The Appointed Day

The Appointed Day arrived without accompanying signs. Some observers said, "It has arrived today because today is neither yesterday nor tomorrow. It simply arrived in its calendar slot." Others agreed, and were gratified their point of view was spreading through the growing crowd. It looked like a "done deal." But one eager believer kept talking, "Just because it has not revealed its arrival strategy doesn't mean diddly-squat." He meant it to be a "closure line" and a funny one, as well. Seasoned members knew the damage was done, a few left quickly, the others slouched around, twirling their fedoras, waiting for the ax to fall. It fell twenty minutes later. There were no survivors The nay-sayers were now in charge and they made the most of it. They executed warrants, purged files, assigned duties, increased some wages, and eliminated 932 jobs effective immediately. It had all the marks of victory. Even the nay-sayers who were not drinking were intoxicated. Then at 9: 00 pm, they voted for a new Appointed Day, for some time next year. The next day the halls and corridors of power were empty. Everything was already in place. And no one among the nay-sayers spoke out of turn.