!”

Looking toward Pacer viciously and pointing at him, Kel screeched, “Don’t you mean the level his people are used too? The men and women of Ponchertrain have their noses so high up in the air that they can’t even see that there is a world outside of their riches and their labels.”

Jon Pacer was getting angry, a characteristic not usually seen by many, “Do not fault my people for their industrialism and their ingenuity. The money and wealth that we have, and the level of living we have become accustomed too is a level deeply revered by the rest of the world. We are the pinnacle of society as we know it today, if I do boldly say so.”

“Then why are your people blowing up buildings, and starting gang wars?” Goldberg scowled, turning towards Rove, “You see, it is that kind of high-minded attitude which is dragging this whole island down! It is the selfishness and greediness of those people,” he violently pointed towards Pacer, “that has brought this nation to its knees.”

Rove attempted to jump in, but Pacer was fighting, “Have you ever thought that your city could be wealthy and inspirational, too? People come from all over the world by boat and planeload just to see our shining buildings, our revolutionary train systems, and our unbelievable wealth. They marvel at our brilliance and our embrace of the changing times,” he energetically looked towards Goldberg, “I do not see foreign dignitaries coming to your city and talking to your, uh, farmers and weavers, to figure out how they too could change their societies for the better.”

“Sonny, it is societies like yours,” Goldberg raged, “that have gotten us into this kind of mess! You don’t hear of recessions and depressions ruining people’s lives in the old days, you know before computers, and international banking. The economic collapses, like the one we are seeing unfold on this island, are a product of your “revolutionary” practices. So don’t look to us for blame, because you need look no further than a mirror.”

              Clenching his fist, Pacer laughed, “You are a foolish old man. The only reason we can have downturns like this, is because we have developed more wealth than any time before in history, we have pushed the envelope on technology more vigorous than anytime during man’s existence, and we have grown to such a point where even during the deepest of our depression we will still be wealthier than 75% of this globe’s population. Ponchertrain is the soul reason for that! Villaggio hasn’t helped to develop this nation since the day it decided to sponsor the venture to build Ponchertrain.”

              Goldberg stood up and looked at Rove, “Xavier I am through here. I did not come here to have my city berated by this dimwit plummer. I respectfully request to be returned to port so that I can get back to my,” he looked toward Pacer, “backward city.”

              Rove stood up, “NO!” he looked at the two men, “I am sick and tired of your two cities fighting! We are one island, one nation. We must help each other. We are not leaving this boat until we figure out a solution.”

              Pacer stood as well, “I am sorry but I can not work with this man.”

              Goldberg glared at Rove as well, “I refuse to work with his man as well. Rove my advice to you is to go back to things your better at, like making speeches and kissing babies.”

              The air in Rove’s sails disappeared. The two men shook their heads and began walking around the boat, as Rove painfully directed the captain to take the yacht back into port. Just as the boat glided into its slip and the two frustrated mayors jumped off board, Xavier’s phone began to ring. He didn’t recognize the number but he answered it anyways. It was a familiar voice, but Xavier couldn’t place it. She was scared, and whispering into the phone.

              “I’m sorry Mr. Rove I didn’t know who else to call. I am so scared. And now I am kidnapped for doing what I thought was best for the nation. I am so scared Mr. Rove. They said they are going to kill me,” in the background he heard a man’s voice,  “Hey what is that in your hand?” The girl screamed, and said, “I am sorry, I have failed Virtagwalla.” With that he could hear more screaming, and then the phone went dead.

              Hampton Ray approached Rove as he slowly pulled the phone away from his ear, his body becoming woozy. Ray grabbed Rove as he slumped against the fence of the wharf. He was attempting to process what had just unfolded on the phone. He wanted to scream and get help but he didn’t know where the girl was, or even whom she was. Rove felt helpless, and it was painful.

              “Xavier, what’s wrong?” Ray attempted to work the information out of Rove.

              It was at that moment, Xavier realized who the girl was. A massive stone fell in his stomach as he repeated the name in his head.

Tanya Handel.
             

26

              Elisabeth Mooring had never experienced a more intense meeting with the President and her boss, Hampton Ray, than the one she just left. Striding towards the Press Office she simply kept replaying the meeting in her head. The President talking about Tanya Handel’s phone call, the fear in his voice, the weird things she said to him, his curiosity of how she got his personal number. Gaiting up to the podium, Lis looked over the pathetic group of reporters that remained. Many of the ones standing in the room no longer had their jobs but simply had nothing else to do.

              “Good Afternoon everyone, I have some disturbing information to share with you right off the bat,” Lis flipped open her note book, “Roughly 24 hours ago the President received a telephone call from a young lady presumed to be held captive against her will. The President instantly contacted authorities and since that point the search for Tanya Handel has consumed all power of the Ponchertrain Police, Villaggio Police, and the National Guard. The National Guard is under the belief that Tanya has been kidnapped relating to her involvement in the National Conversion Committee. The President personally asks that if anyone sees her, or hears from her, to call 9-1-1 or to contact this office.”

“Lis, is there any speculation that Ms. Handel’s kidnapping is linked to the uptick in gang violence unfolding across Ponchertrain?” an empty handed reporter inquired.

Without allowing even a second for Lis to answer, another reporter jumped in, “Or could this be related to the growing anti-statehood movement in Villaggio?” a woman in a dirty blue pantsuit asked.

Lis sighed, “Ladies and gents, I realize there are not many of us left, but let’s keep a certain level of decorum during these briefings. To answer both of your questions, at this time not enough information has been collected to relate any gang or movement’s actions to the kidnapping. Ms. Handel’s family is cooperating with authorities, and we will keep you updated as we get them.” Flipping the page, she barreled forward in her report, “As many of you are aware, yesterday I reported to you the disturbing new economic information recently released. Minster of Finance Jacqueline Sensado plans on approaching the Parliament in the upcoming days to talk about bold new steps to prevent the Nation from entering insolvency. In conjunction, the President is planning on traveling to Australia tomorrow. He has scheduled meetings with several financial institutions, and other various other industries, along with an official State Dinner at the home of the Governor-General of the island. The Australian Prime Minister will also be in attendance. It should be a fun affair.”

              “Lis, should we expect anything bold or new from Sensado’s report?”

              “Stuart I can’t say at this time, however if you look out the window I imagine most people are looking for something bold right about now.”

              Lis went to point to someone else, but for the first time in her three years as Executive Press Secretary no one in the room had a question. Silence fell over the room as she closed her notebook, and painfully walked out of the room.

An eerie sensation over took her body as she walked, alone, to the elevator.

27

              “He landed safely yesterday,” Hampton informed Jacqueline Sensado as she nervously paced outside the chamber of Parliament. Ray smiled, “Will you please calm down. I know what you are about to talk about, I mean we did just run through it up in Xavier office, and you have nothing to worry about,” he paused and peeked out the window at the crowd that was perpetually gathered on the Eastern lawn, “They should be more worried about them out there, than what you have in that little folder of yours.”

              She stopped and flicked her eyes at him. A sense of admiration spread across her face, “Thank you Hampton. I don’t think I have ever told you or Xavier how much I have grown to appreciate the two of you. This nation is lucky to have you two at the helm.”

              The Grand Hall’s doors opened and the lead Guardsman summonsed Sensado to enter. Hampton Ray walked next to her and whispered into her ear, “And this nation is lucky to have you at the helm of its bank account. Good luck.” Ray was instructed to remain outside, as Sensado entered and the doors were sealed.

              Sensado’s seat in the Parliament’s chamber was becoming quite usual to her, seeing as every couple weeks she was summoned to the Parliament. She realized that this was probably her last time addressing the Parliament prior to the vote of statehood. It was just over three weeks away now, and she was combing through the budgets of the government for final preparations to bring them up to United States Federal Accounting standards. Specifically instructed to avoid, Sensado left all the accounts under the auspicious of the Social Net till the very end.

              Swallowing a sip of water, she opened her notebook, and laid her hands gentle on top of it. She certainly felt defeated before she even began. The faces of her colleagues had been that of an enemy to her. The weak and ineffectual nature of their recent acts had only made her loathe the institution that much more. Decided she had to at least continue the good fight, she cleared her throat, and began, slowly, “Good afternoon my fellow citizens, I approach you today most likely for the last time as the Minister of Finance. However I come today, not with celebratory news, but with hopefully a sobering update. As has become my usual format I will present to you the current state of our economy, then I will present some factors for that state, I will then suggest actions that if enacted will help with some of our challenges. I will end my speech with a warning for the future.

              “Let us begin with the most sobering statistic. Our unemployment rate stands at a staggering 26.3%. The third quarter of the fiscal year ended three days ago, and with its ending we were officially ushered into the first recession in Virtagwallan history. More than 1 in every 4 eligible working adults cannot find work. Therefore one fourth of our population is pulling on unemployment benefits. Outside of our record-breaking crop this year, we have all but stopped exporting anything of any sort from our harbors. With the announcement of the Australian Commonwealth Bank’s decision to cease all operations from Ponchertrain, we have been warned of many others who are considering the same action. No word has reached my ears on any other corporation’s decision to exit as of this point, but as I am sure you are well informed, there are some brutal rumors flying about. Our GDP, or Gross Domestic Product is only 42% of what is was a year ago this far into the fiscal calendar. Meaning that our nation’s wealth is less than half of what it was a year ago.

              “As a government we have not slowed our spending one bit, in fact we have actually increased it. Last time I reported to you we were burning through approximately 22.8 billion dollars a day. Due to the massive lay offs across the island, most notably from the Virtagwallan Gold Depository and the Larynx Light Rail Corporation, we are now operating at about 28.6 billion dollars a day. With that accelerated rate, we surely would have run out of cash in less than a month’s time from this moment. However because we were able to sell our bonds to the Virtagwallan World Bank, at massive discounts may I add, we have extended the life of this government by potentially two full month. To make matters worse our tax revenues continue to drop, and there presumably is no more gold in the mines of this island. Meaning that unless something is done we will collapse this government in a approximately 60 days.”

              Audible chatter rose from the Ministers as Sensado turned the page in her book, “How did we get here? Well the first sign was several months ago when the Republic Power Company ushered President Rove, Prime Minister Zhang, and myself into the jungle to inform us their board was voting on bankruptcy and dissolution unless we helped them. Having never handled a similar situation we established a corporation, and under that name acquired the funds and loaned it to them. We also nationalized the pricing power of the company. Since then RPC experienced two very profitable months, and after those first two months, they have again begun to lose money. Worst yet, they are ready to post the largest losses they have ever posted in history. Its new President and CEO Fredrick Chronic has already contacted me, with his hat in hand seeking further financial support. The Republic Power Company will fail. Let me repeat that, the Republic Power Company will receive not one more cent from this government as long as I have anything to say. We do not have the funds to support them, and if we want this government to survive, we can not do it,” she paused, judging by the horrified expressions on people’s faces her message was sinking in, “Unless you override me and decide to loan them the money, than so be it.”

              Taking another pause she quickly sipped water, and continued, “From there this body began to notice its revenue falling short of expectations. The University of Virtagwalla came to us, and said they too were going to need help to pay their bills. So what did we do, shocker, we gave them more money, and allowed them for the first time in history to charge tuition to its students. I don’t think I’m going to surprise anyone here, but they too are back for more money. This was closely followed by the decimation of manufacturing sector, resulting in the loss every job in that field. Tourism plummeted as the world’s economy fell apart, and the Houston Baxter Memorial Airport has become a ghost town compared to its days of glory. Which is such a shame because not too long ago we celebrated the completion of the awe inspiring, and very expensive new terminal, which has not welcomed one flight since its opening.”

              Readjusting in her chair, Sensado felt like she was painfully plucking out each feather of a dying chicken, “The there is the Metropolitan Foundation Service, this dinosaur of yesteryear that we have completely abandoned. Although not entirely. We will be paying on its debt for the next century. Regardless, the organization has less than two months left of workable capital, and then it too will shut its doors. The only reason they are still staggering along is because the President and Ponchertrain’s Mayor Jon Pacer cobbled together private funding to keep it afloat,” she smiled, “No pun intended. Regardless that is just one more organization that has declared significant lay offs. Hundreds of small businesses have failed, while this body sat on its hands and watched the unemployed population skyrocket. Then VirtGold and LLR, faced hard times. All of that, along with countless other stories of woe and angst paint a very dark picture of our economic situation. Not to mention anything about what this has done to our culture, and our people, and their disintegrating faith in this body. Although it may be pretty dismal out there, it is what we have. We are just going to have to work with it.”

              She cracked her neck and knuckles and proceeded, “And work with it we must. I come before this body metaphorically on my knees. We must, for the future of this nation, for the future of our people, take swift, unflinching, and extravagant action. We are burning through cash too quickly to effectually plan a long-range recovery plan. Therefore our only option is to chart a well thought-out exit strategy. We have to invoke deep austerity measures. Therefore, I officially put forth a motion on the floor for the following actions to be taken. First, I call for the dissolution of the National Guard. By dismantling this archaic entity over the next two months we can save enough money that will allow us to keep this government a float for up a year. Now you are probably asking why we would do this especially when facing the side effects of having to pay unemployment to all the Guardsmen. We have run the calculations, and found that it will actually cost the National Government less to have them on unemployment pay than on active duty.”

              Half of the Parliament stood at the audacity of such a radical proposal. Sensado held her ground, stood too and raised her voice, “I realize that many of you are distraught with such an idea, and I will be happy to explain my rationale after I am finished proposing all of my ideas. Thank you.” Sitting back down, and ignoring the calls for her to be relieved from her position, she continued, “Second, I move to begin selling this government’s stakes in all of its wholly owned corporations. We can make an estimated 300 billion dollars for all our shares in VirtGold, and all of the other corporations,” again many Ministers raged in protest, bellowing they are worth way more than 300 billion. Sensado responded, “Plus we can look at it as a way of selling the debt those entities hold as well. Remember we must pay on the debts of those corporations, and thus we would lose that expense as well. Nearly none of the wholly owned corporations are revenue makers for this government anyways.”

              Turning another page she waited for a certain sense of quiet, “Third, I suggest we begin selling off this government’s liquid assets, like its airplane fleet, its helicopters, its cars, its boats, and potentially even some of its properties. This may include some of its park space on the western side of the island. But that is a sacrifice we are going to have to make,” Nearly all the ministers were on their feet now bellowing things to Sensado. The guardsmen throughout the chamber didn’t know how to react, as the Prime Minister didn’t flinch, or remove his eyes from the finance minister. Again waiting for the outraged ministers to calm, she took a deep breath, and explained, “Finally I move to begin dismantling the Social Net, lowering benefits, and adjusting how we provide services to our citizens.”

              Uniformly the Ministers began yelling things at Sensado. She knew this was going to happen but also knew that by doing all of these things, even without her fourth suggestion, they would save enough money to guarantee their government to be operationally functional for at least the next half decade. By then the economy would hopefully recover. The crowd finally calmed, and she explained the benefits of her plan. Finally she did her usual pep talk about striving for statehood, and working together.

              Prime Minster Zhang finally broke from his trance. He rose and slammed his gavel on the desk, “Quiet. Ministers. We have a series of motions on the table. We must exit the Sealed Session in order to vote, but I must ask Minister Sensado to exit the Grand Hall so as to perform the duties of unsealing Parliament and arguing your motions. Thank you Minister Sensado.”

              Hampton was smiling when the gloomy faced Sensado exited the Grand Hall.

              “I don’t even want to talk about it,” Jacqueline sighed sitting down in the brilliant entryway of the Grand Hall.

              “I would have thought the last two minutes of the super bowl was being played on the big screens in there judging by the amount of brouhaha coming from the chamber,” Ray gasped, shocked and stirred by the level of noise coming from the hall.

              Sensado could not even speak following the thrashing she had received in the chamber. Her fellow ministers said some really nasty things. Taking a couple deep breaths, trying to comfort Sensado, Hampton began to pace back and forth, attempting to think of something to talk about that didn’t revolve around the economic situation of Virtagwalla. He couldn’t think of anything so they just talked about their families. After an hour and half, the Guardsman that had been watching the door, retrieved Sensado and brought her back into the Hall. Hampton stood in the back with her, as Prime Minister Zhang ran off the revised motion.

              “Whereas, the nation of Virtagwalla has entered into a time of significant financial challenges, and whereas many extreme measures have to be taken we make the following recommendations to executed within 48 hours of the approval of this bill. First, the National Guard will be reduced to 80% of its current size. Second, the National Parliament authorizes the Minister of Finance to put on sale its shares in each of the wholly owned corporations except those tied to the Social Net and VirtGold. Third, the National Parliament authorizes the Minister of Finance in conjunction with the Minister of the Interior to dissolve the entire fleet of airplanes, helicopters, cars, and sailing vessels that are not being used by the National Guard and that does not jeopardize Virtagwalla’s national security. Finally we move to raise the tuition rate of the University of Virtagwalla by ten percent, and impose a fee of ten dollars on each claim against the medical function of the Social Net.”

              Sensado’s mind fell apart. She was furious and disheartened and confused all at the same time. The Prime Minister called for the vote, and it was unanimously approved again, minus the Cabinet Ministers, who too seemed very bewildered. Sensado stormed out of the chamber, as the minister’s congratulated each other.

              Ray ran to catch up with her. He grabbed her hand, and she turned to look at him, her eyes all red, “So that’s how a Nation falls? At the cheering applause of a parliament that has become so blind to the greater good, that they are willing to destroy an entire nation to remain in power.”