“Hi Stevie, how are you doing this late afternoon?” She asked with a smile.
“Just happy to be alive.” He responded.
“Glad that is the case. How is your family? Anyone sick?”
“No we are all fine. How is yours?”
“Well my husband has called complaining of a bad headache. He wants me to stop and pick up something on the way home.” She shrugged.
“Better raid the medicine cabinet here. I hear all the pharmacies have been cleaned out.”
“I got it covered.” Rachel winked reaching into her pocket to reveal a handful of aspirin packets. “Are we going to see your sister again this summer? She was such a help last year.” She continued as they moved down the hall. “I wasn’t sure what her plans were.”
“Well she is headed to college next year so I guess she might try to get something here part time. You know to pick up some extra money before school starts.” He shrugged.
“Well, she is always welcome. Have a good shift if I don’t see you before I leave.” She gave him a wave as she headed off to her office.
“Yeah have a good night, talk to you later.” Steve returned her wave with a smile then headed outside to the loading area. He sighed, kicked a few rocks across the pavement then swung into the seat of his forklift. “Do I really want to work here the rest of my life?” He thought, “Maybe I should get my act together. Suck it up and go back to school. Community college maybe, to help Dad out so Beth can go to State like she has always wanted to. Yeah sure, maybe this time you won’t screw it up Steve.” He frowned bitterly as he lifted a container off a truck.
City Hall
Devin Kranser left the conference room shaking, “How in the hell could we evacuate the entire city?” He muttered walking over to the huge picture window looking out across the town. His head rested on his arm. He he looked down at the street. “This town is in a bowl." He sighed, "there is no easy way out of here.” He gazed up from the street to the mountains.
The valley stretched out between two mountains that sloped steeply after a few hundred of housing. That limited the access on two fronts. Added to the mountains where the rivers. Three of them converging into a rapids cut off a third exit. It was an old steel town built here for the raw materials more than for ease of access. The mills had used the railroads. Railroads that were already becoming disused before highways made trucks the preferred form of transport. Nowadays only rarely did a train leave on the remaining line. "Train might still be an option." Devin rubbed his face as he thought of the plans sitting in his office. It was a proposal asking the the state to finally connect the town to the interstate, “and the rest of the world.” He sighed.
There were really only two ways in or out of the valley. Both had bridges to cross. One led to a two lane road up into the mountains. The other was the one that led to the highway. This was two lanes in either direction. There was a bottleneck in a small town five miles away. After that it smooth sailing for two miles where it met up with the interstate.
“That is a long way to go and that bottleneck is going to wreck havoc.” He slammed his fist on the windowsill. “One access to the highway that slows down on the best of days." Frustration pounded behind his eyes. "Sure some roads up the mountain and eventually some other roads that led to the highway." He pinched the bridge of his nose trying to quell the pressure. "If people panicked, and they will, they could easily get trapped. They are going to get trapped!” He closed his eyes letting his arms fall to his side. Devin rested his head on the cool glass. The memories of what he had just heard crashed back over him. “We are going to have to evacuate the city. The rioting is out of control. People are just attacking and killing each other. The police, and even what little help the national guard has sent, have been completely overwhelmed.” The strained voice crackled through the speaker phone in the middle of the large oak conference table. The faces of those sitting around it were pale and tight. “The CDC is saying the epidemic is causing people to go crazy and get violent. The police have started shooting the rioters. We are trying to trying to get the uninfected citizens out.” The voice continued.
A female voice broke through on the speaker, “One of our evacuation sights has already been overrun. The Army…started shooting everyone there. Then they…they just took off leaving hundreds."
Another voice cut in. "It is the same as in Philadelphia. Riots and people going crazy”
The first voice was back. “You guys need to get a plan in place. Start moving people out before things blow up there.”
A man’s rushed voice broke in. “We are packing it up here. The Governor has already been moved. I have a helicopter to catch. God help us all.” There was a click followed by a moment of silence.
Then voices talking over each other, the conference call continued even after the emergency management director in Harrisburg hung up in a panic. They had lost contact with the Altoona Mayor halfway through Philadelphia’s explanation of the situation. They had heard screaming then the line went dead. The Governor had been in Washington that morning. He had called earlier to inform them the President had already been evacuated. Now they heard she had also been moved and could no longer be contacted. They were on their own.
Devin looked down at his hands, “I have no idea where to start.”
It was time to take action. So Devin decided he damn well better find the start. He had left the meeting when the mayor and some senior staff began talking about acceptable losses. Devin had to get some air.
These were people he knew, people he worked for. “How could there be…no there is no such thing as acceptable losses. This is crazy.” Devin told his reflection. Taking a deep breath he headed back toward the door. before his hand touched the knob it flung open revealing a rather disheveled mayor.
Mayor Martin Griggs had been mayor for as long as anyone could remember. He had once been a professional athlete. He now enjoyed the finer things in life and his waistline reflected it. As a good mayor no one said he didn't work hard. He been a champion for the city attempting to bring in new industry and attractions to his town. Sometimes by questionable means as it was rumored. Although charges of corruption were often made by his detractors they never stuck. Nor did they keep him from being re-elected. No one actually doubted he truly cared for his city.
“Devin! Christ you gave me a start. We need to handle this and fast. How long do you think it will take to organize an evacuation?” The mayor asked pulling a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket.
“To where?” Devin’ questioned.
Mayor Griggs, lite the cigarette, inhaled deeply and stared at Devin for what felt like a full minute. “I don’t have any idea. What do you suggest?” he asked, the smoke rolling out as he spoke.
From behind the Mayor the deputy mayor spoke up. “We have the national guard post just outside of town. We have been very, uh, accommodating to the soldiers over the years." He adjusted his tie uncomfortably. "The base commander knows this. We should contact him." He rolled his shoulders. " You know, find out what the military is doing. Maybe they can help the evacuation.”
Griggs scratched his temple, flicking ash unto the floor. The Deputy Mayor gave him a disapproving look. “Fucking sue me.” The mayor grumbled.
“We need a plan." He took another drag from the cig. Clapping his hands, "So! Devin, go to the traffic control center. Get one in place. Report back to me in...20 minutes.” Mayor Griggs puffed, “You,” he jabbed the cigarette at the Deputy Mayor, “Get Colonial Miller on the damn phone. I want to talk to that Son of a Bitch.” He dropped his cigarette on the marble floor crushing it out with his shoe. The Deputy Mayor wrinkled his nose at the act but said nothing. Mayor Griggs rolled his eyes. He shook his