The New World

by Toby Neighbors

  “At least we have plenty of food,” Lana said as she walked in. “You're going to let them stay, aren't you?”

  “I don't think we have any choice.”

  “There are dozens of hotels just a short walk from here.”

  “Yes, and they are probably full of dead people. Besides, if we say that we don't have room for them now and then later we need to move them in, it will blow our credibility.”

  “I say it's easier to move them in later than to have to try and move them out.”

  “If it comes to that, it'll be Jason's problem,” Daniel sighed. “I'm sorry, Lana, but this is why we're here. The White House is like a signal fire, it’s supposed to draw people in.”

  They looked out at the large group assembled on the lawn. Daniel sighed, he wasn't sure if he was ready to do this, but he really had no choice. The people that had come in earlier in the day were slowly making their way out and mingling with the crowd.

  “Alright,” Jason said, “let's go.”

  “I think I'll listen from here. I'm not ready to be the first lady.”

  Daniel's heart skipped a beat. There was a strange look in Lana's eyes that sent a chill down Daniel's back. He didn't like what he had heard and felt as if it were an ultimatum, but he couldn't think about that at the moment. Those people were waiting, and if there was any hope to be had, he needed to give it to them.

  He stepped out onto the portico and raised his hands.

  “My name is Daniel Brickman. I'm a lawyer from Arkansas and I've been living here in the White House since the plague killed most of the people around the world.” Daniel saw Scott looking up at him and a lump seemed to form in his throat, but he swallowed it down and continued. “I know what I'm going to say may not be very hopeful, but I want you to look around. From up here it looks like there are a couple hundred of us still alive, still willing to come together and make a new world from the ashes of what we once knew. So please, let's keep our hopes high and our attitudes positive.

  “The president and all his staff are dead. From satellite photos, things look the same all over the world. We don't know what the plague was, or why we seem to be immune. We don't know where it came from, whether it was from our enemies, aliens, or even our own government. We are looking for answers and I believe we'll find them. It's only a matter of time, and we have a chance to come together. Our current circumstances have overcome our differences. We can work together and make Washington, D.C., the capital of our nation once again.

  “Now I know that your first concern is to find shelter and food. We have that here, in the bunker underneath the White House. There is room for all of us, food, too. There is power and water and medical supplies so that we will have all we could need. But first we need to establish a few rules so that we don't overrun each other and make life difficult for everyone. First, we need to take a census. So in a moment, we need to form two lines, and we'll take down everyone's name and what you used to do for a living. Secondly, we want to get busy as soon as possible so that we can rebuild the city. I believe we are just the first of many. Thousands, perhaps even tens of thousands of people may still be alive, and if they want to live here in D.C. with us, then we want them to find this place ready for them all. Finally, we are still a democracy. We’ll need to elect leaders soon, but that will be hard when we don't know each other. So in the next few days, I want you to spend time with each other. Talk, share your stories, make friends. And in the mean time, we will form an interim leadership council. This council will be formed according to your skills and past experience. The council will serve for two weeks and then we'll have a formal election of all positions. That first term will be for six months, at which time we will reassess our needs and decide what the future of our leadership should be. In the meantime, Lieutenant Jason McPherson will be in charge of security. What he says goes, and although I don't believe he will ever have to, if force becomes necessary, he has full authority to use whatever force he deems appropriate, including lethal force. I know some of you, like myself, have been attacked, perhaps even hurt. I assure you that law and order will prevail here.” Daniel's voice had risen, the passion in his speech was strong, and he hoped that Lana was listening, but he resisted the temptation to look back at her and see.

  “We will come together and anyone who undermines that unity or takes advantage of one of us will have to face the wrath of all of us. If you have thoughts of disrupting what we are doing here, feel free to leave now and save us the trouble of sending you away later. But if it becomes necessary, know that we will not tolerate lawlessness. Now, we are in need of people who have experience in the medical field and food service. If you will come forward, I will meet you down front in just a moment.”

  He started to step away from the rail, but decided at the last moment to answer questions, hoping that he might avoid repeating himself endlessly later.

  “Are there any questions?”

  The crowd murmured for a moment, then a lady raised her hand. She was older, with silver hair and expensive looking clothes. She would have been attractive if not for the lines of grief etched along her face.

  “You said there was room…room for all of us?”

  “Yes, ma'am. There is an emergency bunker built underneath the White House that was occupied by a large group of soldiers, with rooms for the president and all his staff. There are also laboratories and a hospital. We will be taking you in a few at a time, so if you would please be patient with us, we will work as fast as we can.”

  Another hand, this one belonging to a young black man in very tight fitting athletic attire.

  “You said the president's dead. So that means you found his body, right?”

  “That's correct. In fact, the president and first lady are still in the president's quarters of the bunker. It seems they both succumbed to the plague.”

  The last answer led to widespread murmuring, but there didn't seem to be any more questions. Daniel knew that there would be soon, but he also knew that what most of these people cared about was hot food and a place to call home, even if it was only temporary.

  Daniel thanked the crowd for their attention and then went back inside.

  “Nice speech,” Lana said sarcastically.

  “What do you mean?” Daniel asked.

  “Nothing,” she said, shrugging her shoulders and looking away. “It looks like I've got a lot of work to do, so I better get going.”

  “Don't you want to meet the people that have food service experience?” he asked.

  “No, just send them to the kitchen.”

  She walked briskly from the room and, in his heart, Daniel knew that something was wrong. Still, he didn't have time to pursue it, much less fix it. So he went quickly back down the stairs. In the Diplomatic Reception Room he was met by Jason.

  “I'm going down to lock up the security rooms and the armory. Do you mind giving me the elevator code?”

  Daniel said the numbers, and Jason repeated them back before jogging quickly away. Dakota seemed crestfallen that Jason had not seemed to notice her.

  “Hey,” he said to the young girl. “We've got lots of people to survey. Do you think you can find us a couple of notebooks and pens?”

  “Sure,” she said and moved off in search of office supplies.

  Just outside the doors was an older man with wire rimmed eyeglasses. He was wearing a faded corduroy sports coat and pants that seemed a little too short. He was willow thin and seemed a little stooped. He stuck out his hand and introduced himself.

  “I'm Lloyd Franks, general surgeon from West Virginia. You said you needed doctors.”

  “Yes,” Daniel said, pumping the hand vigorously. “I'm glad you're here. I don't know about your group, but we've got one very sick man from a group that came in earlier today.”

  Just as he was saying this, Scott approached.

  “Can I help, Daniel?” he asked.

  “Yeah, take Doctor Franks in to see Dean. Then come back and we'll send t
he sick or injured to the clinic and everyone else up to the East Room.”

  “The what?” Scott asked.

  “The East Room, or banquet room. It's upstairs on the first floor and all the way down to your right.”

  “The first floor? Isn't this the first floor?”

  “Not according to the visitors’ brochure I found. This is the ground floor. So take them upstairs and get people comfortable in the East Room, and we'll feed them there before sending them down to the bunker.”

  Daniel saw more questions in Scott's eyes, but he didn't have time for them. He turned away as a group of four women approached. One of them, a plump lady with red hair, spoke. She was wearing a dress and her eyes were red and puffy from crying.

  “We've all worked in restaurants. I've been a sous chef for eighteen years, and the rest have all waited tables.”

  “I'm Daniel Brickman and I'm glad you're here,” he said with as much sincerity as possible.

  Just then Dakota returned with notebooks and pens.

  “Will this work?” she asked, holding the office supplies out to him.

  “Perfectly,” he said. “Will you take these women's names and jobs and then escort them to the kitchen. They're going to help Lana. Then come back and you can help me take names.”

  “Alright,” she said.

  Daniel watched her lead the group toward the kitchens, then he turned back to the long line of people forming up in front of him. He swallowed the knot that was quickly forming in his throat and tried to steady his knees. He felt the weight of responsibility like a lead apron on a drowning man. He knew there were resources to feed and shelter these people in and under the White House, but they would be looking to him for answers and direction in the days ahead. He felt pitiful and weak as he looked at their faces. He wondered briefly what he had been thinking coming here and trying to hold the remnants of a nation together. Then he pushed the thoughts from his mind as he stepped up to the first person in line.

  “Name and former occupation?” he asked.

  Chapter 16

  Once everyone was eating and resting in the East Room, Daniel sat down with Jason.

  “So, tell me about your trip.”

  “It’s hell out there,” Jason said between bites of food. “The roads are absolutely clogged going out of the city. When you see people, they’re as skittish as deer. You’ll look up and see them watching you, but as soon as you make eye contact they slink away. I’m not sure how things will ever be okay.”

  “It can’t be as bad as that.”

  “Let me tell you something,” Jason said as he leaned close to Daniel. “I met two groups of people who were willing to speak to me. The first were militant, a group of wannabe soldiers who bit off more than they could chew.”

  He unbuttoned a few of the buttons on his blue, rayon dress shirt. He pulled back the shirt from his left shoulder, revealing a bloody bandage.

  Daniel’s eyes grew round. “What happened?”

  “They came at me with big guns and tiny brains. There were five of them, and they told me I had to come with them. I told them no and they got violent. They shot my Hummer to pieces, so I shot back. I took out two of them before they knew what was happening. When they turned their rifles on the cab, I rolled out and shot a third from under the chassis. The last two converged on me from opposite sides. I shot one and the other shot me before I could turn and finish him off.”

  “They shot you?”

  “Well, they weren’t really marksmen. The bullet was actually a ricochet that just burrowed a deep groove along my chest and shoulder. I found a pharmacy and dressed the wound as best I could. Then found another vehicle and made it out to my folks’ place. They were dead…” his voice trailed off.

  “I’m sorry, man,” Daniel said and meant it. He couldn’t keep his mind from picturing his own mother and father.

  “Yeah, well,” Jason dragged a hand across his eye, “I gave them a proper burial and was making my way back here when I met this bunch. They were looking for some place to converge and start over. I told them this was it.”

  “It’s a lot of people.”

  “I thought you’d be pleased. I mean, if we’re going to rebuild then we need people.”

  “I know, it’s just going to be a lot of work. Things were a lot simpler when it was just the four of us.”

  Jason smiled. “Too late for that now.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  As Jason finished eating, Daniel sent Dakota down to the bunker to make sure things were ready. He knew there would be a ton of needs, and people would expect him to be their concierge, as if the White House was a five star hotel. But he knew that getting people organized and making sure everyone had what they needed was the first order of business.

  When Dakota got back, Daniel walked over to the first table that had been served food. The people there looked tired and ragged. He briefly imagined what they might have been through, but he had no time for stories and daydreams. He had to get them down to the bunker and make sure that no one got misplaced or mistreated in the process of getting everyone settled.

  “Alright, it looks like you’ve just about finished,” Daniel said, trying to smile even though the task of getting everyone settled was mind-numbing. “Jason is going to escort you all down to the bunker. That’s where you’ll be staying. There’s a large corridor with furniture down there. We’re calling it the mall. Please just stay there until everyone has made it down to the bunker, then we’ll get you settled in for the night.”

  The group nodded, their fatigue overriding their wonder at being in the White House and learning there was a sizable bunker underground. Soon Jason hurried over and the group was off. As Daniel made rounds to the other tables, explaining where everyone was going and the procedures for getting everyone settled, Dakota was busy ferrying groups down to the bunker as they finished eating.

  Once everyone had been moved downstairs, including the small group that had come in earlier in the day, Daniel found Lana. She was cleaning the kitchen by herself.

  “Where’s your help?” he asked.

  “I sent them downstairs,” Lana said without looking up from the counter she was wiping. “I suppose that Cindy can run the kitchen downstairs and keep everyone fed there.”

  “That’s good.”

  “Are you going down there now?”

  “Yes, I was hoping you would come with me.”

  “No, I’ll monitor the security room until you’re finished.”

  “Alright,” Daniel said. He was a little hurt, but he tried to keep the disappointment out of his voice. “I’ll see you soon, then?”

  “Sure,” she said, still without looking up.

  Daniel walked to the elevator that took him down into the bunker with a deep feeling of dread. But he shook it off. There was no sense in worrying about what he couldn’t change. It would take time for Lana to come around to seeing that not everyone was out to hurt her. He could wait, if that was what it took.

  When he stepped out onto the landing that overlooked the long, central corridor where he had told everyone to congregate, Jason was waiting for him.

  “I’ve locked up the armory and I’m pretty sure there aren’t any major weapons in the foot lockers that are left in the barracks.”

  “Well, let’s make sure of it,” Daniel said. “Most of these people will be housed in the barracks, so get Dakota and move all those foot lockers out of there. We’ll need to search them and retrieve the useful clothing and toiletries. Can the two of you handle that?”

  “Sure, give us twenty minutes or so before you start moving people in.”

  “You got it.”

  Jason hurried off and Scott approached Daniel.

  “That doctor is planning to operate on Dean,” he said with a worried look in his eye.

  “Well, he said he was a surgeon. I guess we’ll have to trust him.”

  “Yeah, well, I’d feel better if I had something to do instead of just waiting ar
ound.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way,” Daniel said, smiling. “We have three big tasks to complete. The first is to get all these people settled in. I’m getting ready to see about that right now. Tomorrow, we will need to get everyone out to some sort of shopping complex where people can get clothes and other basic needs. Finally, we need to form a group of people who will get things moving in the right direction. We need security, janitorial, administration staff. We’ll need to start looking at clearing out the bodies from the nearby hotels, as well. Would you mind starting to catalog the backgrounds of everyone so we can form some teams that would accomplish these tasks until the official voting takes place?”

  “Sure, that would be great.”

  Daniel handed the man the notebooks with people’s names and job histories. He hurried off to the food court and spread the materials out on a table. The people in the mall had noticed Daniel and were moving toward the large staircase. He raised his hands and the people quieted down.

  “I know that you have a lot of questions,” he said. “Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of answers. Let me lay out the basics for you. The bunker was obviously built to sustain the heads of state and a large defense force almost indefinitely. There is power, water, and food, enough to last us for years, right here. So our basic needs are not a worry. Soon we’ll move you to places where you can bathe and clean-up. Then into quarters were you can get some rest. Tomorrow, we’ll all go and find clothes. We’ve got a laundry here, so please only take enough for four or five days. We don’t want to run out of space down here. We’ll also get anything else you might need. I’ll be asking some of you to work on various teams doing all sorts of things, from cleaning to learning to use sophisticated military intelligence hardware.”

  People were beginning to murmur and Daniel shushed them.