Paul Davis’ Story

The pain and anger I felt at those words, hit me so hard for a while I could only see red. I wanted to hunt down the man or men responsible for the explosions and kill them. I have never felt hate and rage so strong at anything, it was overwhelming. My wife and child were both murdered.

The nurse looked at me sadly and then left the room. I let out a savage yell that was so loud two other nurses came running in to see what was wrong.

I recovered, but it took me a couple months. I did the only thing I could think to do: return to work. In my absence things changed. Both of our interns had left and a new one, Alexis took their place. Jake looked like he put on a couple of years and hugged me when he saw me, telling me that I was missed and he’s glad I’m fine. I decided to give the radio station a new direction and proposed it to the Boss.

“Hey, Boss, I’ve got an idea. Jenna inspired me to do it actually, and I would like your permission to do through with it.”

The Boss tilted his head curiously. “Yeah? What is it?”

I coughed. “Well, for most of my life with her, she was a pillar of hope for me. She’s the one that pulled me through all the troubled times I’ve had and she kept telling me to ‘never give up’ and I thought, maybe I could continue that using the radio station. There may not be much hope left for the United States, but there’s still hope that we can be united and have law. I’m not about to let some murdering organization keep that dream from happening. I want to keep the hope for our future alive.”

The Boss smiled. “You got it, Paul. Go for it. If anyone can do this it’s you. Just don’t embarrass me OK?”

I nodded. “Got it.”

When I made it to the mics, Jake shook my hand. “It’s good to have you back, Paul, I’m sorry about what happened.”

I smiled sadly. “It’s not your fault, Jake. You ready to begin this show?”

He looked at me incredulously and all those years faded away. “Ready? I was born ready.”

I laughed. “Good lets do this.”

“And we’re on the air. Hello folks, this is Jake here and can we have a welcome back cheer for Paul Davis?” Jake waited a few moments. “I can’t hear you.”

“Jake, of course you can’t hear them.”

Jake hushed me. “Alright folks, it’s time for the Paul Davis Show!”

I smiled and lightly punched Jake’s shoulder. “Yeah, you heard right folks, I’m back, and boy do I have something for you…”

That’s how I began my campaign for order and unity. My campaign for hope. I didn’t experience any more explosions or shootings. I didn’t find another girl. I didn’t fight in any wars. I did, however, give the people the hope they needed to survive this and create a new and better order.

Paul Davis’ Story

I was on my way to work when suddenly there was a roaring sound and my car flipped over. For a moment I thought I was dreaming still, but reality hit me when the car hit the ground. Pain spiked across my chest and neck as whiplash twisted my neck in ways it shouldn’t and the seat belt tightened against me. I lost my breath and began to see spots. Only one phrase went through my head: what happened? It took me several minutes to gather myself, but I noticed that my left side felt a lot hotter than my right, and I turned my head to face that side only to see the remains of a building and several flaming cars. Sirens, I could hear sirens in the distance. My seat belt pinched uncomfortably against my chest and I fumbled to free myself from its grasp. Bad choice. Pain surged anew when I landed on my back on the ceiling of my car. I spent the next several minute laying there analyzing the situation I was in.

“What on earth happened?” I said aloud, not that I expected to get an answer right away.

There was no way that the Knights could have extended their reach this far. No way. Some sirens got closer and others got farther away. Did this happen in other places? A splash of water hit me as firefighters began to do their jobs. Soon, I was extracted from the remains of my car and rolled into an ambulance.

“Sir, can you tell me your name?” A concerned female voice asked. I couldn’t see who it was because my neck wouldn’t move, because of the brace they put it in.

“Paul Davis,” my voice sounded a little hoarse.

I was then bombarded with a bunch of questions dealing with my address, phone number, and some medical questions. I answered them all by the time that I arrived in the hospital. Again the question. “What happened?” It felt like somebody else was speaking using my mouth, but I knew I was the one asking the question.

“Sir, you were in an explosion.” An explosion? That’s what happened?

My brain sluggishly put two and two together and by the time I made it to the room I was supposed to be in I figured it out. Then other questions haunted me. How many people died? Were there other explosions or was the one I was in the only one? How did they get here? Why? The explosion seemed completely random, almost as if there were no purpose. Why Meredith, New Hampshire of all the places to bomb? It’s only a tourist town.

The doctors put me through some tests and came to the conclusion that I had a minor concussion and a few dozen contusions all over my body and major whiplash. They decided to put me under watch just in case the injuries I sustained were worse than believed. From what I heard only three other people survived the same explosion and one of them wasn’t going to make it through the night. I called into work and told Vic, our other intern, to tell the Boss I was in the explosion today and would not be able to show up to work. After that, I turned on the television to the news.

“And recently today, in Meredith, Concord, Plymouth, and other towns and cities there have been dozens of bombings all over. From reports we’ve received from the police and other emergency response personnel, the explosions probably originated from the Knights of Discord. Casualties are very high and damage is reaching the millions-” I turned it off. Dozens of explosions. Deaths and damage. Right here, in my home and my state. There’s nowhere in the United States that’s safe from the Knights. When I get out of here, I’m taking Jenna and we’re leaving the country. I don’t know where, but I want to live someplace safe with my wife and child.

“Mr. Davis?” A nurse peeked into my room from the entrance.

“Yes?”

She timidly entered the room. “Sir, we tried calling the number you gave us, but the line was dead. Um, and we checked the address, and that’s one of, um, the locations that were bombed. When the ambulances arrived, um, they found your wife, but she, uh, she was dead.”

Anything else she had to say was lost to me. After those last three words came out of her mouth, my pain and emotions exploded and everything around me became insignificant. The pain was so powerful, I could only stare with ungodly disbelief at the ceiling as if that could reverse time and undo everything that just happened. There was nothing more I wanted to do than go back in time and back to home and save her.

Paul Davis’ Story

After his announcement, news stations all over began to talk about how the government declared Vincent DeMoore as their most wanted criminal and a threat to society as a whole. Shortly after that declaration, rumors of fights between Knights of Discord all over the states and government establishments spread all over. For all I know, the world might as well have blown up then and there. I tried to preach safety and order, but the more I did so, the more things seemed to go crazy. I was struggling against some overwhelming force and I wasn’t going to give up anytime soon.

Within a month I spoke about how the Knights of Discord gained the Dakotas as territories and the US Military was being forced back. The worst part was the reports of troops firing upon innocent civilians not knowing the difference between them and the Knights. Naturally, the government and military got all the blame, and I couldn’t help but agree that they should have been more careful, but I also had no idea what was happening over there despite all the reports I was receiving and talking about. Many of our listeners had varying opinions on the Knights still, some loved them, others feared, and many still had no idea what to think. I knew I was in the third crowd.

One day, after work my wife and I decided to take a walk in our favorite park.

I started our conversation there with. “I read a letter from a woman who lost her sister and husband to the military. I wanted to talk about it, but I couldn’t find a good way to begin. The letter was so powerful, sad, and angry. I hope she finds some peace somehow.”

Jenna gripped my hand tightly. “She will. It seems like the world has gone crazy, but it just hasn’t hit us yet. We still have children playing in the playground over there, and kids in the skateboard arena having fun. Life here hasn’t changed much, but I can’t help but feel that is going to change.” She put her free hand on her stomach. “I hope things don’t change so badly that it ruins this one’s future.”

I squeezed her hand. “I’ll do everything I can to make sure our child has a perfect life. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure nothing bad happens here.”

We kissed a long and beautiful kiss. Every emotion I had, positive and negative, rose into my heart. I felt angry at the Knights for their timing and their destructive means. I was angry at the government for not serving the people like it should have, therefor preventing the Knights from existing in the first place. I wanted a safe place for my wife and child to live, and it began to feel like the world was turning hostile against us. I would do anything to make sure that would happen, even move out of the states.

Paul Davis’ Story

That speech I pulled left me with so much energy I carried the rest of the show with little issue. Jake was clearly thankful that I pulled myself together. After the show was finished the Boss gave me a pat on the back and a “Good job, son”, then I left for home. Nothing could have prepared me for the next day at work.

This next day started off like a normal one, except for one call:

“This is Vincent DeMoore, from… Minnesota,” I announced quite surprised at contact from a silent state.

“Hello, Paul, thank you for having me.” His calm voice sent a chill up my spine. “Hello, public of the United States of America, I am the leader of the Knights of Discord. Many of you may be wondering why I am doing what I am doing, and many others have suffered a great loss because of my organizations actions.”

Jake interjected. “So you admit responsibility to the deaths of the soldiers in Minneapolis?”

The chilling calm voice said. “Yes. The losses are regretful and I am sorry for all of the losses incurred, but they are not uncalled for.” His voice then began to ascend to a more passionate tone. “Those soldiers sacrificed their lives for a cause, our cause. The government isn’t working and the corruption within it is rotting away at everything. If these terrible policies do not change you all will suffer for it, and not because of us. We are no terrorists, we do not want to kill anyone, but what we do we do because we must.”

I glared. “Why must you do this? Why not use political means to change the government? That’s what democracy is for isn’t it?”

“Democracy is… broken. Broken by the very people that are in power now. What they do in those seats is only so they can keep sitting there, they don’t ‘serve the people’ they serve themselves, and those in power will do anything to stay there. I must do this because I tried to no avail to use political means and after five years of trying and trying I have had enough. Congress, the White House, the Pentagon, even the military. All of it must be torn down and rebuilt from the bottom up. Once a sturdy foundation is built then things will begin to improve.”

I couldn’t believe it. “But why? What is your motive, it must be something more than just changing the government?”

I could hear his smile. “Good questions, always asking the right ones. You want the answer? It is justice. I am Justice. Justice for the people who have been wronged by the government. Justice for the people that have been failed by the government. The government won’t fix itself because it has become lazy and arrogant, but the people will rise up and tear it down. All for the sake of justice. You think we only have Minnesota and pieces of our neighboring states? Think again our reach extends everywhere, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. If the government won’t serve the people, the people will serve themselves. Goodbye.”

I looked at Jake as Vincent hung up his phone. “He certainly doesn’t lack for passion.”

Jake nodded. “Yeah. Or sanity.”

Paul Davis’ Story

The lines were ringing off the hook. Every one of our listeners demanded more, had insights, or just wanted to hear their own voices. We didn’t have any more, and the insights were getting repetitive: “I support the Knights”, “What they’re doing is wrong”, and so forth. I’m not even going to talk about that third group. Jake and I tried to appease the masses, but the shock of the Sargent’s death had hit us hard. Eventually, we stopped the show and began to play music. I then took the scenic route home.

It was there I began to truly shut down. Jenna had made me tea for when I got there, but I didn’t drink it. I just went to my bed in a haze and laid there with my thoughts jumbling around. Never had I ever experienced a death on my show. “First for everything,” I heard myself say. I didn’t want to admit it, but everything I thought the Knights wouldn’t do, they did, and all of my predictions and thoughts had been wrong in the worst way. I felt guilty for my denial. I began to wonder, how many families lost someone today? My heart ached.

“You want to talk?” Jenna had been standing at the doorway while I thought.

“I don’t know what’s to talk about,” I rolled to face her and almost fell off the bed. “You listen to my show, right? That just about says it all. People died and I feel horrible about it.”

She rolled me onto my back and straddled me. “It’s not your fault, you know. Feeling guilty about their deaths won’t bring them back, and it won’t help you either.”

I closed my eyes. “I know. There must be something I can do though,  something.”

After I opened my eyes, I saw Jenna’s beautiful smile. “You can: keep going on with the show. You can help people by informing them on what’s going on and giving them a vent to share their thoughts and knowledge. If you can, you give them something to hope for.”

“Something to hope for.”

She nodded. “Yes.” She then leaned over me and whispered into my ear. “I have another reason for you to keep doing your show: I’m pregnant.”

I blinked. “You’re? I’m, I’m going to be a father?”

That beautiful smile, I broke into tears of joy. This was something we had been trying for years, and finally, I was going to be a father.

She kissed me and I returned the favor with a passion. For a while we just held each other, kissing, exploring each other’s bodies, loving, saying sweet nothings. The rest of the world was forgotten in that blissful moment, and I was happy. Because of an unfortunate accident she had as a child, the doctors had told us that having a child was more than likely impossible, but now we accomplished a miracle. Tomorrow, I would announce to the world that I am going to be a father.

The next few days were peaceful, and aside from the celebration of my wife’s pregnancy, nothing else happened. Then the casualty report arrived.

“Hello, listeners, this is Paul Davis of 102.9 WWLK speaking, and we have finally gotten what seems to be the casualty report of the apparent bombings that happened in Minneapolis.”

Jake pipped up. “That’s right folks. Initial reports say that more than three hundred soldiers were killed in the bombings that happened there including the death of Sargent Victoria Weis.”

“I would like to give up a moment of silence for the families that lost their loved ones that day.”

That minute was agonizingly slow, but it went by and I emotionally sent my regards to all the families that suffered because of the Knight’s of Discord attacks. I knew what it was like to lose someone close to you; my brother died in a car accident when I was twelve. Being young and stupid, I blamed myself for his death, but eventually we all pulled through. Now here I was, the old scars resurfaced into my life for the first time in a decade.

After the minute was up, Jake started up again in a muted voice. “There are about a hundred more troops missing, and after the first day of the explosions the commander-in-chief of that excursion called for a retreat back to the border to prevent further losses.”

I wasn’t going to let this put me down anymore. “This was a terrible loss, but we still can survive this. We live in an ever changing world, and new obstacles rise up against us. This is no different. I know some of you listeners support what the Knights of Discord are doing, but there are also those of you that are afraid of what might happen. Fear is OK, but you shouldn’t let it rule your lives. We have people that we’re responsible for, loved ones we have to take care of, and even if the Knights of Discord get what they want and change how the government is ordered, so be it, but we will continue living. Continue caring about our loved ones. Continue on as a country. Hope is still there, and in the midst of this chaos there is order, we just have to make it for ourselves if no one else will do it.”

Paul Davis’ Story

The next few days were a blur as nothing new came out of the Knights of Discord discussion even though that was all we were talking about. Until one day at work.

“So it seems the military is finally being called into Minnesota and Wisconsin to bring some order to the place,” Jake announced as soon as we were on the air.

I smirked. “Well, it’s about time the government decided to take action and shut this down. Have we got anything else on this yet, Jake?”

Jake shook his head. “No, but I’m curious what the locals in the area think of what’s going on. With troops coming in there must be some unrest, and what happens if the Knights decide to take action directly against them? And what if the Knights cause more damage than you think they could do?”

“That would be a shame, wouldn’t it? I don’t think that will happen. In fact now that the government has taken some action maybe these activists will turn tail and run.”

Jake gave a wolfish grin. “I don’t know, these people have a cause and people that truly believe in that cause will fight for it to the death. We’ve seen it in other countries, and it’s even happened here a couple times. You know in a couple things called the Revolution and the Civil War.”

Alright, I couldn’t argue with that logic. Jake had some pretty good points. “Yeah, with that logic I suppose there’ll be some fighting.”

Kassie quickly came into the studio and gave me a sheet of paper. It was a military report written by the commander-in-chief of the operation into Minnesota. It discussed the reason why no one got any communications from anyone in the state.

I moved my chair closer to the mic and quietly said. “OK folks, I’ve got some news on why the police force in Minnesota stopped communications with their neighbors. There aren’t any police left there apparently. After entering Minneapolis, the main force of troops sent to investigate found the city entirely vacated.”

“Weird, don’t you think Paul?” Jake injected.

“Yes, weird indeed. Forces began to explore the city, and found nobody and even supermarkets and food shops were emptied of supplies. Walmart buildings in the area were similarly empty. No sign of a struggle or anything.”

“Think they were in on it?” Jake’s tone reflected his snarky sarcastic attitude.

I shrugged. “I’m not sure, but I hope we find out soon enough. We have a call from a soldier in the area. Sargent Victoria Weis, what have you to say about the vanished population and resources in Minneapolis right now?”

“I’m not sure, something feels off. An entire city of people doesn’t just vanish overnight. I have a feeling that some real s— is about to go down soon, and I really don’t want that to happen. We have orders to keep an eye out for anything suspicious, but I’m not sure what suspicious is anymore, because this whole deal is suspicious.”

“What can you say about the raided department stores and market places?” Jake asked.

“That just takes the cake. I mean, there was no sign of a struggle or anything. The video feeds were all turned off before the stores were empty, so we have no idea what happened. The biggest question I have about that is where does one move all of that food and supplies? Hold on a sec, something’s going on. We found a civilian, I’ll be right back.”

I heard the Sargent put the receiver down and there was some noise and yelling. Then an explosion and then static took over the speakers on our end and I fell out of my set with a yelp. Jake just sat there for a while and stared at the speakers for a few seconds before he disconnected the line. The silence following afterwards hurt. Without doubt, my beliefs again were proven wrong, and the Knights of Discord did exactly what I thought they wouldn’t do. I could only imagine what was going on at the other end of the line, and my gut told me that Sargent Weis was dead along with whatever troops were at her location. Then there was that civilian. Was he a part of the Knights of Discord; what part did he have in the explosion that took out our connection? I suppose we’ll never know about that.

Jake was the first to regain his composure, sort of. “Well, uh, we just lost our connection with the Sargent. Um, I hope everything is good on her end, whatever happened over there didn’t sound pleasant, but we can hope something good came out of this.”

I got back in my seat. “I’m not so sure what there is to say about what just happened. I’m pretty sure I heard an explosion before the static, generally explosions aren’t good things, Jake.”

Jake coughed. “No, no, explosions generally aren’t good.”

“And now for a commercial break.”

Paul Davis’ Story

Here’s for the next chapter of Paul Davis’ Story:

The next several days at work I talked about the Knights of Discord and the possibilities of their actions. I maintained my conviction that the government would shut them down if they got too rowdy. About a week went by of the same thing over and over. I wanted to move on to more pressing news, like the congressional elections that would be happening in six months, but the Boss told me to “maintain course” like a ship’s captain.

More pressing news happened during one of my broadcasts with Jake.

“We can probably expect these Knights to fade out like so many other movements that have happened in the past,” I was saying.

Jake received some papers from our intern Kassie, scanned them, and began to announce. “Well, I’d agree with you Paul if I didn’t just get this interesting piece of news. Apparently officials in the neighboring states of Minnesota have publicly announced a loss of contact with the police force in Minnesota. I’m pretty sure that this is a move made by our one and only Knights of Discord.”

“Perhaps this will wake the sleeping giant called our government, and they’ll send in someone to check this out.”

“Whoa, I’m not done, Paul. There are also reporting’s of vandalism upon government property including court houses, mailboxes, the post offices, and even the capitol building in Wisconsin. Somebody’s making a serious statement here by doing this.”

Just then I received a few papers of my own from Kassie. I scanned them over. The information they contained confirmed and copied what Jake just announced. Also, the National Guard in the area was being called in to lend a hand to the police forces. Finally, the government was stepping in to clean up this issue.

“Well, Jake, that is some substantial news, but also the National Guard has been called into the area to help out the police. What do you think about that?”

“I think, if I were a revolutionary group of anarchists, I’d begin escalation and hope that my cause will rise above all others.”

“We shall see won’t we? I suspect this is the end for the Knights, and they should pack their bags and go home in peace before they go to prison – or worse – in pieces.”

“Well that’s up to them isn’t it? Let’s hear what our listeners have to say about this new set of events.”

“Alright, Fred, from Wisconsin, what do you have to say?”

“Thank you guys for having me. I gotta say it’s scary. I went to work today and seeing the destruction these Knights left at the capitol. It’s scary. If they did this without anyone seeing, then imagine what they can do. If something isn’t done and done fast I can say for sure that these guys aren’t going anywhere soon.”

“Ok, Fred, what exactly did they do to the building and how do you know it’s the Knights that did it?”

“There’s a mess of spray paint graffiti saying ‘the Knights of Discord are here’ and ‘fight the system’ and stuff. It looks like the set fire to several things and left them lying there burning. The front doors were broken down and some of the display cases were broken with their contents either burned or torn to pieces. None of the police or security on duty at the time knew it happened, but I think some of them might actually be secret agents of the Knights.”

This was news, first-hand information. I could tell by the sound of this man’s voice that he was telling the truth and nothing but the truth, and he was scared. I felt a chill run down my spine. I now realized that I have been underestimating the Knights of Discord and that if I continued to do so I would be stupid. There was no way I’d let myself continue to look like an idiot.

“Thank you for this news, Fred,” I said, probably sounding a little stunned. “Now for the opinion of Kaitlin from Virginia. You’re on the air.”

After some more insights onto the Knights of Discord leading to some lengthy chats between Jake, our callers, and I, I finally went home. Jenna had seen some news earlier that day, and it confirmed what Fred had said and that was very uncomfortable. That night we didn’t do anything but watch a movie and go to sleep. I tried to push the thoughts of the Knights out of my mind, but to no avail, because I dreamed about them.

Paul Davis’ Story

As my first post to my blog, I figured I’d post a piece of a work of mine with future parts of it coming up. This is the tale of Paul Davis, a radio show personality of a nationally broadcasting show experiences a rebellion and eventually becomes the only hope for order in the world. So without further ado, enjoy:

“Paul, we’ve got a story for you.”

That’s what I was told when I went to work today. My co-worker and friend, Clark, then directed me to the Boss who told me about this revolutionary group called the Knights of Discord. Anarchists. That’s the best word I can use to describe them. They’re a gathering of people so displeased by the government and it’s catering towards large corporations that they’re starting a revolution. Apparently they want no government and they feel that a violent takeover is the only way to get what they want. Not likely that they’ll succeed. They’re based in Minnesota of all the places! How will anyone take over the government from there?

My co-host, Jake, asked me what I thought of the story; I gave him exactly what I thought. Soon afterwards we were on the air.

“Hello my friends and listeners, this is Paul Davis”

“And Jake Wiles”

“Of 102.9 WWLK and here’s the news for the day: We’ve got a revolution on our hands folks! That’s right, revolution. From what I know many citizens of Minnesota, especially those in the northern lakes region are planning to overthrow the government.”

“Whoa! That can’t be good. And it isn’t, these people want there to be no government, and maybe that might be pushing it a little bit far.”

“That’s right, but you know what I think? I think that this revolution won’t last very long. I think the police and – if they’re needed – the military are going to round up these disgruntled and violently angry people if they get too riled up.”

“Well, Paul, what do you think will happen if these Knights of Discord actually succeed at their goals? Because I’m not sure what to think of this, the government has gotten a bit off track as far as serving the people go.”

“I’m pretty sure they won’t get much further, but if they do then I think – self-serving government or not – this won’t go as far as anarchy. Someone will be able to step in and help bring order and peace to the people. Then we’ll be able to fix the problems we currently have. All we need to do is work together to bring some integrity to the system.”

“Alright, I wonder now what do the listeners think? Kyle of the Windy City, you’re on the air.”

“Um, hi Paul, Jake, I’ve been listening to your show for years now. I love it, thanks for letting me on the air.”

“Thank you, Kyle, what do you think?”

“I think it’s stupid! Trying to overthrow the government? Why haven’t they tried other methods like petitioning the government? I hate it when people go straight to the worst action, when if they just thought about it for a bit they could find a better way.”

“Thank you, Kyle. Now, Julie, from New York, you have some insight?”

“Yes, Paul I do. I think they could do worse. Revolution? Sure it might not be the best option, but I bet that these people feel that this is the only option they have left. If they think they could succeed and make things better for all of us, I say go for it.”

“Yes, thank you. Terry from North Dakota, what’s your opinion?”

“I’m scared. I’ve got two kids and a wife to take care of and now we’ve got revolutionaries? What are the chances that innocents will be involved in this? I don’t want my family to get hurt. I hope the government shuts these guys down before too much happens.”

“I pray that no innocents get involved in this, but I’m confident this will not go far. Thank you, Terry. Next we have Warren of California. What have you to say?”

“Go man go! Viva la revolution! We should put down the stupid feds, they ain’t done nothing good for us. All they been doin’ lately is screwing us good people over. I think the Knights of Discord rock! Peace!”

I winced at that. “Um, OK, thank you for your opinion. Rachel of Maine?”

This went on for about fifteen minutes. The phones rang off the hooks the entire time and we got the full spectrum of what people thought. In the end, about half of the people were for it and the other half weren’t. There were no calls from Minnesota, which I found odd, but then again there were also no calls from Alaska, Florida, or Oregon, and not everyone that calls makes it through.

Thankfully at the end of this Jake said the magic words. “That’s all the callers we can take for today, now for some of your favorite music! Starting off with a new band: the Ever Lost.”

After we took our headsets off, Jake turned to me and grinned. “What do you think of that?”

The only word that came out of my mouth was “Wow”. I bet my face looked stupid because Jake’s grin widened after I said that.

He chuckled and spun in his chair. “The great Paul Davis, awestruck by the Knights of Discord and the opinions of a few dozen people, that’s a new one to me.”

I smiled at that and kicked Jake’s seat. “Shut up, you’ve got your show to run.”

As I got up, he turned to me. “Oh I’m running it.”

I left the studio room saying. “Oh and floss your teeth you’ve got something stuck in them.”

“Can’t fool me,” was what I heard as I closed the door behind me.

The Boss then approached me from out of nowhere, something I had learned to expect from him.

“Great work, Paul! The phones are ringing off the hook. People want to say their piece about the Knights and you’re going to keep covering them.”

I didn’t want it, but when the Boss wants something you keep him happy. It took me a moment to respond, and the response was a pathetic “OK”. OK. There was something condemning about those two letters. I had a bad feeling that the Knights weren’t going to go anywhere soon, and things would spiral out of control in no time. I only can hope that this feeling is wrong.

The Boss wasn’t done talking. “What do you think we should do? Should we keep the opinions coming in? Wait. Don’t answer that. I have an idea: we’re going to take people’s opinions and before advertisements come up were going to air a randomly selected opinion. Paul, I know you usually head out soon, but stay around for a while longer. I want you to listen in on the people and their thoughts.”

I found my voice this time. “Sir, I’ll do it, but I’m not feeling too good about this whole thing. First, you know I don’t think these guys have a chance against the government. Second, this feels all wrong.”

The Boss put his hand on my shoulder. “Relax, it’ll all work out. You’ll see.”

The rest of my day at work, I spent by listening to hundreds of thoughts and opinions on the Knights and the government. When I left, my ears were ringing and my brain pounded angrily against my skull demanding freedom from the stresses of today’s life. I got in my car and made the daily trip back home. I found my way into the kitchen and put a teapot of water on the stove.

“Bad day at work?”

I turned startled toward where my wife, Jenna, stood – correction – leaned against the wall at the base of the staircase up. I stared at the only woman I ever loved.

She smiled. “The great Paul Davis at a loss for words, you must have had a bad day.”

She walked seductively over to me, and we embraced each other. I slid my hand through her long, straight, jet black hair and found myself relaxing.

“A bad day is right.”

I then explained to her the entirety of my day with a mug of hot chamomile tea being the only interruption. She listened like a saint, and only said anything after I was completely done.

“I’m sorry you had such a rough day. I heard about the Knights of Discord and am sorry that you have to be involved with covering them at work. This will get better though. It always does. You can work with the cards you’ve been dealt, just make it something you enjoy, and don’t let it bring you down.”

I smiled, taking her hand. “Thank you, honey. You’re right, I can make this work. In fact I will.”

“Good, because I know you can. Why don’t we watch a movie and then go to bed?”

I nodded and that’s exactly what we did.