As it turned out, that would prove to be a difficult course of action. Thanks to their reputation from the gas station, Carlos and his group felt they had free reign over anyone and everyone. They marched about the camp, making their presence known by cruel jokes and threats. If Carlos saw something he liked, he took it. If he saw something he didn’t like, he destroyed it. People grew concerned. Some men tried to stand up to him, but they were quickly beaten down.
This continued for a few hours until Onk!’s group took action. In a highly coordinated attack, Group One fought their way to Carlos and apprehended him. Once he was captured, his group was demoralized and quickly surrendered.
Carlos was brought to the pit where the exploded cars still glowed deep inside their twisted black frames. The crowd gathered around as Onk! set up court.
‘Hear, hear! Group One sees fit to impeach one Carlos of Group Four in light of his actions. While there are no laws of this land, Carlos’ actions both at the filling station and at this camp have caused others grievous discomfort and fear for their lives. His presence causes an annoyance that cannot be tolerated in this community. As the representative of Group One, I hereby posit that Carlos has no place in this community, and he deserves swift and unequivocal punishment. Furthermore, this opportunity may be used as a warning to others. This behavior will not be tolerated. Therefore, my recommendation is death--death as punishment for murder, death as punishment for terrorism, death as a clear sign that this community does not tolerate his kind. Any who disagree with the verdict, let your voices be heard.’
Paul said, ‘I disagree with the verdict.’
‘Paul disagrees,’ Onk! reiterated. ‘Let’s hear from the leaders of Group Zero, Group Three, and Group Five.’
‘I agree with the verdict.’
‘I begrudgingly agree with the verdict.’
‘I agree with the verdict.’
‘Very well,’ Onk! said. ‘Paul’s minority opinion noted.’
And with that, Onk! picked up a heavy pipe from the group beside him, approached Carlos, and caved in his head. Carlos’ body fell hard to the grass below him, blood seeping out into the soil.
‘Court is adjourned.’
‘I’m not sure what to think of it,’ Albert told Paul as they walked away from the pit.
‘That is an enviable state of mind,’ Paul responded.
‘So you do know what to think of it?’
‘I certainly do. I disagree with Onk!’s actions.’
‘Oh, yes, you said you did. But the majority agreed. Isn’t that democracy?’
‘That is democracy.’
‘But you would rather have a lesser sentence? Death was a bit harsh for my tastes. But what else could he have done? We don’t have a prison. I say, we don’t have a prison, Paul. How would you have punished him?’
‘I wouldn’t have.’
‘Oh, that’s preposterous! Someone had to do something!’
‘That is self-evident. But I would not be the one to do it.’
‘So you let others do the dirty work whilst you sit in your tower? Fine way to be!’
‘They may do what they wish. I prefer them to. But I would not have punished him, even if I were the only who could.’
‘You’re mad! He was terrorizing the rest of us! He killed people at the gas station and he would have killed one of us before long! Have some kind of police, judicial system in place, that’s the only way to keep all of us safe. Someone is bound to act up--‘
‘The judicial system and the police are superfluous. They are a distraction and I believe somewhat detrimental.’
‘Oh, Paul, you’re joking! Without puhleece people would do whatever they wanted! That’s the only way to deter people from thievery and murder! What would stop them?’
‘That’s an excellent question, Albert. One I would enjoy exploring if others in our group weren’t so intent on smashing skulls in with pipes.’
‘So how else to stop them?’
‘I don’t know, but I know puhleece don’t. I know the joodishal sistim doesn’t. You say pulease deter people from thieving and murder, but people still thieve and murder in the presence of polees. Therefore, they do not deter; at best they discourage, but that isn’t good enough, really. Even if they were able to discourage enough that only one person was killed a year, they wouldn’t be good enough, and far more people are killed a year. No, they are not the answer. The answer would be a deterrent powerful enough to stop all murder. So that no one would die for the weakness of society.’
‘What’s your answer?’
‘I don’t have one. But I’d like to have figured it out before we collectively murdered someone and took a step back toward the sosighity from which we fled.’
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