Boomtown

Everyone is listening to a man standing at the podium and venting at the city council. Billy “Big Bang” Morgan, president of Boomtown Fireworks, had reached the limits of his self-control. These pompous city council jackasses were actually determined to break with tradition. Drones instead of his company’s fireworks were going to be providing entertainment at this year’s 4^th of July celebration. He could not let this happen without a fight.

“Council members, may I remind you that Boomtown Fireworks has been providing the 4^th’s sky show for the last 150 years. This town was named after my family’s company and we have kept our factory local instead of moving overseas. Now, after all these years, you’re repaying our loyalty by replacing us with drones! Where is the justice in that?”

A youthful-looking man sat behind a placard that read Council President, pulled a microphone closer to him, and spoke in an authoritarian voice.

“Mr. Morgan, Boomtown is well aware of all that your family and their company has done for this town over the years, and we are truly grateful. Unfortunately, the use of fireworks in these unusually dry conditions is asking for trouble. We don’t need a repeat of last year’s near disaster. Drones are safer, and they put on one hell of a show. Possibly, if we have more rain, we can work out some kind of hybrid show for next year. The drone resolution has passed. Thank you for your input, Mr. Morgan.”

Billy stormed out of the council chambers. He wasn’t the type of guy to go silent into the night. Now, they would learn why he was called “Big Bang.”

The next day, Billy sat alone, stewing over last evening’s events. He stared at the portraits of his great-grandfather, grandfather, and father, contemplating his next move. This wasn’t the first job his company had lost to those damn drones. Those mechanical insects were popping up all over the country, ruining his business. It was time for some payback, and what better place to start than right in his hometown.

Billy picked up the phone and started calling people that might know a hacker or two. Shock was too weak a word to describe his reaction when the person he finally contacted was his daughter. She had recently dropped out of college and was living somewhere on the west coast. He knew she had a talent for all things computer but had no idea she was earning money programming on the dark web.

Their conversation started out icy, but the father-daughter bond warmed the chill in the air. When she found out what he wanted her to do, she laughed hysterically. It was a true bonding moment. The plan was simple. During the drone show, Nicky would hack into their operating system and scramble the program. Drones would fly haphazardly throughout the sky, dipping and diving in complete mayhem. They completed their plans and hung up. Billy sat back in his large office chair, eager for the upcoming festivities, and pleased that he had repaired his relationship with his daughter.

The July 4^th night was dotted with stars. The moon wasn’t scheduled to rise for several hours, making the black sky a perfect backdrop for a light show. Buzzing drones launched into the night on cue, forming the first of multiple patriotic scenes in the sky. Billy had Nicky on the phone and was about to tell her to start the mayhem when the drones all went dark. When the lights flickered back on, the drones had formed a huge hand emblazoned with the American Flag. One by one, the fingers folded into the palm, leaving only the middle finger standing straight and tall.

“What are you doing, Nicky? This isn’t what we planned.”

“It’s not me, Dad! It must be Byron.”

“Who the hell is Byron?”

“My old boyfriend. I broke up with him last week. I’ll kill the feed.” The drones went dark and fell from the sky.

Billy smiled to himself and commented, “Not what I planned, but I think I made my point!”