“Talk to the legislature, I just enforce.” Arguing is useless. The cop’s mind is made up, and he punches in their citations. “Just so you know, ma’am, the police don’t have a constitutional obligation to protect you from crime. Or, from criminals. You’re ultimately responsible for protecting yourselves. The good news for you is there weren’t any kids, or I’d have to cite you for each child not protected to the standard required by law. And you could even lose custody. I hate issuing those citations.”

            “Unconstitutional...” Shirley mutters, past the point of tears with fury and degradation.

            “You could get a gun. That’s constitutional.”

“A gun? But, I wasn’t even home!” she raises her voice. “They would have stolen the gun, too!”

He considers the woman along with the chaos of upside-down drawers and broken belongings. “On second thought, judging from these guys you’re probably lucky you weren’t around.” The cop almost grins. Then he studies Shirley, but not like she is a victim. “I guess you don’t know, ma’am, but mostly our Constitution protects citizens from abuses by the police and the government—“

“Like you’re abusing me?”

“The Constitution,” he repeats with emphasis, “is intended to protect you from government and the police. Not from your fellow citizens. This ‘Blackout Law’ and the new ‘Grate Law’ are there to help and protect you. These anti-crime initiatives would have a chance to work. If you obey them.”

            “I don’t care if they work.” She makes a scoffing face. “I shouldn’t have to keep the shades drawn, and my family behind iron grates, just to keep them safe!”

            “Well, I might, or might not agree with you there.” The hefty guy hitches up his holster belt. “But, that is the law.” Ogden’s body armor prepares him to wage a small war by himself.

Read the exciting Climax and Conclusion of Dark Comedy in the upcoming Fast Fiction FlightBook APPETITE FOR THE APOCALYPSE