Birth Row

Part Twelve

“You know this is going to end badly for you and your people, but you don’t care, do you?” The Governor said as he nodded toward the other people in the room.

“So what do you know, life isn’t fair,” replied Watkins. “I served 156 years in prison. Hardly seems worth the effort for killing those four shitbirds. Men who killed twice that got a hundred years less time because they didn’t kill rich people. I figure I’ve got a lot of killing to catch up on.”

Then Watkins waved his hand and said, “Bring our guest over to the window so he can see the show.”

With that command two of the guards lifted the governor’s chair and carried him to one of the large balcony windows then pushed him within inches of the glass.

Moments later four tanks rumbled down the street in front of the Capitol building. Sitting on top of each one were four men dressed in green prison jumpsuits. All of them carried automatic weapons.

Wide-eyed, the Governor turned in his chair as far as his bindings would allow and said to Watkins, “You’re going to use the military against the citizens?”

“Only the ones I don’t like.”

“You’re a monster.”

“That’s right, a real live Frankenstein,” Watkins said in a deadpan voice, “and you created me.”

“You won’t get away with it.”

“You said that before, Gov, except this time you don’t sound as convinced about it. Those tanks look pretty menacing down on the street, if you ask me. We have tanks and so much more thanks to Colonel Condon and his friends.”

“You’ll be tried as a war criminal once the federal military gets here.”

“First it was the National Guard, now it’s the federal military. Face it Gov, you’re out of options. We have the police, the National Guard Armory and the Air Force Reserve Base in Lincoln working for us now. I’ve already visited them and recruited the people I need. Being the Governor, or ex-Governor, now that I’m in charge, you had to know that there are nuclear weapons on the Air Force base. The federal boys won’t dare risk a nuclear war on U.S. soil. Like I said before, it’s survival of the fittest and my kind just jumped ahead of yours on the food chain.”

“Why are you doing this, what do you want?” asked the Governor.

“World domination,” Watkins calmly replied.

“From Nebraska?” replied the Governor.

“For now, I have everything I need right here in Lincoln. I’m a patient man. I have lots of time.”

“Even with nuclear weapons,” the Governor said, “you won’t win, and the Federals can’t let you win. You’re just dooming yourself and everyone else here to death.”

 “Winning?” laughed Watkins, “Who said anything about winning? No one wants trouble anymore. If I tell them that we want to negotiate a peace treaty and we won’t bother anyone outside of Nebraska then they’ll leave us alone. Oh, they’ll harass us with threatening messages and try to get spies into our ranks. But, they won’t risk nuclear war by attacking us.”

“You’re underestimating them, Mr. Watkins. And you’re risking the lives of thousands of people in the process.”

“Hardly,” replied Watkins, “Maybe fifty years ago the federals in Washington would’ve been itching for a fight, but not anymore. There are too many other things to worry about besides Lincoln, Nebraska. There are droughts inland, floods on the coast, toxic waste, rogue nuclear nations, homeless riots and The Oil Wars, not to mention that anyone with a 3-D printer and a twisted mind is making custom bombs.”

Watkins ended his speech with, “Everyone is worn down. Sure, the Federals have advanced military technology, but people are still people. Most of them just want a roof, a bed and a good meal. No one wants another war.”

The governor took a long pause, and then after a deep breath said, “We’ve obviously misjudged you Mr. Watkins. I can see now that your plan has merits. If you cut me loose I’ll help you negotiate with the Federals. I know them, I can help.”

“I’d like to trust you, Gov,” said Watkins, “I really would, but you’re too strong willed and I know you would turn on me at some point. It’s best to get the unpleasantness over with now.”

“Cut him loose,” Watkins added, “then take him out back and shoot him…and don’t get any blood on the chair, I like that chair.”

Governor Tinley struggled, but was no match for the riot squad. His screams dimmed as they dragged him farther away from the office.

Watkins called out, “Warden, set up a line to Washington, let’s get this process started.”