Wednesday, May 27, 2015

 

Final E


Death and Taxes

So, Rupert Henslow became Rupert Henslowe--
with an e. Again.

That first time, he paid Rippy Baby Taxes, or
about half of his usual.

The real Henslowe given that break since his
father had fought in the terrifyingly stupid
Rippy Campaign that has destabilized that
portion of the world since. The Hawks thirst to
move back in there and do it right on this
occasion. Leave a desert!

But it’s already that.

Mose Maley straightened out things that first
time, and was due again after three years into
the new dodge.

Rupert would get away with the lesser taxes
once more, the leftist government reasoning
that not only the rich should screw the rest
of us on that score. But he has to return
to the old rate in future.

"So Rippy Baby encore, hey? Well I'm gonna
surprise you! You can stay Henslowe with an e.
Your government insists!"

"And pay Rippy Baby...?"

"Absolutely! Forever! Hey, you pay some taxes!
The Gotrocks Master Thieves in this enlightened
society pay squat."

"Nothing at all?"

"Not to worry. They're great patriots!"

"But...the original Rupert Henslowe?"

"Ex!"

"Ex? Ex what? Husband, worker, citizen? What?:

"Try tinguished!"

"Oh my God!"

"Yeah, all this bureaucratic rigamarole between
the two of you pissed off FBI, and they sent a
Swat Team. Nailed him at third base of his
softball team. He was on defense, but not
very well!"

"So...I'm Rippy Baby, period?"

"Barring the same kind of law-enforcement visit."

"In that horrid case, I'm thinking of surrendering my Rippy Baby Privilege?"

"Don't! Your dad fought for it! Well, his dad.
The Extinguished."

"I'm pondering that last word."

"Again, don't. Almost entirely at random really.
It can come to either of us--or not."

"You mean that the FBI picks its person and
then justifies it with the usual smokescreen?"

"Uh huh. Trust to luck. You've had it so far."

"The usual power-political trick: They throw the
dart and then paint the bullseye around it!"

"You're wise beyond your years? But one lousy
host! Where's the booze and dope?"

"How do I know you're not setting me up?"

"Because I revealed so much to you that they
could ice me without trial!"

"Ex you, you mean."

"Same."






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