So, to end the year out, here is a bit of flash fiction. It's not too dark, just a little something to keep in mind when politicians start lurking around dark alleys ~ smiling at you from the side of roads on those obnoxious posters.

LITTLE FIDEL: Agent of Castro

By Jesus Beltran II

 

Fidel Castro thumbed his nose at the USA, one last time long after his death. It took more than 60 years, but his sleeper agent was able to get his son into a high enough position in government to cause considerable “problems” for what Castro called a “bloated nation”. The Americans only have themselves to blame. Had the Americans not given Cubans the gift of automatic path to citizenship, a decent background check would have kept the sleepers out.

 Given the nickname “Little Fidel”, Tomas Antonio Cruzado’s education at home mirrored one he would have received in Cuba. He was disciplined and driven. He knew how to make people take notice.

The Cuban government still had strong ties with Russia, even after the fall of the Soviet Union. Money would come into the country and into bank accounts meant for their agents abroad. Some of this money was used to propel the “simple” immigrants from Cuba into successful business people, seemingly overnight.

His education allowed him to worm his way into the society of the very people who would not hesitate to shoot him, if they knew he was working for Cuba ~ for the godfather of so many sleeper agents ~ Fidel Castro.

It took time, and a lot of hot showers to get the stink of Americanisms off him every night, but Cruzado was elected a U.S. Senator. Backdoor dealings with soulless politicians, Cruzado felt right at home. No longer “Little Fidel”, the overweight, he sowed the seeds of discord amongst his constituents. His hard work paid off when he proudly helped get the 45^th president elected ~ with help from the Russians and number 45’s family and lawyers.

Just as the tide turned against 45’s re-election, it was time for the coup d'état. The attack on the government was not as widespread as Cruzado had hoped. It should have been bloodier! The police should have shot the rioters. Had they been Black men, maybe the guns would have been drawn and emptied before anyone got to the first step. Maybe next time. As long as no one suspects where his allegiance lies, Tomas Antonio Cruzado can try again.

 

 

Update on Story Writing Lessons

 

I had planned on having more to share other than less-than-happy news, today. I planned a series of videos to post that will take you, step-by-step through a writing process for making a story. I put out a teaser and everything. Unfortunately, technology decided it had enough of me.

Poor sound in recording was first in the issues. The software that would have allowed for recording my computer screen did not like my very old laptop. The original video editing software I used, is no longer supported by Windows. All the while, my laptop was slowly falling apart. Despite my repairs, my Acer was no longer charging its quickly draining battery. It took me hours to empty enough pen drives to attempt a start-up of the laptop to transfer as much data as possible. In the end, I lost more than I could save.

Long story longer, I am slowly rebuilding my base in this Lenovo, trying to get everything working harmoniously before I can attempt another video upload.

Stay tuned for more.