Reboot

“The more time it takes to get this kid, the more trouble he’ll cause, the more people we’ll have to deal with.” Mooney was with is wife Mildred in their bed, surrounded by pink cushions. He was in his satin jammies, she was covered head to toe in a big fleece robe topped with cream on her face, curlers, the works. They were watching a DVD. An old western with John Wayne. She loved John Wayne.

“Then hunt him down, and do it fast darling.” She patted his hand. “You have to be ruthless and daring like I know you can be, for the good of the people.” She went back to working on her nails. Eyes popping up to the screen every time John Wayne said something.

“We have very few people we can count on you know. And even those few are only working for us because they think I can get them favors later on. We’re having trouble restoring the financial system. How can I hire people if I can’t pay them, Millie?

“Offer them power. It’s just as good. If not better, dear. Just be vague about it. Governorships. The people need to be governed. Govern them. That’s how the romans did it.”

“Ok..”

“They have to learn their place you know…”

“But they don’t want to be governed.”

“The people conquered by the Romans didn’t want it either.”

“How do I do it?”

“They have to need you. So you need to make them see that. Like in the old west.”

“How?”

“In the old west, the Indians were a threat so the army was needed. It led to stability there.”

“Well yes. I know.”

“Gotta kill them indjuns,” she said while blowing dust off her pinky.