Read the beginning…

He hoisted an industrial orange chainsaw from the back of the truck. Renting these kinds of tools was surprisingly easy.

“Should we have a license for something like this?” Israel’s face was crumpled in amused disbelief.

Jake, his burly colleague slipped dark sunglasses over his squinting eyes.

“You know, I never really thought about it…” He grabbed a new jug of bar oil from the front seat and unscrewed the cap.

“This oughtta get things moving.” He poured copious amounts onto the outstretched saw.

Israel set the machine down in the grass. Jake chuckled.

“What’s the matter, city boy?” He leaned over and whipped the handle into the air with vigor. Multiple rapid pulls brought smoke and sputtering life into the saw. He carried it to the edge of the dense thicket. His finger triggered a roar and he immediately went to work.

Shreds of bark soared through the air as the skinny tree leaned into its own arc. It fell swiftly, surprisingly so, yet its impact still shook the ground at their feet.

“Piece of cake. Nice warm-up,” said Jake, wiping a drip of sweat from his hairline.

Israel nodded with his open hand resting upon his forehead — assessing the enormity of the job before them.

“One tree at a time,” yelled Jake over the roar. “Cut and run.”

“I thought the president said we couldn’t afford to…ah, forget it.” The buzz overpowered his voice.

The saw made quick work of tall, skinny willow trees, but they tangled in the sky. Tree clusters hung suspended in the air, waiting to domino down five at a time. The running became as important as the cutting.

Exhausted, they sat chugging V8 on the tailgate of Israel’s truck. They stared out at the nearly empty skyline. The sparkling lake was now in plain sight.

Jake crushed his can and belched.

“That’s a miiighty fine view. Tomorrow we’ll get the wood chipper. Bring your ear plugs,” he exhaled deeply.

The bulldozers on the adjacent lot whined and sunk into the ground, preparing the earth for yet another home. Exhaust rose into the perfect blue sky. Cars raced by on the country road in the distance.

“Hey, it beats answering phones,” said Israel.