Finally, the scene was void of most of the partiers. The scene, however, grew dark in a hurry. Amongst the former shouts of "come here this minute!" and "We're leaving now!" grew a loud cry of, "No! No, I won't ride home with you!" Priscilla was shouting in fear as she looked on at her father, Mr. Williams the Third, who was obviously in no state of mind to drive.
 
Mrs. Jonsey, her mother, tried to encourage Priscilla. "Priscilla dear, we need to go home. You can make brownie points later."
 
"I think she's made enough brownie points for one day!" Mr. Williams, III bellowed.
 
"Yes, I know. We'll discuss that later."
 
Dora's father came over, trying not to stumble, called out a little louder than he had intended, "Dora! It's time to go!"
 
Dora put her hands on her hips in defiance, "Father, there is no way I am riding home with you behind the wheels. We are taking a cab and I am going to stay with David, Mary, and Ella!" Dora then turned towards Priscilla and Isannah. "You two are coming with us! It's for your own safety!"
 
Priscilla was so frightened, she did not know what to do. Dora's father reached down to grab Dora. Mary darted in front of him, tripping him in the process. Dora grabbed Isannah and ran down the hallway and locked them both in the study. Quickly, Dora dialed the number of the taxi service that is exclusive to the rich and asked for immediate rush pick-up, and gave them the address next door.
 
Her father banged on the door, "Let me in right this minute! Dora! Open up! Or I'll ground you for life! You hear? Dora!" The banging continued.
 
Ella looked at Priscilla, "Please, follow us. Please?"
 
Priscilla only stood their crying. Mary went over to grab her hand but Priscilla quickly withdrew it.
 
Ella signaled to David and Mary, "We really should get going. Follow me."
 
Mr. and Mrs. Goldstein just stared in disbelief. Mary had always gone home with them before. They really were speechless.
 
Mr. Welston and Mr. Halseth were having their issues as well, as their children didn't want to drive home with their father's behind the wheel either.
 
Mr. Welston got very quiet but gruff, "I am preshidenth of Welllshton Enterprishish, and you are thelling me I am thoo drunk to drive? I will have you know, that I have been thoo many a meething where drinking was had and major dealsh were made, and I will have thyou know that I have made myshelf very ricth and can thoo drive!"
 
Mr. Halseth had pretty much the same argument. Neigher wife dared disagree. Instead, they grabbed their children and one by one pushed them out the door and towards the car.
 
Ella, David and Mary made their way to the backyard. Ella wished that she would have grabbed Priscilla, but didn't think she was strong enough to save an unwilling victim.
 
Dora grabbed Isannah, and shoved her outside the porch door, and then led her to around front, where Ella and the others were. In silence, Dora led the way to the neighbors, where within seconds, a Rolls Royce was waiting for them. Dora gave him the address, but told him to take very differednt route there instead of the much faster and more direct route.
 
*************
 
Spring from, Vivaldi's The Four Seasons was playing on the radio. Isannah hummed softly along. "Oh, how I love that piece. It makes me so happy and relaxed. It is a new beginning."
 
"I so agree!" Mary exclaimed.
 
Dora thought to herself, "Isannah's words are probably going to prove more true than anyone could ever imagine. Too many drunks on the road at one time is never a good sign."
 
3/4 of the way through the piece, the radio announcer abruptly interrupted, "For those driving, do not take Interstate 2, I repeat, do not take Interstate 2! Exit immediately! Interstate 2 is closed in both directions! No one is getting through. A very bad 100 car pile-up with major injuries and deaths is blocking the entire freeway in both directions! The accident involves a semi-trailer, a gas tank, and what we are told is at least two drunk drivers. Our information is coming in from a frantic caller. She is on the line right now. Hello? What do you see?"
 
"It's awful!" She wept some more and then tearfully continued after blowing her nose. "Cars everywheres! Some cars are flattened. Cars are on their bumper, cars are flipped over. Sniff. With my binoculars, sniff, I see one car underneath a semi-trailer's wheels."
 
She took a deep breath, blew here nose and went on. "The other car is engulfed in flames from the gas tanker. The fire is spreading rapidly! People are pulling other's out at quickly as they can. People are screaming. It is chaos. It's awful! Sniff."
 
"I'm sorry! Are the firetrucks on the scene yet?"
 
"Yes, helicoptors are pouring something down from the sky. The camera crew is filming from above. Police are running down the shoulder because they can't drive any closer. I'm on the grass. I saw what was happening and drove off the road. The semi-trailer went over the median into on coming traffic. It's back end is on my side..."
 
"Which - South bound or North bound?"
 
"North bound. I'm North bound. Sniff. The back end is where that car is. Sniff. The cars are luxury cars. Rolls Royces, Limousines, lots of limousines. Sniff. Must have been a wedding. Its so awful!"
 
"Thank You for talking with us. I'm sorry. I hope you get peace soon, too."
 
"Thank you. Sniff."
 
"Hello, you are on the air. What do you see?"
 
"I was at that party! I should have stayed. I should have killed that man myself! He killed coutless of children! He killed his own children! They killed their own children!"
 
"Who is he? Who are they?"
 
"He is President of Welston Enterprises. He was arguing about how he was good for driving. I left quickly to get home before disaster struck. I didn't make it.
 
"I was able to drive off the road safely, but many children were in those cars. It is a start of school party that is held every year on the first Friday after school starts. People drink, and eat and then drive home.
 
"Drinking games are the rule, not the exception. I vow to not drink ever again, not even social or in moderation.
 
"The other drunk is Mr. Halseth, the Vice President of Welston enterprises. The President has two children, a 8 year old and a 6 year old. The Vice President has a 12 year old, twin 10 year olds, and an 8 year old.
 
They are taking people out in body bags. Lots of people in body bags. They are still trying to get the fire under control. People are drowning in foam. Screams were everywhere, but the fire is now drowning them out.
 
I see Mr. Thompson helping others out. They are transporting people by helicopter. The Army is here with their chopters. The whole sky is filled with chopters. They are lifting cars out too to make room. I can't make out any more. It's chaos. Thank you." Click.
 
"Thank you! My heart goes out too you - too all of you. We will have more on this senseless tragedy as it comes in. Back to Vivaldi. I think, I will play Brahm's Requiem instead. This one goes out to all of you impacted by this tragedy."
 
The chauffer rolled down the window that separated him from his passengers. "I'm sorry. I am sure you knew many involved."
 
Dora spoke in a matter of a fact voice, "We did. We refused to ride home with our parents. I called you on behalf of everyone you see here. Mary's parents were questionably fine for driving. He was not drunk, but might have been a little impaired but probably not enough to get him pulled over.
 
"However, I did not feel that Interstate 2 would be safe. After all, that IS the route that we all take to get home, for those who do not live in the Jonsey and Vitrollio neighborhood, which is about half of the party goers."
 
Isannah sobbed, "Priscilla! She lives elsewhere. She was in the..." Isannah could not do anything more but wail.
 
Mary put her arm around Isannah to comfort her. After a few more minutes, they reached David's house. David unlocked the door. It was only then that the thought struck him, "Mary, what do you think that chances are that my mother was not even on Interstate 2?"
 
"Probably very good. She would probably go to a bar to continue the party, or to her boyfriend of the night's house."
 
"Probably." David responded as he went to find bedding for everyone.
 
Dora turned on the television. Every channel was showing the same thing - the accident.
 
The newscaster spoke solemnly, "Some names have been released. Mrs. Bella Coriellana, Vice-President of Jewels; her newly married husband, Mr. Valera Tortulla and their children Mikael, age 10, Lorna and Lilliana (twins), age 9, Tomas, age 8, Suza, age 6, Lilly, age 5, Briana age 4, and Gerald and Geraldine (twins) age 2. Their 9 month old baby, named Miracle, survived.
 
"They were on their way to their honeymoon in the French Riveria. Miracle got her name due to the fact that she was not breathing when she was born and not suspose to have lived. She is definately a fighter.
 
"Other deceased include Mr. Michael Welston, President of Welston Enterprises. He is being charged with causing the deaths of many, along with Mr. Halseth, another deceased person. Both are considered the number one cause of the accident that has killed over 20 deaths. Mr. Todd Wilson, the driver of the semi-trailer, Mr. Mark Wright, driver of the gas tanker, both were pronounced dead at the scene.
 
"Others included Mrs. Susan Samuelson, President and CEO of Jewels Corporation; Her husband Samuel Elijah Samuelson; their only child, Susan Jr., age 1 month. Also noted is, Tina, their toy poodle.
 
"Mrs. Vila, was on her way home from work when she was hit by both Mr. Welston and Mr. Halseth. Her car was said to had burst in flames. She leaves behind 6 children, who ironically, lost their father last year at this time, to what we are led to believe is the very same party a year apart. The 6 children have no living relatives.
 
"Their mother was working two part-time jobs, just to keep a roof over their heads, and food on the table. The children are now considered homeless, as they were faced with an eviction notice today. A lawyer came forward and has agreed to sue the estate of Mr. Walston and Mr. Halseth on the children's behalf. He is also trying to find a permanent home for the 6 children.
 
"Anyone who wants to send in donations, a victim's fund has been set up at T. A. Home Bank. 100% of the donations will go the needy children and spouses who were harmed by this accident. None of the money will go to anyone considered not needy, nor to any lawyer or employee. For an up to date list of the victims, please visit our website.
 
This just in, Mr. Williams the third, and his wife Mrs. Jonsey is dead. Mrs. Jonsey is the daughter of Mrs. Jonsey, the Queen Mum, as she is known in high society. Their daughter Priscilla, is in a coma but is in serious condition. It is unclear if she will live or not. Mr. Williams was President of his own corporation by the same name.
 
Dora went ballistic, "Those children! 6 of them! They are now without a home AND without their parents! Both ofthem dead because of the same stupid party and the same stupid parents!" Dora paced back and forth yelling and screaming.
 
"She raised her fist into the air as if she was about to fight something and then would put it back down. "We must do something about it! We must! We have the money, their must be some organization that can do something. David! What can we do? We have to go somewhere, do something. We can't stay here. We..."
 
Isannah stared in fright at Dora.
 
Mary whispered to Isannah, "It's okay. She just needs to get her anger and frustration out."
 
Mary went over to hug Dora tightly. After what seemed like ages, Dora finally relaxed and went to sleep, not budging from Mary's arms.
 

 
Time period: The Accident, after cars have finished moving:
 
Mr. Thomas was leaning over his air bag. His knees were close to him, avoiding the engine that had moved into the main part of the car. He found himself waking up and trying look around him. "I must get out. Fire. I must get out."
 
"I need to find something sharp. Wish I had a knife. Didn't bring a knife." He slowly moved his head to look at the seat beside him, hoping beyond hope that his steak knife would be there.
"My God! How did that get there? A swiss army knife? I don't even own a swiss army knife. My children don't either! I refused to get Brian one for his birthday as being to violent of a toy. My children. I must get out for my children."
 
He fumbled with the knife, finally getting it opened. He cut the air bag so that he could get out. The sunroof was still in place, but would not budge open. "Kleenex - no hanky. That will be safer." He wrapped his hand in the hanky and pounded on the window. It did not break. He was too weak.
 
"God! You must help me! Make me stronger! Get me out! I don't even believe in you. I don't even believe you exist. I was taught the self-made man crap. That can't be true! My wife needs me. My children need me. I vow to not drink every again. I don't need it. I don't need those stupid parties anymore. My God, no their God - my god was man, money and fame. I want the one true God, the God of the Universe! My children were suspose to be with me. They were suspose to be at that party. They did not want to come and my wife had a fever. They wanted to stay home and take care of their mother. My children do not know. Help, me, please. I know that you are real and I was taught a big fat lie all the years. I know I lived a big fat lie all the years. Swiss Army knifes do not jaunt! They do not make themselves appear and disappear at a drop of the hat."
 
Mr. Thomas calmed down and tried once more to break the window. On the third attempt, the window finally broke. He couldn't help but wonder if the number 3 was significant. "Thank you God, the one who really made me!"
 
He slowly crawled out of the top of the car. The fire was slowly making its way down the line of cars. He climbed over car after car to reach the safety of the shoulder. Looking back, he noticed Priscilla in a car, that started smoking. Quickly, with power he did not know he even had, he slammed his fist through the window. Taking his swiss army knife, he reached in through the shards of broken glass and starting cutting the seatbelt lose. It seemed like hours went by before the seatbelt finally gave way and released Priscilla. Seeing that the car was rapidly filling up with thick black smoke, he didn't care about broken bones or creating more damage to Priscilla then she already had. He quickly grabbed her and pulled her out of the window. He ran to the grass and laid her limp body down. He turned to rescue her parents. The car bursted into flames. It was to late. They were gone. He turned back to Priscilla, and noticed that she was not breathing. He losened her collar of her dress, and gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Firemen came and took over, hooking her up to life supports. A helicopter landed near her on the grass. Within seconds, she was on strapped in, and rushed to the hospital. Mr. Thomas stared after her. Numbed once more.
 
The firemen helped him into a guerney. He, too, was taken out to a hospital. More cars were lifted out so that more people could be rescued. Many of those bodies were children. The hospitals in the area were flooded with people, some with second degree burns, others first degree burns. Some breathing on their own, but with great difficulty, others not breathing at all, but in a comatose state. The rest of this scene can not be told. But, as many people who died, many more lived to tell their story. They lived to have a second chance to change their lives for the better. Many of those children did just that! Mr. Thomas is one of those people who changed his life - for the better.
 

 

 

 
People arrived at the civic center in limousines, all dressed in black. Students stuck close to their parents or guardians. No one spoke. Everyone was still numb from the accident. It was Monday and school was canceled for the entire week. Mary and David filed into the place, and took the Obituary Memorial pamphlets that was handed to them. They took a seat on the main floor where they actually had room for a wheelchair.
 
Mary looked over at David, “It was nice of our parents to let us go in by ourselves. I really didn’t want to sit there listening to my mother bawling and dabbing at her eyes as if she actually cared.”
 
“Do you mean that her tears are faked?”
 
“Yes. It is all a show to help her rise up the social ladder. Pathetic how she whittles away at friends, trying to nudge her puny little elbows in to catch the latest gossip. Oops, sorry. I am gossiping, aren’t I?”
 
“Technically, you are.”
 
“I vowed to myself, that I wouldn’t be like my mother - a gossip. And yet, I am.” Mary rested her elbows on her table and sighed.
 
“It’s okay. Sometimes, one needs to gossip to a trusted friend, just to talk things out just to figure out life and what one thinks about life or would rather believe or do about life. That really isn’t gossip. That’s getting help on how to deal with life.”
 
“Thanks!”
 
“Any time.”
 
David looked down at the Obituary and scanned the thick book.
It read:
 
In memory of all who passed,
on this black Friday
the first week of September…
we will miss you all dearly!
We pray for peace,
For all who have lost,
loved ones,
in this,
unfortunate tragedy.
Amen.

 
This service is held in memory of: Mr. Michael M. Wellston, President of Wellston Enterprises; Mrs. Corinne Wellston (Turough), wife; their children Anna, age 8 and Paris, age 6.
 
Mr. Johnathan Frederick Halseth, Vice-President of Wellston Enterprises; Mrs. Elaina Halseth (Jonnii), wife; Children Patrick, age 12, twins Brianca and Brian, age 10, and Vonda, age 8.
 
Mr. Goffrey Williams, III, President of Williams Corporations; Mrs. Lucille Jonsey, wife of Mr. Williams; their only child, Priscilla is currently in a coma.
 
Mrs. Marianna Luskia, Vide-President of Williams Corporations; Mr. Thomas Adams Lutner, husband of Mrs. Luskia; their children Cassandra Lutner-Luskia, age 2 and Thomas Lutner-Luskia Jr., age 6 months.
 
Mrs. Susan Samuelson (Wilson), President and CEO of Jewels Corporation; Her husband Samuel Elijah Samuelson; their only child, Susan Jr., age 1 month. Also noted is, Tina, their toy poodle.
 
Mrs. Bella Coriellana, Vice-President of Jewels; her newly married husband, ` Mr. Valera Tortulla and their children Mikael, age 10, Lorna and Lilliana (twins) , age 9, Tomas, age 8, Suza, age 6, Lilly, age 5, Briana age 4, and Gerald and Geraldine (twins) age 2. Their 9 month old baby, named Miracle, survived. They were on their way to their honeymoon in the French Riveria but was said to had stopped in briefly at the party to bid farewell.
 

 
Mary looked up from her reading, “Hard to believe all the innocent lives that are gone. All because 2 hotheads insisted that they could drive well enough.”
 
“At least they were right on one thing.”
 
“What’s that?”
 
“They weren’t lying. They were well enough to drive - to their funeral.”
 
“That is funny, but not really. I can’t laugh when so many children died. And what about those 6 children? They lost both parents!”
 
“I don’t know. I know that their father died a year ago. And now their mother. Sad.”
 
“Just think about it, 6 children with no home, no one to guide them. The news said that they have no living relatives.”
 
“Oh wait a minute! I remember! They are suing Welston and Williams for causing the accident. Some retired lawyer volunteered to do pro-bono work for them. Currently, they are living in a children’s home. They said that the lawyer can’t adopt them because it would be a conflict of interest.”
 
“Conflict of interest? For whom? The government - because they wouldn’t get full control over the kids?”
 
“Actually, they didn’t think it would be good for their lawyer to be the same one who adopts them, because then the adopter would be fighting more for himself instead of for the children.”
 
“That makes no sense whatsoever!”
 
"Actually it does. Lots of money are at stake here. He would be fighting to line his own pockets would be the perception."
 
Before Mary could respond, Queen Jonsey walked up and scolded, “Aren’t you two going to review the deceased and pay your respects?”
 
“I’m sorry. It was a terrible loss,” Mary spoke in her most sincere voice she could muster. Inside, she was furious. ‘Queen Mum accusing me of not paying respects!’
 
*************
 
The pastor went up to the mike and secured everyone’s attention. It took a good 15 minutes before people were settled down enough to hear what he had to say. Mary and David decided to write back and forth. They really didn’t want to be here.
 
“Mary, what should we do after this?”
 
“I think, we should go celebrate our good fortune with a trip to the hotel. After all, we have the entire week off from school and I need a break from life.”
 
“I think we should run up on stage and scold the parents to not drive if they have been drinking while we still have a captive audience!”
 
“I don’t think acting like Dora is going to get the results you wish.”
 
“Well, what else do you suggest? Everyone from the parties are here. Everyone, except those who are still recovering in the hospitals! And they know better already. After all, they are fighting for their lives!”
 
“I know. However, you know as well as I do, that they won’t listen to us. Besides, they will stop us before we even reached the stage.”
 
“Maybe so, but I will try anything once.” David got up out of his chair and walked quickly towards the stage.
 
The pastor rambled on and on, saying something that resembled a prayer. The pastor then asked if anyone would like to say anything. David darted the last 50 feet to the stairs leading up to the stage before anyone had a chance to even move. The pastor guided David to the Mike.
 
“Hello, I am David. David Wein. I urge all of you to never forget what caused all of this. Look around you at all these coffins and know that if you drink so much as one little glass of alcohol, you should not drive. You can afford to take a taxi home. You can afford to have a jet take you home, or a private helicopter.”
 
David paused for effect.
 
“This tragedy was extremely preventable. I know this is a funeral. A funeral for 30 people and 1 innocent dog. How many of these people here should not have been behind the wheel? Almost every single driver that died on that fateful night!" David spoke with authority.
 
"How many people were driving too close to the car in front of them? All of the drivers here.
 
"Two of the drivers - the two who yelled the loudest…the two drivers who insisted that they were well enough to drive - are the sole reason why 30 people died with 18 of those people being children!
 
"And I, [pause] am only talking about the people we know.
 
"But, what about the 6 children who have no money, no parents, no living relatives? Do you realize that they lost their father to another drunk driver? That drunk driver was also apart of OUR clan!" David bellowed. "I don’t mean a Wein, either. I mean that driver was apart of our social class - apart of our precious idiotic clique!"
 
"If you think that you have to lead this world or this world will fall apart, then stop killing the world with your pompous attitudes before more innocent lives are lost!" David was furious.
 
"Do you realize that because none of you had the courage to speak up against the drunks who all insisted upon driving, that -” David was interrupted by a site he had not expected to see.
 
Making their way towards the front, was a stream of children led by Dora and Ella. He recognized the infamous 6 who lost both parents, a year apart to the same party, as their pictures were all over the television set - on every newscast, every station, and throughout the day. The other victims, he did not know, but assumed that they, too, were badly impacted by the deaths.
 
One by one, they marched up the stairs, and over to the mike. All eyes were upon the children, waiting, wondering, what they were doing here. Some of the children were dressed in rags, some were dressed in their Sunday best, that really wasn’t so good looking. Some had holes in their knees. Some had torn shirts, torn because of circumstances beyond their control. Some were dressed in seconds and others thirds. Some were dressed in decent looking clothes bought on credit. Some were in the latest fads, also bought on plastic.
 
More children came in, one by one. They solemnly marched without a word until the stage was filled with children. But, still more children poured in off the streets. Children came from neighboring schools, emptied out by the war cry of children who were beyond anger for what had happened. In the distant air, one could hear those cries of foul. But, as they marched closer to the stadium, where the massive funeral was held, a cushioned pin could be heard. Streets were blocked for miles around. Police and workers could not get through. Some cops went on foot, trying in vane to join the throng of children, but to no avail, as there was no space for another bod. The chain could not be broken, as they had their arms linked in a solid wall. Their feet marched perfectly forward, stepping exactly where the foot in front of them had just moved. No one made an error. No one tripped.
 
These children were sick and tired of the world they were forced into. They were sick and tired of surviving on only handouts of bread and token money and housing that was only enough to keep them poor and in dire straits.
 
People begun fidgitting wondering what was going to happen next. Others looked panic stricken, wondering if they would survive being in the same room as the "dispicable children from over there".
 
David regain his composure, “that all these children that you see before you, and still more that couldn’t even fit into this auditorium, have been negatively impacted by this tragedy?” David then picked up a little girl who was quite literally in rags. “This girl lost her mother. Her mother has been struggling for the past year to feed and clothe her family. She lost her father last year because of all of you who was at that party last year. Do you realize that last year at the same time her father died for the exact same reason her mother died this year at the same time? What is it going to take for me to get through to you?" David's voice did not waver nor crack. His authoritave sound bellowed across the auditorium. People stared at him, not daring to move.
 
"I don’t see anyone crying anymore. All I see are people out there putting on the face. Well, knock it off!!! Get real!!!" David yelled menacingly.
 
"Some of these children barely get enough to eat! Some of these children do not even have a place that they can call their permanent home! Some of these children have parents forced to work 2 or 3 jobs, just so that they can put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads! Who watches them when their parents are at work? They watch themselves! Since when have we ever helped with daycare? Daycare is so expensive, that it takes one parent's entire paycheck to pay for it!"
 
"Who is to blame? We are the ones with all the money. We own 75% or more of all the wealth in this nation and what are we doing about it? We are keeping the wages low and the housing prices high to make quite certain that we do not lose our place on the social ladder! Forget your stupid social ladder!
 
"We are making quite certain that OUR children do not intermarry among the less fortunate, after all, we must protect our interest. Well, what about their interest? Mary was right when she commented that it probably is a good thing that the rich do not intermarry with people from the other side of the track, they, the poor, would risk having the rich behavior rubbing off on them and dieing from stupidity! If your actions weren't stupid, then stupid is not a strong enough word to describe how dispicable your actions were!
 
"I am going to ask each child up here to give their testimony as to what their needs are and how this accident impacted them. I insist that all of you keep quiet, and listen to every single child here! I don’t care how long it takes! The burial crew can wait. If the world comes to an end before these children have finished, then oh well.” David said sarcastically.
 
David orchestrated each child’s turn in front of the mike. Some children spoke in a quiet voice, some spoke loudly, others spoke in anger, and still others spoke through tears. Most spoke in fragmented sentences, too troubled to say anymore than that. No child spoke in fear. Dora had told them to be brave, confident and speak with as much adult authority as they could. Even the very youngest children listened and obeyed.
 
"It was not enough for you to kill my father, you had to kill my mother too!" Said Angela, the eldest of the infamous 6. "I lost my father and my mother. I want them back!"
 
"I, too lost my parents! I have no home!" yelled Mark while he glared at the audience, being careful to look each and everyone straight in the eye. "You hurt me beyond belief! I thought you would have learned last year! Apparently, you are too STUPID!!! Probably how you got your wealth, by being selfish fools without a brain!"
 
He then spoke very quietly, darkly and threatenly, "Wait until I get older! You just wait! I will change your world by so much you will cry out for mercy! You will lose your wealth to the people on the other side of the track! We will prevail! Mark my words, for I will succeed! You killed my Father! You killed my Mother! You will pay! And dearly!" Mark moved over for his brother.
 
“I lost the one who best can keep me a good person. I need clothes, a roof over my head and a home with my brothers and sisters together! No one wants to adopt older children. They want to split us up. I lost my parents. I do not want to lose my brothers and sisters too. I need them, especially now. I dare you to adopt us, the ones you sneer at!”
 
“what my brother and sister said. I want mummy back.” Anna mumbled. She was only 4, and very shy, but refused to be afraid. Ordinarily, when afraid, she would hid in her mothers skirts. Today, she did not hide behind anyone.
 
“mum!" said a very tearful 3 year old Robert.
 
“mummy! my mummy home... mummy gone... mummy not home no more... mummy lost... lost mummy... find mummy,” rambled Annika, 20 months old.
 
The infamous 6 were through telling their testimonies and made their way off the stage so more could tell their stories.
 
“My parents lost their jobs. I need a future that includes college, affordable housing, and food!”
“food and clothes and a place to live that does not include a stupid shelter!”
“I DEMAND MY PARENTS GET MORE MONEY!!!”
 
“higher wages and a decent place to live. My parents did not die. They drove onto the grass and survived the accident. They are both badly shook up. Dad says he won't drive anymore. He's now paying high bills in seeing a therapist and psychiatrist. They put him on several meds that cost over $180 each! Insurance won't pay for them, because they are mental meds and not necessary. My foot! Who owns these insurance companies? You bloody fools do! The perfect ones," a 12 year old male child said sarcastically.
 
“no more slumlords! My building has cockroaches. My building is owned by Mrs. Jonsey! I am told that she is the Queen Mum. Well, we have another name for her, 'Queen Slumhead!' Why? We have lead painted walls! We have old fridgerators that don't keep food fresh. We have faucets that squirt water all over the place. We have ceilings with leaky pipes. We have pealing paint. The list of faults goes on and on and on. It would take me a good 2 hours to speed read the list of faults those buildings have had and were never fixed properly over the past 8 years. By the way, I've lived their 8 years and do have lead poisoning! So, why don't we move? We can't afford too. No one can afford too. The other places, the nicer buildings, are over priced!"
 
“food and my mom to have a better job so she doesn't have to work so much”
 
“food, I guess. I don't know what a home is. I never had one.I've always lived under bushes and trees and in something called a shelter. We get soup alot. I hate soup. Why can't I have real meat once?”
 
“the same opportunities your children have, which won't ever come my way. Why? with the death of the President, the company decided to close. My parents are without a job. They have their application in every wheres. No one is hiring. We were kicked out of our home. Why? your puny jobs never paid what my parents were worth in the first place! They have yet to earn a living wage!”
 
"My, uh - rather, when the company closed, the company my parents worked for laid off both of my parents because of lack of business. I guess they got lots of business from the company that closed. They can not find work. Help them. Give them a job. Or are you afraid they might take over your company?"
&nbswp;
“I lost my dad. I miss him. He used to play catch with me. He taught me how to fish. Now I can not fish. Mom pawned the rod so we could eat. She pawned her wedding ring to pay for his burial. He was burned to death. We could not afford a casket or land. His ashes we threw over your lawns. We thought if you could not pay us what we deserve, you could have his ashes to. I smeared some of his ashes on the doorpost of your house and on your gates. Why? I thought it was more biblical that way! I need plenty of food. I've not eaten in 3 days. I don't care what I wear, as long as I do not look like you fools!” One boy said angryly.
 
“a permanent home 'cause shelters suck!” said an 8 year old girl.
 
“my daddy and food,” said a four year old.
 
“me mummy died because of you! I really miss her! I wanted to give her a hug and tell her how much I loved her! Now I can't! When was the last time you said you loved someone? Never! You do not know what love means! All you do is throw money at your children and call it love! That is not love! You think if you drink and party just right that is love! That is not love! Love is kind, and trusting, and caring. You never cared for anyone except yourself! You are selfish slobs all dolled up ready to party! I need medicine, food, and a good home! I have many health problems! You do not give my parents health insurance! I hate you!” An 8 year old shouted. "me daddy is so sad all he does is stare off into space! You ruined my family! And don't tell me me daddy does not work for you twits cause he does!"
 
“medicine, and what she said,” a little boy of 4 mumbled because he did not know what else to say.
 
“mommy to be home... and daddy too,” a little girl of 3 added quickly, almost as an afterthought.
 
“our mom and dad work too much. They need more pay. I am what they call a latchkey kid. I am only 10! Imagine that! Foolish parents? No, they work for you guys! The CEO that died, was my parents boss. Your stupid CEO demanded my parents to work harder for the same pay. They pay increase has not even kept up with what it cost to live! They now work 2 jobs - each! And how many jobs do you work each? 1, if that. Let's pay ourselves $10 billion a year to work only when we feel like it, afterall, I did go into work 1 day last year. And we will fire anyone who tries to skip work for any reason whatsoever!” The 10 year old girl then cackled like witch and laughed menancingly.
 
One by one, the children got up and spoke their needs. No one moved. No one stirred. No one dared even say a word. One by one, the children took their turn at the mike. One by one they spoke of grief, hunger, loss, and homelessness. One by one the stone faced audience was forced to take in. No one could move easily. To run out screaming, was not an option. Patiently and impatiently, they waited. Stomachs began to growl with hunger, but no one heard. All eyes were glazed over, fixed upon the stage, wondering when this nightmare would finally end. And then, one child shocked the auditorium with her comments. One child who was too young in their minds for what was said.
 
“I may only be 3 years old, but I want to be allowed to go to a school for the gifted. I can read. Just because I live in a slum area does not mean that I am stupid in the head. I know why my mommy and daddy work all the time and don’t have the money to send me to a gifted school. You don’t want me at your precious school! You want to keep me a fool to your command. I will not bow down to you anymore. I will not live the life you give me anymore. I will survive. I will take over your companies. I will be more successful than all of you combined. Just try and stop me. You won’t be able to. How do I know? I studied your ways. I read every book ever written on the subject. And, I have a plan. You wait. This war is not over yet. And it will not be blood for blood. It will be a new life for us and a new life for you. All of you will learn what it is like to be homeless. Just wait. Your time will come. And if you don't believe me, I taught myself how to read when only an infant! I taught myself Algebra by age 2. I am considered a prodigy! I am very gifted and will be a a force to reckon with!”
 
One could hear the gulps as many people swallowed hard. This little girl spoke with such power, that many feared that she was not lying. Some took out their checkbooks to make sure that the money was still in there. Others, checked their purses to make sure their wallet was there. Some clenched their purses to their chest, as if protecting it from some unforeseen force. Others started trying to call out on their cellphones, to make sure that their company was still in their hands and that their stock was safe, only to get a dead tone. Cell phones do not work in convention centers with all the metal and concrete.
 
No one dared say a word. No one dared move out of their seats. One by one, the children marched methodically off the stage. One by one more children marched up onto the stage and spoke. No one dared even think about their stomach pains. No one dared even think about where they would rather be. As it was, there was barely room to move. The aisles were packed out. The children made room only for themselves, to move up the line, towards that mike. Anyone wanting to run to the bathroom, was escorted by 4 children to the bathroom, and back to their seats. No one was allowed to leave the building, unless they were a child.
 
One by one they spoke their words and moved out of the way for the next child. Midnight came and went as more children entered the building and made their way to the stage. Morning came and finally, the last child moved slowly towards the front. Children moved to make way for her as they raised their arms over their heads to form a bridge.
 
Slowly, she moved taking much time. She knew they were in agony, but did not care. She knew that she could make the impact of the year with her timing, and she played her trump card for all it was worth. No rushing, no need. Slowly, ever so slowly she moved. Often, she paused and took the time to glare across the audience. Seconds went by, minutes went by. People looked on in fear, in anticipation. The other children prevented anyone from taking over the mike as they waited quietly for her to finally reach the stage. With all eyes upon her, she slowly made her way up the stairs, with the only way she could, by climbing, using her hands - one step at a time.
 
She would pause with each step, glare at the audience and then move on. It was a theatrical performance that even Varilyn Vonroe would envy! She took the mike off its stand and waited until all eyes were looking at her - at full attention. When she noticed an eye drifted off, she put the mike to her throat, and cleared it very loudly. The drifter jumped to instant alertness. She then brought the mike to her lips and spoke with such command, that even the children who were with her, became afraid. This was the first time the children showed fear at all.
 
“I am one who must stay in her wheelchair." She paused after every sentence in a dramatic and authoritative way.
 
"I am one who must wheel myself down the street because you have not bothered with clearing your sidewalks, lest you break a nail.
 
I am one who must wheel myself down the street because you have not bothered making the sidewalk accessible for me.
 
I am one who must brave your cars, because you have not bothered making wheelchair accessible curbs.
 
"I am one who must not enter your buildings, because you have purposely made many, many stairs, lest I war against you and enter your precious quarters.
 
I am one who must not enter your buildings, because you have passed laws to make certain that I can not even enter, you with your pathetic token of good will towards the Physically disable!
 
"I am one who will not keep silent!
 
I am one who was left homeless because my mother has bipolar and you refused to house her.
 
I am one who was left homeless because you refused to pay my medical bills.
 
"I am one who will not keep silent.
 
"I have spoken.
 
"You will know what you have done." Her eyes pierced their souls as she spoke. Many put their hands to their chests as if having a heartattack. "You will see reminders of your deeds for the rest of your lives."
 
"You will not rest anymore until I am satisfied.
 
You will not rest until I get rest.
 
You will not rest until each - and every - single - child - here - gets what they deserve.
 
"You will look at your precious televisions and see me! [pause]
 
"You will turn on your precious radios and you will hear me! [pause]
 
"You will read your precious newspapers, and you will see me, read about me! [pause]
 
"There shall be no escape! [pause]
 
"You can run, but you can not hide! You have been exposed!" She said with a tone of intense finger pointing and paused dramatically while she made sure her eyes pierced through more bodies of the fools before her.
 
"Here, in my hand, is the deeds that you have done." She paused briefly before continuing with an air of 'I am better than you are'.
 
"These deeds I shall read out loud. However, first, I want to point out that your stomachs now feel what our stomachs have felt for years.
 
Your bodies now feel what our bodies have felt for years.
 
Your eyes want to close, but do not dare.
 
Why? It is about time you learned what it is like to be us. Guns go off in our neighborhoods, killing who it may..." She brushed her right hand off in the air as if it was nothing important. "...while you hide in your mansions."
 
She looked threateningly at the comotose audience. With a voice that sounded very scary, almost like some mentally deranged character who escaped from a 30 year prison sentence, finally about to get his revenge on the cop that landed him there, "Now, you are ours. Ours to do with as we please.”
 
She looked menacingly at everyone in the audience. People pushed themselves backwards in fear, as if attempting to distance themselves from her even though their chairs really would not move backwards.
 
The girl held the long list of grievances and allowed the list to roll off her lap, and onto the floor. The list fell over the side of the stage. The list unraveled itself down the aisle that was conviently placed in front of the mike. It kept on moving way to the back where the steps were to go to more seating. Two children carefully moved the list around the corner, making sure that the list did not tear or get stuck on anything. Eyes popped out of peoples heads as they saw how long the list really was. The list kept unrolling, out the door of the auditorium, and down the street, the very street that has been blocked since yesterday by the children who marched one by one.
 
“The grievances are as follows:
1.) Keeping wages low so that we remain poor.
2.) Raising rents so high, that we can no longer afford them.
3.) Creating laws that make sure we stay poor and you stay rich.
4.) Making laws that protect your landlords from being sued by the poor for
a) not properly keeping the building in good shape
b) not properly getting rid of the lead in the building so that the children are protected from lead poisoning and do not die as a result of said lead poisoning
c) not properly bringing the buildings to code so that our buildings do not burn down.
d) not properly replacing the pipes so that our things do not get drenched in your water.
e) not properly fumigating for cockroaches so that we can have a germ free place to live.
f) not properly patching holes so that mice can't get in and chew through our belongings.

 
5) You have not paid for our medical expenses so that we can get better health care and live long enough to pay our children’s way through school
6) You have failed to protect us from drugs and crime
7) You have had fund raisers in which $48,000 was spent to put on the fund raiser that only raised $8,000 for what? Some school that never benefited us in the first place!
 
Just for the record, we have spent over $1 million helping each other out. I am including the middle class in this figure. The poor, have spent 30% of their income helping others, where you have not even spent 1% of your income to help others.
 
On and on she read, even reading the specific laws and the impact those laws had on the children. Much, much later, she finally got to the last grievance:
 
“And lastly, you have failed to keep drunk drivers off the street. The only thing you have done is slapped their wrist and send them off to drive again. Why? Many of the drunk drivers are our very own politically rich airheads, who do not want to be caught dead in a dirty stinky prison with those people from the other side of the track. Well, it is about time you did!
In Sweden, you will lose your license for life if you drive drunk. It does not take 10 times of getting caught either. The fines over in Sweden is so high, that they do not have a drunk driving problem. Here, people who have been caught 20 times are still out there on the streets, driving drunk.
 
She stared long and hard at each and every person, willing her eyes to penetrate their every cell with each word as she spoke, "You know how that has impacted us. You see us here, standing before you, lacking clothes, food, housing, medicines, sleep, security. You know what it is like to be us. You have ignored us long enough. From here on out, we will sleep on your lawns. We will sleep on your governments lands. We will not be moved for long. We will keep coming back until you help us. All of us.
 
"I include our parents. I include the disabled. I include the mentally ill. I include all who have been negatively impacted by you. Democrats and Republicans are both to blame. The so called Green party is to blame. You, the rich have made sure of that. You will pay.”
 
She removed the mike from her mouth. Children clapped loudly, cheering for her speech. The pastor wearily reached for the mike. She ignored the pastor and instead handed the mike to David. As she moved to make way for David, the Children clapped even louder. No hooting or hollering, just clapping, just like Dora and Ella taught them too.
 
David dutifully took the mike. He took a deep breathe and slowly let it out.
 
“So, how do we change things? We lower our profit margins and make the stock holders not quite so happy. We create more jobs and pay higher wages. We also build new apartments that charge NO rent for all the homeless. We also take 30% of our income to do this with. This would mean that an average family who makes 1 million a year would give $300,000 per year.
 
"Those who make 1 billion would give $300 million per year. With over 100 families, we could easily raise over 20 billion dollars. Think about it. I, your most eligible bachelor would never even dream of marrying into the families of the likes of you.
 
"My father's income and my income will never reach your greedy little paws! And to the so called Queen Mum, Queen of pride, snobbery, deceit, lies, scheming, and slumlands, you will lose a very important piece of property. As we speak, the Jonsey estate is being demolished to make way for a much needed school as the owners are now dead and the only heir is in a coma.
 
"Your lawyer was bought out, and as executor of the estate, agreed to sell to me for a reasonable price. I have already forked over the money to build a school for the low income that will include laptops for every student. They will have teachers who graduated at the top of the class. They will be prepped for college and will have the tutoring they need. That is our gift to you. You can thank my father and I. Priscilla can have your mansion, when you finally upchuck. Her parent's mansion that you so kindly gave them as a wedding gift has already had its first ground breaking ceremony. Incidentally, that ground breaking was on the anniversary of your wedding to Mr. Dimwit himself. Who, as we all know, died earlier in a way that need not be mentioned as those who don't know him know how he died. Drinking and driving. It's not hard to guess as your actions are very predictable!
 
The Queen Mum gasped in shock. She moved to stand up, but lost her balance and ended up in her neighbors lap instead.
 
"Now, I will return you back to the pastor and your pathetic little funeral for the mass of dimwits.”
 
David handed the mike to the pastor. The pastor stared in shock, scarcely believing he had the mike in his hand. As it was, he turned the mike over several times just to be sure that it really was the mike. David went down the stairs and back to his seat. The children clapped loudly. No one hooted. No one hollered. The clapping filled the auditorium and was deafening to the ears. The children of the very wealthy stood up and clapped too. Their parents tried in vane to get them to sit down.
 
David leaned over to Mary as if to whisper in her ear.
Mary merely nodded her head to say “Yes, whatever you want to do, lets do it now.”
David grabbed Mary’s wheelchair and proudly wheeled her out the door while the clapping continued.
 
The pastor tried invain to get order and silence. No one paid any attention to him. Children cleared the way, for David and Mary. All of them clapping, knowing that these two would be their heroes some day. Clapping in rythym, as if clapping out a war cry. David and Mary happily went out that door, that previously saw so many children marching in one by one. Ella and Dora ran out that door after David and Mary with the infamous 6 in tow.
 
No one of the filthy rich knew that it was Dora and Ella who had orchestrated all the children ascending on the funeral. David, Mary and the children from the other side of the tracks knew. The media stayed blinded in their attempt to find out who was behind this mass onslaught into the funeral. David and Dora paid for the meals at the Le Carousel Ristourante`, treating the 6 children to the best dinner they have ever had.
 
The other children, as tired as they were, marched out as loudly as they could, stomping their feet left, right, left right down the aisles and out the door, one by one. They purposely took their time, making sure not to move too quickly forward. In perfect sync, they marched, one by one, slowly, oh so slowly emptying out the stage, and then an aisle, and another aisle. One by one, they marched.
 
Finally, many hours later, the funeral ended. No one went to the grave sites. No one slept that night. No one celebrated. No one dared say a word. Quietly, as the pastor stood there, holding the mike, not being able to get anyones attention, quietly, solemnly, one by one people got up and led what remained of their families out that door. That door in which all those children had came in, one by one. That door in which all those children marched out of, one by one. That very same door.