Crisis

By James Sulzer

In this thrilling conclusion to The Card People trilogy, Paul undergoes another astonishing transformation. Then he and Sam face their toughest challenge yet as they uncover and fight a nefarious scheme to take over our nation’s government.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fuze Publishing
• Release date: Apr 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9780999808993

James Sulzer

James Sulzer, author of "The Voice at the Door," lives on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts and teaches reading and writing to students in grades 5-8. A graduate of Yale University, where he was a Yale National Scholar, he is also the author of Nantucket Daybreak (Walker and Co.) and the memoir Mom Comes Home. He has produced countless “sonic id’s” for National Public Radio, some of which aired on Ira Glass’s This American Life. He has spent the past 40 years of his life reading, living with, and cherishing the poetry of Emily Dickinson.

Book preview

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Crisis

Part III of

The Card People

by James Sulzer

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Ashland, Oregon

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Crisis Copyright © 2019 by James Sulzer All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions. Fuze Publishing, Ashland, Oregon

Book design by Ray Rhamey

Cover art by Caleb Kardell

ISBN 978-0-9998089-9-3

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019933370

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Dedication

for my sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law

Jean and Kent, Carol and Jim, Laurie and Bill

Family and friends—

Dear to my heart

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Headline News Service

MONDAY—We are a nation in crisis.

Panic erupted on the streets yesterday when news surfaced that a nuclear device had been placed in Chicago by suspected terrorists. A brave band of FBI agents managed to disarm the bomb. Meanwhile, rumors of similar threats to other cities have fueled the fear now sweeping across the nation.

The mounting chaos follows the disappearance two months ago of a famous scientist, Samir Kapadia, in the streets near the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Subsequent reports of flying scissors, a runaway submarine, and an army of card people have thrown into question the ability of authorities to restore order.

From our perch inside the White House, we will continue to bring you the very latest developments as they unfold.

--Sara Fernwood, reporter

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Well—at least I’m alive. But where am I? Who am I?

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Headline News Service

WEDNESDAY—Experts warn that the science of nanotechnology may be a factor in our national crisis.

Nanotechnology explores the use of tiny bits of atoms—much smaller than electrons—to create machines and computers of unimaginable power. One recent breakthrough reportedly involves the creation of nanodust—a magical powder that can nanimate, or bring to life, any object it touches.

A newly formed group identifying itself as REAL PATRIOTS blames the existence of nanodust on foreign enemies of the United States intent on its destruction.

--Sara Fernwood, reporter

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The world looks dull and gray. My body is stiff and hard. What has happened to me? Am I still Paul?

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Headline News Service

THURSDAY—FBI investigations are focusing on the mysterious scientist Samir Kapadia who disappeared two months ago in Massachusetts.

Kapadia was an immigrant from India who married Boston native Louise Johnson and raised a family with two offspring, Paul and Sam. Along with their friend Nim, an immigrant from Thailand, sons Paul and Sam are said to be the keepers of the card people. Some reports say the card people are a force for good, while others claim they are a deadly threat to the American way.

Two years ago Samir Kapadia won a MacArthur genius award for his discoveries in nanotechnology.

Meanwhile, in more breaking news, our national crisis has intensified as fears spread that the President is seriously ill. Here at the White House news of his condition remains a closely guarded secret. Terrified citizens are taking to the streets, and in at least two cities there are reports of angry mobs breaking into stores and looting. In several state capitals, armed gangs have invaded legislatures demanding stronger steps to protect our nation from its enemies. The groups identify themselves as REAL PATRIOTS.

--Sara Fernwood, reporter

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Can’t move my arms or legs. Am I dead? Or frozen? Where is my brother Sam? Where are my friends Nim and Lex?

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Headline News Service

FRIDAY—The crisis is deepening both in the White House and across our nation.

It is now more than a rumor: The President is ill. The nature of his illness is a closely guarded secret, but he is confined to his bed for long periods of time, though he is said to be alert and of sound mind.

Meanwhile, there are reports that Vice President Salazar’s flight encountered dangerous turbulence on her flight back from Peru where she was attending a conference on world peace. Her plane is thought to be lost.

One of the President’s top advisors, Vincent Slaughter, has become increasingly visible as the President’s spokesperson. This morning he appeared at a news conference wearing a pin that read REAL PATRIOT.

--Sara Fernwood, reporter

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This is all wrong: I was supposed to have turned back into myself—into Paul Kapadia, human. We’d rescued Sam, so there was no need for me to keep on as the Jack of Diamonds anymore. We were about to use the nanodust to do a body retransfer.

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Headline News Service

SATURDAY—Armed REAL PATRIOTS are reported marching on Washington, DC and state capitals, calling for the restoration of order through the expulsion of immigrants who, they claim, are secretly terrorists.

Immigrant organizations argue that the REAL PATRIOTS are hate groups targeting America’s most vulnerable new citizens. Outbreaks of violence between the two sides have grown more common as fear and unrest continue to spread through our nation.

In other developments, the President’s top domestic advisor, Vincent Slaughter, has announced that the President will give a major address to the nation this evening. He added that the President is sympathetic to the concerns of the REAL PATRIOTS, declaring, No one is a bigger patriot than the President.

--Sara Fernwood, reporter

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I can remember now. We were undoing my earlier identity swap with the Jack of Diamonds. He was supposed to give me back my human body. Sam was getting ready to sprinkle nanodust on both of us to make that happen.

Something must have gone wrong . . . but what?

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Headline News Service

SATURDAY NIGHT—Tonight, from his sick bed, the President delivered a major address that marks a crucial turning point in our national crisis.

Too ill to be shown on a live camera feed, the President was represented by a photograph of himself as his voice gave the nation shocking news:

The President has ordered the declaration of martial law.

Martial law is a special power that is normally used only during wartime—and then only rarely—in fact, only once before in our nation’s history. It gives the President unlimited power to arrest and hold anyone he wishes, using the military to keep order in place of the police and the courts.

The President said he made this momentous decision after learning of the threats to our nation from nanotechnology, as well as from terrorists who planted the bomb in Chicago and possibly other cities. He cited the pressing need to restore order.

In an oddly expressionless voice, the President added that his top domestic advisor, Vincent Slaughter, will lead a crusade to purify our nation of its enemies with the help of REAL PATRIOTS militia groups.

Slaughter later addressed the press, saying, The President has charged me to be brave and strong. He whispered these inspiring words in my ear: ‘Bring back the good old days. Purify America.’

Some civil liberties groups immediately staged a protest outside the White House, arguing that the declaration of martial law violated the Constitution. Those civil liberties groups were beaten back by REAL PATRIOTS groups, which marched down Pennsylvania Avenue, chanting Slaughter’s words, Bring back the good old days. Purify America!

Senator Katherine Wiggins of Massachusetts argued that it is illegal for the REAL PATRIOTS groups to function as Slaughter’s private militia group. These aren’t ‘patriots’ who love their country—they’re bigots who hate anyone different from them, she stated at a hastily called press conference.

Some media analysts are questioning whether the voice of the President this evening was real or was actually a bot—a computer simulation.

--Sara Fernwood, reporter

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I can hear voices—Nim’s and Sam’s. And they’re talking about ME.

Don’t you see? Jackie still has Paul’s body. So that has to mean Paul is still the Jack of Diamonds.

Maybe so—but that card is weird now. All he talks about is the weather.

The truth is, I haven’t been talking to anyone about anything—much less the weather. The mystery deepens.

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Headline News Service

SUNDAY—As fights break out on the streets of our nation, Capitol Hill is in turmoil.

The Supreme Court has convened an emergency session to decide if the declaration of martial law is legal and can move forward. Armed REAL PATRIOTS groups have flooded nearby streets, claiming the Supreme Court has no right to pass judgment on the President’s action.

Vincent Slaughter appeared on national television, calling for patience as the President restores peace and order. Prominently wearing a button that read, REAL PATRIOT, he announced, The President is out of bed and back in the Oval Office. He wants everyone to know he will not tolerate traitors in our midst.

As proof of the President’s recovery, a photo was posted of him seated at his desk in the Oval Office.

--Sara Fernwood, reporter

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If the Jack of Diamonds is talking, and Sam and Nim can hear him, then he cannot be me anymore. That must mean that a body transfer did happen, but not the one we expected.

So what happened just before the transfer? Sam tripped and fell—nothing unusual there, he’s always been clumsy—but he did drop the nanodust. For a minute. So did the nanodust that was supposed to touch Jackie fall on someone else? Meaning I did an identity swap with someone else?

But with whom or what?

All I know is, this body I have is stiff and hard. The world looks gray. And for some reason, I seem to be hearing sounds through my front legs.

Did I say front legs? How many legs do I have?

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Headline News Service

MONDAY—The Supreme Court has been disbanded. In a brutal scene this morning, all nine justices were arrested by members of the armed REAL PATRIOTS militia groups and dragged off to a high security prison in western Maryland.

The President issued a statement just before noon, calling for citizens to remain peaceful as our nation cleans up its streets.

There are reports of the widespread arrests of recent immigrants by REAL PATRIOTS militia groups headed by Vincent Slaughter.

Several universities have been ordered to close after student protests against the treatment of immigrants.

Most major media outlets, including The Washington Post and The New York Times, have been shut down for publishing stories critical of the government.

This wire service has received warnings from Slaughter’s office to give fair and balanced coverage. Or else.

We will provide more information as we can.

--Sara Fernwood, reporter

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I counted them. I have six.

And something’s growing on my back—it sounds crazy, but I think it might be wings.

What’s happening to me?!

My thoughts no longer express themselves through my throat. Instead, something flickers on my back and makes a high-pitched noise.

Sreeeeet!

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Headline News Service

TUESDAY—As fear grips our nation, thousands of REAL PATRIOTS march through our major cities, chanting, Bring back the good old days. Purify America! Opposing them are equal numbers of counter-protesters, many of which have been detained in the past several hours by the military and REAL PATRIOTS groups.

Hold on—a guard wearing a REAL PATRIOT button is marching toward me. I think he wants to take my keyboard away.

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This is Headline News Service. Everything you just read was false. The nation is finally confident and at peace thanks to the heroic efforts of our President and Vincent Slaughter, our national treasure.

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This is me again, Sara. I grabbed the keyboard back. Don’t believe a word of—

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Four enormous eyes gleamed like pools of water.

Paul? Nim’s voice wobbled through the air like an oversized soap bubble.

Do you see him? roared the deep voice of the other giant. It was Lex, Nim’s boyfriend.

Sreeeeet!

I see him. He’s down there—but he’s still acting odd, Nim answered. With a shiver in my heart, I watched her blink her golden eyes and point toward me.

Toward me, but not right at me. She was pointing at a card person about a foot away from me—the Jack of Diamonds. I shook my head and looked again.

Yes, there he was, the Jack of Diamonds, standing in a patch of sunshine, his arms crossed awkwardly behind his back. And adding to the strangeness, this Jack of Diamonds was gray, not red.

I patted my chest. Thump thump. The sound was hollow. I glanced down. My body was brown and as smooth and shiny as a coat of armor.

High above the swaying tree branches I glimpsed a familiar shape, an onion-dome tower, one of the unusual features of our family’s Victorian house.

That meant I was in our backyard. But it didn’t explain who I was.

Paul, we need you to pay attention! Nim waved a finger at the Jack of Diamonds. Terrible things have been happening! Our President is sick! He declared martial law and he put Vincent Slaughter in charge of ‘purifying our nation’! Hate groups are marching openly in the streets!

Then all of a sudden, the gray-as-a-squirrel card person next to me started hopping like an insect from grass blade to grass blade and rubbing his arms behind his back, mumbling all the while.

Temperature, 63. Air is clear. Humidity is low, he repeated as he bounced off into the underbrush.

Come on, Paul, Nim moaned. This is no time to talk about the weather!

I told you he’s lost his mind! Lex thundered.

Sreeeeet!

Something flickered on my back.

My little brother Sam’s huge round face pressed down through the branches. Around his head was a halo of sunlight—a crazy color I’d never seen before, a mixture of the palest violet with an unworldly shade of caramel.

Hold everything! I just heard Paul! he declared.

Sreeeeet!

Sam nodded. It’s definitely Paul! he exclaimed. "There’s something familiar about that chirping. No one else but my brother can sound that annoyed. I believe the real Paul is trying to make contact!"

Beside him, Nim peered down, also surrounded by that crazy mixed aura, violet and caramel. Paul, are you down there?

Sreeeeet!

He says he’s right here. Sam bent closer. His dark skin gleamed in the strange light. Paul, he asked slowly, is that really you?

Sreeeeet!

He said, ‘Yes, Sam, it’s me!’ Sam translated.

I don’t get it, Lex said. How can you understand that?

Must be a brother thing—our shared DNA, Sam mused. He knelt down for a closer look, and his massive mouth dropped open. Now I’ve seen everything. My big brother is a cricket.

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Sam’s statement was met by gasps from Nim and Lex.