Texico (draft): American Margin Call
No one could have predicted the rise of the Texicans, but many were involved. Elias T. Woods considered it long ago, on the banks of the Brazos. Talking late into the night with L. Dean, he understood the Texico dream. Economically, he knew a Texico future was more fertile, but he questioned the willingness of the people, or even the willingness of the politicians, to revolt from America.
At that time, before the towers fell, America was widely considered the lone superpower. The storefront doors swung open and the world bought America. And also stole America. Literally, as chinese and indian hackers stole every piece of data owned by americans, american corporations, american government institutions, american schools of higher education, american museums, american halls of fame, american fincancial institutions, american military infrastructure. It was a fleece job the likes of which the world had never seen. Meanwhile, America was sending another big boat to the Persian Gulf to really pressure the Iranians to quit making a nuclear bomb. The Iranians never looked intimidated.
Just like the Brits, America was fighting wars the old way and stumbling along. Trillions of dollars were borrowed from future generations of americans and foreigners to fund the operation. New planes and ships and rockets and night vision glasses and jeeps every year. The president always got a few hats and a blue all-weather jacket to wear around the boats and military bases. Uncle sam had big, big pockets. Commanders and chiefs with a tribe of cameras and videoers documenting the whole sad scene.
In wait the hackers plotted along with the lenders. Eventually the days of the American Margin Call arrived and while americans drowned in ten dollar gasoline and double digit inflation, corporations laid off millions. Chinese were dumping treasuries like the great flood of the world--a financial flood. The notes were due. All the while, Asian replication of the american economy progressed and America's slide to second world country continued. Once it was disclosed that Ft. Knox held no actual gold, the public was finally outraged. Even Guantanomo closed down, in an undeclared surrender.
By this time the government was so massive, only mirrors could capture the guilty, naive, and dumb. However, the government didn't lay anyone off, it got bigger. Factions of dissenters remained, but only Texas was able to organize and prepare effectively. Only Texas had men and women of adventure, courage, and persistence to follow through. The bravado, the umph, the vision. Put your cards on the table and keep your hands where I can see 'em. Part of the past and ingrained in the Texas earth. This place will exist long after America, as all places have throughout history. Empires rise and fall. The same will likely happen to Texico one day. Or, perhaps God will decide to end it all prior to that day. Perhaps Texico is the last empire on earth.