Complicit Simplicity Ch 9: A Young Entrepreneur's Business

The roads are clear. They travel through small towns, farmlands and pass occasional convenience stops. The three freedom privateers are near the border when Gloria tells Jon to stop at a roadside stand Last chance for fresh fruit before Elldee. "Maybe they have gossip about the border area."

The advertising signs on the ends of the stand are bigger than the stand itself. The fruit stand is a group of boxes on tilted planks with various fruits displayed. A roof that matches the tilt of the display extends to cover the shopper's area, and sweeps back behind the stand. As they exit the van, Gloria reaches back for a light jacket.

A wind is stirring over the farmlands, just faint whiffs that nuzzle the green papers comforting the fruit. The road slowly climbs to this point, but it now looks like a pull is ahead for the van's engine. Curves cut over the foothill and up the ankle of a mountain, sweeping into a verdant forest. Gloria points to a cleft where a dark cloud is pushing through, its underbelly roiling down a steep valley like the lead waters of a flood.

"Welcome free people" The young woman by the fruit greets them. "The melons are ripe, and we have a picnic table under trees behind the stand. Enjoy the last fresh fruit you are likely to taste until you return from Elldee; unless you are feasting with their government. Elldee exports all their fresh fruit."

The gal by the fruit is in her teens, dressed comfortably for farm work, hair in a pony tail, and eyes overflowing with life. She looks closely at Gloria, "Maria, I see you have brought some friends with you this time."

"I'm not Maria, but I have a cousin by that name that comes this way occasionally."

"Sorry, my name is Susie, perhaps your cousin is who I'm thinking of. Are you heading over the border?"

"I'm Gloria, this is Jon and Mose," she says as she nods to each in turn, "they are business associates and friends traveling with me into Elldee. Is there any news from the border?"

"We are getting reports of violent gang activity, and a new gang leader. He says great things about fighting Prince Pahl, but his actions are looting and killing the helpless. Perhaps some day myths will turn him into a Robin Hood, but it might be best if someone can quickly turn him into a martyr for freedom."

Gloria has come to expect solid reasoning and analysis from those that passed through FLC open-learning. The cool deliberations from Susie showed something more; perhaps a self-induced passion for discovering and considering truth. "Is that gang close to the border?"

"They won't get close to the customs station or the other border stations, they don't want an air strike called against them They certainly won't cross the border into the FLC, that would be even harder on them. But they could be anywhere before the forests clear in the flat lands."

The trio takes their meal to the table and Adirondack chairs under the trees. They discover their picnic is next to a stream with rocks arranged for a soothing music of tumbling water. Under a rear overhang of the fruit stand is a small library, with a diverse collection of books.

Mose invites Susie to join them. "it looks like you are reading many of those books at the same time, most of them have bookmarks."

"I'm always reading at least two. The other bookmarked books are being read by regular customers who stop by to visit and relax by the stream. As you can see I've planted an orchard upstream. I'm planning on building some small studios so writers and other artists can sequester themselves, yet be able to hear the brook and look out at the trees. One of my customers requested an artist retreat and I like the idea."

Jon sips from his coffee, nibbles at some grapes, and releases a contented sigh. Raising himself he turns the conversation toward their trip, "I'm driving, what can we expect at the customs house?"

"My sisters and I go by occasionally to check things out, officially we are there to sell fruit to the border guards." Susie continues with a smile, "there is a crew of twelve border guards and one officer. They force the Eldee refugees back into the forest, and pay scant attention to those entering. All the guards are lonely, and tired of living under Pahl's law, and while they don't say it, they hate working for him too."

Gloria returns Susie's smile "It sounds like you've been working on them, are they ready to walk away from the border yet?"

"That is one of my businesses. I also own this fruit stand, recruit for the NEC, and consult with local farmers on marketing some of their produce internationally."

"You sound busy. I assume you're having success at the border."

Susie paints a situational picture for the three amigos. "The guards are ready. Their officer is still unsure how bad it is in the forests for displaced villagers. The guards don't travel far from their barracks and customs shack. The officer won't come over for his own good, but he does not want those forced from their homes to continue suffering. From what he says, an influx of refuges would be enough to induce him not to shoot but instead escort the refugees down here to safety. He is a man of honor, a tough value to hold in Pahl's service. We've assured him there are jobs and housing available for all that come. Most people already settled here have their own businesses, so there is always a shortage of people willing to work for others."

Gloria considers Susie, "You have already found them employers?"

Susie shows dimples. "I have, and other NEC subcontractors are keeping lists in their areas. I expect to employ some myself. If they are skilled and hard working, I have an artist retreat to develop. If they are knowledgeable, I and my friends may hire them as itinerant professors until they find a stable position. Enough professors and they can form their own Free University, teaching courses at student's requests for negotiated fees. For those with inclinations for research, their futures can be secure indeed. Free people want the best, and then want it improved."

Mose looks a bit like a young professor himself as he openly admires Susie's enthusiasm. "Skilled or unskilled: hard, knowledgeable effort will help these refuges and their families. With natural enterprise, they are free to choose their own lives. A gain for one free person is profit for all free people."

Jon looks up as a few rain drops hit the table. It is clear directly above them, but clouds are breaking from the mountains and charging down to the lowlands. Jon is not even sure which clouds are throwing the spattering of rain. It is not yet time for snow, but once up in the mountains ...

Susie's eyes are serious now, "Once the soldiers see opportunities here are real, I don't think they will want to return to being Pahl's bully boys. Over the last several years we've engineered five desertions and refugee tidal waves. I supported those. The FLC met my bid for starting and running this one. I'm of course an independent contractor, not a laborer."

As Gloria, Jon, and Mose prepare to leave, Susie gives them two 25 pound bags of fruits and vegetables. "These will be confiscated at the border, put them where you would normally put a case of cigarettes or a Bible, on top of the bags. The guards will eat some - then they will leave the rest at the edge of the forest for the refugees. If you wish a Bible or two to leave with them I can provide them.

"Mose enters the discussion, "What will happen to the Bibles?"

"The Bibles will be confiscated also - and probably sold into the black market. It is one way to provide support to those seeking wisdom on their own -- rather than ignoring or being seduced by the approved pap of a Government run religion. I've read that a thriving black market and a hidden economy are signs of oppression. I imagine half of the business done in Elldee is under the table."

Mose takes a generous bite of his banana-nut bread and nods agreement. "It's a hard thing when you must choose between obeying unjust laws or feeding your children. As Voltaire said. 'When the government is wrong it is dangerous to be right.' Human rights should always come before man made laws, rules, and regulations. The very purpose of laws is to uphold human rights and provide mediation in human interactions."

They take some Bibles and the fruit, climb into the van even as the wind chills and rain drops increase in frequency. The road climbs quickly, the van seeming to enjoy the need for power as it sweeps up the curves on a road darkening with rivulets. The border gates and customs house is encountered at the peak of a pass.

The border guards appear glad to see the van, even in wet autumn weather. Their smiles disappear as they approached the van in a professional manner. One stands, gun at the ready, as the other checks their documents. Another mans a tower gun with the weapon aiming just over the roof of the van. Mose receives permission to stretch his legs and dons a light coat as he exits.

On inspection the guards confiscate the Bibles and bags of fruit. They are eating apples even as the van pulls away. One is opening a Bible. Mose had talked with a border guard. "They are upset, their last shipment of supplies didn't come, the delivery truck retreated when it received blaster fire from the forest. The guards think it is likely they will get no more fresh food until their relief is trucked out in three weeks. It seems Susie is right, they are willing to leave Prince Pahl's loving embrace."

Gloria agrees, "Let's stay alert. If gangs fired on a military supplies transport, the crooks may view our van as their future troop transport. I don't think we want to pay that tax."

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