Fall Apart

    This is something I started writing on several years ago.   I put it aside for awhile and just found it laying lonely looking in a box.  Even with the pause  I seem to still have written myself into a corner for the time being.  If anyone has any suggestions or thoughts---please share.   Good or bad.   I must warn--this is a very ruff first draft, so pardon the dust!

    I also dug up some old rambling of mine.   One day I sat down and tried to put down enough material for a 20 minute stand up comedy act.  If I ever get the nerve to get up on stage.  Anyways, over time it turned into 40+ pages of random randomness.    So will be adding that in future posts.   Lucky you!   Hope you enjoy the following.   And thanks for reading!!  Like what you see---please add comments or become a follower.  

    ** I have to note here that I worked for a world wide known retail company for eight long years.  I will not mention the name of the company, but it ryhmes with Fall Apart.  Also I intentally have not named the retail company in this story yet--so that  is why the blanks are always added**

FALL APART

    The company had started small but with an definite mission and business plan.  Most people were not even aware of it’s existence at first.   Slowly and surly they rose and became the largest retail stores in the  nation and soon a powering force world wide.  The company started with a Christian foundation and real morals.  Believing that the customer was always right, and that the lowly worker really ran the cooperation.  No worker was nun-needed and each and their ideas was important to advancement of the company.  As stock and sales rose so did the curiosity and anger of other business.  The larger they got the more greedy those at the top got.  Soon money was more important than workers.  New workers were easy to get.  And even the customer was only seen as dollar signs.  They had a lot of enemies worldwide.  And everyone wanted a piece of their cash.  But that only came with being number one.  More top execs were hired to make a better public image and protect themselves from piles of lawsuits.  The company relied on sheer volume for their low prices.  And prices could not be beat. 

      It was mid July 2008 and Stan Malahoy was supposed to be in the midst of his vacation.  Enjoying the time of and getting ready for yet another birthday.  He had earned the time off.  Even asked for the time off, but to much was happening at the downtown office.  Each day so far he had managed to sneak in for just a minute, to check a file or say howdy to a missed co worker.  Yesterday his boss had told him to stay home, or he would be on vacation forever.  Stan enjoyed his job way to much for that.  After four long years working for    part time, he was studying and training for the FBI!  After years of preparation, the day came.  He gathered most of his bosses in an open door meeting, and told them were to stick it.  The next day he started at the bottom, but at headquarters.  It was the happiest day of his life.  He was on the fast track to a long and great career.  And now had four people working under him.  The problem was, no one above him believed in his theory.  Those below him were payed well to believe anything he said.  Stan was desperately trying to find links that would prove he was right.   Everyone in the office was more worried about national security than what he believed could slowly, but surly take down the entire great nations commerce and trading systems.  They were more worried about incoming cargo ships and tall buildings in Montana.  

    He was slowly piecing intelligence reports together.  Too slowly.   He was now searching the Internet for related stories, watching five different news stations, and fine tuning his work station radio, when all channels came alive with breaking news.    “I am Joe Smith, with channel 9 news!  And we have arrived at scene only minutes ago.”  Of what appears to be a massive retail bombing in the heart of Seattle.”  First reports show several bombs were set off within minutes of each other near the middle  of the large structure.  Sam raced out of the kitchen, leaving a trail of Fruit Loops, which greatly excited his faithful German Shepherd, George.  George was initially miffed at nearly being trampled, but now their was free food involved and his master was overly excited for some reason.  His ears perked up.  After eating all the cereal he would investigate. 

    Stan should not be so excited about the news, it could turn out horrible for trailer trash shoppers and thousands of discount loving hippies.  It was Seattle.  But he had been warning his supervisors for twelve months about this threat, and now here it appeared to be on national news.  In fact a click channel surf showed the news was breaking into all TV stations.  Threatening to anger a lot of soap lovers.  He ran to the phone and started dialing headquarters.  Keeping one ear and one eye glued to the television.  Just as the secretary picked up, Joe pops back on the screen as the view goes ariel streaming footage from the channel 9 helicopter.  Smoke is billowing out of a large hole in the middle of the building, but it appears to be a relatively small hole.  Considering.  The building just doesn’t look right  to be a     .   As the camera pans out, you can see a steady stream of flashing lights snaking into the horizon, rushing to the scene.  Sam slams down the phone.  “It appears that the damaged building was in fact an abandoned  turned storage of old fixtures for       for the last two years.   Still damage could have been devastating, if it had happened during rush hour  only minutes away from really starting.  The camera pans out to show the highways on both sides of the building.  “It will still greatly effect your trip to work, glad I am already at the office  ha ha, lets cut to Jenny with the latest traffic report!”

    Randy jerks out of his seat and throws down his hand of non matching nudie cards.  His crew follows as he races down the hallway to the under ground parking structure.  They had been playing Texas Hold Um and only had seen the breaking news by watching Joe pop up on the screen.    He hated Joe.  Randy flies into the drivers seat of news 3 van.  Who worked for channel 3 news?  How many  anchorman had to drive their own vans?   His crew is almost in the van, as he steps on the gas and watches them scramble to lock the sliding door.  He holds out his pass to the attendant as he steps  on the gas again, daring security to not raise the barrier.  It raises just as he gets inches from hitting it, clipping the bottom just a little.  Randy looks in the rear view mirror as he exit’s the garage, the large speed bump sending his co workers bouncing around the roomy ban.  He is almost disappointed none bounce off the high ceiling.  When he hit’s the streets, he slows down some.  Although he now works for a rate C news team, the equipment with him was easily worth $100,000 dollars. 

    Stan is jolted back into reality as his phone rings.  Damn caller ID.  The boss he had just minutes ago hung up on is now calling him.  At least caller id works both ways.  He let the machine pick up and quickly turned down the volume as George jumped from the harsh yelling.  Stan goes back into the other room and waits for the news to go back to something interesting. 

   Randy is driving for all he is worth and starts to shake his head, as he realizes that even the local radio stations have heard about the incident.  This was bad, very bad  they were the last to pick up any news.  He stepped on the gas peddle.  They were only blocks away from the scene.  Randy assures his crew they are almost their, as one of them suddenly gets very large eyes.  It’s almost comical.  “I am not that bad of a dr….. Randy almost his time to utter, as he looks forward just in time to see the channel 9 news team ban directly in front of them.  Brakes squeal.  But not soon enough.  Rand’s head lays to rest on the horn.  Horn blasting.  He is not hurt physically but emotionally it is about to hurt very badly.  Joe is soon at his window, his camera crew at his heals.   He hates Joe.

    The next thing Stan sees on TV is two wrecked news vans.  An increasingly annoying horn sounding in the background.  This case was getting stranger by the minute.  It is also the next and last thing Rand’s boss watches before he puts his foot through the TV   set flinging it off his desk.  The horn is blasting as randy refuses to show his face on screen.  His cell phone starts to ring.  He is trying to recall how up to date his online resume is. 

    Stan is fed up with the news.  Fed up with his boss.  Fed up with himself.  He was on vacation least he forget.  He slowly wandered out to his three car garage.  Only one car was housed in it.  His work car was in the driveway, the rest of his garage was full of boxes.  He should work on cleaning some of them out.  Maybe having a garage sale.  If you have unpacked boxes from a move two years ago, they must be un needed.  Instead he goes straight for one of his most prized possessions.  A cherry red 1964 and a half Mustang sat directly in the middle of his garage.  He started polishing it instantly.  His girl friend had just said last week, that he loved the car far more than her, but he stopped himself before he agreed. 

    Stan had meet her at work five long years ago.  Not that the time with her had been long, if flew by, and he loved every moment of it.  But he was a completely different person now.  Than he had worked at    part time and hated every minute of it.  He had tried almost every position their, never really liking any of them.  But they pay checks kept coming, and he found it was almost imposable to get fired.  Plus he could study while he worked.  He smiled as he recalled how beautiful he though she looked the first time he saw her.  He even pulled some strings to train her as a cashier.  After he caught her staring at him during the first few night motivational meetings.  “Sales are up, pays down, we love this store  blah blah blah    Good god, she is beautiful~  He got to train her as a cashier.  And started by simply saying, do the exact opposite of what I do, and you will go far in this company.”  She looked the best beside him in this car, his arm around her, both smiling under the moons steady glow.  Stan was often told he was attractive but seldom believed it.  Their certainly were better fish in the sea, but his love was true.  He had very strong facial features were very striking and remeberalb    A factor that kept him form undercover work on the street.  He was about 5’8 with short bleached hair, and a rarely freshly shavin face.  He was of medium build, but could plow thorough the obstacle course in record time. 

    He had never married, something Samantha was bringing up a lot these days.  They had of course been involved for five years now, and even he could see that it was time to take it to the next level or move on.  He wasn’t letting her know that though.  Part of his vacation plans involved asking her to marry him.  He already knew the answer, he just wans’t sure how to be overly romantic yet.  At least he wouldn’t have to worry about this bombing or work getting in the way.  “Stupid disgruntled hippies in Seattle.” 

    Stan continued to resist the urge to show just pop in at work again.  He also ignored five more messages from his boss.  He suddenly needed a nap.  George followed diligently behind to the bedroom and for five minutes guarded the door.  Than he snuggled up to his owner and randomly licked his face.

                                         II

    Randy sat at his desk at work online.  Diligently clicking away as if very busy at work.  He was actually on E bay trying to purchase a neck brace.  Not because he hurt, but he though he could gain sympathy at the next job interview.  His secretary smiled as she stood by his desk.  Everyone smiled when they saw him lately.  Maybe because they knew at the moment with him around, their jobs were extra safe.  “Mr Dithers will see you now.  Good luck hun.”  Several news workers yelled dead man walking, as he slowly went to the elevator.  Absently rubbing his neck, if nothing else as practice.  Mr  D as he preferred to be called was sitting on his desk watching a new television laughing hysterically.   The laughing stopped as Randy entered and the set was turned to pause.  Mr D jumped up, “Watch this boy.” He sputters as he slams the play button.  Randy sinks low in his chair as he realizes he is the star.  His van barrels into the other  straight from the news 9 view finder.  “What do you think of that?   Big D asks as he again pauses the action.  Randy starts to blame the old van brakes for the sudden stop.  “Quiet!  I hate to admit it, but you were the most viewed person on TV and the net yesterday.  You and your buddy Joe..”I hate that gu… Randy starts.   As everyone can tell.  I got 89 e mails just this past hour about the crazy driver from news 3!  Many want to know what you will run into next.  Don’t smile to big, you are still paying for the damages, but I think your ratings just kept you  form selling pencils down by the Starbucks  Next time you are that behind on getting a story, you are finished!  Randy lets himself out of the office.  He was day dreaming about adding tougher bumpers to the news van   Joe did survive….

    Stan is desperately scanning every news source he has for updates on the bombing in Seattle.  No group seemed to be claiming blame for the”accident” and he was starting to think it was just that, an accident.  His workers were on the case to, but were digging up lots of nothing.  He was happy that it wasn’t more serious, but it still was depressing to once again think his theories were just dreamed up crap.  He slowly tore himself away from the computer as an alarm went off in the kitchen.  He had a date tonight, and was cooking for Samantha for the first time ever.  Some day soon , after a nice romantic dinner, with dancing and expensive wine, lots of wine, followed by an awesome night.  He would ask her to marry him, but this was not the day.  He was having trouble picking the perfect ring.  Something he could show off her immense beauty too.  He liked that line.  Stan was trying a new dish and he was more than determined not to set the smoke alarms off.  He also did not want to have to call for carry out.  So far the meal was going wonderfully and he had two hours to spare.  He turned the television to picture in picture, with his top two news stations and turned the volume way up as he slowly stripped to hit the shower.  A nice steamy shower before shaving always hit the spot.           

    Wrapped in a well worn towel he headed for the kitchen to check on the meal.  He paused as the mornings happenings flashed on both screens.  First was a replay of the news crew vans encounter from every view possible thanks to all of the crews with cameras abound, set to funny music and a great laugh track.  Then new footage of the bombs actually going off in the closed structure sent in by some alert viewer.  Stan watched as pieces of the roof flew hundreds of feet into the air.  The bombs were not synchronized as their was a slight pause between each explosion, but he counted ten separate blasts.  A more powerful detonation and the building would just be a pile of rubble.  The parking lot was now blanketed in police tape.  Two heavily scruffy young males mugs were plastered on both screens.  They were brothers and last viewed leaving the scene quickly by the same person who had taped the blasts.  The pair was from Seattle and hated major corportains.  They had once been caught trying to sneak into Bill Gates fortress of a home, and had allegedly broken windows at the first Starbucks in Seattle five times.  They were also very popular in the local ELF chapter.  But nothing ever held up in court.  Blah blah blah, still no info from his crew.  Two were on flights to the bombing.  Sam turned on his Tivo and turned off everything in the den.  T-minus 35 minutes till  Samantha was at his door.

      III

    Stan awoke with a start.  Unsure were he was or what was beeping way to loudly.  He had accented the meal with wine, and soon it was flowing very freely.  It was soon determined that the phone was the culprit of all the noise and Stan took a step towards his nightstand.   Unfortunately his legs were still wrapped in the blanket and he went down with a loud thud.  His left hand was still asleep from a long night of sleeping on it, and getting up using that arm was useless.  After the third attempt he just lay on the ground laughing.  Samantha was propped up on one elegant elbow taking in the whole scene, so far succeeding in not laughing.  She had a grin from ear to ear though, which quickly grew as George sensing food, trotted into the bedroom.  He started licking Stan who still tasted like food.  At this point Samantha lost it as her whole face erupted in laughter. 
    The phone had long since stopped ringing.  Their was no message so Stan bowed, as  if the entire episode was planned out.  They both were laughing as he returned to the warmth of all of his covers.  George circled the bed, to make sure no food was dropped.  Sam was soon happily romping through dream land, cuddled up to him, nose pressed against his neck.  What seemed like hours later, but was in all actuality a very short period of time, the phone was again ringing.  This time Stan was more ready for it, he checked his left for obstructions and lunged out of bed.  Knocking over the end table phone and all.  “Hello?”  crackled over the phone several times.  And than a simple “turn on your damn television!”  George returned to the room to make sure no food particles feel out of Stan’s pockets as he fell, and to continue licking his face.  Stan paused to kiss Samantha on the sweet forehead after he noticed she wasn’t even sturing from the previous bedroom action.  Every set erupted with the breaking news.  He focused his attention on channels 9 and 3 they now had a rivalry and channel 9 always seemed to know about stories ahead of time. Stan managed a smile as he saw Rand in front of the camera, arms slightly shaking, words never stopping as he randomly brushed his newly bleached hair.  Viewers can see the news police tape still swings off the buildings front.  “………residents in west and east Phoenix were rocked out of their beds just minutes ago as two stores went up in flames.  First reports are similar to the local bombing, but with much more force.  Stan watched a rare more calm Joe on channel 9 try and described news he himself knew very little about.  He turned to Fox Ten out of Phoenix.  They had a split screen with live footage from both stores