The next morning was as hot and humid as the previous, perhaps even more. The weather wasn’t helping with anxiety levels. People had to sleep with their windows open. With no air conditioning, the stagnant hot air gathered inside their homes quickly. Even the open windows offered little relief during the night. Any breeze we had during the day died with the sun each evening. There wasn’t much sleep for me.
The neighborhood was quiet. The only activity I could see was Scott, Betty, Chad and Brent preparing for their journey. When Scott kick started the older machines, the noise cut through the otherwise quiet vicinity like a bomb blast. I knew the roaring engines would bring more people outside. I just hoped they weren’t so anxious after a decent night’s sleep. The minute I saw Alexis stick her head out her front door, I knew that was wishful thinking.
“Are they really leaving?” Alexis shouted at me in disbelief. I could only nod her direction. Her door closed quickly as she retreated back into her sanctuary to find Jim. Not a good start to the day.
I stood in the driveway collecting my scattered, strewn thoughts. First, I needed to get to the city offices and see what they knew. Secondly, I needed to figure out food storage. I knew for a fact some of the stuff in my refrigerator was already bad. Some could be saved, but a lot had to go. Maybe while I was out I could grab some ice. Oh, and water too. Lord only knew how long my water would last.
I grabbed all the cash I had in the house, $82.50. Not much, but it had to be enough. I hoped the convenience store across from City Hall was still open, in some manner at least. I’d get what I could there, and if needed I could always try the grocery store a mile or so down Main Street. I could only imagine how picked over the store would be by this point. I could always grab extra canned fruits and vegetables to help ride the storm out. Canned pink salmon, as well. I read somewhere once it could last for ten-plus years in its can.
More people were out this morning as I made my way cross-country to Main Street and City Hall. People looked just like my neighbors, dazed and confused. Calm and order still seemed to rule the day, so that made me happy. I honestly thought at that moment we could ride out this plague, no matter how long it took. As long as we all stuck together and helped one another we’d be fine. Looking back that was a crucial mistake. It delayed my leaving by days, many days.
When I got close to City Hall, I couldn’t believe the swarm of humanity. There were people everywhere. Calm was not ruling the day outside this building. People were angry, people were crying, people were in a complete state of disbelief.
“It’s a bunch of bullshit, that’s what it is,” I heard one angry middle-aged man yell as he walked away from the brown brick building. “They don’t have any answers, none!” He shouted his discontent as he left. I elbowed my way, nicely, through the crowd to look at the single sign hanging on the front door. My heart sank.
We are experiencing power outages on the eastern side of the Twin Cities at this time. We recommend everyone stay home and remain calm. We hope to have some power restored soon.
That was it? Are they joking? How about defining soon? I pulled on the doors; locked. I peered in the window, but it was pitch black inside so I couldn’t see anything. I closed my eyes and thought hard. The role of government is to help its citizens in times of need and help maintain order. So far they were failing the first part of that ideal. And order was quickly falling apart outside these hallowed halls. They needed to do something.
I turned and headed for the convenience store. Maybe someone would have answers there. As I walked across the street, Scott’s words rang loudly in my head. If they can’t or won’t explain what happened, they’re not telling you what you need to know. More plainly stated, if they’re not helping you, they aren’t going to help you. Run for your life people!
I’m not sure what I expected to find at City Hall. I’d hoped for more information, something solid I could pass along to my neighbors. The city’s vagueness left me worried. Maybe if I could find a cop they’d have news, something more substantial than the obvious malarkey I’d just discovered. I looked in a full circle, but I found no police present. None. I scanned over next door at the police station. No cars were there either. I shook my head. What did I expect to see? If they had been on patrol when the power went out, their cars had died in place. This made me feel a little better.
I decided to check in at the cop shop before hitting the store. It seemed no one else had considered this tactic, as I was the only one headed in that direction. I felt my heart sink when I pulled on the door; locked. This door was never to be locked. Inside the police office, it was as dark as the City Hall building. This window was absent of any sign to provide their citizens with comfort. The police station closed? That didn’t make any sense.
I jogged over toward the store. A number of people were coming and going from the many stores in this part of town. Perhaps some of the merchants were open adding to the sense of community for all to see. That was my hope. As I got closer to the convenience store, I saw an ominous sign. One I would have never expected to see.
Three men sat out front guarding the entrance. Each man held a gun of some sort. A gun, most likely loaded, for all to see. Visions of the Old West ran through my mind.
As I got closer, one of the men rose. “How can I help you today, sir?” I recognized him as one of the owners. The other two looked like brothers or cousins.
“Just came by to make a few purchases. Are you open?” I was careful not to get too close. Getting shot was not on my to-do list.
He nodded. “Got cash?”
I nodded.
“Show me.” I held up the four twenties and two ones for him to see. “Okay, you can go in.” He opened the door for me.
“If you don’t mind me asking, what’s with the guns?”
He smiled. “Need to protect what’s ours for as long as we can. In case you haven’t noticed, things aren’t so good right now.”
I showed my understanding with a quick nod. “Got any water left?” It seemed like a reasonable question.
He shook his head. “City came and took every last bottle late yesterday. Said they were stockpiling it for the citizens, in case we need it.” He laughed. “Well, it seems to me we need it already. But the city folks aren’t anywhere to be found. So that’s kind of suspicious.”
I could only agree. “Did they at least pay you for it?”
He looked at his gun mates and back at me. Something told me this wasn’t good. “Gave us vouchers for it. Said when everything was back up and running they’d run a check over.” He turned his head sideways and spoke right at me. “Think we’re ever gonna see that money bud?”
I could see his point. “Well, I’ll just grab whatever you have and get back home.” I walked through the open door. Except for two attendants, there was no one else inside.
“Got cash? We aren’t taking any credit cards right now,” a teenage girl told me sharply. I held my cash up for her to see. She nodded her acceptance.
On a lower back shelf, I found two gallons of distilled water. That would have to do. I grabbed three cans of peaches and two cans of green beans. This wasn’t going to be a wasted trip. I set them on the counter, and the older man stared at me before he spoke.
“Water is $10 per gallon. The cans are $5 a piece. That’s $50 rounded up with tip.” I stared in horror. Price gouging, so soon? He gave me a dirty look. “Most of this will most likely be gone in a day or two. So take it or leave it. I don’t care one way or another, pal.” This was a no-nonsense kind of merchant.
“Can I at least get change for $60?” He shook his head. I went and grabbed two cans of fruit cocktail. “So that’s $60, right?”
He smiled. “At least you learn fast. Most folks have just tried to argue. Waste of their time and mine.” The girl put the cans in a bag while the man stuffed the cash in his pocket.
I had to ask. “Guns out front, admittance with cash only, steep prices; what gives? Don’t you have any sense of community? Wh
at about helping your fellow man? Anything?”
“Have a nice day now, sir. And come back real soon.” He laughed as I left. “Keep hold of your supplies real tight now,” he yelled as I made my getaway. “Rumors are people will be getting desperate pretty soon.” The man had some gall.
I walked home slowly, dejected at the morning events. It had barely been 24 hours and this community – my community – had begun to fall apart. Some people were fleeing. Some people had guns. Some people were ripping off others. No one was getting any answers as to what had happened. Maybe better said – no one was giving any answers. That was the problem. If the populous only had some real information, maybe social order could be restored. A worried public seemed to be an angry public. The heat and humidity didn’t help either.
I discovered Alexis sitting on my front step when I got home. I worried about her. More specifically, her mental health. She needed good news, and I had none to give. She saw me coming and rose to greet me, accost me more likely.
“Well? What did they say at City Hall? What do we know?” I looked down for a moment and decided to hit her with the truth. Nicely, but still the truth.
“Nothing Alexis. We know nothing. It doesn’t seem like they know much more than that.” She looked as if she were about to scream. “The doors were locked and there was a stupid meaningless note out front. Something to the effect they are hoping to have the power restored shortly.” Honesty wasn’t helping.
“So… what? What does that mean? We’re all alone here? Where’s the police? Where’s the National Guard? Where’s help in all of this?”
I grabbed her shaky right hand and spoke directly to her. “Alexis, we have to remain calm. Nothing bad has happened yet. Well, the power is gone, but nothing after that. We need to give it a day or two.” She pulled away from me quickly, crying. I had no comfort for the poor girl.
Chapter 6