workinprogress

PRELUDE

June 1943 - The motorcycle was racing down the street near McGill. Too fast. The street was slick with rain from earlier. There was a blue flash and he looked to his right - running into the intersection. He never saw the Royal Mail truck on his left that knocked him down - crushing him into the pavement.

The two policemen who elbowed their way through the crowd knew the motorcyclist was dead - they had seen many accidents in their day - and they could tell from the postion of the body there was no hope.

"Anybody see the accident?", asked the older cop. "Anyone know who he is?" The truck driver came over and said that he didn't have time to stop. There was a blue flash, he was blinded and then the motorcyle was in front of the truck . He was over him before he'd had time to hit the breaks.

The older policeman looked down the street - it was late in the evening and the Sun was setting in the West - shining straight down the street. It was slick with water and the reflection doubled the intenstity of the light.

The younger policeman knelt over the body - inspecting it for identification.

"His helmet didn't help him very much." , he said.

"No wonder," said the older policeman, "That's not a motorcycle helmet - it's a Kraut Army helmet."

"What Sonofabitch would wear a Kraut helmet these days?" asked the younger policeman in surprise.

"One of those exempted rich kids hanging around the University, part of the stay out of the Eurpoean war group." said the older cop "See if he has a wallet."

Turning him over the younger policeman searched the pockets of the motorcyclist's jacket. He found a flask, some black cigarettes, some phamplets and a letter in an envelope.

"Young Socialists for the end of war", read the policeman from the brochures "Workers of Canada- Unite" "Quebec, Oui - Anglo, Non"

"Any name on them?", asked the older policeman.

"There's a name on the letter - it's an exemption from duty - he's a consiencous objector.", said the younger policeman.

"He's a boddy consi? - sonofabitch", said the older policeman "My lad is in England right now, with the Kings own." he looked down a the body, and spat. "This white feather merchant got a name?"

The younger policeman turned the letter - "Tru - Pierre Trudeau."

Chapter One

March 2008 - Prime Minister elect Eszra Levant, was feeling good. He had just recieved a telephone call from President Colin Powell, himself a newly elected president , congratulating him on his election, and inviting him to the White House as soon as he could find the time. The Conservative government had always enjoyed good relations with the United States, ever since the 1976 FLQ crisis, when the American intelligence services had uncovered the French mischief-making orginating from the right wing Gaullests in Paris, for the "Fronte de Liberation du Quebec", and had helped cut the supply of money and arms from France to the "Independistas". ........(to be continued)