American Exit Strategy: Book 1 by Mark Goodwin Page B

much for Mayor Jones' curfew." Karen said with a faint snicker.
    Patrick James had just arrived and was starting his “on the scene” coverage. They had hired a private security firm for protection while they broadcast. Normally, you would never see the security personnel in the camera shots, but there were so many, you could easily spot a couple on the side every few minutes. These guys weren’t mall cops either. They were decked out in full riot gear with folding stock shotguns and semi-automatic pistols in cross draw holsters on their tactical vests.
    Patrick James was commenting on the chaos."Folks, many of you may remember; I was embedded in Syria with the rebels during their civil war a few years back. I do not feel any more secure right now than when I was in that war zone. In Syria, there was some feeling of knowing who was behind you. We had a pretty good idea who wanted to hurt us and who didn't. Tonight, I will tell you, this is a completely volatile situation."
    Patrick called to a passerby to tell him what he thought of the situation. The young man stated "This is crazy. The government can't just let all these people starve to death. They have to do something. They have to bring in food. These people are going to die! This ain't no joke man! We gonna die!"
    Patrick replied to the man "But there is money on the EBT cards. No one should die. Everyone is going to get half of their SNAP benefit credit on the day they were originally supposed to get it. The White House has promised the balance of the benefits will be paid on the 15th."
    "Come on man" the man objected "They lyin! they ain't no more money! It's gone. What they gave em today was it. Ain't nobody gettin no money tonight, tomorrow, on the fifteenth, never. If they had it, it would've been there today. They taken care all these rich people and leave us out to die.  I'm tryin to tell you man!"
    Patrick inquired further "So is that the consensus? Everyone in town believes the White House is lying about the benefits that will be loaded over the next few days? Where is this information coming from?"
    "Everybody knows it man." the man returned in a hostile tone. "Why you don't know? You the news! Ya'll believe them? Ya'll better wake up. We goin get ours!"
    The man walked off insulted that Patrick didn't seem to agree with his perception of reality. Patrick turned back to the camera. "All the comments we have gotten since we got here seem to confirm that a mob mentality has taken over. They seem to not believe anything the press or government spokesmen tell them. By not getting in front of this issue before the benefit cuts appeared in people’s accounts, the government has lost all credibility with this community."
    An armored police vehicle pulled up to the camera crew.  An officer dressed in riot gear got out and told them they had to leave the city immediately. Rapid machine gun fire was heard in the distant background. Patrick argued with the man for several minutes about freedom of the press and their ability to care for themselves. Patrick called his producer. Five minutes later, the lead officer got a phone call. He returned to the armored vehicle and pulled away.
    The security personnel told Patrick they should relocate. The security guard was friendly with some officers in the Detroit Police Department and was getting information on what was happening where. He had just gotten a warning that a large mob was heading his way. They were burning cars, breaking windows and looting every store in their path. The crew found a nearby parking garage. They went to the fourth level which gave them a tremendous vantage point. From the corner of the garage, they could see down several blocks to where the mob was creating all the havoc. 
    The team quickly set up and began broadcasting live again.
    Patrick got right to the action. "The sight you see behind me is a mob that has lost all hope in their government. They feel betrayed and feel they have no other