Brain Damaged in the Wonderful World

Drunk and tired, Henry watched televison in the confines of his dark living room. On the televison was a special on the ' War on Terror', produced by the 24 hour news network, GNCN. Shaky handheld video showing a small group of young insurgents appeared. They wore masks covering their faces and one of them launched a RPG at an American humvee.

'Fucking terrorists', Henry thought and then stopped thinking. He instinctively rubbed his thigh, where steel shrapnel is permanently residing. He glanced up at the clock. It read, 4:30 am. All of a sudden realizing that he's been watching GNCN for the last 2 hours.

'I need to get to bed. But the show is almost over...' Henry brooded over the decison, while at the same time, three masked insurgents appeared from the adjacent room, lit only by the glow of the television screen. Brandishing an RPG launcher they aimed its crosshairs in Henry's direction, another held the decapitation knife. Henry bolted up out of his seat, breathing heavily, adrenaline pumping. He glanced about ready to fight or run, but they were gone.

'Where did they go?'

Henry realized as things quieted down that the attack was just a dream. He turned off the television, drank a glass of water, and went to sleep.

The next morning Henry awakened. Still tired, he reluctantly hoisted himself up and showered. After a cup of coffee he was on his way to work. Henry glanced up at the sky during the drive. It was an amazingly clear day, and the early winter sun, which was off at an angle, was unusually bright.

When he got to the office, he noticed a bunch of workers sorting out wires in the cubicle filled room. He studied them for a moment before walking to his desk. Once at the desk, Henry discovered that his internet was not working. Henry checked all of the connections on his computer upset at the prospect of not having internet that day The internet was his only distraction from doing actual work. Passing by was Henry's boss. He saw Henry messing with the computer settings.

"Oh yeah, the internet is not working because it is being upgraded." said the Boss.

"Upgraded?"

"Yes, remember how slow it was before? Now it is going to be much faster. Broadband, I think they call it."

"Wow. That sounds great."

"Yeah, it should be up and running in a few hours. Until then, hang in there buddy." His boss smiled and winked, the wink was his trademark. Henry smiled and gave the affirming thumbs up. And the boss walked on to jabber with some of Henry's other co-workers.

'Broadband internet', Henry thought to himself, smothering the thought all over his toasted giddiness. The day was shaping up to be an unusually great day. Henry put his arms behind his head and leaned back in his chair, looking up at the ceiling with a smile on his face.

Then his phone rang.

"Wholesale Pyrotechnics, Henry speaking."

"Henry?" came the voice of a young woman.

"Yes, Henry speaking."

"Henry Fulton?"

"Yeah, thats me, how may I help you?"

"Its me, Marla."

"Yeah, Ok."

"I'm your wife."

whaaaa?....

(to be continnnnnnued...")