CHAPTER ONE: THE TRAFFIC STOP

    On a clear, sunny Saturday afternoon, people were sitting on their front porches on Elm Street when the traffic stop took place.  The brown station wagon stopped, then the police car. “Got a brake light out.” somebody pointed out.
    “Yeah, sure enough.” people agreed. The driver put the car in park, released the brake and shut off the ignition.
    Two cops emerged from the police car and walked forward, on either side of the station wagon. “Good afternoon. Let me see your license and registration.” demanded the one on the driver’s side. “Step out of the car.”
    A 20-year-old Negro man emerged, wearing a black leather jacket. “Do you realize what we stopped you for?” the cop asked.
    “Driving while black?” the driver guessed.
    The other cop told a Negro woman on the passenger side, “Step out of the car, too.”
    “What’s the matter?” she wondered.
    “What have you got in your pocketbook?” the cop queried.
    “Well, personal belongings.” she said.
    “Open it up.” the cop ordered.
    “No, I will not.” she replied, shocked.
    “Place your hands on the car.” the cop said.
    “No I will not. I’m not under arrest. I know my constitutional rights!” she replied.
    The cop grabbed her and pushed her against the car, taking her into a headlock.
    Billy Americano ran down off the porch, behind the cop. Using his left hand to unsnap the holster and his right hand to borrow the cop’s gun, he proceeded to settle the matter out of court. One blast later, the cop fell.  Time was of the essence, as the other cop would soon be able to understand and react. Billy dashed around the rear of the station wagon, emerging to see the driver and the other cop struggling over the control of the arm with which that cop had drawn his own gun. Billy fired another two shots, striking the cop in the hips, below the bullet-resistant vest.  Billy confiscated that cop’s gun. Then he walked over to the passenger side, and, quoting from the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, called out, “Ladies and gentlemen, let this be a lesson to every cop in the United States of America. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures,…”
    He pointed the gun down at the cop’s head as the cop struggled to try to get up. Then he continued, “…shall…” Blam!
    The cop fell, limp, as Billy continued, “…not…” Blam! another shot in the head. “…be…” Blam! “…violated.” Blam!  A final shot pierced the cop’s head.
    Billy knew it would only be seconds before enemy officers would be swarming all over. He made a run for it, through a backyard and onto another street, then started walking away.  It would be no use, of course, since witnesses would rat him out. He made it another block, then drew his cell phone as he sat down in a coffee shop, while police cruisers sped by.  He knew the number. It was even on his speed dial. “Yes, there’s something I’d like to talk about. Are there calls ahead of me? No? Excellent!”
    A few seconds later he explained, on the air, “You know something, Steve? Today the Bill of Rights got enforced. Not just the one in the United States Constitution, but the one in the New Hampshire State Constitution. The cops crossed the line, and they paid the price. Right now, my neighbors are ratting me out, telling enemy officers which way I ran and all. Someday, they may need a cop-killer, though. Steve, cop-killers are the only thing that stands between the government and total power to wipe out everybody’s rights. This is the only thing that’s ever going to work.”
    The arrest was made in the blink of an eye. Billy was on the floor, cops holding him and handcuffing him.
    In the cruiser, the arresting officer assured Billy, “You’re gonna get the death penalty for that.”
    “Live free or die.” Billy answered.


copyright 2004 Tom Alciere

CHAPTER TWO

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GLOSSARY

ATTENTION: Be sure to visit the website of
Underage Drinkers Against Drunk Driving