The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil

by George Saunders

“Although our coffee cups are full and we have, on average, four cookies remaining on our plates, the National Life Enjoyment Index Score has dropped to an alarming Three out of Ten.

“Sir, the nation is tense,” said Cliff gravely. “It is asking itself how it can possibly stand idly by drinking gourmet coffee when an entire race is about to be disassembled. It wants to Enjoy, yes, but feels it will not be able to fully Enjoy until some sort of closure is reached.”

“HOW WAS NATION SO EASILY DUPED?” shouted the first little man. “WHY DID NATION IGNORE REPEATED WARNINGS BY MEDIA?” shouted the second.