The red light blinked.
__________________________
“Good morning San Francisco!”
“And what a good morning it is Bob”.
“ Too true John, too true”.
Slowly, the 30 something man rose from his position on the couch. He basked in the bliss that exists in the few minutes of time before one remembers why they slept on the couch the previous night. In his mouth, the familiar taste of beer and cigarettes lingered. The smell of fresh coffee filled the air, and the scent found its way into the man’s nose.
“Looks like today is gonna be rather mild. Not too hot, not too cold.
Temperatures will be around average, and there is a very, very small chance of rain. What’s the morning commute looking like John?”
“Well, in-bound traffic is traveling at a steady pace. About 25 minutes from Sue Ave. to downtown. Not great, but not too bad either.”
“Seems like today is just a run of the mill day huh?”
“ Yep, looks to me like you can say…”
Remembering why he was on the couch, the man turned off the alarm clock and meandered into the kitchen. The man’s wife stood by the counter. He approached her as she busied herself with a pot of coffee.
“Good morning.”
“Don’t good morning me”
“Hun, listen. I’m sorry. Really I am. Really. I stopped by the bar on my way home because some of the guys at work were throwing a party for Dan.”
“Dan?”
“The new guy, its his birthday. Mark has been telling me to make my presence known for weeks. So, I figured I would, you know. Go to the bar. Hang out with the guys.”
“That’s ok. But it is not ok that you didn’t call. And it is not ok that you come into my house at 2:30 in the damn morning, reeking of booze and cheap perfume.”
“I told you, they dressed Dan up as a dancer…you know, the new guy hazing treatment.”
“I know, I trust you. But that was not the issue. I was worried sick. You were supposed to be home by 11, 12 at the latest.”
“I’m sorry. I just last track of time.”
“Typical.”
“Ok. Excuses aside. I just put myself ahead of you. I acted selfishly.”
“How…”
“I didn’t call. That shows that I was not concerned with your feelings.”
“Keep going.”
“I did not think of what you had in mind for last night.”
“That’s true.”
“And it was also selfish of me to assume that you would be ok with me being at some strange bar with a bunch of guys you don’t care for. And…”
“That’s enough. I know you care…you just need to practice showing it sometimes. Now if you don’t get a move on, both you and Pat are gonna be late.”
“Oh that’s right! Pat has to go in early today. Where is he, and how much time do I have to get ready?”
“In his room, and 10 minutes.”
“Damnit.”
__________________________
And still it blinked.
__________________________
“Well, it appears that the President is still on schedule for his visit.”
That’s a first.”
“Easy there John.”
“Ha. I think the President of the United States can handle a little crack from a local radio personality. Or, at least, I hope.”
“Well anyway. The whole city is looking forward to his address. The guys at civic center have been working relentlessly the last several weeks, preparing for his stay”.
“CLICK”.
Nearing his son’s school, the man turned off the radio and addressed his son.
“You know, lots of people are going to be at the civic center tonight”.
“I know dad, I’m excited too”.
“Well actually, I have been meaning to talk to you about this. I want you to stay home”.
“But Dad…”
“No “buts” Pat. I want you and your mother to stay at the house tonight.
“Why? You get to go”.
“They expect over 100,000 people to be there, and over 40 senators as well. Security will be very tight”.
“Then why can’t I go?”
“Because the circumstances are just asking for something to happen. Put 100,000 people in a tight space, add some hyper sensitive police forces, and you get your self a tense situation.”
“Dad…”
“I won’t hear any more. Promise me you will not be there.”
“…”
“Promise me.”
“Ok fine, I promise.”
“What do you promise?”
“I promise to not go to the civic center tonight.”
“Thank you.”
__________________________
A short 30 minutes later, the man parked his car, and went into his office. Although not fabulous or high paying job, his position at the civic center offered many personal opportunities to him. He never really viewed himself as being much of a white collared, cubicle office, working man, but he did what was demanded of him. Unlike the rest of the people at the office, he did not fill his 10’ X 10’ space with pictures and icons of his personal life. He kept his office the way he had acquired it: one fake rose bush in the corner, the little statue of a Greek thinking man, an old stereo, and a single picture of a sunflower hanging at an odd angle on one of the cubicle walls. The man’s ability to keep work at work, and home life at home made him a target of his boss’ attention. Ever since he had started working there he had rose in the ranks at a fast place. He starting off at an entry-level position, but he now supervised over 10 men. His ambition and his desire to do the best at whatever was asked of him is what enable him to be the subject of multiple promotions. His boss found it odd when he passed up yet another promotion opportunity. The man said he was fond of being assistant director of special events.
Normally, the he would lose himself in his workload, but today, he couldn’t help but look forward to his lunch break with excitement and nervousness.
__________________________
“Its 11:30 AM and the President’s plane has arrived, and it appears as if his convo is now headed to his hotel, where he will stay for a few hours before his speech tonight”
“Oh it’s so exciting, Bob. And to top it all off, the day is just getting warmer. We have exceeded are expected high by about 10 degrees now.”
“Oh a very nice day indeed.”
Without further ado, the man turned off the old radio and left his office. Walking at a steady pace, almost running really, he preceded on his path. Past the offices of the civic center and to the outside amphitheater. He past the security guards and the check point stations with a flick of his I.D. badge and continued on his course. Coming to a stop behind the pulpit, which would soon be the Presidents conduit to the nation. Being in charge of this specific event, he wanted to make sure all was correct, and that there would be no unexpected surprises or mistakes. Doing a final round, he came to inspect the core of the pulpit, and all was in its place.
The red light blinked.
“Please mom, please!”
“What did your father say about it Pat?”
“He said don’t go…and to stay home with you. But he did not know that I could get extra credit by going.”
“Why did he want us to stay home?’
“He said it would not be safe. But he also said there will be lots of police and security. Please.”
“Alright, fine. But only for a little while. We will go, and come back home before it is done and that way he won’t know we even went.”
“Thanks mom! You’re the best!”
The time had come. The president’s caravan was moments away, and the man stood near the pulpit, awaiting the arrival. Nervousness threatened to overtake the man. Never had he taken on such a job as this. But this was the real deal. This was the major league. This was the President of the United States of America.
The man played with the small device in his pocket absently. Fingering it over and over again in those moments that passed like lifetimes. The man’s mind wondered and played possible scenarios of how this day would turn out.
A loud noise jolted the man back to reality. Really, it was more like a number of loud noises: The most distant being the protestors at the entrance to the amphitheater, the jeering of the uncivilized, and the polite applause of those with dignity. The sound was deafening, but even louder was the truth that rang out in the man’s mind then. For surely the President had arrived, and soon he would be standing at the pulpit, ready to deliver his speech.
“Mom, come on.”
“Where are we going Pat?’
“Ms. Fenning said to meet the rest of our class by the news tent because they are going to talk to us.”
As the pair approached the tent, the news crew talking to Ms. Fenning looked their way, and rapidly moved towards them. After all, they were the family of the man in charge of the day’s events.
The man grew nauseous as the President stood before him with his hand outstretched. Reluctantly he shook the hand in front of him, he could not back out now.
“I’m told you’re the man that got the events of today together.”
“That would be me…sir.”
Choking back the urge to laugh, the man ignored the all to true words of the President and motioned him to follow him onto the platform that was home to the pulpit. His temperament changed quickly. It was time fore him to fulfill his duty. Instinctively, his hand went to his pocket again. In that moment, he thought he heard the voice of his son, but he quickly dismissed it as cold feet. There was no way he could have heard a single voice with that crowd all around. And yet, he hesitated. But he had come to far to stop now. He lifted the plastic case on the device in his pocket, and pressed the button that lay underneath the protection of the case. In that moment, he new he was done. The bomb was set, and the President was making his way towards the mic on the pulpit. His voice being that which would ignite the bomb. 5 seconds; the time from the Presidents first word into the mic, to the time of the explosion.
“Good evening.”
It was set. The bomb began its last clicks, sounding them over the loud speakers.
“Click. Click. Click…”
The man looked up to the large screen monitor to his right. What his eye saw burned a whole in his heart. There on the large screen TV stood his son and his wife.
“…Click…”
Although he knew he had succeeded in his mission, he also knew he had damned those he loved most. A single raindrop fell on his brow. His eyelash had the impulse to wipe the water from his eye, but…
“Click.”
…the red light blinked no more.
__________________________
“Good morning San Francisco!”
“And what a good morning it is Bob”.
“ Too true John, too true”.
Slowly, the 30 something man rose from his position on the couch. He basked in the bliss that exists in the few minutes of time before one remembers why they slept on the couch the previous night. In his mouth, the familiar taste of beer and cigarettes lingered. The smell of fresh coffee filled the air, and the scent found its way into the man’s nose.
“Looks like today is gonna be rather mild. Not too hot, not too cold.
Temperatures will be around average, and there is a very, very small chance of rain. What’s the morning commute looking like John?”
“Well, in-bound traffic is traveling at a steady pace. About 25 minutes from Sue Ave. to downtown. Not great, but not too bad either.”
“Seems like today is just a run of the mill day huh?”
“ Yep, looks to me like you can say…”
Remembering why he was on the couch, the man turned off the alarm clock and meandered into the kitchen. The man’s wife stood by the counter. He approached her as she busied herself with a pot of coffee.
“Good morning.”
“Don’t good morning me”
“Hun, listen. I’m sorry. Really I am. Really. I stopped by the bar on my way home because some of the guys at work were throwing a party for Dan.”
“Dan?”
“The new guy, its his birthday. Mark has been telling me to make my presence known for weeks. So, I figured I would, you know. Go to the bar. Hang out with the guys.”
“That’s ok. But it is not ok that you didn’t call. And it is not ok that you come into my house at 2:30 in the damn morning, reeking of booze and cheap perfume.”
“I told you, they dressed Dan up as a dancer…you know, the new guy hazing treatment.”
“I know, I trust you. But that was not the issue. I was worried sick. You were supposed to be home by 11, 12 at the latest.”
“I’m sorry. I just last track of time.”
“Typical.”
“Ok. Excuses aside. I just put myself ahead of you. I acted selfishly.”
“How…”
“I didn’t call. That shows that I was not concerned with your feelings.”
“Keep going.”
“I did not think of what you had in mind for last night.”
“That’s true.”
“And it was also selfish of me to assume that you would be ok with me being at some strange bar with a bunch of guys you don’t care for. And…”
“That’s enough. I know you care…you just need to practice showing it sometimes. Now if you don’t get a move on, both you and Pat are gonna be late.”
“Oh that’s right! Pat has to go in early today. Where is he, and how much time do I have to get ready?”
“In his room, and 10 minutes.”
“Damnit.”
__________________________
And still it blinked.
__________________________
“Well, it appears that the President is still on schedule for his visit.”
That’s a first.”
“Easy there John.”
“Ha. I think the President of the United States can handle a little crack from a local radio personality. Or, at least, I hope.”
“Well anyway. The whole city is looking forward to his address. The guys at civic center have been working relentlessly the last several weeks, preparing for his stay”.
“CLICK”.
Nearing his son’s school, the man turned off the radio and addressed his son.
“You know, lots of people are going to be at the civic center tonight”.
“I know dad, I’m excited too”.
“Well actually, I have been meaning to talk to you about this. I want you to stay home”.
“But Dad…”
“No “buts” Pat. I want you and your mother to stay at the house tonight.
“Why? You get to go”.
“They expect over 100,000 people to be there, and over 40 senators as well. Security will be very tight”.
“Then why can’t I go?”
“Because the circumstances are just asking for something to happen. Put 100,000 people in a tight space, add some hyper sensitive police forces, and you get your self a tense situation.”
“Dad…”
“I won’t hear any more. Promise me you will not be there.”
“…”
“Promise me.”
“Ok fine, I promise.”
“What do you promise?”
“I promise to not go to the civic center tonight.”
“Thank you.”
__________________________
A short 30 minutes later, the man parked his car, and went into his office. Although not fabulous or high paying job, his position at the civic center offered many personal opportunities to him. He never really viewed himself as being much of a white collared, cubicle office, working man, but he did what was demanded of him. Unlike the rest of the people at the office, he did not fill his 10’ X 10’ space with pictures and icons of his personal life. He kept his office the way he had acquired it: one fake rose bush in the corner, the little statue of a Greek thinking man, an old stereo, and a single picture of a sunflower hanging at an odd angle on one of the cubicle walls. The man’s ability to keep work at work, and home life at home made him a target of his boss’ attention. Ever since he had started working there he had rose in the ranks at a fast place. He starting off at an entry-level position, but he now supervised over 10 men. His ambition and his desire to do the best at whatever was asked of him is what enable him to be the subject of multiple promotions. His boss found it odd when he passed up yet another promotion opportunity. The man said he was fond of being assistant director of special events.
Normally, the he would lose himself in his workload, but today, he couldn’t help but look forward to his lunch break with excitement and nervousness.
__________________________
“Its 11:30 AM and the President’s plane has arrived, and it appears as if his convo is now headed to his hotel, where he will stay for a few hours before his speech tonight”
“Oh it’s so exciting, Bob. And to top it all off, the day is just getting warmer. We have exceeded are expected high by about 10 degrees now.”
“Oh a very nice day indeed.”
Without further ado, the man turned off the old radio and left his office. Walking at a steady pace, almost running really, he preceded on his path. Past the offices of the civic center and to the outside amphitheater. He past the security guards and the check point stations with a flick of his I.D. badge and continued on his course. Coming to a stop behind the pulpit, which would soon be the Presidents conduit to the nation. Being in charge of this specific event, he wanted to make sure all was correct, and that there would be no unexpected surprises or mistakes. Doing a final round, he came to inspect the core of the pulpit, and all was in its place.
The red light blinked.
“Please mom, please!”
“What did your father say about it Pat?”
“He said don’t go…and to stay home with you. But he did not know that I could get extra credit by going.”
“Why did he want us to stay home?’
“He said it would not be safe. But he also said there will be lots of police and security. Please.”
“Alright, fine. But only for a little while. We will go, and come back home before it is done and that way he won’t know we even went.”
“Thanks mom! You’re the best!”
The time had come. The president’s caravan was moments away, and the man stood near the pulpit, awaiting the arrival. Nervousness threatened to overtake the man. Never had he taken on such a job as this. But this was the real deal. This was the major league. This was the President of the United States of America.
The man played with the small device in his pocket absently. Fingering it over and over again in those moments that passed like lifetimes. The man’s mind wondered and played possible scenarios of how this day would turn out.
A loud noise jolted the man back to reality. Really, it was more like a number of loud noises: The most distant being the protestors at the entrance to the amphitheater, the jeering of the uncivilized, and the polite applause of those with dignity. The sound was deafening, but even louder was the truth that rang out in the man’s mind then. For surely the President had arrived, and soon he would be standing at the pulpit, ready to deliver his speech.
“Mom, come on.”
“Where are we going Pat?’
“Ms. Fenning said to meet the rest of our class by the news tent because they are going to talk to us.”
As the pair approached the tent, the news crew talking to Ms. Fenning looked their way, and rapidly moved towards them. After all, they were the family of the man in charge of the day’s events.
The man grew nauseous as the President stood before him with his hand outstretched. Reluctantly he shook the hand in front of him, he could not back out now.
“I’m told you’re the man that got the events of today together.”
“That would be me…sir.”
Choking back the urge to laugh, the man ignored the all to true words of the President and motioned him to follow him onto the platform that was home to the pulpit. His temperament changed quickly. It was time fore him to fulfill his duty. Instinctively, his hand went to his pocket again. In that moment, he thought he heard the voice of his son, but he quickly dismissed it as cold feet. There was no way he could have heard a single voice with that crowd all around. And yet, he hesitated. But he had come to far to stop now. He lifted the plastic case on the device in his pocket, and pressed the button that lay underneath the protection of the case. In that moment, he new he was done. The bomb was set, and the President was making his way towards the mic on the pulpit. His voice being that which would ignite the bomb. 5 seconds; the time from the Presidents first word into the mic, to the time of the explosion.
“Good evening.”
It was set. The bomb began its last clicks, sounding them over the loud speakers.
“Click. Click. Click…”
The man looked up to the large screen monitor to his right. What his eye saw burned a whole in his heart. There on the large screen TV stood his son and his wife.
“…Click…”
Although he knew he had succeeded in his mission, he also knew he had damned those he loved most. A single raindrop fell on his brow. His eyelash had the impulse to wipe the water from his eye, but…
“Click.”
…the red light blinked no more.
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