Finegan Fine
Copyright by Nancy Lieder, 2009.
This is a tale about a houseboat living in the Aftertime.
The pole shift has happened and the waters have risen several hundred
feet due to melting poles and glaciers and the heating of the ocean
bottom. The rising sea level is happening slowly but steadily, forcing
survivors to relocate when they discover the flood is not receding.
Finegan Fine has found a niche in this new world by running a trading
boat along the new coastline and up and down ever broadening rivers.
1
Introduction
The main theme is the sociological adaptation of the populace to the
lack of rescue and rising waters after the cataclysms. Finegan meets
survivors from all walks of life:
-
the very wealthy who expected to survive in their well stocked
enclaves,
-
the politically connected who expected rescue on demand,
-
the wealthy who thought their bankroll would buy them comfort,
-
suburbanites unprepared to be self sustaining,
-
those who stubbornly refused to leave their cities and towns and
steadily starve to death,
-
families who are separated from each other,
-
rural folk familiar with local produce,
-
immigrants caught a long way from home,
-
pedophiles peddlers selling children,
-
the handicapped who take hardship in stride,
-
military men cut off from their commanders,
-
former politicians trying to establish a continuity of government,
-
those who turn from their responsibilities and those who raise
orphans and care for the aged,
-
teens without supervision,
-
the deluded who think the good times will return,
-
and those trying to maintain slave labor camps.
A second theme is the devastation itself, which is widespread. Florida
is under water, trapping those who lingered too long. Coastal
subdivisions and river front towns are steadily flooded, often forcing
people to repeatedly relocate. Satellites have been torn from the sky,
so communications are by short wave radio at best. Rescue is simply not
forthcoming.
A third theme is survival techniques. Survivors adapt by eating
atypical but highly nutritious foods. They live in makeshift shacks and
tents. Electricity is generated from windmills or by pedals. Barter is
the mode and the dollar is dead.
A fourth theme is how people react to the crisis – by rising to the
challenge and helping one another or by looting and hoarding. Survivors
are on their own and must rely on resourcefulness and cooperation with
others for survival. Those that mistreat others find themselves without
supplies or friends in due time.
2
Table of Contents
Houseboat Living ………………………………………
4
Burial at Sea ………………………………………………
10
Good Hard Cash …………………………………………
14
Peaches and Cream ……………………………………
18
Political Connections …………………………
22
Jury of Peers …………………………………………
27
