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Post by texican on Nov 19, 2019 13:15:16 GMT -6
Agent Neal is an a-hole with high school grudges....
We already know that Brian will get out of Gitmo....
But what is the rest of the story....
Thanks bret for two chapters....
Texican....
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Post by texican on Nov 19, 2019 13:16:35 GMT -6
Unfortunately, there are at least a few truly stupid, running on testosterone, "I've got a badge and can do what I want" 'Agent Roberts' types in many areas of law enforcement. Most of them probably deserve prison but it seems that few ever wind up inside a cell - or perhaps in front of a firing squad. It only takes one of those to give a bad name to an entire organization. pp2, President Trump is currently having to deal with the bad ones in the ABC agencies.... Stories do mimic real life at times.... Texican....
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Post by bretf on Nov 19, 2019 20:08:58 GMT -6
I can’t say it enough, thank you for the great comments. Some of them have given me great insight and ideas for different twists to throw into future writings. I dropped in a few subtle lines thanks to you.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Chapter 15
After another drink and a long look across the classroom and out the windows, Brian continued. “I wish I could’ve got my phone back to call Mom but Agent Roberts put it in a bag and sealed it. He and the cops left me and Mr. Wilson alone. I don’t know how long we were there before men in dark suits came back. They put leg and arm shackles on us and led us out of the room, out the building, and put us in the back seat of a big black SUV. It wasn’t very easy to walk, especially for Mr. Wilson. The chains kept him from taking very long steps. It was easier for me since my legs are shorter but it was still hard. The chains were awkward and heavy. The guys drove us to the airport and through a gate where they stopped right beside a jet airplane. Then they got us in the plane and attached our shackles to metal rings to keep us in place.
“Agent Roberts got in the plane. He was sipping from a tall glass of ice tea. It made me thirsty but I really didn’t want any. I didn’t know if there was a bathroom on the plane and thought about Mr. Wilson’s bed-wetting comment. As mean as Agent Roberts was being, I think if I needed to use the bathroom, he’d make me wet my pants. Luckily, I’d gone at the police station. Agent Roberts swallowed and said, ‘This is refreshing. It’s too bad you terrorists can’t have any.’
“Mr. Wilson had an answer for him that I can’t tell you.
“Agent Roberts and another guy in a suit got in seats and buckled up. The plane started moving and in moments, we were in the air. I’d never flown in a plane before and I wish I could’ve enjoyed it but it was impossible. I was confused and terrified. We weren’t terrorists. We were just launching rockets and a bad accident happened. Accidents happen all the time but Agent Roberts didn’t seem to think so.
“Sometime during the flight, I fell asleep. I woke up when some guy in a uniform was shaking me and told me to get up. I stumbled off the plane and was stuffed into a Humvee. They drove us to a compound with tall chain-link fences around it. The fences were topped with that coiled razor wire stuff. Near the gate they drove us through was a block tower with the United States flag on it. The same flag as was sewn on my uniform shirt, only a lot bigger. The Humvee stopped at a building and we were taken inside.”
Brian purposely left out the details of being processed into Gitmo. It was all too embarrassing, especially the body cavity search. He hadn’t even told any of that to his friends. He did say, “They made us change out of our Scout uniforms and put on these orange jumpsuits. They didn’t have any small enough for me so mine was pretty baggy.
“They locked me and Mr. Wilson into cells. At least they were next to each other so we could talk. Agent Roberts paced between the closed doors and gloated. ‘Enjoy your stay!’ he stated and then left.
“It was hot and humid, the air nothing like Reno. And the little bit I’d seen outside wasn’t at all like home either. It appeared Agent Wilson hadn’t lied. We were in prison in Cuba and my parents would never know what happened to me.
“Do you know the worst part of being locked up? For me it was boredom. I couldn’t do anything. Well, and the clothes. Mr. Wilson talked a lot and he even taught me some Boy Scout stuff. It turned out he was a pretty good leader after all, at least when Agent Roberts wasn’t around.
“One of the guards shook his head when he saw us the first day we were there. ‘What on earth did you do to get brought here?’ he asked.
“I looked at Mr. Wilson and he nodded his head and said, ‘Go ahead, tell him.’ So, I did.
“While I talked, he kept shaking his head. When I was done, he said, 'It sounds like your fibby is a lot like a few officers I’ve known. At least you got cells where you can see and talk to each other. Not all of them are like this. Most have solid walls.’
“I’m not sure if seeing each other was a good thing, you know, going to the bathroom. But Mr. Wilson and I agreed to always look away.
“Anyway, the guard said, “Well, I can’t do much for you but I’ll do what I can, including keeping you away from the real terrorists. There are some very bad people here.’ After that, he would bring me books so it helped with the boredom.
“I wasn’t sure how long we were there, the days kind of blended together. But I think I read seven books. Then one day, Agent Roberts followed the guard in. He was with another man in a suit and looked as mad as he did when Mr. Wilson gave him the bed-wetting comment. The other man said, ‘Agent Roberts has something to say to you.’ He sounded as mad as Agent Roberts. I think they’d been arguing and didn’t really like each other.
“Agent Roberts looked like he was biting a lemon when he talked. He wasn’t happy at all with what he had to say. ‘After further study of the evidence, charges against you are being dropped. I am here to escort you back to Nevada,’ he said.
“We were able to change back into our Scout uniforms and taken to an airplane, this time without shackles on. Then we were on our way home. Agent Roberts was still mad and before we landed, he stood and stared down at us. You know the term, ‘spat the words out’? Well, that’s what he did. He sounded mean and I know he meant every word. He was so forceful, little bits of spit flew from his mouth with each word. He said, ‘You may have pulled the wool over the eyes of those naïve fools in Washington but not mine. You’re rotten and I know it. But they’re in charge and I have to follow orders. However, I’ll be watching you, waiting for you to step out of line. Since the entire event has been deemed ‘Classified’, I’ll be listening as well. If either of you breathe a word, one single word, I’ll have you thrown back in that God-forsaken hole so fast it’ll make you head spin. Take one step out of line, whisper a single word, and you’ll be a memory. You’ll vanish so fast people will wonder if you ever existed. Mark my words, I’ll know!’
“And then the plane landed. I was put in one of those big black SUVs and taken home. And that is how I spent my summer. Now if I disappear, you’ll all know what happened to me.”
Brian looked across the classroom. Sam was nodding his head after hearing the story for the second time. Jennifer looked troubled. The BS meter was topped out. Whatever, Brian thought.
As he gazed out, an idea was growing. Besides his friends, twenty-three more kids and Mrs. Bird knew what’d happened. Most of them were certain to tell others, even the kid with the BS meter. The story would get out and spread like wildfire. At that moment, he was no longer afraid of being shipped back to Cuba. Well, there it is Agent Roberts. Your classified incident is out. Try to put the lid back on it, now!
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Post by sniper69 on Nov 19, 2019 22:15:38 GMT -6
Mr. Roberts wasn't there to get Brian for telling the story as he was at home wetting the bed. bwahahaahahahahaha (I just couldn't resist).
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Post by bretf on Nov 20, 2019 20:11:57 GMT -6
Chapter 16
Thursday rolled around and Brian’s mom woke him to get ready for school. She had to shake him several times while saying his name before he stirred. After three nights of poor sleep he’d been exhausted. As his dad said when he was really tired, he’d ‘slept like the dead’. He looked all around the room and decided he’d been right. He was still there. Telling his story had been liberating.
The previous morning, he’d thought he’d never wake in his own room again. He’d been certain Agent Roberts would haul him away. It appeared he’d been wrong then but had guessed correctly later in the day.
He picked up his phone and checked it. It wasn’t the hoped-for email from his dad that caught his attention; it was a news story. He stared at the screen in shock. When the story finished, he switched to another page in his browser and saw much the same thing. His mind spun as he got his clothes and stumbled zombie-like to the bathroom.
His head cleared somewhat as he took a fast, cold shower. Billy had gotten to the bathroom first and returned the favor from the day before. When he went to the kitchen for breakfast, he checked outside. As he’d suspected and hoped, there was no sign of Roberts. Still, he wouldn’t put anything past the man. It might take a while before he totally relaxed.
“Good morning, Honey. You look better this morning but I see something is still bothering you. Is it the English assignment?” his mom asked.
“Yeah, Mrs. Bird was going to grade it last night and return it today. I feel a lot better about it but I’m still kinda nervous about how it went over and if it’ll affect my future,” Brian said.
“Oh, honey, I can’t imagine the first assignment will have a big impact on your future. I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
Brain thought about Agent Roberts threats, and though the morning was making him think they were hollow, he was still out there somewhere. It was possible he’d get mad and be even worse than before. Oh, Mom, if you only knew, Brian thought. “I sure hope so,” he told her, “but you know, she also had Billy in her class and remembers him well.”
“Oh . . . that Mrs. Bird; yeah, I remember her, too, now that you mention it. I see why you might be concerned. But you’ll convince her in no time at all you and your brother are quite different.”
“I suppose,” he said.
He ate breakfast, brushed his teeth, and headed for the bus stop with his backpack hanging from one shoulder.
Still with no sign of Roberts, Brian boarded the bus and walked down the aisle. Jennifer smiled at him and slid over. “I saved this seat for you, Brian,” she said.
He hesitated, embarrassed, and then sat in the offered seat.
The bus started moving and Jennifer said, “That was quite a story you told in English. And scary. Did it all really happen? Not that I doubt you but I think we would have heard about a helicopter crash on the news.”
Brian smiled and said, “Agent Roberts was able to seal off all news because he called it classified and backed it up with threats of imprisonment. You know, most first responders and Scouts follow the law, so when the senior FBI agent orders it be kept silent, they all did.” While he talked, he’d taken out his phone and opened the browser. He pulled up the news clip he’d watched earlier. “Here, watch this.”
Jennifer watched in amazement as the reporter talked about the “Helicopter crash cover-up,” The reporter added a lot of information Brian hadn’t included in his presentation. The report also included a choppy video of Brian in his Scout uniform setting up his rocket. It panned the group, catching the excited boys as the rocket zoomed away. Just a bunch of Boy Scouts having a great time launching rockets. It was obvious they were all kids, not seasoned terrorists. Evidently, the kid with Brian’s phone had sent the video to someone before Roberts got his hands on it.
When the news clip finished, Brian shut the browser down and pocketed his phone. He said, “And you know something else, I think Agent Roberts lied about it being classified. I think the first thing, he saw a chance to make a name for himself. We heard him tell a cop it was nice working with him but this case was going to finally get him out of this cow-town. Then, he saw it as a way to get back at Mr. Wilson for picking on him a long time ago. He never wanted to know the truth. It was all about what he could get out of the tragedy.”
“The reporter didn’t mention Cuba,” she said.
Brian smiled and reached for the chain around his neck. He tugged it out of his shirt and showed her a pair of U.S. Navy dog tags. “So, the guard I had that was pretty cool and thought it was ridiculous I was there had these made for me.”
Jennifer looked closer. The tags had the Navy emblem on them as well as embossed letters “Brian Anderson – Honorary Gitmo Alumni”.
“He also sent me this after I got home.” Brian opened a page in his phone and showed Jennifer a photo. Brian was in a baggy orange jump-suit. Next to him, with his arm around Brian’s shoulders, was the guard in battle dress uniform. They were standing in the opening of a prison cell.
With a hiss of air brakes, the bus stopped at the school and the driver opened the door. Brian and Jennifer exited and headed for the building, side by side. All around, kids whispered together and pointed at him. A few laughed as he passed. It was like the day in the cafeteria when he’d faced down the gorillas, only worse. Go ahead, talk and laugh all you want. You’ll know it’s all true soon enough.
He neared those same gorillas where they huddled together. They’d been watching something on a phone. Orangutan looked up and saw Brian and Jennifer. Brian glared at him and Orangutan’s pasty face paled further.
#
Brian took his seat in Homeroom – English, the happiest he’d been since school started. The announcements finished and Mrs. Bird jumped right into business as was her style. She walked up and down the rows of desks returning the graded assignments. As she did, she talked about what she’d learned and how the class plan would be structured for the next two weeks. Once Brian received his paper, he didn’t hear a word of it as he read what she’d written.
Brian, I’m afraid you missed the gist of the assignment. Yes, you demonstrated your command of the English language in this narrative but I asked for a FACTUAL story. I enjoyed your story very much but it was obviously FICTIONAL. I encourage you to sign up for my Creative Writing class next year. I think you would excel in it.
You are quite the story-teller. I apologize for comparing you to your brother. It’s obvious you have a very active imagination and put a lot of effort into this tale. I never saw Billy display this type of effort, so again, I apologize. It won’t happen again.
In the future, pay attention to the assignment and do as instructed.
Below Mrs. Bird’s writing was a “C” in a large circle.
PS: in my Creative Writing class, this would have earned an A. I hope you will sign up in the future. PLEASE. Who knows, with polish, this story may even be publishable in a youth oriented magazine.
Brian shook his head with a wry smile on his face. A “C”, after all that work and worry. I wonder if she’ll change it after she sees the news. He could show her the news on his phone but decided it could wait. He was tired of worrying. He looked around the room at the other students, his gaze lingering on Jennifer. She met his gaze and they flashed each other a smile.
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Post by 9idrr on Nov 20, 2019 21:38:48 GMT -6
This one started out good and is just gettin' better & better. Many thanks.
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Post by bretf on Nov 21, 2019 13:31:54 GMT -6
Epilogue:
Agent Neal Roberts cursed the Ford Escape as he got out of it. He didn’t know the bureau kept cars as old and beat up as it was. They should have at least given him a car with springs and shocks. Every bump and rock he’d driven over had jarred his spine and rattled his teeth. But it did make sense. It was well suited for the terrain he’d be patrolling. A Crown Vic couldn’t maneuver the surrounding country; they were better suited for cities and freeways. Maybe those naïve idiots knew a little, after all. But would it have been too much to provide him a new Chevy Tahoe?
The heat hit him instantly, making him consider climbing back into the car. It felt like he’d opened the oven and been blasted by the contained heat. He broke out in sweat within seconds as he studied the building. “Yeah, right. Not an oven, a furnace,” he said as he studied the building “a blast furnace.” The letters on the wall proclaimed the building ‘Furnace Creek Visitor Center’.
Roberts straightened his shirt and jacket and went inside the building. At his inquiry he was pointed to the director’s office, knocked, and entered when told to.
“What can I do for you?” the man behind the desk asked.
“I’m Agent Neal Roberts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Please read this,” he said, handing a sealed envelope to the man. “It will explain everything.”
The Park director studied the envelope and said, “Wow, from the FBI director himself, no less.” He took a letter opener from a cup containing pens and pencils and split the top of the envelope. Unfolding the single sheet of paper it held, he read the letter and then read it again.
He lay the paper on his desk and looked up at Roberts. “Do you know what this says? Is this some kind of joke?” he asked.
“No sir, terrorism is not a joke,” Roberts said. “It is serious. Deadly serious.”
The director cocked his head and studied Roberts, not saying anything. The man didn’t look capable of joking.
Roberts took it as a cue to continue. “You see, sir, I have experience with domestic terrorists. They walk among us and blend in so well they may as well be invisible. In fact, I’ve had experience with a cell who posed as Boy Scouts of all things. It is felt within the bureau that due to the isolation of Death Valley and the proximity to many strategic targets, it would be the perfect location for a cell to set up operations. After all, many foreign terrorists are desert dwellers and would feel right at home here.”
The director steepled his fingers and gazed at Roberts. “I see,” he said. Boy Scouts? This zealot doesn’t know a thing if he thinks Scouts are terrorists. Unless they’ve changed a lot since I aged out, Troops are boy led with the leaders only providing guidance. The kids aren’t sitting around in secret conclaves plotting attacks on the government. They plan campouts and merit badges, having fun with each other. And this guy got sent here. Oh . . . The director pinched his eyes closed and shook his head slowly.
He returned his gaze to the ramrod straight, unsmiling man before him and mirrored the stern look. He said, “Welcome to Death Valley, Agent Roberts. I’m assuming the Bureau has made housing arrangements for you in Ridgecrest since there are none here for you?”
“Yes sir, it’s all taken care of.”
“Very well,” the park director said. “And if I may make a suggestion, you might want to lose that jacket and dark shirt. There are a couple of clothing stores in town where you can pick up some light-colored clothing that won’t draw the heat so bad. I suppose you’ll inform me of any ‘terrorists’ you locate.”
“I will pass all information up the chain of command, sir. They will make the decision of how much information will be shared with you.”
“All right, I’m sure I’ll see you around. Enjoy your stay at my facility, and for God’s sake, keep us safe, Agent.” It was all he could do to keep from smiling at the man. “Now I have work to do,” the director said. He turned to his computer monitor.
“I intend to, sir,” Roberts said and took the cue to leave. He exited and hurried through the blast furnace to his Ford. It was even hotter inside than the intolerable outside air. He started the engine and willed the air conditioner to cool it off.
#
A park ranger tapped on the director’s door and stepped inside his office. “Hey, Bob, what was that all about?” he asked.
The director flashed a wry smile and said, “It seems we now have a resident FBI agent on the lookout for terrorists. You know, they’re well adapted to the desert.”
“Seriously?”
Mimicking Roberts’ dead-pan voice, he said, “Yes, deadly serious. Terrorism is not a joke.” In his normal voice, he said, “So, I wonder what he did and who he pissed off.”
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Post by brucearmstrong65 on Nov 21, 2019 15:25:30 GMT -6
Nice twist! Always good to see the power-mad bureaucrat get his a** handed to him ... and apparently too dumb to know it.
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Post by seraphima on Nov 21, 2019 17:01:38 GMT -6
"Mimicking Roberts’ dead-pan voice, he said, “Yes, deadly serious. Terrorism is not a joke.” In his normal voice, he said, “So, I wonder what he did and who he pissed off.”
This is hilarious! Thank you
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Post by 9idrr on Nov 21, 2019 20:57:15 GMT -6
Boy, you took me for a ride with this one and ended up somewhere I never imagined we were goin'. You haven't lost your touch.
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Post by bluefox2 on Nov 21, 2019 21:15:36 GMT -6
OH, Karma she is such a touchy lady. She will bite you when you least expect it. Well done Sir. VERY well done.
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Post by texican on Nov 22, 2019 0:43:17 GMT -6
The desert is better than the Arctic Circle for you can freeze to death quickly, but with water and a shade tree you can survive the heat much less a motel room with AC or his Agent Roberts reservation a back to nature cabin without AC....
Thanks bret for the chapter....
Texican....
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Post by eyeseetwo on Nov 13, 2020 21:04:19 GMT -6
Raising two teenage daughters is hard. So a lot is on my mind about this. Solo, You are handling this correctly.... The wife and I raised two boys and they did not take any BS from the bullies.... One of my oldest son's friends (small stature) transferred to the son's high school due to bullying and one of the HS bullies decided to give him grief until the bully was informed that his friend was my son and all of the bulling stopped.... The oldest walked into the football locker room and someone turned off the lights and then he was hit.... Three guys closets to him hit the floor and this chit stopped.... The coach got to the bottom of the problem and the three cowards did laps for several weeks after practice.... Never ever back down.... Texican....
As a school teacher I have found that bully students have asshat parents, and somehow have a sense of entitlement and a such a huge amount of high status in their community and the administration is impotent in dealing logically and correctly with the bullies. Factor in race and it becomes a quagmire of excuses. Sadly, I see a huge amount of victim students who are magnets for bullying. Children can be very sneaky little shits sometimes and preCovid when we actually had in class teaching they were very manipulative. And the children who did not stand up for themselves bore the brunt. That is why I am in favor if video cameras with sound in the hallways, classrooms, and playgrounds. And still you have parental units who do not believe Billy and Belinda bully did anything wrong. I have also seen teachers bully and scapegoat their coworkers.
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Post by fastowl on Oct 28, 2022 22:25:51 GMT -6
I wish the story covered whether Mrs. Bird ever figured out the true story and if so did she change his grade. Otherwise thanks.
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Post by bretf on Oct 29, 2022 9:09:08 GMT -6
I wish the story covered whether Mrs. Bird ever figured out the true story and if so did she change his grade. Otherwise thanks. If I ever go back and clean up and edit this story, that's something to add. Thanks, I apricate the feedback, very much.
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Post by larryminn on Jan 23, 2023 22:00:55 GMT -6
I feel bad the crazy FBI agent was not punished. He kidnapped a minor, as well as a adult for personal revenge over something decade earlier. He should have been reduced to teaching a course to new agents about abusing your power. Between cleaning bathrooms at FBI training facility.
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Post by bretf on Jan 27, 2023 16:13:50 GMT -6
I feel bad the crazy FBI agent was not punished. He kidnapped a minor, as well as a adult for personal revenge over something decade earlier. He should have been reduced to teaching a course to new agents about abusing your power. Between cleaning bathrooms at FBI training facility. I see your point. Back when my creative juices were flowing, I had a follow-up for story in mind. Unfortunately, real life interfered and I haven't been able to work on it. Thank you for your thoughtful post.
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Post by papaof2 on Nov 27, 2023 0:27:12 GMT -6
Still good the second time through.
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Post by larryminn on Mar 5, 2024 12:20:59 GMT -6
Still good the second time through. Or third. I still think Agent Roberts needs to be arrested, charged, likely convicted for abuse of powers, harm to a minor, terroristic threats, abuse of position…. Maybe sent for 6 months in Gitmo as evidence collected to prevent his interfering in investigation as he has history of intimidating witnesses…
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Post by gipsy on Mar 5, 2024 18:39:37 GMT -6
Gitmo doesn't have enough rooms for all the asshats.
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Post by larryminn on Mar 5, 2024 19:13:16 GMT -6
Gitmo doesn't have enough rooms for all the asshats. You toss my family in for months for crap like that. Gitmo is a place you should be safe.
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