Apocalyptic Visions Super Boxset by James Hunt

filtration process in Washington,” Beth added.
     
    The man's shoulders went slack, and the rifle lowered a bit, but it was still aimed at Beth's stomach. Beth straightened herself, flattened out her suit jacket, and tilted her head up. She knocked the rifle's barrel away from her, and it fell to the man's side.
     
    “Are you Dr. Carlson?” Beth asked.
     
    The man wobbled on his feet, and he used the rifle as a cane to help steady himself.
     
    “Once upon a time,” Dr. Carlson said.
     
    Past the dirty clothes, wild hair, and dark circles under his eyes Beth could see the dim spark of intelligence.
     
    “Well, I'm here to speak with you about restarting your research. Congressman Smith will be reintroducing the bill to allow your filtration process to be used around the country,” Beth said.
     
    Dr. Carlson wheezed in a gasping laugh. Beth could smell his rancid breath, and she backed up as he continued the hacking chuckle until he was bent over with tears running down his face.
     
    “Once the bill is passed, we'll need to start producing the water as quickly as possible. The country's in a dire state, Doctor,” Beth said.
     
    Dr. Carlson wiped the tears from his eyes, holding his stomach, still struggling to keep his balance.
     
    “Lady, the country isn't in a dire state. It's dead,” Dr. Carlson said.
     
    Dr. Carlson turned around, dragging the rifle through the dirt of his front yard, barely able to keep his head from hitting the ground.
     
    “I don't think you understand what's going on here,” Beth said.
     
    “As long as Congressman Jones is still in office, which I know he is, your congressman's bill will never see the light of day,” Dr. Carlson said.
     
    Beth yanked the rifle from the doctor's limp grip, pinned him against the front wall of the house, and aimed the gun at him.
     
    “Listen, I don't know how long you've been drinking yourself to death, but I need you to march inside that house, put on a pot of coffee, and sober up. This plan only works if you're able to recreate the filtration process, and you can't do that stinking drunk,” Beth said.
     
    “And what if I don't? Are you going to shoot me?” Dr. Carlson asked.
     
    Beth slammed the lever of the rifle down, loading a bullet into the chamber, then placed her finger on the trigger.
     
    “Then I’ll go home and sleep like a baby,” Beth said.
     
    Dr. Carlson's smile faded from his face. He squinted at her, trying to focus on the situation at hand.
     
    “You know, I think I do remember you,” Dr. Carlson said. “You were just as mean back then, too.”

 
     
    ***
     
    Jones's gavel smacked the podium, calling everyone to order. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the session began. Smith checked his phone. Beth hadn’t texted him. He had no idea whether or not Dr. Carlson was alive. He’d be going into this vote without that knowledge.
     
    “Today's session is for the vote on Bill H.R. 395150, exiling California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico from the Union. We are all aware of the situation with the Colorado Basin and what that means to the natural resources of the country. If the people from those states migrate to the rest of the country, the population influx will decimate what precious resources we have left. Now, I think we all understand the gravity of this decision, but we also understand what will happen if we don't choose to act now,” Jones said.
     
    Jones's eyes fell right on Daniel, who shifted in his seat. Finally, Jones looked away, and Daniel felt himself exhaling, unaware he hadn’t been breathing.
     
    “I have personally spoken to our representatives from these states, and they have all agreed that while this action is dramatic, it is vital to the preservation of the rest of the country,” Jones said.
     
    A group of congressmen from the Southwest rose in unison.

“Congressman Jones is right. We understand the need for sacrifice in times of crisis. The survival of our nation is at