Whiskey Black Book Set: The Complete Tyrant Series (Box Set 1)

Before the Flip

Murphysboro, Illinois, Friday, July 11, 2031

Stephen was sitting at the right end of the couch with his feet propped up on the coffee table, flipping through the channels with his TV remote in hand. Realizing his work boots were still on, he pulled his foot in to release the bootlaces, which had firmly been tied into place that morning. Years of tightly fastening his bootlaces around his ankles had caused a very distinct indentation around both of his legs, just above the ankles and under his calves. He was reminded of his service to country every time he took his work boots off. He was self-aware of the appearance and always felt insecure about the funny-looking formation. A shower was most definitely in order, but he had a tendency to relax for a few minutes before jumping into the tub.

“Steve!” his wife, Sam, said, walking into the front room as she covered her nose and mouth and added, “Don’t you smell that?” referring to the pungent odor of Stephen’s smelly work socks and boots that were still fresh from his hot summer factory job.

Stephen just smiled at her before pulling his socks off and wadding them each into a ball-shaped mass.

“Don’t you dare!” she said, ducking back into the corridor and heading towards the kitchen. She made it two steps before she felt one of them hit her in the small of her back. “You’re disgusting,” she jokingly said, kicking it back into the front room.

Stephen feigned throwing the other sock at her. She kept flinching in anticipation of getting hit with another dirty sock. She wanted to run away, but was enjoying the playtime. Grossed out by the dirty sock she had kicked back into the front room, she cupped her nose shut and picked the sock up in a pinching motion with her index finger and thumb.

“If you come at me with that sock, you’re going to get this one in your face,” he warned.

Sam kept inching toward Stephen with her back toward him, hoping not to get a sock in the face. In one fluid motion, Stephen reached out to grab Sam from behind.

She screamed.

Stephen pulled her onto the couch with him. Instead of following through on his threat to shove a smelly sock in her face, he cuddled with her.

“What’s for dinner, babe?” Stephen asked, making munching sounds in her ear.

“Potatoes au gratin.”

“Argh, we had that yesterday,” he said, letting go of her.

Sam rolled over on the couch to face Stephen. “I know, but they’re not letting us pick out the goods anymore. We get whatever they give us.”

“How did it even get this bad? I mean, I know how it did, but it’s just stupid that we let it get this bad.”

Sam stroked Stephen’s hair. “Hon, you work fifty-six hours a week at the government’s wheat plant, not counting your Guard duty, and we’re barely making it, but we are. As long as we have each other, we’re going to be okay.”

Sam looked deep into Stephen’s eyes and saw his concern. She loved rubbing her hands across his military-style high and tight. “I’m doing everything I can to get a job that can help pitch in around here.”

Stephen pulled Sam in close to his chest and nestled his face in her hair. “You’re doing everything I need from you already. If we can’t make it off of two government incomes, we probably won’t be able to make it off of three.”

Stephen enjoyed having Sam at home as a housewife, but never restricted her to that lifestyle. But he always made it known to her that it was preferred over her leaving home to work. Their daughter, Evan, was in second grade, and Stephen felt it was difficult enough scouring through her homework to make sure the government-provided propaganda wasn’t going against their family values. With Sam working, it would mean both Stephen and Sam would be too tired to assume the responsibility of proofing the homework.

“So how did it go down today at the food lines?” Stephen asked.

“Same as usual, only this time, they handed me yesterday’s dinner. Actually, they didn’t have the usual
assembly-line
structure they used to have when they bagged our goods.”

“If I wasn’t working for the Guard, we probably wouldn’t be eating at all.”

“Hon, your commitment to God and country paid off. We are much better off than they are,” Sam said, raising the blinds to let the hot summer sun flood into the room.

Standing outside, mobs of people assembled themselves outside of the government buildings, hoping to fill their empty bags with food handouts. Many of them were holding signs expressing what used to be a protected first amendment freedom of expression. Those rights had been unconstitutionally abolished when crowds were randomly being arrested under the guise of unrest.

Stephen and Sam were looking out of the window when several black armored government trucks pulled in. The mobs of people broke up, many of them disappearing between the buildings, but others were caught by the police and handcuffed; each of them were forced into the back of windowless trucks, where they were whisked away.

“They were peacefully protesting,” he said with frustration apparent in his voice.

“Honestly, I can’t remember a time when the police weren’t breaking up peaceful protests,” she countered.

“I do. It was before the Muslims got their jihad. Every time a crowd grew large enough to draw media attention, some
extremist
would blow himself up or send a brainwashed Muslimah to do the dirty work.”

“I can’t remember the last time I saw any media coverage on it.”

“That’s because the government’s been in bed with the media since the Clintons.”

Their conversation was interrupted when the news channel’s coverage of the Jihadist War switched from an imbedded reporter in Iran to a cameraman’s view of a podium. Centered on the podium was the Seal of the President of the United States. Sam saw it first. Tapping Stephen on the shoulder, she said, “Hon, look.”

“What now, more executive orders?”

“Shhh,” Sam said, interrupting Stephen. “President Baker’s coming out.”

It wasn’t like Sam to
shush
Stephen. She was a very timid wife, despite her fun-natured personality. It took Stephen by surprise when it happened. He was still tired from his long shift, so he snapped back uncharacteristically.

“Don’t shush me.”

Sam just looked at him, surprised that he had snapped back at her.

“I’m sorry,” he said, realizing that the punishment didn’t fit the crime.

“It’s okay.”

They both turned their attention back to the television, where Adalyn Baker was now standing at the President’s podium. Spanning the breadth of the bottom of the screen were the words
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
.

“People of the United States, last year we experienced an economic collapse, which was the result of the Republicans’
war on terror,
a war which was drummed up by hypotheticals and scare tactics used by their right-wing conspirators. The country was still in a recession from the previous two decades of war. It was at this time I pulled the majority of our resources out of the Middle East conflicts and turned our budget towards more important issues, those being the welfare programs which are currently sustaining over ninety percent of you. Unfortunately, it was too little, too late. Now, as we look down the precipice of another collapse, the collapse of an antiquated form of democracy, we must embrace a new set of truths: that we, as a society, must take from each according to his abilities, and give to each according to his needs.

“Several months ago, I signed an executive order authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to enforce a mandated identification system. This system has been in use for several years now with our military men and women. The Radio Frequency Identification system allows for quick, manageable, and sustainable means to make transactions in a fair and meaningful way that does not exclude the needy or favor the wealthy. With this program in place, every American will be equal and class warfare will become a thing of the past. As a part of this executive order, thousands of RFID stations have been set up in virtually every jurisdiction on the county level. In order for this program to work, America needs you to play your part. Every American will be required to report to their county authority to receive a subdermal implant, free of charge. The implant is tiny, the size of a rice grain, and will enable you to buy, sell, and trade. Together with our European allies, we are joining economies and laying the groundwork for a one-world currency, and ultimately, a one-world economy. In our nation’s history, never have we seen such a bright future. France, Italy, China, Japan, Germany, Russia, and Australia have already begun the implementation of this program, and have taken the lead in a forward direction.

“Unfortunately, we are expecting to be met with resistance right here in the United States. No doubt, there will be extremists on the right that will call this
tyranny
or some other derogatory and antiquated term. However, you must keep in mind that these domestic disturbance instigators are in the minority and are of no relevance. This program will succeed because it is the will of the people, which brings me to my next point.

“Due to the rise in numbers of domestic terrorists, otherwise known as
militias
, and the escalation of unfortunate events, which occur at their every appearance, I am reluctant but forced to invoke several existing executive orders. We have received word of several instances of insurrection against the current elected government. I feel that our national security is at risk and that these minority groups pose a substantial risk to vital resources. Therefore, I am invoking Executive Order 10997, which will provide the people with government-controlled resources, such as petroleum products, electricity, etc. To prevent our farmers from falling victim to these groups, I am invoking Executive Order 10998, to provide government oversight to all agricultural assets. In order to assure that these individuals do not interfere with the application of the RFID program, I am invoking Executive Orders 10999 and 13603, suspending all unauthorized transportation and providing government-supplied water. The government will be the sole distributor of all materials until I deem it safe to lift the government seizures. This will ensure unaltered and continued continuity of care to all citizens under my care.

“It has been determined that right-wing dissenters are responsible for the explosions occurring at peaceful protest sites and political rallies. This is why I suspended the First Amendment. It was not in objection to dissenting views, but rather the fact that these militia groups are showing up with assault weapons, and this is usually followed up with fatal and catastrophic events. For some time now, legislation has been insufficient in the control of these individuals finding ways to arm themselves and taking up insurrection against their government. Therefore, I am indefinitely declaring a state of martial law for the purpose of securing our borders against the threat of these domestic terrorists. Until these executive orders are lifted, a mandated curfew will be in effect starting thirty minutes after sunset and lasting until thirty minutes prior to sunrise on a daily basis. Travel chits will be issued by your local law enforcement agency so that those authorized to travel may do so.

“The United Nations have pledged their support and resources to aid us in these coming weeks. We have taken the lead in withdrawing our troops from the war in the Middle East. Our friends in Europe, Asia, and Africa will begin the withdrawal of their forces in the coming weeks. Russia will most likely continue on with their efforts in the Middle East conflicts, but the United States have played their part and are now tending to more pressing matters here at home.

“Effective immediately, congressional powers are revoked indefinitely. The legislative and judicial branches will have no authority until the domestic threat has been abated. The patriot movement will be stopped. Our resolve to pursue national security has never been stronger. Thank you.”

President Baker finished her speech and stepped away from the podium. She ducked away from the barrage of media questions and disappeared from sight as she passed through a blue curtain and into another room. Stephen and Sam were still staring at the TV set as the news anchor was rehashing everything the President had said. It was their daughter, Evan, that broke the silence.

“Mommy, can I watch cartoons?” she asked, hoping to get a quick response. Normally, Evan’s petite voice would instantly melt Stephen’s heart, but on this day he was fixated on what was happening on the TV. When Evan saw that she wasn’t getting her question answered by her mom, she turned her attention towards her dad.

“Daddy, can I watch cartoons?”

“Not now, baby. Something very important is on the TV,” he said, picking her up and setting her on his knee.

Evan’s high energy level was in full effect. No sooner than she had landed on Stephen’s knee, she jumped down and started for the front door. That caught Stephen’s attention.

“No, Evan.” He raised his voice.

“There’s no need to raise your voice at her, Stephen.”

“It’s dangerous out there, Sam. At any moment, the whole town’s going to erupt into pandemonium.”

“What do you mean?”

“You heard what I heard, Sam. That wackadoo’s going to bring about martial law. She just listed a whole plethora of executive orders seizing everything necessary to control the masses.”

“But she said it was for national security.”

Sam was not canny regarding politics. Anytime there was a political issue that she saw was working on Stephen’s emotions, she had to slow him down and ask a ton of questions. She was the smart one when it came to home affairs; that was her world. The nuances of the outside world, specifically the law and government, were her weaknesses.

“Babe,” Stephen said, looking at her and pointing at the TV, “this lady is three years into her second term. Now she’s invoking several executive orders that take the control of food, power, water, and God only knows what else away from the people!”

“I don’t understand.”

“She’s calling for martial law and there won’t be an election. She’s likely to keep executive powers over every aspect of our lives.”