Nanny State Nightmare by Kelli Otting & Marty Kirkham

Author:Kelli Otting & Marty Kirkham [Otting, Kelli & Kirkham, Marty]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, Thrillers & Suspense, Spies & Politics, Political, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction, Dystopian, Thrillers
Amazon: B00JAO2RGC
Publisher: Ponker Press Publications
Published: 2014-03-26T04:00:00+00:00

Mother Earth

She smelled coffee. Heavenly, wonderful, coffee. Bloom dropped Carl’s hand and headed for the coffee pot like it was reeling her in. She poured two and handed one to Carl who accepted with a half-smile. The foyer’s concrete floor was waxed to a high shine. A cheap drop ceiling reflected the glaring florescent lighting. Surplus plastic airport chairs lined one wall. The coffee pot and Styrofoam cups sat on a glass block counter that stretched across the length of the foyer with large ‘EMPLOYEES ONLY’ double swing doors dividing the foyer from the rest of the huge building. A buzzer sat atop the counter with a placard indicating ‘for assistance’. Bloom sipped her coffee looking around; loathe to interrupt the infusion of life it brought. Reluctantly, she pushed the buzzer and heard it squawk and echo in the back warehouse. She hurried to top off her Styrofoam cup before someone appeared. Carl nodded approvingly, handing over his empty cup for a refill, also.

A woman wearing too much make-up, trying to cover heavily wrinkled skin, pushed through the double doors, one hand on each one. Her fluffy long hair didn’t move. She wore a lot of very large turquoise and wooden necklaces with matching earrings. Carl recoiled at the draft caused by the grand entrance sending a wave of heavy cigarette smoke laden with sweet perfume over him. He tasted the bitter perfume in his mouth, tried flushing it with coffee, and choked. Her sandpaper voice didn’t surprise Bloom.

“Here to pick up an order?” She asked pulling out a stack of invoices several inches thick from under the counter.

“Umm, no actually we’d like to place an order.” Bloom took the lead while Carl paced.

“Unless you’re paying in advance we’re not taking any orders. We’ve got orders people can’t pick up and we can’t deliver because of the rationing.” She coughed, a loose rattling emanated from her chest. Bloom tried to hide the shock on her face but it was too late.

“Oxygen done gave out, this morning.” She said, her rings clicking against each other as she stacked and straightened the invoices, and shoved them back under the counter.

“Sorry to hear. I’m Bloom.” She gestured to Carl with her chin. “That’s Carl.” She took a sip of her coffee.

“Stella.” The woman answered drumming her fingers on the countertop.

“We have cash and can pay in advance.” Bloom tried to be as truthful as possible. She removed the money from her bag and set it on the stack of invoices. “We want dried goods: dried beans, lentils, rice, pasta, dehydrated fruits, and veggies. No dry milk or powdered eggs or just add water meals.” She thought a second before adding. “We want at least a full trailer load or two.” That should do for a starting point for negotiation. “We can trade also. What do you need?” Besides a new set of lungs. Bloom did not add out loud.

Stella laughed that turned into a gurgling cough. She spat into a well-used tissue. She took a deep breath.

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