cards now used to organize the distribution of food to the elderly, infirm and families with too many mouths to feed. She had nothing to do with the Bank either. The Bank was where all of the city employees and residents received their pay in the form of municipal stipends. Short of making up the flyers posted on the bulletin boards and now-dark light poles, Corinne had little to do with the daily operations of the other programs housed within City Hall.
When the “Great Pain” occurred ten years ago the President began dissolving the numerous tendrils of the government. Then he effectively relinquished control measures over to FEMA, DHS and the Pentagon. It did not take long from there before the individual branches of the military and FEMA started to be forced under the all-encompassing umbrella of the newly-created Department of Continuance. Five like-minded generals, who knew that sometimes compassion was attrition, ended all the growing squabbles over who had control over what. The D.o.C. now controlled it all.
After New Warren formed on its own accord under the leadership of Allen Moore, the D.o.C. helped restore establishment-style order by supplying fuel and food to the city. The Bank was formed to convert this fuel into stipends of various values that New Warren issued out to keep control over its citizens and to satisfy the D.o.C.’s fuel conservation orders. If anyone sold or traded goods or services to New Warren stipends were what they received as payment. The amount of stipends that could be issued out per month always directly depended upon the quantity of fuel the city received from the D.o.C. It was a good system at least to those who mattered.
Worrying thoughts crept up Corinne’s spine. She looked around without seeing faces, realizing for the first time that her job of preparing Council reports and presentations for the Department of Continuance was needed, but it was far from essential.
“Oh, well…what…err…when do they think we can come back? How long until this truck actually shows up?” Corinne asked Tony quietly, like it was safe for him to tell any secrets that he might have. She was really hoping he could somehow find a way to shield her from the worst of the possibilities forming in her mind.
“Tsst…hold on. Here comes the Chief and Pat.” Tony replied, adding a dismissive wave of his hand.
Corinne bit her tongue and turned to listen alongside the rest of the quieting room, most people just now taking notice of the two men walking in through the vestibule. She had been so caught up in her own thoughts over the past few minutes that she didn’t even notice that several rows of people had moved in front of her and Tony. Most of her view of the front door was now blocked. Even so she could not miss the two huge hands thrusting up above the crowd to signal quiet.
“Can I have your attention, please? Please?” a booming voice ordered more than asked. The voice and hands belonged to the enormous Troy Campbell, who even in the crisp-looking uniform looked like he would be more at home tending to a farm. As his weathered bear claws for hands went down, one chubby stump of an arm replaced it, the fingers like crowded plump sausages. It was the hand of Mayor Fouts giving a flippant, half-hearted wave.
“Thank you, Chief,” Pat Fouts said, not really acknowledging the mountain of a man standing next to him. “I have received some…disturbing news.” He paused for effect. “The Department of Continuance is undergoing another…consolidation phase.” Undoubtedly, he was using the same term given to him. “As of last Friday, the D.o.C. issued orders to cease all deliveries of food stuffs and fuel. What this means is that the City must act in its own best interest, saving only what can be saved as it were…” The Mayor scanned the crowd, forming what should be said next in his mind. These people didn’t need to know everything; at least, not yet.
Corinne looked at the starkly silent crowd becoming acutely conscious of the fact that it could very well be the last time these people might have to stand under the flickering florescent lights. She knew that the Mayor’s words meant the Department of Continuance was abandoning New Warren. But why?
“The D.o.C. gave no notice to any of the various county or city governances most impacted,” Pat spewed. He was obviously irked by this, as if the whole thing had been set up