5 YEARS AFTER 2.5 Smoke and Mirrors. Richard Correll

to grasp the concept.

      “Absolutely,” He nodded slowly. “But in that first year, do you think anyone really worried about money?”

      “No,” Molly’s voice was a whisper now. It came back like a slow wave rolling into the room. The panic, always the panic was the first thing she remembered. Molly had so many days where she didn’t go home, an office and a few coats for blankets was her bed. She would catch a few hours sleep and be back in front of the cameras. Looking at maps and charts was like watching wildfires break out all over the country, it was overwhelming. It felt like we were just hanging on, losing our grip slowly and succumbing to the force of a nightmare.

      “Five years ago, eighty per cent of our industry was in cities that we had to abandon.” He read her facial expression very well. “Over half of our population had died. The rest were refugees on the move.”

      “All confidence was gone, everywhere.” His tone was somber, even through this his eyes sparkled like electric water. “Not just in our country, everywhere.”

      “Hence,” He concluded. “So many currencies collapsed, including ours.”

      “So we went back to the gold exchange.” Molly surmised.

      “Exactly,” He nodded with a half-smile. “It was the only thing we could do to stabilize our currencies.”

      “So where is the gold?” Molly had to ask, jumping to the chase.

      “This is where it gets a bit complicated.............”

      *

      The Commander watched them at the fence. His curiosity became aroused with a sense of survival. A pack of them on their hands and knees with more watching from afar, then, with that slow shuffle they joined in.

      “Hojo.” The Commander fingered his sidearm and began to walk toward the fence. “You’re with me.”

      “Yes sir.”