The full text of Ambrose Bierce's short story can be found at http://eserver.org/fiction/occurrence-at-owl-creek.html---
I first read Ambrose Bierce's "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" about forty years ago- it was in a collection of short stories I happened to borrow from the school library. Odd how some things stick with a person- I still have a distinct memory of my first reading of this amazing story. I also recall correctly guessing the conclusion of the tale almost from the beginning.
It's a singular muse- it's the story of a man who is hanged off the side of a railroad bridge by troop of soldiers. But as the sergeant steps off the plank and the man plunges to his doom, the rope breaks and the lucky man escapes by slipping from his bonds and swimming down the creek. Once he is out of range of the soldier's bullets and cannon fire he climbs the bank and joyfully runs toward his home and his wife.
But as the end of the story proves, all the mind games in the world can't stop reality from rearing its ugly head at the end of the day. The doomed man's escape is a fantasy that takes place in the moment of his short fall to the end of the rope. In reality the rope does NOT break, and the man dies, his neck snapped by the noose around his neck.
"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is being played out yet again, this time in Washington and Baghdad, and indeed in more than a few other cities and nations across the world. A group of corrupt politicians has joined hands and by their own volition have lept from the bridge after fastening the noose around their own necks. As they fall toward the end of the ropes they strung across the beam themselves, their frantic fantasy has them all floating gently down the creek, escaping many years of horrible crimes against their nation and its citizens, and against those in other countries who have suffered so terribly at their hands.
In just about six weeks our troupe of happy jumpers will finally end their collective leap, and with luck, perseverence, and a chorus of loud voices we will bring about a satisfying conclusion to their six year fall off the bridge of the Neocon's own self-destructive design.
It's up to all of US to help strengthen the hemp that will snap the neck and squeeze the life out of the most vicious criminal conspiracy this nation has ever seen. There's no time left, and still so much to do. Some on our side are at last speaking out, and the world is, I believe, beginning to listen and to see. This time the entire world is standing on the banks, watching the execution of the criminals, and a small but increasing number of people understand the noose could still end up around their own necks instead if we fail.
We must NOT fail. Not this time. If we fail, the rope breaks in reality, and the Neocons win. So it's up to US to make sure the rope dangling from the side of the bridge is strong enough to hold. If it doesn't, our nation is finished.
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Please note: You can download the full short film version of this story, which was presented at the Cannes Film Festival in 1962 (and subsequently took First Place). You can get it here (Paypal charge is $10):
http://tesla.liketelevision.com/liketelevision/vip/alacart.php?channel=139&p=10&theme=guide
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