The Dice rolled, and the little pooch peed on Park Place. Trumbull, Bob and Judy played Monopoly. Thousands of miles below, or above, the shattered remains of Atlantic city sat on the bottom of the Atlantic.
“I never liked the message in this game”, Bob said.
“Unbridled Capitalism screwed the Pooch”, said Judy Miyamoto, one of Earth’s last surviving great dowagers.
“And in our very own Monopoly, we’re living in a big mansion on Boardwalk”, Trumbull stared outside into the quiet darkness. A new moon nestled among clouds, the moon projected in, the clouds real.
Judy took another mouthful of Apple Pie. “I am incredibly grateful for everything. And I am willing to die for this place, for you, my family. As for Democracy & freedom? Ha!” “I heard you”, Mother said from the mouth of a Tipping Bird. “Mom, I wasn’t talking about you! I am grateful for you too and all you do for us.”
“Sniff! You kids never appreciate me. When was the last time you visited me?”, Mother asked. Judy rolled her eyes, you’re 50 feet under water, Mom. In Lake Geneva. And we have to get a Visa….”. “Silly child, have I ever refused to give you a Visa?”
Trumbull said, “This Mother’s day, I’ll send you a Fruit basket. Though I don’t know what you’d do with it.
“Ingrates”, Mother sniffed”.
Trumbull knew bantering was part of Mother’s programming. Marla added to it and it was fun.
I know I’m just an old fogie to you kids-“. Bob interrupted, “You’re 10 years older than us, Gwynn, And if you hadn’t noticed, we grew right alongside you.” “I was making a speech, now listen, Jackass…”, everybody chuckled.
“I remember a time when the Wealthy rigged the system to make money flow upriver. Millionaires became billionaires, then, they started vying to be trillionaires. And they all became soulless bastards doing so. It was all Moola and Moloch. I earned my wealth & influence in tech, and instead of playing that game Earthside, I, we-” indicating Judy, “decided to attain a higher plain.”
The Fat Cats are dead & we are alive. And together. I care little about this big house, but very much the people living in it.”, Trumbull said. Getting applause from his sardonic audience.
Judy said, “Best billion dollars I ever spent”.
“And we have to fight to keep this. And we may survive next week.”, Bob said.
“War is coming. And we’re playing Monopoly, the board game that represents everything we escaped from.”, Judy said.
I care not much about the game, only those I get to play with.”, Trumbull said.
They all ate Apple Pie.
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