Final Notice, page 29
When Rasha was interviewed, she answered “No” to the gun question and when she was wanded, the machine squawked like crazy. The female officer patted her down and Rasha showed her the doctor’s letter. She too, was thanked and dismissed. Outside there were ambulances coming and going and police cars all over the place. They called an Uber cab and while they waited, Trudi called Vince and told him that he should watch the news, they were both all right, and he should call Qasim. Fifteen minutes later they were on their way back to their hotel. They said nothing during the 25-minute ride.
Back in their hotel suite, Trudi raided the mini bar and opened a small bottle of wine and wished it were larger. Rasha opened an orange juice and wished she drank. They turned on CNN and there it was in a big bold red banner, “Carnage at the NRA.” Vince’s “friend,” Wolf Blitzer, was talking over a live video feed showing the chaos at NRA’s headquarters. “We can confirm that Dwayne LaPlant, Executive vice president of the NRA and U.S. Representative for Virginia, Dave Pratt, have both been killed. It is believed that 11 others have been killed and scores injured as a veritable firefight seemed to break out at an NRA celebration at their Fairfax headquarters. Details are still sketchy, but it seems to have started with a shooting exchange between an NRA staffer and an attendee at the event, who may have drawn a gun. Other NRA staffers and guests then began firing, although it is not known why. Guns are permitted at the NRA headquarters, which is consistent with their belief that more armed people make it safer. Seems like that backfired tonight. Let me switch over live to Tim Larker, who was covering tonight’s NRA event. Tim?”
“Hello, Wolf. It’s a very chaotic scene here as paramedics are dealing with the dead and wounded and police are trying to process out all the attendees to get their identity, contact details, and guns if they have them. There were a lot of guns in there tonight and a lot of seniors. I really don’t know much more than you already said in your introduction, but I have snagged a few attendees that can tell us what they saw. This is Helen Matthews from Little Rock, Arkansas. Helen, tell our viewers what happened in there.”
“Well, it was just gettin’ started and one of the young guys on stage shouts, ‘Shooter’ and fires off a shot toward where the wheelchairs were. Then it seemed like a shot came back out from there taking that NRA guy out, so another guy on stage shoots into that area and a couple shots come back from a bigger area and then more shots from everywhere. I got down on the floor until they announced everyone to cease fire.”
“Thanks Helen, and this is her husband Norman Matthews. Tell us what you saw.”
“Sure thing, Tim. It was a veritable goat (**bleep**) if I ever saw one. Funniest goddamn thing I’ve ever seen. (**bleep**), I kinda wondered if it was staged to show how if everyone was armed, bad (**bleep**) wouldn’t happen. Hell, I even shot my gun into the ceiling a few times just to get in on the action. But on the way out, it looked like some people were hurt real bad, so I guess it wasn’t fake.”
“Thanks, Norman and sorry Wolf, if any of that colorful language slipped by. We’ll be staying right here to bring you further developments as they happen. Back to you, Wolf.”
The two women hadn’t said a word during the broadcast, but they looked at each other and hugged. Tears ran down their faces as they realized what they had made happen. Trudi said she wanted to call Vince. He answered right away and said he had just watched the CNN broadcast. Trudi assured him that they were both fine and that she would give him a detailed report when she got home tomorrow. Vince said that he had a report that he needed to give her right now. “The rabies vaccine appears to be working.” Trudi was overcome with joy and then Vince added, “And now I’ll be able to take care of you and we’ll fight your battle together. Yes, I know all about it. I love you, Trudi. Come home and let’s get rid of that damn gun!”
Reports the following day in all the national media would add additional accounts and details about what went wrong at the NRA. But the most critical details about what happened came from one of the wounded attendees, Eddie Meakin, of Tallahassee, Florida, in an interview with Wolf Blitzer:
“Mr. Eddie Meakin of Tallahassee, Florida, attended the event with his mother, Dorothy Meakin. Mr. Meakin is 28 years old, an Army vet who was discharged four years ago after serving one month in Iraq. He has been receiving behavioral therapy since then and his medication confines him to a wheelchair. According to Mr. Meakin, one of the NRA staffers on the stage shot him in the leg – for no apparent reason – and Meakin removed his gun and fired back, possibly killing the staffer. Another staffer then shot Meakin in the shoulder and Meakin returned fire, possibly killing him as well.
“Mrs. Meakin confirmed what her son said and added that Eddie is deeply disturbed and is generally very removed from any social interaction. The only thing he seems to enjoy is sitting in his wheelchair and shooting at targets. “He’s a very good shot.”
***
THE END
EPILOGUE
Montgomery, Alabama. Exactly nineteen days after the murders of his fellow Senators, the senior Senator from Alabama, John D. McAdam, passed away peacefully in his sleep at The Retreat. His funeral produced a huge outpouring of attendees, including most of his fellow Senators, from both parties, a majority of U.S. Representatives, the Governor of Alabama, his daughter Rebecca, son Thomas, and his good friend, Mattie Mays. Senator McAdam died an innocent man. Which, in fact, he was.
***
Kansas City, Missouri. The FBI’s legal department decided that there was no way to stop the inclusion of the Final Notice in the VT2. In fact, they conceded that VitalTech’s cooperation was generous under the law, and if all potentially dangerous situations needed to be reported, the FBI would need to monitor divorce courts, airline baggage offices, help line headquarters and even schools at report card times. Zoe currently heads up a special team of Agents assigned to monitor Final Notice recipients. It’s a huge task and growing.
***
Quincy, Massachusetts. The VitalTech team was stumped about a VT2 user in Pasadena, California, whose Final Notice had been rescinded. In follow-up discussions with the user’s doctors, they learned that the user had been diagnosed with rabies and that the vaccine, although given late and after the disease had established itself, appeared to work, thus causing a reversal of the Final Notice. After thorough discussions both within VitalTech and with other physicians, the conclusion was that when it comes to medicine, there is never a 100% certainty.
VitalTech’s IPO was an outstanding success. Not as big as most of the social media ones but even better than J. Edward expected, and he had big expectations. In fact, J. Edward acquired VitalTech, making Vijay much more than an “on paper” multi-millionaire, and the Patels in India (at least three of the million-plus clan) have dramatically improved their standard of living.
Over 2 million VT2s were sold – in the first quarter alone – following its release. So, if you’re a bully, an irresponsible politician out for him/herself, or anyone that lies, cheats or steals, leaving in your wake, physically, emotionally and/or financially damaged people … watch out!
On the other hand, reports continue to flow in about amazing acts of generosity. Cars, furniture and even houses have been donated to worthy causes and people, literally days before they passed away; and many cities are reporting that their homeless are looking better dressed, even chic, as women and men share their closets just days before they will never need their clothes again.
Jennifer stayed on at KKL after announcing her engagement to Vijay. They held a five-day wedding in Mumbai which was attended by the parents of the bride and groom, Vijay’s brother, Sanjay (who is the plant manager at the VitalTech manufacturing center) all of Vijay’s senior team from VitalTech, plus Matt Harper as Maria’s date, and J. Edward. Zoe Brouet was invited but was too busy tracking high-risk VT2 users to attend.
Vijay and Jennifer have also announced two new projects. One is a foundation focused on promoting gun safety and responsible gun ownership; and the other is their first child.
Vijay was never able to completely come to terms with the unforeseen consequences of the Final Notice, so, not surprisingly, he is working on a new medical/technical project with a small team of scientists. It involves pushing the VT2 technology further to analyze serotonin-cortisol levels to identify depression and anger, and possibly flag likely Final Notice aggressors. Zoe is hoping he cracks it.
***
Pasadena, California. Rasha Melho was offered a job to head up the Foreign Language department at a private prep school in the area and Qasim started his own taxi company and now employs 20 people who might have been drawn from the United Nations. It gives him more time to spend with Jack, especially now that Rasha works full time. Both are on course to set new speed records to become U.S. Citizens, and they remain great friends of the Fullers.
When Vince went to see Dr. Malindra the day Trudi and Rasha flew to DC, Dr. Malindra mentioned that his last blood test was interesting but inconclusive. He drew some new blood samples as well as saliva and tissue samples. The following morning, Vince’s VT2 Final Notice disappeared. He reset it for 30 days and it still showed nothing. Later that day, Dr. Malindra called to say that it appeared that the rabies vaccine was working. Vince replied, “I know.”
Vince had also taken a call from Dr. Krishnan following up with Trudi. She explained Trudi’s situation and felt optimistic about the outcome.
Trudi, with Vince’s help and support, took on cancer with the tenacity you’d expect from her, and she’s on track to beat it. She still has a major obstacle, however, as Vince now knows how devious she can be.
Trudi confessed to Vince her role in the NRA shoot-out, after returning home from Virginia ... as well as her clandestine shooting lessons and practice at the Firing Line shooting range in Burbank. Vince was speechless, blown away, and it took a few seconds for him to decide if he should laugh or cry; so he just took her in his arms and said, “I love you!” And then they both laughed and cried. And Vince, for his part, told Trudi about his confrontation with the two guys and how he realized that he couldn’t kill them. He was surprised when Trudi responded with a big hug and kiss. But he never did tell her about the thug in the parking lot. In the end, however, they both emphatically agreed to get rid of “that damn gun” the moment it was returned by the D.C. police.
Trudi also began working on a new song, Crazy Eddie Got A Gun (That’s What The NRA Has Done). Visit www.finalnoticebook.com for the lyrics and a link to a free download.
Vince now takes Miles to a nearby dog park where Miles and his new BFFs, Yogi, Gaja and Olina, romp and play each day. Miles seems ten years younger, and he can still bark with the best of them.
***
Fairfax, Virginia. The police and the FBI concluded their investigation after weeks of depositions and ballistics tests. It was determined that Eddie Meakin killed the two NRA staffers. Corroborating testimony from most of the attendees, as well as Mr. Meakin, confirmed that the gunfire originated from the stage by NRA staffers. The District Attorney decided that a crime was not committed, and that Mr. Meakin acted in self- defense.
Dwayne LaPlant was killed by a single bullet fired by Ida Smothers, 91-years old, from Culpeper, Virginia. Mrs. Smothers is legally blind and when questioned why she shot Mr. LaPlant, she asked, “Who?” Apparently, she felt a bullet whiz by her head, so she just started shooting back. Her shot hit LaPlant in the middle of his forehead. Charges against her are pending.
Dave Pratt’s death was ballistically linked to the NRA staffer on the stage who was killed by Eddie Meakin. The shot hit him at the back of his head.
Most of the other deaths were found to be caused by gunfire from NRA staffers.
***
Washington, DC. The “visionary” thinking and agenda of John McAdam was embraced by both the GOP and Democrats and our political system is functioning as never before, with amazing progress seen on many fronts, driven by our new female President and openly gay Hispanic vice-president. Significantly, too, ISIS has disbanded, as have all the other terrorist organizations, due to a labeling change. It appears that no one wants to join a Cowardist organization.
***
Remember, this is a work of fiction.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Finally, on a more personal note, my legal affairs are in order and instructions written. I’m at ease with my relationships and connectedness, my bucket list is under control, and it’s highly unlikely that I would clean out the refrigerator, dust the furniture, wash the floors or do the laundry, if I were to get my Final Notice. And so, I might have time to right some wrongs (without a gun!) and do some good ... but I’m not waiting!
Seriously, my intent in writing this book was to highlight a few of the many critical issues facing our country today, and if you are reading this now, I am probably preaching to the choir. Our country needs to re-examine our attitude toward seniors … put a stop to profit-driven legislation that puts gun sales before human lives … and elect politicians who set the right tone of civility, as well as uphold our constitution.
And finally, we can’t afford to lose our role as the beacon of hope for the world’s best and brightest. Let’s keep that welcome mat out.
***
While Final Notice is a work of fiction, what is not fiction is the help and support I have had from friends and family, especially my partner in life, love and happiness, Jackie Morris, whose singing has been a joy as I plot and write. Equally important has been her advice and editing. Thanks, too, for some great ideas from my daughters, Heidi and Amy, and to my dog, Yogi, whose enthusiasm never flags and who has never been critical of any of my writing.
I would also like to thank my team of alpha and beta Readers who have given me new ideas, great suggestions and (mostly) gentle critiques: Bud R., Gary G., Leda S., and Pat D.
***
For additional updates and links to progressive organizations that support gun control, visit www.fina lnotic ebook.com.
THE VERY END
FINAL NOTICE QUESTIONS FOR BOOK CLUBS
Following are some suggested discussion questions for book club moderators. The author is happy to engage in discussions, as possible, and I would love to hear about them. I can be reached at van@vanfleisher.com.
Overall, do you think that the author was too one-sided or was he fair in his dealing with: seniors, immigrants, guns, the NRA, and politics?
Would you want a VT2, how would you feel about knowing when you will die, and what would you do with your last days?
Based on the premise of the Final Notice, do you feel that guns are the problem?
How did Vince and Trudi’s views on gun ownership change during the book? What caused the changes? Were their feelings and actions believable?
How did you feel about the issues of immigrants and immigration as discussed in the book?
What are your thoughts on the role and treatment of seniors as discussed in the book and in your own experience?
Did you like the author’s writing style?
Would Final Notice make a good movie? What actors would play the main characters?
What are your views on the underlying theme of ethnic prejudice?
How did you feel about the book’s ending?
When Trudi lifted the gun, what did you think she would do?
Who were the most likeable characters? Least likeable?
Did Final Notice influence your views on guns?
Did you feel that the various characters exercised adequate personal responsibility and that the NRA, VitalTech and the FBI displayed sufficient corporate responsibility?
Your overall rating: 1-5 stars.
Van Fleisher, Final Notice
