Lethal Trajectories - Michael Conley [152]
“We’re so blessed to have your experience available to us at this critical time.”
“Thanks, Veronica, but it’s only the beginning. We’ve got to assume this crisis is going to last quite a while. Energy costs have been a chronic problem in Mankato for the last five years, and it’s going to get far worse. The president made clear that there’s likely to be additional rationing of food and other commodities. We’ve got to take waste out of the system while we can, and it’s going to take time, money, energy, and a lot of pain while we learn how to get by with less. We’ll need to organize our efforts around energy and environmental efficiency practices that cover a spectrum of financial and behavioral issues, not to mention plain old infrastructure changes. In the process, we can’t forget the emotional and spiritual challenges our citizens will face. Would you agree?”
“You just gave my opening speech for the meeting tonight, Bill. Would you be willing to share the stage with me? If so, I’d like you to cover the co-op activities, and I’ll try to take on the behavioral issues. We’ve got to make clear that a permanent change is taking place, and the quicker we shuck off our old self-indulgent ways and behaviors and face up to the new realities, the better off we’ll be.”
The first few members of the executive committee began to straggle in, and Bill and Veronica followed them into the conference room. Veronica subsumed herself entirely in the meeting that followed, and she was surprised to find that it was almost two o’clock by the time it adjourned. The co-op meetings were so much more stimulating than the church council meetings (which she had been excused from attending), and she stayed a while longer to chat with Bill about their evening’s presentations before heading out to visit two shut-in parishioners. Bill is a remarkable man. I wonder if he has a significant other in his life, Veronica mused.
Veronica walked out to her car and, by force of habit—a bad habit—she tuned in to the Wellington Crane show.
“For those tuning in late, this is Wellington Crane on the subject of taking back America from the grasp of the McCarty Manifesto. With me today is that great American, Senator Tom Collingsworth.”
Oh no, not that stooge again. He’s an idiot and a bigot—but then, so is Wellington, Veronica thought as she adjusted her mirror.
“Before I connect with the good senator,” Wellington continued, “let me say that I’m broadcasting from my studio. While everyone else ran and ducked for cover to escape Hurricane Matilda, I was a rock that stood firm. Now, if the ferocity of a storm like Matilda doesn’t scare me off, do you really think the likes of a runaway liberal like Clayton McCarty’s going to stop me?”
On a whim, Veronica pulled into the Gas-Go station to chat with Clarence, the station manager. She opened her window and shouted out to him. “How’re you doing, Clarence?”
“Not well, Veronica. At this rate, I’ll be out of gas by tomorrow morning, and I don’t expect another shipment until Saturday. I’ve never seen people so frightened or angry, and I’ve never been talked to the way I’ve been lately. Some folks think I’m price-gouging, but I can tell you the money is definitely not going into my pocket.”
“Hang in there, my friend: this too shall pass,” she said. She left the station feeling sorry for Clarence and anyone connected with transportation services. She could only imagine what airline personnel must be going through. She switched back to the Wellington Crane show as she left the station.
“What’s your reaction, Senator, to the apparent armored invasion by Saudi Arabia