Chapter 114

114
 UNITED CHRISTIANS FOR CHRIST HEADQUARTERS, TAMPA

Martha and Ruth waited in a cluster of UCFC security men just inside the main door of the Headquarters Building. As Oracle, Martha had insisted that they should be the very last two people to leave the complex. Already Federal Marshals were inside ransacking box after box of worthless paperwork the accounting department had moved in from the archives downtown. It had taken thirty trips in moving vans to fill the place literally to the ceiling. If the Justice Department wanted to investigate, they should be provided with enough tonnage to give themselves a feeling of fulfillment.

Although generally mannerly, the Marshals were working with an unholy vengeance. As the sweat ran down from their uniform hats, in most cases it whetted the scar from the Mark of God. Martha was pleased that the Feds hadn't brought enough trucks. A growing mountain of filing boxes attested to the back log in transporting them to wherever the Marshals were transporting them.

Also at Martha's behest the two women wore the robes of their office in the UCFC. It was her thought that this would make better camera for the speech she intended to make. Waiting also accomplished her goal of making certain that all of the news people were set up and ready to go. At this point they outnumbered the Marshals and the UCFC staff combined.

Finally the head of the Marshals formally ordered her and Ruth to leave the building. The pair were instantly accosted with the cry "STATEMENT MRS. STRATTON! STATEMENT!"

Martha removed her sunglasses as she walked away from the building. A hundred microphones dangled like vines in a forest around her. In what was typical behavior for the press, the Oracle's intention to speak had silenced the entire street. "I suppose I should say a little something." The news people themselves began a vigorous applause.

"For one thing, I think President Haskill should be ashamed of himself for throwing two helpless old ladies out on the street." Martha said with a straight face and a small pitiable voice. Ruth could hold herself no longer. She almost bent over forward laughing. The press corps joined her.

"Now everyone pay attention please." the Oracle asked seriously. "This is going to be a big story, but it's going to be a short one. It seems that President Haskill wanted us to lose our tax exempt status. It looks like we have for the time being. We sent our lawyer to look into it." Again the press corps roared with laughter. "But the important thing is this. Since we're no longer a tax exempt organization, many things have become possible. One of them is that I have decided to run for the Presidency of the United States on the UCFC party ticket. We expect to have forty million voters registered in the party by the end of this week. Next week we expect that number to be closer to one hundred million." Now the press corps was totally silent.

"I don't plan to have too much to do with Robert Haskill, but I am willing to share the stand with him at my Inauguration in January. I don't think anyone can blame me for taking his house on Pennsylvania. Especially not after he took mine. We'll have more to say about this later, and of course, you'll all be invited." Martha smiled happily. "One more thing while every one's here. That is that I'm sure not too proud to to ask you all for your votes! I promise you that I will do a good job!" Martha collected Ruth and took her hand. Both women raised their arms in solidarity and waved to the crowd of reporters. The street was electric as the two entered their limo for their 'exile' in St. Augustine.

In the quiet of the car, Ruth patted Martha on the knee. "This really is the Age of the Roaring Woman!"