Tattooed Trees: Part I

By Brian R. Bernick

This revolutionary story is a fictional portrayal of how continued CEO greed, a government steeped in self- interest, and event driven infringement on constitutionally protected rights will cripple a free society.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493147243

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Brian R. Bernick.

ISBN:             Softcover             978-1-4931-4723-6

                        eBook             978-1-4931-4724-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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

Cover Image ‘’Peter Fonda’s American Flag Patch’’ is from Wikimedia Commons which is a freely licensed media file repository

Rev. date: 03/07/2014

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

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Contents

Chapter 1 Allen Spruce

Chapter 2 Allen Spruce

Chapter 3 Royal Pain

Chapter 4 Allen Spruce

Chapter 5 Lucky’s Laboratory

Chapter 6 Buck Spruce

Chapter 7 Subtle Transparency

Chapter 8 Alannah Schwartz

Chapter 9 Unwanted Visitor

Chapter 10 Lucky’s Laboratory

Chapter 11 Subtle Transparency

Chapter 12 Buck’s House

Chapter 13 Hail to the Chief

Chapter 14 That Bitch Karma

Chapter 15 Family Feud

Chapter 16 Strong A.R.M.

Chapter 17 And the long arm

Chapter 18 Cease to Exist

Chapter 19 Pay Dirt

Chapter 20 Shore House

Chapter 21 It’s Hard to be King

Chapter 22 The Ballad of John Skittles

Chapter 23 Service with a laugh

Chapter 24 A Meeting Place (State of the Union)

Chapter 25 Sweating Bullets

Chapter 26 Home Sweet Home

Chapter 27 Shady Moon 1

Chapter 28 Investigate This

Chapter 29 Shakedown

Chapter 30 As We Proceed

Chapter 31 Indestructible

Chapter 32 The Spirit of the Radio

Chapter 33 Search for Miles

Chapter 34 The God That Failed

Chapter 35 Getting it in

Chapter 36 Call Her Out

Chapter 37 Day in the Life

Chapter 38 Prideful Thorns

Chapter 39 War Machines

Chapter 40 Above the Law

Chapter 41 Shady Moon 2

Chapter 42 Footsteps

Chapter 43 Rising Clout

Chapter 44 Bones

Chapter 44 2 Step Segue

Chapter 46 June Storm

Chapter 47 Echoes of Sadness

Chapter 48 Break In

Chapter 49 Red vs. White

Chapter 50 Home

Chapter 51 Administrative Order

Chapter 52 Circumstance

Chapter 53 Poisoned Well

Chapter 54 Funeral for a Friend

Chapter 55 Freedom, Yeah Right

Chapter 56 London

Chapter 57 Computer Man

Chapter 58 Puppet Masters

Chapter 59 Mic Check

Chapter 60 Broken Dreams

Chapter 61 Renegades

Chapter 62 Pillow Talk

Chapter 63 Working for the Weekend

Chapter 64 American Illusions

Chapter 65 Branch St.

Chapter 66 The Great Divide

Chapter 67 Aftermath

Chapter 1

Allen Spruce

This sign and the graveyard behind it have been on my way to and from work for ten years. They have been here for centuries, and I’ve never seen it until today… It’s amazing how the roads force you to overlook what the sidewalks want you to see. These men fought oppression, tyranny, fucking taxes. Look where I am… I’m unemployed. Ten years gone. And for what? Getting caught pissing, outside, by a surveillance camera? How does that mean I was driving under the influence?

There were no cops, no lawyers, no judge, and no due process. Just ninety seconds of footage taken of the side of my body. How could they even prove I was the one that was driving my car? Administrative law can suck my dick.

The thoughts swirled around in Allen Spruce’s head as he headed home from paying his ration of his electric bill at the United States Utilities office in Mt. Holly New Jersey. He was staring at a memorial for those that died in The Battle of Iron Works Hill. It was a decisive moment in the birth of a new nation. The skirmish took place two days before George Washington and his men crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Night 1776.

Allen pictured himself on the boat. Fantasizing about what it would be like to be a part of one of the greatest most romanticized spectacles in the history of the world. He was sure if these men were alive today, they would have wondered what they fought for and why.

The year was 2033. And this definitely wasn’t his father’s America anymore. Maybe it really isn’t so bad. I’ll be driving again in 92 days. I’ll land on my feet. He thought as he walked down the broken sidewalk of Pine Street.

It was a cold day, but he needed to stretch. Without a license, or accessible public transportation nearby he felt like a prisoner in his own home. If he were to get anything done it would be done from walking. His daily journeys alone gave him plenty of time to allow his mind to drift into a reflective state.

Up until a week ago, Allen worked as a Radio News Reporter for Transparent Media. In early 2027 all television, radio, and movie studios merged into one conglomerate.

While the job paid the bills, and put food on the table for his son Jack. Allen wasn’t happy. Seemingly over the years there was only one message being conveyed over the airwaves, and it was theirs.

One difference in Allen’s job that was different from everyone else’s was his sign off. He was on Friday nights between 5pm and 10pm, so he saluted his listeners with Have a good weekend!

During the week the Transparent approved sign off was Work hard and work strong. Saturdays and Sundays it was God Bless America. People seemed to like Allen. He couldn’t figure out whether or not it was due to his personality, or that the end of his show signified quitting time.

He walked into his home. A modest single family home he had been living in for 6 years. In late 2027 the Federal Government was somehow able to purchase all the real estate in the country, and place people in housing based on their income. They called it The Mustafa Act after the President who served the nation from 2026 through 2030 until he lost his bid for reelection to Oliver King.

Allen liked his place, but he wasn’t stupid. He still had to pay property taxes, and did they ever go up. He figured he would be paying about $1500 a month less under the old method, and he could actually write off the mortgage on his taxes.

Still he was amazed at how the US government could spend $76,000,000,000,000 on real estate when the National Deficit was a reported $1,000,000,000,000,000 because of the ongoing World War III.

Allen looked at the clock. Shit, 4:45! Madison is going to be here with Jack in about an hour. He had just enough time to put dinner in the oven, and check his Look Rag page.

He always liked the idea of social media. It was a place he could go to escape the restrictions of radio, speak his mind, and not have to hear any feedback from his boss. Over the past 4 years he noticed that social media had started to become watered down as well. Still, he had over 10 million followers due to his celebrity, and close to 500 friends and family members he had known from childhood. He sat down in his living room, and turned on his tablet. Babies, billboards, and beef stew he muttered. This place is just becoming another cluster fuck of mind numbing nonsense. Whatever happened to thought provoking conversation? I guess I’ll see what’s going on in the world.

He turned on the television. The reporter on Transparent News Channel was reporting a story about a new chemical called Hydrolox being dispersed into the country’s water supply.

Hydrolox was reported to have nutritional value similar to a multi vitamin. However it wasn’t tested thoroughly due to President King’s disbanding of the FDA after the 2 Congressional Sequesters of 2031. It was just costing too much for the US Government to keep it alive. Cuts had to be made.

I bet they wouldn’t be dumping this stuff in the water if it could be tested. Allen thought. It’s probably giving people cancer, or some shit. Allen grabbed his tablet, logged onto Look Rag, and posted the status Don’t drink the water. Just then, the doorbell rang. He opened the door. Madison was outside holding a backpack, and Jack was there with the biggest goofy smile on his face.

You’re early. Allen said to Madison. I know, Barry’s taking me to New York to see a show and go to dinner. She said. Madison was a petite brunette, yet somehow managed to curve in all the right places, and had the best surgically augmented breasts Allen’s money could buy. Their marriage ended painfully for Allen.

He was ordered to go to Iran by his boss for 6 months. His job then was field reporting on the initial stages of World War III, where he lived in a hotel in Northern Tehran. When he returned, Madison had gone, filed for divorce, and was already banging Barry. He knew there could never be a full reconciliation, but he still fantasized about having sex with her once in a while when he took a shower.

Sounds like fun. Have a good time. Allen said. Oh, I need to talk to you for a minute. I’m having trouble paying for Jack’s tutor. Madison whined. Allen let her in and stated boldly You know what happened to me! Why the hell are you coming over here bringing up money? Especially after what I pay in child support and alimony! Well, you see we’re going to Peru in a few weeks and the resort is expensive. Do you think you could pay the tutor for a few months? Replied Madison. Sounds like the problems of fucking assholes. Allen thought, although what actually came out of his mouth was I’ll see what I can do. Ok, great! See you on Monday. Bye! she said as she sauntered down his sidewalk.

Allen was trying to train himself not to check out her ass as she left, but he was failing miserably. She should be letting me tear that up at least once a week for all this bullshit. Allen thought as he removed his eyes from her apple, and fixed them on his young son.

Daddy, can we go to the pet store and look at the kittens? Mommy said you would. Jack asked. The young boy hadn’t seen his father since the day before his court case, and didn’t understand even though he had told him over the phone.

No, buddy it’s too far away. I lost my license, and the nearest pet store is in Florence. Allen replied as he placed his hand on his son’s head. Let’s watch the basketball game.

His thoughts went back to how stupid it was to be convicted of drunk driving without even submitting to a Breathalyzer test, or be stopped by a police officer. Maybe it was his fault. Public urination is against the law. Enough of this for now. I can’t worry about it. Jack’s here.

Chapter 2

Allen Spruce

Monday came. Jack was gone, and that left Allen alone again. He hated when Jack left. Having the place to himself left a void he could not fill with television, or Look Rag. He poured his coffee, and turned on his tablet. He had gotten some replies to his Don’t drink the water post. Some were positive, some disagreeing. The most glaring one came from Phil Lerner. He was a former classmate Allen had biology class with. It said I’ve spent $250 dollars a month for multi vitamins, and now the Government is just giving them away for free. I think it’s great. You’re being ridiculous.

Ironically, this excited Allen. There was nothing he liked more than a debate. It kept his mind sharp. It was the exact type of thought provoking conversation he craved. Allen didn’t hesitate to shoot back with a childlike smirk on his face.

Well, if the FDA were still around it might not get approved. You don’t know what kind of shit they actually put in there, because all they told us is it contained multi vitamins. There hasn’t been any list of ingredients released, and since it’s coming from the mains they don’t have to. The post read.

Victory tasted sweet. Especially one that came this easy. Allen didn’t have time to sit and mess around today. He had to walk to the bank to deposit a check his older brother had sent him. A small stipend to keep food in the fridge for him and Jack.

On the way he noticed the road between his house and the bank was littered with small liquor bottles. It’s funny because Allen’s brother’s boss Oscar told him to look for coins.

The voice echoed When I used to go walking I’d make about sixty cents every day. It was a sad state of affairs. Times had gotten so bad that instead of loose change that was accidentally dropped, the streets were littered with deliberately discarded containers of sadness. Allen couldn’t judge though. Ever since he lost his job, he had to drink vodka every night just so he could sleep.

He made it to the bank and deposited his check into savings. He was feeling a little hungry, so he decided to stop at a sushi buffet on the way home. He went in, and was greeted by a tiny Japanese hostess. Buffet for one? She asked. Yeah he answered. What you wanna drink? She asked. Water please, with a lemon. He said. Okay, help yourself to buffet. She assured. Thanks said Allen.

In the booth behind him sat a couple guys. They were obviously coworkers as well as friends. They were laughing and joking about their exploits at the bar from over the weekend. This made Allen think of his friend Vin. Maybe he would call him later this week to go out for a drink. He figured he needed some company. It might lighten his mood a little.

After paying the check Allen walked out into the cold February air. The walk home from the buffet was usually more taxing than the walk to the bank because walking east put him against the wind. Luckily he always kept his skull cap and a pair of nylon gloves in his coat.

As he walked he heard a loud screeching sound. Allen looked to his right and saw two turkey vultures eating the remains of a young cat on the highway’s cross street. Thank God Jack isn’t here to see this. He loves cats. Allen thought.

The cat wasn’t astray. A silver light with a reddish hue glistened in the sunlight. This cat was somebody’s pet, somebody’s friend, somebody’s happiness. If you don’t take care of your own, no one else is going to do it for you no matter how much they pretend to care. It’s just the laws of nature. He rationalized.

As disturbing a sight as it was, it was out of Allen’s mind by the time he made it back to the house, and turned on the television. The next bit of news was going to stick with him for the rest of his life.

A team of terrorists in tactical gear have infiltrated the United States Supreme Court. All nine justices have been shot and killed. US military efforts in North Korea are expected to escalate to nuclear war. Denise said.

Good! Blast those mother fuckers off of the god damn map! Allen exclaimed. He sat down, lit up a cigarette, and poured himself a shot of Polish vodka. He listened intently to every word the reporter spoke. In the middle of the report she paused and said Ladies and gentlemen, we’re going to take you to the oval office for an address from our President.

Oliver King was a Republican. He had defeated Akbar Mustafa in 2030 to become the first conservative President since George W. Bush. Since the Democrats had held the Presidency, and the Republicans controlled the congress for 22 years, it caused a major grid lock in things getting done smoothly.

Political party games forced 4,000 executive orders to be put into law in that time period. By 2030 the American people saw World War 3 and the Mustafa Act for what they really were, government cash cows. The fact that 72 percent of the citizens belonged to a housing authority had led to a lot more laws being implemented by the president pertaining to warrantless probable cause searches to protect national security. Meanwhile Congress just sat around complaining, and quoting the Bible.

Allen liked not being a homeowner at first. That was, until he realized that he was paying 34 percent income tax, and all of his tax deductions were taken away at the masterstroke of the executive pen. Loopholes had been closed to catch cheaters. 34 percent, and then he still had to pay $156 dollars to the IRS. There were no more tax returns to help people catch up on bills, or replenish their savings. He voted for Oliver King. So did 69 percent of America. His campaign slogan was OK by me. Understated, but loaded at the same time.

He really seemed to listen to the people, but Jesus was everywhere. He was back in schools. No Muslims or Jewish people really got offended. The United States was founded as a Christian nation after all. The phrase Jesus Saves was printed on everyone’s credit cards. But hey, maybe he can change things back to the way they used to be before I was born. The President came on.

Chapter 3

Royal Pain

My fellow Americans, let me be the first to express my condolences to the 72 great Americans who lost their lives today in the attack on the Supreme Court. This is a sad day for us all. We will remember their proud service to our Constitution, and the contributions they have made to preserve the rights of our Democratic society. However, on this… One of our darkest days we need to exercise caution. We have 15,000 more service men and women preparing for deployment to North Korea.

A nuclear strike at this time is not feasible. We are going to win this war. It may take longer than we had hoped, but our lord and savior Jesus Christ is on our side. We are the United States of America, and we’ll continue the fight until our enemies have no fight left in them. In fear of another attack on our judicial system, the Department of Homeland Security is under orders to gather all federal, state, local judges, and magistrates. We are putting them in protective custody, and going forward as a country of Administrative Law until our enemies are defeated.

All parole hearings are suspended as well as all pending trials, summons, and appeals. We have to be vigilant. The enemy is among us. The CIA is reporting that the perpetrators are American citizens. The rumor is that they were hired by the North Korean government to wreak havoc on our judicial system.

We will be starting a Government repossession program for all licensed guns and ammunition to reimburse you for your purchases and cooperation. We will have arms collection stations set up at your local courthouses. If they are not returned within 14 days, they will be confiscated by Homeland Security agents as well as the FBI, state, and local police departments.

Your compliance is mandatory, or you will be jailed under the Citizen Safety Act that has just been put into place. It is now illegal to own a gun. Again, my fellow Americans do not panic. This should be temporary. Your rights will probably be restored by the conclusion of this third World War. Stay strong citizens, work hard, and God Bless America.

Allen couldn’t believe what he was hearing. I can’t believe this! He yelled. How in the hell can they even do this? Then he went onto his Look Rag page to see what everyone was saying.

Reactions ranged from prayer cards to patriotic messages to racist remarks being made about all Koreans. There were a few conspiracy theorists, and that satisfied Allen.

It didn’t make him happy, but at least his intuition was validated. At that point, he decided he needed to go out. Before he turned off his tablet he made a quick post that read Inside Job.

He grabbed the phone to call Vin. His thoughts were racing about what he just heard and said on the internet. His experience in Iran, the aforementioned state of the union, and the messages from his favorite books had begun to creep into his mind. He grabbed his vodka, took a shot straight from the bottle, and paced as he grabbed a cigarette.

Did you see the news? Allen asked him still panicked. Yeah, I still work for the radio station dumbass! Vin replied. Allen chuckled and then asked Do you want to go to out tonight and grab a couple drinks? I could use a night out. Sure, I’ll pick you up around 7." Replied Vin.

They got to the bar around 7:30. The place was packed for a Monday. It turned out there were some models working to promote a new low calorie vitamin enriched beer called Goldilocks at the Rogues Gallery in Center City Philadelphia. It was bottled at the Ulick Brewery in Pittsburgh. Allen and Vin didn’t try it, because they preferred imported beer.

Franklin Ulick was the richest most powerful businessman in the world. By 2027 he successfully merged all of the fortune 500 companies into subsidiaries of one corporate giant called The Transparent Corporation. He got his start in media, and was also the acting CEO of Transparent Media where Vin worked and Allen used to work.

If you were an American citizen who was lucky enough to have a job, then chances are you were employed by Ulick which meant his signature was on the memo line of almost every American paycheck. The style was sloppy mostly consistent of a straight line, except for the F and the U. It was bad enough that minimum wage hadn’t gone up since 2014, but now the man in charge is ironically saying fuck you to the people that work for him. Most people just seemed to accept it for what it was. He was too big to fail, and he never made public appearances. Everyone knew his name.

The two men sat at the bar with Heineken bottles, and shots of Grey Goose in front of them. So, you’re looking pretty ripped. Have you been going to the gym? Vin asked. No, I’ve been working out around the house. You know. Sit ups, pushups, some weights, and walking a lot, obviously. Why are you interested anyway? I’m gone for two weeks, and you miss me so bad that you want to fuck me? Allen joked.

Vin laughed and replied. Yeah, you know me, you fucking dickhead. So this Supreme Court thing is crazy! I can’t believe it went down like that. Vin stated.

I know. I think the whole thing was done from the inside. I mean, the news report said there were 13 gunmen right. And that they are American citizens. So why would it be justified to suspend one third of Democracy when the war is being fought overseas, and it’s such a small number of people? Allen asked rhetorically. I don’t know. I guess they’re just playing it safe. Vin stated.

Well, something’s up. First they buy everyone’s house, start to implement more and more Administrative Law in the court system so they can bust people without spending as much money on due process, hiring cops like crazy, they’re dumping that shit in the water, and now the entire United States judicial system collapses in an afternoon. Damn, we don’t even have freedom of speech at work anymore. Think about it. Every day when you finish your show you have to use the same sign off as Jaxon, Preston, Matt, Rosemary, and Chris. Murrow, Brokaw, Jennings, Williams, Lauer and Kronkite didn’t have to do that. Dude, Pierre and Savannah just walked the fuck out over how badly they felt controlled. I’m telling you. Washington is just wiping their ass with the whole Bill of Rights, and it starts within the workplace environment. How much trouble do you think you’d get in if you told everyone to have a good weekend on your Tuesday afternoon show? Allen preached.

Those dumb ass mother fuckers would probably all just leave their jobs thinking it was Friday night! Ulick would fucking lose his shit! Vin exclaimed.

Both men started cracking up laughing at the asinine notion of the public being so brainwashed by what they hear on the radio. After the laughter subsided, Vin stared deeply at his friend. At that moment whether it was the facts Allen had laid out, or his persuasiveness. Vin was sold. Speaking of playing it safe. Two chicks coming right toward us. 12 o’clock. Vin said as he cracked a hungry grin.

The two women approached. They were tan, voluptuous, had enormous breasts, and wearing matching skin tight black mini dresses. They definitely had some work done. Jane was a platinum blonde. Holly a dyed redhead. So you’re the guys from the radio? Holly asked. Well, I used to be. I got fi. Allen started to say before Vin kicked him in the shin. Vin knew Allen. Despite his intelligence and good looks, he had trouble sometimes when it came to women. He tended to give away too much too fast.

And if Vin knew one thing it was these girls were here to get laid by celebrities, not hear a broken man’s sob story. No matter how unjustified it was. He’s been promoted. He’s going to be directing a feature film. Vin lied. Oh, that’s awesome! Holly said as she blushed slightly while subconsciously running her fingers through her auburn locks. How did you pull that off? She asked. I’ll show you. Allen said coolly staring her up and down. Do you want to get out of here, and we can take this party back to my house? I have a fresh bottle of Goose, or some red wine. Whichever you like."

Holly looked over to Jane. She was engaged in idle chit chat with Vin. She was teasing him by gently brushing her gigantic melons on his shoulder every few seconds. All the while blaming it on the crowd. Yeah, let’s go. Holly purred. Allen tapped Vin on the shoulder and the foursome left the bar together. This was just the kind of night Allen needed.

Back at Allen’s house the private party was going just as expected. The drinks were flowing, the conversation was playful, and Jane even had a couple joints in her purse. It wasn’t long before Allen had taken Holly upstairs to his bedroom leaving Vin on the couch with Jane.

Chapter 4

Allen Spruce

Allen woke up naked with his used condom still on his dick. Fuck me. He said as he forced himself out of bed. He staggered into the bathroom, flushed the condom, and walked back into his room to find some pants. As he bent down, he felt the sharp pain of binge drinking doing its best to poke out his right eyeball.

On the night stand there was a little post it from Holly. It had her phone number, email address, and a note that read Thank you for playing with me handsome. I don’t know if I mentioned it before, but I’m trying to get into acting. Let me know if you have a role in your movie for me. If you do, I might open another hole for you. XOXO, Holly.

Allen crumbled the note in his hand, walked back to the bathroom, threw the post it away, and looked at himself in the mirror. Just then he got nauseous and threw up several times in the toilet. When he finished he dug Holly’s note out of the trash, flattened it, walked back into his bedroom, and went back to sleep.

A few hours later he woke up again. This time he was feeling better. He looked at the clock. 12:08, Vin’s show is on. I hope he made it to work. He turned on the radio.

Vin was reporting on the Goldilocks launch party from the night before recommending everyone drink it. Every commercial break the same jingle for the low calorie beverage came on. Lock into the party with Goldilocks. Then Vin’s voice came on the radio. Goldilocks a low calorie beer that’s brewed with Hydrolox for your daily nutritional needs. Who said booze was bad for you?

Allen had to think for a minute. He was still a little dazed. He hadn’t drank that much let alone smoked pot in a long time.

Damn, they’re really pushing this shit. He thought. I’m never going to drink that stuff. He started his coffee pot, and turned on his tablet. He decided against the coffee for fear his water was contaminated, so he turned off the coffee maker and mixed himself a screwdriver. A little hair of the dog he thought.

Allen finished his screwdriver, had a smoke, and decided to search Hydrolox on the internet. To his surprise he didn’t find much. There was an article from the old News Magazine The Modern Democrat published in 2004. It said that the FDA tests on Hydrolox were inconclusive, but had similar ingredients to another chemical concoction known as Perilox that was used by the CIA during the Cold War. But for what? Allen thought as he scrolled through the document while smoking a cigarette in his living room. The article didn’t specify.