Under Ground: part 78

Chapter 42 continues

The story so far: Shootings, threats and beatings become commonplace.

On July 3, the organizers met once again in the underground field bunker. Everyone was there, including Anton, who had taken over for Milo. "When will the guns arrive?" Johan Koski asked Carlo Tresca. "You said they'd be here two weeks ago."

"I told you. They got confiscated. We had a rat. But don't worry. He'll be taken care of all right."

"When are the guns coming?"

"Given the latest developments, I'm not at liberty to say how, where or when. But soon."

"Better be soon," Paul said. "Morale is beyond low. It's a bloodbath out there and the strikers police force we established is barely armed. The deputies and guards have rapid-fire pistols. We don't stand a chance."

"I don't give a damn about Big Bill Haywood or whatever is going on at headquarters," Adeline Sherek said. "We are the union. We, the people who live here. I'm not about to wait for them. We're smart people. We need to figure something out now."

"Paul, how many casualties have there been so far, according to your count?" Scarlett asked.

"So far 3 strikers have been killed. Goes without saying there hasn't been a single prosecution. More than 100 have been wounded. Folks are starting to think this ain't worth it. Life is worse now than it ever was before. There's talk about going back to the mines. Not one or two men, but a lot of men."

"I know. It's difficult to boost morale when we can't rally. Whenever someone tries to rally, they blow someone's brains out."

Adeline Sherek stood up. "Katka and I have a proposal."

"The law specifically states that no more than three union members can assemble together on public property."

"Yes, Adeline. We know."

"Well, Katka and I are not union members. Lily is not a union member. Helen Cerkvenik is not a union member."

"What are you saying?" Anton said. "If you are suggesting that the women take over this ..."

"That's exactly what we are suggesting, Uncle," Katka said. "The company has paralyzed you. You said so yourself. But the women are exempt from this law. We can walk the parades. We can carry on the strike."