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The Shot Heard ‘Round the World
A war has been brewing. Is violence the only thing these people will listen to?
Reeve pressed both hands on the operating room’s glass window separating him from his lifeless mother. He knew it was stupid for her to go to work that day, but food on the table and losing your home are powerful motivators.
“All essential personnel are to report to work as normal,” the email straight from the CEO said, “No exceptions.”
Reeve’s face swelled, anger rising. A tear dripped down his cheek. “No way that asshole braved the blizzard,” he thought to himself, “just expected the blue collars who prop him up to risk their lives.”
And for what? He’s already the richest man in the world. The businesses’ taxes are laughable. Profits astronomical. Have been for years. Do people like my mother see any of that?
Fuck no. Greed is all these people know.
He clenches his fist. He wants to punch it straight through the glass, but he refrains. Violence is not the answer. Not yet.
Reeve doesn’t sleep that night.
Months pass.
One day the CEO makes a red carpet appearance. Reeve stands behind the rope, media pass hanging from his neck. He aims, takes a deep breath, then pulls the trigger.
A loving mother dies and no one cares. A billionaire dies and the whole world listens.
