Breathing in the Dark

Music prompt used it for a political screed.

The task is simple: write a short story inspired by the featured song.
Word count = 1870

Breathing in the Dark

It looks to be a long, hot summer. We got through the 4^th with only disappointment. A few arrests for the reflection pool debacle. We’re back at war with Iran. ICE is racking up a horrendous score. The midterms look to be a rout. Then what?

Our heroes are on a patio under an awning and large oak trees. The patio overlooks a slow-running stream with a well-maintained lawn bordered by vibrant yellow flowers. It is their first beer.

“What are you doing? What are you looking at? Your eyes are closed,” asked Carl.

“Just thinkin’,” replied Fred.

“About what?”

Fred shrugged. “Just things.”

“Anything you want to talk about, or should we just enjoy the moment?”

Fred grinned. “Let’s just enjoy the moment. Not sure I want to share my thoughts.”

“Fair enough. Great day. Could be a little cooler, but altogether nice.”

No comment from Fred.

“Oh, right-you don’t like small talk, do you?”

Fred shook his head. “Not really, but then you don’t either. That’s why we can enjoy each other’s company.”

“Even with closed eyes, I can tell you’re thinking evil thoughts.”

“Not evil, well, the thoughts aren’t evil. Well, maybe they are. Should we share evil thoughts?”

“What are you seeing behind those closed eyes?”

“I’m watching the Constitution go up in smoke,” grinned Fred.

“Seriously?”

“Seriously, I’m imagining what comes next.”

“Next? After what?”

“After bozo leaves the scene.”

“And that it?”

“It could be martial law, with troops clearing the streets. It could be the doors to Congress are closed and locked. It could be we fill the detention centers with anyone without a red hat. It could be...”

“Oh, God, I didn’t realize you were that depressed.”

Fred shrugged. “Not that depressed, I can see it going both ways.”

“What’s the other way?”

“It could be the troops who mobilize take the guns from the ICE thugs and put the thugs in the centers. Then they arrest all repug pols. Sending cabinet members, six of the justices, and senior admin staff to Camp David and the rest to Camp Lejeune. They invite Kamala to restore as much of Joe’s administration as she can. Their mission is to return us to January 1^st, 2025. Undo all that bozo has done. Makes it our New Year.”

“That’s it?”

Fred opened his eyes. “No, I’ve been thinking about this for some time. I didn’t expect it would take this long, but it has. The Constitution is on fire, and nobody is putting it out.”

“Ready for another beer? This is getting interesting.”

Fred snorted. “For you, maybe. For me, it’s like breathing in the dark. You know you’re alive, but it’s all darkness. Nothing but shadows. We are in the shadows.”

“Hold that thought, I’ll be right back.”

Carl walks away, then returns with two bottles of beer. He hands one to Fred. “Here, I don’t want you drunk, but I do want you lubricated. Been thinking about this a long time?”

“Yes, a long time.”

“Then, there must be more.”

Fred smiled. “There is.” He salutes Carl with his new beer. “Kamala sets about making things right. We dissolve the repug party and arrest all who had anything to do with Project 2025, and major repug donors. The charge is treason. Project 2025 is prima facie evidence of the intent to destroy the United States as a democratic republic. Executive orders and pardons may be additional evidence.”

“Is that possible, legal?”

“As I understand it, martial law lets the military do whatever it wants to restore order. While this restoration is going on, some of the best constitutional scholars will draft a new constitution. When finished, it will provide a unicameral legislature with 100 members, from 100 population-equal districts. States will cease to have any political power or influence.”

“A new constitution?”

“What, you think we can have the country we need with the old Constitution?”

“And just what do you think we need?”

“Better politicians.”

“And how do you expect to get better politicians?”

“Remember, there are no parties. No primaries. No politically appointed representatives. The process will be open to anyone. District representatives will be selected by RCV after taking the MAB-II IQ test and passing the 100-question USCIS test (civics and history). After filling out a standard employment questionnaire telling us what they have done. They will then sit for a 15–to-O30-minute PBS/NPR interview outlining what they want to fix/do and how they expect to accomplish that. The results will then be placed on a public database for review by district voters. Candidates will be expected to be available for questions and explanations.”

“Wow, you have been thinking about this?”

“Yes, right after the election. How did we get into this mess? How might we get out?”

“There must be more.”

Fred smiled. “There is, but it might take another beer.”

“There will be, but let’s go slowly. Tell me more.”

“Where were we?”

“You were telling how you want to select candidates. What happens when the successful candidate goes to Washington. I assume DC is still the Capital.”

“It is, but everything changes. No Senate. Successful candidates will serve a single 10-year term. No money will be necessary or permitted to be part of the process. Candidates will be randomly assigned to one of twenty committees. With consideration given to the candidate’s goal(s). Reassignment may be possible after two years. The Speaker will be randomly selected. He/she will serve a single one-year term. Same for committee chairpersons. The idea is to dilute any power. No kings, remember?”

“What about the president?”

“Still working on that. I want to make sure we don’t elect a pretty face or another demagogue. I think I want the nominations to come from the House. Could be 100 candidates. I would winnow this with RCV until we get one candidate with 50% of the vote. Not sure about this part, but maybe once we have a winner, we take the next four with the highest scores and put them out for the people to vote. Just send a postcard with the five candidates. Whoever wins, again with RCV, becomes the President. Also, with the 10-year term. Any appointments to be approved by the House. We reassert the power of the Legislature, power of the purse. Thinking we must restrict the issuance of pardons and executive orders. Not sure how to do that.”

Carl laughed. “Do you get any sleep?”

“Some. Crazy?”

“A little. Still, we need to do something. Can’t go back to what has failed us. Not sure the people will sit still for this. Something tells me you’re not finished.”
Fred laughed. “Want to know what I think we should do with the courts?”

“Sure, in for a penny, in for a pound. What happens to the courts?”

“The Supreme Court has the same 10-year-term, but there are now 15 justices. The Chief Justice serves only a two-year term. Selection is by vote from the court members themselves. Potential justices are pulled from a pool of law school deans and professors, current and former judges, and the ABA. The Judiciary Committee presents five potential candidates to the President. He selects one or rejects all five. If none are selected, another five are presented. Initial selection will be made by the committee. We may not have a President until a year after the House is seated.”

“Is that it?”

“Not quite. Instead of having 12 appellate courts, I want one with 12 members. I’ll leave the single military court as is. I don’t want any court with only one judge. And I want us to move from juries. I would welcome effective AI to speed the process and ensure limited bias. We aren’t there now, but we may soon be there. May take the adversarial nature and courtroom theatrics out of the process. This is something you can help me on.”

“You can’t do it all yourself? You might need help?”

Fred nodded. “I might.”

“That it?”

“For the Court. And the Legislature. And maybe the President, the executive.”

“There’s more?”

“Not much, but some. The goal of the new Constitution will be to replace federalism with nationalism. There will be one set of laws, codes, regulations, standards, and textbooks. What is illegal/legal in Arizona will be illegal/legal in Maine. Education will be standardized using what works in other countries. What we have now is not working as it should. Education will be the same throughout the country. Laws, codes, regulations, and standards will flow down to counties. We will be one nation under law, with liberty and justice for all.”

“Want another beer?”

“It’s my turn, isn’t it?”

“It is, but I have you singing for your supper, or beer. Anything else? No, wait. Wait until I get back. Making a new country must be thirsty work? Be right back.”

Carl hustled. He is soon back with two more beers. “Here mighty architect, your wages.”

“Thanks. I ran this by Gemini yesterday. He/she was skeptical until I told him about no parties, no corporate money, no reelection, and no repug party.”

“That could be the tough part. Not sure they will stand still for being disenfranchised.”

“Not much choice. They’ve shown what they want won’t work. Three chances, and they didn’t make the right choice. Inept, corrupt, and repressive. It’s time to go back to square one.”

“Think they will accept, recognize what they’ve done?”

Fred shook his head. “Probably not, but we will insist.”

“Remember, they’re the ones with the guns.”

“Yes, but they are isolated. Not likely they could assemble an effective force.”

“They’ve got ICE and all those crazies running around in the forests.”

“You’ve seen ICE. Think they could mount an effective counter to trained soldiers?”

Carl grinned and shook his head. “No, I would expect them to fade into the woodwork. All show, no substance. Still, they are well-armed. There will be blood.”

Fred looked down at his beer. “Yes, there will be some blood. It may be time to re-water the tree of liberty.”

“That sounds rather callous.”

“I suppose it does. What do you think will happen if the midterms are compromised?”

“The cities will erupt. ICE will declare open warfare. Some cops may respond. Others may side with ICE. Think bozo will call out the troops?”

“Only if it looks like ICE is losing.”

“Think ICE can win?”

“With better leadership and better training. Once the people fight back, even without guns, there aren’t enough of them. ICE will have to retreat.”

“And then the troops?”

“That’s the big question mark. Hogsbreath, has done his best to remove the good generals. I don’t know if there are any left. I suspect there are. They can’t like what they have been told to do. Some will remember their oaths. Some will come over to our side.”

“So you hope.”

Fred raised his hand with crossed fingers. “So I hope.” He smiled, then sang. “I know there’s going to be some brighter days.”
Carl laughed, then joined in. “I know there’s going to be some brighter days.”