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Dump Miner - Chapter Two
Reagan Walker meets with the Cardinals.
An old three-story marble-and-stone building serves as the Cardinals’ main office of operations. This grand faded structure has retained much of its glory. Marble slabs cover the buildings exterior; floor-to-ceiling stained-glass windows tightly nested together cover most of the walls, the ceiling boasts a glorious central dome with a bright beautiful fresco that depict the creation of Americo.
It is almost sunset, as the Reagan George Walker enters the Cardinals sanctuary, George Walker, the current Reagan of Americo, has been Reagan since his mother, Nancy Bush Walker, passed away twenty-two years earlier. Since assuming his position, the Reagan George Walker has run Americo with an iron fist. He has no enemies and no friends. His only concern is Americo, its prosperity, and how to keep alive the traditions set in place by his family and the Reagans before him.
All seven of The Church of Americo’s Cardinals, the highest authorities in The Church only second only to the Pope himself, surround the Reagan in fiery debate over additional funding for Church affairs. Each Cardinal is dressed in the finest of handcrafted silk robes decorated with fanciful embroidery stitching then studded with an array of gems and rare stones. Their outfits are finished with glorious headdresses covered in complex beadwork that towers to the sky that the Cardinals seem to effortlessly balance gracefully on their heads. These are the finest garments that can be found in all of Americo or even a European Democratic State. The Cardinals vigorously churn out their arguments with passion, but each and every one lands on the deaf ears of the Reagan.
Reagan Walker:
I don’t care what you have to say. None of you would even be here if it wasn’t for the amendments my family had put in place during the “Dawn of Humanity.”
Cardinal Invidia:
Oh your family, please.
Cardinal Ira:
You have no right to make any decisions without consulting the “Holy Father”.
Reagan Walker:
Are you talking about that half-dead comatose figure head you call the Pope?
Cardinal Superbia:
Speak with humility! He represents…
Reagan Walker:
You should confess your sins before you speak to me of humility, Cardinal. I know what your Pope represents.
Cardinal Acedia:
Then you should be more…
Reagan Walker:
Enough of this! Since The Church has been in charge of collecting taxes I have watched resources embezzled from the collection plate since my late mother introduced me to your supervisor fifty-five years ago.
Cardinal Ira:
Watch your tongue!
Reagan Walker:
You all look like very fanciful peacocks for people who take vows of poverty.
Cardinal Acedia:
These were from donations.
Reagan Walker:
Is that so? What billionaire drag queen left you jeweled robes and beaded hats? You look like court jesters!
Cardinal Luxuria:
Why don’t you just leave?
Reagan Walker:
Why? Do you need some relief? Do you need to break in a new altar boy?
The Reagan Walker storms out of the Cardinals refuge, leaving all in the room in a silent hush. Cardinal Invidia sighs a large breath and clears his throat to get the attention of the other Cardinals in the room, the silence is finally broken.
Cardinal Invidia:
He thinks so highly of himself. He has to go.
Cardinal Luxuria:
Why can’t he just give in to want he knows he wants.
Cardinal Superbia:
Would it be so bad if The Church had total control of Americo?
Cardinal Acedia:
He is a leach that drains the life from all he touches.
Cardinal Superbia:
I agree. He has over-stepped the framework of the former Reagans and has destroyed system of faith.
Cardinal Gula:
He is taking food from our mouths.
Cardinal Ira:
Everyone hates him! He is a truly a thorn in the crown of our glorious Americo.
Cardinal Acedia:
But who will replace him? His son is even worse.
Cardinal Ira:
Something must be done!
Cardinal Gula:
The Reagan Walker’s son could be made to swear on the B.I.B.L.E. for all that he has done, no one would even question why.
Cardinal Superbia:
Yes! That could be the answer to our prayers!
Cardinal Luxuria:
What are you saying?
Cardinal Superbia:
A sacrifice to The Church would restore order.
Cardinal Invidia:
A sacrifice? What do you mean?
Cardinal Superbia:
The Second Commandment of course.
The Cardinals pause with interest and curiosity.
Cardinal Luxuria:
Go on.
Cardinal Superbia:
Paragraph Seven, Subsection 3-45 GR.
Cardinal Luxuria:
A brilliant plan! It would clear the path for our “Holy Father” to take his rightful place as spiritual leader and Reagan of Americo.
Cardinal Gula:
Yes, yes, yes, a hostile takeover, delicious!
Cardinal Invidia:
That is a brilliant plan. I wish I had thought of it.
Cardinal Ira:
Yes, our “Holy Father” will take his rightful place as spiritual leader and Reagan. Then we will show them all how to run Americo.
Cardinal Superbia:
Profits will be through the roof.
Cardinal Invidia:
I will have an altar boy draft a proposal and dispatch it to The Party for approval.
Cardinal Luxuria:
What if the Reagan refuses?
Cardinal Gula:
Refuse? He won’t. He is a selfish pig.
Cardinal Invidia hurriedly strides up the flight of stairs while the other Cardinals gather in a rigid circle and continue to discuss their plan
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