Congressman Eric Vasquez stood by the window of his empty office. The window blinds and the telephone on the floor were the only things left in the room.
The room glowed from the city lights
slipping through the venetian blinds. Vasquez stared out the window motionless.
His face looked like it had been carved from a brittle stone and years of rain
had faded it away. His once strong shoulders sagged low from the weight of
recent events. Vasquez felt a presence in the room. He
prayed it was the angel of mercy as he turned around to see who had snuck up
behind him.
A large broad man with droopy eyes and
thin blonde hair stood by the door.
"Congressman Vasquez?" said the man at
the door. "You don't know me, but I've had a great deal of impact in your life.
My name is Simon Refing. I am a Gun Bearer for the group called The Syndicate
of the Darkening Sun, perhaps you've heard of us."
"Criminals."
"You can believe what you want,
Congressman."
"Assassins."
"In some cases perhaps. Tide Turners
might be more politically correct, Congressman."
"Are you here to kill me?"
Simon took a step forward, "No, sir! Far
from it! The tide moved against you once, Congressman. I aim to send it back
the other way. It's time for the tide to work in your favor."
Vasquez turned around to give Simon his
full attention. Simon made sure to keep his hands where the Congressman could
see him. He could tell Vasquez was nervous. He was tired and tense. Simon was
tense too, but for far different reasons.
"What are you talking about, Mr.
Refing?"
"Call me Simon. I know the truth about
the scandal that has plagued you. I know you are innocent."
"You seem to be the only one who thinks
so."
"Not thinks, knows. I know you are
innocent. The stripper at the club only gave you a lap dance. The photos made
it look otherwise."
"I don't even remember half of what
those pictures allegedly show. It's like it was some magic camera or
something."
"I know, Congressman."
"Well if you know what can you do? Can
you find the stripper? Not one of my men can!"
"She's dead, sir."
"Of course she is...what the fuck did I
ever do? Huh? Answer me that, Mr. Refing! What did I do to deserve this?"
"You were a good citizen, a moral leader
that some powerful people thought needed to be taken down a peg."
"That's all this is?"
"I'm afraid so. But like I said,
Congressman, there are ways for us to change things. It isn't too late."
"The board reconvenes with a judgment
tomorrow morning," said Congressman Vasquez in a somber, beaten down tone.
"So we have all night," said Simon with
wide eyes and a sinister grin.
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