Collapse by Richard Stephenson Page A

leave was forthcoming.
     
    Hal continued.  “I noticed, sir, that you have packed four outfits for the trip.”
     
    “Yeah, big deal,” said Howard.
     
    “Well, sir, the reason for my query is that the itinerary you shared with me schedules us to return to the residence late tomorrow evening.  I cannot ascertain why you have packed extra clothes and deduced that our trip would be extended.”
     
    “Just being cautious, Hal, nothing more.”
     
    “I understand, sir.  My apologies for the interruption.”
     
    Howard had actually lied to his computer.  He was not being cautious, but rather trying to please his wife.  Howard had figured through painstaking research what outfit his wife liked based on her mood.  He had four outfits - one for happy, sad, angry, and one for downright dreadful.  He would hope for the best and wear the happy outfit.  If need be, he could always change.
     
    Howard went to bed and hardly slept that night thinking about what was waiting outside of his perfect world where everything had its place and made sense.  The world outside his home was falling apart.  People were scared and desperate. 
     
    Howard didn’t understand why these people couldn’t just get their asses in gear and get their act together.
     
    Howard climbed into his car and settled in for the long drive that would take them to the outskirts of western Denver.  Howard had absolutely no idea how to drive.  He was confident that he could easily learn how to perform the task; however, the fact that the roads were filled with people driving in ways that Howard could not control meant that Howard never bothered to learn how to drive.  Hal was the perfect driver and would keep Howard perfectly safe.
     
    Once Hal made the ten-minute drive to the front gate, he turned left on the road. Howard was ready for his morning briefing.
     
    “What have you got for me this morning, Old Man?”
     
    “Sir, I will continue to monitor the estate during your absence and ensure that everything is tended to.”
     
    “I know you will, Hal, thank you.”  Howard lived alone in his sprawling mansion that could easily house a dozen more residents.  Every day, Hal dispatched dozens of robots around the estate to clean, perform repairs, and to tend to the landscaping of his thousand acre estate.  The only other creature living in the house was his wife’s grumpy cat, Nala.  Howard did not like the animal and counted on Hal to keep her alive.
     
    Hal continued, “Sir, I have rescheduled all of your video conferences to later in the week.  The only exception is Director Mills.  I will wait for him to contact me so that I can reschedule the meeting.”
     
    “Asshole’s ducking me, not surprised.”  Howard did not like the report the director gave him the previous day.  The Southeast Director of Beck Enterprises had reported to Howard that the offices south of Atlanta suffered minor damage from Hurricane Luther.  The director thought Howard would be pleased that the office complex only suffered minor damage.  Howard was in fact not pleased; he screamed at the director for almost an hour as if the man was responsible for the hurricane.
     
    “Arson investigators in California have concluded that the wildfires are being fueled by disgruntled citizens who have petitioned the governor to remove the National Guard forces currently stationed in the major cities.”
     
    “Wow!  So the solution is to burn down half of their state?”  Howard frowned in disgust.
     
    “Not the solution I would have chosen, sir.”
     
    “Me, neither.  Continue please.”
     
    “The next entry confuses me, sir.” Hal waited for Howard to reply.
     
    “How so?”
     
    “Governor Prince continues to face criticism from state representatives on how she is handling the quarantine zone.  She has assured them that recovery efforts are underway and emergency crews are working around the clock to repair the damage to