State of Rebellion

“So, Dan, how’d your weekend go?” Charlie Paulson asked.

“Fine, Charlie, just fine. And you?”

“The usual. Football games, family sports. Listen, Dan, we’ve come to discuss a sensitive issue, and the others. . well. . the others sort of asked me to be spokesman.”

Marjorie Tomkins and Harold Hawkes sat quietly on the couch in Dan’s office. Dan noticed that Marjorie was fidgeting and Harold wouldn’t hold Dan’s eyes. Jack Rumsey, in one of his never-ending homilies, had warned Dan that if a man wouldn’t hold your eyes, at least for a moment, watch out.

“Charlie, I’ll help any way I can. You know that.”

“Of course we do. Dan, we. . that is, the board, feels you’re doing a bang-up job, and of course, the land reform issues have been, well, have really caused us a lot of grief, what with those dead-set on development and the old timers wanting to keep the farms intact.”

Dan could see that Charlie was having a hard time getting to the point of their visit, and he wasn’t certain if this deputation was representative of the full seven supervisors or just the three now before him.

“Charlie, you know I love this valley as much as anyone, and the land development issues are certainly divisive. But is that what you actually came about today?”

“I guess. . well, not really, but it does affect the valley. In fact, Dan, it affects all of California.”

Secession.Well, I expected it sooner or later, Dan thought. “California’s a big issue, Charlie.”

“Yeah, it is, Dan, and we. . that is, Marge, Harold, and me, we came to see how you felt. We’d like to know where you’re gonna stand, so to speak.”

Dan rose and moved to the window where he did most of his contemplation. Dan saw the reflection of his three visitors in the glass as they quickly stole looks at each other while they thought he was looking away. He waited until they stopped exchanging nervous signals and slowly turned around, his hands clasped behind his back.

“Charlie, what’s the collective board’s official position on the secession of California?”

Dan was calling their hand, blunt and forthright. He figured these three hadn’t actually polled the full body, and the issue had not, at least officially, been brought to a vote before the board in public session. A majority of California’s other counties had already officially addressed the secession-some against, but even more in favor.

“Well, we haven’t talked with all the supervisors, but us three, we wanted to get an idea of where you were gonna stand-what you were gonna recommend to the board. Have you thought about that yet? You know we can’t put it off much longer. Many of the counties have already taken a stand, and in a couple of weeks, we’ll all have to vote. It looks like, well, at least the polls say the referendum will pass again. We’ve got to decide how we’re going to go.”

Thought about it! Dan reflected. Little else had been on his mind since the two previous elections had passed so overwhelmingly. That in itself had been a shocker and had even confused the pollsters, some of whom had predicted a narrow defeat while others had predicted a passage of the issue based on their pre-election voter sampling.

“Charlie, you know that on most issues before the board, I offer a recommendation, since that’s my job. This issue, however, is one of conscience and one that each supervisor will have to decide for themselves. In fact, each Californian will have to make that decision as well. It has a finality to it. You know, we can’t really be opposed to the secession and go on about business as usual if the secession passes. Even the Tories who remained in the colonies after the Revolution found it hard to continue their lives and their business. No, Charlie, I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to make a recommendation to the board.”

Dan thought Charlie looked deflated at not having pulled out Dan’s position.

“But you have a position on it, don’t you, Dan? I mean, you’re a Californian-have always been, along with your family.”

Dan turned again to look out the window at the budding trees struggling to overcome the cold late autumn snap. He’d known for months what his decision was, although it had seemed easier not to acknowledge it. . even to himself. But here they were, pushing for a declaration. Delay wouldn’t serve any purpose, and the necessity of a formal venue, such as a board of supervisors’ meeting, was not a proper place for the appointed administrator to announce his position and surprise everyone. No, Dan thought, the year was about to turn, the upcoming court- ordered special election was at hand, predicted by most pollsters to be an overwhelming “yes” vote in favor of secession. No confusion about the fact that he might lose his job over this issue. . that had always been a distinct possibility. Better to play his hand, as Jack would say, and turn his hole card up.

“Charlie,” he said without looking back, “you’re right. I’ve always been a Californian.” He paused momentarily and then turned to face his visitors. “But I’ve always been an American, too.” He took several steps closer to the three supervisors, at which Charlie stood, more from nervousness than anything. “This is a personal opinion, even though I might not have admitted it to myself these past few months, and it’s not an official recommendation to the board. It’s quite separate from my political responsibility, but I’m personally opposed to secession. Please understand me-that is not, I repeat, not my recommendation to the board. I don’t feel it’s my place to make such a recommendation on such a personal issue, especially one with such widespread government implications. You’re the elected officials,” he said, looking at all three in turn, “and I’m your appointed administrator. I follow your direction, unless, in good conscience, I can no longer support your actions.”

Harold stood up beside Charlie, as did Marjorie. “Dan,” Charlie said, “I think. . we think you should try to see the California side of the issue. We need to be united. You know the Woodland city manager, Roger Dahlgren-he came to see me, and he feels strongly. He thinks you should feel strongly, too, Dan, and his group. .” Charlie paused, groping for the words, obviously nervous about discussing the Shasta Brigade. “Well, Roger says we should be united here in Yolo, and that it’s in our best interest to listen to Senator Turner. He’s only thinking of California and what’s best. Dan, you’ve been doin’ a bang-up job, like I said, and we’d like to keep you on, but, well, this issue is. .”

There it was-on the table. That was the impetus of this visit. Dan had heard that Roger Dahlgren and some of his Shasta Brigade boys had been talking up support for Senator Turner’s stand, visiting many of the local businessmen. Some even went so far as to call it intimidation. But it was hard to oppose or interfere with a group of citizens who were only voicing support for the state’s U.S. senator. No bones about it, this was a not-so-subtle first approach from a segment of the board of supervisors telling Daniel Rawlings, Yolo County Administrator, where he was expected to stand on the issue of California’s secession from the Union.

“Charlie, are you telling me my job’s on the line if I don’t support that bluster being put out by Roger and the militia?”

Charlie and Harold looked at each other and began to back slowly toward the door.

“I don’t know. I mean, I can’t speak for the whole board, but we, us three, I mean, feel you need to seriously consider your viewpoint. It’s not just bluster, Dan. Our United States senator has put his full weight and support behind it. You need to consider that. Besides, as Roger said, you’re a California guard officer. You owe your allegiance to the State of California. I’m sure you understand.”

“Yeah, I think I’m beginning to. Anything else I can help with today?” Dan said, inching the group toward the door.

“No, no. Thanks for your time. See you at the board meeting Thursday night.”

“Right. See you then. Thank you. Bye, Marjorie, Harold,” he said, shaking each hand as they departed.

“Bye, Dan,” Marjorie said meekly, obviously embarrassed by the visit.

Dan closed the door and turned once again toward the window. With Thanksgiving and then Christmas approaching, it wasn’t going to be a pleasant holiday, he felt. Not by a long shot. And if history served, the spring and then summer would be even longer and hotter. At least for the inner cities, it would potentially be a cauldron of violence.

Dan picked up the phone on the third ring when he remembered that Pat had stepped out to the post office.

“Good morning, Yolo County Administration, Dan Rawlings speaking.”

“Hi, Dan. This is Jean Waters. Bet you thought I’d forgotten about you.”

Dan immediately recognized the name of his literary agent, even though they had only spoken once since she