Chapter 12
Americans
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    The disassembly of the Majestic Auto Plant is well underway, and no one has noticed the well-concealed activities  in building 3300.  Most of the workers are too pissed off to notice anything, as resent blunts the analytical mind and considerably diminishes any effort towards doing a good job; however, such a debilitating condition is not nearly as obvious when tearing something down rather than building it. 
    Mat Frazier nervously paces about outside building 3300.  His concern is equally divided between fear for himself and what effect whatever is going on inside the building will have on him and his future with the company.  He doesn't feel the resent that rules most of the workers.  It's more a non-harmonious combination of latent conscience in overseeing a project that will create so many unemployed and conflicting thoughts from one minute to the next as to what he should really do in the unpleasant and threatening situation in which he has fallen.  He's standing there staring at the building, wrestling with all these feelings when Mickey Somebody, with a broad smile on his face, comes to the door and says in a mocking, high-pitched voice, "Hi, Frazie Poo."  Mickey stands in the open door for a moment before reaching into his pocket, producing what seems an even larger switch blade, opens it and breaks into that same cracking laugh before putting his finger over his lips and saying, "Shhhhh, if you don't want to find yourself  without an ear."  With that, he puts both hands over his ears and walks back into the building.
    At least for the moment, any thought of making some sort of non-conclusive report to Detroit flees Frazier's mind.  He can't help thinking what it would feel like to have an ear severed from his body and has no doubt that damn maniac would do it.
    Franklin Earnshaw and Mat Townsend stand at the end of the improvised production line, gazing at the one prototype of the American Classic.  Townsend is still holding his briefcase just as he has every time Franklin has seen him in the last 5 years.  Both are quiet as they pace around the vehicle that is slate gray, has black interior and dark tinted windows.  It has a clean and proportionate body tapering off to a fastback rear window over 2 solar energy panels, 2 air scoops on the hood and 2 fog lights.  As they stop and look at each other over the roof,  Townsend says, "Damn.  I never thought I'd  see this all that time the marketing department was telling me such an outdated body design would never go over."  With a sarcastic laugh, he adds, "On the other hand, if it ever went into production, I never thought only 1 would be made."  He looks at Franklin and asks, "What now?"
    Franklin keeps his eyes fixed on the vehicle for a moment before saying, "Melvin Rubenstein has enlisted a Jewish advertising agency to put together a number of layouts and brochures for the auto show.  They're already working on an advertising campaign to send to the dealers after the show.  They decided on the theme, Built in America, by Americans, for Americans.  The American Classic doesn't measure distance in miles - it takes you back through the decades to the true America."
    Townsend places both hands around his briefcase, as though he were embracing a woman, and with a voice that is both cynical and diagnostic, says, "Mother of Jesus, a theme that's nostalgic, racist and intimidating - all at the same time.  I wonder what these chinks and wet-back labor unions and Detroit will think about that?  Who in the hell is Melvin Rubenstein?"
    Franklin immediately feels a boiling anger and snaps, "Those son of a bitches in Detroit don't give a damn about anything as long as all the jobs are out-sourced to Mexico and China.  Melvin Rubenstein is the public information officer for The Restoration.  I don't know how they found out about this.  He only said they had their sources."
    "Franklin, you should have been a diplomat instead of a rough-neck," Townsend responds with something less than a serious tone.  "I'd like to see the expression on Michelson's face when he sees this car.  I only hope puts our union in a position of strength.  If they start making idiotic wage demands all over again, it'll ruin the whole thing," he adds with a strange feeling of confidence filtered with pronounced contempt for the whole concept of progressive statistics that has drawn in non-English speaking employees producing an inferior product forcing national sales down but cooperate profits up due to reduced labor and shortcuts in assembly procedures.

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    The first time Franklin saw Jo Ann in the Blue Line Tavern, the only thing on his mind was her cute ass and obvious intent to be screwed by someone in clean clothes, having no unsightly beard and no facial ornamentation.  For a few days, he felt their encounter in his bedroom had given them what they wanted for a fleeting moment, leaving them both momentarily gratified but looking to move on to something not yet defined. He didn't think much of her for several days but gradually, there were those underlying images of her, the scent of her hair and the sound of her voice that didn't have the customary Blue Line amplitude, either in conversation or when she was getting her organism after a well-administered foreplay and original technique in the sexual embrace.  After several days, he felt himself wanting more and more to see her and was almost desperate in the fear she would not want to see him again.  Many times, chance encounters yield only guilt and regret and nothing like the feeling he had when he called her.  It was a very unusual excitement.  His hands were shaking, and when he heard her voice, a searing nervous sensation shot through his body but then, it all ceased when it was obvious she was delighted to hear his voice.
    His attraction towards Jo Ann had taken on a whole new dimension.  As he began to think of her for several days after they met, he was confused by feelings he had not experienced before.  He had the same natural strong sexual feelings but felt an even greater need just to be with her. 

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    He's gazing at her as she lays beside him on his bed but his thoughts are not only of how much he wants to hold her close to him and feel her warm breath on his neck as he tenderly makes love to her and is excited by her approving gasps, her own innovations and her soft legs that first spread and then feverishly wrap around him at at well-placed intervals.  She seems so completely at ease and places her head on his shoulder.  She is one of the few people he has ever known who seems to have a genuine interest in all that is important to him and is always more concerned about what he wants in his life rather than herself.  
    She moves closer to him and says, "I wish I had met your earlier."  She pauses as though she wants to say something else but can't gather her thoughts and decides against it.
    Franklin still tries to avoid speaking of her marriage which is yet another change he has undergone since meeting her.  How many women has he entertained in his bed and took savor in hearing them expound on how their husbands never could satisfy them or let themselves get so far out of shape they "couldn't get it all the way in" due to the size of their beer guts.  That gave him all the more opportunity to build himself up with varying techniques depending on the precise nature of the woman's past circumstances.  That was what he needed then - but now, all that has changed.
    He doesn't know exactly what she means in saying she wishes they had met earlier, so he only says, "Why?"
    There is another pause.  She carefully selects her words before saying, "Everyone wants to be happy."
    Franklin knows she is trying to tell him something but she isn't sure he wants to hear it.  Then, it is he who is uncertain what he should say. He feels a building need to tell her something he has not yet fashioned into words.  He only says, "Are you happy now?"
    "More than I have ever been.  I....I just want to hold on to it."
    Franklin has never been in such a position - especially in his own bed where he customarily controls the agenda which has always been a physical act rather uttering consoling words he never realized a woman also needs.  Now, he finds himself fumbling around with his own thoughts in an uncertain mind - much the same as the physical ineptitude of quite a number of husbands other women have described to him.  He always knew relating such stories, especially after a full vaginal organism, added to a woman's satisfaction and gave them an opportunity, precisely in the correct environment, to speak of wants and needs not spoken to or even recognized by a marriage gone so terribly wrong.  Nothing of the sort is in his mind when he asks, "What do you think you have given me?"
    With no pause of thought, she immediately says, "If I could only know I've made you half as happy as you have me, I don't think I would fear anything that might happen.  Such a memory would be so different.  I mean when I was married...."
    Quickly he says, "That's all behind you now....I mean behind us."
    She sighs and kisses his cheek.  "That's so nice.  Meeting you has changed me a lot.  Before, I was confused, hurt and only wanted to strike back against it all with some senseless act like a cheap encounter that probably would have only left me feeling guilty but I'd rather have guilt.  That will eventually go away but hurt can hold on to someone and who knows where that will lead?  I....I don't know what would have happened to me if I hadn't met you."
    Many thoughts begin to flow into Franklin's mind and he finds himself no longer carefully constructing what he says.  "I'm pretty sure I know what would have happened to me.  I wasn't hurt.  I was searching for something and never realized it - much less knowing what I really wanted.  I would have continued drifting along with no direction and who knows where that would have led?"  Then the doubt returns.  He hesitates and finally says, "Maybe I shouldn't mention it but somehow I knew you were coming off a divorce or some heartbreak the first moment I saw you.  I felt it was something I could take advantage of and exploit your feelings to give me the chance encounter I felt was all I needed.  I really didn't intend to see you again but couldn't get you out of my mind.  It wasn't only because I wanted to get you back in bed.  I wanted to get to know you and have you tell me some of the things you just mentioned."
    Something of a relieved expression is in her voice as she says, "I thought about going somewhere like the Blue Line Tavern a long time before I did.  I knew full well the type of men that would be there and that's what I though I needed, but I noticed you the moment I walked in.  I was afraid I would leave feeling worse than when I came if you didn't say something to me - that's why I kept staring at you.  I was becoming more and more desperate each time one of those unclean numbers around the bar approached me.  I wanted you to know how much I wanted you to come sit with me.  After our first time together, I was even more confused.  I wanted to see you again but at the same time, was afraid to risk another heartbreak.  I was hoping you would and would not call - both at the same time.  What....what do you think of me?"
    Franklin brings her hand to his lips and kisses it as he says, "I'm 32 years old and since we met, have looked back on many things in my life and thought how they could have been so different.  I suppose I have the same feeling about you as you do about me.  I wish we had met years ago.  Much could have been so different.  We both realize that now, and that can only add to what we feel towards each other."
    He looks at the sparkle in her eyes as cars pass on the street.  She puts her arm around his neck and gently kisses him.  He sees she wants to convey her love and emotions to him, so he relaxes as she places her leg over his lower body and lays her head over his chest.  Slowly, her hands begin a caressing motion over his shoulders, and she starts to pat her fingertips down the center of his abdomen.  She rubs her cheek against his as he pulls her on top of him and begins a very slight pressure on her hips, drawing her stomach across his full erection.  She spreads her legs, places her arms around his neck and begins moving her tongue along the side of his neck and down onto his chest, all the while breathing heavier and heavier.  Carefully, he lifts her just enough to place one of her breasts in his mouth and begins moving his tongue across the nipple which is already erect and attests to her growing excitement.  She sighs, slips over to his side and spreads her legs.
    For a moment, he remains on his knees between his legs.  The shadow from his erection extends the full length of her chest.  She extends her arms and pulls him down on top of her.  As he enters her vagina, a smile comes over her face, her eyes partially close and she whispers, "Emmmm."  In a moment, she opens her eyes, the smile returns and she quietly says, "Darling, I love you so much."
    He slips his hand around her neck, brings his mouth close to her ear and as they begin a slow and affectionate stroking motion, says, "I never imagined how wonderful it would be to hear you say that and know I feel exactly the same way."

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    Elizabeth no longer views herself as a nymphomaniac and no longer needs multiple partners.  She had been so consumed in the pointless cycle of her life, she never realized all she needed was someone who looked on her with genuine feelings and not only an object to be bragged about as to how many times she got her climax in encounters that had little substantive planning and no practical future.
    Tilden Morrison is so different.  Since she met him, she has found her previous demeanor gradually fading away.  She no longer has bleached hair, no longer wears halters that reveal most of her breasts or the tight pants that display her small waistline and curvaceous hips.  It was all a stage from which she could tease a man at some bar with suggestive dialogue - a created item of entertainment to prove to herself how much men wanted her.
    Now, she has altogether different needs, which isn't to say her sex drive has diminished by any means.  Quite the contrary.  It has taken on a more fully developed height.  She no longer only needs the pure physical act often prompting her partner with coarse encouragement such as "fuck me" or "let me feel that dick bang my pussy like a cannon ball."  It all had left her with such a strange feeling, disguised in the allusion the last one-nighter wasn't enough of a man for her, often described the next day on the assembly line with such ultra-objective observations as "That little son of a bitch can't stay hard long enough for me to feel his prick inside me."
    She is so completely at ease as she looks at the candlelight flickering in Tilden's eyes.  His fingertips gently move across her cheeks, down her neck, between her breasts and onto her stomach.  Chills of excitement, like an electrical shock, seep through her body.  She isn't at all compelled to make some demanding prompt or be the aggressor and is content to run her hands through his hair and gaze into his eyes with an occasional kiss to his cheek.  Her excitement builds but it too is at a newfound level.  She can feel his erect organ bruising against her stomach each time he draws her close to him but her only thought is not to feverishly draw him on top of her, and there is a need to convey an emotion reaching far beyond that.  That emotion is there, in her heart and within her body but she isn't sure just how she can convey it.
    He tenderly rubs his cheek against hers.  Her body completely relaxes and a smile comes over her face as she closes her eyes and places her arm around his neck.  He kisses her so very softly as her anticipation continues to build.  Her nipples are erect and her vagina is fully lubricated.  Without speaking, she spreads her legs and pulls him on top of her.  As he begins his smooth stroking motion, she lays completely still for a moment before slipping both arms around his waist and beginning a slight up and down motion with her torso.  All at once, she finally realizes how she can commit how she feels into words and softly whispers into his ear, "I love you."

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    Franklin and Fred Townsend look with a certain amount of interest at the layouts done by the Jewish advertising agency conscripted by Melvin Rubenstein.  Both of them have always been production workers and never concerned with advertising or public relations but they are immediately taken in by the overall concept.  One layout shows the American Classic in a driveway with a man, woman and small child, all holding hands and walking towards a modest house.  The caption reads Come Back To Tradition With The American Classic.  Another shows the vehicle on a highway passing a sequence of calendars showing the dates of important events in American history.  One is for the day Pearl Harbor was bombed, and there is a sinking American ship and Japanese Zero above it.  Another shows a profile of General Douglas MacArthur rendering a hand salute and is captioned Bring Back Courage And Conviction To Industrial America.  Still another is during the Depression and shows a family around a kitchen table with a meager meal before them with the caption America Can Come Back Again.
    Townsend draws his briefcase closer to him and says, "Damn, that's good."
    The telephone rings, and Franklin places the call on the speaker when he hears the voice of Melvin Rubenstein before saying, "We were just going over the ad material and...."
    Rubenstein interrupts, "That's not what I called about.  The Inner Circle has discussed your project and views it as an excellent opportunity to direct attention towards bringing manufacturing jobs back to America.  We really hadn't planned to start such a crusade now but we'll never be able to create a better theme than you've already done."
    Those in the American Classic project hadn't figured out quite what to do next once the vehicle was shown at the auto show, and Franklin and Fred glance at one another with an enlightening interest.  At the same time, both have something of a twisted smile on their face, suggesting they feel they might be in the process of picking someone's pocket.  "What do you have in mind?" Franklin asks, trying to conceal his opportunistic feelings.
    "We don't need to get into that yet," Rubenstein responds with an obvious intolerance, as though he were addressing two 3rd graders.  "We've got an intelligence network throughout the world, and I can tell you with no fear of being incorrect that any effort to bring jobs back to America involves a substantial security risk to anyone undertaking such an endeavor."  His tone becomes more calculating.  "How may people know what you are about to do?"
    Fred and Franklin again exchange glances, this time with alarm and concern and not latent contempt for a money-grabbing Jew - an opinion formed with no substantial basis.  They both lean closer to the speaker, place their elbows on the desk and Fred asks, "Security?  All we've got is about 20 assembly line workers.  We don't have the manpower to...."
    Again, Rubenstein interrupts, "Nor do you have the equipment."
    Their glances become more intense.  Franklin asks, "Equipment?" knowing the intelligence network of The Restoration has gained considerable credibility, although its sources have never been revealed.
    Rubenstein's voice takes on much more authority.  "We will offer the security beginning now.  Are you prepared to turn over complete control of that to The Restoration?"
    There is a brief pause before Franklin very timidly responds, "I guess so."
    Rubenstein appears glad to at last elevate the conversation to the level with which he is accustomed to dealing.  "Good.  First, we'll need to lay out a security plan for the auto show.  We will provide transportation and escort to the exhibition hall as well as establishing a security perimeter around the plant.  Also, we'll provide personal security guards for all involved in the production.  I can only tell you that if your efforts achieve any level of success, we can fully expect a strong response against this Crusade.  What was it the British called a big operation during World War II?  Oh yes, a big show.  We've known a big show was coming against The Restoration for some while now.  The American Classic will only bring it along sooner than we had expected."
    Saying all he had intended and with the firm implication he has more important things to do, Rubenstein abruptly terminates the conversation.

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    The street around the plant is deserted and wet from an afternoon rain.  It glimmers in the dim street lights and takes on a abstract setting that fuels all sorts of fears arising from very limited application of the information offered by Rubenstein.  A tractor and platform trailer escorted by several jeeps with mounted .50 calibers slowly move towards building 3300.  After a brief reconnaissance around the premises, the American Classic is covered with a tarp and pushed onto the trailer where the tarp is tied down.  There are several radio communications before the procession leaves the plant grounds and moves towards the exhibition hall over a route where the streets have been blocked by the Atlanta Police Department.
    Franklin and Fred are in the last vehicle and can only gaze at precautions they did not expect and continue to wonder what Rubenstein knows but did not feel it necessary to tell them.  They reach the gate to the hall where the convoy is waved forward with no inspection of the cargo.  There is another foot reconnaissance before the vehicle, still covered by the tarp, is pushed off the trailer and moved to its assigned position on the floor, still without removing the tarp.  There are at least 10 Restoration soldiers guarding the advertising material that remains in its shipping packages.

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    All this and the events of the past several days have brought on a whole new apprehension in Franklin's mind.  Before, he was only concerned with how the new design would be received by the dealers at the show.  Regardless of that outcome, he wasn't sure what could be done next.  As he drives towards the plant, his mind is clouded with images of the soldiers with full combat load in the convoy and in the exhibition hall.  Just then, his cell phone rings and all fears and worry are purged from his mind when he hears Jo Ann's voice.
    "Hi.  It's me.  I just wanted to hear your voice.  I've been worried about you.  Something's been weighing on your mind for the past few days."
    "I've been worried about the plant....There's something I haven't told you."
    She seems worried and asks, "What?"
    He pauses before saying, "It's one of those things you need to see rather than having described to you.  The auto show starts tonight, and I want us to go."
    "You can't get it out of your heart can you.  I mean the plant closing and all."
    Slightly exhaling, he says, "I can't get you out of my mind either.  That makes up for the worries.  I'll pick you up at 7:00 o'clock."  After another pause, he adds, "I love you."
    He can hear her breath as she exhales and says, "I can't hear you say that enough, darling."
    Momentarily, his thoughts turn away from so many worries, and he can only think of Jo Ann..  He turns on his radio to listen to the local news and tries to keep her in his mind as the news begins.

    "It's 9:30 and 72 degrees.  City officials are hopeful the auto show, which opens tonight, will bring a needed boost to the local economy, especially the hotel and entertainment businesses which continue to layoff employees and reduce services due to what the Statehouse prefers to call an 'adjustment' rather than 'recession.'  Ironically, it is the automobile industry that has experienced unusual decline in sales and has been forced into plant closures, layoffs and outsourcing to cheap labor markets.  All the major manufacturers will have a display at the show and hope.....We've got breaking news just coming off the wire and join it now.

    "Dan Planter reporting from New York.  Late yesterday afternoon, there was a large series of short selling transactions, primarily of stocks in the automobile industry.  At the opening bell, a massive sell-off in this industry continued - especially stocks in the Majestic Automobile Corporation.  Brokers are completely surprised at what seems an organized effort throughout the industry to liquidate large portfolios of automobile stocks.  Most surprisingly of all is the fact Majestic Stock underwent a substantial increase in value since the company announced plans to close a number of domestic plants and reduce expenses by outsourcing near all the assembly work to foreign cheap labor markers.  Just a few moments ago, I recorded this interview with Winston Crawford, economics professor at New York University."
    "Professor Crawford, can you speculate on what effect this will have on the overall economy?"
    The response is bluntly analytical.  "The effect is very predictable.  We can expect a similar decline in stocks of all companies supplying materials for automobile manufacturing.  Other stocks can be expected to undergo a marked decline as well, purely due to panic selling.  The long-term outlook is that imports will increase, and that will ultimately have a more far-reaching effect on the economy that decline in stock value." 

    Franklin is stunned and stops his car.  He tries to piece together what Rubenstein told him with what he has just heard.  It doesn't make any sense.  Why would a decline in stock value create such a need for security?  There must be something else.  He remembers the attacks on the Techside Crusade site and St. Ann's Church and all the stories of conspiracies over the years that were never proven and only subjected those, such as Senator Joseph McCarthy, who attempted to expose them, with disgrace and ruin.  He whispers to himself, "They know something."

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    The parking lot at the exhibition center is crowed, something Franklin and Jo Ann did not expect, considering many Americans have been laid off or seen their incomes diminish due to downfalls in the investment markets.  Franklin is eager to see the display for the American Classic and walks very briskly.  Jo Ann is almost in a jog to keep up with him, squeezes his hand and says, "Slow down."
    As they walk along, many of the people are talking among themselves, "Did you see it?....That's the most beautiful car I've ever seen."
    They enter the hall and see a number of models in the same body style that has not changed in several years due to the need to control production costs in a declining economy.  All of them have the same aero-dynamic design, large headlights and give the impression of an over-size insect.  Most of the people are at the end of the hall, and a gradual smile comes to Franklin's face when he sees a massive crowd gathered around the American Classic.  The smile broadens when he sees Elizabeth and Tilden at the display.  Elizabeth doesn't even look like the same woman she was only a few weeks ago - before she met Tilden.  She is dressed in a blue suit with a white scarf around her neck, neatly tucked inside the collar of her coat and has a white handkerchief in the coat pocket.  The display is surrounded by a white picket fence with a trellis over the American Classic.  There are red roses all along the sides of the trellis; and in addition to the advertising material put together by the Jewish advertising agency, there is a large photo of a woman in a simple print dress, a man dressed in work clothes, both holding hands with a small child walking towards a modest house.  Over the trellis in large letters is a banner reading America Wants You Back.  A number of persons, who appear to be dealers, are seated at the tables around the display filling out the order forms Elizabeth and Tilden are handing out.
    After they have stood there a moment, Jo Ann releases Franklin's hand and looks at him.  The smile gradually fades from his face, and he says, "It's the only one.  We built it without authorization from Detroit."
    Jo Ann looks at the vehicle for quite a few minutes before saying in almost a whisper, "What will happen now?" 
    Franklin can only shake his head as he continues to gaze at the crowd and recognizes some of the same men, now dressed in business suits, that were in the security detail.     

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    Robert Michelson has a cold stare that is dispersed equally at each of the men around the conference table at the Majestic Auto Plant.  His expression changes to one difficult to evaluate when his stare stops on Melvin Rubenstein, whom he recognizes from past press conferences as the Public Information Officer of The Restoration.  With contempt, he asks, "How did you become involved in this?"
    Melvin seems entertained and simply says, "That will be revealed in due course."
    Michelson resumes his traversing and contemptible stare which comes to rest on Franklin.  In a loud voice, he asks, "Who authorized this?" holding up one of the brochures from the Jewish advertising agency.
    Franklin folds his hands on the conference table and says, "A group of people interested in the future of the company."
    Michelson throws his hands in the air and says, "The future of the company, hell.  You've displayed a Frankenstein that can't be produced - even in Mexico."
    Fred speaks up.  "You're overlooking an important issue.  How many orders were received after the auto show?"
    "That's just it," Michelson roars.  "There's orders from virtually every dealer in the United States.  Now what in the hell are we supposed to do - tell them the damn thing was a 9th grade science project?"
    Fred's briefcase is tattered from having accompanied him everywhere he has gone for the past 7 years.  He reaches in it, removes a large roll of papers enclosed in a rubber band and rolls them down the table to Michelson.  "It's all there," he says.  "Producing it will require some initial expense and re-tooling.  There won't be immediate profits but if you can break away from the idea of progressive statistics long enough to see the long term potential of this design, surely you must know the sales potential justifies the expense."
    Just then, there is a knock at the door.  The woman that was the plant manager's secretary before the closure was announced comes in and says, "The stock market just opened.  Majestic stock is up 25% in the first 30 minutes of trading."
    Fred nods and whispers something to himself before looking back at Michelson and saying, "You and that bunch of monkeys in Detroit haven't had a worthwhile idea in years.  Now, I'm going to tell you what to do, since you just asked and apparently don't know.  You've got a chance to pull this company out of the gutter you've put it in from all your expense-cutting measures.  Majestic has a line of inferior models produced by outsourced labor and foreign plants that have produced a short-term profit but what will happen in the future?  Progressive statistics will only carry you so far.  Eventually, the whole goddamn thing is going to collapse and you're going to put the company in bed with a whore and  be unable to get hard.  Re-tool the plants.  You've finally got something that will sell.  Seize on the theme of the American Classic.  Discontinue the models that are not selling.  Hire back the laid-off employees.  We've got the opportunity to help the failing economy more than you realize or willing to admit."  He pauses a moment before adding, "That sounds like it came from The Restoration....Damn."
    Melvin begins a muted clap.  "Here, here.  An excellent opportunity to advance the American theme and create new jobs.  The stock rise speaks to that.  Go back to Detroit and announce you're not going to produce the Classic and see what happens.  You'll find yourself answering the questions then.  Why don't you just go back to Detroit and don't do a damn thing, because you'll fuck it up.  We'll handle everything."
    Michelson's face comes to a tinted glow.  He starts to say something, stops, thinks for a moment before saying in another muted voice, "Do it."  He leaves the room without another word.

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    Fred Townsend is running around the plant with his briefcase under his arm like a child with a new toy.  Majestic stock continues to rise - especially after Detroit announced the production and rehire plans for the American Classic.  Orders have been received for a full 6 months of production after the 4 plants involved in the project are re-tooled.  Townsend's plans and charts are scattered all over the floor.  He and a few of the production line workers are crawling around them like babies that have not yet taken their first step.  They're all taking notes, pointing to the line and then passing the drawings and pages among themselves as though they were playing a high-stakes card game.  Just then, the janitor walks in and flops down a copy of the morning newspaper with the screaming headlines:

National Auto Workers Union 61
Announces A General Strike Against Majestic Motors

    Only days after the sensational showing of the Majestic American Classic, officials of this union announced a general strike against Majestic Motors.  In a brief statement, mention was made of the massive layoffs the company has undertaken in the past few years under its program of seeking out cheep labor outside the United States.  Such layoffs have been commonplace throughout the automobile industry due to increasing import sales which have placed the domestic market in a considerable downturn during this period.  After the American Classic was shown, Majestic received such a large volume of orders, it set out on a crash program to re-tool several plants that will be used exclusively for production of the new model and until the announcement of the strike, was in the process of rehiring a large number of employees previously laid off.  The union's statement went on to say the laid off employees had suffered during the downturn and now expected their share of the anticipated profits from the American Classic.  Re-tooling work has stopped and the union has stated it is ready to begin negotiations.

    Everyone on the floor crawls over to the newspaper, and there is a period of silence as they read the article.  Their heads move back and forth across the text as though they were watching a tennis match.  In unison, they all sit down and begin a stare at Fred Townsend just as his cell phone rings.  He only says hello and listens to whoever it is for a good 3 minutes before saying ok and hanging up.  He walks over to the group and says, "That was that Jew, Rubenstein, from The Restoration.  He said they anticipated such a development and that we should not worry.  The Restoration is going to take over full management of what he called a new crusade.  He's holding a press conference in an hour.  How in the hell does he think he's got the authority to take over anything?"
    They all glance at one another.  No one says a word but each knows what the other is thinking.  They have no power or resources to do anything but as The Restoration directs.

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    Rubenstein showed his obvious flare for business in arranging the press conference so soon - soon enough to prevent Majestic stock from going into a free-fall and creating the natural investor ill-will that could be expected to follow such a development.  He's standing there in front of the press in his customary dark business suit, white shirt and stripped tie.  He traverses the room with almost a mocking smile on his face before saying, "The Restoration is holding this press conference to announce a new Crusade that will be known as Operation US 1 - so named for the first intrastate highway.  As of this moment, it will take over complete control and production management of the American Classic. In the past, all of you have expressed discontent that our press conferences often are largely made up of lengthy opening statements and few opportunities for questions.  I think we can pass by an opening statement now and get directly to your questions."
    Reporter:  "How did The Restoration even get involved in this - especially on the first day in a dispute between union and management?"
    Rubenstein:  "If you read the general agenda of our movement, which has been in your hands for months now, you will observe one of the goals is to rebuild American business with special emphasis on the manufacturing trades which are the necessary starting point in then moving on to rebuild material suppliers.  We hadn't planned to launch this Crusade at this moment but recent developments gave us the opportunity - no.... clearly articulated the need that we move at once."
    Reporter:  "I've read your general agenda.  It struck me as clearly against the collective bargaining power of labor unions in general.  Are you prepared to acknowledge that or will you put it under a cloud of secrecy as you have most everything else?"
    Rubenstein:  "You've taken a very short-sighed and ill-informed position - just as the press does on nearly every issue.  First of all, you must recognize that what started the automobile industry, and manufacturing trades in general, to go into the downfall was unwarranted demands by labor unions.  None of them seemed willing to listen to long-term goals of their employers and were only interested in demanding inflated wages and unreasonable benefits.  You need only look at the HMO medical system to see the result of some of these past demands, among other things.  Companies were forced to seek out expense-saving measures.  Then came foreign labor markets, overseas plants and resultant poor quality that opened the flood gates to increased imports."
    Reporter:  "And just how does a bunch of neo-Nazis propose to deal with that, which isn't to say I agree with you?"
    Rubenstein:  "We'll have to leave your tabloid rhetoric for another day and confine ourselves to the real issues.  We purpose to administer this Crusade by dealing only with American suppliers, although not in the customary manner.  We will not put out anything for bid.  Tomorrow morning, on The Restoration website, the specifications will be posted for all materials needed for the production of the American Classic.  With each item, a fair market price will appear with the invitation that any domestic company participate in the project.  Priority will be given to those companies that have been forced into reduced operations or have closed their plants altogether.  The amount of each contract will be awarded on the basis of how many employees each plant has in relation to the entire cost of the supplied item from all participating manufacturers.  With this, we can draw jobs back into the areas most severely effected by the economic downturn.  I'm not an economist but anyone can see more jobs in such areas will result in greater consumer spending that in turn will benefit businesses not involved in the Crusade."
    Reporter:  "With the automobile industry in its present weakened financial position, how can Majestic afford to invest the capital to start up such a project?  Most economists agree such new undertakings invariably produce negative cash flow for many months."
    Rubenstein:  "At last, a question that speaks to the task.  The initial step must be to turn away from the theory of progressive statistics.  As you well know, this idea has dominated business for several years and provides that a business must continue to cut its expenses, employees and quality as long as a positive cash flow is maintained.  The Restoration isn't the only body that is interested in rebuilding America.  There are others and some of them have considerable financial resources.  They have extended long-term, low interest loans that will sustain the company through the startup period you so correctly mention."
    Reporter:  "Who are they?"
    Rubenstein:  "As my grandmother used to say, 'that's for me to know and you to find out.'"
    Reporter:  "You mean you're going to put the same cloud of secrecy over this as you have everything else?"
    Rubenstein:  "Yes."
    Reporter:  "With the negative cash flow you have acknowledged, how in the world can you expect to get such a massive project started - much less to the point you can realize a profit?"
    Rubenstein:  "Another excellent question.  The Solomon Advertising Agency has designed an outstanding advertising campaign which isn't altogether practical in nature.  It's designed to appeal to emotion as well.  I'll show you an example."  He holds up a large poster showing the American Pacific Fleet under attack at Pearl Harbor.  Several battleships are sinking under dense clouds of black smoke and several Japanese Zeros are making strafing dives.  In the background, there is a second-dimensional picture of the American Classic over the caption I wasn't there then but out of the ashes arose the American Spirit.  Industrial America is calling it again.
    Reporter:  "All that might look good on an advertising poster but do you really expect the stock market investor to take such a risk when you just admitted you can't guarantee the eventual profits from the new model?" 
    Rubenstein:  "No one can guarantee anything on any investment.  The next time you get a statement from a money market account, look at the bottom and you'll see a statement to this effect.  Even if Majestic stock does go down again, we believe the true investor is not short-sighted and can see the long-term potential of this Crusade.  The Restoration will issue monthly reports on the number of orders received by the company, resultant cash flow and just as important as anything else, the number of orders to material suppliers that will create job openings throughout the country.  Don't overlook the fact that a portion of economic principals are dependant on the public relations image of any company.
    Reporter:  "What is to become of the jobs that were recently transferred to Mexico?  Aren't you adopting a racist policy clearly directed against diversity?"
    Rubenstein:  "I don't know.  We're more concerned about the American economy than what happens in Mexico.  Before you even ask, I'll add that the new jobs at Majestic will be filled from the needs of the company and skills of the non-union workers that apply with no concern as to race.  Don't be so eager to stir up controversy.  Just look at the recent events and tell me what is in the best interest of America - creating domestic jobs or shipping out everything to some foreign country, not to mention the demands of the labor unions only interested in exploiting circumstances for the gain of few.  I think the term associated with such action is 'breaking a labor union.''"
    Reporter:  The Restoration is a Christian movement in the many directions you have previously described.  How do you explain the fact the movement has a Jewish Public Relations Officer, a Jewish advertising agency and based on a story in today's newspaper, is about to hire a Jewish law firm to handle what you described as 'anticipated developments?'"
    Rubenstein with a slight laugh:  "Why Mister Douglas, I had no idea you were an anti-Semite and would even make that such an issue but I'll answer your question.  The goals of The Restoration are to rebuild the American spirit and economy.  Jews, as well as other races, and religions for that matter, had much to do with building America.  Do you expect us to try to deny them the right to help rebuild it?"  With the skill of an Academy Award winning actor, he turns to the camera and says, "We can only ask your confidence in these true goals.  Bring jobs back to America by dealing only with companies who have or will open domestic plants.  Give those willing a chance to work.  Don't expect overnight results.  It took God 7 days.  Above all, have confidence in yourself.  Any plan can only succeed from the will and determination of the workers.  Operation US 1 will not be managed by accountants but by trade professionals where I know that will and determination exists."
    Reporter:  "But don't you realize the country has taken on a world trade and multi-race position in recent years and any racist turnaround such as you describe can only........"
    Rubenstein interrupts:  "Now you can see why our previous press conferences have allowed so few questions.  You're unwilling to turn away from your tabloid mentality.  It's time to terminate this interview.  I'm sure you all have some rape case, child molestation or Hollywood divorce or some other sickly commentary you think the country is more interested in hearing about than putting people back to work."