O l i v e r B e n j a m i n
Machine and tried to tear it from Vlad’s grasp.
Belated and haphazard shots rang out as the MLF attempted to
protect their new leader. As a testament to their poor training, only
Vlad was hit three times in the leg. Since Harvey was dressed in the
same battle fatigues as Vlad, it was difficult for them to aim properly.
“Damn! What should we do?” Don Wong asked Gareth, who, like
the Don was also outfitted as an MLF soldier, “I didn’t think it would
turn out like this!”
“Well I tell you what
I’m
gonna do!” grumbled Schlechtmann,
“I’m gonna get some revenge for the human race, the world economic
system, and most importantly—for me!” He slapped a full cartridge
into his machine gun and despite Don Wong’s protests, charged
angrily towards the stage. Once close enough, he took aim at
Johanness Barth and pulled down hard on the trigger.
Bullets flew, though not as he intended. Presuming he was party
to Harvey’s mutiny, the MLF thought Gareth was aiming for Vlad.
They peppered Gareth with bullets. His own fire went wild. Harvey’s
buttocks were grazed, and Vlad was struck again, this time in the
arm.
Both Vlad and Harvey now lay in an expanding pool of blood,
while Gareth lay mortally wounded in the aisle, his life ebbing down
towards the stage. A certain impasse had been reached, however, and
no one was sure what action to take.
“For the benefit of those watching this on television,” Gautama
said into the microphone, “What you have just seen wasn’t part of the
show. However, we will do our best to take care of the injured. And
don’t worry, though such idiocy casts another in a long line of
shadows on the human race, it will not affect the outcome of the
game. Now, let’s all calm down and watch the adventures of Mr.
Lemon Hopkins—”
“Waitaminute!” screamed Wade from the audience, “Are you
guys really from the future?”
Moses replied sternly, “I think everyone is more interested to see
if the human race will succeed in its tribulations.”
“No!” the audience shouted in unison, along with the other
Millennial Liberation Front members.
“Why are you here?” somebody screamed.
“Yeah!” hollered a young MLF member, “And why are
we
here?”
“Yeah!” the audience agreed loudly.
“I’m sorry, but this is not part of the program,” Gautama
223
 |
 |
 |
 |