Heaven on Earth by Ky Wright

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Ben hated whisky but he finished the whole glass, hoping the shock to his stomach would sharpen him up.

"Obviously, the King can't go walking around times square when everyone believes he choked to death on the crapper. So what was needed was a secluded little island somewhere which wouldn't be disturbed. Madagascar was chosen for its comfortable size and climate. The small number of inhabitants was allowed to live on, and was useful for construction and other assistance. Though they were never permitted to leave they were very happy with the new situation..." Gerry Lomax's voice stopped mid sentence. Ben was fiddling with the player when he heard his brother's voice again. It was not coming through the headphones but from the young, incredibly self assured man wearing a pilot's hat in front of him. Recognising the 30 year old version of his older brother, Ben realised he was unable to speak or move.

"Huh? Check it out. You thought it was a joke. Watch this!" yelled Gerry Lomax as he rolled up the sleeve on his shirt to reveal a youthful muscular arm. Gerry flexed, then cocked his arm and delivered a powerful punch to the headrest of the seat in front of Ben, which made a satisfying snapping sound as his fist drove through before stopping just short of Ben's face. The sight of Gerry's bloodied fist and his maniacally laughter scared Ben, who stood up demanding "what the hell is going on?"

Laughing Gerry replied "sit down old man. It's hilarious I know, but it really is all true. I recorded it because it would take too long to explain if you were interrupting. Ok, questions?"

Ben's analytical mind immediately began to attempt to rationalise what he believed with the 30 year old panting brother stood in front of him, "the skiing accident?"
"Faked. What else?"

"Hitler? That was a joke right?"

Now looking embarrassed, but smirking Gerry replied, "Yeah, I am afraid not. But he has calmed down a lot".

"Madagascar? What about the tourists and visitors. You can't just take over a country".

Gerry replied, "Of course you can with enough money. Do you know anyone who has ever been on holiday to Madagascar? Or anyone who knows somebody who once considered going to Madagascar?"

"No, but..."

"Exactly!" said Gerry triumphantly, "In the first place no one ever has any reason to go there and secondly you go to an airport and try booking a flight there, see what happens".

"What?"

"It will be too expensive and fully booked and delayed and cancelled, but most importantly you would never ask to go there in the first place. And if you absolutely insisted that you charter your own flight, which you never would, a pilot would be under orders to fly around in the sky for a bit before turning back because of turbulence. And if you really pressed it, you'd be shot". Gerry quickly cut off Ben's laughter, "No, you really would be. But that doesn't happen" he said, grinning and giving Ben a friendly dig in the shoulder to lighten the mood. "Seriously, there is a reason Madagascar is never mentioned in any book or newspaper, you can't even find it referenced on the internet. In 10 years it won't appear on maps. Now, listen you must know why I have told you all this and that because I have told you, you don't really have much of a choice. Space is tight so you can't bring your family, but I figure you are what, 67? And you'd only have a few years left anyhow. It's a lot to take in but this plane is going to crash in 20 minutes with you on it, so we need to get off".