1.1.2022
The yawning sun began awakening, rising to highlight the natural
beauty of the Arabian desert area, Fata Morgana, near the territory
held by the Democratic Organization. Close to the scattered Bedouin
tents, the desert kings were roaming peacefully; camels, sheep and
donkeys greeted each other with, "Ahlan wa sahlan" which is Arabic
for "Welcome", with their moaning, bleating, and braying.
Barney opened his eyes slowly, rubbing them sleepily. At the same
time, the blows he was receiving from the side of the helicopter struck
his head from every angle and helped his brain to regain its regular
activity that, at times, was normal and predictable, but was usually
unpredictable and insane.
Everyone in the helicopter watched curiously, their eyes softened with
smiles of sympathy, when the White Mouse,– the notorious facility
that served as a prison and mental hospital for the craziest and most
dangerous prisoners – appeared in front of them. The building was
dirty and ugly, and the stench was unbearable. In Fata Morgana, the
stained white colors were in extreme contrast to the vast brown desert
that spread out like a wall in every direction, preventing anyone from
escaping the facility. From the corner of his eye, Barney noticed that,
as usual, Monro was dressed in a military combat suit, decorated with
camouflage patches of bright ochre, with row upon row of false
honors and medals for bravery, which, according to him, he had
received for his participation in obscure, unknown, and unfamiliar
battles. He wore a stylish striped combat hat on his head.
Suddenly, the underbelly of the helicopter opened, and from within,
Monro's heavies stepped out and scrutinized everyone: the members
of the government, the guests, and the worldwide press. The
ceremonial band waited anxiously on the concrete surface, near the
entrance to the facility. Several microphones had been set up nearby,
on a little podium decorated with awful colors. It stood on a long red
carpet that extended to the helicopter landing pad. The heavies
finished inspecting all the people and checked what was going on
around them. Again they asked each other:
"Is everything okay, Grisha and Boris?"
"Yes, all fine. Is everything okay, Alex and Nicolai?"
"Yes, Grisha and Boris here. All okay."
"Yes, Alex and Nicolai here. Everything is fine.
Is everything okay, Ivan and Oleg?"
"Yes, Ivan and Oleg here. All okay. Is everything okay, Grisha and
Boris?"
Grisha and Boris answered angrily, "Idiots, you already asked us
that." Grisha turned to Monro and stupidly, he saluted him.
"President Monro, everything is okay. We can leave the helicopter
now."
Monro tried to leave the helicopter, but the heavies stopped him,
checking his appearance. Then, everyone exited the aircraft behind
Monro and the heavies, who checked everything constantly,
continuously bothering each other with their hysterical worries and
dumb questions, as if any minute, aliens would appear from outer
space to assassinate Monro.
Barney stared curiously at the two characters approaching them from
the prison gate. They seemed familiar to Barney. They both saluted
Monro and the higher-ranking one turned to him politely.
"Hello, Honorable President. I am Chief Warden Blaffof," he said,
then indicating his companion, "and this is my deputy, the greatest
thief of all, the rabbi Joves from New York. Welcome to the White
Mouse facility. Usually, those who enter these gates never leave them
again."
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Monro flinched at this last remark and looked at both of them with
contempt. "I am Monro the Great, the chosen Monro, I'm not scared
of anybody, not even in this place."
Prof. Cheers whispered in Monro's ear, "That was a joke, Mr.
President. Take it as a joke!"
Monro started laughing crazily and slapped Blaffof's shoulder
forcefully with a karate chop that almost made the chief warden lose
his balance.
"Don't worry, President Monro. He meant the criminals and the mad
people who come here, not the politicians."
Blaffof and his deputy slapped one another on the back, giggling like
schoolgirls. Only then did Barney remember that those two clowns
had once been among the leading kings of fraud and corruption
worldwide. Therefore, he turned to Yeats, whispering,
"Tell me, I remember that Blaffof was sentenced to 150 years and the
rabbi – I do not remember how many years he got. So what are they
doing here, holding the important positions of prison warden and
deputy?"
Yeats smiled arrogantly and said to him proudly.
"Their lawyers suggested a plea bargain. Instead of letting them rot in
prison, they suggested these two be allowed to serve as warden and
deputy, on the condition that they return as much of the stolen money
as they can. I suggested to Monro that he accept without hesitation.
I'm a genius; don't you agree?"
Barney's shock was complete. "Of course, everyone knows you are a
genius, Yeats. But how do you know they will not escape at the very
first opportunity?"
"Are you mad? They will never do that. Each one of them, like all of
the prisoners has an electronic ankle monitor. One more thing, if they
try to escape, they will be caught and returned to the facility to face
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10
life sentences as prisoners, rather than living a life of luxury as
warden and deputy."
"And where are the keys to their electronic anklets?"
"What kind of an idiotic question is that! Of course, like at every
another prison worldwide, they are held by the prison warden and his
deputy, here at the prison office."
Suddenly, everyone raised their eyes towards the sky at the loud and
annoying sound of Aswad's helicopter approaching.
Yeats screamed at the orchestra, "Ready everyone!"
Monro signaled to the journalists that they should come over and
listen to him. He said, "The new President of the Free Islamic Forces
seized power in a bloody military revolution. They eliminated their
enemies, both internal and external, with anthrax poisoning, bird flu,
swine flu, camel flu, donkey flu, and a range of other diseases. Finally,
he took Mike Satanic under his wing. Satanic was a former Israeli
who converted to Islam and became the notorious and elusive Caesar
of Terror. Aswad sent him to burn and eliminate his competitor's
largest oil wells, and thanks to his successful completion of the task,
the powers of the Free Islamic Forces became the largest, in fact, the
sole suppliers of oil throughout the world. Aswad became their
exporter and the richest billionaire among the oil powers."
The humongous helicopter, adorned with symbols of the Free Islamic
Forces, landed near them. Monro, the bodyguards, the members of the
government, and the interpreter waited near the aircraft. When the
door opened, President Aswad stepped out, wearing a black military
hat, an army uniform, similar to Monro's, with camouflage print and
medals of honor and bravery, all of which were the fruits of his
productive imagination. He was accompanied by several members of
his government, the Islamic media, and his interpreter. Photographers
from all over the world began shooting with their cameras. To their
disgust, Monro and Aswad were forced to shake hands in front of the
press and kiss one another on the cheek, with expressions of distaste
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on their faces. The two interpreters introduced the two much-lauded
presidents and the members of their governments, who refrained from
looking at each other, preferring just to exchange a quick symbolic
handshake. The two leaders walked toward the podium, greeting one
another with obvious revulsion, exchanging false pleasantries, whilst
on the inside, each was praying for the other's death. Their mutual
questions about each other's health were empty, quite devoid of
sincerity.
"How are things, your Honor?" ….
"Are things going as you wish, your Honor?"
"How are you doing?" …
"How are you?" …
They both sighed with relief and satisfaction when they were finally
standing on the podium, each holding a nicely wrapped package.
Monro held a small model of a camel, with Aswad's face on it. He
handed it to him saying:
"Take this small gift from the people of the Selected Democratic
Organization and me." He thought with a smile, "I would have
preferred to give you poison…, you asshole."
Aswad smiled an empty smile, with no connection to the moment, and
seemed pleased and happy for no apparent reason.
"Thank you, my dear brother, Honorable President Monro." …But
meanwhile, he was thinking smugly: "It's a pity that Hitler did not
exterminate you and the rest of the democrats along with the Jews."
He handed Monro a miniature statue of a pig, whose face resembled
Monro's. "Take this humble gift from me and the people of the Free
Islamic Forces, who admire and love you."
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They shook hands once again, with mutual smiles of contempt for the
applause. Monro whispered to Aswad, "I hope you will continue
supplying oil to the Selected Democratic Organization and stop
raising its price as Mr. Aziz, your predecessor did."
"I hope you will keep sending us your agriculture and grain exports
and stop manipulating and fucking with us," said Aswad.
"Of course, President Aswad, you will not be disappointed," he said.
"I wish the oil drilling tower would fall on you and crush you, you
thief, extortionist, and liar."
"Of course, Mr. Monro, all will be fine," said Aswad, "I hope you are
swallowed up and chopped into pieces by a combine harvester, you
thief and liar."
Barney stared at them curiously, wondering what they were hiding as
they continued smiling at one another. They reminded him of two
poisonous snakes. Aswad laid a fatherly hand on Monro's shoulder,
while the latter instinctively prepared to do a karate move. "Maybe we
should go inside."
Monro's response scared Aswad for a second, but the latter calmed
down when he sensed Monro's embarrassment.
"I want to see the condition of the Arab prisoners. I hope that your
prison warden is treating them well," said Aswad.
"Okay, Mr. Aswad. Let us go inside. You will see there is nothing to
worry about." He chuckled. "You will see that the Arabs receive better
treatment than the prisoners from the Selected Democratic
Organization."
Suddenly Aswad turned to Monro and pleaded: "Dear Mr. Monro,
Honorable President, would you be gracious enough to make a small
gesture, in honor of the good relations between us and our countries.
Please release Mr. Mike Satanic and hand him over to us… He
deserves to be in the prison of the Free Islamic Forces". He smiled
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sarcastically at the cameras. "Give peace between the Free Islamic
Forces and the Democrats a chance."
Monro answered through clenched teeth: "Chosen, brave, and smart
President Aswad, your sweet Mike Satanic, was responsible for
blowing up magnificent buildings and massacring innocent people
without discretion. I will never release such a despicable terrorist."
They glared at one another, pure hatred in their eyes. Then, as if by
magic, they suddenly smiled sweetly at one another, putting on a
show for the cameras, and continued with their diplomatic and
political routine. Monro turned to the journalists with a sweet smile.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the press, if you have any questions, now is
the time."
The journalist of the Democratic Organization asked Monro: "How do
you see the relationship between these two countries?"
Monro replied all smiles. He said, "I'm the new leader of the
Democrats and I seek peace and understanding with President Aswad
and the Free Islamic Forces."
Aswad responded, "And I'm the leader and general of the Arabs and
Muslims who are looking for truth and happiness in their world, and
especially within the Selected Democratic Organization."
A democratic journalist who was standing close to Monro asked: "Mr.
Aswad, the world would like to know why you don't allow the
Nuclear Weapons Control Committee or any other control committee
to check your reactors?"
Aswad grabbed the microphone and said, "Bullshit, the Atomic,
Chemical, Bacterial, Cosmic and Galactic Control Committees can
check whatever they desire. The reactors you mentioned are the
elaborate installations of the Islamic Forces which we are using to try
to produce gold artificially, synthetically, and microbiologically. We
would like to be the first ones in the world to succeed in the
production of artificial gold."
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Another democratic reporter screamed, scarcely able to contain his
rage, "How is that relevant? What is this nonsense about producing
gold?"
Aswad chuckled. "Producing gold is considered nonsense? What
about the Democratic Organization that already has nuclear weapons
for use against the Islamic Forces? Is that nonsense? We will produce
gold missiles, gold airplanes, and gold submarines. We will become
the world's largest gold empire."
Monro responded, "Mr. Aswad if the Nuclear Weapons Control committee does not check your new reactors, we will acquire reactors
similar to yours. We will also produce gold as you do, but free gold
that is better than your gold."
Aswad was furious. "I don't want to hear about the reactors and gold
anymore. Enough with the questions. God elected me to lead the
Islamic Forces forever." He stated assertively: "We must continue;
let's go inside."
The prison warden took out his cell phone and spoke with the guards
in a loud voice. The guards opened the gates with a dreadful creaking
sound while one of the Islamic president's entourage handed him the
leather briefcase he had been carrying until then. President Aswad
took the briefcase and put it under his arm, then he continued walking
with his entourage, towards the open prison gate. One of the guards at
the gate pointed at the briefcase and mumbled: "Mr. Aswad, you are
not allowed to bring a briefcase inside the prison." The Islamic
interpreter explained to the president what the guard had just said.
Barney eyed the briefcase with suspicion and fear. Aswad looked
stunned and a feeling of contempt rose up within him. He looked at
the guard suspiciously, then at the prison warden and Monro, and
said: "What do you think? That I have an atomic, chemical, or
bacteriological bomb in the briefcase? Are you Democrats so paranoid
and quick to accuse me? You have decided that I am the devil, right?"
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Everyone was stunned at his exaggerated reaction. Yeats jumped
forward toward President Aswad. "You are wrong, Mr. Aswad.
Everything is fine, Mr. President; you can bring your briefcase inside.
"This guard is stoned; he has just smoked a little pot and was
probably bribed."
The democrats were afraid that this rough and awkward incident
would cause some serious diplomatic incident, but the Islamic
president raised his hand and replied, pale-faced: "It's not okay; I'm
furious! I feel like canceling everything and going back to the Free
Islamic Forces." His assistant whispered something in his ear, and
finally, he said jokingly:: "But there is nothing for me to do; you are a
country of suspicious, nervous instigators and agitators. You are a
Democratic Organization of nutcases and paranoids."
Aswad opened the suitcase with a blank face that, for a brief moment,
appeared mean, and showed everyone the laptop that was inside.
"This is a laptop, a gift to my friend, Mike Satanic, see? There are no
explosives, no atomic, chemical, or bacteriological missiles. You can
calm down now."
Everyone sighed with relief and they all entered the prison. Barney,
Yeats, and Prof. Cheers stared at each other uncomfortably. Monro
and Aswad, each still suspicious of the another, smiled awkwardly,
like hungry cannibals. Aswad was in a good mood; he laughed with
incomprehensible enjoyment and patted Monro on the shoulder.
"Everything is fine, Mr. President. You don't know how much I
appreciate you and the Selected Democratic Organization. I'm glad I
came to visit you."
"Of course, Mr. President," Monro said and patted Aswad's shoulder.
"Everything is fine." Laughing, he added, "As they say in Arabic,
ahlan wa sahalan. I'm also happy to have you here."
Monro mumbled under his breath: "May you burn in hell forever."
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The final iron door at the entrance to the facility opened, and
everyone entered. Then the door closed behind the last man.
"Mr. Monro," Aswad said jokingly, "I hope that at the end of the visit,
you will let us out of here. I hope we are not your prisoners forever?"
Monro laughed. "Just behave nicely, and we will let you go. If you
create problems, we will forcefully detain you, or perhaps even hang
you."
Everyone laughed. Monro whispered into Yeats' ear:
"Listen, and do exactly as I say, immediately. Build two new nuclear
facilities that are identical to Aswad's nuclear facilities; build them
near the existing reactors. Take some people, as many as you need,
from the unemployment office, and place them in the new facilities.
Dress them in white lab coats and goggles, so they look like scientists.
Cover and disguise the existing reactors. The new buildings should be
made of plaster; also, use plaster to cover and disguise the existing
ones. Complete the job within two weeks. Take as many people as
you need: unemployed, sick, and handicapped people, soldiers before
enlistment, and even enlisted men." He chuckled. "Use however
many people you need."
The minister of defense looked shocked. "But—"
Monro looked at him with the eyes of a threatening lion.
"Okay, Mr. Monro. We will take care of that ASAP."
Monro continued frightening the minister of defense. "If needed, in
the meantime, create a fake picture of how everything should look
after it has been built and hide the old one. Then publicize it in the
media all over the world. Why do we have computers, graphic artists,
special software, Photoshop, Facebook, Google, and YouTube? Please
recruit the entire media for that. This is an emergency."
The minister of defense nodded his head. Aswad handed the briefcase
to one of his assistants. A shout of astonishment burst from
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everybody's mouths at the excessively shiny and polished appearance
of the interior of the facility. The deputy warden opened the door to
the warden's office, and everyone walked in and crowded together
uncomfortably. Within the spacious room, the guards sat watching the
big TV monitors in front of them, that showed different areas of the
prison: the prison yard, kitchen, showers, clinic, gym, prisoners' cells,
the closed ballroom, corridors, and library. It also showed the
positions of the guards on the towers all around the prison. Barney felt
sick at the sight of the people inside who would never come out.
Monro stood there, smiling at everyone in an arrogant pose. He said,
"Be aware that this is the most sophisticated facility in the world, and
all thanks to me. Everything in here is modern and new, and it was
purchased with my money."
Yeats whispered arrogantly, "But your Honor, we built this facility
from with government funds. Did you forget?"
Monro got angry and screamed at him. "I don't want anyone to
interrupt me while I'm speaking! Shut up! Everybody knows that this
place exists thanks to my money, the money of Monro, the chosen
one. And if anyone dares to interrupt me one more time, he will stay
in this prison for good – he will enjoy a free holiday here for the rest
of his life."
They were all taken aback and lowered their faces to the ground.
Monro smiled at the look of shock on Aswad's face.
"I'm sorry, Mr. President. I have the most professional prison guards,
the most sophisticated systems, and, of course, during the five years
that this prison has existed, no one has escaped, and no one will
succeed in escaping. Nobody who ends up here will ever get out,
except in a coffin on his way to a better world."
The main screen revealed one significant, closed room that looked
different from the rest. Aswad pointed at it curiously.:
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He asked, "To whom does this wonderful room belong? How many
prisoners stay in it? How many Arabs, Americans, or ones from other
countries? How many guards? Show us the yard."
"Here, we have male and female prisoners and also mental patients,
including thirty Arabs from all countries, ninety Democrats from all
countries, twenty foreigners, and thirteen on-duty staff. The room you
asked about belongs to the most famous prisoner in the world, Mike
Satanic."
The chief warden answered with pride, while Barney noticed that
Aswad's face became rigid and bitter. Everyone's attention turned to
the screen that showed the prison yard. They all moved closer to the
screen and stared at it with their mouths wide open, astonished, and
confused. The sight of the characters who appeared on the screen
illustrated reality, but they all saw the most prominent individuals in a
surprisingly different light: Every pair of eyes watching the scene was
captivated, astounded and unable to respond.
President Aswad asked with astonishment, "Some of the people in this
yard are famous, but there are some who are no longer with us. They
are not alive, so what's going on here?"
"You are right, Mr. President," Prof. Cheers said.
"But they are not who they appear to be. All were regular people who
wanted to become famous and did everything to impress the world,
but when they understood that nobody was paying attention to them,
they went crazy."
"That's enough!" Monro shouted, and turned to Barney, "Tell
President Aswad some jokes to allow him to forget the patients and
this place."
"This is a joke for the honored president." Barney suddenly recalled a
joke he had told his beloved Elena a week ago, and immediately he
began to tell it to Aswad, without thinking about the nature of his joke
and its punchline.
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"A Christian, a Muslim, and a Jew go for a walk and find a trunk full
of dollar notes in an alley. Each claims it as his. Finally, they decide to
turn to the mayor, so he can determine who it belongs to. They tell the
mayor what happened. He takes a piece of chalk, draws a circle on the
floor, and says that anyone who can prove that he should be allowed
to keep more money than the other two will get it all. The Christian
announces that he would throw the money in the air. Whatever falls
within the circle he takes it.. Whatever falls outside the circle belongs
to God. The Muslim says that he would throw the money in the air,
and whatever falls outside the circle is his, and the rest belongs to
God. They were certain that the Jew would not be able to come up
with a new idea for the money, but the Jew surprised them by
announcing that he would throw all the money in the air. "Whatever
God wants, he will take, and whatever falls on the floor is mine."
President Monro's entourage cracked up laughing; Barney laughed at
his joke and was incredibly pleased with himself. He surely looked
like a mental patient who was waiting for applause. Aswad looked at
him and screamed at him in disgust: "You are not ashamed to
humiliate Islam in my presence? You, like always, think that the dumb
Islamic people should be made a laughing-stock?"
Monro's entourage became quiet, their faces filled with
embarrassment.
"I promise you that one day, we, the Arabs, will humiliate you without
consideration or mercy, to the point when you would choose death
over suffering at the hands of the Muslims."
"My apologies, your honorable President, my foolish friend didn't tell
the joke well." Prof. Cheers panicked, glaring angrily at Barney's
pale, shaking body.
"He is just a dumb fool. He got confused because he is so stupid. He
meant to say that the Jew spoke second, and the Muslim was the one
who said he would throw the money in the air and take whatever God
didn't take. The Muslim triumphed over the Christian and the Jew."
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Barney wanted to bury himself under the dark mountains. He cursed
the moment he was born and was sure that only he could cause a new
war between the Selected Democratic Organization and the Free
Islamic Forces – one that would turn into the Third World War. He
was not sure that President Aswad bought what Prof. Cheers said,
even though she had probably saved the situation.
President Aswad studied Barney with suspicion, wishing he could kill
him, and mumbled with disgust: "Okay, I got you. Let's continue; let's
go to my dear friend Mike Satanic's room."
They continued walking in silence, down the long corridor, until they
reached the end, then they turned right, and then left until finally, they
were standing in front of a gnarled door, on which the words "No
Entry" were written, in English, Arabic, and Russian. Barney didn't
know where they were standing, innocently believing that it was a
regular room for VIP prisoners. The prison warden buzzed the
intercom and asked for permission to enter. The camera that was
placed on the ceiling above the door focused on everyone, and the
door opened wide. Had he not seen this room with his own eyes, he
would not have believed that such a room could exist in a place like
this. The guests stared at it with astonishment, enthusiasm. Shouts of
"Wow!" burst out of their mouths at the sight of an amazingly
organized and furnished room that was nicer than Monro's office at
the Democratic Presidential House.
Blaffof explained with puffed-up pride, "Welcome to the room of the
Caesar of Terror, Mike Satanic, who was caught by the CIA and
Mossad in Germany, with a false identity. He was secretly transported
to Demos, the capital of the Selected Democratic Organization, and
was sentenced to ten life sentences without parole. The adjacent
rooms are reserved for his security people who also served as his
secretaries, wives, and mistresses, who sleep with him every night,
one girl or two, or three, or four at a time, as many as he pleases.
"Mike Satanic is a man whose assets are currently estimated at
USD1.5 billion. The Selected Democratic Organization also regularly
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places the helicopter at his disposal. Mike Satanic occasionally takes
the helicopter for a ride, accompanied by his guards, the prison
warden, his deputy, and some prison guards. He already knows the
entire surrounding area. The putz enjoys looking at us from above."
Everyone burst out laughing. The room, which was sixty-five feet
long and thirty-three feet wide, was furnished with Persian and
Chinese carpets, that were later discovered to be fake. The walls were
painted with the latest colors; there were new, sophisticated air
conditioners that cooled or warmed the room, according to his wishes.
The room was divided into two equal parts. In the back corner was a
luxurious, electric canopy bed, and on the opposite side was a 150-
inch 3-D TV, with a fantastic bathtub beside it, an amazing Jacuzzi, a
closet, and washbasins. The front corner was a copy of a hi-tech
CEO's office. Satanic was sitting behind an impressively large, solid
executive desk, on an executive chair of high-quality leather. He was
flanked by six Arabs in suits, his tough, fearsome bodyguards. In front
of him, beside the desk, were three empty chairs of high-quality
leather for his guests. On the table were desktop computers, portable
computers, tablets, land-line phones, and a smartphone, along with
various accessories. There were large TV screens on the wall opposite
him, broadcasting from all the world capitals. His six
secretaries/mistresses sat at desks along the walls, dressed elegantly in
the latest styles, wearing veils over their faces, and typing on their
portable computers. The Islamic-Democratic group stood looking at
the scene in front of them, astonished. The Caesar of Terror, Satanic,
in a gallabiyah and a keffiyeh, stood up and walked toward President
Aswad with his hands extended for a hug. The latter reciprocated his
gesture and asked, "How are you, my dear friend, my beloved brother,
the new prophet of the Islamic Kingdom?"
They hugged warmly and kissed each other on the cheek.
Mike Satanic asked: "And how are you, my dear friend, my beloved
brother Suleiman Aswad, the new prophet of the Islamic kingdom, the
leader of the Islamic army? Did you remember to bring me a gift?"
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The president opened the briefcase and presented the laptop to him
"My good friend, my dear brother, please accept this humble gift.
This is Mickmack's latest laptop."
"Thank you, my dear brother. I accept your gift with love and
affection and humility, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
The Caesar of Terror bowed slightly and laid the briefcase on his
desk.
President Aswad approached Monro. "Mr. President, I would also like
to introduce to you a truly outstanding person, precious and tireless. I
am talking about Mike Satanic. He is your most important prisoner
here."
Monro approached the Caesar of Terror with his six bodyguards,
while the Caesar of Terror approached him with his six heavies.
Monro shook the Caesar of Terror's hand, smiling condescendingly.
President Aswad stood in front of them with a suspicious and devious
smile on his lips. The 12 bodyguards eyed each other like hawks. It
seemed they couldn't wait to knock one another's heads off.
"Mr. Warden," whispered Aswad, "my dear brother Satanic, told me
on the phone, several days ago, that you promised to organize a
masquerade ball for the prisoners instead of the Halloween party.
Why has that not yet taken place? Because you didn't manage to
prepare masks for the prisoners? I am not interested in reporting this
to the United Nations. But this is a rude and blatant negation of
prisoner's rights. I demand that the ball be organized immediately, and
I have even brought masks for all the prisoners. They are in my
helicopter."
The prison warden and his deputy whispered to each other, clearly
embarrassed. Monro feared the media reaction regarding the
masquerade ball fiasco.
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"It's a pity I didn't know about that. Take the masks that the
honorable President Aswad brought and prepare the ball immediately,
for tomorrow at noon. If you need any help, I will make sure it's taken
care of. Please come to me with any requests you might have," said,
Monro, somewhat impatiently. "I think that we've been here long
enough. Let's go."
Everyone left the facility with a sigh of relief. When they got outside,
some of the prison guards were pushing wheelbarrows laden with
large boxes of masks for the ball, which they had fetched from the
helicopter. President Aswad took his leave of Monro with artificial
friendliness and the obligatory kisses. His physical aversion was clear
to see, and his smile was ostentatious, plastered, frozen on his face.
Monro smiled back at him arrogantly.
"Mr. President, if you would come to visit us at the Selected
Democratic Organization for a few days, I would love to have you at
my estate and to show you some beautiful places." I will take you to a
slaughterhouse, so you know what your fate is.
"I would have gladly accepted your invitation," Aswad patted him on
the shoulder, the smile disappearing from his face immediately, "but I
must go back. I would love to visit you next time. I'm sure it will be
soon," he murmured. Monro replied under his breath: … "I'll make
sure that the gates of hell are waiting for you."
A few minutes later, Aswad's helicopter disappeared into the distance,
on its way to Muslimania, the capital of the Free Islamic Forces.
Monro, Barney, and all the members of the government got into their
helicopter and flew to Demos, the capital of the Selected Democratic
Organization.
The cabinet secretary reminded them: "Don't forget that we have a
government meeting at 10 a.m. tomorrow, where will discuss the
country budget."
Monro remembered something and stopped him, saying: "The
government meeting has been postponed, canceled. Tomorrow
Itzhak Begerano
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morning, we are going to meet some of my special friends at the most
secret facility; you can bring along your wives." Smiling his devious
smile, he said, "It will be an unforgettable day."
Yeats said, "Maybe we can do it another day. There is an important
meeting tomorrow. It's best not to postpone it because—"
"It's all set for tomorrow, and I'm not canceling it now! The country
issues are less important than my good friends and me."
Everyone nodded apathetically, like a troop of puppets on invisible
strings. Barney did not care about the rest of the people and what was
going to happen the next day. Since they had left the White Mouse,
his brain had been humming like a beehive.
Barney felt chills crawling up his aching spine, that hurt constantly. A
frightening black cloud of the unknown that was about to happen
undermined the thoughts that pounded furiously at his temples, until
he finally gave in to the sweet, long-awaited oblivion of sleep.
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