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Authors: J. Michael Sweeney
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waiting to hear why you asked me here. What is so important and secretive that you send a rented plane to Mexico City to fly me to this beautiful home in the most god-forsaken portion of the Texas outback?”
Will remained quiet. As the two men stared at each other, Carlos was obviously getting annoyed. Finally, Will broke the silence. “Carlos, I’veasked you here to do me a favor. Not just any favor; this is a monumental favor.”
“So what do you need, my friend?”
“Well, let me give you a little background. We’re not worried about winning the Democratic nomination. But once we match up with President Hughes, we don’t think we’ll fare as well. And since you probably don’t follow my political career all that closely …”
“Ah, but I do, Will. I actually follow your career quite closely,” Carlos said.
“I’m flattered, Carlos, but what I am getting at is that my campaign platforms are consistent with the leadership the American people want. These platforms also identify a relative weakness in the current administration. What I need is some help in accelerating the public awareness of this weakness in an effort to quickly surpass President Hughes in the public opinion polls.”
“And that’s where I come in.”
“Correct. I need your organization to execute a few mishaps resulting in some newsworthy ecological events that will reinforce my current platforms and capitalize on my yet-to-be-announced alliance with David Ellis and his Future State Foundation.”
The room fell silent. The only sounds were coming from outside where the hands on the working ranch were putting an end to another day.
When Carlos finally spoke, his voice was firm and direct. “I’m willing to consider your proposal, but my participation will not come without some reciprocal favors.”
“What about the favor of saving your life in London?” Will asked.
“I will never forget that night, Will. But what you are asking today could jeopardize everything I have worked so hard to build.”
Disgusted, Will responded, “What type of favors would you be looking for?”
“I would like to develop an arrangement where my product shipments find an easier path to my US distributors.”
“You mean I simplify your drug-smuggling operation? You must be out of your fucking mind! An agreement like that flies in the face of everything I stand for and believe. I will not stoop to that level.”
“But you’re willing to stoop to ecological terrorism to get elected. Seems somewhat hypocritical, don’t you think?” Carlos had a slight sneer on his face.
“Fuck off, Carlos. Hundreds of thousands of people, mostly kids, die by your hand each year. My solution is not intended to kill anyone.”
“You’re so naïve, Will. Any disaster of the magnitude necessary to warrant national press coverage will include some incidental human sacrifice. You need big disasters to generate big news. So get tough or stop wasting my time. And just one point of clarification,” Carlos continued. “Drug users die by their own hand, not mine. I’m simply a businessman dealing in the real world of supply and demand. And if I don’t supply it, someone else will.”
Again the ranch house was quiet. “I can’t do it, Carlos. Even if I wanted to, I’m not sure I could.”
“Well, I guess that ends our little reunion,” Carlos said, standing. “I wish you the best in your efforts to become the next US president. Oh, and by the way, if I see an increased effort to crack down on my enterprise while you’re in office, I’ll make sure this private conversation becomes very public.”
Will stared at Pendrill. “Carlos, wait. I’m sure we can work something out. What if we plant one of your key lieutenants on the Drug Enforcement Council? Then you’ll have an insider who will have much more impact than I could have personally. And it also maintains the proper distance between us.”
“That’s an interesting suggestion, Will. Now, you see?
Will remained quiet. As the two men stared at each other, Carlos was obviously getting annoyed. Finally, Will broke the silence. “Carlos, I’veasked you here to do me a favor. Not just any favor; this is a monumental favor.”
“So what do you need, my friend?”
“Well, let me give you a little background. We’re not worried about winning the Democratic nomination. But once we match up with President Hughes, we don’t think we’ll fare as well. And since you probably don’t follow my political career all that closely …”
“Ah, but I do, Will. I actually follow your career quite closely,” Carlos said.
“I’m flattered, Carlos, but what I am getting at is that my campaign platforms are consistent with the leadership the American people want. These platforms also identify a relative weakness in the current administration. What I need is some help in accelerating the public awareness of this weakness in an effort to quickly surpass President Hughes in the public opinion polls.”
“And that’s where I come in.”
“Correct. I need your organization to execute a few mishaps resulting in some newsworthy ecological events that will reinforce my current platforms and capitalize on my yet-to-be-announced alliance with David Ellis and his Future State Foundation.”
The room fell silent. The only sounds were coming from outside where the hands on the working ranch were putting an end to another day.
When Carlos finally spoke, his voice was firm and direct. “I’m willing to consider your proposal, but my participation will not come without some reciprocal favors.”
“What about the favor of saving your life in London?” Will asked.
“I will never forget that night, Will. But what you are asking today could jeopardize everything I have worked so hard to build.”
Disgusted, Will responded, “What type of favors would you be looking for?”
“I would like to develop an arrangement where my product shipments find an easier path to my US distributors.”
“You mean I simplify your drug-smuggling operation? You must be out of your fucking mind! An agreement like that flies in the face of everything I stand for and believe. I will not stoop to that level.”
“But you’re willing to stoop to ecological terrorism to get elected. Seems somewhat hypocritical, don’t you think?” Carlos had a slight sneer on his face.
“Fuck off, Carlos. Hundreds of thousands of people, mostly kids, die by your hand each year. My solution is not intended to kill anyone.”
“You’re so naïve, Will. Any disaster of the magnitude necessary to warrant national press coverage will include some incidental human sacrifice. You need big disasters to generate big news. So get tough or stop wasting my time. And just one point of clarification,” Carlos continued. “Drug users die by their own hand, not mine. I’m simply a businessman dealing in the real world of supply and demand. And if I don’t supply it, someone else will.”
Again the ranch house was quiet. “I can’t do it, Carlos. Even if I wanted to, I’m not sure I could.”
“Well, I guess that ends our little reunion,” Carlos said, standing. “I wish you the best in your efforts to become the next US president. Oh, and by the way, if I see an increased effort to crack down on my enterprise while you’re in office, I’ll make sure this private conversation becomes very public.”
Will stared at Pendrill. “Carlos, wait. I’m sure we can work something out. What if we plant one of your key lieutenants on the Drug Enforcement Council? Then you’ll have an insider who will have much more impact than I could have personally. And it also maintains the proper distance between us.”
“That’s an interesting suggestion, Will. Now, you see?
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