Plague

CHAPTER 22

Samantha Bower stood at the entrance to the gymnasium and looked over the patients that were huddled onto cheap gray cots. There were over two hundred with only ten staff to look after them but it was impressive how much that small number of staff could really do.

She glanced over toward the other entrance and saw Duncan Adams interviewing one of the patients. He was wearing a full smock with mask and gloves as all the staff were. But he was still joking around and making the patients laugh. He noticed her looking and waved. She waved back.

The governor was expected to take to the airwaves in about five minutes and a mac had been set up on a desk in one of the other rooms of the rec center. Duncan walked over a few minutes later having already thrown his mask and latex gloves in the trash. He sat down on a stool near the desk.

“We’re starting to see a lot of kids.”

Samantha was a quiet a moment. “I know.”

“When’s the trip to Peru?”

“I have it booked for five days from now.”

“Who else is going?”

“A lot of people it seems. Ralph is coming. He never comes on field assignments like this so I’m guessing he thinks it’s either going to be an adventure he can tell stories about at parties or he thinks he can write a book about it. Then some people from the CDC and one guy from the FBI. They seem to think this is a matter of national security.”

“It’s not totally far fetched. Smallpox could’ve been sold to the North Koreans or any number of countries. I wouldn’t put it past the Russians at this point. They’ve become a criminal state.”

“I really hope you’re wrong.”

“Why? Because you don’t want to believe humanity can be so inhuman? I’ll give you a tip: never underestimate how cruel people can be to each other.”

There was commotion on the mac’s screen and they saw the governor come to the podium among flashes of photography.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “thank you for being here. I would first like to thank the efforts of Police Chief Talona, and our friends from the Army Medical Unit and the Centers for Disease Control. I know each and every one of them is working tirelessly to ensure that our citizens remain protected and that this crisis will soon be a memory.

“As it has been made public, we are facing a public health scare unlike any our state has faced before. I know many of you have been praying and sending contributions or even volunteering on the island to lend a hand to your fellow Hawaiians and I want you to know that I am eternally grateful. None of us should stand alone, and as Darwin once remarked, ‘a weakened animal is never alone.’ Together, I know we can overcome any tragedy that befalls us.

“We have faced war, we have faced famine, invasion, pestilence, and deadly storms throughout our history. They have been painful episodes, but episodes nonetheless. They, like all things, have passed and we have moved on. Perhaps a little stronger and a little wiser for the wear.

“I know that in times of uncertainty there is fear. You are all worried about your families and friends, as am I. But I can assure you that everything is being done to guarantee that this episode in our history is like every other: evanescent. In the meantime, we must be cautious. As of this moment, all transportation to and from the island of Oahu is halted. Employers on the island have been notified that all businesses are to be closed by tomorrow morning along with public facilities such as schools and other government buildings, parks, and beaches. I know this will be hard. Many of you live in our great state for the sole purpose of being out in wondrous nature. However, we must keep our fellow citizens in mind at this time of need and I ask that you remain home with your families, only traveling out if absolutely necessary.

“All the physicians and biologists and public health experts have assured us that the quickest way for this illness to pass is to end daily public life for a while. We must be vigilant and accept the fact that, for at least the foreseeable future, our lives will be altered. But I have no doubt that we will soon be out on our fine beaches, eating at our wonderful restaurants, and enjoying the natural beauty of our largest island.

“I thank you for your time, for your patience, and for your efforts in helping your fellow citizens. God bless Hawaii, and God bless the United States of America. Thank you.”

Samantha looked to Duncan who whistled through his teeth. “All transportation?” he said. “That’s pretty crazy.”

“There’s no other way to keep it from the mainland.”

“It’s going to get there anyway.”

“I think we’ve done a pretty good job of keeping it out.”

“Doesn’t matter. This is nature we’re talking about. It’s fluid, constantly adapting. Viruses are nature in its purest form. They have one purpose, one burning desire and they will do anything to achieve that desire. Nature’s ends tend to get accomplished. The virus wants to spread. It’ll spread until it can’t anymore.”

“I think you give viruses too much credit.”

He shrugged. “I don’t have a girlfriend so I think about viruses all day.” She smiled and he grinned. “We never got to have dinner. Have it with me tonight.”

“I don’t think tonight’s a good time.”

“It’s the perfect time. You heard the gov, they’re closing all the businesses tomorrow so I’m assuming they mean restaurants too. Come on, we’ll go to the best restaurant on the island and then tomorrow you can start eating Army food and Top Ramen.”

She closed her mac and sat down. “All right. Dinner. But it’ll have to be a little later. I have a meeting with Ralph.”

“No sweat,” he said, standing up. “I’ll swing by and pick you up from Queen’s Medical.”

“They meet at the Ritz-Carlton now. Pick me up from there in a couple of hours.”

“You got it. I’m gonna go hit the showers.”

“Okay. And Duncan? Maybe we shouldn’t go anywhere too crowded?”