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POSTCARD #1 • It's the beginning of the end
…I can’t understand, no, I can’t understand
How life goes on the way it does
Why does my heart go on beating?
Why do these eyes of mine cry?
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world?
It ended —
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…Umm—okay. Hi folks, Spencer Pike. Sorry to break into the song. I think Skeeter would understand. I’m not real sure just how to say this…
It’s 12:41 PM. I’ve just gotten word that DC… Jesus, this can’t be right…that Washington DC has been attacked. I don’t have much in the way of details, but preliminary reports suggest… suggest… preliminary reports suggest a nuclear weapon has just been detonated in the middle of DC. This is not a test. Apparently this has been confirmed by multiple sources.
I don’t have much information at the moment. What I can tell you is that federal authorities are urging everyone along the East Coast to remain indoors until further notice. All air traffic has been suspended until further notice.
Please, don’t call the station unless it’s an emergency. We’re trying to keep the lines clear while we learn more. I’ll see what else I can dig up.
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Hi folks. Spencer Pike once again, coming at you live. It’s 12:46. I’m being told that the Capitol area is gone. That’s the word they’re using. Gone. No details on the blast radius, but… Jesus, it’s bad.
If you have family in the DC area, I—I’m sorry. I don’t have any better words at the moment.
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Okay. New information is coming in. Wait… Vegas too?
A biological threat has been reported at McCarran Airport… in Las Vegas. No more information than that, but it seems to be another attack. Oh Christ, this is all so fucked. Sorry folks. FCC will probably fine me for that one.
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It’s 12:56 PM, we’ll stay on the air. Nothing new to report at this time. We’ll let you know as we learn more. If you have family nearby, give them a hug. If you’re alone, you don’t need to be.
This is Spencer Pike, KQUE. I’m going to play this song one more time. For all of us…
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Why does the sun go on shining?
Why does the sea rush to shore?
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world…
~ Skeeter Davis
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Postcards from the End of the World — a recurring column