Free Occupation by lazarus Infinity

OCCUPATION
     
     
    3 FEB 2013-19:30:45
     
     
    “You see, the problem with this country nowadays is n obody has the gumption to bite into the heart of the problem anymore,” the man said as he cut deeply into the gorgeous mass of beef served on an elegant dish before him.  King cut prime rib courtesy of the Rib Room in the French Quarter had been a favorite of his for many years.  A popular haunt for high society figures, celebrities and the upper echelon of the city’s pecking order, the Rib Room was more of a tradition for his family than a casual dining experience.  With its refined décor, impeccable service and the finest selection of culinary delights, Joseph Devereaux savored every bit of juicy flavor as the fork entered his mouth.  Medium rare; incredible flavor with just a little blood to satiate his refined palate.  Man was made to devour flesh every now and then.  It was natural; a primal way of life that he understood all too well and often incorporated into the business world. 
    A well-known and respec ted figure in Louisiana political circles for many years, he was a tall, boisterous figure of a man with his well-tailored suits and gallant Southern charm.  Making his living off the family business in sugarcane, cotton and various securities, he was also one of those guys behind the iron curtain of politics that became the stuff of legend.  His father, the late Alexander Devereaux was an old running buddy of guys like Huey P. Long and Clay Shaw.  Through various contacts behind the scenes, he’d even helped Clay Shaw found the historic New Orleans Trade Mart.  In those days, the Devereaux family also had a rather discreet history of gun running. Coupled with their trade negotiations with Cuba, El Salvador and various parts of Latin America, the profitable partnership helped the family live as high on the hog as possible.  Eventually things began to turn sour in the summer of 1963, during the anti-Castro movement when Lee Harvey Oswald was spotted handing out pro-Castro leaflets down on Canal St.  This was already a bit of a sore subject, as history would later prove Oswald to be a pawn of various channels within the U.S. government.  The American intelligence community in those days had plans of their own, not just on the Castro issue but also in organized crime along with the Vietnam War.  Eventually tensions would grow high, brimming to a fever pitch one humid day in November of 1963 when John F. Kennedy, the 35 th President of the United States was assassinated. 
    Sitting next to his wife Delphine, quite the respected socialite as w ell, the Devereaux clan’s historic ties in Louisiana corruption and organized crime made them a powerful force to be reckoned with for many years.  From the days of working hand in hand with former governor Edwin Edwards, the family even had ties with the infamous ‘Godfather of New Orleans’ in Carlos Marcello.  Quite the formidable figure in her own right, while many saw Joseph Devereaux as the head of the family, many who knew them personally saw Delphine as the power behind the throne.  Hell, in some social circles, she was the throne, and reveled in the knowledge of this as she bit down on a generous portion of prime rib herself.  Rare.  Bloody.  Perfect. 
    “This country’s gone to Hell in a hand basket if you ask me,” Joseph continued.  “All these illegals and whatnot destroying our economy, getting a free ride at the expense of decent, hardworking Americans.  Got these gays running around screaming for their damn rights, destroying the very fabric of Americana, soiling the population with their degenerate indecency and disease…and that’s why we have this ‘problem’ now.”  
    With the precis ion of a determined and skilled surgeon, Joseph sliced away at his prime rib.  The veins in the tops of his hands throbbed intensely as he made his point. 
    “Damn shame if you ask me,” he said.  “Back in the 80s the government had