After years of construction, kickbacks, infighting, and government incompetence, the Hawkins Bay Freedom Bunker is finally ready to begin operations.
Mayor Bob Smythe is making his first appearance as the leader of the Hawkins Bay Freedom Bunker Civilian Team.
As he activates the ceremonial button, they watch as the external thermal door seals shut.
“Thank you, everyone,” Mayor Bob says. “Today is a momentous—”
“Okay,” Major Milton Stursberg, the Hawkins Bay Freedom Bunker Chief says.
“As of now, I am in charge here. At 0100, we instituted the Freedom Bunker Code of Conduct, or FBCOC.
There will be no deviation from FBCOC for the duration of our incarceration.”
“Incarceration?” Mayor Bob says.
“Did I say incarceration? I meant... something else.”
“I’m sorry, you have actually passed this...”
“FBCOC.”
“...without consultation.”
“On the contrary,” Major Stursberg says. “There was a great deal of consultation.”
“But not with us.”
“No, not with civilians. This is a military operation.”
“A military operation meant to protect civilians?”
“Well, a military operation meant to protect civilian freedoms, if that is what you mean.”
“You tell me,” Mayor Bob says.
“The rules are very simple,” Major Stursberg says, hoisting up a large whiteboard containing the details of the FBCOC.
Freedom Bunker Code of Conduct
We Stand United in our Fight to Preserve our Democratic Freedoms
We will Never Surrender
We will Resist our Enemies by Any Means Necessary
If You See Something - Say Something
Civilian possession or use of Firearms is Strictly Forbidden
Be Smart - Stay Alive
Signed on this date,
Major Milton Stursberg
Hawkins Bay Freedom Bunker
“Was it necessary to use so many capital letters?” the Mayor asks, to at least a smattering of laughter.
“Bob, you of all people should know this is not a time for levity.”
“So, where do we go from here?”
“What do you mean, ‘go?’ We are there. Our task now is to establish a sense of order that will carry us through until we accomplish our mission.”
“And the goal?”
“The preservation of our democratic way of life not lofty enough for you?”
“Well, that is admirable, but we need to establish mutual, workable goals within the bunker.”
“The Freedom Bunker,” Major Stursberg says.
“Yes,” Mayor Bob says. “The FBCOC mentions that.”
“Okay. I think we are done.”
“You can’t just adjourn the meeting,” Mayor Bob says.
“I already have,” he says as he and his men march out of the room.
All eyes turned to Mayor Bob.
“So,” one of the despondent ‘citizens’ says. “Not quite what we were expecting.”
“I know, I know,” Mayor Bob says.
“So we are virtually prisoners, aren’t we?”
“Not even virtual,” says another.
“Well, time will tell,” Mayor Bob says. “Christ. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. We are in the early stages here.
There are bound to be some organizational issues.”
“You mean a pissing match.”
“I mean a pissing match.”
“But we can’t win this. They said straight out - this is a military rather than a civilian operation. We are done. Toast.”
“Well, I know it looks that way, but, as mayor, I am not prepared to roll over and die. I’ll be damned if we stand by and allow them to do this to their -our- own… people.”
“Christ, Bob,” Simon Paul says, in private. “We’re screwed. Really and truly.”
“Of course I know that! I was at the same meeting.”
“I wonder. I would have expected a bit more blowback.”
“Divide and conquer. That was their primary objective, right from the get-go.”
“Well, if I had to pick sides…” he says.
“Well, pick,” Mayor Bob says. “But unless you have a uniform in your locker, I don’t think you can change sides.”
“That is the point,” he says. “I don’t want to be part of them. We need to stand up to them.”
“Of course we do,” Mayor Bob says.
“But?”
“There is no ‘but,’ Simon. It is a done deal. We will be stuck here for the rest of our lives.”
“You might want to keep that pep-talk to yourself, Bob,” he says. “Forever might be an awfully long time.”