Written by Andrew K. Arnett

We were waiting for the Uber when I got a notification on my phone that the U.S. had bombed Iran. The Uber pulled up in a Tesla. Sophie and I hopped in, along with our dog Frazzle, and we started scrolling the internet for updates. 

“Yup. It looks like the U.S. military struck three sites in Iran, destroying the country’s nuclear program,” Sophie said.

The driver perked up his ears. He remained silent, listing intently to the breaking news item. It was breaking all right. Breaking our hearts.

“Holy shit, I can’t believe he went ahead and did it,” I said. “Looks like Trump posted on X. It reads: 

“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home.”

The shock of it all hadn’t sunken in yet. It was like a dream. No doubt, this act would draw the U.S. into a war with Tehran. Pundits had already warned that a war with Iran would make the Iraq War look like a schoolyard skirmish. 

The Tesla glided down Norstrand Avenue and when we hit a traffic jam in Sheepshead Bay, we decided to jump out a few blocks ahead of our destination—Randazzo’s Clam Bar. We walked Frazzle along the waterfront where the big yachts bobbed on the water, past evening strollers speaking in Russian, taking in the sunset. 

Fireworks unexpectadly  exploded over Manhattan Beach and Frazzle started to shake. 

“I think it’s time to head into the restaurant,” I said. 

We put the dog in a bag and walked over to Randazzo’s. The place was hopping and crowded to capacity. Folks jovial, digging into hefty portions of lasagna, lobster, seafood, beer. They were oblivious to the war erupting in the Middle East. How could they know? The events had unfolded in the past few minutes. The waiter told us to wait for a couple of minutes, as a table was being cleared for us in the back.

Sophie was agitated.

“I think it’s too warm in here for Frazzle,” she said. “And I don’t want to sit back there by the bathroom.”

She had a point but I was fixated on a linguine and clam sauce. And the clam chowder. Soon, the waiter was ushering us over to the table, but there was some bickering between two other waiters.

“They’re complaining that we’re being sat at a six top, although we are just two people,” Sophie pointed out. “I don’t feel comfortable about that.” 

“We can go if you want,” I said, “It’s no problem to me.”

I saw the owner looking over at us from the clam bar. We were becoming a spectacle. To. boot, our energy was off. Agitated. The crowd could sense it. People were gazing at us from their tables. I didn’t want to become a pariah, and certainly not the center of attention.

“Let’s get out of here,” I said. 

Sophie picked up the dog and we hightailed it out of there. We wandered down Emmons Avenue for a while but none of the restaurants caught our interest. They were either blaring loud music, or were over pretentious. We wandered down a side street past a smoke shop. 

“I need a cigarette,” Sophie said. 

It wasn’t something we did often, but under the circumstance, it seemed like a good idea. I needed something to stick in my mouth hole. Something to take the edge off, however slight. We rolled an American Spirit and wandered some more until a television set through a Japanese restaurant window caught my attention.

“Hey look,” I said. “Trump is giving a press conference. Let’s eat here so I can see what he is saying.”

We were seated in a booth. I had a perfect view of the television. I ordered the eel Pokemon bowl and Sophie ordered the same. Trump was going live from the White House and said:

“Our objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror.

Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success. Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not. Future attacks would be far greater and a lot easier.

For 40 years, Iran has been saying. Death to America, death to Israel. They have been killing our people, blowing off their arms, blowing off their legs, with roadside bombs. That was their specialty. We lost over 1,000 people and hundreds of thousands throughout the Middle East, and around the world have died as a direct result of their hate in particular. So many were killed by their general, Qassim Soleimani. I decided a long time ago that I would not let this happen. It will not continue.”

Shortly after, Netanyahu gave a press conference as well, addressing the events of the evening. I thought it was revealing. Here’s what he said:

“Congratulations, President Trump. Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history.

In Operation Rising Lion, Israel has done truly amazing things. But in tonight’s action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, America has been truly unsurpassed. It has done what no other country on Earth could do.”

The attack seemed to me a reckless move, if not outright suicidal. Fissures were showing even in his once solid MAGA base. This was going to throw people for a loop. The potential for things to go awry were high and the consequences could be as bad as Word War 3. And that’s about as bad as you can get. Is this hyperbole? I hope it is. I’m praying I’m wrong on this one. 

It seemed about the right time to call on veteran war corespondent Mr. Peter and get his take on the matter. Mr. Peter was currently ensconced in a deep bunker in Orange County, California—close enough to the ocean for a getaway by sea if necessary, but far enough from the shore to be safe from a seismic triggered tsunami. I dialed his number.

“I was waiting on line for my food at California Pizza when I saw the news, on my iPhone,” Mr. Peter told me. “I was fasciated by the unfolding events. I even showed the staff working at the counter the breaking news and they shrugged their shoulders. Completely uninterested. I think that represents a lot about how the public views this situation. But I’ve been glued to the tv set. The analysts are doing a great job.”

“So how do you think this scenario is going to play out?” I inquired. 

“I don’t think Iran will retaliate against the U.S. anytime soon. But you see they’re still whipping Israel with missiles. I’m anxious to see how this all plays out. “

Andrew K. Arnett is a writer/researcher and author of the book The Crowley Conspiracy available on Amazon.