Trying
“But how can they take everything away from you like that?” She said. “There must be something you can do.” The man said nothing and continued to stare off at nothing in particular.
“It’s just not fair. They can’t do this.”
“It’s already done,” He said.
“How can that be! Who gave them the right?”
“Go get me a drink.”
She said nothing, and then with the forced calm of someone who is very angry but trying not to shout, “How dare you speak to me like that,” She said.
The man said nothing. He stood up and walked into the kitchen and fixed himself a whiskey. He returned to the table, the entire bottle in his hand.
“Is this what you want? To end up a drunk like your father?”
“It’s finished,” He said. “It does not matter.”
“What does that even mean? There are courts you can appeal too. They will have to hear your case.”
He laughed, as he poured himself another glass, “They’re the courts. They’re the laws. And they’re above the laws.”
“It’s just not fair. How can they do this?”
“Please stop saying that,” The man said. He is slightly drunk now. He fills his empty glass again.
“We can’t give up so easily. They’re powerful because no one ever stands up to them. Well this time will be different.”
“Do you love me?”
“Of course I do.”
“Would you do anything for me?”
“You know I would.”
“Then please stop talking.” She sat quietly, her lips pressed tightly together. After a long silence she put her hand on his arm. He looked at her for the first since they started talking and she could see that his eyes were wet. “Tomorrow they’ll come and they’ll take it all. Everything we’ve worked so hard for. And there’s nothing we can do darling. I’ve failed you. I’m so sorry dear.” She can smell the whiskey on him, “I’d rather burn it to the fucking ground then let them have it. Now my father,” His voice slurring, “He might have found a way. He was always three steps ahead of them. Kept em on their toes he did.
“Your father was an abusive drunk. You’re a good and decent man,” She said.
“And what good has that done us? Being decent. Doing right by their laws. How can a decent man and his family prosper in a world run by criminals?”
“You’re drunk and now the whiskey is talking, She said.”
“Perhaps. But that doesn’t make it any less true. I did everything my conscience could allow and some that it would not. It wasn’t enough.” He was drunk now and he held his head in his hands. “It wasn’t enough,” He repeated, “It wasn’t enough.”
She stood up suddenly, “Let’s do it.”
“Do what?”
“Burn it to the fucking ground.”
“Are you serious?”
“You said it yourself. I’d rather watch it all burn then let those bastards have it.”
He took her hands in his and looked at her. She could see tears in his eyes, “I love you,” He said.
“I love you too. Now go get the gasoline and meet me around back.”