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The Weekend

The blizzard had brought at least six feet of snow, with drifts as high as eight. The white blanket shimmers as the Sun showers its rays abundantly over its virgin beauty. The uncanny silence releases a false assurance that all is well in the world. My eyes have been hypnotized to the splendor spread before me. Indeed, how can the world display such pageantry amidst the ugliness of the nemesis that has and continues to invade and destroy the one true beauty of existence: humankind? As Mother Nature carries on her innate duty, unaware that humans may no longer be present, she continues to show us that no matter what happens, she will always remain, never to cease. I'm startled by the phone ringing. With a reluctance to answer, I turn away from the window and pick up the phone.

"This is John," I answer.

"John, Ted. Have you seen Monica this morning?"

I close my eyes wishing he hadn't called, and reply, "No, Ted. I just woke up. You're the first person I've spoken to this morning."

"Okay, man. I'll catch you later. Bye." Ted hangs up.

I hang the phone up and mutter, "Whatever." I head to the cafeteria for that much needed coffee.

Knowing how much I need to exercise, I don't care, and take the elevator. I push the down button, and when the doors open, I hear my name being called. I turn around and there's Julie.

"Julie, why are you here?"

She lets out a small cough, and then says, "John, we've got to talk; privately."

"Sure. I was just heading down to the..."

"Forget the cafeteria. We need to talk now," she interrupts.

Noticing that Julie looks like shit, I ask her, "When was the last time you had any rest?"

"I don't have time to rest, John, and neither do you. You need to come with me, and now," she insists.

Hesitant to go anywhere with Julie, I decide against my better judgment to go along with her anyway. She nods her head and says, "Follow me, John."

As we descend the stairs, Julie says, "We need to get down to the lab. I need to show you something, John. Something you won't believe."

"Can't you just tell me what it is, Julie?"

"No. You wouldn't believe me if I told you, John." She stops and gazes at me and repeats, "You wouldn't believe me."

Having absolutely no clue as to what she's talking about, or what she's about to show me, I reply, "Okay. Let's go."

Both of us walk together until we reach the second floor. Julie reaches for the door, when suddenly, she turns around and says, "John, please don't ask any questions. I know it's hard for you, but you must trust me, John. Do you trust me?"

"Well, Julie, you're supposed to be off campus, and you're not. You're supposed to be like... crazy, or something, and I'm not sure about that at all. So, since you have me here, I guess I'll have to trust you." I conclude, snickering.

"Good. Because what I'm about to show you, well... never mind. Let's just go in and you can see for yourself." Julie enters the key code to open the lab door. When the door opens, I notice in the corner a person sitting in the shadows.

Cautiously, I enter and say, "Who the hell is this, Julie?"

"Dr. Bennett."

I walk slowly over to the person, and when they stand, I knew why Julie wanted me here.

"Madame President, forgive me for my confusion as to why you are here."

President Mansoor stands, takes my hand, and leans in towards me, whispering, "Raw fish can be poisonous."