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 Rightful Place Part 1 It happened so fast no one was sure how to react. 
The takeover, the new laws, the radical results of it the whole thing was
quite mind boggling.  The good old USA would never be the same.  Rob knew
this wasn't a place he wanted to stay anymore and planned to leave it
forever.  His country of birth, where he grew up, where he made his money,
all would be changed forever because of a civil war, not one with guns mind
you, one with votes, shady decisions and deaths of people at very
coincidental and convenient times.

   Whatever began this civil war, he wasn't sure all he knew the battle was
lost and in a matter of weeks, he, and every other man would lose their
rights, freedoms, possessions and everything else they worked their whole
lives for.  That date for that was May 21st, today was the 10th, 11 days
from now every man in this country would be enslaved, freedom lost, all in
the name of victory for women.

   The process was complicated and no one was sure exactly how it would
work but from the bits and pieces that leaked starting on the 21st men
would begin receiving "appointments" when they received their appointment
they would have a certain amount of time to report to their
"representative" a representative was a woman who was in charge of
representing the man's interests since he would no longer have rights to
vote, own anything or even have a bank account.  In exchange for her
representing him and providing the things he couldn't do for himself, like
providing a place to live since he no longer would be able to own a house
or even legally sign a lease.  He would turn over everything he owned and
agree to submit to her authority in all things.  Basically when given the
appointment a man would give everything he owned to a complete stranger and
in return he would have to obey her every word.  Not exactly a fair
exchange.

   Rob was quite wealthy and figured he had to use his wealth to escape the
situation.  Canada was his destination, it was close and free for men.  It
turned his stomach that he could have to be the slave for some woman who
would get everything he owned including the 3.4 million dollars he had in
his investments and various accounts.  He worked his ass off for that
money, his business was successful but it didn't run itself.  It cost him a
marriage and a lot of friends.  The good part was the friends he had left
had connections and he would use those to leave this country with all his
assets.  He didn't ask for much just to keep what was his and to live his
life as his own.

   Unfortunately just the day before the first law to enforce this new way
was established; it made leaving the country, for men, illegal until June
15th.  No man could leave the country, even if they were accompanied by a
woman, including their own spouse.  Also no marriages would be allowed
until further notice.  The reason was simple.  Married men had to turn
their belongings and themselves over to their wives so it was thought that
many men would strike deals offering women half their fortunes to women to
enter into a fake marriage in order to be allowed to leave the country. 
Men who weren't loaded would have no such option so it was considered
unfair to allow some men to buy their freedom and leave the country with
money that really should stay here as belongings of citizen's of this
country.

   Rob had no plans to share his money with anyone.  His plan was much
simpler, a private jet, a woman friend attending a business trip, him
stowing away on the flight arriving in Toronto a couple hours later, by the
time his assets were moved into more secure locations upon arrival it would
be too late to keep him and his money here.  He knew his personal
belongings, his house, his cars, his home in Florida and everything that
didn't fit in his suitcase were going to be lost but it was a small price
for his freedom.  He would also lose his business assets but the business
could be rebuilt with his client list and a loan.  He wouldn't even have to
use his own money for that.  It was no doubt a setback but within a couple
years things would be normal again.

   The flight left today, this evening at 7pm, he was taking no chances
about anyone getting wise to his escape, he had originally considered
waiting until a day before the beginning of appointments getting as many of
his affairs in order but he didn't want any loose lips sinking his plans.
One phone call to a new government official and who knows what might
happen. Chances like that were not advisable, he would get to freedom, fix
what he could, as best he could and move on happily from there.

   He had already spent the sometime last night packing, making a list of
documents to bring; there was not going back or sending for anything
forgotten.  Now it was time to finish, he arose early this morning and
after toast and coffee was back at it, he would only get one bag to bring
and he was making it count.  Not much in clothes, just a change of clothing
for about 3 days, after that he would just buy new, the important things
like his financial paperwork and personal effects that meant a lot to him
including pictures and even an autographed baseball from his college days
were on board to his new life in Canada.  He kept busy as he waited for
assistant to bring him some paperwork from the office.  She was a great
girl the best assistant he ever had but he couldn't mention this even to
her, his most trusted business associate, the rewards for turning someone
in were rumored to be great and he didn't want to have her fighting
temptation in exchange for his freedom.  The delivery she was making was
quite routine and the documents he asked for were quite standard stuff as
far as she knew, what she didn't know was that in the documents were some
sensitive material that he would be using for protection in case someone
tried to come for him, just the blackmail material that would ensure no
extradition attempts would be tried.  He couldn't leave anything to chance.


   She was due by 10am and it was now 9:34 once she dropped the documents
off he would leave for a fake meeting and go to the small airstrip and get
himself hidden.  He didn't know if anyone would be doing a sweep of the
plane but again, no chances.  He was too cautious for that kind of mistake.
He had to meet his ride at the mall so his car was not spotted near the
airstrip, maybe overkill but in his mind necessary.  He finished his
packing and was just waiting for Sandy Hill, his 29 year old personal
assistant, to show, he sat down at the kitchen table then he began to get
nervous, within minutes there was a knock at the door, he composed himself
as he didn't want her to be suspicious in anyway, she was loyal but also
one smart girl.  He peaked out the side window and saw Sandy waiting at his
door step.  Taking a deep breath he opened the door.

   She had the wonderful radiant smile she almost always had on display. 
He knew he would miss her when he moved on, and would offer her to relocate
and make it worth her while but he doubt she would accept, living in a
country where she would soon have her own slave was probably too much to
get her to move to a different country where men were equals.  He would try
though....but not until he was safely on Canadian soil and not a moment
before.  She said, "Hi Mr.  Flanders.  Good morning." He put on his best
display of normalcy to her.  "Hi Sandy, how are you this fine morning."
Sandy replied, "Probably a lot better than you, I heard about the new laws
last night, you can't be too happy about that, obviously it's good for me
but I worry about you and my job when they come for you.  So I feel really
excited about the new prospects but worried about losing what is now a good
thing." Rob invited her in and they sat at the kitchen table, he offered
her coffee and she gladly accepted, as he prepared it she said to him,
"So...what are you going to do Mr.  Flanders?" He paused thought for a
second and lied, "I guess I don't have too much of a choice, I will get my
appointment when the time comes and accept it.  I guess I won't like it but
I will just make the best of it." She said, "Hmmm, that doesn't sound so
great Mr.  Flanders, I guess I don't know how this will all work but I am
going to miss you, you are a great boss and I really don't like the idea of
working for anyone else." Rob thought of sharing his idea of bringing her
along but thought better of it.  He instead said, "Well I guess you will be
working for the highest ranking woman left at the company, I heard that's
the way it works, everyone will move up to fill the empty spots, apparently
the lower spots will be filled by new hire's." Sandy said, "But that would
be Lynda Robinson, correct?" Rob thought for a moment about his head of
marketing, Lynda was good but a real bitch; he didn't like her but
tolerated her because she made him money.  He thought about poor Sandy
having to work for her and worse yet about Lynda being in charge.  He was
hit by a realization, his current company would be a main future competitor
of his and Lynda was a very formidable adversary, his mind drifted as he
thought and answered, "Yeah I guess." Sandy followed with, "Great, she
hates me I will probably be fired by her and out of a job." She then said
"Mr.  Flanders, do you think before you go could you give me a transfer or
a promotion of some type so I didn't have to be directly under Lynda?" Rob
thought and a light bulb went off in his head.  He said, "Yes I have a good
idea, to protect you I will promote you to Vice President and second in
charge, so when I go you will take my place and Lynda can't touch you."
Sandy's face lit up like never before, "Would you really do that Mr. 
Flanders?" He thought to himself again, how perfect, Sandy, although smart
wasn't ready to handle leading the company, who else perfect for him to
compete against.  He said, "Sure, I want to protect you, you have done a
great job for me, your young and smart, you're a good choice."

   He was happy with himself now, he was accomplishing more than he hoped
today, after a brief talk and getting the documents from Sandy, he sat down
at the computer and typed up an official letter promoting her, he knew if
this hit before he was gone it would bring up red flags to everyone so he
had to do this right.  He would give her the official letter, and send out
an email before the plane took off letting everyone know.  The official
letter with his signature on it would be sufficient to make it legal since
he still was a free citizen and the boss at his own company, but the email
would be a parting shot of sorts.  After the letter was done, he signed it
and Sandy notarized it.  She was so happy right now she couldn't believe
her luck, he couldn't be happier under the circumstances either.  I guess
they were working together but she had no idea they were partners on this
one.

   After it was signed and in an envelope he said, I need you to do some
errands for me today it will probably take you the rest of the day so when
you're done you can just go home, bring the letter and turn it in to the
personnel office tomorrow, I will be in too but will be later than normal
so you can turn it in since you will arrive first.  She said, "Mr. 
Flanders anything you want, I am on cloud nine right now, I feel bad for
you that I will soon be the head of our company and you will be on your way
to a new life that won't be so much fun.  Are you sure there is nothing you
can do to prevent this from happening to yourself?" He said, "Don't worry
about me Sandy, I will accept whatever comes my way, I guess if this
happens to me at least I know my company is left in good hands of someone
deserving.".

   Sandy excused herself to the bathroom and left Rob to think about his
latest ploy he just pulled off, he was pretty proud of himself and
considered pushing Sandy to fire Lynda when he was gone but he thought to
himself, `Let's not push a good plan, leave well enough alone.' He had to
now think about his plan and made a list of some errands for her to run,
the idea was to keep her away from the office until tomorrow, that letter
hitting personnel would be another one of those red flags he wanted to
avoid.  The errand list had some far waypoints to keep her driving and
giving her no chance of making it back until it was too late to get that
letter to anyone who would warn authorities.

   When she sat down, he explained the list as they sipped coffee together
for the last time, when she was sure of what was to be done she stood up to
leave and get her duties completed when she turned to him, "Mr.  Flanders,
are you positive that there is nothing you can do to escape this fate, you
could run away and leave the country if you can figure out a way out,
wouldn't that be better than becoming the slave of some stranger?" He lied
one last time to her, "Sandy, you might be right but it's the law and good
or bad I will follow the rule of law." She smiled and sighed a big relief,
"Well I am actually very glad to hear that, I was worried for a little
while, all of us women received emails last night from regional government
officials warning us that if any man, who were friends or associates of
ours escaped the country we would be investigated and if found guilty of
helping the escapee would be sentenced to take the place of the person we
helped and actually become a slave.  They told us that if we thought anyone
might be likely to try we had to report them....well I reported you just
because I knew you had a lot of money.  I was worried that you would be
very angry with me but now that I know you weren't going to run I feel much
better about that.

   Rob was numb he angrily said, "You did what?  Oh crap Sandy, why?  Did
they respond to you?" She replied, "Yeah and they are right outside now,
when we are done with our business they are going to pay you a visit." Rob
wasn't sure how to handle this, he thought fast but couldn't come up with
anything.  Sandy got up and said, "Well I guess I better go, I am glad
you're not mad at me for that." Just then there was a knock at the door. 
Sandy said with a wry smile, "I guess you have visitors, I am going to go
now and take care of my errands, have fun in your new life Mr.  Flanders, I
think they might be taking you early to your new owner, in a couple of days
I will be running my new company and you will be in your rightful place
cleaning someone's house.  Goodbye." She opened the door and slipped
between the 3 women standing at the door, 2 were police officers and one
was very official looking in a black business suit, none of the three
appeared to have a sense of humor, Sandy said, "He's all yours girls." And
she was gone.