SurviRal Read Free Page B

I’ve stocked up on hand sanitizer. Louise and I are staying the heck away from public places.”
    “Colorado had a normal flu season,” Clint said. “They say most of ours was a familiar type-A strain, whatever that means. I don’t even know anyone who’s sick right now. The new killer bird flu has only popped up in Europe and on the east coast.”
    “They found three cases in L.A. now,” one of the other guys said.
    Roy nodded. “I heard that just before leaving the house, too. Which means it could go anywhere. Denver is one of the busiest airports in the world, you know.”
     “Not anymore,” Harold said coming back into the room. He handed Tom a beer, turned his chair around, and sat before noticing everyone was looking at him expectantly.
    “They’re cancelling flights left and right,” he explained. “People are too scared to go anywhere. And it’s a hassle. You have to get a 30-second health examination now before they’ll even let you through security. Part of the CDC’s new program. They’re starting to do it at train and bus stations, too. If you look sick, you don’t get to travel. Plain as that. Must suck for the poor people suffering from allergies.”
    “Sick people can still drive,” Roy said.
    “Not very far if they have the bird flu. That thing really throws you down, apparently. Who’s deal is it?”
    “Yours,” everyone said.
    Harold picked up the cards. “Seems like the situation is changing hourly now. Reminds me of the first gulf war. Hard to tear yourself away from the TV. You guys want me to put a news station on so we can listen while we play?”
    “No!” Clint said. “No news. Just deal.”
     

 
    Chapter Two
     
     
    “The President is sick,” Jake said.
    “How do you know that?”
    “Wikileaks.”
    “I’ve heard of that website.” Clint switched the phone to his other ear. “Never been to it myself. It always seems to be associated with something negative when I hear it mentioned.”
    “That’s because you only listen to mainstream media, on the rare occasions you decide to see what’s happening outside your hole in the ground.”
     “Well I’m certainly not interested in the questionable sources nuts like you feed their paranoia with.”
    “That’s not the only source, Clint. I thought it might be one you respect. These ‘wacky blogs’ I follow, as you put it, often get the real story before it breaks on the Associated Press. You can trust me on this one. He’s sick, and the way it’s being hushed probably means it’s the bad one.”
    “You mean the H5. The bird flu.”
    “Right,” Jake said. “But that’s not all. Congress is taking an unscheduled recess. The senate will no doubt do the same. Attendance is down significantly in both houses, right when the country needs them most. You know why?”
    “The virus?”
    “Yes! The United States will be without a government in a matter of weeks, maybe even days. It’s really hitting the fan this time. You and Jenny should come down here. I’m serious, brother. Don’t fight me. I know a good shop in Colorado Springs where you can stop and buy gold bars on the way. Tell Hank Pitman you’re my brother and he’ll treat you right.”
    “I have to go, Jake. We’ll be late for church.”
    Short pause.
    “That Bible-thumping church still?”
    “Same one, yes. Bible teaching. Not so much thumping.”
    “Whatever. We both know you only go because of Jenny.”
    “Whatever. I’m happy with my life. All of it.”
    “That’s why you’re blind. You don’t want anything to change. Well, it’s changing, Clint. I’ll admit I’ve been wrong about some things in the past—”
    “A lot of things.”
    “Some things. And even I didn’t see this one coming. But it’s here, and the whole world knows it. Except you. I understand you have a cozy setup there with your cushy job living in the suburbs…”
    “Cushy? You should try—”
    “You’re living in denial, brother. Seriously. Ask that