Episode 19

The reporter wandered toward the window and glanced out. The familiar view had gone. Huge tower blocks stood proudly in the brilliant sunshine, as cars moved along the multi lane freeways.

“This just gets weirder and weirder.”

As he scanned the towers, he noted the huge posters that hung down the sides.

“You must be joking. Kevin as leader?”

Ben closed the curtains and turned at once.

“I have had enough of this crazy world. Time to leave for safer climes.”

He grabbed his coat and slammed the door shut behind him. Noting the lift, he stepped inside and punched the button marked ‘G.’

The lift descended rapidly, depositing him upon the ground floor. He marched out, trying to ignore the many spy cameras.

When he reached the walkway, a darkly clad police officer walked by.

The reporter spotted the holster and shuddered with distaste.

Ben raised an arm and managed to hail one of the many taxis. Climbing aboard he started to sweat.

“Where to sir?”

“Montreal please.”

Ben had expected the driver to simply drive off, but this did not
happen.

“I cannot take you that far.”

Ben was astonished and said so.

“What do you mean?”

“Montreal is forbidden territory sir. Perhaps an arcade would be a better idea.”

“I don’t want a ruddy arcade mate! I need to get back to normality.”

The driver gave him a peculiar look.

“Normality is whatever our leader says it is sir.”

“Just when did he come to power?”

“Around a year ago sir. Now may I suggest another destination?”

Ben lost his temper fully this time and grabbed the driver by his short hair.

“Look mate. Either you take me to Montreal or I’ll drive the damn taxi myself!”

The driver shook himself free and thumped a dashboard button. Almost at once, an alarm klaxon sounded and the doors locked with a loud click.

“Hey, let me out.”

The driver stepped out as an officer came running.

“What’s up?”

The driver pointed toward his unstable passenger.

“He is being abusive and insists on reaching banned territory.”

“Does he indeed? I’ll call in back up.”

Ben struggled to free himself as a panda car drew up.

“Oh damn it.”

The doors suddenly unlocked and the reporter found himself staring into the barrel of a handgun.

“You are coming with us sir.”

Realising the futility of resistance, Ben raised his hands and stepped out. After being roughly cuffed, he was thrown into the rear of the patrol car and taken to the downtown station.

Ben watched the grim scenery passing by, as he sat up and tried to work out his game plan.

“When we get to this station of yours, I need to see a detective Harris.”

The two officers grinned at each other but said not a word. After pulling into the lot, he was manhandled outside and dragged inside the charging area.

Ben recognised the desk sergeant and smiled happily.

“I really don’t know what this is about.”

The officer slapped him hard and hissed, “Just keep your mouth shut.”

“What is he being charged with?” the officer asked.

“Abusive behaviour sir.”

“Put him in cell four then.”

Ben was dragged down the opposite corridor and after being un-cuffed, thrown through the open door. He hit the tiles hard, as the door was slammed shut.

“Talk about police brutality.”

“You should think yourself lucky.”

Ben recognised the familiar voice and scrambled to his feet.

“Harris?”

“You know me then?”

Ben nodded wildly.

“I’m your best mate. What are you doing in here?”

The dishevelled man looked at him vacantly.

“You have me at a disadvantage mate. You see, we have never met.”

“Never mind then. My question remains though.”

Harris stood and began pacing the floor.

“I was a detective until the squad charged me with perjury after the trial fell through. What are you in here for?”

“Abusive behaviour. The driver refused to take me to Montreal.”

“That’s not too surprising mate. Damn stupid thing to do.”

“I seem to agree with you,” Ben said.

“If only I could get to that informer.”

“You were set up?”

Harris glared at him.

“I have never been bent. Those documents were forgeries.”

“Sounds like you were done up like a kipper.”

“A long career flushed down the pan for a creep like that,” the former detective muttered.

Ben sat upon the lower bunk and felt something hard underneath.

“Must be the porta-loo.”

Harris turned as Ben reached underneath.

“Would you believe it? Plastic explosive.”

“How did that get there?” Harris asked.

“No point asking me mate. I have a long quibble with so called reality.”

Ben reached beneath the bunk for a second time and found a small detonator.

“Fancy a jail break?”

Harris nodded and said, “You better be quick. If those guards find this...”

Ben placed the explosives against the upper exterior wall and inserted the detonator. He quickly set it to a ten-second sequence and stepped back.

“If the blast does not kill us, then nothing will my friend.”

When the explosives went up the blast was not as powerful as Ben feared. The exterior wall collapsed and they dashed into the open air.

“Come on,” Harris yelled as they ran into the parking lot.

When they opened the doors, Ben was not too surprised to see a set of keys.

“Head north for the hills,” he suggested. “We can hide there.”

Without argument, Harris started the motor and booted them onto the main road. At high speed, the vehicle manoeuvred through the traffic before reaching the northern freeway without incident.

“We will have to ditch this,” Harris said as they pushed beyond the town limits.

“No worries there. Take the next left.”

Harris spotted the sign and swung the wheel savagely. The car sped onto the side road before slowing down, as they reached the incline.

“I never thought that me and you would be on the run,” the reporter commented.

“We are not free yet. My old mates don’t give up that easily.”

He spotted the lay-by and pulled in before cutting the ignition.

“See those thick pine trees?”

“Perfect cover,” Ben replied as they leapt out.

The new friends ran together into the forest, trying to put maximum distance between themselves and any pursuers. Harris spotted a thick outcrop of rock in the near distance and headed straight for it.

“That is far too open,” Ben warned.

“When I was a boy I did caving. Over that rise lies a warren of tunnels. Now come on and don’t argue.”

The reporter shrugged his shoulders and ran after the retreating figure. He had just reached the outcrop, when the air was filled with a loud whirring noise.

“Copters,” Harris yelled.

“What?”

Ben saw his friend scramble across the open rocks toward the summit of the rise before the rattle of gunfire pinned him down. He ducked back as Harris rolled toward him, his bullet-ridden corpse bleeding profusely.

“Oh damn it mate!”

A sudden silence descended and Ben glared toward the bluish sky. The copter had gone, apparently satisfied with its day’s work.

As Ben turned to scramble toward the safety of the cave, the scene faded. Ben was more than surprised as he found himself falling onto wet, green, grass.