The Happy War

Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

Three days had passed, and she decided to give the guy another chance. Outside of interesting looks, he had what appeared to be a gentle soul. Plus, he listened, and that alone made a huge difference. Though he didn’t seem too interested in her job, his intense, piercing eyes focused on her lips, as if everything she said was somehow important. Normally insecure, filled with trust issues, relating to old boyfriends, like Wayne, most of her doubt vanished around Eric.

When she saw his car however, she began to think she should walk, and rather quickly, towards a galaxy faraway. “It’s a nice ride but what’s all the stuff on the seats?” The gleaming sportscar seemed to shout ‘single and loving it’ to curious passersby.

“Oh those, sorry, I’ll move them. Samples—you know the type of samples I give doctors.”

“They look like notebooks.”

Eric tossed some of the boxes into the back seat. “Right? Each sample comes with some information from the manufacturer. It also includes a list of side effects, legal mumbo-jumbo and descriptions of current advertising campaigns.” A few of the cardboard folders had slipped onto the passenger side floor. Out of breath and embarrassed, he scooped them up and threw them behind his seat. “We also provide each doctor with emergency phone numbers in case something goes wrong. These are all FDA approved medications, but you never know.”

“Can you see out the back window?”

“I hope so.” He slipped in behind the wheel and patted the passenger seat with his hand. “I think it’s safe to enter now.”

Still hesitating, she moved away, slowly. Something felt different. The feeling rubbed her the wrong way. “Maybe we’ll do this some other time,” she said, leaning down to catch his eyes. But he stared right back into her blue ones. They seemed to plead along with his words.

“Oh, come on. I have something to show you.”

They had spoken briefly on the phone. She told him she had enjoyed the cake at the diner. He wanted to make up for the bad movie by taking her to a brewery where they had computer games, billiards, darts, and dancing. But what had sounded fun on the phone, didn’t appeal to her at the moment. “I don’t know.”

“Come on, please. I’ve been thinking about what you said, and I have to show you something.” He started the engine.

What? What had she said? Eric made her crazy and she couldn’t figure out whether he made her crazy in a good way or a bad way. It felt palpable and electric. Perhaps this was what they meant by chemistry. “Oh, okay. Since you put it like that.” She got in, nestled into the bucket seat, closed the car door, but kept wondering what he meant. Wearing jeans and cowboy boots, she thought she’d fit right in at the country bar. “I’ve never done any line dancing,” she stated, locking in the seatbelt.

They moved towards downtown and he stopped at a light. “I’ve never line danced, two-stepped or dosey-doed either. I guess there’s a first time for everything.”

Silence filled the car for at least five minutes. No computer disc or radio and they didn’t talk. When it looked like he passed the turn for the bar, she spoke up. “Isn’t that place on Main Street?”

“It is, but don’t forget, I want to show you something before the sun goes down.”

“That’s cool. As long as you don’t kidnap me; it’s not like I know you that well.”

A dimpled grin lit up his face. “Are you kidding? I’d love to kidnap you. You’re the prettiest girl I know.”

“Well that’s only because you hang out in all the wrong places.”

“You’d be shocked at the places I used to hang out.” He laughed at his comment and turned onto a steep, dirt road.

“Shocked in a good way or shocked and saddened?”

“Probably both—I did two tours, Fallujah in Iraq and Syria. They sent me right into combat, back in ‘04.”

Now things began to make sense. “I’m impressed. Thank you for your service, Eric.” She tried to imagine him wearing camouflaged clothes and a helmet. “Marines?”

“Semper Fi, baby!”

That explained the small scars on his hand. Her eyes focused on his knuckles gripping the steering wheel. “Are those scars from Iraq?”

“Shrapnel, I have small scars all over. And yes, Iraq.”

Well, she wasn’t interested in seeing them. Not in the least. Keep them hidden soldier boy. The twisting road grew narrow, and the incline increased along with her heart rate. This had to be one of the stupidest things she had ever done. Why would she allow herself to fall into such a vulnerable position?

Gradually, trying not to be obvious, she inhaled, filling her lungs with air, hoping to calm errant nerves with breathing exercises. Exhaling slowly, she asked an obvious question. “Now, you’re scaring me. Where are you taking me Eric?” Not wanting to scream, and knowing it wouldn’t help anyway, she forced her cheeks into a smile.

“Don’t worry. The view is lovely up here.” The car bounced along the rocks and dust, finally reaching a ledge next to a behemoth water tower. Pointing ahead, he said, “Look at that sunset.”

“Reminds me of a song about California sunsets,” she began to hum the song until he stopped the engine. “Unless you’re delusional, we’re not at the make-out stage yet,” she intoned, gazing down at the city below. “But you’re right, it’s breathtaking.”

“I know, I know,” his voice excited, he smiled, and held up the palm of his hand to indicate he wanted silence. “Look around, there’s no one within five miles. No city sounds at all, just peace and quiet.”

“So, I noticed,” she replied, wondering whether he’d kill her now, or later. She began a mental inventory of her purse, and the items she could use as possible weapons: a pen, lipstick, a compact with a small mirror, a wallet with five dollars and some coins. If I thrust the pen into his jugular, I might have a chance. If he ties me up, I might be able to use part of the mirror to cut the rope. Fortunately, I have a cell phone, but this area doesn’t look like it gets any reception.

Maybe, I could use the mirror to flicker a distress signal and tie his hands behind his back with the shoulder straps? The more she thought about it, the worse it looked. All the contents in her purse might be heavy enough to slam on his head. I don’t have a flaming chance in a bonfire. He had been a soldier trained to kill. He outweighs me by at least twenty-five pounds. Her eyes were drawn to the rough ink drawing of barbed wire around his biceps. On top of everything else, he could drug me with his sample stash, in the back seat. This is crazy, but I can’t show fear. “You have so many pills. What kind are they?” She managed to squeak.

“Linda, the reason we’re here is because I want to help you. You know, that idea you had about changing the world?” Pivoting his body, he turned to face her.

“Huh?” He’s not a killer. He’s not a killer. He’s not a killer, kept reverberating in her mind. Fear coursed through her veins. She had to convince herself he had good intentions, or she couldn’t breathe. She slipped her left hand into her purse and grasped the pen while watching his eyes. They looked soulful and gentle, like the police sketches at the post office.

“You talked about…”. He sighed, paused and started over. “You had this incredible idea about putting Woezap in the world’s water supply. And, I’m willing to help you do it.”

Trapped by an apparent madman, her eyes scanned the horizon but returned to her captor. He’s insane. She tilted her head, like a dog trying not to fail obedience school. What did he just say? Did she hear him correctly?

“Are you crazy?”

“Good question, we’ll get back to that later. Seriously, everything you said at the diner made sense. The despicable acts that humans are committing, need to be eliminated. Violence and hate are at an all time high. It’s like an epidemic and maybe we can “cure” it.

“Right, the world does need a kick in the ass, but why would I, or we, be the ones to do it?” Nervous laughter made her turn back to the gorgeous view. She relaxed her grip on the pen. They’ll never find my body anyway.

“Listen Linda, I’m serious. In addition to my experience with WMD’s, I feel the two of us are strong enough, both mentally and physically, to carry it off. That’s one reason I brought you here. See this water tower? It’s easy to access. They are built without too many locks. The reservoirs and the underground aquifers are easy to manipulate.”

The small hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention. This geeky guy, though obviously not a murderer, and perhaps seriously demented, had characteristics that made her listen. There were unexplainable, unusual things she liked about him. Especially, when he described her as strong. “No one drinks tap water anymore.”

“But they do. And it doesn’t matter. Where do you think they get bottled water? It’s pumped from clearly accessible mountain springs.”

“What about the Prozzak or Woezap, or whatever? We can’t afford enough of the stuff, and I doubt you’re willing to lose your job by pilfering it.”

“You see Linda, that’s the thing. I have worldwide contacts that work with similar drugs. We would form a team. Plus, I also work in research and development, where they let me experiment. Phloxetine is only one type of serotonin enhancer. There’s also sitalopram, certraline, paraxethine….”

Waving her hand, she cut him off. “Okay, I get it. There’s more than Woezap. Are we going to steal it?”

He inhaled and began a litany of staccato answers. “Not really. See all these samples? They have five to ten pills in each folder. Some have more. The companies are desperate to get these into the hands of doctors. I have other friends who sell pharmaceuticals. In fact, I’ve been with this company for five years. They treat me pretty good,” he said with an audible sigh. “They pay me well and yup, they trust me.” Eric squinted and bit his lower lip. “That goes back to the military. I served with my boss and many of the other employees. Lucky for me, I outranked almost everyone. They talk to me with respect. Our entire staff wants the world to know the truth about chemicals.”

Words escaped her. She nodded. My kind of insane, she thought, forgetting her fear.

“I realize doing this will be a risk. But come on, it’s a risk I’m willing to take, especially, if I can save children, and all the innocents being victimized.” His impassioned speech didn’t end there. Tears rimmed his eyes. “I want you to know that whatever I do, it’s all the way. All or nothing.”

“But…” she tried to interrupt.

“No ‘buts’ Linda. Every inch of my heart wants to do this. Ever since our first date when you mentioned this, I haven’t been able to sleep. Plus, I have loyal friends everywhere; Paris, Rome, Vienna, Ottawa, Cape Town and a slew of other places. I speak Spanish, and a little French. Some of my best contacts are in Mexico and South America. Those guys are thrilled to have U.S. doctors asking for their products. I can get my hands on enough Woezap and Zolough to make your head spin.”

Shaking her head in disbelief, she didn’t want to argue. All of it made her head spin. “I doubt that you can get enough for the entire world’s water supply.” Her mind raced as she thought of recent news reports about a man who intentionally ran over children. There were the disgusting pedophiles, the hit and run drivers, mothers who abandoned their children, and those who aborted babies before they were born. The list included wicked perpetrators who held up mini marts, street gangs, arsonists, evil human traffickers, and copious amounts of anger, rage and hate. It had to go. All of it. She’d be willing to go to war for it. “The Earth is big,” she said, with a tremulous sigh.

“You think I’m kidding, but I can get enough supply.” He reached over to clasp his fingers around her hand. “Linda, I really like you. Besides, you inspired me with this idea. I think we can make a difference. Are you with me?”

“I still think you’re crazy.” Looking out over the town, she hesitated briefly. “Okay, so tell me about this team. Can you trust them?”