The Man

A Story by angelica

THE MAN

“No I can’t, I won’t do it!” He screams at the old man in the corner.

“You can and you will you use to do it as your job this should be easy.” Carol, the old man says while smiling like the devil himself.

“Why? Why do I have to do it?” he says holding his already balding head

“Because you forgot to mail the letter, Brad.” Carol says his wrinkles contorting from the anger starting to rise inside

“I didn’t mean to forget it! your grandchildren were distracting me all day.” “Yeah, it’s…. it’s your fault not mine!” Brad says laughing trying to calm down.

“No Brad they weren’t they couldn’t possibly they have been dead now for the past hundred years like me.” Carol says smiling at the thought. “You’re just crazy” he says smiling.

“NO! NO! IM NOT DON’T SAY THAT!” tossing the cabinet on the floor. All the glass frames sitting on the shelves shatter. Pictures, pictures of all the people he has killed over the years the children, parents, cheating wives, politicians. All the targets that have wound up on his door step……gone. Each one taking part of his sanity, of his soul.

“Do it! Leave now, you have to kill her he is expecting a letter but you forgot it. You have to do it or he will come for you, you know that.” Carol says calmly like he is having a conversation about the weather.

“I know! I know! Just leave! NOW! GO! LEAVE ME ALONE!!! Brad screams and just as fast as Carol came he disappeared into the air.

How could Brad be so careless he forgot to mail the letter to the president saying that he was going to kill his wife on January 2, 3 days from now. The president said that if he didn’t get the letter sent back that he was coming, coming for Brad. 1 million dollars for the hit or state prison for what he did in the past. He had to decide, if he killed the first lady he would probably get caught but, if he didn’t he would wind up on death row. He was in Missouri, even if he mailed it now it would never reach Washington D.C. in time.

Brad started packing, throwing everything in his duffle bag. His gloves, ski mask, and most importantly his silencer, this is one of his most important supplies of his job. It allows him to shoot in crowed places without being heard. This object allows him to get away cleanly without being heard or spotted by the gunshot. The other important tool he uses on his job is his FMG9 9mm folding submachine gun. This gun will fit in his back pocket, and deploys in seconds this lets him be stealthy and when panic ensues he can conceal it and walk away.

He hops on the earliest flight to Washington D.C. by the time he arrives it is already dark and the sunrise on its way. He has this last day to prepare to find his vantage point for the speech right outside the white house. He finds a marketing building adjacent to the white house, this will be perfect. He has the right angle where he know he won’t be seen but, he can see perfectly. He goes back to the hotel he is staying at, and he starts to get ready for bed.

“You finally got up the nerve to get it over with.” Says Carol sitting in the stiff chair by the window taking a draw on his cigar.

“You’re not to suppose to smoke in here, it’s a smoke free hotel.” Sighs Brad

“Don’t try and change the subject Brad.” As he blows the cloud of smoke in Brad’s face

Sighing heavily, “Don’t you ever leave me alone?” Says Brad

“Hey I’m not the crazy one here lad, you are imagining me.”

“I told you DON’T CALL ME THAT!” He yells throwing the phone book towards the empty chair.

“Oh Brad you have to get it together. You know my fath-“Carol starts

“I don’t care what your father told you once you old fart leave me alone.” As Brad reaches to shut off the light. “I have a long day tomorrow.”

And Carol is gone just like that.

Brad is climbing up the steps of the marketing building squeezing through the door that leads to the roof. The speech starts in five minutes and the press is getting anxious he starts setting up this gun and high powered scope aiming a little right to the podium. The doors open to the yard of the white house…

“Are you really going to go through with it?......Chicken.” Carol whispers in his ear, the smell of cheap cigars filling Brad’s nose.

“I have no choice!” Brad says irritation seeping through his teeth.

“You’re Damn right about that lad.” “You know if you don’t they are going to take you to that nut house up state” Carol says taking another long draw of his cigar

“I know, I know!” “Shut up now the president is walking out.” He says, looking to his left but Carol is already gone.

Brad adjusts his gun and rest his fingers on the trigger putting a slight pressure ready to squeeze. The president starts to speak and his wife smiles into the camera showing support. Brad pulls back the trigger. CLICK.

CLICK. CLICK. CLICK. The sound of the computers keys getting pressed down echo off the walls.

“Do you think we should give him another round of shock therapy, he is still hallucinating.” The male nurse says to the doctor.

“No that’s ok let him be, besides he is getting shock treatment all day tomorrow.” The doctor says sighing. “You can however give him more of his medication it looks like he needs it.”

“Ok sounds good, we don’t want him getting worked up again and hurting anyone.” The nurse whispers while putting his medication in his massed up food.”

“Alright see you later, I have a patient on the second floor I have to see.”

“Bye.” “Alright Mr. Brad open up.” The nurse says bringing the spoon closer to his mouth.