Peace

Something's happening 'round here. Some folks just seem to be gettin' happy ever since Captain Groovy decided to run for public office. He decided to run as an independent on the Peace ticket and name the party the Groovy Party. The Groovy Party was the laughingstock of the political arena, their views on hate and violence were seen as ridiculous. No one took the party seriously, that is, until Captain Groovy became the party leader.

His views on crime and taxes were considered laughable by many of his political opponents. Many candidates joked about his policies and made fun of the people who started following him. They couldn't wait to go up against him in a public forum with an audience filled with their supporters and his. They all sooo wanted to cut into him and whittle him to pieces.

There was great preparation for the day of the forum. The locals talked about it for weeks. The news even began to cover it. Captain Groovy and what he would say during the forum, was the main discussion in schools, on many jobs, and in many households. When the day of the forum had finally come, people filled the auditorium. Families were glued to their televisions and watched as all the candidates walked to their places on stage.

"Candidates, please state your names for the record," the moderator said, as the candidates prepared themselves.

"Roland Hanswith, Democrat,"

"Asgood Whelton, Republican and present Mayor of this city," A loud applause filled the room when Mayor Whelton introduced himself.

"Pamela Sue Lenningsworth, Republican."

"Sean Szu Wong, Democrat,"

"Leanna Patel, Republican."

"Captain Groovy, Independent, The Groovy Party." A roar of laughter along with a splash of cheers erupted from the crowd as Captain Groovy stated his name and party for the moderator.

"Candidates, Mayor" the moderator said, while shuffling her notes. "You will be given a question and each of you will have five minutes to respond. First question: Crime has become a serious issue in our town and in our community especially within the last four months, there have been several robberies and break-ins. If elected, what would each of you propose to do about it. We'll start with Captain Groovy."

"Crime is a serious issue, man" Captain Groovy replied, with a sigh. But let's look at the reasons for crime. People steal what they don't hav"e, what they don't own, what they can't afford. Why can't they afford it? They can't afford it because the prices in this town are too high, man. You can't afford a crust of bread on what many of our citizens make in a week. And look at the poor, they don't get a fair shake either. Everyone doesn't come into this life with a silver spoon in their mouth. But here's what I would do. I would spread sunshine, peace, and love in the areas where it's needed the most. That's what I'd do to solve the crime problem. The laughter is uproarious; candidates cover their faces in an effort to conceal their snickers.

Roland Hanswith, the moderator continues. "The same question."

"Well, unlike Mr. Groovy, I'd beef up patrols in the areas where crime is more relevant to appear. I'd prepare a budget for our police officers that would help them better perform the service of protecting our community, a budget where the taxpayers are not burdened. And then, I'd dish out stiff penalties for those who have committed these offenses against the hard-working citizens of this great community. A round of applause erupted within the audience as candidate Hanswith ended his response.

"Mayor Whelton," the moderator said, "To you the same question.:

"Well, I'm the old-fashioned type," the mayor said, clearing his throat. "I think an old-fashioned community butt-kicking would stop a lot of these break-ins. The mayor paused as the audience's loud applause echoed through the auditorium. "But since we can't condone vigilantism, I say a strong Police presence is needed in and around our community. If you re-elect me, I will beef up patrols and make the monies available with which to do this."

"Pamela Sue Lenningsworth, same question."

"We have crime in our town because there aren't enough decent jobs to keep people honest. We have to bring businesses to our town to fix that. If you vote for me, I promise you that businesses will come here."

"And how do you prose to do that?" the moderator asked.

"By reaching out to those businesses who are looking for a tax break and are willing to invest in our town's growth for the long haul. This town has a lot to offer and a lot of space for businesses to grow."

"Sean Szu Wong, same question."

"Our crime rate has skyrocketed in the last 10 years. People taking things that don't belong to them is totally unacceptable. Our Police department needs funding for new equipment to lower these statistics, and we need anti-theft technology for the community as well. If I'm elected, I will make sure that the money needed for this is made available."

"And how do you propose to do this?"

"By creating an affordable budget and bringing in those businesses that can make his happen."

"Leanna Patel, same question."

"Spending in this town hasn't been monitored or regulated since Mayor Whelton's two terms in office. "Leanna stated in a stern voice. "We need to take some time to see where all the money has been going and why there has been a steady decline in revenue in this town. If I'm elected, the first thing I will do is conduct an audit to find out where all the money in this town is going."

"Next question: "The economy in the town is on a steady decline. What do you propose to do to increase it. Captain Groovy?"

"This town was boomin' 20 years ago, man," Captain Groovy stated. "Corn was our main staple; Our town had the sweetest corn in the county. People use to come from miles around to get it. Then people just stopped coming. They started getting it from the Super Marts in the neighboring counties. We had the best eggs too. Fresh like no one's business. And our flowers were par none. But in our longing to keep up with the technical Joneses, we forgot about the land, forgot about the ecology. Here's what I propose. Let's get back into the flower business and beat out the competition. You guys heard of flower power, right?" A burst of laughter fills the auditorium at this moment. Captain Groovy pauses, then continues speaking. "We have the best land for it. Let's give back to the ecology so it can give back to us." The laughter within the audience lasted for several minutes at this point. Several cheers could be heard within the midst of guffaws.

"Mayor Whelton?" the moderator said, "Your view on this?"

" In order to do what Mr. Groovy's proposing," The Mayor replied. "We'd have to mass produce. There's no feasible way that the products that he's mentioned here could sustain an economy in and of themselves. Why, the upkeep and the supply and demand would exhaust the land. We'd have a wasteland in a year and a desert in three.

"Then, what do you propose?" the moderator asks.

"Technology," the mayor replied. "I and my cabinet are already working on a budget to bring clean technology to our good town. "Not only that," he continued. "We're also looking into purchasing a new computer system for City Hall. The town's economy is failing because we don't have a head start in the technology department. We need state-of-the-art computers to help us run this city and bring it into the 21st century. We need places where we can manufacture computers and sell them. That's what we need here. You all say this town needs money and new jobs? Well, that's the way to go. Vote me back in and I'll get that for you." The roar of applause after mayor Whelton ended his speech was deafening and lasted for several minute before the moderator could continue.

The moderator stood silently until the applause died down. When the auditorium was silent, she continued. "Captain Groovy, she said, pausing briefly. "Your response?"

"The ecology is the problem, man," Captain Groovy responded. "Fix the ecology, fix the economy. You give me 72 hours, and I'll prove it to you."

"Captain Groovy," the moderator said, clearing her throat. "You are stating, here, on a televised forum, and in front of an audience, that you can repair the ecology and the economy within 72 hours."

"Yes," Captain Groovy replied with a smile."

"And, if you fail? the moderator asked"

"Then that means that the ecology is dead and with that, the town is too."

"Captain Groovy," the moderator continued, pausing momentarily. "This forum, the candidates, and the citizens of this community will hold you to the statements that you have made here. You do realize this."

"I know," he replied again.

There were snickers within the auditorium at this moment. Low murmurs could be heard across the auditorium as the candidates looked at Captain Groovy then looked at one another and shook their heads.

"We will continue the forum," the moderator said, staring at her notes.

Candidates our last three issues will be on school reform, health care, and taxes.

The forum lasted for another hour with many of the candidates and the audience laughing each time Captain Groovy was asked a question. After the forum had ended, a news reporter interviewed Captain Groovy.

"Karin Slater, SBC News, we have candidate Captain Groovy here to answer a few questions. Captain Groovy, what is your real name?"

"That is my real name," Captain Groovy replied. "I had it legally changed."

"What was your name before the change?" the reporter asked.

"That doesn't really matter now," Captain Groovy replied again. "What really matters is that it was legally changed to what it is today."

"Captain Groovy," the reporter continued. "The audience and the candidates all laughed at your proposals and your responses to the moderator's questions. How do you feel about that?

"They're laughing now, man," he said, smiling at the camera. "Wait until they see the rainbow."

"Uh, the rainbow?

"Yeah, the rainbow."

"Would you care to expand?"

"No, not really. When it comes, it comes.

"Captain Groovy," the reporter continued again. "You stated that you are going to repair the ecology and the economy in 72 hours. How are you going to achieve this?"

"With love," Captain Groovy replied. "With love."

Day One

Captain Groovy walked into an open field. He seated himself in a lotus position and closed his eyes. He breathed in deeply, exhaled and said "Grooooovyyyy." Suddenly, flowers started to grow around the area where he was sitting.

"Didn't want to grow for the downers, did you? he asked, smiling, his eyes still closed. "Townsfolks didn't get the vibe, did they? Didn't understand the rhythm. I'll bring the right ones to you, and they will hear you, and you will grow."

He walked to another open field and sat in the same lotus position. Corn stalks rose through the ground and appeared near his knee. "The sweetness is still there." he said, inhaling deeply. "But they didn't believe. They didn't believe in the sweetness, and you took it back unto yourselves. Give them time; he said smiling. They'll believe."

Captain Groovy walks toward a beehive and speaks. "We need honey, you guys," he said smiling, staring up at the trees. "But we need it to be the best in the land. I promise you a place to breathe and breed."

Day Two

Captain Groovy walked through the town in the early hours of the morning. He approached a group of individuals wearing ski-masks as they prepared to break into a home.

"You guys are wrong for doing what you're about to do." he said."

"Mind your business, White boy," one of them said, stepping forward from the group, brandishing a weapon. "This ain't none of your affair."

"You can't change your fortune by taking someone else's stuff, man" Captain Groovy returned.

"Say one more thing and I'll blow you away." the masked individual shot back, pointing his pistol at Captain Groovy."

"Go ahead and shoot." Captain Groovy replied.

"What!?" the masked individual said, pistol raised.

"Go ahead, pull the trigger."

"Oh, you think I'm playing? the masked individual stated. "I will shoot you."

"Go ahead," Captain Groovy replied. "Take your best shot."

The masked individual clicked back the hammer of his pistol and pulled the trigger. There was a poof sound as a flood of flower petals erupted from the mouth of the pistol.

"W-w-w-what the Hell!" he stammered as the petals gracefully fluttered toward his feet. W-w-w-what the Hell! Yo! Shoot him! Shoot him!

Several poof sounds filled the air as the rest of group stared at their pistols as flower petals drifted down upon their feet.

"Hard to believe, isn't it?" Captain Groovy said, staring at them calmly. "It's about peace and it's about flowers, man. Whatever hang-ups you got going on in your lives, fellas, all that's gonna change. This is a sign, man, for all of you. The positive things in your past that you didn't excel in, will be the things in your future that you will excel in.

"You full of crap," another one said from within the group. "Ain't nonthin' gonna change. "We still broke. What these flowers gon' do for us? Nothin'!"

"Stopped you from killin' me," Captain Groovy replied. "Hope it stopped you from robbing this house."

"You ain't healin' no situation. someone else said. "We gon' keep doin what we do, flowers or no flowers."

"Nope fellas," Captain Groovy said, staring at them all. "All the positive things that you didn't do in life are things you're going to prosper in. Wait for the rainbow, you'll see."

"Man F- a friggin' rainbow!" one more from the group said, staring directly at Captain Groovy. "You out here in the middle of the night tryin' to preach to us about what we didn't do in life and how things gon' change. Things ain't changed in all the years I been in this F'in town. This town is corrupt, this town is racist, and this town is broke. How you gon' change that with flowers? F-' some flowers. Show me some money."

Captain Groovy paused the spoke. "If your situations don't change by the morning, I'll personally come down here and help you rob a house and I'll take you to where the big money is. Deal?"

"Man, if it wasn't for me and my crew watchin' these flower petals comin out the mouth of our guns," the first masked individual said, staring at Captain Groovy. You'd be pushing up daisies. This is crazy as Hell, but I'm gon' wait. But we comin' for you if nothin happens."

Day Three

Reports of beautiful flowers growing all over the town were numerous. Corn fields filled with stalks of the sweetest corn flooded farms. Beekeepers and store owners raved about the best tasting honey in the county. It was the most flavorful honey they had ever been harvested in over 20 years.

The streams were full of the freshest cleanest water the community had ever tasted. The birds were chirping a louder sweeter tune. Homeowners, reporters, and Police Officers, are astonished that there hadn't been any break-ins since last night. No one can explain what is happening, and no one wants to attribute these changes to Captain Groovy.

"There has to be a rational explanation for all these things happening!" Mayor Whelton shouted, seated in a chair in his office. "He can't be the reason for all of this happening! He can't be! He can't be! The media, the newspapers, they're all going to have a field day with this! They're all going to claim it's him! He said that this was all going to happen and it did, and the 72 hours isn't even up! We have to do something. We have to discredit him somehow. If I lose this election, heads are gonna roll.

"Relax Asgood," Pete Gates, the town Sherriff said, seated at an adjacent table finishing a ham sandwich. "It's the beginning of Spring. See, there's your explanation. This'll all blow over. Give it some time and they'll all see this Groovy character for the phony that he is. Captain Groovy, pshhh, Give me a break. Dad-blamed hippie," Pete continued, standing to throw the sandwich wrapping into the trash bin. " He needs to go get a real job and leave the running of this town to those who know." Pete drops the wrapper in the trash bin and then looks out the office window.

"Ain't never seen a rainbow like this one before." Pete said, looking out the window. "It's shining over the whole darn town.

"Hey, Pete." Asgood said

"What?" Pete replied, turning to see Asgood looking perplexed.

"Since when did you start putting flowers in your holster?"