Chapter 104
1:00 PM CST Day three of 1260 Kansas City, Missouri - City Center, John Roddenburg’s Suite
“John,” Donald said, “I have some more dispatches about the rain in Northern Africa and in the Mideast. We also have some footage. It’s now daylight there. The whole thing is not pretty. In addition, I have some communiqués from Camp David, where it seems that the meeting has broken up and several of the participants have left. We know that Secretary of State, Bill Krasner is sending his family home to the Dakotas, and so are several other members of Congress. They are moving not only their families, but staff out of D.C.”
“Do we have anything on the evacuations of the Gulf Coast and the East Coast?”
“No, not yet. We know that in Houston it is mandatory that the entire city evacuate no later than Sunday. The hurricane is expected in the morning hours sometime Monday. That means there are only four plus days left, then one hurricane right after the other.”
“Where are they putting them?”
“I think that most are going to San Antonio, to one of the military bases there. They have several bases in the area and sending some to Waco. They can handle quite a few, but the entire population of Houston, Galveston, and the surrounding areas add up to close to six million people. Therefore, it is going to be difficult to figure out where they are all going. This so far is stacking up to a category four, close to the five that Jack predicted. The details he gave us were with sustained winds of 148 MPH. The problem with this one is that it stretches over three-hundred miles across. If it is a direct hit, it will be a while before people have access to their homes, businesses, and property. Then we need to restore the utilities.”
“So no word on where to put them, is that what you are saying?”
“Not yet, but we are assuming anytime soon we should hear more from the planners at FEMA. You realize that there is another hurricane right behind this first one that will be hitting Biloxi, which is right next to New Orleans? And as you know, in about a two week period, more will be hitting our coasts?”
“Yeah, I know Don.”
“Thanks, you are finally calling me Don, instead of Donald. Do you have any idea what it was like to grow up as Donald? Hey, where are your ducks, can you get them in a row? The list goes on.”
“Funny Donald uh…Don.”
“Okay, what else do we have?”
“No news on the Ken Giles assassination or murder. Russia has not commented on anything about Jack South, the rains or even the Pacific volcano. There is no news or comments from China on the permits for Jack’s visit there. Britain and other members of the European Economic Community are offering to help the countries of North Africa and the Middle East. Oh, here is an interesting one, the Saudis say allow trading or they are going to shut the oil off soon. Let us see what else. Some miscellaneous news of seeing Jack South everywhere in the world, but the reality is we really do not know where he is. We think he is still in New York, at the airport, but then no one has really seen or spoken to him.”
“Here’s a local one; Kansas City has released a statement that says that there are over five million people here and that the city is going to not only open up Royals Stadium, but also Arrowhead, and the Sprint Center downtown. This is for the people to see the sermon on Thursday. Seating is on a first come first serve basis. Uh…, the stock market is still closed until at least Monday, according to the current press releases from the SEC. That’s it.”
“That’s it, huh? Don, this is more news than I have had in a year of reporting. That is it, huh? Well, in a few days you will not be able to report it all, even if you stayed on the airwaves 24/7. How are we doing on the bomber deal with Israel? Anything on that mess yet?”
“No not a word from anyone. It’s like it disappeared from the news, even The Network.”
“How about the other witness Jack mentioned? Anyone sticking out like Jack did?”
“No, not yet.”
“Okay, how about this Reverend Marks, or Thomas, as he now prefers to be called? Did he agree to an interview tonight?”
“Yes, but he wants it to be only about the setup they have done with some of the kids and churches helping in the area.”
“That’s acceptable. Work up some questions for me to ask. Are all our correspondents on site for the areas which will possibly be affected by the hurricanes?”
“Yes. They are all there.”
“Thanks, Don.”
“That’s what a producer is for.”