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Post by accountant on Jul 15, 2021 9:17:47 GMT -6
Chapter 1
We’re Here to Help
“Name?”
The pudgy female FEMA worker with the short curly hair didn’t even bother to look up from her form when she asked. It was a hot day with no wind and her armpit stains suggested that she didn’t want to be here as much as I didn’t want to be here. I could have said Tom Hanks and it wouldn’t have made any difference.
“John Bains. B-A-I-N-S.”, This was not my real name. The last name was one I saw on a personalized license plate a long time ago, and the first name was close enough to mine that if anyone called out to me, I’d notice.
“Address?”
“230 Sycamore Lane, Bedford Falls.” Again, not my real address. I just wanted to see if she had ever watched It’s a Wonderful Life.
“State?”
“New York.”
“ZIP?”
“90210”. Surely, she would recognize the Beverly Hills zip code.
“Date of Birth?”
“August 6th, 1978.” Again, not my real date of birth, but she didn’t need to know that, also nobody famous was born on that date.
“Social Security Number?”
“078 05 1120.” Thank you random number generating mind.
“Do you have any conditions which require regular daily medication? Diabetes, heart conditions, COPD, asthma, allergies, depression, anxiety?”
“No.”
The woman continued to check off items on her clipboard.
“Were you vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 otherwise known as the COVID-19 virus?”
“Yes.”
“Which vaccine did you receive as a first dose?”
“Moderna.”
“And your second dose?”
“Moderna.” I didn’t know why she had to ask that. Everybody already know that they only ones who had survived were the ones who had been double vaccinated with Moderna.
“When was your last boost shot?”
“Six months ago. March twelfth.”
“Have you performed any military service?”, she asked as she continued to check off boxes on the form.
“No.”
“Are you proficient with a firearm?”
“I’m sorry?” The question was as vague as it could have possibly been.
“Have you fired a gun in the past?”, came the response with a sigh.
“Umm, no.”, I lied.
“Anyone else in your party?”
“Excuse me?”, I asked, a little confused.
“Is there anyone else with you? A partner or partners, parental unit or units, and/or underaged or emancipated minors?”, she questioned, with a sigh.
“No. It’s just me.” That part was true.
The woman in the FEMA polo shirt that was two sizes too small for her ripped off the bottom portion of the checklist and handed it to me.
“Okay, here’s your number. Go into the first tent and wait in line.”, she said, not bothering to look me in the eye. ‘Next!”
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Post by arkansascob on Jul 15, 2021 10:37:52 GMT -6
Well A glad to see you are back. Cant wait to see where this story takes us. Im sure it will be a fine ride.
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Post by 9idrr on Jul 15, 2021 18:09:42 GMT -6
Quite the start. Now, we don't wanna seem impatient, but...
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Post by texican on Jul 15, 2021 18:31:48 GMT -6
a,
Another great start.
Why the interview and what else to come. Inquisitive minds want to know. Moar chapters required.
Texican....
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Post by accountant on Jul 19, 2021 8:54:38 GMT -6
Chapter 2
We’re So Happy You’re Here
“Number?”, asked the man in the tent when I had finally gotten to the front of the line.
“Oh umm, SM-2349672.”
“Just give me the card.”, said the man with a scowl.
After I handed it to him, he adjusted his large ink stamp, and stamped a big, heavy duty plastic bag as well as an orange jump suit with the number.
“Okay, take this, go into one of the change rooms to the side, change into the jump suit, and put all your belongings into bag. You can keep your underwear, socks and shoes. Exit out the rear of the change room. Someone will be there to provide further instructions. Next!”
“Um, what about my backpack?”, I asked, sheepishly.
“Put all your belongings into the bag. Next!”, he repeated.
When the man didn’t look at me, I walked towards the row of change rooms. Not really change rooms as much as fabric walls with half curtains so that legs and feet could be seen if someone was in there.
Finding an empty one, I went in, closed the curtain and undressed. I put everything into the bag as told to and stepped into the jumpsuit which was two sizes too big and sagged in all the wrong places. It made me feel like a felon.
With a shrug, I opened the curtain at the back of the change room and looked out onto the inside of the FEMA camp.
“SM-2349672!”, yelled someone.
“I said…SM-2349672!”, came the yell again, drawing me out of my stupor.
“Umm..yes, that’s me.”, I replied looking at yet another person in a FEMA polo and khaki pants.
“Hand over your bag and head into the next tent for orientation.”, said the not-so-slightly cranky man with the Napoleon complex and no one to take it out on.
“What’s going to happen to my stuff?”, I asked as I handed over all my earthly possessions.
“Don’t worry. It’ll be kept secure.”, he said as he zip-tied it shut and threw it over his shoulder into a pile of similar bags. “Now get moving or you’ll miss orientation.”
“Okay. Hey, do you think I could get some water?”, I asked, “I’ve been standing out in the sun all day and it’s pretty hot out.”
“You’ll get something after the orientation. Now move!”, the wanna-be emperor snapped.
Sighing, I trudged towards the next tent. I hoped it wasn’t as bad or take as long as I thought it would be.
I was wrong. It was worse.
As I pulled open the flap of the tent to enter, it hit me like a freight train. It was hot, it was humid, and it was filled with the stench of fifty unwashed and sweaty men, much like me. There weren’t enough chairs so thankfully I was forced to stand by the flap of the tent, grateful for the little bit of wind that would blow in every time door flapped.
At the front of the tent, on an elevated platform, stood a group of FEMA workers conferring over the requisite clipboard it seemed all the FEMA minions held. One of the workers looked at the group and said something to one of the others. That man walked towards me and closed the zipper of the tent flap, removing the last vestige of somewhat fresh air I was to have.
When the FEMA man returned to the stage, an older woman FEMA member with a Karen haircut walked to the front of stage and began her spiel.
“Hello everyone. Welcome to FEMA camp 4312. I know that for some of you, the choice to come here was a difficult one. I want to assure you that your decision was a wise one. We know that you have been through a lot, we all have. We’ve all lost loved ones, friends, and/or neighbors to the initial COVID-19 virus and its various mutations. Let’s face it, the country and the world has been decimated. The global population is now close to 10% of what it was pre-COVID. The previous government of the United States and now the World Governing Body have been doing what it can to help each and every one of us. First, it was the launch of the initial COVID vaccines, then the boosters, then the Great Reset to remove the loan liabilities from the backs of hard-working people and the initiation of the universal basic income system to ensure people could stay home and stay safe. As the population dwindled, the nation and the world’s ability to maintain critical infrastructure was wiped out. As you know, the electrical grid was wiped out due to the closure of the nuclear power plants. Computer systems crashed due to the lack of electricity. Food productivity was decimated as truckers ran out of fuel and couldn’t make deliveries due to the fact that the refineries had to be shut down. The list goes on and on. People, much like you, were and still are literally starving to death in their homes….”
She just kept pattering on and on about all things that everyone in the tent already knew. Yes, we had all lost people, we had all lost our homes, we had all lost our livelihoods, we were all starving. There was always the specter of another mutation out there ready to get us, if the roving bands of marauders didn’t. That’s why we were all here, for God’s sake. I had to support myself with the tent pole to keep from passing out from the heat and the smell.
“…But I want each and every one of you to know that there is still hope. Hope for the world and the future. You, yes you, are that hope. Together, we will work to raise the world from the ashes we find ourselves in. The initiatives of the World Government Body are already in place to help make that happen and you are a part of it. The international mobilization program is working to resettle populations to the areas of the world with the best soils for food production. The renewable energy policy is working to move the world away from carbon emitting vehicles and factories making the air, earth, and water cleaner for all living creatures. And you will do your part to make this glorious future a reality. Whether it’s cleaning the streets of waste or working in a lab to develop heartier strains of hybrid seeds, we will all do our part to build back better. You have taken your first step toward that future by joining us here today and I want to thank you for your courage. You are all truly heroes here today.
Now I’m sure you’re probably wondering what happens next. First, after you exit to the right, you’ll be given a welcome package which includes a bottle of water, some energy bars, a map of the facility, and the general rules of the facility. Once you have those, you will be escorted to temporary housing within the facility until such time as permanent housing can be made available to you. At this point in time, you will all be house in a male dormitory. Please let one of the dormitory managers know if you do not feel comfortable being in the dormitory due to your sexual orientation. Once a space opens up at a location better suited for you, rest assured, you will be moved there. The dormitories all have communal showering and washing facilities, as well as communal dining areas. The community feel of these dormitories are to help you get back in touch with others and to help you to understand that you are no longer alone. We are all here for you and you will be here for each other. And speaking of being there for each other, I want to let you know that FEMA fully supports the LGBTQ2SNA initiative of the World Governing Body. In each dormitory, there are several prophylactic dispensers available for those seeking comfort and physical bonding with another or others. While you cannot be forced to engage in any such activity, we highly recommend that if he/she/they approach you for physical comfort, that you consider it for his/her/theirs’ mental wellbeing’s sake. I also want to let you know that anyone who is overly aggressive in their refusal to give this comfort will have the opportunity to attend sensitivity training to help them. If you notice or are on the receiving end of this aggressive refusal, please reach out to one of the dormitory managers and they will be able to provide assistance.
Over the next few days, each of you will be meeting with a career counsellor to determine the best use of your particular skillsets to see where you can add the most value as we build the future. Once that has been completed, and transportation is made available, you will be relocated to a more permanent location where you will be given permanent housing and a work assignment that benefits everyone.
That’s all I have for now. Once you are settled into the dormitory, please take a moment to look over the rules of the facility and let one of the facility liaisons know if you have any questions.
Rest assured that you are in a safe place here. We have fences and security to ensure that no harm will come to you while you’re here. You are the future and we are all depending on you. Thank you again for your service.”
Man, I’ve got to get out of here.
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Post by texican on Jul 19, 2021 13:28:16 GMT -6
We have fences and security to ensure that no harm will come to you while you’re here.
.gov:
We are here to help you and control you.
Now is the time to plan on escaping.
Texican....
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Post by iamnobody on Jul 20, 2021 13:26:32 GMT -6
Note to self:
NEVER EVER GO TO A FEMA CAMP OR ANY OTHER CAMP
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Post by 9idrr on Jul 20, 2021 19:01:01 GMT -6
Note to self:
NEVER EVER GO TO A FEMA CAMP OR ANY OTHER CAMP
And what makes you think I won't be runnin' one?
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Post by texican on Jul 20, 2021 21:00:30 GMT -6
Note to self: NEVER EVER GO TO A FEMA CAMP OR ANY OTHER CAMP
And what makes you think I won't be runnin' one? So 9 is a plant to spy on us. Texican....
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Post by bluefox2 on Jul 21, 2021 6:05:39 GMT -6
Note to self:
NEVER EVER GO TO A FEMA CAMP OR ANY OTHER CAMP
And what makes you think I won't be runnin' one? Let's see, distance to target about 1,ooo yards with slight breeze from left to right.
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Post by arkansascob on Jul 21, 2021 10:14:14 GMT -6
Anything that begins with FEDERAL needs to be avoided unless its ammo.
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Post by 9idrr on Jul 21, 2021 18:59:20 GMT -6
And what makes you think I won't be runnin' one? So 9 is a plant to spy on us. Texican.... Well, son, it sure took you long enough to catch on. When they knock on your door in a few minutes, it'll be best for everyone if'n you just go along peacefully. Your number is IDtenT. When you get to the facility, please choose one color from the rainbow painted on the floor and follow that line. Don't worry, we'll let you think you have a choice but all the lines end up in the same cell... uh... space.
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Post by kaijafon on Aug 13, 2021 13:41:27 GMT -6
interesting story. Appreciate it. Looking forward to more.
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Post by accountant on Aug 31, 2021 10:21:20 GMT -6
Hi all,
I apologize for the disappearance. I had a lot of stuff happening in real life.
Did you know that smoke detectors expire? I didn't, but apparently they do and mine did. Did you know that tomatoes could get bottom rot? Again, I didn't, but apparently they can and mine did. Did you know that you are supposed to be able to put together an 8 foot high, 12 foot by 12 foot modular pergola system in one hour according to the instructions? Mine took two days. Did you know that central vacuum hoses can just decide to stop sending power to the power brush so it just stops working and you have to replace the entire hose? Did you know that keeping a car in the garage basically for the last 18 months can cause the engine to get all gummy and your wife will decide that the car is too dangerous to drive? Did you know that a dog can partially tear their ACL (CCL on a dog) for no reason so that you can spend $3K on vet bills?
Yeah, sometimes it feels like the post apocalyptic world can't come soon enough.
Chapter 3
You Can Make New Friends
“Hey buddy. I’m Steve. What’s your name?”
I looked at the guy lying in the next bunk over. Like me, he has a gaunt look to his face with sunken eye sockets and at least a three day’s growth of stubble on his face surrounding his chapped lips.
“I’m John.”
“Hi John. When’s your birthday?”, he asked out of the blue.
“Huh?”
“When’s your birthday? Astrology used to be a hobby of mine before everything went to shit, so what is it?”, he asked.
“August 6th.”, I lied.
“August 6th, eh? When that makes you a Leo. Leos are born leaders, very active, honest, and broad-minded. It’s good to know you, John. I’m an Aquarius myself. I’m all about going with the flow.”, said Steve.
“It’s good to know you too, Steve.”, I lied again. I already knew my astrological sign and it wasn’t Leo. I’m a Scorpio, through and through.
“Lights out in five!”, someone yelled from the front of the bunkhouse.
“Listen, if you need to go to the john, I’ll watch your stuff. Then when you’re done, I’ll go if you’ll watch mine.”, said Steve.
“I’m okay. You go ahead. I’ll watch your stuff.”, I said.
“Thanks, buddy.”, replied Steve as he stood up and walked away.
Stuff. What stuff? We all got the exact same thing. A blow up pillow, a thin blanket you could see through, a travel size tube of toothpaste, a small plastic toothbrush, a thin sliver of soap, a small bottle of water, one rice krispy square, a pen, and a small notebook, all inside a letter size Ziploc bag. Not much worth stealing, but even then apparently there were thefts going on in the bunkhouse.
As I lay there, another man with shifty eyes was slowly walking down the aisle. He stopped and leaned on the frame of the bunkbed I was lying on.
“Hey.”, he said, licking his lips.
“Hey.”
“You new?”, he asked.
“Yeah, just got here today.”, I answered.
“I’ve been here three days. Anyone got to you yet?”, he asked in a low whisper.
“What?”
The guy came and sat down on my bunk.
“Listen, we’ve all been through a lot. We all have needs, you know. Me and a couple of the guys six bunks down have taken it upon ourselves to provide comfort to other guys, you know. We’re all in this together, right? After the lights go out, why don’t you come by. I promise we’ll be gentle.”, he whispered while putting his hand on my leg.
Dammit! The first night I’m here, and already being hit on!
“Um, I’m kinda tired. It’s been a long day. But thank you for the offer. Maybe tomorrow night.”, I said, sounding like a female office worker in a bad sixties movie where the boss hits on her constantly.
“Sure, sure. Just ask for Larry.”, said the man as he stood, “No pressure. But be careful, there are other guys who won’t be as gentle, you know what I mean.”
“Thank for the tip, Larry.”, I said, throwing up a little in my mouth.
“I’ll see you around.”, Larry threw over his shoulder as he walked towards another new guy in the bunkhouse.
I was seriously considering trying to sharpen the end of my toothbrush into a shiv when Steve came back and laid down.
“Thanks, John.”, he said with a sigh, “I can’t believe I ended up at a god-damned FEMA camp.”
“Better than starving.”, I said, trying to get comfortable on the stupid plastic pillow.
“I hear you. Where you from, John?”, asked Steve.
Man, this guy asks a lot of questions. Hasn’t it been five minutes yet? Why are the damn lights still on?
“Upstate New York.”, I lied.
“No kidding. I’m from a small town just outside Kansas City called Mayview. That’s on the Missouri side, not the Kansas side. It was pretty much a ghost town, last I heard, but I guess they all are now, ain’t they?”, Steve continued.
Thankfully, the lights went out so I wasn’t compelled to answer.
I turned away from Steve and tried to get comfortable on the ratty thin foam mattress, and cover myself with the ratty thin blanket while keeping the plastic pillow from sliding out from under my head.
Sleep? Between the coughing, sighing, farting, grunting, and rhythmic creaking of wooden bunkbeds a few rows down, no way was I going to be able to sleep. So I lay there doing the one thing I hoped I wouldn’t do, remembering. I missed my Mary. Man, did I miss her and the girls. Ashley with her cute dimples and Maggie with her toothless giggles. I missed them with my heart and soul. I missed them with every fiber of my being. I missed letting the girls fall asleep between Mary and I on Saturday nights while watching the same Disney movie over again. I missed waking up on Sunday mornings and making them all breakfast in bed. I missed sitting on a lawn chair holding hands with Mary while watching the girls run through the sprinkler. I missed it all. I missed the grocery shopping, the ballet classes, the parent teacher interviews, putting up the Christmas decorations, taking down the Christmas decorations, going to work, stupid staff meetings, rush hour traffic, fixing the car, mowing the lawn, paying bills online, hey just paying bills. I missed everything. I missed my life.
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Post by texican on Aug 31, 2021 13:03:25 GMT -6
A,
Seems like you have had a not so fun couple of months.
Steve better keep at least one eye open at all times or face the consequences of unwanted what ever Larry is offering without lube.
Thanks for the chapter.
Texican....
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Post by accountant on Sept 22, 2021 14:37:36 GMT -6
Chapter 4
Let Us Find the Right Role for You
“SM-2349672!”, called the young man with the FEMA polo and tan dockers.
I was sitting in an uncomfortable chair in the waiting area of the career counseling area of the complex trying not to fall asleep when I heard the number being called out. It sounded familiar to me for some reason.
“SM-2349672?”, asked the young man as he stood in front of me.
“Oh, sorry, I guess that’s me.”, I said, sheepishly.
The young man smiled at me and said, “No problem. It happens a lot. Please go to window number 3 and someone will be able to help you.”
I got up and walked to the window which very much resembled the visitor’s window at a prison that they used to show on TV shows and movies, except that there were no phones on either side, just holes where the you could speak through and a slit at the bottom for handing documents back and forth. On the other side of the glass sat a very tired looking man in his late 30s.
“Um, hi. I was told to come here.”, I said.
“Yes, SM-2349672. Before we begin, I am required to read a disclaimer to you. Do you agree to listen to the disclaimer?”, said the tired man.
“Um, yeah, sure.”, I responded.
“The World Governing Body welcomes you to this initial career counselling session. We are very happy that you have chosen to join us in helping to create a society of balance and harmony. In order to avoid any systematic bias during this counselling session, you will be addressed by you onboarding code. Any information provided by you will be utilized for assessment purposes to determine the best role you can play in bringing about the future of tomorrow while helping you to become an active, contributing member of society. If you agree to the above, please write you onboarding code at the bottom of the document now being presented to you.”, recited the man, while slipping a sheet of paper with exactly what he had said, written on it, through the slit under the glass.
“So, I just write my number at the bottom of this sheet?”, I asked.
“Yes.”, said the man.
“Um, do you have a pen I can borrow?”, I asked.
“Did you not receive one in your welcome package?”, asked the man.
“Um..yeah..sorry.”, I said, as I fished though the plastic bag I had the pocket of my orange jumpsuit.
Pulling out the pen, I began to write while saying, “SM-234….”
“SM-2349672.”, said the man.
“SM-2349672.”, I said, “There you go. All done.”
I slipped the document back under the glass to the tired man.
“Okay, SM-239672, we can begin. Tell me, did you have an job, were you self-employed, under employed, or did you own your own business immediately prior to the event.”, he asked, writing my number on top of a form in a clipboard.
“I had a job.”, I replied.
“What company did you work for?”
“DX Distribution.”
“How large of a firm was that in terms of number of employees?”
“I think we had close to a thousand people across the country.”
“Was it more than a thousand, or less than a thousand? Please try to be specific.”
“It was less than a thousand, nine hundred and fifty actually.”
“And what product or service did this company provide?”
“We were a distributor of cleaning and household products to all the major retailers in the country.”
“And where was this company located?”
“The head office was in Cleveland, Ohio. That’s where I worked.”
“And what was the job title?”, came the next question as the tired man ticked a box on the form.
“Assistant manager, customer order intake.”
“And how long had you held that role?”
“I was assistant manager for 9 months and customer order intake associate for 4 years prior to that.”
“We’ll get back to the second role later, SM-2349672. First tell me what your duties as assistant manager entailed.”
Tick, tick, tick. Scribble, scribble, scribble.
“Well, I made sure that all emailed orders from customers were entered into the system, oversaw a staff of eight customer order intake associates, dealt with issues that were escalated, and reported progress and any issues to the manager and director of customer order intake.”
“And this was all done on a computerized system?”
“Yes, we use Microsoft Office and SAP.”
Tick, tick, tick. Scribble, scribble, scribble.
“And the other role, customer order intake associate?”
“We basically took orders over the phone and emails from customers and entered them into the system while checking inventory.”
Scribble, scribble.
“Did you every work in a warehouse or a production floor?”
“No, I never did. Actually, sorry, during college, I worked at a Home Depot, restocking shelves overnight, does that count.”
Tick, tick.
“Where did you go to college?”
“Lakeland Community College. That’s in Kirtland, Ohio.”
“And what did you study there?”
“I got a two-year diploma in Business Administration and Management.”
Scribble, scribble.
“Okay, I think we have all we need in terms of your background. Now tell me, what do you think would be your best role in the new society?”
“Um, I don’t know. I’m good at managing people. I know about inventory and distribution. So maybe a role where I can help with getting thing moved from where they are to where they need to be.”
Scribble, scribble, scribble.
“Okay, SM-2349672, I think we have what we need. We will be reviewing your qualifications and desired role today against the needs of society. As soon as possible, you will be transported to a location where your new role will be. On behalf of the World Governing Body, I want to thank you for taking part in this session of career counselling and we look forward to having you as a productive member of society in the near future.”, said the man, taking the form off the clipboard and stapling it to the piece of paper with my onboarding number at the bottom before putting in on a pile with other similarly stapled pieces of paper.
“So, that’s it?”, I asked.
“Yes, that’s it.”, replied the tired man.
“What happens next?”, I asked.
“As I said, we will be reviewing your qualifications and desired role today against the needs of society. As soon as possible, you will be transported to a location where your new role will be. In the meantime, please return to your dormitory and you will be called when transportation is available.”, said the tired man.
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Post by accountant on Sept 23, 2021 14:44:43 GMT -6
Chapter 5
Your Exciting New Future Begins with a Single Step
“SM-2311678, SM-2316399, SM-2337460, SM-2344538, SM-2349672, SM-2350029 please report to the front of dormitory.”, came the voice drawing me out of my restless sleep.
What the hell? It’s the middle of the night.
“SM-2311678, SM-2316399, SM-2337460, SM-2344538, SM-2349672, SM-2350029 please report to the front of dormitory.”, called that damn voice again.
I sat up, rubbed my neck, put on my boots, and shuffled down the aisle to the front of the dormitory. A couple of the other SMs were already there and others, including Steve, were making their way towards the group. Three FEMA cogs with the standard issue clipboards were waiting for us.
“What’s this all about?”, asked one of the other SMs.
“We’re just waiting on one more of your group and then we can get started.”, replied one of the FEMA administrators in a voice far too perky for that God forsaken hour.
“SM-2316399, please report to the front of the dormitory!”, boomed one of the administrators.
“I’m coming, I’m coming”, said a SM with bedhead and drooping eyelids, coming down the aisle.
Seeing him, the loudmouth FEMA guy smiled and said, “We can begin then.”
One of the other FEMA admins began reading from her clipboard: “SM-2311678, SM-2316399, SM-2337460, SM-2344538, SM-2349672, SM-2350029 on behalf of the World Governing Body, we want to congratulate you. Your qualifications and desired roles have been referenced against available opportunities and you will be happy to know that a suitable match has been found for each and every one of you. The World Governing Body looks forward to your success as contributing productive members of society in your new role. Transportation has been expedited to ensure that you can reach the location of your permanent placement as quickly and as efficiently as possible. In ten minutes we will be escorting you from the dormitory so that you can start your journey to your new future. Please take that time to take care of any bodily functions and to say goodbye to some of your fellow dormitory mates. The World Governing Body again thanks you for your efforts towards bringing about a better, brighter future for all of us.”
Once the speech was finished, loudmouth said, “Please be back here in ten minutes.”
“Where are we going?”, asked bedhead.
“I’m sorry, I don’t have that information, but rest assured that the placement takes into account your skills and desired role. Isn’t that exciting.”, said the perky voiced FEMA cog.
“Nine minutes thirty seconds.”, calculated loudmouth.
Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I walked back to my bunk to grab my Ziploc bag before going to the lavatory to “take care of some bodily functions”. I thought about just leaving my plastic pillow and threadbare blanket on my bunk but decided to grab them instead. Hell, they were part of my welcome package so I might as well keep them.
When I reached my bunk, I saw Larry pulling my blanket.
“Hey, what are you doing?”, I asked.
“I thought you left.”, said Larry, looking surprised.
“Well, I didn’t.”, I said, snatching the blanket away from him.
“Umm, good luck on your placement.”, said Larry, before slinking away.
Damn thief.
I stuffed the blanket into the Ziploc bag and let the air out of the pillow before stuffing that into the bag as well.
“Hey, what happened to my stuff?”, asked Steve, as he saw his bunk didn’t have a blanket or pillow.
“I guess someone thought you were gone and took it.”, I said, “Sorry about that.”
“Oh well, it doesn’t matter. We’ll get new ones at our placement.”, said Steve, with a chuckle.
“You chowderheads wanna keep it down? We’re tryin’ to sleep over here.”, grunted someone from one of the dark bunks.
“Come on, let’s go.”, whispered Steve.
We returned to the front of the dormitory where everyone was waiting except for bedhead.
“Okay, we’re just waiting for SM-2316399, and then we can leave.”, stated the perky one.
“SM-2316399, please report to the front of the dormitory!”, boomed loudmouth, again as bedhead rounded a corner.
“Oh good, he’s here, excellent. Great! We’ll be leading you through the camp to where your transportation is anxiously waiting to take you to your permanent placement. As we walk outside, please mindful of others resting and be as quiet as possible, okay? Great! Let’s go.”, said perky.
It should be a crime to be so upbeat at this time of night, hell any time of night or day. And our transportation is anxiously waiting??? How can a mode of transport be anxious? I am so glad to be leaving this place.
We made our way through the camp until we reached an area where there was a white school bus idling. I guess it really was anxiously waiting for us. A FEMA person dressed in black with a sidearm in a holster and a rifle slung across his back came out of the bus.
“This is where we part company. Have fun!”, said perky before handing us off to ninja FEMA guy.
Perky waved at us and turned back to the camp along with the other two original FEMA cogs.
“Okay, you’re going to tell me your number and then get on the bus.”, commanded dark FEMA.
Each of us told him our number, which he ticked off on his clipboarded form, and stepped into the bus which was already almost full of half-asleep men and women. Not wanting to sit next to anyone I didn’t know, I sat next to Steve.
After the last of us had sat down, another FEMA agent along with ninja FEMA guy got onboard and the driver closed the door.
“Okay, we have some important information to impart to you, so listen up.”, commanded ninja FEMA.
The other FEMA agent, a smiling lady in her forties, with straight black hair and shining eyes then said, “Hello everyone. We are so excited for you. You have been able to find permanent placement. Congratulations. So, a few administrative things. We ask that as long as you are on this bus, to please refrain from talking as there will probably be others sleeping. We also ask that you not stand up or step into the aisle as that could lead to injuries if the bus goes over a bump. If for any reason the bus needs to stop before its final destination, please stay in your seats until told to exit. We have two FEMA support service agents in the back of the bus and myself and this support service agent at the front of the bus. Your safety is our top priority and we will do whatever it takes to protect you. Now we just have time for a couple of questions before we leave. Does anyone have any questions? Yes, in the back?”
“Where are we going.”, I heard a woman ask.
“That’s an excellent question. Thank you for asking. The answer is that each one of you will be going to your permanent placement. It may be at the same location or separate ones. Just know that the placement has been selected for your specific skills and desires. I’m sure you will end up loving it. Any other questions? Yes, you there. What’s your question?”, said the FEMA lady.
“What about our stuff?”, asked one of the men from my dormitory.
“Again, another excellent question. Wow, we certainly have a bright bunch here, don’t we? Since we wanted to get you to your placement as quickly as possible, you are being transported there tonight. Rest assured; your personal effects will be delivered to you shortly once you reach your final destination. Again, I want to thank you in advance for you doing your part towards building a bright future for all of us. Okay, sit back, relax, and let’s start your journey to your new role.”, said the smiling lady and the bus started moving.
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Post by gipsy on Sept 23, 2021 17:28:00 GMT -6
I didn't hear a bend over and grab you socks yet.
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Post by papaof2 on Sept 23, 2021 20:12:03 GMT -6
"Grab your socks?" That's when the stewardess yells "Brace! Brace!" so you can get your head between your knees for a goodbye kiss...
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Post by gipsy on Sept 23, 2021 20:43:40 GMT -6
heab ??
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Post by papaof2 on Sept 23, 2021 22:36:40 GMT -6
heab ?? Remember that this is the old guy with arthritic hands - you're supposed to do the mental auto-spell ;-) I may also have to replace the keyboard on this 16-year-old laptop as the Enter key hasn't been reliable today unless hit just right...
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Post by arkansascob on Sept 24, 2021 9:23:27 GMT -6
Thanks A for more chapters. I enjoy your writing skill and your style of stories. Looking forward to more chapters in the near future.
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Post by texican on Sept 25, 2021 20:15:47 GMT -6
A,
Will they be digging ditches and emptying potty pans and outhouse pits???
Texican....
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Post by accountant on Sept 30, 2021 11:55:03 GMT -6
Chapter 6
You’ll Get an Opportunity to See the Country
For five days we travelled.
Sometimes on bus, other times on trains, and once on a ferry, with several stops along the way. At each stop some people were taken off and new people were brought aboard. I watched the country pass by me as I sat on my seat in the standard white bus with the tinted windows or through the windows with the bars in the train car. It was hot and muggy in those buses and train cars. The windows wouldn’t open and they wouldn’t turn on the A/C. Apparently Freon was bad for the environment, but the human sweat I was choking on was perfectly fine. The only respite was when we had to wait for hours on end at the bus station or train station for our next ride, all under the watchful eyes of our FEMA support services agents.
How the country had changes from the times before the sickness. Gone were the dueling billboards for soft drinks, insurance brokerages, realtors, and used car lots. They had all been replaced by signs reminding us of how wonderful the World Governing Body was and how we all needed to do our part to build back better.
The nights were the worst. The lights for the entrances to and exits from the highways were all off. The only light came from the bus’s dull headlights as it made its way through the inky blackness.
“SF-1992586, SF-2014920, SM-2316399, SM-2349672 please exit the vehicle.”, called one of our friendly FEMA support service agents, cutting through the haze of my travel-addled brain.
I took a glance out the tinted window next to my seat and noticed that the sun was out, as I slowly got to my feet. After sitting so long, my legs felt rubbery and hard to control. Finally I made my way out of the bus and into the sunshine. Behind me Steve and a couple of the women also climbed out of the bus, squinting against the sunlight. A man in a beat up cloth jacket, old jeans, and dust-covered work boots was standing by a horse-drawn cart and sizing us up and down. Beside him stood two people dressed in dark clothes from head to toe, carrying AR15s.
The man looked towards the FEMA agent from the bus and got the nod before he began his speech. Reading from a crumpled paper he pulled from his pocket, the man said, “SF-1992586, SF-2014920, SM-2316399, SM-2349672. Congratulations, you have reached your permanent placement. On behalf of the World Governing Body, I want to tell you how proud and grateful we are to have you here. Each of us, in our own special way, are doing our parts to build the future of tomorrow. The tomorrow of fairness, equality for all, harmony for Mother Earth, and food, education, and shelter for all. By doing your part, the future will come about faster than we can imagine. Every role is important, and every role is crucial. We are confident that you will enjoy your placement and remember that we all are doing our part. Again, congratulations on your permanent placement.”
The man looked at the FEMA agent once more. The agent said nothing and climbed back into the bus, before it started up and drove away.
The man sized us up once more before saying, “Okay, get in the back of the cart.”
Well, this’ll be fun.
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Post by NCWEBNUT on Sept 30, 2021 13:08:06 GMT -6
Its funny how a simple story, can piss one off so deeply.
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