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Authors: Joe Nobody
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you to do the same.”
Terri’s demeanor changed with the Colonel’s words. After a deep sigh, she said, “You’ll have to forgive me, but I’ve got you pegged on the problem side of the ledger. You can see why, can’t you? Bishop and I would’ve never gotten involved in this whole mess if not for your relationship with the previous president.”
“Yes, I can see how easy it would be to connect those dots if I were in your place. Did Bishop explain why I had a relationship with the previous Commander in Chief?”
Terri shook her head, “No.”
“Let’s just say my reaction to staring the beast in the eye was to withdraw… to retreat.” A harsh look crossed the man’s eyes, his focus moving to the floor. “It might be more accurate to say I ran and hid.”
A man like the Colonel admitting to running or hiding from anything renewed Terri’s interest. While she didn’t know the man sitting across from her all that well, Bishop had always painted a picture of an ultra-brave, incredibly tough individual - a man who had never sampled the stench of fear.
“The man my husband has described would never retreat, Colonel.”
Grunting, he responded, “This enemy is all encompassing, young lady. It corrupts the stoutest of souls and weakens the most powerful of intellects. You can’t defeat it, only limit its scope. Even then, that resistance isn’t a matter of morals, muscles, or superior firepower. All of those things mean nothing when fighting my so-called beast.”
Pausing for a moment to adjust his cane, the Colonel’s gaze fell on Bishop lying in the bed. A shadow of pain crossed behind his eyes before he continued. “The person who holds the office of the president is the most powerful man on earth. That word ‘powerful’ is correct by so many definitions; military might, economic potential, social influence – it’s really the king of the human-hill… the pinnacle of accomplishment for mankind. In the history of our species, there have been other, similar positions. Their titles might have been different - King, Emperor, Kahn… it really doesn’t matter. When there is a single role for any human being that wields that much power, the beast raises its mighty head and lays waste.”
“Power corrupts, Colonel. Is that where you’re going with this?”
“No. Again, that concept is too single-dimensional for what really occurs. But, we can talk about this later. Right now, you look exhausted. Why don’t you go lie down on that couch for an hour, and I’ll keep watch over Bishop. I promise to wake you if he moves a muscle.”
Terri looked at her husband l ying beside her. She reached up and brushed his cheek. “Okay, Colonel. I’ll take you up on that offer. Thank you. But be advised, I would like to continue this conversation after I’ve had some rest.”
“Of course we can. ”
An hour later, Terri watched as the Colonel rose to leave, a new understanding of why her husband respected the man so much.
“Colonel, before you go, you said you could hel p me deal with this… this beast thing.”
“It’s very simple, really. You can either withdraw, as I did, or you can fight to limit the size of the beast – reduce its influence. It thrives on mass. If you reduce the size of the buffet, it can’t grow.”
The Colonel turned without further comment and made his way to the hall.
As her mind replayed the Colonel’s words, she sensed something was different. The monitor sounded the same. Or did it?
Sighing loudly, she rolled her feet from the couch and took a step toward Bishop. Her eyes were mainly concerned about the monitor, but movement drew her attention. His eyes were open!
“Bishop! Bishop, it’s Terri. Can you hear me, baby?”
The patient’s throat moved, his Adam’s apple bobbing as if he wanted to talk. Terri moved closer, her heart racing but afraid to breathe in case he said something.
“Bishop, can you look at me?”
Her husband’s eyes fluttered for a
Terri’s demeanor changed with the Colonel’s words. After a deep sigh, she said, “You’ll have to forgive me, but I’ve got you pegged on the problem side of the ledger. You can see why, can’t you? Bishop and I would’ve never gotten involved in this whole mess if not for your relationship with the previous president.”
“Yes, I can see how easy it would be to connect those dots if I were in your place. Did Bishop explain why I had a relationship with the previous Commander in Chief?”
Terri shook her head, “No.”
“Let’s just say my reaction to staring the beast in the eye was to withdraw… to retreat.” A harsh look crossed the man’s eyes, his focus moving to the floor. “It might be more accurate to say I ran and hid.”
A man like the Colonel admitting to running or hiding from anything renewed Terri’s interest. While she didn’t know the man sitting across from her all that well, Bishop had always painted a picture of an ultra-brave, incredibly tough individual - a man who had never sampled the stench of fear.
“The man my husband has described would never retreat, Colonel.”
Grunting, he responded, “This enemy is all encompassing, young lady. It corrupts the stoutest of souls and weakens the most powerful of intellects. You can’t defeat it, only limit its scope. Even then, that resistance isn’t a matter of morals, muscles, or superior firepower. All of those things mean nothing when fighting my so-called beast.”
Pausing for a moment to adjust his cane, the Colonel’s gaze fell on Bishop lying in the bed. A shadow of pain crossed behind his eyes before he continued. “The person who holds the office of the president is the most powerful man on earth. That word ‘powerful’ is correct by so many definitions; military might, economic potential, social influence – it’s really the king of the human-hill… the pinnacle of accomplishment for mankind. In the history of our species, there have been other, similar positions. Their titles might have been different - King, Emperor, Kahn… it really doesn’t matter. When there is a single role for any human being that wields that much power, the beast raises its mighty head and lays waste.”
“Power corrupts, Colonel. Is that where you’re going with this?”
“No. Again, that concept is too single-dimensional for what really occurs. But, we can talk about this later. Right now, you look exhausted. Why don’t you go lie down on that couch for an hour, and I’ll keep watch over Bishop. I promise to wake you if he moves a muscle.”
Terri looked at her husband l ying beside her. She reached up and brushed his cheek. “Okay, Colonel. I’ll take you up on that offer. Thank you. But be advised, I would like to continue this conversation after I’ve had some rest.”
“Of course we can. ”
An hour later, Terri watched as the Colonel rose to leave, a new understanding of why her husband respected the man so much.
“Colonel, before you go, you said you could hel p me deal with this… this beast thing.”
“It’s very simple, really. You can either withdraw, as I did, or you can fight to limit the size of the beast – reduce its influence. It thrives on mass. If you reduce the size of the buffet, it can’t grow.”
The Colonel turned without further comment and made his way to the hall.
As her mind replayed the Colonel’s words, she sensed something was different. The monitor sounded the same. Or did it?
Sighing loudly, she rolled her feet from the couch and took a step toward Bishop. Her eyes were mainly concerned about the monitor, but movement drew her attention. His eyes were open!
“Bishop! Bishop, it’s Terri. Can you hear me, baby?”
The patient’s throat moved, his Adam’s apple bobbing as if he wanted to talk. Terri moved closer, her heart racing but afraid to breathe in case he said something.
“Bishop, can you look at me?”
Her husband’s eyes fluttered for a
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