"William W Johnstone - Ashes 22 - Chaos in the Ashes (txt)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Johnstone William W)

37

He dug in his pocket, found a package of gum and offered her a stick.

"She doesn't know what that is, General," the mother said. "It's been
years since any of us have seen a real package of gum."

The sadness of that statement hit Ben hard. In the SUSA, life had pretty
much returned to normal. But outside the SUSA, it was grim. Ben slowly
nodded his head and gave the gum to the mother. "Corrie, we'll break for
lunch. Let's help these people get settled in. Get the medics up here."

The teachers' names were Frank and Lois. Frank told Ben there were about
a hundred adults and about half that many kids in the group.

"About a dozen or so members of your group don't much like me, do they?"
Ben asked.

"They hate you," Lois said.

"I am getting weary of the dirty looks. Let's confront them and hear
their beefs."

Facing a small knot of men and women, Ben asked, "What's the matter with
you people? I'm trying to help you and you're acting as though I'm some
sort of monster."

"We don't like the Tri-States philosophy," one of the men finally said,
after looking at the others in his group. "We think it's barbaric. The
very idea of shooting someone just because he's trying to steal your
car, or your lawnmower . . . that's hideous! Why not try love and
compassion and reason? Instead of guns, why not build gymnasiums, with
proper basketball courts. Now, that's the way to control crime."

38

William W. Johnstone

Ben knew that to attempt to argue with that type of logic would be
hopeless. Living under the Tri-States form of government, this small
group of people would be either dead or moved away within a few months .
. . probably the former.

"It works for us," Ben told the group. "And if you stay here, that's the
law you will live under. You might get away with ignoring it for a time,
but within a few months, we'll have reclaimed our territory. Then you'll
have no choice in the matter. I can tell you right now, the best thing
for you people to do is leave. I won't force you out-I won't have to do
that. You'll screw up. It's just a matter of time. But let me make