Chapter 9
Lanegan, Jacob and Isabelle anticipated hostility. Lanegan felt they had both done well in an environment that took a mental strength that many people didn’t possess. Jacob was nervous, but this was forgivable and expected. While waiting, Lanegan had told them that if they didn’t want to return they could sit out this part. He made a promise that they would not be excluded from anything and that they would be needed soon. They both declined. They wanted to repay the Prime Minister for his confidence and support and felt it was as much their cause as any one else’s. All together or not at all, that was how the small and the big battles would be won or lost.
As they entered, the room quietened. Lanegan looked at Toby who shook his head. Bob Bukewitz was smirking and leaning back in his chair in a confident pose.
“Do you have something to say, Bob?” asked Lanegan. “You look like you have something to say. You have all clearly been discussing the theory during our small break, so let me hear your thoughts. Bob? Let’s get it out in the open.”
“Prime Minister,” said Bukewitz. “I think your intern’s little theory is - cute. Ken and Toby are loyal to you and have pledged their support. But I think I speak for almost everyone else when I say it’s a ridiculous theory that has clearly been dreamt up in the imagination of a child who has no experience of real world problems or how to deal with them. Where – is – your - evidence? You need trained personnel who can deal with violent people on the ground now. The only way to stop this is with a force greater than the one we are fighting.”
“Greater how, Bob?” asked Lanegan.
“Greater in terms of resources, man-power and strategy; and greater in the will to win.”
“If we respond with violence, when they are yet to attack a single person, we may turn them directly against us and I cannot allow that to happen. You must see that. It would be a civil war that we could not possibly win. People are still turning; who can say that eventually we won’t all change? And where are you going to put all of the prisoners?”
“Prisoners?”
“Yes, we have to put the prisoners somewhere - don’t we?” asked Lanegan.
Bukewitz’s tone indicated that there was no limit to what he was proposing.
“As I said, we have to be willing to do what it takes to restore a level of normality. There are plans in place for prisoners, if they are needed,” said Bukewitz.
“And do the rest of you agree with him?” asked Lanegan.
Lanegan looked at each person in turn. Nobody replied and continued to look down at the table in front of them.
“And how do you expect to sell this to the rest of the population?” he continued. “They would never accept it. Their loved ones’ behaviour may have changed, but they wouldn’t wish them - whatever it is you’re planning.”
“I believe we have two things going for us that may allow action without the general public being - in the know,” said Bukewitz. “Most of the population have been evacuated to the countryside, which leaves very few witnesses. We could conduct an operation that would ensure maximum discretion. The other option is evidence that people are now being targeted and this shouldn’t be too hard to find.”
“But they’re not. And unless you have some good evidence, this line of thought will end. We will not be drawn into fooling and tricking the nation with lies and deceit for your personal agenda - I believe that is what you were implying Bob.”
“We shall see what turns up, that is all I’m saying,” replied Bukewitz.
Lanegan stared at Bukewitz for a few seconds before composing himself and turning to Jacob and Isabelle. Their faces were in a state of shock. Suddenly they were aware why the first meeting hadn’t involved the party members. Nothing was off-limits as far as Bukewitz was concerned. They wondered how anyone could consider what Bukewitz was proposing. Jacob’s heart raced and finally he couldn’t contain himself any longer.
“I know what I said to you this morning is hard to comprehend. How could something such as what I proposed create such a violent reaction in people? Why is everyone not reacting in the same way? These are questions I have battled with for days. I can’t show you evidence yet, but I believe it’s possible that humans need a release of some kind. We naturally and instinctively become creative to form bonds and to socialise and interact, but we cannot always provide each other with the emotional release we need simply by being together. Apparently, the things that I have spoken of offer us something outside ourselves. People used to unite as a community, not just locally, but as a world-wide community to visit and experience the different cultural landscapes of our planet. It was frequently said that the power of faith in religions caused people to act violently - and it appears to me that a lack of freedom to think and act may have a similar effect, whether we know why were doing it or not. The appeal of art used to stretch to every part of the planet. It has been with us as a species since the beginning and has been integral to most cultures around the world for celebrating, rejoicing, mourning and expressing ourselves. I don’t think I can overstate how important being denied these things might be.”
Jacob paused; he could feel himself becoming overwhelmed.
“What if it is an integral part of the human condition?” he continued calmly. “If you think hard, it is with us from birth; sung to us by our mothers and fathers to make us feel happy and safe. I know I did wrong by gaining access to certain documents, but I have read how throughout earlier history song and verse were used to overcome the horrors of war, of slavery and of imprisonment. Books were written that have inspired whole political movements, for good and bad, but that’s where the unknown begins. We can’t always know the consequences of our ideas and actions. I honestly think that we are living as slaves in a mental prison by depriving ourselves of what is fundamental and natural to all of us. I think that it’s not just important to us; it is as essential as air and water.”
Isabelle took hold of Jacob’s hand and squeezed. Tears were building up behind her eyes, but she knew this was not the time to show them. Whether this was the cause or not didn’t matter for that moment. She was happy to have met him and was proud to be his friend.
Bukewitz stood up and began to walk the room.
“Well there you have it - we need music like we need air and water. Why are you here? Why is he here, Prime Minister? This is insulting to everyone in this room. This crisis will continue until we intervene with a force to make people afraid to continue in their destructive behaviour. If they can change all of a sudden into monsters, then they can change back just as easily. They just need a little persuasion.”
“We tried the enforcement techniques that we thought were suitable, Bob. They do not work and we achieved nothing,” replied Lanegan.
It was obvious neither man was willing to back down. Lanegan may have been Prime Minister, but without backing he only had a small amount of persuasive power. Lanegan’s party had a decision to make: whether to change direction on a policy that might have caused an uncontrollable reaction, or take a different path and hope the streets could be reclaimed by force under the guidance of Bob Bukewitz. The greatest concern was that eventually everyone would turn. This made them all nervous and was the reason Bukewitz was gaining support. Whichever course of action was taken, something had to be done and quickly.
“This dream you have brought us …” said Bukewitz. “… is so absurd and removed from reality that I don’t know where to begin. Your theory doesn’t account for factors such as how turning can occur in a person who has only been alive for thirty or forty years. People haven’t had these things for longer than that and yet they did not start destroying things,”
“We don’t know the science yet,” said Isabelle hastily. “The human mind is a remarkable thing and we know very little about its full capabilities. Many of our characteristics, such as our personality traits are passed on from parent to child. The way in which we carry beliefs are thought to be innate and are based in our genetics. It is only when we ex
perience life that they become influenced by our environment and the people we interact with. I now think that it is entirely possible that by suppressing our natural urges to create and our lack of cultural variation, we have a caused a terrible reaction. But we simply don’t know anything for certain so I think it worth examining every possibility?”
Bob Bukewitz was unimpressed.
“Why don’t we vote and settle this once and for all. I propose a motion to open up the leadership immediately,” he said.
“If you can all just wait I hope I will have some evidence for you soon. Time is all I’m asking for,” Lanegan pleaded.
“Hope,” Bukewitz shouted. “How long do we have? I suggest we ask for the world leaders’ meeting to be brought forward and in the meantime move our troops into a position where they can be effective. You are putting too much faith in a dream, Prime Minister. Let’s vote.”
Lanegan turned to Jacob and Isabelle before looking towards the sky. Bukewitz wasn’t just starting a fight with the rioters, he was potentially starting a war against humanity.
“All those who want to push forward with the intern’s theory and take it to the meeting raise your hand,” said Bukewitz.
Eight hands rose.
“And how many of you vote for the use of force where necessary?”
Lanegan’s body wilted. He didn’t need to count.
“Prime Minister, I would advise you to join the majority or it will be necessary for you to step down,” said Bukewitz.
His blasé manner showed little respect for Lanegan, as he didn’t even look at him while speaking. It was clear the decision had been made for Lanegan.
“Is this really how it ends, Bob? Do I and the people of Britain not deserve a little more time before we start something we cannot reverse?”
“The people of Britain deserve protection.”
“And when it is us who turn?”
There was no response. Lanegan looked at the faces of those who opposed him and understood his position.
“I suppose this is the game we chose and it can end as quickly as it began. I will accept the vote. But you are taking a course of action that will follow you to your graves. This will become the greatest disaster of our time or any other. The blood will be on your hands and I urge you to reconsider,” Lanegan pleaded.
“You had your chance, Tom. And you put it in the hands of an in …”
But before Bukewitz could finish the door swung open. Morrison held the door as Stephanie Jones walked straight up to Lanegan and handed him a disc.
“You need to see this,” she said.