Often people question what they are asked to do. Sweeney had been following orders, without question, for most of his life. On the inside, he had questioned just about everything, but had not dared to outwardly challenge his dad. He had a very dominant dad. Dads often teach their sons the work ethic, along with the game of economics, but Sweeney's dad had overdone it. And Sweeney didn't just feel trapped during those long childhood years, the grip remained tight upon him in adulthood also. Then Christianity gripped him. He imagined things would be different. This trip would be the last time he would subject himself to following orders in this manner. He had resolved to follow a higher order.
Sweeney doesn't see a conflict of commitment here. And the confusion that will follow, will not be something he will have to answer to. His hopes are that everything will go as planned …and no one will even suspect him.
Stan does not know what to think. But he soon has plenty to think about. He has just received a copy of the same movie, minus the Clipper ship segment. George is no longer alive, but if he had been, he had deteriorated too far to have been able to understand it. Rebekkah had guessed right about that.
Stan's emotions are all over the map, but he is a composed person. Before panic sets in, he resolves to not let this thing defeat him. He will use what knowledge he has to his advantage. It will drive him even more to pursue his goals. He will not disappoint George. He will live on, with the common purpose George had taught him. And what Rebekkah had expected of him, he will do. Stan stands at George's gravesite ---alone. He had expected Leah to be by his side, but she is not.
559
So much has happened. He has just lost his dad, but he's having closure with that. George had been sick for some time. Stan had prepared for this day …many times over in his mind. But now, this ordeal with Leah --- he had not prepared for that.
Stan won't rest until he knows what had happened ---where she is at. He will send out another televised plea, like the one he had sent out when the plane had blown up. It hadn't taken long before she had let him know she survived. He hopes for the same success this time. He will have the entire nation looking for his fiancée.
This is maddening. Just like the disappearance of Leah's dad, thought to have been solved, yet proven to be unsolved for seventeen years ---now, Leah is missing and there is no word where she is.
At George's passing, Stan has become the wealthiest man in the world. But how fragile is that? What does one have to gain, or what does one stand to lose?
As the world sees it, Stan had lost his dad and now possibly, Leah. They reach out with their heartfelt sympathy. But they don't really know what he is really going through. And so far, the nation has not been successful in helping him find her.
This does not just involve one nation. Leah and her family had disappeared in Canada. That makes it an international search.
But no nation, not even the world, can know what he is going through ---or what he is yet to go through.
Weeks pass by. It is not just Leah missing, but the entire residents of the walled community. Stan contemplates the disturbing connection. He prided himself in the ability to see things in advance. He had always been suspect about the walled community concept. They act like cows, following each other down a path …a path they accept without question. Stan has many questions though. And the biggest of these questions has him asking himself where he can place his trust. Yet, the answer is quite clear. There is always money. Money can help him get what he wants. Even if a few things stand in the way ---even if things may temporarily look unfavorable ---money will work things out where otherwise there may be no hope. It worked for Rebekkah, now it can work for him. The only problem with Rebekkah was that she had begun to give up. But he won't! He will pursue his goal to the end.
560
The nation does not have enough time to react to what Stan is going through, when they get hit with their own devastating blow. East coast, West coast, South, and Midwest ---from Washington D.C., to San Francisco, New Orleans, and Chicago. It so happens that Stan is in the nation's Capitol at the time ...and he is also diagnosed as having ---Smallpox.
Stan had just negotiated another merger with his company when fear makes its bid. The government has word that it's not a terrorist act. The world is still experiencing an unprecedented period of peace. They are still honoring the peace he had helped to negotiate. They love him. Everyone loves him. That's why the entire world reaches out with concern at this time. No one seems ready to accept the fact that their leader ---their hero, may not survive.
There are those in our country who are trained in finding answers, when questions become overwhelming. They often race against the clock to find answers. And this is no exception.
They track the origin of the smallpox. There had been a fire at one of the facilities where it was kept on file, in case there was ever an outbreak of the disease. That area of the building was not affected by the fire, but they had decided to move everything. Stan had called a meeting of CEOs of many loyal businesses within various cities to meet with the scientists. Then Stan traveled to Washington D.C. on business. That's when the smallpox reared its ugly head.
Stan addresses the nation to dispel fears of terrorism. From his hospital bed, he convinces the nation that the world still has a strong resolve for peace. He explains how the smallpox had leaked, but now is under control. He does not have to explain how weak he is ---they can see that. The world stands by, hoping Stan will make it. They rely on his strength of character. Stan's final words are, "Leah, my dear, if you can somehow hear me out there, please sent word that you are okay. I love you!" Those were Stan's final televised words, though not his final words. Though having to endure the painful struggle, Stan does make it through. But he still clings onto that faint hope that Leah will make it through …that she'll contact him. The nation comes together in prayer. They pray that the Essence will stand by Stan and heal him. And they also pray that Leah will be found.
561
XL
Stan eventually does get better, but still no word of, or from, Leah. The President of the United States is kneeling beside a little girl, about the age of four, in a hallway at the White House. He comforts her amid all the bright lights and cameras. The President introduces the little girl to the television audience, "This is my daughter, Joslyn. We call her Joss."
The President takes Joss by the hand and leads her through a set of double doors, "We have two guests awaiting here. The first is my friend, Stan Olitz."
Joss extends her little hand, "Pleasure to meet you, Stoltz."
The President smiles, "She has nicknames for all of us. She calls me Prez ---but only she can call me that. Must respect the office, you know."
Stan smiles, patting her on the head, "Well, with all due respect, the President's little girl can call me anything she wants …as long as her Daddy agrees." The President has an agenda, "Well, moving along ---I'd like you to meet our second guest. His name is Tito. Traditionally on Thanksgiving, we grant a pardon. And today we are going to pardon Tito."
Joss grabs her daddy's leg, "Please pardon me, too. I don't like turkeys."
The President laughs, "That's okay. I don't either …try working with them. Try getting something passed through Congress."
The President's wife comes into view, taking Joss by the hand, a plate of food already prepared in the other hand. The President motions for Stoltz to be seated at the banquet table.
The President faces the television cameras, "This time of year, we try to focus on giving thanks ---our greatest thanks to those we should most be thankful for. Foremost on my list are my dad and mom. Most of you would agree with me ---and that's why Thanksgiving has become the busiest time of year for travel. We don't just generate our well-wishing across a computer screen. Nothing beats a real hug. And I've invited my own parents here, to the White House, for Thanksgiving. They won't be joining us right away though. They've already fixed their plates and are in another room watching the football game with my wife's parents."
562
The President chuckles, "If my dad's team loses, we won't be able to talk to him for days. So, I plan on introducing them to you at halftime. But before we get caught up in all that, or intercepted ---I'm beginning to fumble on my words here ---but, I'd like to thank all the wives and moms. With the football game on, they are most likely our largest audience right now. They are the ones who normally painstakingly prepare these huge delicious Thanksgiving meals."
The President lifts a fork and takes a healthy mouthful. He chews a couple times, "This dressing is delicious. I don't have to ask who made it. Mom makes the best dressing."
The President finishes his mouthful, "I also want to thank my wife for always standing by me, and behind me ---but never in front. Mom taught me to stand ---and what to stand for. I'm always learning new things from mom. Earlier today, she told me something that I never knew. She told me that she can't stand football. I would have never guessed that. She's always there at dad's side, rooting right along with him. I'd say that along with my little Joss, the three most important women in my life are great examples of what commitment is."
The President lifts a glass to his mouth, taking a drink, "For a couple decades now, it's been tradition for the President to invite one additional guest, outside of the family, whom everyone would agree to be a friend of the nation ---someone we all can be thankful for. I've invited Stoltz here because the world peace we've experienced for two and a half years now can be mostly accredited to Stan's commitment towards peace. We owe much thanks to Stan."
The President smiles as he looks over at Stan, "Stan is a good speaker. He could probably do a better job than me, but I can't have that …I'm the President, and this is my show. Besides, Stan is my guest and I want him to relax and enjoy this Thanksgiving feast." The cameras span over to Stan, who takes a humungous bite of food, chewing with cheeks bulging, while nodding in affirmation. The cameras return to the President, "I had Stan's permission to share with you a few really significant moments in his life which he feels were instrumental in giving him a thankful spirit. When Stan was very young, he was the only survivor of a dreadful fire which destroyed his family and home. One of the most memorable moments for Stan was when George Olitz took him in ---later adopting him as his own son. That in itself was perhaps the greatest expression of love, yet for a young boy who had just lost his family, he could not discern between whether it was kindness at its highest level, or actual genuine love. As a young boy, confused by the tragic events of life, he sought after affirmation of that love. One event, he has told me, stands paramount in having taught him of the difference between kindness and love."
563
The President takes another bite of food, chewing a couple times, "Some food for thought here …kindness can be friendly or sympathetic. Love, on the other hand, is a deep attachment or devotion, placing a much higher value on the loved one than on yourself."
The President takes a sip of water, "I'm going to show you a clip. It's a reenactment of an incident that happened early in Stan's life." He continues to speak, along with the visuals on the clip, "George had ordered a new Mercedes with On-Star, now standard on all vehicles. Stan told me, that at that time, he felt that George loved that Mercedes more than anything else. Then George was a victim of a car-jacking. A young man on a motorcycle had caused an accident, then in his madness, the young man bludgeoned George unconscious."
As the video clip ends, the cameras return to the President, "Now, I ask you, what would you do?"
The President takes another gulp of water, "Personally, I would not know what to do. I do not have the mind of an Olitz. Most of us would agree with the criticalness of precise action in a moment like that. But equally important is the ability to afterwards assimilate all that had taken place. And that's what George Olitz did. Throughout the years, this incident pulled on Stan's heartstrings in a major way. And it put into motion that which I consider the three most important factors in a productive life. That's why I've included that short clip ---so you can partially see where I'm coming from."
The huge screen provides the brief outline, "The first factor is that we feel secure and provided for. In the loss of Stan's family, George aimed to make Stan feel secure and he made provision for that. The second factor is that we feel loved. This video clip documents an event in Stan's life which was a pivotal point in emotional commitment, which helped convince Stan that he was loved. And the third important factor in our lives is to take that secure feeling and extend the love to others, helping to provide for them, in like fashion as it had been provided for us."
The President leans forward in his chair, yet still remains upright, "As President of the United States, it is my desire and my responsibility to provide those things to our nation. The Office that I hold, along with the members of Congress and all our staff, have not achieved that goal. The Office does not hold your trust in leadership. We have failed to the point that we have little in common with our forefathers ---those who fought to make our nation strong."
564
The President continues his very serious demeanor, "Since I took office in January of this year, I've not been able to achieve what I had hoped to do. Nor would I be able to achieve it in four years or even eight years, if I were to be re-elected. But I can guarantee you one thing. This is the first time a President has stood before you with this message. You may ask, what kind of message is this ---from your Commander-in-Chief ? It is a sad, but honest message. But it is also a true message. We are a dying nation. Our United States are states without unity. Many of you don't want to hear this, but it is true. And do you know what's also true? It's also true that I still love my country. Tell me, how many of you can still say that? Or how many of you long to say it, but can't?"
The President raises his right hand, "I do not want to be one of many successive Presidents ---who have failed you. I pledge to you, the American people, that I want to rise up to meet the challenge. We are still a mighty nation. We still successfully police the world. And we have a person with us today who has helped bring world peace, where many have deemed it impossible. I am not a proud person. Yes, I am the President, but I am still a person. And personally, I see the grave circumstances before us as a nation ---but I also see the person before us who can help overcome seemingly near hopeless circumstances."
The President folds his hands in front of him, "I've invited Stan to join us this Thanksgiving, not only to honor him for all he has done, but because I believe he is not done. Stan has a resolve that resides within him. Stan will not be satisfied until we have peace as a nation, peace within our nation, and peace within ourselves. Stan and I talked about this earlier. As President, I feel that if we cannot have peace within our nation, we cannot have peace within ourselves. But Stan brought it to my attention that it may be the other way around."
The camera pans in for a close-up of the President, "When a loved one passes on, we should assess the value of those things that are passed on. When Stan lost his dad earlier this year, he did not lose the vision his dad left with him. The entire world had shared that same vision while putting their trust in Stan and George. I joined the world in putting my trust in Stan at that time ---and I'm putting my trust in him now. I'm also asking each and every one of you for your trust. I do not want to be the President of a dying nation. The bottom line is, the heart of our nation is failing us and we need some major surgery before we flat-line. I cannot revive our nation on my own. I need the support of all of you."
565
The President continues his very serious demeanor, "Since I took office in January of this year, I've not been able to achieve what I had hoped to do. Nor would I be able to achieve it in four years or even eight years, if I were to be re-elected. But I can guarantee you one thing. This is the first time a President has stood before you with this message. You may ask, what kind of message is this ---from your Commander-in-Chief ? It is a sad, but honest message. But it is also a true message. We are a dying nation. Our United States are states without unity. Many of you don't want to hear this, but it is true. And do you know what's also true? It's also true that I still love my country. Tell me, how many of you can still say that? Or how many of you long to say it, but can't?"
The President raises his right hand, "I do not want to be one of many successive Presidents ---who have failed you. I pledge to you, the American people, that I want to rise up to meet the challenge. We are still a mighty nation. We still successfully police the world. And we have a person with us today who has helped bring world peace, where many have deemed it impossible. I am not a proud person. Yes, I am the President, but I am still a person. And personally, I see the grave circumstances before us as a nation ---but I also see the person before us who can help overcome seemingly near hopeless circumstances."
The President folds his hands in front of him, "I've invited Stan to join us this Thanksgiving, not only to honor him for all he has done, but because I believe he is not done. Stan has a resolve that resides within him. Stan will not be satisfied until we have peace as a nation, peace within our nation, and peace within ourselves. Stan and I talked about this earlier. As President, I feel that if we cannot have peace within our nation, we cannot have peace within ourselves. But Stan brought it to my attention that it may be the other way around."
The camera pans in for a close-up of the President, "When a loved one passes on, we should assess the value of those things that are passed on. When Stan lost his dad earlier this year, he did not lose the vision his dad left with him. The entire world had shared that same vision while putting their trust in Stan and George. I joined the world in putting my trust in Stan at that time ---and I'm putting my trust in him now. I'm also asking each and every one of you for your trust. I do not want to be the President of a dying nation. The bottom line is, the heart of our nation is failing us and we need some major surgery before we flat-line. I cannot revive our nation on my own. I need the support of all of you."
565
The President finishes his glass of water, "It is often said that the greatest ideas, the greatest works, the greatest accomplishments ---are achieved through the efforts of those who've had the resolve to survive the most intense pain or the most prolonged suffering. Yet, through the arduous process of enduring, spawns true sacrifice and the birth of new ideas. I cannot think of any more intense pain than that of losing one's entire family. Stan was just a young boy when faced with that tragedy. As we have become a nation in drastic decline, many of you have been forced to face what Stan had to face as a young boy. Families devastated and ripped apart, not by a tragic accident nor a violent act ---but by the tragedy of a nation failing to meet the needs of its own people. We have lost the hope of survival. We all need that glimmer of hope that Stan possesses. Perhaps you can find hope in the one who has gone through what many of you are going through."
The President appears touched by his own words, pauses for a brief moment, takes a deep breath, then proceeds, "I am going to jog your memory just a bit, reviewing a bit of recent history. Most of you remember when our military replaced their dog tags with the 'Chip'. The 'Chip' had much varied potential, but our society was not quite ready to accept it. The general public didn't view themselves as a military nation. So, instead, George Olitz convinced some corporate pioneers to develop a watch that had a tracking device. Society embraced the idea for the elderly. And a similar belt was designed for children. But society as a whole did not like the tracking device idea. That did not stop George Olitz. He could not forget that near tragic incident that I showed you on the clip."
The President leans forward in his chair, "Most of you probably didn't know that the evolution of the Olitz watch began as a result of that one dramatic experience. But since society proved not ready to move along with the technological advances of personal security, George instead focused on a design to ease monetary transactions and bookkeeping. With the help of his son, Stan, together they designed a watch with the center dial acting as a scanning device for monetary accounts. The convenience soon proved itself, and we moved with relative ease into a cashless society, as a result of what we all know as the 'Olitz watch'. But back then, crime was at an all-time low and consumer confidence at an all-time high. You know what happened next. As with all good things, we also have to absorb the bad. As business flourished, crime suffered a temporary loss. But crime is also a business. It would not suffer long. It was sure to find its angry way."
566
The President continues very emphatically, "That does not mean that the technological ideas were wrong. I firmly believe that technology can overcome its own small obstacles. I believe the solution has already been provided for us. I believe the solution is Stan. We need someone that is able to see the 'big picture' ---someone with the dedication and diligence, the self-sacrificial capacity for genius, and the providence to oversee it. And I believe Stan is the man. He has not only the genius to solve, but the resolve and ability to lead. Stan is the best that I know in bridging ideas and bringing people together under those ideas. That's what our country needs. I believe that is what our country wants. And as I remain President, that is what our country will get."
************
The President continues very emphatically, "That does not mean that the technological ideas were wrong. I firmly believe that technology can overcome its own small obstacles. I believe the solution has already been provided for us. I believe the solution is Stan. We need someone that is able to see the 'big picture' ---someone with the dedication and diligence, the self-sacrificial capacity for genius, and the providence to oversee it. And I believe Stan is the man. He has not only the genius to solve, but the resolve and ability to lead. Stan is the best that I know in bridging ideas and bringing people together under those ideas. That's what our country needs. I believe that is what our country wants. And as I remain President, that is what our country will get."
************
Later that evening, Stan and the President meet in closed quarters. The President assures Stan, "I will give you all the resources you need. But, of course, no one has as many resources as you do. You don't even need my help, really. Yet, what I will give you, is my word. I will not stand in your way. You have my word on that. I have total confidence in you, Stan. I have never met anyone more capable and confident as you, yet, I sense a slight bit of uneasiness. I must ask …what is it, Stan?"
Stan admits, "It's my fiancée."
Stan claps both hands behind his neck to relieve some of the tension, "And the whole walled community just ---up and disappearing? I have my theories, but theories based on feelings without facts could lead to diagnosed paranoia. On the other hand, basing everything solely on what we call cold hard facts, can make us a cold hard person ---and it greatly limits our ability to relate as a person."
Stan breathes deeply, "Yes, I have my thoughts and I have my facts, but I also have to realize that insight does not always go hand-in-hand with foresight. Yet still, there is a proverb that states: Where there is no vision, the people perish. There is definitely something going on in our country. And it cannot be read like a print sheet of crime statistics. I am not going to go public with this, but I will tell you, Mr. President."
567
Stan recalls the lengthy conversation he just recently had with Scottie. Scottie had identified himself as the dad of Murray and Sweeney. It was no secret that Rebekkah had given each of Scottie's two sons a Clipper ship. What was hard to swallow for Scottie was the fact that Sweeney's ship was found in the possession of a local fisherman, docked at Goose Bay in the Newfoundland area. Scottie said that Sweeney never did know how to do a real days work, let alone appreciate a gift.
Scottie had presented the whole sad story of how a dad is not to blame for what his children become. He insisted he'd tried his best, but what is a father to do? Even as a child, Sweeney seemed to resent anyone telling him what to do.
Scottie had tried to provide some sort of psychological explanation. He said the proper way to bring up a child is to tell them precisely what you want them to do, then stick with it. But Sweeney was a boy who seemed to resent being told what to do. So, naturally, working for Rebekkah just shoved the problem deeper. Scottie offered his bold assessment by stating that when a person is told what to do, they either do it cheerfully, or they have a begrudgin' attitude. And with Rebekkah no longer alive, Scottie felt Sweeney's resentment went AWOL.
Stan recalls how he had to ask the question, "Hadn't Sweeney recently become a Christian?"
But, Scottie had not wanted to discuss that. He felt Sweeney had become a vigilante of sorts, but with no knowledge of what was right or wrong. "Takin' a life into your own hands is not right!"
Stan recalls how he had cited it as merely a common occurrence among newly committed Christians. He'd explained it as the parable of the sower: Some seed falling by the wayside, some upon stony ground, and some among the thorns ---with the thorns, the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches choking you away. But hearing Scottie tell it, you'd be sure to picture it as Sweeney being a thorn in his dad's side. And it'd be difficult to tell who was allowing resentment to rule their life ---a son resenting an overbearing dad, or a dad resenting an independent thinker for a son. Either way, it appeared that both had found enough grief in their cozy little family unit …whoever's fault it may be. Some people find it cozy playing the 'blame-game'. Scottie had felt he'd endured enough unwarranted punishment in having to raise a son like Sweeney. He didn't want to endure the legacy of being known as his dad.
Stan admits, "It's my fiancée."
Stan claps both hands behind his neck to relieve some of the tension, "And the whole walled community just ---up and disappearing? I have my theories, but theories based on feelings without facts could lead to diagnosed paranoia. On the other hand, basing everything solely on what we call cold hard facts, can make us a cold hard person ---and it greatly limits our ability to relate as a person."
Stan breathes deeply, "Yes, I have my thoughts and I have my facts, but I also have to realize that insight does not always go hand-in-hand with foresight. Yet still, there is a proverb that states: Where there is no vision, the people perish. There is definitely something going on in our country. And it cannot be read like a print sheet of crime statistics. I am not going to go public with this, but I will tell you, Mr. President."
567
Stan recalls the lengthy conversation he just recently had with Scottie. Scottie had identified himself as the dad of Murray and Sweeney. It was no secret that Rebekkah had given each of Scottie's two sons a Clipper ship. What was hard to swallow for Scottie was the fact that Sweeney's ship was found in the possession of a local fisherman, docked at Goose Bay in the Newfoundland area. Scottie said that Sweeney never did know how to do a real days work, let alone appreciate a gift.
Scottie had presented the whole sad story of how a dad is not to blame for what his children become. He insisted he'd tried his best, but what is a father to do? Even as a child, Sweeney seemed to resent anyone telling him what to do.
Scottie had tried to provide some sort of psychological explanation. He said the proper way to bring up a child is to tell them precisely what you want them to do, then stick with it. But Sweeney was a boy who seemed to resent being told what to do. So, naturally, working for Rebekkah just shoved the problem deeper. Scottie offered his bold assessment by stating that when a person is told what to do, they either do it cheerfully, or they have a begrudgin' attitude. And with Rebekkah no longer alive, Scottie felt Sweeney's resentment went AWOL.
Stan recalls how he had to ask the question, "Hadn't Sweeney recently become a Christian?"
But, Scottie had not wanted to discuss that. He felt Sweeney had become a vigilante of sorts, but with no knowledge of what was right or wrong. "Takin' a life into your own hands is not right!"
Stan recalls how he had cited it as merely a common occurrence among newly committed Christians. He'd explained it as the parable of the sower: Some seed falling by the wayside, some upon stony ground, and some among the thorns ---with the thorns, the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches choking you away. But hearing Scottie tell it, you'd be sure to picture it as Sweeney being a thorn in his dad's side. And it'd be difficult to tell who was allowing resentment to rule their life ---a son resenting an overbearing dad, or a dad resenting an independent thinker for a son. Either way, it appeared that both had found enough grief in their cozy little family unit …whoever's fault it may be. Some people find it cozy playing the 'blame-game'. Scottie had felt he'd endured enough unwarranted punishment in having to raise a son like Sweeney. He didn't want to endure the legacy of being known as his dad.
568
Scottie's grand summation of the world is that it's always so quick to place blame. But Stan reassures Scottie he will not reveal that Sweeney is the responsible one …that is, the one responsible for being irresponsible. What Scottie had told him will remain confidential; and Stan promises to deal with it without dragging Scottie's name into all of this. Scottie then somehow feels obliged to reveal a recent association his son is having with a black man named Angelo. His reasoning is that his son, Sweeney, is by no means a son to be proud of …but he probably wouldn't have done what he did, if not for this Angelo character.
XLI
The President again addresses the nation. It is in celebration of the New Year, televised from the White House, "Many of you may feel you've little reason to celebrate. I have promised you a brighter future. But many of you may ask, Mr. President, when will that be? As your President, I feel I owe you an answer. My answer will provide hope and cause to celebrate. My answer is ---this year. The brighter future will come before the close of this year. And at this time, I'd like to turn it over to Mr. Hope, himself, Stan Olitz."
Stan addresses the nation, "Thank you, Mr. President. Yes, we do share a common vision for a brighter future. I see the idea of world peace moving beyond that of collective cooperation and respect among nations. Lasting peace has to be something of a deeper nature. It has to be more than peace within a nation. We can have equality of peoples and opportunities, yet that in itself does not bring peace. The business that provides the greatest equality of opportunity is the business of crime. Organized crime thrives on opportunity. But peace can only exist when a feeling of security and overall well-being is experienced by every individual."
569
Stan takes a sip of water, "Peace begins at home and within families, but in our imperfect world, it relies heavily upon a strong commitment to uphold justice. Upholding justice does not limit itself to prosecuting individuals proven to be unjust. It also includes working to make right that which proves to be unjust. So, if crimes are committed, they are crimes committed out of greed, not committed out of desperation. Those who want to do good, should be provided for. My goal is to eliminate crimes of desperation. A line should be drawn between those who resort to crime to get by, and those who use crime to buy resorts. Crime affects our lives on every level. Crime is a threat to individuals, to families, to our States, and to our nation. So much lost revenue is a result of crime. Drugs suck the very core out of our communities ---not only leaving the community with countless many nonproductive members, but also leaving just a shell of an individual as a vital member of a family. Corporate scams rob individuals of their investments ---and their future. Malpractice claims and insurance fraud severely cripple the medical field's affordability, making it extremely difficult to manage health care for a family. But the single largest loss of revenue, categorically, is computer fraud."
The President interjects, "There are many computer geniuses out there, but none come close to your genius, Stan."
It's a relaxed setting at the White House, sort of like a talk show setting. Stan lifts his left foot upon his right knee, "During the past couple months, I've put my primary effort into devising a network to expose computer fraud. I'm at the point now where I can delegate much of the work."
The President points to Stan, "Any good corporate head knows how to effectively delegate."
Stan smiles, "We are giving all corporations the necessary resources to continue on with their area of expertise. And we are investing in other corporations that show promise towards new and inventive ideas. The area which I deem of utmost importance is the area of providing for the personal health and safety of each and every human being. And this is the area I am presently giving my primary focus to. We have always aspired to world peace, yet world peace does not automatically bring about peace for you and me. In the past, many nations have predicted that our nation will crumble from within. I am one American who will not just idly stand by and let that happen. My associates and I are working on the availability of a program that has already been tested and proven in the military. The military must have availability of resources and at the same time minimize the risk of covert actions disrupting their maneuvers. My associates and I believe that if this same concept were made available to the public, it could all but eliminate crime."
570
The President challenges, "How do you discern who will use the program for the mutual benefit of all and who would attempt to further their own agenda?" Stan tries not to sound defensive, "As you know, my corporation is on the cutting edge of ---."
The President interrupts with a chuckle, "You are a very humble man, Stan. There is no doubt that you can develop this program. You don't have to convince me. But, for the sake of our viewers, can you explain how you plan to identify those of the criminal element?"
Stan smiles, "I don't have to …they will identify themselves. They won't step forward to be a part of the program. By their failure to cooperate, they will identify themselves. I believe we are waging a war within our own borders ---and I believe we are losing that war. Any war always seems to be economic in nature. And I believe the same is true for our nation. The very core of our economy is being sucked out by this tidal wave of crime. But I believe that can change ---if we are willing to work together. My plan will not work with partial commitment. For it to be effective, we must all work together."
The President clarifies, "So, what you'd want us to believe is that we need this program?"
Stan laughs, "As you said before, I'm not trying to convince you, but for the benefit of our viewers, yes, I will explain why I believe we need this program. It's not just because we have this extensive network of crime. Suppose we had zero crime in our nation. Through mere mishap and misfortune, we would still need a police department, a fire department, and medical rescue teams. We would still want to be confident that our emergency teams are proficient and expedient in performing their tasks. Likewise, when we've sent soldiers to war, we had hope to account for, locate, and rescue all our casualties."
Stan takes a sip of water, "This plan I'm proposing would benefit us all, whether in time of war or in time of peace. But again, it will only be effective to the degree we work together." The President summarizes, "So, what you're saying is, we need this program and it will only work if we all work together. Yet, you have already contended that there will be those who don't want to work with us."
571
Stan barely allows the President to finish, " In a country run by a dictator, the people would be forced to adopt it ---but we are a democracy. In a democracy, the people have a say in the matter. And they get to vote. But once they vote, they are expected to be mature enough to accept that which the majority has voted upon. That is the beauty of democracy. And through the democratic process, it is more easily accepted if it's understood that the majority want it ---more so, than if no one wants it, and it is forced upon them."
The President inquires, "Do you think you can provide the public with a quality product by election time this year?"
Stan smiles with confidence, " I believe the program will be ready by mid-summer." The President smiles, "So, this coming November we vote ---and stand prepared to accept what the majority will decide."
The President takes a gulp of water, "Is there any final thoughts on the matter?" Stan seems to zone into a more serious frame of mind than he has all evening, "As I've already said, there are those who prosper at the wrongs of the throngs of society, capitalizing on our social ills. There's been a resurgence of organized crime. Sadly enough, most of us have come to accept this. Well, I cannot except it. Those who, through the victimization of others, have prospered greatly, will no longer prosper. Some of you may think I'm going a bit overboard with all of this, but let me share something with you.
I was not going to mention it, but you have the right to know. It is not something that just affects me. We are in this together. It affects us all. There are groups out there who are trying to erode our society, the very fiber of that which holds us together. And lately, it has been working. For the past few days, I've found myself wearing down. Even during this telecast, I began to feel defensive and caught myself with an edge to my tone of voice. But I want everyone to know, I will not be defeated. I will fight for you, the people, even harder now."
The President voices his support, "I agree with you, Stan. I believe it is time you share it with the American people."
572
Stan takes a deep breath, "One of these groups is holding my fiancée hostage. And they are doing it under the guise of religion. Each day since her disappearance, I've been sending a million dollars, each day ---to guarantee her survival. You may ask, wouldn't the computer genius know who is extorting money from him? Yes, I quickly traced the account I was told to send the money to. I know who is behind it. But, I don't know where they are keeping my fiancée. That has become my own private torment. I imagine her crying out to me, desperately praying for me to come to her rescue. But, I can't! I don't know where she is. I seldom get more than an hour or two of sleep each night. I wake up perspiring heavily from my fitful sleep. I return to my computer, searching for a clue that perhaps they've left behind. So, you see, this is the ultimate reason I am driven to develop this program ---so this will never happen again, to anyone! This program is a good program. And I would have worked on this program anyway, but the intensity that I bring to the program, I have to admit, is because of what happened to my fiancée. It is my sincere hope that each of you could be spared an event like this. We should be able to wake up each morning and look upon the day with a bright outlook. I want each person's morning to be bright. That is why I've decided to call this project, Morning-Star. Actually, George and I had been working out details towards this end, for years. We've always believed that the idea behind a National I.D. was a good one. The torment of what I've suffered over the kidnapping of my finance' could have been avoided. But the program I'm developing goes way beyond that. There are many tragedies that could be avoided. Crime visits our many homes in a violent fashion daily. There is no time more pressing!"
573
XLII
For half a dozen months, Stan rarely sleeps more than a couple hours each night. Then on June 30th, Stan sleeps for eighteen hours. On July 1st, Stan is to meet with the twelve most loyal corporate heads of the conglomerate ---Star Corporation. The nation is about to celebrate Independence Day, but Stan wants to check to see if they all are still on the same page, after the great merger. Stan wants to see if anyone has any independent thoughts. For it to work, they have to all stand together.
The one who helped the most with heading up the project, the most senior member, stands, "I feel I'm not only speaking for myself, but for the entire group. I like being a light unto you, per se. I like the responsibility of representing you. I don't desire the freedoms inherent in separate corporations. I only desire to proudly represent you the best way I can. You've given us freedoms to everything there is within the new conglomerate. I am grateful for that. I've always looked forward to serving you. I'm happy and content with the corporate arrangement. Everything began with you. You built it up. We could never manage the corporation as you have. None of us have ever invested anything in the corporation, but we drink from the wells of prosperity. You've proven how much you care. How could we ever trust anyone else to handle the corporation as you have? You are the corporation! How can we not accept that? Our loyalty is to you ---to the corporation. I am who I am because of you. All my praise and thanks go out to you."
The group stands. They all applaud. There is nothing more anyone can say. They all stand in agreement. Stan smiles. It touches his inner most pride, "It is a pleasure to work with the likes of men such as you. It is a pleasure to be the recipient of such loyalty and gratitude."
************
In the following months, the economy makes a small recovery, investing in the faith of Stan. It is a fair autumn. There is a bit of uneasiness, but mostly guarded optimism. They are eager for Stan's plan. They have faith in Stan. They are just uncertain how they can trust each other.
574
**********
It is less than a month before the election. Then, without warning, all at once ---it happens! After 42 months of world peace, the entire world falls into chaos.
The world will never forget it. Etched into everyone's minds, it appears across computer screens ---across the world. The man sits cross-legged. He has a covering upon his head. His eyes are concealed behind tinted glasses. His face is covered by a long scraggly grey beard.
He speaks English ---good English. The accent is unrecognizable, probably intentionally. He is an educated man. His message is clear, "In forty-five minutes, the Freedom Tower in New York City will be destroyed. That should get your attention! Go ahead, get to it! Do what you are trained to do! I will wait for you to complete your response ...then I have more important things to discuss with you."
Many of the heroes of September 11th, 2001 are still alive. Only a few are still employed in the same capacity, but those few have provided the highest degree of leadership. And today, they will lead again. The rescue teams spring into action. The Freedom Tower must be evacuated at once! There is no time to lose! Every person must be accounted for.
The beauty of everyone working together for one common purpose, and willing to give their lives to save others ---proves to be successful. The Freedom Tower blows up ---but remarkably, no one is inside. No one is injured.
The old grey bearded man waits on the screen. At the fifty minute mark, the Freedom Tower is totally leveled. The bearded man speaks, "Good job! You have done well. Now you realize why you are a chosen people. No one else in the world springs into action like you do. Good job! You have proven worthy of my next task. You have self-appointed yourself as the watchdogs of the world. You carry the humanitarian banner. But now, you also carry the war banner. Someone has now declared war on the world. You don't know who it is ---you don't know who I am. Don't try to find me. You won't be able to."
575
*****************
Stan has already tried to track the computer message. He sits in front of his screen, as others across the nation sit in front of theirs. But it is more haunting for Stan. Stan doesn't know who the bearded man is, but he knows the bearded man's words are directed at him.
The bearded man continues, "Stan, I'm sure you've already discovered this is a timed message. I am nowhere near the location where this message was entered. Enough about me, how are you doing? Don't lose your focus now. I have confidence in the people of your country. I know they are capable of great things. I was confident the Freedom Tower would be successfully evacuated. I am also confident that you, Stan, will successfully help lead your nation. Your people are accustomed to carrying the banner of peace, not of war. Other nations of the world look to you for guidance during times of peace and during times of war. These other nations are being hit hard by biological agents. They need your help! Don't let them down ---they're counting on you. Carry on the peace, Stan, the war will take its own course. Don't try to fight a war you don't even understand. Preserve the peace. No ruler, whether it be King or Queen, Caliph or Chief, Czar or Zealot, President, Pontiff, or Potiphar ---has ever been able to rally the people, to rally nations, as you have. Preserve the peace, Stan."
Stan checks all his international communications. Schools, universities, and hospitals around the world are reporting the spread of biological agents reaching epidemic proportions.
The moment George Olitz had passed away, corporate ownership, along with all the wealth, had transferred over to Stan. And just recently Stan had bought two of the largest drug companies, to merge with the largest, which he already owned. Stan contacts the company to increase the production of Cipro. The news media had just confirmed that Anthrax is spreading throughout Central and South America.
The next wave of reports come from South and Southeast Asia, including the islands of Indonesia. The rapid spread of smallpox raises havoc in that area of the world. Then a double-whammy, when SARDS is identified in several heavily populated areas.
576
Next, Africa reports in. They have not yet identified what is suddenly plaguing their most populated areas, but from the description of it, the medical experts say they have an idea.
Stan notifies them that his company will send someone out there to verify it. And they will bring with them the expected drug so they can begin treating it ---if their guess is correct.
The worst reports are those coming in from New Zealand, Australia, the Soviet Republic, and throughout all of Europe. The early accounts are scattered and confusing, but the experts soon verify it as the most deadly version of Missionary Dysentery, or as some call it, Island Sickness ...which had previously been isolated on the islands of Indonesia, and had only been treated successfully on Missionary Island.
When Stephen Razohn had come down with Missionary Dysentery, they had begun experimenting with new treatments for it on Missionary Island. But even before that, George had tried for years to work with Missionary Island. The problem was Rebekkah's son, Stephen Tressel. Stephen had too many reservations about drug companies. He would not work with George. He said that the disease was limited to the islands of Indonesia, and they were more than adequately taking care of it within their hospital. But now, Stan was confident that he could convince Stephen otherwise. With such a horrific outbreak of epidemic proportions, how could he be denied?
Stan tries to get in touch with Missionary Island, but he can't reach anyone. He keeps trying with no success. So finally, in a fit of frustration, he decides to fly to Missionary Island.
On the flight there, Stan reaches the President. The President is pleased to hear of the drug production that Stan has already stepped up. The President asks, "Do you have any idea who this grey bearded man is? Or why he is focusing so directly on you?"
Stan hesitates, "No, I wish I had some idea who this character is. He may be tied to the ones who kidnapped my fiancée. That's why I'm not sending someone else on this trip. If there is a connection, I want to deal with this character myself. The only reason I can see why he's focusing on me, is to rattle me into reacting irrationally. Everyone knows the unity I've helped establish from nation to nation. He's wrong if he thinks he can disrupt that unity. Some changes will have to be made, but we will continue our resolve. In the face of adversity, we will only get stronger."
577
As they land on Missionary Island, Stan immediately gets a lump in his throat. He swallows hard. There is a Clipper ship sitting in the harbor. But no sign of what happened here. There is absolutely no sign of anyone ---anywhere. Not a single person is on the island.
Stan gets a very disturbing feeling. He had taken a small army with him, as a precautionary measure. He wanted protection in case something went wrong. But no army could protect him from an invisible war ---a war of the mind. His mood picks up a bit when a couple of his soldiers find a mammoth stockpile of the raw material used to combat Missionary Dysentery. It wouldn't take long to mass produce the drug, and make it available to the masses.
XLIII
Just days before the election, the President and Stan coordinate steps. They will be on different parts of the globe, but both will be televised. The President leaves Mexico City, then arrives in Columbia. Stan has already visited Paris, Rome, and Baghdad. He is in flight to Israel, when he tunes in to the President.
The President is about to broadcast his humanitarian relief effort to hospitals in Columbia, when he gets a report that hospitals and schools throughout the United States are being targeted with biological attacks. 578
The President addresses the nations, "I believe we have had a great success here and throughout the globe. We've been able to stem this wave of terrorism. Do we believe this would be the end? ---No. We should be on high alert and be continually prepared to rally to the cause of helping our dear neighbors. We have stood ready, not knowing where they will attack next. All along, we expected this. We never thought we'd be exempt. I've just been given a report that they've targeted hospitals and schools back in the U.S. ---so, I'm convinced they will stop at nothing. But we will not stop either. I've already called for an immediate evacuation of all schools and hospitals. We are going to transfer all medical operations to mobile units and also set up stationary operations in our local churches. I am calling upon all the local churches in cities throughout the nation to not only reach out to provide availability of their buildings, but also to provide around the clock prayer vigils."
The President hesitates, as if to reflect, "I've learned a valuable lesson in the past few days. We've tried to combat terrorism and be the protector of the earth, but we alone can not do it. And I don't mean we, as the United States, but we, as nations of the earth, can not do it. We cannot do it together as we resolved to do it. We cannot establish a lasting world peace. We need to pray to the Essence, to guide us in the steps we must take. Perhaps the steps you are to take are the steps to the voting booth. We've also transferred those to the local churches. That's what we, in the U.S., will be doing tomorrow. Perhaps every nation throughout the earth will gather their own people together and find similar solutions ---perhaps the same solution. We have reached out to you in a time of real need. This is not a fleeting moment of compassion, affirming ourselves. We have demonstrated a commitment and are prepared to stand with you."
"This is Jan Lather, reporting to you with the President, from Columbia. Now we will take you to the Middle East, where Stan Olitz is standing by."
Stan is aboard a flying platform that has landed on a small plateau in a barren area, surrounded down below by a large gathering of people wrapped in cloths, dirty and torn. To many, it is a rather hideous sight, but to Stan it is an opportunity. This is being taped for live coverage. The camera spans to a crudely constructed sign below. It reads: Leper Colony.
Stan is helping distribute food and basic medical supplies, including bandages and ointments. This is Stan's backdrop, as he is being televised, "It is difficult enough dealing with all that happens naturally, without terrorism. We need to help each other endure through the natural disasters, not create more for ourselves by reeking havoc on each other."
579
The camera focuses in on this picture of frantic desperation, as the supplies are being received within the colony. They tear open the supply bundles for temporary inspection with an outright display of mistrust. It is an intense moment, very newsworthy and one that tugs at the heartstrings.
As they complete the shoot and prepare to pack up and leave, Stan places a call to the President. The President is eager to hear from Stan, "How was your trip, Stan?"
Stan looks again towards the sickly crowd below, hidden beneath their own obvious hideousness, clothes draped over their heads, "We're just about to leave this colony in Israel. We just heard about it and I thought it would be great for the American people to see. This is really disturbing. I can't believe areas allow themselves to regress, to isolate themselves from the technologies and modern medicines of the world. How they choose to live like this, I will never understand. It's been hundreds of years, you'd think no one would have to live like this. It reminds me of the movie, 'Ben-Hur'. That used to be one of my favorite movies."
The President recalls, "Wasn't that the guy who used to represent the National Rifle Association?"
Stan affirms, "Yes, he first became popular by doing all those movies about Bible characters."
The President adds, "That's right ---I remember him now. Ben-Hur was about that Jesus character, wasn't it?"
Stan affirms, "That's the one. It used to be a classic."
The President is curious, "So, that was one of your childhood favorites, huh? Did you used to believe in that Bible stuff?"
Stan hesitates, "Well, my dad, George, used to pretend to believe in it. So I just sort of went through the motions with him."
The President sighs, "Well, I'm ready to go through the motions of sleep. I'm going to request not to be disturbed. There will be plenty to take care of when we get back home. See you back in the States."
Stan adds, "Don't forget to vote tomorrow, Mr. President."
580
***************
As the flying platform takes off, Stan takes one last aerial view of the long line of lepers, carrying supplies across a rocky terrain and through a narrow passageway cut between a face of steep rock. A small child is lagging behind, barely able to carry the load.
Stan hopes to carry the image that the world can still be provided for. This will do well to show the world who to put there trust in.
In perspective, Stan realizes that he has been well-provided for. He is very thankful for the inheritance that George has left him. He can't imagine having to live any other way, let alone living in a colony of lepers. They have no idea what comfort life can provide.
As the flying platform travels out-of-view to a location where Stan's jet awaits, an older person waits for the small child at the end of the line. The older person also carries a bundle, yet politely looks back to see how the child is managing. Encouraging speech travels from the woman to the small child, "Many times people think we are ignorant because we choose not to live like others. But we know what life is about if we understand our inheritance."
The small child asks, "What is ignorant?"
The Mom laughs, "Most children your age would rather ask what inheritance is."
The child stops, drops his bundle, and pulls back his head covering, catching a slight breeze and revealing a smile, "I know what inheritance is."
The Mom stops and drops her bundle also, explaining, "Well, ignorant means having lack of knowledge in a particular area. You can be ignorant in one area, yet have much knowledge in another. Ignorance is not necessarily a bad thing. It can be a help to be ignorant to the ways of the world. But sadly, the ways of the world are mostly ignorant to the inheritance that could be theirs ---through Jesus."
The small boy scratches the top of his head, "I know about Jesus, but I think I'm still ignorant about ignorant."
The small boy picks up his bundle again. A much older boy comes into view, carrying a much heavier load, "Let me take your burden, little brother. Seems like you already have a heavy load to carry ---on your mind."
581
The older brother grabs his young brother's bundle, "I don't really understand it either, Mom. Isn't it sometimes good to have knowledge of the ways of the world?”
The Mom wants to test the older son's understanding, "How do you mean?"
The older son explains, "Well, if you know of something bad, then maybe you can help stop the bad thing."
The Mom answers simply, "That is true."
The younger son looks up to Mom in confusion, "Then why didn't we stop the bad things from happening?"
The Mom attempts to talk on both of their levels, "It's like the story book about the 'bully'. He needs extra special prayer because as bad as he seems, what he really needs is to take to heart the story of Jesus. But if the bully begins doing some really bad things, we try to stop it. We've created a sort of dilemma here. Are we to say that prayer alone isn't enough? In some circumstances it seems we need to try to put action to our prayer."
The older son asks, "How do we know when to pray and when to take action?"
The Mom sighs, "Yes, that's a difficult one. It's kind of like the serenity prayer: To change the things we can, to accept that which we cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference. But we can always pray."
She takes another deep breath, "The sad part is when someone like your younger brother has to witness all this. It is so tragic when young children have to witness the horrors of war, and the oppression it brings. And it is usually the result of wealth and the governments that cater to it. Children who grow up with war and oppression, often eventually adopt the anger, hate, and ideals of those around them. They don't often learn the pathway to peace, but instead travel the nightmarish path of their past experiences and upbringing."
The Mom pats her youngest son on the top of his head and ruffles up his already ruffled hair, "You give your precious mind a little rest, I'm going to test your older brother's thinking."
The older son laughs, "Remember, I'm not supposed to look at it as a test. I'm supposed to welcome the opportunity for more creative thinking."
The Mom laughs too, "Sorry, you're right. Let me encourage you along. You're a well-educated young man, I ask you, what business has grossed the second largest amount of income last year?"
The oldest son answers, "The drug business?"
582
The Mom clarifies, "Correct. And by that, you mean the transfer of illegal drugs." The son politely responds, "Yes, that's what I meant."
The Mom carries it further, "So, the two top businesses in the nation we've just fled …are actually illegal businesses, which makes it terribly nonproductive for a nation's health and economy. Yet there are legal businesses which are all too similar to that ---selling out to other nations whose governments' primary concern is not the welfare of their people. It can be said that the way those people are treated is inhumane, actually criminal …and that would lead one to believe that any nation associated economically with those nations are one in the same …as they are a party to it."
He is confused, "Why did we leave our country? Why didn't we just stay and fight for what we believe in?"
She is pleased to have her son's undivided attention, "I don't believe we abandoned our country …they abandoned us. But, here's my question to you: If your neighbor was one of the biggest drug dealers and you had word that a huge drug deal was going to take place next door, would you report it?"
The son adjusts the bundle on his shoulder, standing more upright, "Well, yes!"
The Mom adds, "But you'd hope that the authorities wouldn't just stroll next door and say that they received word that the big drug transaction is going to happen tomorrow …and ask them if it is true. You would hope they would stake it out, and catch them without revealing the source of who had tipped them off."
The older son gives feedback to his understanding, "If they questioned them the day before, then I'd say the drug drop would not take place. And I would probably be a target for having reported it."
The younger son had not given his ears a rest. The small boy tries to sound not so small, "But wouldn't you feel good about telling?"
The Mom explains, "It's important how and when you tell. If you don't go about it wisely, then they may just find another way. And the other way may be worse."
583
They pass through the narrow passageway through the steep canyon walls. Within the huge rock face is the entrance to a cave. There is a small light ahead.
Mom sheds her outer garment of rags, letting the hem down on her clean white linen, "Likewise, this mayhem would have found another way. The stakes are so high, the damage would've still been done. Trying to stop him now, will perhaps only make matters worse. But on the other hand, what could be worse than the deception the world now faces?"
The small boy doesn't ask about the steaks costing so much. He feels content to hold onto the hem of his Mom's clean garment as they walk towards the light, growing brighter with each step. The Mom places her bundle down within the well-lit room.
The older son drops both of his bundles beside a pile of soiled and tattered outer garments. They gather around with the others. The bright lights of the cameras center in on a bearded person sitting cross-legged on the floor as they create one more segment for the world to see.
As one of the most negative images of recent times, the bearded person speaks again, "This is the very last time I will make an appearance. I will share with you the most devastating bit of news yet. And I will also reveal to you who I am."
584
XLIV
This day following the election, the President and Stan join together standing hand-in-hand, celebrating the election results. With hands raised upward, they step forward.
Stan then takes a step back as the President approaches the podium alone, "The threat of terrorism is ever increasing, but America will not be defeated. Each and every American that went to the polls yesterday, demonstrated their resolve to fight for our rights as Americans. And that was the first step ---a very crucial step. The second and third steps are what I consider critical to our survival. The most urgent is to preserve our food and drinking water. We are asking everyone to access our food supply centers for their drinking water. Also treated as an emergency, we are putting all our effort into getting our hospitals running, without threat of terrorism. Next comes the reason why you voted. I know each and every one of you don't want to live like this forever. And that's why you voted to accept the plan Stan has promised you. My part is to help ease the facilitation of the plan. I am reinstituting the draft. All eighteen and nineteen year olds must report. I am asking your sons and daughters to help. Some will be needed overseas to help combat this sudden terrorist threat that we have identified at several key locations across the globe. But more will be needed right here in our own nation to help set up Stan's computerized program at all food centers and hospitals, both of which will be heavily guarded. This program will involve only one simple insert. But with that insert you will insert the most technologically advanced security system of all time. There is nothing you can do that is more secure for you and your loved ones than this system. And it will guarantee we will never have to go through this again. It is a pathway to restoring unto you that which you once had ---that which you deserve, as Americans."
585
At the completion of the President's message, something remarkable happens. Something rather shocking! Over the computer screens, the old grey bearded terrorist ---as he is known by ---sits cross-legged, giving a different sort of message, "I am not a terrorist. I merely intercepted the information and tried to warn you of what may happen. Now it's your turn to decide, whether you believe me. When faced with fear, you don't know who to trust, having long since abandoned the One you should've trusted. It didn't just happen overnight; it's been a long time coming. Have you accepted the life you now have because it prospers you? Is it a life of quiet comfort, steeped up with compromise …compromising the very foundations of what you once claimed to believe in? Do you want to hear this? Are you willing to admit you could have been led astray? You must decide! Do you want to face the truth? Do you want to face me?"
The veil is removed, per se. The old grey tattered beard is ripped off. The head covering is removed, revealing long silky black hair. Then the tinted glasses come off. They are not the cold, hard eyes of a terrorist. They are soft eyes, filled with compassion. The eyes of Lisa Stone.
Lisa continues to talk, "You must decide. But it's not a fair decision unless you have the facts. I know you want to listen to Stan ---because you are scared and he's promising to make it better for you. But do you know, Stan was scared once too? He was just a young innocent child when faced with the cruel fact that his family had been lost in a fire. But he had someone promising to make it better for him. That someone was George Olitz. George had always strived for a better life for himself. For George, better meant more ---more money. But don't take my word for it. I'm through here, for now. I'll let someone else clear up that part of the deception."
Leah Razohn appears across the computer screen, "Stan, you've told everyone you've been paying a million dollars per day to keep me, your fiancée, alive. Well, I don't want that lie to be kept alive. I shed my tears when I learned of the deception. I did love you, Stan. But, I know you didn't love me. The ultimate horror is love that deceives ---because that is not love at all. I admit, it took me a while to get over it, but we don't drink from the same cup, Stan. And this is what each of you must decide for yourselves: From what cup do you drink? What cup do you want to reach for when you are thirsty? What fills you up?"
Leah reaches out her hand and pulls Shannon into view, "At one point in time, I thought I had made a mistake about you too, Stan. But I am so thankful that my sister never married you. But enough of that! It's not so important that the nation, and the world, see that neither of us are the least bit interested in you. That is not important. What is important is that everyone see the truth, so they can choose to embrace it."
586
Stan takes a sip of water, "Peace begins at home and within families, but in our imperfect world, it relies heavily upon a strong commitment to uphold justice. Upholding justice does not limit itself to prosecuting individuals proven to be unjust. It also includes working to make right that which proves to be unjust. So, if crimes are committed, they are crimes committed out of greed, not committed out of desperation. Those who want to do good, should be provided for. My goal is to eliminate crimes of desperation. A line should be drawn between those who resort to crime to get by, and those who use crime to buy resorts. Crime affects our lives on every level. Crime is a threat to individuals, to families, to our States, and to our nation. So much lost revenue is a result of crime. Drugs suck the very core out of our communities ---not only leaving the community with countless many nonproductive members, but also leaving just a shell of an individual as a vital member of a family. Corporate scams rob individuals of their investments ---and their future. Malpractice claims and insurance fraud severely cripple the medical field's affordability, making it extremely difficult to manage health care for a family. But the single largest loss of revenue, categorically, is computer fraud."
The President interjects, "There are many computer geniuses out there, but none come close to your genius, Stan."
It's a relaxed setting at the White House, sort of like a talk show setting. Stan lifts his left foot upon his right knee, "During the past couple months, I've put my primary effort into devising a network to expose computer fraud. I'm at the point now where I can delegate much of the work."
The President points to Stan, "Any good corporate head knows how to effectively delegate."
Stan smiles, "We are giving all corporations the necessary resources to continue on with their area of expertise. And we are investing in other corporations that show promise towards new and inventive ideas. The area which I deem of utmost importance is the area of providing for the personal health and safety of each and every human being. And this is the area I am presently giving my primary focus to. We have always aspired to world peace, yet world peace does not automatically bring about peace for you and me. In the past, many nations have predicted that our nation will crumble from within. I am one American who will not just idly stand by and let that happen. My associates and I are working on the availability of a program that has already been tested and proven in the military. The military must have availability of resources and at the same time minimize the risk of covert actions disrupting their maneuvers. My associates and I believe that if this same concept were made available to the public, it could all but eliminate crime."
570
The President challenges, "How do you discern who will use the program for the mutual benefit of all and who would attempt to further their own agenda?" Stan tries not to sound defensive, "As you know, my corporation is on the cutting edge of ---."
The President interrupts with a chuckle, "You are a very humble man, Stan. There is no doubt that you can develop this program. You don't have to convince me. But, for the sake of our viewers, can you explain how you plan to identify those of the criminal element?"
Stan smiles, "I don't have to …they will identify themselves. They won't step forward to be a part of the program. By their failure to cooperate, they will identify themselves. I believe we are waging a war within our own borders ---and I believe we are losing that war. Any war always seems to be economic in nature. And I believe the same is true for our nation. The very core of our economy is being sucked out by this tidal wave of crime. But I believe that can change ---if we are willing to work together. My plan will not work with partial commitment. For it to be effective, we must all work together."
The President clarifies, "So, what you'd want us to believe is that we need this program?"
Stan laughs, "As you said before, I'm not trying to convince you, but for the benefit of our viewers, yes, I will explain why I believe we need this program. It's not just because we have this extensive network of crime. Suppose we had zero crime in our nation. Through mere mishap and misfortune, we would still need a police department, a fire department, and medical rescue teams. We would still want to be confident that our emergency teams are proficient and expedient in performing their tasks. Likewise, when we've sent soldiers to war, we had hope to account for, locate, and rescue all our casualties."
Stan takes a sip of water, "This plan I'm proposing would benefit us all, whether in time of war or in time of peace. But again, it will only be effective to the degree we work together." The President summarizes, "So, what you're saying is, we need this program and it will only work if we all work together. Yet, you have already contended that there will be those who don't want to work with us."
571
Stan barely allows the President to finish, " In a country run by a dictator, the people would be forced to adopt it ---but we are a democracy. In a democracy, the people have a say in the matter. And they get to vote. But once they vote, they are expected to be mature enough to accept that which the majority has voted upon. That is the beauty of democracy. And through the democratic process, it is more easily accepted if it's understood that the majority want it ---more so, than if no one wants it, and it is forced upon them."
The President inquires, "Do you think you can provide the public with a quality product by election time this year?"
Stan smiles with confidence, " I believe the program will be ready by mid-summer." The President smiles, "So, this coming November we vote ---and stand prepared to accept what the majority will decide."
The President takes a gulp of water, "Is there any final thoughts on the matter?" Stan seems to zone into a more serious frame of mind than he has all evening, "As I've already said, there are those who prosper at the wrongs of the throngs of society, capitalizing on our social ills. There's been a resurgence of organized crime. Sadly enough, most of us have come to accept this. Well, I cannot except it. Those who, through the victimization of others, have prospered greatly, will no longer prosper. Some of you may think I'm going a bit overboard with all of this, but let me share something with you.
I was not going to mention it, but you have the right to know. It is not something that just affects me. We are in this together. It affects us all. There are groups out there who are trying to erode our society, the very fiber of that which holds us together. And lately, it has been working. For the past few days, I've found myself wearing down. Even during this telecast, I began to feel defensive and caught myself with an edge to my tone of voice. But I want everyone to know, I will not be defeated. I will fight for you, the people, even harder now."
The President voices his support, "I agree with you, Stan. I believe it is time you share it with the American people."
572
Stan takes a deep breath, "One of these groups is holding my fiancée hostage. And they are doing it under the guise of religion. Each day since her disappearance, I've been sending a million dollars, each day ---to guarantee her survival. You may ask, wouldn't the computer genius know who is extorting money from him? Yes, I quickly traced the account I was told to send the money to. I know who is behind it. But, I don't know where they are keeping my fiancée. That has become my own private torment. I imagine her crying out to me, desperately praying for me to come to her rescue. But, I can't! I don't know where she is. I seldom get more than an hour or two of sleep each night. I wake up perspiring heavily from my fitful sleep. I return to my computer, searching for a clue that perhaps they've left behind. So, you see, this is the ultimate reason I am driven to develop this program ---so this will never happen again, to anyone! This program is a good program. And I would have worked on this program anyway, but the intensity that I bring to the program, I have to admit, is because of what happened to my fiancée. It is my sincere hope that each of you could be spared an event like this. We should be able to wake up each morning and look upon the day with a bright outlook. I want each person's morning to be bright. That is why I've decided to call this project, Morning-Star. Actually, George and I had been working out details towards this end, for years. We've always believed that the idea behind a National I.D. was a good one. The torment of what I've suffered over the kidnapping of my finance' could have been avoided. But the program I'm developing goes way beyond that. There are many tragedies that could be avoided. Crime visits our many homes in a violent fashion daily. There is no time more pressing!"
573
XLII
For half a dozen months, Stan rarely sleeps more than a couple hours each night. Then on June 30th, Stan sleeps for eighteen hours. On July 1st, Stan is to meet with the twelve most loyal corporate heads of the conglomerate ---Star Corporation. The nation is about to celebrate Independence Day, but Stan wants to check to see if they all are still on the same page, after the great merger. Stan wants to see if anyone has any independent thoughts. For it to work, they have to all stand together.
The one who helped the most with heading up the project, the most senior member, stands, "I feel I'm not only speaking for myself, but for the entire group. I like being a light unto you, per se. I like the responsibility of representing you. I don't desire the freedoms inherent in separate corporations. I only desire to proudly represent you the best way I can. You've given us freedoms to everything there is within the new conglomerate. I am grateful for that. I've always looked forward to serving you. I'm happy and content with the corporate arrangement. Everything began with you. You built it up. We could never manage the corporation as you have. None of us have ever invested anything in the corporation, but we drink from the wells of prosperity. You've proven how much you care. How could we ever trust anyone else to handle the corporation as you have? You are the corporation! How can we not accept that? Our loyalty is to you ---to the corporation. I am who I am because of you. All my praise and thanks go out to you."
The group stands. They all applaud. There is nothing more anyone can say. They all stand in agreement. Stan smiles. It touches his inner most pride, "It is a pleasure to work with the likes of men such as you. It is a pleasure to be the recipient of such loyalty and gratitude."
************
In the following months, the economy makes a small recovery, investing in the faith of Stan. It is a fair autumn. There is a bit of uneasiness, but mostly guarded optimism. They are eager for Stan's plan. They have faith in Stan. They are just uncertain how they can trust each other.
574
**********
It is less than a month before the election. Then, without warning, all at once ---it happens! After 42 months of world peace, the entire world falls into chaos.
The world will never forget it. Etched into everyone's minds, it appears across computer screens ---across the world. The man sits cross-legged. He has a covering upon his head. His eyes are concealed behind tinted glasses. His face is covered by a long scraggly grey beard.
He speaks English ---good English. The accent is unrecognizable, probably intentionally. He is an educated man. His message is clear, "In forty-five minutes, the Freedom Tower in New York City will be destroyed. That should get your attention! Go ahead, get to it! Do what you are trained to do! I will wait for you to complete your response ...then I have more important things to discuss with you."
Many of the heroes of September 11th, 2001 are still alive. Only a few are still employed in the same capacity, but those few have provided the highest degree of leadership. And today, they will lead again. The rescue teams spring into action. The Freedom Tower must be evacuated at once! There is no time to lose! Every person must be accounted for.
The beauty of everyone working together for one common purpose, and willing to give their lives to save others ---proves to be successful. The Freedom Tower blows up ---but remarkably, no one is inside. No one is injured.
The old grey bearded man waits on the screen. At the fifty minute mark, the Freedom Tower is totally leveled. The bearded man speaks, "Good job! You have done well. Now you realize why you are a chosen people. No one else in the world springs into action like you do. Good job! You have proven worthy of my next task. You have self-appointed yourself as the watchdogs of the world. You carry the humanitarian banner. But now, you also carry the war banner. Someone has now declared war on the world. You don't know who it is ---you don't know who I am. Don't try to find me. You won't be able to."
575
*****************
Stan has already tried to track the computer message. He sits in front of his screen, as others across the nation sit in front of theirs. But it is more haunting for Stan. Stan doesn't know who the bearded man is, but he knows the bearded man's words are directed at him.
The bearded man continues, "Stan, I'm sure you've already discovered this is a timed message. I am nowhere near the location where this message was entered. Enough about me, how are you doing? Don't lose your focus now. I have confidence in the people of your country. I know they are capable of great things. I was confident the Freedom Tower would be successfully evacuated. I am also confident that you, Stan, will successfully help lead your nation. Your people are accustomed to carrying the banner of peace, not of war. Other nations of the world look to you for guidance during times of peace and during times of war. These other nations are being hit hard by biological agents. They need your help! Don't let them down ---they're counting on you. Carry on the peace, Stan, the war will take its own course. Don't try to fight a war you don't even understand. Preserve the peace. No ruler, whether it be King or Queen, Caliph or Chief, Czar or Zealot, President, Pontiff, or Potiphar ---has ever been able to rally the people, to rally nations, as you have. Preserve the peace, Stan."
Stan checks all his international communications. Schools, universities, and hospitals around the world are reporting the spread of biological agents reaching epidemic proportions.
The moment George Olitz had passed away, corporate ownership, along with all the wealth, had transferred over to Stan. And just recently Stan had bought two of the largest drug companies, to merge with the largest, which he already owned. Stan contacts the company to increase the production of Cipro. The news media had just confirmed that Anthrax is spreading throughout Central and South America.
The next wave of reports come from South and Southeast Asia, including the islands of Indonesia. The rapid spread of smallpox raises havoc in that area of the world. Then a double-whammy, when SARDS is identified in several heavily populated areas.
576
Next, Africa reports in. They have not yet identified what is suddenly plaguing their most populated areas, but from the description of it, the medical experts say they have an idea.
Stan notifies them that his company will send someone out there to verify it. And they will bring with them the expected drug so they can begin treating it ---if their guess is correct.
The worst reports are those coming in from New Zealand, Australia, the Soviet Republic, and throughout all of Europe. The early accounts are scattered and confusing, but the experts soon verify it as the most deadly version of Missionary Dysentery, or as some call it, Island Sickness ...which had previously been isolated on the islands of Indonesia, and had only been treated successfully on Missionary Island.
When Stephen Razohn had come down with Missionary Dysentery, they had begun experimenting with new treatments for it on Missionary Island. But even before that, George had tried for years to work with Missionary Island. The problem was Rebekkah's son, Stephen Tressel. Stephen had too many reservations about drug companies. He would not work with George. He said that the disease was limited to the islands of Indonesia, and they were more than adequately taking care of it within their hospital. But now, Stan was confident that he could convince Stephen otherwise. With such a horrific outbreak of epidemic proportions, how could he be denied?
Stan tries to get in touch with Missionary Island, but he can't reach anyone. He keeps trying with no success. So finally, in a fit of frustration, he decides to fly to Missionary Island.
On the flight there, Stan reaches the President. The President is pleased to hear of the drug production that Stan has already stepped up. The President asks, "Do you have any idea who this grey bearded man is? Or why he is focusing so directly on you?"
Stan hesitates, "No, I wish I had some idea who this character is. He may be tied to the ones who kidnapped my fiancée. That's why I'm not sending someone else on this trip. If there is a connection, I want to deal with this character myself. The only reason I can see why he's focusing on me, is to rattle me into reacting irrationally. Everyone knows the unity I've helped establish from nation to nation. He's wrong if he thinks he can disrupt that unity. Some changes will have to be made, but we will continue our resolve. In the face of adversity, we will only get stronger."
577
As they land on Missionary Island, Stan immediately gets a lump in his throat. He swallows hard. There is a Clipper ship sitting in the harbor. But no sign of what happened here. There is absolutely no sign of anyone ---anywhere. Not a single person is on the island.
Stan gets a very disturbing feeling. He had taken a small army with him, as a precautionary measure. He wanted protection in case something went wrong. But no army could protect him from an invisible war ---a war of the mind. His mood picks up a bit when a couple of his soldiers find a mammoth stockpile of the raw material used to combat Missionary Dysentery. It wouldn't take long to mass produce the drug, and make it available to the masses.
XLIII
Just days before the election, the President and Stan coordinate steps. They will be on different parts of the globe, but both will be televised. The President leaves Mexico City, then arrives in Columbia. Stan has already visited Paris, Rome, and Baghdad. He is in flight to Israel, when he tunes in to the President.
The President is about to broadcast his humanitarian relief effort to hospitals in Columbia, when he gets a report that hospitals and schools throughout the United States are being targeted with biological attacks. 578
The President addresses the nations, "I believe we have had a great success here and throughout the globe. We've been able to stem this wave of terrorism. Do we believe this would be the end? ---No. We should be on high alert and be continually prepared to rally to the cause of helping our dear neighbors. We have stood ready, not knowing where they will attack next. All along, we expected this. We never thought we'd be exempt. I've just been given a report that they've targeted hospitals and schools back in the U.S. ---so, I'm convinced they will stop at nothing. But we will not stop either. I've already called for an immediate evacuation of all schools and hospitals. We are going to transfer all medical operations to mobile units and also set up stationary operations in our local churches. I am calling upon all the local churches in cities throughout the nation to not only reach out to provide availability of their buildings, but also to provide around the clock prayer vigils."
The President hesitates, as if to reflect, "I've learned a valuable lesson in the past few days. We've tried to combat terrorism and be the protector of the earth, but we alone can not do it. And I don't mean we, as the United States, but we, as nations of the earth, can not do it. We cannot do it together as we resolved to do it. We cannot establish a lasting world peace. We need to pray to the Essence, to guide us in the steps we must take. Perhaps the steps you are to take are the steps to the voting booth. We've also transferred those to the local churches. That's what we, in the U.S., will be doing tomorrow. Perhaps every nation throughout the earth will gather their own people together and find similar solutions ---perhaps the same solution. We have reached out to you in a time of real need. This is not a fleeting moment of compassion, affirming ourselves. We have demonstrated a commitment and are prepared to stand with you."
"This is Jan Lather, reporting to you with the President, from Columbia. Now we will take you to the Middle East, where Stan Olitz is standing by."
Stan is aboard a flying platform that has landed on a small plateau in a barren area, surrounded down below by a large gathering of people wrapped in cloths, dirty and torn. To many, it is a rather hideous sight, but to Stan it is an opportunity. This is being taped for live coverage. The camera spans to a crudely constructed sign below. It reads: Leper Colony.
Stan is helping distribute food and basic medical supplies, including bandages and ointments. This is Stan's backdrop, as he is being televised, "It is difficult enough dealing with all that happens naturally, without terrorism. We need to help each other endure through the natural disasters, not create more for ourselves by reeking havoc on each other."
579
The camera focuses in on this picture of frantic desperation, as the supplies are being received within the colony. They tear open the supply bundles for temporary inspection with an outright display of mistrust. It is an intense moment, very newsworthy and one that tugs at the heartstrings.
As they complete the shoot and prepare to pack up and leave, Stan places a call to the President. The President is eager to hear from Stan, "How was your trip, Stan?"
Stan looks again towards the sickly crowd below, hidden beneath their own obvious hideousness, clothes draped over their heads, "We're just about to leave this colony in Israel. We just heard about it and I thought it would be great for the American people to see. This is really disturbing. I can't believe areas allow themselves to regress, to isolate themselves from the technologies and modern medicines of the world. How they choose to live like this, I will never understand. It's been hundreds of years, you'd think no one would have to live like this. It reminds me of the movie, 'Ben-Hur'. That used to be one of my favorite movies."
The President recalls, "Wasn't that the guy who used to represent the National Rifle Association?"
Stan affirms, "Yes, he first became popular by doing all those movies about Bible characters."
The President adds, "That's right ---I remember him now. Ben-Hur was about that Jesus character, wasn't it?"
Stan affirms, "That's the one. It used to be a classic."
The President is curious, "So, that was one of your childhood favorites, huh? Did you used to believe in that Bible stuff?"
Stan hesitates, "Well, my dad, George, used to pretend to believe in it. So I just sort of went through the motions with him."
The President sighs, "Well, I'm ready to go through the motions of sleep. I'm going to request not to be disturbed. There will be plenty to take care of when we get back home. See you back in the States."
Stan adds, "Don't forget to vote tomorrow, Mr. President."
580
***************
As the flying platform takes off, Stan takes one last aerial view of the long line of lepers, carrying supplies across a rocky terrain and through a narrow passageway cut between a face of steep rock. A small child is lagging behind, barely able to carry the load.
Stan hopes to carry the image that the world can still be provided for. This will do well to show the world who to put there trust in.
In perspective, Stan realizes that he has been well-provided for. He is very thankful for the inheritance that George has left him. He can't imagine having to live any other way, let alone living in a colony of lepers. They have no idea what comfort life can provide.
As the flying platform travels out-of-view to a location where Stan's jet awaits, an older person waits for the small child at the end of the line. The older person also carries a bundle, yet politely looks back to see how the child is managing. Encouraging speech travels from the woman to the small child, "Many times people think we are ignorant because we choose not to live like others. But we know what life is about if we understand our inheritance."
The small child asks, "What is ignorant?"
The Mom laughs, "Most children your age would rather ask what inheritance is."
The child stops, drops his bundle, and pulls back his head covering, catching a slight breeze and revealing a smile, "I know what inheritance is."
The Mom stops and drops her bundle also, explaining, "Well, ignorant means having lack of knowledge in a particular area. You can be ignorant in one area, yet have much knowledge in another. Ignorance is not necessarily a bad thing. It can be a help to be ignorant to the ways of the world. But sadly, the ways of the world are mostly ignorant to the inheritance that could be theirs ---through Jesus."
The small boy scratches the top of his head, "I know about Jesus, but I think I'm still ignorant about ignorant."
The small boy picks up his bundle again. A much older boy comes into view, carrying a much heavier load, "Let me take your burden, little brother. Seems like you already have a heavy load to carry ---on your mind."
581
The older brother grabs his young brother's bundle, "I don't really understand it either, Mom. Isn't it sometimes good to have knowledge of the ways of the world?”
The Mom wants to test the older son's understanding, "How do you mean?"
The older son explains, "Well, if you know of something bad, then maybe you can help stop the bad thing."
The Mom answers simply, "That is true."
The younger son looks up to Mom in confusion, "Then why didn't we stop the bad things from happening?"
The Mom attempts to talk on both of their levels, "It's like the story book about the 'bully'. He needs extra special prayer because as bad as he seems, what he really needs is to take to heart the story of Jesus. But if the bully begins doing some really bad things, we try to stop it. We've created a sort of dilemma here. Are we to say that prayer alone isn't enough? In some circumstances it seems we need to try to put action to our prayer."
The older son asks, "How do we know when to pray and when to take action?"
The Mom sighs, "Yes, that's a difficult one. It's kind of like the serenity prayer: To change the things we can, to accept that which we cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference. But we can always pray."
She takes another deep breath, "The sad part is when someone like your younger brother has to witness all this. It is so tragic when young children have to witness the horrors of war, and the oppression it brings. And it is usually the result of wealth and the governments that cater to it. Children who grow up with war and oppression, often eventually adopt the anger, hate, and ideals of those around them. They don't often learn the pathway to peace, but instead travel the nightmarish path of their past experiences and upbringing."
The Mom pats her youngest son on the top of his head and ruffles up his already ruffled hair, "You give your precious mind a little rest, I'm going to test your older brother's thinking."
The older son laughs, "Remember, I'm not supposed to look at it as a test. I'm supposed to welcome the opportunity for more creative thinking."
The Mom laughs too, "Sorry, you're right. Let me encourage you along. You're a well-educated young man, I ask you, what business has grossed the second largest amount of income last year?"
The oldest son answers, "The drug business?"
582
The Mom clarifies, "Correct. And by that, you mean the transfer of illegal drugs." The son politely responds, "Yes, that's what I meant."
The Mom carries it further, "So, the two top businesses in the nation we've just fled …are actually illegal businesses, which makes it terribly nonproductive for a nation's health and economy. Yet there are legal businesses which are all too similar to that ---selling out to other nations whose governments' primary concern is not the welfare of their people. It can be said that the way those people are treated is inhumane, actually criminal …and that would lead one to believe that any nation associated economically with those nations are one in the same …as they are a party to it."
He is confused, "Why did we leave our country? Why didn't we just stay and fight for what we believe in?"
She is pleased to have her son's undivided attention, "I don't believe we abandoned our country …they abandoned us. But, here's my question to you: If your neighbor was one of the biggest drug dealers and you had word that a huge drug deal was going to take place next door, would you report it?"
The son adjusts the bundle on his shoulder, standing more upright, "Well, yes!"
The Mom adds, "But you'd hope that the authorities wouldn't just stroll next door and say that they received word that the big drug transaction is going to happen tomorrow …and ask them if it is true. You would hope they would stake it out, and catch them without revealing the source of who had tipped them off."
The older son gives feedback to his understanding, "If they questioned them the day before, then I'd say the drug drop would not take place. And I would probably be a target for having reported it."
The younger son had not given his ears a rest. The small boy tries to sound not so small, "But wouldn't you feel good about telling?"
The Mom explains, "It's important how and when you tell. If you don't go about it wisely, then they may just find another way. And the other way may be worse."
583
They pass through the narrow passageway through the steep canyon walls. Within the huge rock face is the entrance to a cave. There is a small light ahead.
Mom sheds her outer garment of rags, letting the hem down on her clean white linen, "Likewise, this mayhem would have found another way. The stakes are so high, the damage would've still been done. Trying to stop him now, will perhaps only make matters worse. But on the other hand, what could be worse than the deception the world now faces?"
The small boy doesn't ask about the steaks costing so much. He feels content to hold onto the hem of his Mom's clean garment as they walk towards the light, growing brighter with each step. The Mom places her bundle down within the well-lit room.
The older son drops both of his bundles beside a pile of soiled and tattered outer garments. They gather around with the others. The bright lights of the cameras center in on a bearded person sitting cross-legged on the floor as they create one more segment for the world to see.
As one of the most negative images of recent times, the bearded person speaks again, "This is the very last time I will make an appearance. I will share with you the most devastating bit of news yet. And I will also reveal to you who I am."
584
XLIV
This day following the election, the President and Stan join together standing hand-in-hand, celebrating the election results. With hands raised upward, they step forward.
Stan then takes a step back as the President approaches the podium alone, "The threat of terrorism is ever increasing, but America will not be defeated. Each and every American that went to the polls yesterday, demonstrated their resolve to fight for our rights as Americans. And that was the first step ---a very crucial step. The second and third steps are what I consider critical to our survival. The most urgent is to preserve our food and drinking water. We are asking everyone to access our food supply centers for their drinking water. Also treated as an emergency, we are putting all our effort into getting our hospitals running, without threat of terrorism. Next comes the reason why you voted. I know each and every one of you don't want to live like this forever. And that's why you voted to accept the plan Stan has promised you. My part is to help ease the facilitation of the plan. I am reinstituting the draft. All eighteen and nineteen year olds must report. I am asking your sons and daughters to help. Some will be needed overseas to help combat this sudden terrorist threat that we have identified at several key locations across the globe. But more will be needed right here in our own nation to help set up Stan's computerized program at all food centers and hospitals, both of which will be heavily guarded. This program will involve only one simple insert. But with that insert you will insert the most technologically advanced security system of all time. There is nothing you can do that is more secure for you and your loved ones than this system. And it will guarantee we will never have to go through this again. It is a pathway to restoring unto you that which you once had ---that which you deserve, as Americans."
585
At the completion of the President's message, something remarkable happens. Something rather shocking! Over the computer screens, the old grey bearded terrorist ---as he is known by ---sits cross-legged, giving a different sort of message, "I am not a terrorist. I merely intercepted the information and tried to warn you of what may happen. Now it's your turn to decide, whether you believe me. When faced with fear, you don't know who to trust, having long since abandoned the One you should've trusted. It didn't just happen overnight; it's been a long time coming. Have you accepted the life you now have because it prospers you? Is it a life of quiet comfort, steeped up with compromise …compromising the very foundations of what you once claimed to believe in? Do you want to hear this? Are you willing to admit you could have been led astray? You must decide! Do you want to face the truth? Do you want to face me?"
The veil is removed, per se. The old grey tattered beard is ripped off. The head covering is removed, revealing long silky black hair. Then the tinted glasses come off. They are not the cold, hard eyes of a terrorist. They are soft eyes, filled with compassion. The eyes of Lisa Stone.
Lisa continues to talk, "You must decide. But it's not a fair decision unless you have the facts. I know you want to listen to Stan ---because you are scared and he's promising to make it better for you. But do you know, Stan was scared once too? He was just a young innocent child when faced with the cruel fact that his family had been lost in a fire. But he had someone promising to make it better for him. That someone was George Olitz. George had always strived for a better life for himself. For George, better meant more ---more money. But don't take my word for it. I'm through here, for now. I'll let someone else clear up that part of the deception."
Leah Razohn appears across the computer screen, "Stan, you've told everyone you've been paying a million dollars per day to keep me, your fiancée, alive. Well, I don't want that lie to be kept alive. I shed my tears when I learned of the deception. I did love you, Stan. But, I know you didn't love me. The ultimate horror is love that deceives ---because that is not love at all. I admit, it took me a while to get over it, but we don't drink from the same cup, Stan. And this is what each of you must decide for yourselves: From what cup do you drink? What cup do you want to reach for when you are thirsty? What fills you up?"
Leah reaches out her hand and pulls Shannon into view, "At one point in time, I thought I had made a mistake about you too, Stan. But I am so thankful that my sister never married you. But enough of that! It's not so important that the nation, and the world, see that neither of us are the least bit interested in you. That is not important. What is important is that everyone see the truth, so they can choose to embrace it."
586
Sweeney is the next to speak across the screen, "Dad, you will now join the rest of the nation, in viewing a significant piece of evidence. There are only three copies of the expanded version of this piece of evidence. I have one copy, Lisa Stone has a copy, and the final copy was sent to Stan when the rest of the world saw the more limited version of Rebekkah Lessert's last will and testament. We will now all see what Stan had already seen back then. Dad, I want you to see it because I love you. I want you to see what any of us may have become, if we'd had the means to achieve it."
The tape of Rebekkah is presented across the computer screen, "You've all had the opportunity to see my first version of my last will and testament. Now, I'd like you to view another version. The last time I talked with you, I merely explained the dispensing of my fortune. That will not change. But now, I will further detail the 'why' aspect of my decision. George, oh, George, I know you are deteriorating quickly. You probably won't even understand. Alzheimer's disease is such a sad thing. I send my sympathy to you, Stan. And since George's condition is such as it is, I guess I am really leaving my inheritance to you, Stan. But, be as it may, I did not leave my inheritance to George because he has been a good, long-time friend. To many of you, it will seem just like that. But you will be wrong if you guess that to be the reason. I've tortured myself many times over the very reasons why I've done the things I've done. But I've found out that I was not the only one bent on seeking out my torment. It is rather frightening to think that the only kindness George has shown was for the purpose of manipulation. All of his relationships have been based on manipulation, deceitfulness, or abusiveness. For a long time now, George has been a sick man. Now, he is a dying man, but he's been a sick man for most of his life. Finding this out did not make my life any more complete. No satisfaction came to me through these revelations. I would have felt fulfilled and satisfied without ever having knowledge of what recently was revealed to me. Though some things are not for our personal well-being, they may be for the benefit of others. What it did for me was not for my benefit. What it did for me was make me angry. All my years, I fought for what I believed in. Much of that time I spent in anger. I felt vengeful and struggled with what areas of my life I let that anger funnel into. Until I just recently discovered the real George Olitz. Suddenly, vengeance had a name. I decided to leave the inheritance to George Olitz as my last act of vengeance. I wanted George to feel the torment, and the pain of the inheritance. It has been the worst thing for me, to hold onto it, and continue to try to hold onto it. And I didn't even suspect all who tried to take it from me ...and I certainly didn't suspect a good, long-time friend. But when one microscopic piece of information came my way, it was one piece in a very disturbing puzzle."
587
The President had asked not to be disturbed, as he and Stan enter private quarters for a celebratory dinner.
As an Aide to the President tries to get clearance to enter that dinner, the rest of the nation continues to watch their computer screens as Rebekkah's taped message continues, "It wasn't difficult at that point to piece the puzzle together. George used people he felt he could have control over. Why a person is that way, I don't know ---or maybe I do. At times I felt like my whole life was out-of-control, so I attempted to control it. I disregarded God's wisdom by attempting to do what I felt God should be doing. George, on the other hand, did things that you would think no respectful God-fearing man would do. I'm thankful that God did not allow my anger to reach that point in my life. There are certain things George did that we will never know about. Nor do we need to know about them. There are certain secrets that many of us take to the grave with us. Only God knows about those things."
XlV
Yes, only God knows how tightly woven are the combined secrets of the multitude. It is all called unconfessed sin. And for those who refuse to acknowledge it, it grows undetected for the most part. When it does rear its ugly head, much of the time it is greeted with denial and plain old blame-shifting. Sin begins when life is not God-centered. Now there is a big difference between what may be considered 'good'-centered and God-centered. There are many good men in the world. And it appears most everyone considers Stan one of the 'good men'. Like many highly esteemed people, he had to overcome a huge tragedy in his life …but, most would say that Stan's character developed along with an appreciation of George's commitment to him, offering good guidance and direction. Many would say that was the primary factor in developing the depth of character that most everyone appreciated in Stan.
XLVI
Rebekkah's presentation continues, marking evidence she had uncovered, "I had no trace to the Doctor who had kept my son on that dreaded 4th floor. But I did have availability of certain information concerning the trace amounts of the drug in my son's system. And it was the same drug used on me, to slow my recovery after my daughter was born. Yes, I, Rebekkah Lessert, am Sarah Tressel. And I am now sending a copy of my book, So Loved, to my son as an explanation. It may not be a satisfactory one, but it is as I saw life at the time."
Rebekkah wipes a tear from her eye, still greatly affected by her past experiences, "The Doctor had left the country each time, taking on a new name and identity. I couldn't track him down until I realized I was tracing the wrong thing. I needed to trace the drug. Certain Doctors get used to using certain drugs, and they often stick with the same drug companies. The Doctors get familiar with these drugs, and they prescribe them in like doses and in like combinations with other drugs. It's like a blueprint of the Doctor's preferred choices, the Doctor's prescribed comfort. I ran a computer check and got a couple dozen Doctors who came close to my blueprint. The thing that got my attention most, was that three of the Doctors were at the same facility. But what shocked me the most was the name of the facility ---Huron Valley Center prison. And they were practicing under the direction of Frank Bodin. But more importantly, my best friend's son was working there. Frank covered his tracks fairly well. I was convinced that he was the same Doctor I'd been looking for, but my suspicions were too loose. The facts were not enough to convince anyone, but I was convinced. I was certain that he was involved in other illegal activity also. Those who do great wrongs, are usually guilty on many levels. But I needed help to prove that. And that's where Lisa Stone came in."
As an Aide to the President tries to get clearance to enter that dinner, the rest of the nation continues to watch their computer screens as Rebekkah's taped message continues, "It wasn't difficult at that point to piece the puzzle together. George used people he felt he could have control over. Why a person is that way, I don't know ---or maybe I do. At times I felt like my whole life was out-of-control, so I attempted to control it. I disregarded God's wisdom by attempting to do what I felt God should be doing. George, on the other hand, did things that you would think no respectful God-fearing man would do. I'm thankful that God did not allow my anger to reach that point in my life. There are certain things George did that we will never know about. Nor do we need to know about them. There are certain secrets that many of us take to the grave with us. Only God knows about those things."
XlV
Yes, only God knows how tightly woven are the combined secrets of the multitude. It is all called unconfessed sin. And for those who refuse to acknowledge it, it grows undetected for the most part. When it does rear its ugly head, much of the time it is greeted with denial and plain old blame-shifting. Sin begins when life is not God-centered. Now there is a big difference between what may be considered 'good'-centered and God-centered. There are many good men in the world. And it appears most everyone considers Stan one of the 'good men'. Like many highly esteemed people, he had to overcome a huge tragedy in his life …but, most would say that Stan's character developed along with an appreciation of George's commitment to him, offering good guidance and direction. Many would say that was the primary factor in developing the depth of character that most everyone appreciated in Stan.
588
Whether it was Stan's character helping him overcome the tragedy, or the tragedy helping Stan develop his depth of character ---either way, there was no one more highly esteemed than Stan.
Along with George's guidance, there seemed to be an overall striving within Stan towards the 'good' of all men. George guided Stan into successfully overcoming tragedy, and George believed an entire nation could also benefit this way. George believed a nation could become strong through being tested, and overcoming hardship and tragedy …history has proven it. But George also believed that tragedy was often necessary, and strength of character couldn't be achieved without it. He might even consider helping it along, for the greater 'good' of mankind ... or at least for his greater 'good'. And everyone else would experience the hardship and tragedy, not him.
This is what he taught Stan, along with always maintaining the image …and not a person could be found that did not imagine that Stan was a 'good' man. It was all Stan was taught, and it was all he knew ...so, quite naturally, he also believed in the concept.
But what did George believe? What was George taught in his youth while his character was developing?
George was taught that if something goes wrong, you cover it up. But that did not mean ---covered with love and forgiveness. No, it was to be covered by lies.
George was taught that lies were sometimes also for the benefit of society ...and in those cases, it wasn't even considered a lie.
What was this special attention that George had always thrived for? The family didn't really want to give George the special attention. It was much easier to just attend to the lies …and see to it that they distance themselves from him and his peculiar ways. But early on, it was quite difficult to achieve this.
Both of George's parents were business-centered. In his early teens, George was encouraged to persist with his studies. He was a bright boy and was expected to follow in the footsteps of his parents. Early on, they were grooming him for the business world. But no one was stressing family values, a sense of morality, nor any mention of God. Without God, there is no standard. Soon any sense of morality changes. By the time God enters in, the standard has been so lost that it would take a real commitment and desire to follow Jesus, to gain back what was lost. But George accepted in name only. And all the teaching merely stressed the many aspects of God's love, not God's righteousness. So George held a standard different than God's true standard. He had no trouble holding others to a standard, but the standard for himself hid behind a mask of denial ---further masking his own guilt.
589
Where did it all start? Was it the training up a child in the way he should go …grooming him for the business world? Or was it the total lack of interest in George as a person? Or more accurately perhaps, was it the total disregard for the Person of God?
When George was old enough to know better, his aunt and uncle would frequently take their 10 year-old daughter, Callula, in public with them. People would comment on how attractive she was. Not cute, or even pretty, but attractive. They would comment on how she could possibly be a model some day. But the moment Callula would begin talking, you could tell she would never become a model. She had what you would call …severe mental retardation.
The Olitz family was a proud family. They stopped taking Callula out in public, so the only time she could be around other people was during family gatherings. During these gatherings the adults would all talk business. And the youth would talk about …whatever the youth would talk about.
George's cousin liked him. She was content to sit quietly and listen while George did the talking. But sometimes neither one would talk. And George showed Callula things she had never before seen.
With her mental retardation, Callula was just like a child ---a much younger child. She would share the excitement of new things, but only with George. He'd told her it was their own private secret …and no one would know because they were all quite busy with their business.
The now annual gatherings seemed so far away for Callula. She had a difficult time keeping the secret private. But she knew that she didn't want to share it with anyone in the family.
When she was 13 years old, she began exploring with the boy down the street. He was caught and sent to youth prison. Callula was sent to a mental institution. There they found out she was pregnant. To avoid public criticism, and a media blitz of attention, they quietly had her have her baby girl.
Both of Callula's parents continued to work, and hired a nanny to take care of the child, named Khaki Mae. Callula never did well around babies, so it wasn't until Khaki Mae's 5th birthday that they decided to have Callula rejoin the family gathering. Everyone was talking business again. The get-together seemed to go well enough …until a few months later, when the mental institution informed the Olitz family that Callula was pregnant again.
Whether it was Stan's character helping him overcome the tragedy, or the tragedy helping Stan develop his depth of character ---either way, there was no one more highly esteemed than Stan.
Along with George's guidance, there seemed to be an overall striving within Stan towards the 'good' of all men. George guided Stan into successfully overcoming tragedy, and George believed an entire nation could also benefit this way. George believed a nation could become strong through being tested, and overcoming hardship and tragedy …history has proven it. But George also believed that tragedy was often necessary, and strength of character couldn't be achieved without it. He might even consider helping it along, for the greater 'good' of mankind ... or at least for his greater 'good'. And everyone else would experience the hardship and tragedy, not him.
This is what he taught Stan, along with always maintaining the image …and not a person could be found that did not imagine that Stan was a 'good' man. It was all Stan was taught, and it was all he knew ...so, quite naturally, he also believed in the concept.
But what did George believe? What was George taught in his youth while his character was developing?
George was taught that if something goes wrong, you cover it up. But that did not mean ---covered with love and forgiveness. No, it was to be covered by lies.
George was taught that lies were sometimes also for the benefit of society ...and in those cases, it wasn't even considered a lie.
What was this special attention that George had always thrived for? The family didn't really want to give George the special attention. It was much easier to just attend to the lies …and see to it that they distance themselves from him and his peculiar ways. But early on, it was quite difficult to achieve this.
Both of George's parents were business-centered. In his early teens, George was encouraged to persist with his studies. He was a bright boy and was expected to follow in the footsteps of his parents. Early on, they were grooming him for the business world. But no one was stressing family values, a sense of morality, nor any mention of God. Without God, there is no standard. Soon any sense of morality changes. By the time God enters in, the standard has been so lost that it would take a real commitment and desire to follow Jesus, to gain back what was lost. But George accepted in name only. And all the teaching merely stressed the many aspects of God's love, not God's righteousness. So George held a standard different than God's true standard. He had no trouble holding others to a standard, but the standard for himself hid behind a mask of denial ---further masking his own guilt.
589
Where did it all start? Was it the training up a child in the way he should go …grooming him for the business world? Or was it the total lack of interest in George as a person? Or more accurately perhaps, was it the total disregard for the Person of God?
When George was old enough to know better, his aunt and uncle would frequently take their 10 year-old daughter, Callula, in public with them. People would comment on how attractive she was. Not cute, or even pretty, but attractive. They would comment on how she could possibly be a model some day. But the moment Callula would begin talking, you could tell she would never become a model. She had what you would call …severe mental retardation.
The Olitz family was a proud family. They stopped taking Callula out in public, so the only time she could be around other people was during family gatherings. During these gatherings the adults would all talk business. And the youth would talk about …whatever the youth would talk about.
George's cousin liked him. She was content to sit quietly and listen while George did the talking. But sometimes neither one would talk. And George showed Callula things she had never before seen.
With her mental retardation, Callula was just like a child ---a much younger child. She would share the excitement of new things, but only with George. He'd told her it was their own private secret …and no one would know because they were all quite busy with their business.
The now annual gatherings seemed so far away for Callula. She had a difficult time keeping the secret private. But she knew that she didn't want to share it with anyone in the family.
When she was 13 years old, she began exploring with the boy down the street. He was caught and sent to youth prison. Callula was sent to a mental institution. There they found out she was pregnant. To avoid public criticism, and a media blitz of attention, they quietly had her have her baby girl.
Both of Callula's parents continued to work, and hired a nanny to take care of the child, named Khaki Mae. Callula never did well around babies, so it wasn't until Khaki Mae's 5th birthday that they decided to have Callula rejoin the family gathering. Everyone was talking business again. The get-together seemed to go well enough …until a few months later, when the mental institution informed the Olitz family that Callula was pregnant again.
590
They asked if the family had any insight into that. The Olitz family nearly incited a riot, assuming one of the staff at the facility as the guilty party. They threatened to sue and even hired a private investigator to try to prove the criminal offense. But the guilty party happened to come from ---Khaki Mae's birthday party. The blood type matched 22 year-old George.
The family was certain to keep this silent. They were a proud family. They would handle this within the family. And since George had committed the offense, it was George's parents who hired a nanny to take care of the baby boy.
To take care of George was a separate manner. Everything wasn't on the up and up with the Olitz businesses. But, to conduct business, they couldn't afford to have a liability such as George ...so he was sent packing. There was an associate who had a similar problem with their son ...and had taken shockingly drastic measures with their teenager. George's parents decided to use scare tactics with their own son ...even though he was already a young adult. They didn't know much about the secret and internal effect it had upon their associate's son ...they just saw the life lesson of what they saw as a successful doctor, who they felt had turned his life around.
But, scare tactics often don't work ...and could make matters even worse, having an opposite of desired effect. And the potential problems could, in fact, double. Well, with the renegade doctor and George having made an acquaintance ...it more than doubled. The doctor and George both just learned the worst from each other ...and any bad experiences they had, they just inflicted that same pain or worse upon others.
For the Olitz family, it was rather convenient not having George around. The nanny not only took care of the baby boy, she also cleaned and cooked for the whole family. This worked out quite well for several years, up until Larry's First Communion at the Catholic church. They invited Callula for the event, and that proved to be a mistake. Larry didn't seem the same after that. Of course, it was not an error in judgment on their part. They blamed it instead on the nanny. The nanny was readily fired, and they looked for alternative family options for Larry.
A well-meaning young couple from church, Mr. and Mrs. Leper, who couldn't have children of their own, were interested in the young boy. They felt foster care was the answer. Larry even took on their name.
Meanwhile, George is very familiar with the renegade doctor's methods. George witnesses the extent of what people will go through when they are truly desperate. One particular client, peeks his interest. The Tressels have much power and influence, but when power equates to money, the hard lesson is that money can't buy everything. Yet, potential promises can drain much power …through deliberate and well-calculated deceit. George seizes the moment with an unexpected turn …turning Richard's and his parent's death, into a triumphant of opportunistic circumstances.
George then exposes the Doctor, acting as a savior, while rescuing Richard's wife. The Doctor splits before the authorities can catch up with him. Sarah is grateful, and befriends George as a lifetime friend. Unaware that George is fueling her every fear, she takes his advice and changes her name to Rebekkah. They keep in close contact from that moment on. But the contact is at George's convenience …and he secretly and conveniently often travels back to his birthplace, where he birthed most of his trouble.
591
Meanwhile, the young couple from church that had taken Larry were well-meaning, but not well-adjusted. Soon the couple admits that they can no longer handle the boy. The Olitz family does not waste time finding a well-suited group home. It was not well-monitored though. That suited Larry fine, until the unwanted visitor came. Though Larry did not welcome the visitor, the group home found him more than welcome. This individual and his family made large donations to the group home as charitable tax write-offs.
George was allowed to tour the group home to observe what programs the donations provided. But no one monitored what fearful programs George was running, during his every visit. Eventually, George's aunt and uncle tire of caring for Khaki Mae, sending her to that same group home. Strangely, she is housed with her brother …a brother she has no knowledge of, who, aside from those annual gatherings, is a stranger to her. Khaki Mae can't escape the torment of George's visits, but she never loses sight of her goal. One day she will become a nurse ---and help people. At least that is her dream.
George convinces himself that everything is under control. He typifies many a generation after generation of people who think nothing of shirking responsibility, with little or no acknowledgement of possible consequences associated with such behaviors. The truth is that George had arranged the disappearance of the Doctor he'd pretended to expose. The Doctor then practices in Europe under a new name, until George calls on him to return.
The Doctor's new assignment is to work on the experimental 4th floor of a mental institution where Rebekkah's son is being held. Nowhere on earth can a Doctor make this kind of money. And how convenient, that Khaki Mae works at that same facility, fulfilling her goal of becoming a nurse. George had made certain she got the job ...at the same hospital where her brother was a patient. George was very satisfied with himself, having everyone so neatly under his control, placing all his eggs in one basket, most of them cracked ---and Crazy Larry, occasionally fried.
George doesn't foresee the trouble his son is about to create, nor does he know precisely what Larry knows, but he knows Larry is creating too much difficulty. Rebekkah's son escapes, and the Doctor escapes back to Europe, assuming another new name. George sweats this one out, but then begins to feel good about himself. He feels he's off the hook again, and begins to feel he can get away with just about anything. There is no possible trace to him ---or if there is one, he has no knowledge of it.
592
They asked if the family had any insight into that. The Olitz family nearly incited a riot, assuming one of the staff at the facility as the guilty party. They threatened to sue and even hired a private investigator to try to prove the criminal offense. But the guilty party happened to come from ---Khaki Mae's birthday party. The blood type matched 22 year-old George.
The family was certain to keep this silent. They were a proud family. They would handle this within the family. And since George had committed the offense, it was George's parents who hired a nanny to take care of the baby boy.
To take care of George was a separate manner. Everything wasn't on the up and up with the Olitz businesses. But, to conduct business, they couldn't afford to have a liability such as George ...so he was sent packing. There was an associate who had a similar problem with their son ...and had taken shockingly drastic measures with their teenager. George's parents decided to use scare tactics with their own son ...even though he was already a young adult. They didn't know much about the secret and internal effect it had upon their associate's son ...they just saw the life lesson of what they saw as a successful doctor, who they felt had turned his life around.
But, scare tactics often don't work ...and could make matters even worse, having an opposite of desired effect. And the potential problems could, in fact, double. Well, with the renegade doctor and George having made an acquaintance ...it more than doubled. The doctor and George both just learned the worst from each other ...and any bad experiences they had, they just inflicted that same pain or worse upon others.
For the Olitz family, it was rather convenient not having George around. The nanny not only took care of the baby boy, she also cleaned and cooked for the whole family. This worked out quite well for several years, up until Larry's First Communion at the Catholic church. They invited Callula for the event, and that proved to be a mistake. Larry didn't seem the same after that. Of course, it was not an error in judgment on their part. They blamed it instead on the nanny. The nanny was readily fired, and they looked for alternative family options for Larry.
A well-meaning young couple from church, Mr. and Mrs. Leper, who couldn't have children of their own, were interested in the young boy. They felt foster care was the answer. Larry even took on their name.
Meanwhile, George is very familiar with the renegade doctor's methods. George witnesses the extent of what people will go through when they are truly desperate. One particular client, peeks his interest. The Tressels have much power and influence, but when power equates to money, the hard lesson is that money can't buy everything. Yet, potential promises can drain much power …through deliberate and well-calculated deceit. George seizes the moment with an unexpected turn …turning Richard's and his parent's death, into a triumphant of opportunistic circumstances.
George then exposes the Doctor, acting as a savior, while rescuing Richard's wife. The Doctor splits before the authorities can catch up with him. Sarah is grateful, and befriends George as a lifetime friend. Unaware that George is fueling her every fear, she takes his advice and changes her name to Rebekkah. They keep in close contact from that moment on. But the contact is at George's convenience …and he secretly and conveniently often travels back to his birthplace, where he birthed most of his trouble.
591
Meanwhile, the young couple from church that had taken Larry were well-meaning, but not well-adjusted. Soon the couple admits that they can no longer handle the boy. The Olitz family does not waste time finding a well-suited group home. It was not well-monitored though. That suited Larry fine, until the unwanted visitor came. Though Larry did not welcome the visitor, the group home found him more than welcome. This individual and his family made large donations to the group home as charitable tax write-offs.
George was allowed to tour the group home to observe what programs the donations provided. But no one monitored what fearful programs George was running, during his every visit. Eventually, George's aunt and uncle tire of caring for Khaki Mae, sending her to that same group home. Strangely, she is housed with her brother …a brother she has no knowledge of, who, aside from those annual gatherings, is a stranger to her. Khaki Mae can't escape the torment of George's visits, but she never loses sight of her goal. One day she will become a nurse ---and help people. At least that is her dream.
George convinces himself that everything is under control. He typifies many a generation after generation of people who think nothing of shirking responsibility, with little or no acknowledgement of possible consequences associated with such behaviors. The truth is that George had arranged the disappearance of the Doctor he'd pretended to expose. The Doctor then practices in Europe under a new name, until George calls on him to return.
The Doctor's new assignment is to work on the experimental 4th floor of a mental institution where Rebekkah's son is being held. Nowhere on earth can a Doctor make this kind of money. And how convenient, that Khaki Mae works at that same facility, fulfilling her goal of becoming a nurse. George had made certain she got the job ...at the same hospital where her brother was a patient. George was very satisfied with himself, having everyone so neatly under his control, placing all his eggs in one basket, most of them cracked ---and Crazy Larry, occasionally fried.
George doesn't foresee the trouble his son is about to create, nor does he know precisely what Larry knows, but he knows Larry is creating too much difficulty. Rebekkah's son escapes, and the Doctor escapes back to Europe, assuming another new name. George sweats this one out, but then begins to feel good about himself. He feels he's off the hook again, and begins to feel he can get away with just about anything. There is no possible trace to him ---or if there is one, he has no knowledge of it.
592
XLVI
Rebekkah's presentation continues, marking evidence she had uncovered, "I had no trace to the Doctor who had kept my son on that dreaded 4th floor. But I did have availability of certain information concerning the trace amounts of the drug in my son's system. And it was the same drug used on me, to slow my recovery after my daughter was born. Yes, I, Rebekkah Lessert, am Sarah Tressel. And I am now sending a copy of my book, So Loved, to my son as an explanation. It may not be a satisfactory one, but it is as I saw life at the time."
Rebekkah wipes a tear from her eye, still greatly affected by her past experiences, "The Doctor had left the country each time, taking on a new name and identity. I couldn't track him down until I realized I was tracing the wrong thing. I needed to trace the drug. Certain Doctors get used to using certain drugs, and they often stick with the same drug companies. The Doctors get familiar with these drugs, and they prescribe them in like doses and in like combinations with other drugs. It's like a blueprint of the Doctor's preferred choices, the Doctor's prescribed comfort. I ran a computer check and got a couple dozen Doctors who came close to my blueprint. The thing that got my attention most, was that three of the Doctors were at the same facility. But what shocked me the most was the name of the facility ---Huron Valley Center prison. And they were practicing under the direction of Frank Bodin. But more importantly, my best friend's son was working there. Frank covered his tracks fairly well. I was convinced that he was the same Doctor I'd been looking for, but my suspicions were too loose. The facts were not enough to convince anyone, but I was convinced. I was certain that he was involved in other illegal activity also. Those who do great wrongs, are usually guilty on many levels. But I needed help to prove that. And that's where Lisa Stone came in."
593
Rebekkah stands briefly, then sits back down, "I had already done my homework. Several of the prisoners were not merely mentally ill, but they were also a select group who had great talents. Some of them approached the genius of Stan Olitz, when it came to computers. And Frank was using them, as a means to further his needs through computer fraud. That's the charge Lisa Stone helped me get him on ---and he was convicted on it, and sent to prison. This time he would not leave from inside the prison walls ...he would be confined within them. But I felt Lisa's life had become increasingly more dangerous for her upon the conviction. She was to benefit from the Witness Protection Program, but she disappeared before they could arrange for her disappearance. I helped her disappear. We were not certain whether Frank Bodin had worked independently, for his own personal gain. But we were certain he had gained so much, he could easily pay someone to get revenge on Lisa for testifying."
You can tell making this tape was hard on Rebekkah. Her right eye begins to twitch. One would perhaps wonder whether she is going to have a stroke during this taping. You can tell it was bothering her.
She hits her eye a couple times with a brush of her hand, but she continues to focus on what she is driven to say, "As the years passed, my life did not fill itself with pleasantries. Tragedy after tragedy seemed to happen. The one person who had caused me so much pain, was locked up …but I was not satisfied. I tried to work on my own anger problem. Why were things continuing to happen? Maybe God was not pleased with me. That would be easy to imagine, since ---I was not pleased with myself. This sort of destructive thinking can follow you to the grave, and it nearly did. I sincerely felt my time had finally come …as I went to the hospital. But my time here on earth was obviously not complete. That's when it finally happened!"
Rebekkah coughs, then takes a drink of water, "George…", again, coughing .... "George Olitz came to the hospital to be with me. He had a fainting episode and a bad fall. He was delirious and mumbling. His mumbling made no sense to me at the time. It appeared to me to be just a lot of senseless confusion. But for some reason, I felt much unrest about it. I could not get it out of my mind. Then came the accidental discovery. There was a DNA match-up between George Olitz and Crazy Larry. But that was only the tip of the iceberg. More weird things had happened. Frank Bodin was shipped to the prison hospital. They could not help him. He died quickly. A very large dose of the very same drug that he had prescribed for years, was in his system. That same drug that could be used to retard recovery, when used in a large dose, could speed up the progression to death. That's when I made the connection between Frank and what George was saying. Finally, it was all beginning to come together."
Rebekkah stands briefly, then sits back down, "I had already done my homework. Several of the prisoners were not merely mentally ill, but they were also a select group who had great talents. Some of them approached the genius of Stan Olitz, when it came to computers. And Frank was using them, as a means to further his needs through computer fraud. That's the charge Lisa Stone helped me get him on ---and he was convicted on it, and sent to prison. This time he would not leave from inside the prison walls ...he would be confined within them. But I felt Lisa's life had become increasingly more dangerous for her upon the conviction. She was to benefit from the Witness Protection Program, but she disappeared before they could arrange for her disappearance. I helped her disappear. We were not certain whether Frank Bodin had worked independently, for his own personal gain. But we were certain he had gained so much, he could easily pay someone to get revenge on Lisa for testifying."
You can tell making this tape was hard on Rebekkah. Her right eye begins to twitch. One would perhaps wonder whether she is going to have a stroke during this taping. You can tell it was bothering her.
She hits her eye a couple times with a brush of her hand, but she continues to focus on what she is driven to say, "As the years passed, my life did not fill itself with pleasantries. Tragedy after tragedy seemed to happen. The one person who had caused me so much pain, was locked up …but I was not satisfied. I tried to work on my own anger problem. Why were things continuing to happen? Maybe God was not pleased with me. That would be easy to imagine, since ---I was not pleased with myself. This sort of destructive thinking can follow you to the grave, and it nearly did. I sincerely felt my time had finally come …as I went to the hospital. But my time here on earth was obviously not complete. That's when it finally happened!"
Rebekkah coughs, then takes a drink of water, "George…", again, coughing .... "George Olitz came to the hospital to be with me. He had a fainting episode and a bad fall. He was delirious and mumbling. His mumbling made no sense to me at the time. It appeared to me to be just a lot of senseless confusion. But for some reason, I felt much unrest about it. I could not get it out of my mind. Then came the accidental discovery. There was a DNA match-up between George Olitz and Crazy Larry. But that was only the tip of the iceberg. More weird things had happened. Frank Bodin was shipped to the prison hospital. They could not help him. He died quickly. A very large dose of the very same drug that he had prescribed for years, was in his system. That same drug that could be used to retard recovery, when used in a large dose, could speed up the progression to death. That's when I made the connection between Frank and what George was saying. Finally, it was all beginning to come together."
594
Rebekkah coughs, "Excuse me, I am quite tired, but I want to finish this taping." She coughs again, then gasps. It looks to be doubtful that she can even go on, but she composes herself enough to continue, "Everything began to happen at once. I have my own complicated method to relay information to Lisa Stone. Lisa attempted to sort it out for me. When George first began to pass out, I was checking in on him. He said it was nothing, but I was concerned …even more concerned when I found him in a stupor in front of his personal computer, possibly having a stroke. But what I also found was not just a stroke of good luck. I believe I was meant to find it. I printed it off his computer. There were notes of a very disturbing nature: Coercive Psychological Methods, a Means to an End, Maximizing Personal Gain at the Expense of a Failing Government System."
Rebekkah leans forward in her seat. She does not look well. But she is determined to finish this tape that will be shared sometime after her death, the time of which she will be unaware, but which happens to be now, "Now the doctors say George is debilitating quickly. I intended to have my own private test done. And it was discovered that George had that same drug in his system. Now, all this information has not benefited me one bit. It has saddened me. Too often I have been angry. But what does it benefit me? Well, that I am sure to tell you …I believe this revelation was not meant for my benefit. It was meant for me to pass on to you. Knowing that I may serve some purpose that I don't know about, comforts me at this time. I believe that many of you are soon going to have to make an important choice. And I believe there are certain things you should know in making that choice."
Stan Olitz and the President are still at that special celebratory dinner, when an Aide to the President rushes in to tell of the news traveling across everyone's computer screens. Stan and the President excuse themselves. They find a private room and click on the computer, viewing the large screen. Sweat gathers quickly at Stan's brow.
Rebekkah sets her conclusion, "All George Olitz's relationships were a means to an end. I would suggest an end to the meanness, but that's up to you, Stan."
595
Rebekkah concludes her conclusion, "George also saw you as a means to an end, Stan. I am now pleading with you to end it, Stan. George was interested in you because he saw your potential for genius, just like he saw the potential for my great wealth. I hesitate to thank him for helping you realize that potential. What George became, he was grooming you to become. So, Stan, you will soon inherit my wealth, at George's passing. My plea to you is, either repent and inherit the Kingdom of God, or inherit the wickedness of the one whom you've called father."
Rebekkah grimaces, and she falls.
The tape temporarily becomes flashes and specks, then Lisa Stone returns back to the screen. For added effect, she puts her disguise back on, beard and glasses. Her accent returns as she speaks, "And the choice is not only Stan's. The entire world must make their own choice. Right now there is a call to join together as a nation in the name of patriotism. We claim that the highest honor we can bestow upon anyone is in reference to national loyalty, …those who fight for their own country, preserving the love of country through their devotion and purpose, and through their sacrifice for their country. The opposite of a patriot is: One who breaks faith with, fails to meet the hopes of, and leads others astray through deceitful words and practices. That betrayal of one's own country, cause, or friends ---is considered unforgivable, and is labeled a traitor. But who is it that breaks the trust, love, and loyalty for their country by selling arms to the very cause that opposes us as a people …and as a nation? There are many big businesses, and companies within our nation who have led us astray, and deceived us …not just because of greed, but for motives too sick to understand or to describe. I don't know what drives such ruthless lusts of power …but once it begins, it does not need any help ---it thrives on, and drives itself. Yes, it is confusing …but it is clearly evil. Not only does Stan need to be exposed, all of you must likewise expose yourself to the truth …and ask yourself why you would follow Stan. The Essence just adds to the confusion. It is part of the deception. The Bible is the source of truth. But what the truth has become, we have allowed it to become. God is now either a small 'g', or generic, and Jesus is considered no more than a fable ---an unpopular one at that. And instead of reflecting on things of eternal value, we have developed our own kingdom building. Do you believe the one who has the vision of that kingdom should control the kingdom? You've just voted to give that control to Stan. You have put your faith in Stan's plan of salvation for the economy and the security of our nation ---yet, you don't even acknowledge any substance of eternal security through God's plan of salvation."
Rebekkah coughs, "Excuse me, I am quite tired, but I want to finish this taping." She coughs again, then gasps. It looks to be doubtful that she can even go on, but she composes herself enough to continue, "Everything began to happen at once. I have my own complicated method to relay information to Lisa Stone. Lisa attempted to sort it out for me. When George first began to pass out, I was checking in on him. He said it was nothing, but I was concerned …even more concerned when I found him in a stupor in front of his personal computer, possibly having a stroke. But what I also found was not just a stroke of good luck. I believe I was meant to find it. I printed it off his computer. There were notes of a very disturbing nature: Coercive Psychological Methods, a Means to an End, Maximizing Personal Gain at the Expense of a Failing Government System."
Rebekkah leans forward in her seat. She does not look well. But she is determined to finish this tape that will be shared sometime after her death, the time of which she will be unaware, but which happens to be now, "Now the doctors say George is debilitating quickly. I intended to have my own private test done. And it was discovered that George had that same drug in his system. Now, all this information has not benefited me one bit. It has saddened me. Too often I have been angry. But what does it benefit me? Well, that I am sure to tell you …I believe this revelation was not meant for my benefit. It was meant for me to pass on to you. Knowing that I may serve some purpose that I don't know about, comforts me at this time. I believe that many of you are soon going to have to make an important choice. And I believe there are certain things you should know in making that choice."
Stan Olitz and the President are still at that special celebratory dinner, when an Aide to the President rushes in to tell of the news traveling across everyone's computer screens. Stan and the President excuse themselves. They find a private room and click on the computer, viewing the large screen. Sweat gathers quickly at Stan's brow.
Rebekkah sets her conclusion, "All George Olitz's relationships were a means to an end. I would suggest an end to the meanness, but that's up to you, Stan."
595
Rebekkah concludes her conclusion, "George also saw you as a means to an end, Stan. I am now pleading with you to end it, Stan. George was interested in you because he saw your potential for genius, just like he saw the potential for my great wealth. I hesitate to thank him for helping you realize that potential. What George became, he was grooming you to become. So, Stan, you will soon inherit my wealth, at George's passing. My plea to you is, either repent and inherit the Kingdom of God, or inherit the wickedness of the one whom you've called father."
Rebekkah grimaces, and she falls.
The tape temporarily becomes flashes and specks, then Lisa Stone returns back to the screen. For added effect, she puts her disguise back on, beard and glasses. Her accent returns as she speaks, "And the choice is not only Stan's. The entire world must make their own choice. Right now there is a call to join together as a nation in the name of patriotism. We claim that the highest honor we can bestow upon anyone is in reference to national loyalty, …those who fight for their own country, preserving the love of country through their devotion and purpose, and through their sacrifice for their country. The opposite of a patriot is: One who breaks faith with, fails to meet the hopes of, and leads others astray through deceitful words and practices. That betrayal of one's own country, cause, or friends ---is considered unforgivable, and is labeled a traitor. But who is it that breaks the trust, love, and loyalty for their country by selling arms to the very cause that opposes us as a people …and as a nation? There are many big businesses, and companies within our nation who have led us astray, and deceived us …not just because of greed, but for motives too sick to understand or to describe. I don't know what drives such ruthless lusts of power …but once it begins, it does not need any help ---it thrives on, and drives itself. Yes, it is confusing …but it is clearly evil. Not only does Stan need to be exposed, all of you must likewise expose yourself to the truth …and ask yourself why you would follow Stan. The Essence just adds to the confusion. It is part of the deception. The Bible is the source of truth. But what the truth has become, we have allowed it to become. God is now either a small 'g', or generic, and Jesus is considered no more than a fable ---an unpopular one at that. And instead of reflecting on things of eternal value, we have developed our own kingdom building. Do you believe the one who has the vision of that kingdom should control the kingdom? You've just voted to give that control to Stan. You have put your faith in Stan's plan of salvation for the economy and the security of our nation ---yet, you don't even acknowledge any substance of eternal security through God's plan of salvation."
596
Lisa sounds quite passionate about what she is saying, in spite of her now even more pronounced accent, "You would readily call me ignorant, foolish, and stubborn. Like Balaam, you would blame the donkey, when you are the stubborn one. But sadly enough, most of you don't even know who Balaam is. For years, you have turned away from the Bible and stubbornly ignored the truth. The majority of you no longer believe in the truth. You believe in the Essence, which in essence, is to believe in whatever you want to believe in. You are like those described in the Book of Judges …believing that what you see fit in your own eyes is sufficient. And your condition is also quite accurately described in the first Chapter of the Book of Romans …as you've been roamin' around, looking for whatever it is that satisfies your whims: Because when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations ……changed the glory of the incorruptible God onto an image made like to corruptible man. So God gave you up to uncleanness through the lusts of your own hearts. You chose to deceive yourselves …now you can easily be deceived by others. Most of you want to believe in what the majority believes in. You believe in the technological dabble, dabble ---trying to reach perfection through our informational Tower of Babel, babble, babble, psychobabble. Sounding brass, tinkling cymbal, disguised by our symbol of freedom ---of speech and expression. The majority of you, when faced with not being the majority …became the majority because most of you didn't want to be in the minority. And you continue to be uncommitted to views that are unpopular. Even those of you who still believe Jesus died for you, don't choose to live for Him …so others miss seeing your commitment, and fail to desire to live with Him. Only a minority will believe, always what they alone believe in. It is those who have strong conviction. But among those who have strong conviction, you also have your divisions. You have the strong wrong, and the fight for the right. Sadly, the strong wrong feel they are right. And those who fight for the right, often fight for what they feel is right, not the battle God would choose for them. They often stand firm when challenged, and at times, are rather convincing."
597
The camera focuses in on the Bible resting on the table in front of Lisa, "It may appear they are following Jesus' direction as described in the Book of Luke, Chapter nine, verse five: And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. We may say we have the same source of truth, but still pose great differences. Now, I feel that I understand what Jesus meant here, just as you may feel you know what He meant. Yet, in the event that my interpretation and your interpretation are different, I would have to ask if you claim to have ordained authority. And if that be your claim, be careful not to hold your self-ordained authority over Christ's. For I would have to ask one more thing: The next time you shake the dust from your sandals, I caution you, for the vigor by which you bid their good riddance, may cause such a cloud of confusion that the dust gets in your eyes ---or a mote, or a beam ---so much so, as to cloud your vision …or perhaps ultimately destroy it. Then you would not be a testimony to God, but merely to yourself only."
Stephen and Maggie, …Cindy and Stephen, Shannon, Leah, Josiah, Samuel, …and Lisa Stone stand together. The camera moves about the room, showing all the residents from the walled community; an additional community ---an entire orphan population, supervised by Angelo; and most of Missionary Island.
This time Rebekkah's son, Stephen, speaks, "We realize how truly confusing this may all be. Our main intent is not to focus on the lies and deception, but to bring light to the truth. Therefore, it may be beneficial to back up a bit ---to take a look at how it all began, to see when things were right, and to realize when the right could no longer be discerned from the wrong …and why that is. We have purposed together to show you why that is ---to bring you the truth, and allow you to see how we have moved away from that truth to this confusion we now all live in. Our story, The Evolution of Confusion, is only purposed to bring attention to His story, the only significant history that benefits us, beyond the past, to the present, and eternally into the future."
598
Stephen extends a hand to his wife. Maggie concludes, "Many of you refused to make the full commitment years ago. You didn't just reap the benefits of technology …you let it change your life. Now the choice is a more difficult choice for many of you. There may be severe consequences for many of you for making the right choice. For some of you, that may make it difficult. But some of you have a tendency to be difficult. For me, the choice is easy. Whatever consequences have to be endured for the right choice, are not nearly as devastating as the eternal consequences for making the wrong choice. We must all choose. Some of you may decide not to choose. That is not an option. By not choosing, you are still choosing."
599
******************************
Lisa sounds quite passionate about what she is saying, in spite of her now even more pronounced accent, "You would readily call me ignorant, foolish, and stubborn. Like Balaam, you would blame the donkey, when you are the stubborn one. But sadly enough, most of you don't even know who Balaam is. For years, you have turned away from the Bible and stubbornly ignored the truth. The majority of you no longer believe in the truth. You believe in the Essence, which in essence, is to believe in whatever you want to believe in. You are like those described in the Book of Judges …believing that what you see fit in your own eyes is sufficient. And your condition is also quite accurately described in the first Chapter of the Book of Romans …as you've been roamin' around, looking for whatever it is that satisfies your whims: Because when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations ……changed the glory of the incorruptible God onto an image made like to corruptible man. So God gave you up to uncleanness through the lusts of your own hearts. You chose to deceive yourselves …now you can easily be deceived by others. Most of you want to believe in what the majority believes in. You believe in the technological dabble, dabble ---trying to reach perfection through our informational Tower of Babel, babble, babble, psychobabble. Sounding brass, tinkling cymbal, disguised by our symbol of freedom ---of speech and expression. The majority of you, when faced with not being the majority …became the majority because most of you didn't want to be in the minority. And you continue to be uncommitted to views that are unpopular. Even those of you who still believe Jesus died for you, don't choose to live for Him …so others miss seeing your commitment, and fail to desire to live with Him. Only a minority will believe, always what they alone believe in. It is those who have strong conviction. But among those who have strong conviction, you also have your divisions. You have the strong wrong, and the fight for the right. Sadly, the strong wrong feel they are right. And those who fight for the right, often fight for what they feel is right, not the battle God would choose for them. They often stand firm when challenged, and at times, are rather convincing."
597
The camera focuses in on the Bible resting on the table in front of Lisa, "It may appear they are following Jesus' direction as described in the Book of Luke, Chapter nine, verse five: And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. We may say we have the same source of truth, but still pose great differences. Now, I feel that I understand what Jesus meant here, just as you may feel you know what He meant. Yet, in the event that my interpretation and your interpretation are different, I would have to ask if you claim to have ordained authority. And if that be your claim, be careful not to hold your self-ordained authority over Christ's. For I would have to ask one more thing: The next time you shake the dust from your sandals, I caution you, for the vigor by which you bid their good riddance, may cause such a cloud of confusion that the dust gets in your eyes ---or a mote, or a beam ---so much so, as to cloud your vision …or perhaps ultimately destroy it. Then you would not be a testimony to God, but merely to yourself only."
Stephen and Maggie, …Cindy and Stephen, Shannon, Leah, Josiah, Samuel, …and Lisa Stone stand together. The camera moves about the room, showing all the residents from the walled community; an additional community ---an entire orphan population, supervised by Angelo; and most of Missionary Island.
This time Rebekkah's son, Stephen, speaks, "We realize how truly confusing this may all be. Our main intent is not to focus on the lies and deception, but to bring light to the truth. Therefore, it may be beneficial to back up a bit ---to take a look at how it all began, to see when things were right, and to realize when the right could no longer be discerned from the wrong …and why that is. We have purposed together to show you why that is ---to bring you the truth, and allow you to see how we have moved away from that truth to this confusion we now all live in. Our story, The Evolution of Confusion, is only purposed to bring attention to His story, the only significant history that benefits us, beyond the past, to the present, and eternally into the future."
598
Stephen extends a hand to his wife. Maggie concludes, "Many of you refused to make the full commitment years ago. You didn't just reap the benefits of technology …you let it change your life. Now the choice is a more difficult choice for many of you. There may be severe consequences for many of you for making the right choice. For some of you, that may make it difficult. But some of you have a tendency to be difficult. For me, the choice is easy. Whatever consequences have to be endured for the right choice, are not nearly as devastating as the eternal consequences for making the wrong choice. We must all choose. Some of you may decide not to choose. That is not an option. By not choosing, you are still choosing."
599
(That is the end of the story ...hope it did not disappoint. Yet, click 'Older Posts' ...for closing comments, and then a recipe at the very end.)
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