Chương 75: Chapter 74 – It’s All Part of the Game

"Easy Fellas. No need to be so rough. I'm going… I'm going!" Ray said, pulling his arm from the guard as they walked down the hall. He smiled politely as throngs of workers popped their heads out of their offices to see what all the commotion was about.

"Got to love this administration! Go ahead folks, bury your heads in the sand a little deeper! It's only a matter of time before you feel the fury of his wrath," he said loud enough for them to hear him in the back while the guards, one on each side, kept a tight grip on him.

"This is exactly what happens if you make waves!"

"Sir, please be quiet, there is no need to make such a ruckus," the guard on his left said stoically, gripping Ray's arm tighter.

"I recommend you take your hands off of me," Ray warned.

"Well, only if you are fond of both of them, that is." He snickered.

"Easy there big Fella, no need to threaten us," the guard on his right said.

"We wouldn't have to arrest you for failure to comply."

"I'm complying. I just don't need to be touched in order to do so," Ray said, rolling his eyes.

"So, you two get a hard-on doing his bidding or what? It must make you feel like all big and strong… and ever so important bullying those who stand up for the right thing," he began, looking from one to the other.

"Do you guys go touch each other in your no-no places once you're done?" he asked, deliberately goading them.

"Sir, I recommend you keep your mouth shut," the guard on his left said, visibly annoyed.

"What are you going to do if I don't? Hit me?" he smiled.

"I seriously doubt you have the balls to do something that manly," Ray snickered.

"I thought they banned females from being guards… hmm… guess I was misinformed."

"Don't do it, Steve," the guard on his right called to the guard on his left.

"He wants you to hit him, he figures that way the reporters will show up and it will be a big spectacle," he sighed.

"Let's just take this trash out and be done with it."

"Yeah, Steve, listen to your sister. We wouldn't want you to break a nail or something," Ray muttered.

"This is your final warning sir, I recommend you shut that mouth, or I will be forced to arrest you," Steve said, doing his best to maintain control.

"Arrest me for what?" Ray asked loudly.

"I'm complying, I'm just walking down the hall. I'm not resisting. Please, sir, don't arrest me!" he said, dramatically, his voice shaking with faux fear.

"Is that better Steve? You want me to beg like your mother did last night?" he asked in a voice only Steve could hear. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. With that Steve hauled off and punched Ray in the face, causing his nose to bleed, and several of the onlookers to gasp at the seemingly unprovoked act of violence.

"Son of a bitch Steve!" the other guard said as he grabbed his partner before he could punch Ray again.

"There's too many people, get it together," he said, looking at the onlookers.

"Nothing to see here, folks. Kindly return to your offices and go about your business.

"You all saw that right?" Ray yelled out, "Why Steve? Why did you hit me? I did everything you asked," he said, through cupped hands, sounding like he was on the verge of tears.

"Does anyone have a tissue or something?" he said looking pathetically around at the many faces standing and staring at the scene. When they approached the front door to the building, a flurry of reporters filled the vestibule. Flashes of light had a strobe-like effect on the entryway. Ray pulled his hands from his face and allowed the blood to free fall from his nose while preparing to make a statement. The guards pushed him forward to the door as the cameras ate it up.

Once outside, Ray was hit with an onslaught of questions. He knew calling the press prior to the meeting would work to his advantage. All it took was one anonymous tip and the vultures would be waiting.

"Is it true, you came here today to advocate against executive order 12765?" a reporter asked.

"Yes, I came here today to advocate for the children, the sick, the infirmed and the elderly. It is time to stop this barbaric order! These groups of vulnerable individuals must work themselves, often to death, to receive the most basic of human needs," he sighed.

"Well, this was the administration's response to that request," he said, looking sadly at the camera.

"My pleas fell on deaf ears. Blackwood's response?" He paused dramatically.

"The dead don't require treatment. That is his true goal. To withhold nourishment. To withhold lifesaving medical care from those that need it the most. To hasten their demise, eliminating the need for care." The door suddenly opened behind the crowd.

"By order of the executive offices, I am hereby commanding you to cease and desist. This is an unlawful assembly, punishable by fines and imprisonment. This crowd is to disperse immediately, or the capitol police will have no choice but to start arresting anyone loitering on the premises and charge them with trespassing." An impeccably dressed man shouted through a bullhorn, as armed guards emerged surrounding the crowd of reporters and onlookers. Ray knew that was his cue to leave, his work here was done.

He began weaving his way through the reporters as they inundated the man with questions. He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped the blood from his face, before checking over his shoulder to see if he was being followed. He knew Blackwood would never let this slide. He now had a target on his head and he knew it. He reached in his pocket and pulled out the emergency teleport device before ducking down into an alley and pushed the button.