Veronica Snoopsalot Interviews General Brighton

 

The General Brighton Interview

 

Studio Manager:

And…you’re on!

Veronica:

Good afternoon! This is Veronica Snoopsalot and the Snoopsalot Report on your local radio station! Today, we’re joined by General Samuel Brighton, a Marine commanding the President’s Elite Forces Unit. Welcome to the program, Sam. May I call you Sam?

Brighton:

Actually, Ms. Snoopsalot, I prefer to use honorifics. Please call me General Brighton or just General.

Veronica:

My apologies, General. I must say, I expected you to be wearing your uniform, today. You don’t seem the kind of person to wear jeans.

Brighton:

Yes, well, I have a picnic with my daughter to go to in a few hours.

Veronica:

Then let’s get right to it, General. I understand President Whelan has assigned your Elite Forces to monitor the shifter problem of which we’ve recently become aware.

Brighton:

Shifter problem, Ms. Snoopsalot? What problem is that?

Veronica:

Why, having monsters potentially living amongst the normal humans in this nation. Are you not concerned that your neighbors might become deadly animals if you anger them?

Brighton:

Are you referencing an actual event, or trying to manufacture fear in the general populace?

Veronica:

Of course not! We would never try to create panic in the streets.

Brighton:

I see. What events have transpired to worry you?”

Veronica:

Umm. Maybe we got off on the wrong foot. So, tell me, how many shifters, percentage-wise, do you figure are in the country?

Brighton:

Enough that you probably know several. What are you going to do now, Ms. Snoopsalot? Start stalking your neighbors and friends to see if you can determine which are shifters? I wouldn’t do that. I know a few shifters, and I can tell you that people snooping around, excuse the pun, will not be appreciated.

Veronica:

So, you admit we, the normal humans, have a reason to fear for our safety?

Brighton:

How many centuries do you think shifters have lived as a part of the general population?

Veronica:

Sir?

Brighton:

How long do you think shifters have lived next to humans? How many times have you heard of people dying by animal attacks? Did it ever occur to you that maybe, just maybe, there are some humans that survived because their shifter neighbors stepped in, in bad situations?

Veronica:

Bad situations?

Brighton:

Floods, hurricanes, tornadoes. The shifters I know are very, pardon the expression, humane. They care about their communities, including the humans who might be prejudiced against them if they knew who or what they were.

Veronica:

So, you’re trying to tell me the lunch lady at school, or the grocer stocking the grocery shelves, or even the police officer answering your call for help might be werewolves?

Brighton:

Who told you all shifters are wolves?

Veronica:

I beg your pardon. Are you saying there are other shifter creatures out there?

Brighton:

Wouldn’t it just make sense? Who knows, maybe there are lions, or tigers, or bears. Or even other creatures. You know, vampires or ghosts? Only someone extremely narrow-minded would deny the possibilities.

Veronica:

Oh, my! So, do you know any of these creatures, General? Have you ever met a real vampire? Why are you laughing at me?

Brighton:

It’s time for me to go, Ms. Snoopsalot. But before I leave, I want to impress upon you and your audience that shifters, and other creatures—if that’s what you want to call them—tend to be like anyone else. They have their bad guys, just like humans do, but overall, they’re good citizens. Don’t lump them all together.

Veronica:

But…

Brighton:

Good day, Ms. Snoopsalot.

Veronica:

Well, there you have it, listeners! The general has left the studio. Perhaps, he doesn’t really know the answers to our questions. Then again, perhaps the general is a shifter, himself. Thank you for joining us on the Snoopsalot Report. Join us tomorrow when we interview Senator Drake Zimmerman on his thoughts concerning the Shifter Issue.

Studio Manager:

That’s a wrap. So, Victoria, you don’t really think shifters and other creatures are dangerous to humans, do you?

Veronica:

Why wouldn’t they be? After all, they hide themselves. Anyone that hides who they really are, has reason to hide, right? Are you…are you growling at me?

Studio Manager:

Hmm? Oh, no, sorry, I was just clearing my throat. See you tomorrow, Victoria.

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General Brighton first appears in Wolf's Claim and plays a large role in Wolf's Mission. He is mentioned or shows up throughout the rest of the series, too.

Take care and stay safe,

Texas Ranch Wolf Pack Series