Richard Stephenson - Collapse

Howard Beck was tapping his fingers on the kitchen counter and continually shaking his head back and forth. He was muttering curse words at the image on the wall across from him. Hal was tracking a convoy of twelve Humvees slowly moving down the road that passed in front of the estate. Howard was concentrating on the lead vehicle so hard that he was convinced that if he thought a little harder, he could control the Humvee with his mind. He wanted nothing more in the world than for all twelve of the Humvees to zip on past the front gate and never return.

“Hal, how long before they get here?”

“Less than a minute, sir.”

“Is the front gate secure?”

“Of course it is, sir.”

“Shit!”

“Sir, what would you like me to do if they stop at that gate?”

“I don’t want you to say a thing. Hopefully they will give up and go away.”

“Yes, sir.”

Howard looked at the monitor and could see the Humvees slowing down to stop at the gate.

“Son of a bitch! Go away!” No!”

A man stepped out of the lead vehicle and began pacing back and forth in front of the massive iron gate.”

“No one’s home! Go away!” Howard screamed at the image on the wall.

The man stopped pacing long enough to rattle the gate, then began frantically waving his arms towards the house.”

“Leave me alone! I’m not opening the gate!” Howard’s face reddened as he began kicking the floor. Howard hoped that the man waving his arms would not locate the intercom button and try to talk to him. He stared at the monitor and watched as a large group of soldiers began to congregate behind their leader. A few of the soldiers picked up rocks and threw them over the fence towards the house.

“Stop doing that! I’m not letting you in! Go away!” Howard was so upset and scared that he started to cry.

“Excuse me, sir,” said Hal.

“What?” screamed Howard.

“Sir, the man waving his arms is the commanding officer. The men behind him are talking about a wounded man who is going to die if he doesn’t do something now.”

Howard relaxed a little. “You mean they aren’t trying to break in and hurt me?”

“No, sir, they are seeking medical attention.”

Howard took a deep breath and sat down. “Uh.. ok, ok. This is what I want you to do, Old Man. I want you to talk to them on the intercom and see what the problem is. See if they can go somewhere else.”

“Sir, you want me to talk to them?”

“Yes I do, Hal. I’m too shaken up.”

“Yes, sir. It will not be a problem. Would you like for me to put them on speaker?”

“Please.”

“Very good, sir.”

Hal turned on the speaker in the kitchen so Howard could hear the company of soldiers outside his main gate. The intercom crackled, and you could see the heads of the soldiers perk up and turn towards it.

“May I help you, gentlemen?” Hal asked in his proper British voice.

“Thank God! Yes!” The man that had been waving his arms walked over to the intercom. “My name is Captain Jackson Butler, and we are in desperate need of assistance. We have an emergency situation on our hands. We retreated from Denver, and one of my men was shot as we left the city. We have managed to stop the bleeding but I’m afraid he’ll die soon if we don’t get him to a hospital.”

“Captain Butler, my name is Hal. Are you aware that this is not a hospital?”

“Yes, sir, I am aware of that.”

“If you continue on this road and take a left at the next intersection, a hospital is in the town thirty-three miles down the road.”

“Sir, please. We do not have that kind of time. I have a medic with me who is ready to perform surgery, but we could do it safely in a clean, sterile environment. My man is weak enough as it is; if the surgery doesn’t kill him, infection will most certainly finish him off. Please! Let us in so we can save this man’s life!”

“Captain Butler, are you familiar with the Third Amendment to the Constitution that states that a soldier cannot quarter in a private citizen’s home during times of war unless by order of law? I do not believe a law has been passed granting you the right to enter my home.”

“Sir, please! We are not hostile and we aren’t trying to take your home from you. We just need to help our man, and we will be on our way. Open the gate!”

“Please wait for a moment, Captain.”

“Thank you, sir. Please, I give you my word, we mean you no harm.”

Howard was watching the entire thing and was torn by indecision. The thought of armed soldiers on his compound, friendly or enemy, terrified him. On the other hand, he couldn’t live with himself if he allowed a member of the armed services to die outside his gate when he had the chance to help.

“Hal?”

“I’m here, sir.”

“They really got a wounded man out there?”

“Sir, I have not seen a wounded man. Three of the soldiers at the gate had a great deal of blood on them. They did not have any apparent injuries, so the logical conclusion is that the blood does not belong to them.”

“OK, this is what I want you to do. Tell Captain Butler that he and his men can come in. They can drive around behind the main residence and use the guest house. Instruct them that they are not to approach the main residence. I insist that they respect this condition.”

“I will relay your decision, sir.”

Captain Butler was pacing back and forth. The intercom crackled, and he listened as the British man spoke.

“Captain Butler, I have decided to let you and your men though the gate. I want you to follow the drive back behind the main residence and use the guest house. It should be adequate for your needs. I will grant you access on one condition.”

“Anything! Name it!”

“At no time are you or your men to approach the main residence.”

“Hal, you have my solemn word. Thank you.”

Howard watched the image of the convoy entering his property. He didn’t like it at all. The thought of dozens of dirty, rough and tough soldiers on his property tearing things up almost made Howard have a panic attack. Meredith had always nagged him about being a better host. Guests should be welcomed with open arms and made comfortable. Howard scoffed and just let his wife be the proper host while he pretended to be busy and disappeared to another room in the house. People are stupid. People are rude. People just don’t make sense. If Howard did not hold a close, intimate relationship with someone, he’d rather not be around them. People were unpredictable and just plain got on his nerves.

“Sir, they are moving the injured man into the guest house. He appears to be unconscious and his abdomen is covered in blood.”

“Can you tell anything more, Hal?”

“No, sir. If he were moved to your lab I could run a detailed scan on him.”

“Let’s hold off on that for now. Maybe they can get him patched up.”

“Yes, sir, would you like to see the progress on the main screen?”

“Yes, please.” Howard looked at the wall opposite him and could see the men working desperately to save the wounded soldier’s life. Captain Butler was shouting orders to his men.

“OK, clear this area out and lay him on the kitchen table. Doc, what do you need?”

Staff Sergeant Willis, the company medic, didn’t take his eyes off the wounded soldier. “Sir, let me check my bag. I think I have everything I need; I’ll let you know.”

“Anything we can do in the meantime?”

The company medic checked the injured man’s dog tag. “His blood type is A negative. I need anyone with that blood type or type O to get ready to donate blood.”

“You got it, Doc. Listen up!! If your blood type is A negative or type O get your ass over here, now!”