It happened in Church - October 19, 1962
Chapter Fifty One - Recon Recover School
Tuesday 06 Nov (begins)
Breakfast
John woke up early. It was still dark in the shelter. His new Radio Shack watch told him it was 0700. He looked over the babies and they were sleeping. He was thinking about the days ahead and knew everything was going to change. He was less scared than yesterday, but he knew he had to pick up the pace. It was like Marie sensed he was awake. She looked beatific. He coded: ‘you look like you’re in a family way’. She smiled even more. He continued: ’so how many are we having’. She held a hand and flashed five, ten, fifteen, twenty. He held his head and shook it in mock upset. The vibes must have awakened the babies. The both sounded off. He went to reach for one, but she blocked him: ‘don’t spoil must cry for minute or two’. He shot back: ‘but I dont like it’. She responded ‘men’. He looked at his new Radio Shack watch - ninety seconds. And, she was picking up one of them. He jumped in.
Marie and John again helped serve the breakfast. They got all positive comments on their results yesterday.
John gull winged for their attention: “My fellow Classmates, based on yesterday’s learnings, we have to pick up the pace. Over the next few days, we are going to be very busy. Please stay in the shelter unless you have assigned duties elsewhere. I am very concerned about safety and someone getting lost. At no time should you be out of the shelter alone. Like ‘no running’, ignore this rule at your peril. And, if you disregard the rule, you may well cost a fellow Classmate their life for your foolishness. We could be looking for you in a fire fight.”
“Now, to business, I have some things to announce and explain.”
Driving Lineup
“New Driving Lineup! Subject to finding automatic transmission cars.”
*** begin quote ***
Trek Convoy in Driving Order
Scout1 - VW - BK driving Sam with Ava(8) Kayla (8) Morgan (8)
Scout2 - ?Auto Auto? - Roy & Jody - DT#1 - Sarah(6) [Zachary(5)] William(4) led by Tyler(7)
‘Empty’ - Truck - DT#6 David(6) Olivia(5) Emily(5) led by Dylan(7) w Matthew(8)
Insulin1 - Truck - DT#7 Brandon(6) Justin(5) Alexis(4) led by Destiny(7) w Joshua(8)
Insulin2 - Truck - DT#8 Adam(6) Grace(5) Abigail(4) led by Daniel(7) w Andrew(8)
Insulin3 - Truck - DT#9 Anthony(5) Ella(5) Sean(5) by Isabella(6) w Sten(8)
Fuel - Truck - DT#5 James(6) Richard(5) Jonathan(4) led by Joseph(7) w Michael(8)
Food1 - Truck - DT#4 Jude(6) RyanR(5) Kyle(4) led by Nicholas(7) w Kaitlyn (8)
Food2 - Truck - DaveDuBois & Julia(6)
Bus - Marie & June - DT#3 Robert(4) led by Taylor(7)
Rear1 - ?Auto Auto? - Brian - DT#2 - Nathan(6) [Sydney(5)] Victoria(4) led by Timothy(7)
Rear2 - 57Ford - John driving Linda(7), Lisa(7)
*** end quote ***
“Note that it’s all shuffled. We are spreading the peanut butter so thin on the bread, you can see thru it. If on the road, one of the trucks dies, we’ll abandon it. If we get a choice and can quickly change the tractor, ‘food2′ is the most expendable.”
“The Driving Teams have all been briefed. But this is so everyone knows the plan. If we have to disperse, the convoy will go odd left, even right. After that the first in line will take the next major north turn. And, that will continue until all are heading north.”
“Zachary and Sydney are the rudiments of another team. To activate that team, we’ll need another member for the pit crew, a vehicle commander, and a rifleman. As you can see, the spread is thin. While we’d like another truck, we are flat out at max. If you see anything we’re missing, don’t keep it a secret.”
“Sam will be the convoy’s admiral. I’ll be the convoy’s tail end. Marie in the bus will be the communications hub. All radio work - except for dispersal order - will be in code. The dispersal order is ZITA!”
Explain radios
“OK, now to the radios. We’d like to have communication on the road. We have taken from Radio Shack enough CB radios for every truck. Anyone not actively on the Driving Team will be on the bus. Anyone on the bus may volunteer to be a radio operator in a very crowded truck cab. Still, you’ll be making a vital contribution. Twelve things rolling to Vermont. We need twelve radio operators. You win your way off the bus and onto a truck by merit. Code the best and you’re on.”
“Now I know the Firsts are annoyed with Miss June for her ‘no coding’ rule. But, let me explain why.”
Explain Kabuki
“Radio sends out a signal. Obvious, right? Not so obvious is that anyone can listen. We are assuming that both Bravo Golfs and good guys will be listening. We want the good guys to not block our way to Vermont. One way for us to convince them we are what we seem is to have ‘young fists’ to communicate by their coding that they are in fact youngsters.”
“So we came up with the idea of a deliberate plan to communicate with the good guy eavesdroppers in Vermont. The plan has now three future phases.”
“Phase 1: Coders will compete for one of twelve spots. We allow that traffic to be broadcast. This will tell them how many we are and we have all ages. You Firsts play a vital role here by not being too good; that’s why no practicing. Number One coder defends the crown; twelve wining fists identified to us for the convoy, and to the good guys. This tells them how many units of wheels are coming. Marie competes with Number One to id her fist to the eavesdroppers. Marie competes with me to demo her prowess. I am hopelessly outclassed - I am, I know it, ain’t Marie hot! - and, so I have to ‘cheat’ to keep up by using known easy stuff. This gives the eavesdroppers a lot of ‘good stuff’ under the guise of being overmatched in a race. Then we go silent for a day to let them digest it.”
“Phase 2: Marie will train the twelve winners using her FFT paper’s overview as text. This will allow the eavesdroppers to positively identify her by name. Then we go silent for a day to let them digest it.”
“Phase 3: Finally, John will write and code a letter to their boss telling him that they have been had. And that we coming.”
“Talk to any of the Staff about this. It’s my idea; so, of course, I think is a stroke of genius. Of course, if there are no good guys listening, then some genius. BUT, we didn’t have anything better to do anyway. And, if there are good guy eavesdroppers, well that might just get us into Vermont.”
CB discipline
“Finally, these CBs are live. They are not toys. Don’t speak on them ever until we are safely in Vermont. One slip could bring the Bravo Golfs down on us. The only one authorized to talk on these is Brother Kevin when he is out with Lurp and myself if I have to tell him something. Even we aren’t going to talk much. Just mike clicks. So, please, please, I beg of you, don’t mess this up. Our lives depend upon it.”
Frenzy Mode
“We are going to step up the pace to leave. As I see it: One day to recover the connected and Kabuki Phase 1; One day to recover Individual #1 and #2; One day hopefully to recover Individual #3 and #4 and Kabuki Phase 2; One day to recover Individual #5 and #6 and Kabuki Phase 3. We then abandon the Shelter! We recover Site West, Site North, Site South, Site West, Depot, and Vermont. We could be gone in as little as an eight day week. I was originally thinking a month. We don’t have that luxury.”
“Everyone is going to be as busy as a worker bee in the spring. So we’re going to suspend our previous routine. No lunch time Q&A. No TV. We’re focused on ‘frenzy’ now. If you have a question, an idea, or even a hair-brained scheme like Kabuki, it’s your obligation to grab someone’s ear and hold on until they listen.”
“The next meeting will be the night before we abandon the Shelter. Remember, don’t leave the shelter unless on a mission and check in and out with the office.”
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Isabella
Marie gathered June and Jody. Marie ordered ears off in Decon2 and ‘invited’ Isabella to the ‘party’. Isabella arrived pretty much figuring the jig was up. She blew her cover by slim jimming the cars on Isham Street.
Marie started: “Isabella, I don’t think you have been entirely candid with us. I have so many questions. Like what was that you took out of your skirt? And, where have you been hiding the brush and the perfume? And, how much of the oooh laa la French is real?”
Isabella smiled and said: “Well, it’s all real. My Mom is French Canadian and my dad is an anthropologist. I’m fluent in several languages. I have stuff sewn in my skirt; Miss June isn’t the only one handy with a needle and thread. And the slim jim is a thin flexible piece of metal for unlocking cars. But, I sense you want more than that information.”
“I transferred in from Saint Nicholas of Tolentine because I’d fallen in with two gangs. And, was in the middle. My Dad found out when the cops busted me mule-ing drugs between the two gangs. Everyone thinks that the gangs compete. It’s more like Coke and Pepsi. In any event, I was going to fess up before you fools tried to drive a convoy across Fordham Road. You could get me killed. I have the gang colors for the two gangs. You need to put them on Scout1 to get thru and hope that neither Capo is watching. He’d know he didn’t approve it and all hell would break loose. The gangs aren’t early risers so we best be off at first light.”
“As far as the skirt, I have some secrets. Like this ‘pig sticker’.” With that she went into the waist and pulled out a four inch ‘comb’, she fingered it and a four inch blade swung out. “No one touches me unless I say he can.” Marie was impressed; June horrified. Jody understood!
Marie asked: “You seem wise beyond your years and older than a sixth grade.” Isabella replied: “I was started in school in Quebec. When I came here they pushed me back. I’m probably older than most of you. I’m fourteen. As the time wore on, I figured I could trust you. Those two gangs know I ratted on them so I have to be invisible.” June said: “You sure fooled us.” Isabella continued: “Some, like Sam, were easy. I felt John was watching me as if something didn’t add up. He laid off when I showed him the atlatl stuff. Who’d have known he was into the arcane? Guess he figured my secrets were mine as long as I contributed.”
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Lurp Assignments
Brother Kevin and John put their heads together. John was seeing how wrong he was not to form two Lurps. Argh! He needed Lurp to clear the School, Rectory, Nunnery, and the Monastery then they could begin recoveries. He wanted Lurp to cover rearranging the cars on the Street and cover the loading of the bodies. And, he really wanted to know if the Bravo Golfs were at the Library.
Like a man with a champagne taste and a beer pocketbook.
They’d have to work out some priorities. John’s mind was racing. Hit the Bravo Golfs before they could hit us. Use the explosives under the Library or drive a car into the library.
Brother Kevin brought him down to reality. “What is our objective?” “Vermont” “What is the MIT (Most Important Task)?” “Clear the buildings so that we can deploy the OPs, recover the stuff, and Kabuki.” “Guess that’s Priority One. Next?” “Cover the street. Unless we can figure a better way. Then, go take a peek at the Library.”
Brother Kevin mused: “Well, I’m not so sure we just look. If we can, could we: Set an explosive in the subway under the library; simultaneously roll a car into the Library; AND slaughter them with clean up sniper fire?” “Sure, if you had a company of misguided children. But, if you can work out the details, then by all means let’s clean up this mess. Otherwise, we may have to be satisfied with an early warning system. One of our bulk recoveries is closer than I like to the Library.” John responded.
Brother Kevin said: “Well we need the connecteds reconned, so let get Lurp and team together and do it.” John went to the Office and requested “Lurp and the Eighths to the Sally Stairwell in twenty minutes rigged for a short action.”
John and Brother Kevin were pleased. Everyone was there in ten. John addressed the group. “We are going to the school. I’m not expecting trouble. But! Lurp goes first. We’ll form into two pair teams. We’re going to have to adapt. I pulled all the old hands together because with so many floors and so many classrooms, Lurp would be overwhelmed. Let’s work fast and smart. Miss June, set OP1 up in the third floor corner classroom. OK, Brother Kevin, what’s the plan?”
Brother Kevin hadn’t really thought it out too clearly, but clearing any building was in essence: gain entry, pick a stairwell, go to the top, circle it, and secure all stairwells. Drop a floor and repeat until done.
“OK gang, listen up. Me, Lisa, Linda, Isabella, and Sam lead.
Corners are held by: Marie & John, Jody & Roy, June & Brian, Ava & Andrew. They hold the top and bottom of the stairwell. Clearers — Kaitlyn, Kayla, Matthew, Michael, Morgan, Joshua, and Sten — join Lurp on the four floors and basement by going to every room looking in every closet. Not perfect, but we should know quickly if anyone is in the building. Once we clear it will figure what to do next.”
Lurp lead us out the Sally Door and into the Church. Around behind the alter into the sacristy. Brother Kevin opened what you’d have thought was a closet door and led down a stairwell.
It was a narrow tunnel about a person and a half wide. Maybe 7 feet tall. It exited after a short way into the School’s basement. Quick left and they were at the corner of the building. Up the five flights of stairs, and they were on the top floor. Lurp lead out and John and Marie stood their post. The L’s were slowed down by the mob. All John could see was pony tails. Marie said: “Get a good look?” “At what?” “Whose tush were you studying? All the little classmates were pointing away.” “Ahh, the green eyed Queen has emerged. Feeling threatened by leaving your children at the babysitters?” “Well, you have to admit the OD in the Office didn’t look thrilled at baby sitting. But, don’t change the subject! Who were you studying?” “Marie, no one I swear.” “Better not be.” “Don’t go getting jealous of a rival that doesn’t exist. Your only rival is the Class in Toto. It’s a big rush to be the ‘leader’. When we get to Vermont, I’ll miss it. It makes me feel … powerful!” “Swells your head too. We’ve been incredibly lucky.” “True. Very true.” The mob was coming down the other hallway. Smaller for having deposited the other corners. Down they went and Marie and John followed them down a floor. And another floor. And another floor. And back to the basement. Lurp led the mob around the ring. Most every thing was locked on this level.
Suddenly Linda appeared running back: “Come quick. We’ve got a mess here.” John and Marie followed her back to the middle of the outside corridor. John could smell the bodies. Brother Kevin was down on the floor. John could hear him say: “It’s my fault. I did it. I sent them here.” Over and over. Some bodies in the hallway. A shelter sign pointed to an open door. John went in. He turned, chased everyone out, and kept the others from coming in. It was carnage. Rape and murder. He went back out himself. “Roy, take everyone back to the Shelter. Bring back say half a hundred body bags. Marie and I will stay with Brother Kevin.”
Marie sat on one side of him; John on the other. Marie groked the situation immediately and best” “Brother Kevin, my friend, I don’t think it’s your fault.” Then she sat silent. After a few seconds, Brother Kevin said: “How so?” Marie answered: “Where are the Bravo Golfs?” <pause> Brother Kevin was confused: “I don’t understand?” Marie explained: “The people that took refuge in that shelter were dead regardless of your action. We found no Bravo Golfs so there were not enough supplies to ride out the radiation. So, they’d have died either from being forced out into the radiation or by the Bravo Golfs. Also, you don’t KNOW that you sent the Bravo Golfs here. You’re guessing. I’m sure it didn’t matter.” <silence> <silence> <silence> Brother Kevin brightened: “I think you’re right. I’d feel better if wasn’t like this, but you’re right.”
Roy and all the Eighths returned to clean up. It was a team thing.
This time there was no debate. Even though they couldn’t identify the particular Classmate, they could identify the uniform of the rape victim. The bagged the body as “An Unknown Classmate” and they began to understand personally Nation’s devotion to the Tombs of the Unknown Soldier. They moved the bodies to the Church.
Looking around the school’s shelter, John noticed that there was nothing in the way of supplies. Marie tried the sink and there was hot water.
Hot water!
She was surprised and troubled. Surprised because the water pressure was like normal. Troubled because her explanation was wrong; ‘eventual death’ theory didn’t make sense. You had to have water. You might be hungry but you wouldn’t starve in two weeks. So that meant, the refugees wouldn’t have died any way. This was a dilemma.
June heard Marie say ‘hot water’ and she thought showers and laundry if the water held out. She called John for an ad hoc ’staff meeting’. She knew that would mean more to the Classmates than anything.
Thanks to another unsung engineer, the school was connected to its utilities using an earthquake proof technique. That engineer got it paid for half by a vendor who wanted their product in use and the rest from Civil Defense budget.
June proposed: “Let’s get everyone a shower. The girls have their track suits. The boys will have to tough it out.” Brother Kevin asked: “Why?” June replied: “We only have track suits for the girls.” Brother Kevin corrected: “No, Brother Prefect got track suits for everyone donated. Beige for the girls, and black for the boys. He vetoed the pink and blue the Nuns wanted as too stereotyping for the girls. But, in retaliation, the Nuns would only launder the girls’. Said something about ‘immodest’. And, Brother Prefect was not willing to have the Brothers do the boy’s laundry. He was wrestling with that when the events happened.” June was confused: “I don’t understand.” Brother Kevin continued: “You have no idea the effort that Mother Superior and the Nuns put in for you girls. They took every dirty sweat suit, laundered it, ironed it, and sprayed vanilla on them. As the ironed, they would pray ‘dear lord, protect the young chaste woman in this suit and give her the wisdom she needs in a sinful world.’ Mother Superior read a journal that said vanilla scent made young women think of marriage, nesting, and home making. Brother Prefect disagreed on her use of ‘chemical warfare’ but didn’t forbid it. Mother Superior, you may not know, insisted that every girl shower and be properly dressed after Wednesday’s run before they were dismissed. She liked the fact that the boys would be gone or could be chased from the schoolyard before the girls were dismissed. Bottom line: we have clothes for everyone. Not underwear, but sweat suits.” June was designated to organize it.
Brother Kevin sent Lurp off with Sam to clear the Monastery; he took Marie and John looking for the gun locker. It was easy to find. It was in a stairwell and had a locked iron bar over it. Brother Prefect’s master key opened the lock. Brother Kevin stepped in and in the reflected light saw the ultimate Jar heads friend - a Browning M1919 — a .30 caliber light machine gun. With eight cases of belted ammo. A powerful weapon indeed. This would impress the Bravo Golfs if they were at the library. They carried the gun and ammo to the third floor OP1. Brother Kevin was unconcerned about safety; he pulled the hopper bracket from the side. An experienced gunner wouldn’t be fazed; a novice wouldn’t be able to feed it. It wasn’t as easy as it looked in the movies. But, it was a beautiful killing machine.
Brother Kevin called the Office and found the Lurp was over at the Monastery. He left to join them.
Marie and John went to an empty classroom. John was concerned: “The Classmates are going to spread out. We won’t know whose where.” She gave him a full frontal larynx exam. “Relax. It will all just have to work out. Let’s get back to the shelter and the babies. We’ll figure it out. You know I lied to Brother Kevin. Well, not actually lied. When I told him my theory about the casualties in the school shelter, I believed it to be true. When I found the hot water, it was wrong. I never told him.” “Some things are best left as a little white lie.” John had an overpowering urge to have Marie right here and right now. That kiss had a delayed impact when the catalyst of death was added. John ushered her out and back to the main floor. She suggested: “Quick look at the showers?” “OK!”
They went out on the first floor and into the gym. At the back of the gym were a boys and girls loo with five shower stalls. They inspected both the girls and boys sides. Pink and blue. Marie marveled at the urinals; John was unimpressed. “No wonder you boys are so quick in and out.” She opined with a giggle. But, she got serious: “No towels and no soap?” Maybe in the laundry. They proceeded downstairs. The laundry was locked. John produced a key. “Mother Superior’s” he commented to her strange look. The shower supplies were by the door in two milk cartons. The shelves were stocked with clean towels and the girls jumpsuits neatly stacked. The boys were on the opposite side still in plastic. She saw the laundry chute and next to it was a big in-the-wall oven. She was curious. She asked John: “Why have an oven in the laundry room?” He smiled and said: “It’s a dumbwaiter. On one of my many punishment tours. I moved the clean towels back up for the good Nuns. Load it up, send it up, then run up stairs and unload it. I had a few dreams about being in those showers. But, that was in a different time and place.” He loaded the supplies and filled up the rest of the space with towels. Then, left. He didn’t lock up didn’t see much point now.
They went up and unloaded the dumbwaiter. She called the office and told them the showers were ready. And that clean sweat suits were in the basement laundry and should be picked up on the way. She asked them to relay to Brother Kevin to drop all the pillow cases he could find at the laundry and a magic marker. They’d need to save their uniforms.
Then she, with John, in tow, hurried back to the shelter. She’d heard the babies crying and she needed them.
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Brain was G2ing the school cafeteria, it had a large stock of big cans of beef stew, franks ‘n’ beans, spaghetti Os, and such. He called the office and asked for Jody. Jody came to the phone. “Jody, how about we have hot lunch? Beef stew at the cafeteria. After folks shower. And, before they head back to the shelter. We can’t be in the school or any of the buildings and show a light. But we can do it at lunch time. Think we have to ’staff it’ to decide?” Jody replied: “No, I have the office pass the word. June has organized showers by family. Half hour per. 8 families. 4 hours. Can you start the process and I’ll be up to help? Everyone will be coming. Brian started opening cans, filling pots. Jody and June put out bowls, crackers, and cups of water when they arrived. Real food would help morale. June gave Brian some tongue as a reward for a great idea. Brian started thinking about a priest for them. Would June agree?
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Recover1 was plundering the Monastery. Lurp was off to clear the Nunnery with Recover2 right behind. Brother Kevin was after one thing in particular — Brother Prefect’s curriculum. In Brother Prefect’s room, in two custom cartons was the product of the man’s work for a decade and half. Volume One was the organization. Volumes by subject. Volumes of pedagogical principles - discussed, used, discarded, selected. Volumes of syllabi by grade and by sex. Volumes of theories. Volumes of results. The man even had a volume on funding and budgeting. And, volume on political manipulation to get approvals. The man worked constantly in his free time perfecting it. When ever one of ‘his’ brothers was promoted to go run a school, Brother Prefect would present him with a copy of the ‘curriculum’ as a going away gift. He had a reputation for spawning ‘principals’. The Church hierarchy was always after him to cough up more. But the man had standards. He received letters weekly from his ‘offspring’ reporting results, making suggestions, and offering constructive criticism. As is the monastery policy, all letters - other than those from a mother or father — were read to the community to prevent problems. No one ever heard a bad word about the preparation that his gift gave them. A new principal had his game plan set on Day One. Once over that Day One hurdle, it was easy to tweak and change to suit. But, the new principal wasn’t starting from scratch. Brother Prefect’s stamp had been on a hundred schools by Church Day. No wonder the hierarchy wanted to promote him. Brother Kevin wanted those boxes. He’d carry on the legacy in Vermont. Maybe he could prove to Brother Prefect that he’d now gotten his head out of his A double Q, understood what Brother Prefect was trying to teach him, and be half the man Brother Prefect was. Big shoes to fill. As Brother Kevin went to lift the stacked boxes, first they rolled and second there was an envelope taped to the top of the bottom one that was hidden by the top one.
Brother Kevin stopped to read it. “To whom it may concern: If you are moving these boxes, that means I’ve gone to my eternal reward. Please accept these boxes as my gift to you. Hopefully, you will see that I have made so many mistakes, which I have humbly admitted and documented here, and be able to profit from them. I wish you the best of luck. Running a school, as a Principal, is a mix of janitorial and fortune teller tasks, with a large does of psychology. The children are God’s canvas where you, if you do it right, allow them to explode to their full potential. Do it wrong, and they are ruined for life. I’ve made so many mistakes - with the children, the faculty, and the others I’ve come in contact. In payment for this boon I gift you, should you come in contact with those I have wronged, please ask them to forgive me. I hope that my mistakes were from enthusiasm; not malice. I guess I have found out at the Judgment. I will pray for you to have more success than I did. Respectfully, yours in the Lord, Brother Prefect” Wow, did Brother Kevin feel like the fool. This man was a giant and he didn’t see it. He reflected over all their disputes and saw how the man was challenging him to think before he opened his mouth. Dumb ideas abounded. The man had the patience of a saint. Now, that Brother Kevin was open to learning, the man was gone and all he had was his papers. Brother Kevin rolled the papers to the tunnel entrance for recovery. He had a lot to live up to.
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June was busy dispatching the OPs as fast as buildings were cleared. They needed a better system. It was going to spin out of control quickly. And, this wasn’t long term. Soon they’d be in Vermont. She grabbed John and Marie. Explained the problem as: “We need a better way to man the OPs.” Marie grasped it at once. “Why not do it by family? Send the mob up there and let them sort it out. With the reminder that there shouldn’t be any lights. Send a watch and binocs up with them. Change every day. We won’t be here that long.” June said looking directly to John: “Is that OK?” John said” “Sure”; he was in Kabuki land.
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Recover the school
The School cleared. June set the OPs.
Recovery#1 hit the ‘Poverty Pantry’ and started moving it to the loading dock. They moved Brother Prefect’s telescope to the OP. School records were peeked at and moved to the loading dock. TomT took time to note that John’s file was thick with pink detention reports; Marie’s was thick with the white commendation reports. He smiled. The confiscation box has a few knives which were passed out. They also took the flags from the stage in the gym. Maybe the Vermont one would come in handy.
Juggle Cars
Lurp cleared all the connected in just under three hours. The whizzed into the café for a bowl of hot institutional Dinty Moore beef stew. It was the best thing they had ever tasted. It was funny to see John and Roy in aprons dole out chow and doing dishes. It seemed like they were racing.
Brother Kevin led them out the Sally Door and took them up to the roof across the street. Form the middle of the roof he waved. The school OP relayed ‘all clear’ to the Office. They called the sally door and gave John the word. He and Marie went out and he jockeyed the cars around. He backed the trailer to the Church door and they first unloaded the trailer into the Church and then loaded the sacred, not so sacred, and their honored dead. The trailer was only half full. John prayed they wouldn’t add any more to it.
Showers
June’s family plan was working. Everyone had help for the little ones. Clean up followed by a hot meal put everyone in a much better spirit.
John rigged the Grundig in the café and everyone took turns looking for a station. There weren’t a lot. Some one hit the BBC
“This is the BBC in London. It is now 1600 GMT and here’s the hourly news update.”
“Damage and casualties are heavy around the world from the recent exchange of atomic weapons. No country was spared. Hardest hit was the USA. Every major city received multiple war heads. Infrastructure is reportedly heavily damaged. It’s estimated that more than half the population has been killed. Speculation is rampant. The BBC has not heard from any of its reporters in the USA. Official reports from the US consulate in Liverpool, speaking for the Ambassador presumed killed in the London A bombings ,has confirmed that John William McCormack, Speaker of the House has taken the oath of office at his home in Dedham, Massachusetts. Washington DC, as well as most major cities, has been destroyed. President McCormack has released control of all weapons to their local commanders. He has confirmed that they had proof of a first strike from Cuba against the USA and was followed by a first strike from the USSR. After first detonation, President McCormick had no choice but to retaliate. Apparently, some local adversaries took the opportunity to settle old scores. Going forward, the USA will prosecute a strategy of payback for this horrendous aggression against all responsible. This concludes our broadcast for this hour. Because we are on back up facilities, this report will be rebroadcast every hour. A new full one hour news broadcast at 0000 hours.” A team was assigned to scan the dial for a Vermont station.
Kabuki prep
John and Brian laid out the CBs in the Classroom next to OP1. John wired the CBs to antenna wire that he dropped out the window. He didn’t have a real antenna, but he used the mutlimeter to set it at the correct length. He deliberately took the mikes and left them in OP1. All that was hooked to the CBs were the code keys. He sent Brian a single dot to test. Kabuki was ready for its performance.
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