Daniel looked out at the tall cypress trees before him and sighed.
“They’re beautiful in there own way.”
“Sure are.” replied Benny, Daniel’s boss, who was standing by his side “So anyway what’d you bring me out here for?”
“An idea I had.” replied Daniel.
“An idea?” asked Benny raising a bushy eyebrow.
“Yeah, but I wanted you to see the place first.”
“Not the first time I’ve been to your house Daniel.”
“I know but this is different. It’s not the house that’s important, it’s the land it rests on.”
“Okay, you got a point with all of this Daniel?”
“Of course sir. Remember how you were looking for places to develop?”
“Yeah.”
“Well I think my own 50 acres I got here is the perfect place.”
Benny stared at Daniel for a few seconds and then began laughing “You can’t be serious Daniel. It’s nothing but swampland out here.”
“So was Disney.”
“Sure but this isn’t exactly Orlando.”
“No, but the place is growing. There’s a couple industries opening up around here soon. Projections are that ten years from now this place will be one of the fastest growing cities in the nation.”
“Still Daniel, plenty of other land to develop that isn’t a swamp.”
“The swamp really isn’t that bad. Only about an eighth of the property is swamp land. Could have that drained no problem. Have the trees cut and sold and you’d be sitting rich. You know as well as I that it’s only a matter of time before this becomes prime real estate. You’ll be getting in early.”
“The swamp entirely on your property?” asked Benny.
“Well no, not exactly. It’s shared by my neighbor, can’t remember the guys name. He’s been here forever and I think he’s got another 50 acres that butts up to the swamp. I’ll offer you a deal so long as I get in on the apartments that you’ll put up here.”
“Apartments? Who said anything about apartments? And you’re offering me a deal are you?”
“With all due respect sir I have to get something out of this.” said Daniel smiling sheepishly.
Benny laid his hand on Daniel’s shoulder “I’m just kidding with you Daniel. That sounds just fine to me. But what about this other guy? Don’t imagine I’ll be getting quite the same deal from him.”
Daniel sighed “That’s the only problem. Otherwise I would have told you about this sooner, but figured with everything that’s been going on it just couldn’t wait.”
“It’ll be fine Danny Boy. I’ll take care of this guy. After all every man has his price.”
______________________________________________________________________________
Augustus sighed as the nice SUV pulled up in front of the old wooden house. He paused the rocking of his chair and stood up, his old joints creaking and popping as he did so. Out hopped a short man in a nice suit. He waved at Augustus and smiled widely.
Augustus nodded back at him “How you doing?”
“Pretty good sir. How are you.”
“Not bad, can I ask what you’re doing on my property?”
“Why of course. My name is Benny and I work with your neighbor Daniel who owns the other side of the swamp back there. Anyways I’m looking to invest in the area and I have a deal I’d like to run by you…if you’d be open to it of course.”
“A deal?”
“Yes sir.”
Augustus looked the man up and down and shook his head “You can go ahead and tell me what it is, but can’t say I’m buying.”
“Of course not. Do you mind if we go inside? It’s a bit humid out here.”
“Come on up.” said Augustus turning around and heading for the screen door.
Benny walked up the few steps and was sweating as he came through the door Augustus had held open for him.
“Live here all by yourself Mr…” Benny looked at him expectantly.
“Augustus and to answer your question it’s been about ten years since Mary died.”
“Oh I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Circle of life.” sighed Augustus as he pulled a chair out for Benny.
“So Mr. Augustus.” said Benny sitting down and getting comfortable in his chair “How long you lived here for?”
“A while.”
Benny say in silence for a few moments expecting more, getting none, he continued “Ah, awhile. Family home I’m guessing?”
Augustus watched Benny’s eyes glance around the wooden interior. They bounced around between all the old contraptions and family photos Augustus had up on the walls.
“Yeah.”
“Well Mr. Augustus, as you’re probably aware Cypress Springs is a growing town. Rumor is, that in just 10 years’ time it’ll be one of the fasting growing towns in the nation. Wild, isn’t it?”
“Pretty wild.”
“Anyways as you know with progress comes change…”
“What are you getting at Mr. Benny?” asked Augustus placing his hands on his hips.
“Alright.” Benny plastered on the best smile he could “Here’s the deal. I’m looking to develop this land here into residential housing and I’m willing to make a deal to do it. Your neighbor Daniel has already made me an offer and well I’d like to hear what’d you give.” Benny finished and eyed Augustus still smiling.
“Give for what?” asked Augustus.
“Well for the land of course.” replied Benny chuckling.
“The land isn’t for sale.”
“I know technically it’s not. Which is why I wanted to speak with you myself. You see all the land around here is going to be bought up soon and developed. And I’m guessing a man like yourself doesn’t want to be around when that happens, now do you?”
“No, but this is my land and it’s not for sale.”
“Surely we can work out a deal.”
“No, there won’t be no deal.”
“Alright Mr. Augustus I won’t be bothering you anymore today. However I’d urge you to consider reconsidering.” Benny winked “I’ll leave you my card just in case you do.”
Before Augustus could protest Benny had placed his card on the table and headed for the door.
“Have a wonderful day Mr. Augustus.” said Benny as he left.
______________________________________________________________________________
Augustus sat on his back porch listening to the symphony of frogs, crickets, and a whole lot more that the swamp offered up every night. He shook his head as he took a sip of the Coke he was drinking.
“Guys crazy. What on earth would I give this up for? Couple of dollars I don’t need? I been retired, what the hell I need more money for? I’m fine right here.”
Augustus jerked his head down and up to put an emphasis on the statement.
“Just fine.”
He leaned the Coke back and took another swig then looked over his shoulder to the side of the yard where Mary’s gravestone was.
“You ought to have seen him Mary. Coming in here with his fancy car and suit thinking he could find a way to swindle me out of my own family’s land.”
Augustus then spat out into the yard.
“I don’t really understand people anymore Mary. Sometimes wish I’d go ahead and be called home with you. Kids don’t call anymore and I can’t afford to go fly up there and see em.” Augustus sighed as his eyes got misty for the moment.
“Well at least I got you, I got you and this swamp, and that’s enough for me. Hopefully won’t have to drive off any crazy business men with their fancy suits and empty souls for awhile.” said Augustus laughing.
______________________________________________________________________________
Augustus scratched his head at what he was seeing. All along the shoulder of the road he saw giant vehicles moving in and out. Lines of cut down trees lined the street where men in orange vests walked. The man in front of him switched the sign he had around and waved Augustus forward.
Augustus stared at the work as he drove by. It seemed to have happened so quick. Since he was a boy he remembered the trees and swamp growing up all around him. Now in less than a week’s time a giant patch had been gutted out in the land behind him.
“Wonder what they’re doing.” said Augustus, talking to Mary through the window that faced her grave, as he got home with the groceries “Tearing all out that for what? Can’t be anything good.”
Augustus was putting the last of the canned goods away when he heard someone pull up in front of the house. He looked out the old window and shook his head when he saw an expensive SUV. He began walking to the front and opened the screen door as Benny and another man that looked somewhat familiar to Augustus stepped out of the car.
“Hey there Augustus remember me?” asked Benny grinning from ear to ear.
“Yeah.” replied the old man.
“Got a buddy of mine, Daniel here, wants to talk with you.” said Benny.
Augustus looked down at the other man.
“Hi, Augustus My name’s Daniel and I own the property that butts up to yours in the back where the swamp is.”
“Knew your dad Daniel, what can I do for you?”
“Well, we actually came here today to talk about the swamp.”
“What about it?”
“Why don’t we come in and talk about it.” said Benny.
“Nah, he can tell me right here.” replied Augustus.
“Well I sold my land to some developers and they’re looking to drain the swamp. But seeing as part of it is on your land, we came down here to see if we couldn’t work out a deal with you.”
“Work out a deal with me for what?”
Daniel smiled and looked at Benny then back to Augustus up on the porch “Well to drain the swamp of course.”
“Not happening.”
“You haven’t even heard my offer yet.”
“Just did and the answer is no.”
“Please be reasonable. I’m sure there’s a deal that’ll work in everyone’s favor.” said Benny.
“Swamp’s not getting drained and that’s that.” said Augustus.
Benny looked at Daniel and then back to Augustus “Look we’re trying to offer you a deal here. Like it or not this area is going to be developed sooner or later. You can’t stop progress Mr. Augustus no matter how hard you try. Listen to what we have to say now and get yourself something from the deal.”
“Are you deaf? I already told you there’s no deal to be made.”
“Alright Mr. Augustus be that way. But things are coming that you can’t change. We’re trying to help you out here…we’ll be back.” said Benny as he got back in the car.
______________________________________________________________________________
Augustus stood knee deep in the swamp, his fishing rod cast before him. Ahead of him he saw the head of a gator disappear into the water. He shook his staring up into the trees that surrounded him.
“They’d cut you down for what? To cram people who don’t want to be together into tiny overpriced holes? To build industries creating products people don’t want or need? To create roads that’ll clog this state up from tip to tip?”
Augustus began reeling in his line as he sighed.
“I just don’t get it, I don’t get a damn thing about it. And I’m supposed to buy into this devil’s bargain for some wads of paper I don’t need nor particularly want? I have everything I need right here.”
He swung the rod over his shoulder as he started for the house.
“Maybe they’ll go away and this all be like a bad dream.”
______________________________________________________________________________
They had already begun construction.
Augustus blinked, thinking his imagination had got the best of him for a second. Before him the construction crews had already started working. Back towards his own property they were still busy cutting down the trees and working on the land while up front they were already setting down stakes and measuring to build.
“At this rate the entire state will be destroyed before my lifetime.”
As Augustus pulled into his drive he noticed a familiar SUV parked there.
“Son of a bitch.” said Augustus as he stepped out.
“Morning Mr. Augustus.” said Benny.
“Now what do you want? You already know what my answer is going to be.”
“Well Augustus, that’s what I came here to talk to you about.”
Augustus raised an eyebrow “What do you mean?”
“Alright here’s how it is. Daniel has already sold his property and they’re putting in the apartments there. Across the way the Donaldson’s have also sold their property and they’re putting in a strip mall there.
And anyways they’ll be needing a road to start connecting things around here and unfortunately it looks like that road is going to have to run through your property.”
“Yeah that’s unfortunate, still not selling.” said Augustus walking past Benny and starting up the porch stairs.
“Well see that’s the thing Mr. Augustus. You ever heard of something called eminent domain?”
“Emin…who?”
“It’s where the government can take your property if it’s in the public’s best interest. In exchange for compensation of course.”
“What about it?” Augustus felt his heart began to quicken as his face reddened.
“Well I was talking with some friends of mind and it seems they think this road here is in the public’s best interest. Meaning that your land is going to be developed and the government is going to provide you compensation for it. This was in the works so I figured I’d come down here and try to offer you one last deal. Give you a better offer than the one’s my friends are going to.”
Augustus turned and glared at Benny “The land’s not for sale and no slickster or bureaucrat is going to change that. Do whatever you feel you need to do, I won’t be leaving this land.”
Benny shook his head and started walking back towards his SUV “No one can say I didn’t try.”
______________________________________________________________________________
Augustus felt the tears stream down his face as he sat in his fold out chair, Mary’s grave in front of him.
“I just don’t know what to do Mary…I’m just one man. That Benny guy can pull whatever strings that he wants and I’m powerless to stop it. It seems the world is just passing me by anymore.”
Augustus leaned back in his chair and looked up at the sky above.
“What’s a man supposed to do? I can’t just let them have the land. It’s not right.”
Augustus wiped a tear from his eye “No, a man’s got to do something.”
______________________________________________________________________________
“Well how’s that my problem?” Benny’s face was starting to sweat.
Daniel sat at his desk, his heart beating fast though he didn’t know why.
“So do something about it then. He got his money…” Benny paused listening to the person on the other line.
“Who gives a damn what he did with it, he got his compensation and should have already been out of there.”
“He’s not moving is he?” asked Daniel.
Benny glanced at Daniel for a moment then focused back on the conversation he was having on the phone.
“Fine, I’ll be down in a bit.” Benny looked over to Daniel “You’re coming with me.”
______________________________________________________________________________
“I never accepted a deal.” said Augustus rocking on his chair, a sea of construction workers, a few security guards, and now a growing crowd of businessmen spreading out before him.
“You were offered money and I was told you accepted it.” Benny stared at Augustus sweat dripping off his chin and onto the megaphone that he held.
“No! I never got a dime and I don’t want one. I told you I’m not moving from this place and no one’s going to make me do it.”
“It’s not up to you Mr. Augustus the state has allowed my company the right to do what needs to be done. Now you can accept your money and leave or we’ll be forced to go ahead and start tearing things down while you’re still in there.”
“Like hell it isn’t up to me. You want to get me out? Then come get me but I’m not moving by myself.”
Augustus stood up and walked back into his home.
“Alright.” said Benny addressing the men around him “Go ahead and start work, you.” Benny pointed to some personal security “Make sure he doesn’t do anything crazy.”
“I don’t think that’s wise Benny.” said Daniel.
“Daniel this was supposed to be simple, at this point you’re lucky to even have a job. Come on.” Benny started for the door of the house, security in tow.
“Benny, don’t.” whispered Daniel as he slowly backed away from the house.
“Come on out Augustus, it’s over.” said Benny starting up the porch, the security guards hanging a few steps behind him.
With a great cry of frustration that echoed out from the house Augustus busted out the door, a single shot 12 gauge leveled at Benny’s chest.
“Don’t move an inch.” hissed Augustus his eyes red and wide.
The security guards had their weapons drawn and trained on Augustus.
“Drop it!” they shouted in unison.
Augustus felt tears well up in his eyes that started to drip down his cheek “Why couldn’t you just leave me alone?”
Benny shook his head, his pants wet with piss. He went to speak but nothing came out.
“Drop the gun.” shouted one of the security guards taking a step forward.
Augustus’ eyes flashed down at the guard and then back to Benny. The gun shook violently in his hands. His finger on the trigger began to buck.
“Put the gun down.” said Benny his voice pleading, barely above a whisper.
Augustus exhaled and the gun fell pointing at the floor. The security guards rushed in and tackled him.
Benny sat back reaching for the railing of the porch then puked over the side. Daniel raced up to him as Augustus was hauled off by the security guards, not saying a word.
“You alright?” asked Daniel.
Benny’s eyes stared ahead and he slowly shook his head up and down. He then looked at Daniel.
“Hope this was worth the money.”
______________________________________________________________________________
Daniel shuddered looking at the town sign as he drove in.
“This is it?” asked Stacey, Daniel’s wife.
“Yeah, used to live here some 50 or so years ago.”
“This where that crazy guy almost shot your partner right?”
“Yeah.”
Stacey shook her head “That’s crazy what would make a guy do that? All for some piece of land? That’s crazy. I mean it’s just land. Like what’s so great about some dirt?” the whine in her voice raised with every syllable.
“Yeah sure is.”
Daniel drove around until he found the street where he used to live and turned down it, then stopped. Buildings towered on either side. The streets were lined with trash and drifters stumbling here and there. Groups hanging out on the side of the street gave him suspicious looks.
“You sure we should be here Daniel?” asked Stacey.
Daniel shook his head “Probably not.”
He pulled into a gas station to make a U-turn. He took one last look at the vacant faces staring back at him and sped away.
