American Meltdown: Book Two of The Economic Collapse Chronicles by Mark Goodwin Read Free Book Online

grocery stores were going to be open. Me and the guys will go to Kroger and pick up what we can find."
    "Sounds like a good plan ," Matt said, "But, I think we should try the Piggly Wiggly. It’s a little more out of the way. Piggly Wiggly is less likely to have trouble and more likely to have the stuff we're looking for."
    "Good call," Adam said.
    "Karen is coming over in a while; tell her I'll be right back," Matt said to Janice.
    "You better get something for her," Janice said.
    "Oh, I know what she'll want," Matt said.
    "What's that?" Janice inquired.
    "Cheese, mostly extra sharp Cheddar.  Maybe a little Swiss; Brie if I can find it. That's not likely at Piggly Wiggly, though," Matt said.
    The guys loaded into Adam's truck and headed out.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 9
     
     
    "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."
    -Proverbs 22:7
     
    Anthony Howe sat in the oval office with Treasury Secretary Melinda Chang, Fed Chair Jane Bleecher, his new Press Secretary Jared Campbell and his new Chief of Staff Alec Renzi. It was hard to say how long Jared and Alec would last. In the high stress environment of the financial meltdown, those two positions were likely to have a higher-than-average turnover rate.
    "People, this is not pretty. Everyone needs to understand that the next few weeks are going to be tough. The press is going to be attacking us and the people are going to be blaming us for this mess we walked into. Get over it and do your job. When we send soldiers into war, everyone knows there are going to be casualties. People accept that with no problem. They are going to have to accept the fact that there are going to be some losses in this crisis.
    “We all knew a crunch was coming, I just wasn't expecting it today. But it's here so let's just roll with the punches. I'm open to any ideas you have about holding the country together. A lot of it is going to be damage control. Jared, you are my man for that. Spin this to be Paul Randall's fault. Say whatever you have to say. I'll sign off on anything you come up with as long as you make us look like we ’re doing everything we can. Just let the public know we’re up against impossible circumstances. I don't even need to see what you’re going to put out. You know what they need to hear to make them feel better, so write it up and roll it out.
    “Alec, get the military, FEMA and DHS together and come up with a plan to keep order. I want it finalized and ready to go into effect by sundown. I am declaring martial law and suspending the Posse Comitatus Act.  I want troublemakers detained at the first signs of civil unrest. Anyone who breaks dusk-til-dawn curfew is to be detained. Anyone who resists detainment is to be shot on sight. We are not playing around with rioters for the next month like Al Mohammad did last year in the EBT riots. If people went nuts over that, you can bet they ’ll go stark raving mad over this. People are going to get upset when we start shooting Americans, but they’ll get the message that we won’t tolerate chaos.
    “Melinda, if you ’re not up for this, I need to know now. You had a little meltdown earlier. If you need to tap out, tell me now. I can promote New York Fed President Sydney Roth to Treasury Secretary. Nobody will think any less of you."
    Chang had adjusted herself with a couple of stiff drinks prior to the meeting. "I think I’ll be okay, Mr. President. It was just the initial shock."
    "Jared," Howe said, "I am leaving you in control of the fort. People need to see you in the White House Press Briefing Room to feel like things are normal. You’ll be staying in the White House subterranean bunker. Marines and Secret Service will be with you.  The bunker is designed to withstand a bomb, you’ll be perfectly safe there from a few protestors. You can bring your wife and kids, but absolutely no one else can know about it.
    “The rest of us are relocating to Mount Weather in