Oliver Benjamin
Biddenbrooks.”
“Is that so?” said Sprout, “Did you know that Biddenbrooks
actually helps keep those countries poor by working with corrupt
middlemen, and that it also actively suppresses competition at
home?” The old woman’s face fell. Sprout pushed her point home,
“Biddenbrooks actually killed one of my friends for speaking out
against their company. They destroyed all our businesses and tried to
have me raped.” Sprout crossed her lean arms and waited for the
woman’s response.
“Well goodness gracious!” the lady said suddenly, “That’s
terrible! I didn’t know that!”
“We’re going to take down Biddenbrooks right now. How would
you like to join us?”
“Well I certainly would,” she said, “Those bastards have it
coming.” She turned around to the other people waiting for the bus.
“Excuse me everyone, but we’re going to go destroy a nasty
corporation. Anybody want to come?”
“I have to work,” a middle-aged man with worn cuffs
complained.
“Call in sick,” the old lady said, “We need you.”
“Okay,” he replied. It had been a long time since anyone needed
him. Other people joined up as well. There was some inkling that this
could be one of those meaningful historical events, like when
somebody put the hallucinogenic drug in that coffee a few weeks ago.
The bus came and the crowd piled in. Animated conversation
ensued and it wasn’t long before a good portion of those already on
the bus decided to call in sick as well. “Of course we should call in
sick!” a young hippie screamed, “We should all call in sick every day!
That’s because the whole world is sick and it has to get better!” He
quickly wrote down this clever aphorism in his notebook to ensure he
wouldn’t forget it.
“Want to use my mobile?” a man said to him.
“No. I already called in sick. I was heading downtown to buy
crack. But I can do that later.”
They were speeding down Santa Monica Boulevard just past
Fairfax when suddenly Bennie remembered something.
“Let me off!” he screamed. The bus stopped and he pushed his
way through the crowd.
“Where are you going?” Colin yelled after him.
“To get reinforcements,” he answered and bounded out of the
263
 |
 |
 |
 |