“Everytime there is a new President he comes in like a bulldozer, thinking he is God and that he can change things and save the world. It won’t take him long to realize that he is just a puppet and cannot make a difference and things will revert to the way they have always been,”
said Tony Brasillios, the personal chef to the President to his sous chef, Robert Jinx. Robert just listened, feeling his two cents worth hadn’t been asked for and probably wouldn’t be appreciated. Tony continued, saying, “He’s going to make some enemies, taking the defense department’s money. He will find out pretty quickly that he shouldn't get on the bad side of the warmongers! Hey, have you gotten those veggies chopped up yet? President Adams is waiting on his stir fry.”
Donald and Jim had just brought in a polar bear that had been sniffing around the lodge for a few days. He was one of those stubborn ones who was not going to leave the area until he scored big. They went out early Monday morning and before the day was up, they had bagged him. “How much do you think he weighs?” Jim asked Donald.
“My guess would be about a ton. He will provide a lot of meat for us!” Donald said. “I think we should dress him out and cook up one of the roasts for dinner. There isn’t a lot of room left to store the whole bear, which is a good problem to have!” They quickly got a team out to the processing hut to get the animal butchered and the hide started being scraped in preparation for tanning it. The team worked well together now after a few months of practice.
While they worked, the team talked about the new president and his policies. Laurence asked, “What do you think will happen to us when these programs get underway? Will we continue to live here or will we go down to Portland to join up with the others from Paradise Found?”
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Donald said, “Well, I can tell you one thing. My door will remain open for all of you who want to stay here. And if things seem to go south with his program, you only have to give me a call and I will be there to bring you back home if you do end up going back to Portland. So, at this point, it seems like a win/win situation.”
One of the other men said, “Well, that comes as a relief. I thought you might be eager to get rid of us. I know we have put a cramp in the way you are used to doing things and have cost you an arm and a leg to support and thought it might give you a way out.”
Donald said, “Well, to tell the truth, I have been happier since you have been here than I have been in years. You have given me companionship and actually we are better off with food storage than we have been in years! I feel fulfilled being able to teach you men how to hunt and trap and process your own food!
Jim said, “I for one, am staying. I am looking forward to leading out an outfitting team, once you show me how. I want to learn everything I can. It feels like we are living the way we were meant to and I go to bed at night feeling fulfilled. The way we are living together, everyone having their own areas of expertise, feels like the native Americans must have felt in their longhouses or wherever they lived. You know what I mean.”
The men laughed at Jim’s lame description. Max said, “I can speak for Karen and I. We want to stay here as long as we can be a help.”
Donald said, “I never would have believed I would say this but, Max, you are welcome to stay as long as you desire!” The men laughed again!
But it was not as peaceful everywhere. There was trouble brewing in Washington DC. Several of the top generals had gotten together in a private meeting to discuss President Adam’s decree.