Entry #425621, added on 05-25-06 @ 9:51 am EDT
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| Part Four & Five | Entry #425621 |
PART FOUR
Chapter!
The Heart of Treason
Quonah watched the flurry of activity around Skinner’s house. He found it so funny that he would often burst into spontaneous laughter. It was very apparent all of Skinner’s plans had worked to perfection, and he had gotten away un-noticed. “Well, we can’t let these fools get a headache worrying, however a few days won’t hurt them. Quonah was giving the situation great consideration, for timing was very important. He, finally, concluded the correct time would be when Skinner reached his home in Sutter. Yes, if this was handled right, he should be able to get the agents to Whynot shortly after Skinner arrived.
On the third day of Skinners leaving, Quonah had received information he had arrived in Sutter. The big Indian waited until late that evening, and then placed a call to the authorities. He traveled far across town before making this call so as not to be identified. After dialing he waited until the phone was answered, “Federal Bureau of Investigation, how may we help you.” Quonah spoke quickly, “Sidney Skinner will be in Whynot, California early tomorrow morning,” with that said, he hung up, and hurried away.
The booming laughter, of the hugh man, rang with reverberation, ratcheting down the empty cavern of streets, from building to building.
He felt very calm when he dialed the number of Mel De La Casa, and spoke these words, “They have been told, you know how to handle it. I wish I could be there to see his face when this is dealt with. I know you will treat him very well, and this is important, for I find him a truly good man and friend” With his task complete, Quonah headed home to gather up the few thing he would need for his trip north.
Part five
Chapter 1
The Heart of Reason
The words slowly sank in, “Why we sent for you,” and he fidgeted in his chair. Definetly there was an agenda here, and he was not in control of it. “Damn it Skinner this is no time to sit here staring like a school boy with a crush on the teacher,” chiding himself for his fascination with the striking woman across the desk, he managed to ask, “what do you mean sent for me.” He watched her full lips curve into a brillant smile, and once again he lost his train of thought. Feeling like a fool he asked her to repeat what she had just said.
“The cable you received was from us. We were so impressed by your article, on the criminal justice system, we thought you might like to see how it should be done.”
Skinner replied, “I will admit it made me curious, and my research failed to turn up many crime statistics, but lets get real. Records show this town was formed in the mid-sixties, and it is not reasonable to claim there has never been a felony committed in all the years since then. I looked around town, and will admit it is quite a remarkable layout. I was most curious about not finding any area that could be considered the poor section, how do you explain that?
“Very easily, thank you, for there are no poor citizens in this town. I know it is not a matter of public record, nevertheless, the fact is that per-capita this is the wealthiest community in the world. This fact, and how it was accomplished, is one of the reasons we wanted you to come, and get to know us.”
Totally lost, Skinner could only reply, “Why me?” The answer, when it came, rang like a fire alarm through his mind.
“Whynot,” was the only explanation.
Before he could consider his question he blurted out, “Do you by-chance know an attorney named James Alda?”
“Jim and I are old friends.”
This reply, said with such a lack of guile, merely added fuel to his confusion. He felt a serious headache coming on, and he wanted to go back to the motel, and go to sleep. Perhaps he would wake up, and be back on earth, because he damn sure was in some fairy tale right now.
“Look, I am sorry, however, I feel like I should go to my room and lie down for a while, if you don’t mind.”
"Not at all, and you are probably right you should take some time, and think about what has been discussed. Please don’t be concerned by these things, for we fully intend to answer any-and-all questions for you. I will say this, it is our hope you will find the uniquenss of our community so compelling, you will be a clarion leading the way in making us recognized, nation wide.”
“Right now I just want to find out if this is real or if I am dreaming. We can discuss the rest of it once I can answer that.”
“Fair enough, and remember anything at all is available to you, you have free rein.”
Chapter 2
What the Hell?
The larger of the two was named Simmons, and the other was Dunn. They had just arrived back at their Ssn Francisco home office, and both were mad, confused, and clueless. Stalking into the office they made a beeline into the section chiefs office. However, before they could utter a word the man behind the desk informed them, “Well you sure made a mess of that operation, didn”t you.”
“We didn’t do a thing except get awakened in the middle of the night, and told to be in Whynot before noon. We were told who to arrest, and how to find him. The next thing we know we are the ones almost arrested, and we get run out of town like dogs. Now tell us how that is our fault?”
“Well now, you have to realize the blame stops somewhere, and it cannot possibly be with the head.”
“Look we don’t give a damn about that, we just want to know what the hell happened.”
“Between you and me it appears somebody did not do their home work. When that lady called, it rang some bells. It seems that innocuous little community controls two-and-a-half million votes with absolute, 0ne hundred percent, guaranteed compliance. If you pick-up an almanac, and do the math you will find that figure, thrown one way or the other, can pick the president ninety plus times out of a
hundred.”
“Where the hell did they get that type of control?”
“I don’t have a clue, however, you can rest assured a lot of people are working on that answer right now.”
“Well, Dunn and I can tell you one thing, that lady ain’t no joke. She sat there calm as ice making those calls, and never once did she doubt the outcome. I, for one had a very bad feeling the minute she started telling us off. When I told her she would be arrested, that bitch looked me straight in the eye and smiled.”
“Know this, I have been given orders to tell you to forget the incident, and if you have a grain of sense that is exactly what you will do.” Now get some rest, and then get to work.”
As Simmons, and Dunn were walking out they both spoke at the same time, “I do not think I will ever forget that experience.” Both laughed at having the same thoughts, and Simmon added, “No forgetting is not an option, nevertheless I am not anxious to return to that town…For a long time.” With that said they headed for their own cars, and the drive home to rest.
Chapter 3
Back on Earth?
Walking back to his room, Skinner was thinking he should pack up , and get down the road. Finally he had something to smile about, because he knew his curiosity would never allow that to happen. He really wanted to think about what had just happened, but everytime he tried to focus on that room, all he could see was that tall willowy figure standing behind the desk, wishing him a good rest. Lost in these thoughts, he reached to open the door to his room. “Clarion,” the words slammed into his thoughts, and he shook his head. No, that is not possible, he refused to accept the implication. An un-controlable vortex within his mind, and he staggered to the bed. Like a stone he dropped to it’s beckoning surface, and his thoughts begged to be freed from the only logical conclusion. The energy had been sucked from his limbs, and before he could address his fears, sleep cloaked him like a shroud.
The world became a dream filled with giants, and dragons, and he a weaponless knight. Unable to resist the winds of fate, he blown into the fight. Endless villians, filled the landscape, and demons materialized from the night. His free will was not a factor, he was tossed as though a leaf. This sense of destinies childhood provided no relief. Circles, circles endlessly chasing his own tail. He felt as if insanity brought forth his fearful yell. Sitting bolt upright in the bed, Skinner was soaked by a clammy sweat. Stumbling to the bathroom, for a drink, he realized without a doubt, he was involved in something far beyond his imagination.
At this moment Skinner would have sacrificed anything for a lucid thought. It was not an option to leave, for he would never find peace, without resolution. Sitting, and trying to order his thoughts, he determined if he was to drown, by-God he was going to enjoy the swim.
“I don’t know what I have gotten involved in, nevertheless, I will find out,” spoken aloud he made this promise to himself. I wish Quonah were here so I could choke that sneaky bastard. Without a doubt-one, he knew the big man was a vital factor in this situation. “I don’t give a damn, I will not be a pawn sacrificed to an agenda of others making. Behind me are villians, perhaps before me is the path of light,of which that big clown spoke. Any chance is better than no chance,” thinking these thoughts he showered, and made ready to sally forth, and damn the windmills.
As he exited his room, he found himself hurrying, and had to admit a small joy at the thought of seeing, “her,” once again. “I had better watch these thoughts, or I will walk off a cliff without seeing it. Hell, I don’t even know if she is married.
Walking to the newspaper office, his curiosity ran rampant, there was so much to know. “The longest jouney begins with but the first step,” and he entered the building. Before he could speak, the factum factotum Robert spoke, “Well I hope you are feeling refreshed, Mel has quite an agenda for you to deal with.”
“I can’t say refreshed is the correct word, however, I am ready to tackle whatever is placed upon the plate.”
“Good, good,follow me Mel is anxious to see you.”
Skinner allowed the thought she could not be as anxious as he. Chiding himself for his school boy crush, on the teacher, he folloed Robert into her office.
Her no nonsense words, quickly erased his his thoughts of fantasy, “I doubt your rest did much to ease your confusion! However we will see what we can do about that over the ensuing days. Please be patient, and I am confident you will be amazed by what you discover.”
“To begin with you said any-and-everything would be available to me, and I have some questions I need answers to… If that is alright?”
“I will attempt to answer, anything you ask, as openly and honestly as possible.”
“I can’t ask for more than that. First, do you know a big Indian who calls himself Quonah Parker?”
Again that senuous smile lite the room, as she replied, “Yes very well, however I know him as, Sachem, or The Butte Wizard. You need to understand, as best I know, he always was, and always will be.”
What the hell that meant he could not even guess, and so questioned, “I hope you can clarify that somewhat better.”
“I’m not sure I can, however let me put it this way. Everything I know of him indicates he has had a hand in the destiny of this land for more centuries than I can imagine.”
This was going to prove a hell of an education if all the answers kept producing more questions than results. Thinking on what he had just heard, he felt a sense he had just found reason for many of the thoughts he felt concerning the big man. An uneasy feeling Quonah was not quite of this world, now seemed confimed. “Oh good, what the hell am I going to do with this information. I wanted bedrock, and found the mist. It is quite disconcerting, at my age, to find out there are leprechauns. Paradigms and nursery ryhmes, yes, together they do exist. Okay, am I to take it you are claiming devine existance?”
“No, it is not my place to make that claim, what I am saying is there is more to the world than to man’s vision. Generally the way we handle that which has no explanation is by ignoring its existance. Nevertheless, just because we ignore it does not mean it isn’t real. This works very well for the benevolent, and miraculous, but if we tried that with the harmful, and malevolent it would not work. Anyway, all I ask is you keep an open mind before you pass judgement on us.”
“I have no intention of passing judgement, that’s not up to me. What I do want is to get to know you, because right now I am totally confused.” As he spoke these words it dawned on him how much he wanted to get to know…Her. He almost laughed at himself because of how nervous he was when he finally asked, “Am I going to get to meet your husband.”
Mel looked at him curiously, and replied, “My husband died a number of years ago. There are only my daughters, and I, now, and I am sure you will get to meet them.”
Skinner felt bad he had brought it up, and told her how sorry he was. She seemed to handle it well and assured him it was alright.
“Enough of this for now, where would you like to start?”
Chapter 4
Back to the Beginning
“The beginning, that is always a good start, don’t you think.”
Mel looked somewhat stressed by this request, and clarified why by stating, “I will do the best I can, although there are many stories about that event. As you research, I am sure, you will hear many different versions of what I am going to tell you. As the Sachem of the Neighborhood Tribal Council, I have access to more facts than most, and still I cannot be sure of all the details. The one thing consistant, in all versions, is the desire by the founders to create a world that honored all it’s citizens. I have taken the time to read a great deal of your writing, and I think you are going to be amazed by your words, and the words used in the foundation of this nation.”
“Whoa there, we have just jumped from the founding of a town, to the founding of a nation. I think you have lost me somewhere.”
“Please be patient, and I believe I can make it fairly clear. As I have stated, I can only tell you the facts as I know them, and the conclusions I have reached. However, armed with this information you should be able to reach some kind of foundation on this event.”
“I apologize, I should know better than to interrupt a narrative before it’s conclusion, however, I will admit I have never been involved in anything like this.”
“Believe me, I understand. Imagine my position, I was born and raised here, and I cannot give you all the answers. Nevertheless, I am positive, when finished, I will have given you enough information to occupy your thoughts for the rest of your life. I believe you are about to hear the most amazing story of your life, and once heard you will never see the world the same.”
Skinner sat there in silence. His mind pondering the sequence of events, which had led him to this place in his life. He wondered if it did not make more sense to get up, return to his home in Southern California, and face the consequences, rather than hear what was to come. There was much to support this idea, however, that would be pandering to the villians. Every fiber of his make-up refused to accept this path.
Mel watched the battle, playing across Skinner’s face. She found herself thinking, “He is not what I expected at all. The wise old fatherly sage, I pictured, is far from this handsome, dynamic person before me. I wish I did not feel these things, but, I don’t seem to be able to stop my thoughts. I have to admit it, to myself at least, I am attracted to this man. There is an intelligence, kindness, and caring that any smart woman would find appealing. Regardless of this fact, now is definetly not a good time, and I have to be very careful to hide these thoughts. She was so deep in thought, he had to speak twice to get her attention.
“I’m sorry, what did you say.”
I said, “We might as well get on with it. Knowing me, I will never sleep again if I walk away, so tell your story.”
“In a way, that is what I was afraid you would say, and conversely I was afraid you wouldn’t. Oh well, here goes.”
Chapter 5
A Stitch in Time?
The pensive expression gave insight to the depths of thought, and her first words confirmed the struggle being waged. Clearly, every effort was being made to define the information as concisely, and accurately as possible.
“Let me begin with that nebulous area, that which cannot be verified, yet is accepted as fact. At some point in time early in the sixties, a mysterious religious order known as, ‘The Brotherhood of Light,’ transferred this piece of property into the hands of one of the founders of this town. The size of this grant equalled one township, or thirty-six square miles. While public records from that time are not all that clear, we know this to be true. As for the, ‘Brotherhood of Light,’absolutely nothing is known. In our library there are a few references to Indian legends, and records of the California mission system. If we accept the implecations found there, one could only conclude this land held great religious signifance, from the earliest time of man on this continent. We do have confirmation of this through the words of its living guardian, that is if you are willing to accept his claims of antiquity.”
These words made Skinner, instantly uneasy, for he was sure where this was headed. If he was right, it would explain much, but would create problems with his entire belief system.” He waited for the shoe to drop.
“Sachem, Standing Bear, Bear, Quonah Parker, or as we refer to him, ‘The Butte Wizard,’ is that guardian."
Well the shoe drop was more like a bomb, “Oh good, I was afraid you were going to say that,” he muttered. “That explains so much, and creates such a headache. If this is true, can, ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ be far behind. Jesus, I hope I don’t have to accept this on faith, please let there be enough foundation information so I don’t have to do that.” Skinner fidgeted in his seat, obviously very agitated by this opening information.
Mel, noted his discomfort, and attempted to ease his path. “We have a hugh amount of referrence material to support this claim, and you are to be given complete access. Believe me when I say, I know what you are going through, and there are many here who accept our life style, however, do not accept these things. All I ask; is keep an open mind until I finish.” With that said she went on.
Sachem tells us there were three original founders. The one who inherited the land, and two who were his friends from birth. He calls them the three who are one, and when he speaks of his part it is always as, ‘The four and three who are one.” This is even made more confusing because these phrases are sometimes reversed or, ‘The one who is three, or the one who is four, and three. I know this is confusing, however, this language is consistent throughout all writings of that time. Have I lost you yet, do you want to ask any questions?” Mel looked at Skinner, afraid she had overwhelmed him, and maybe lost his attention.
Skinner shook his head, and assured her, that while skeptical, he would wait to the end of her dissertation for clarification.
Mel noted he had gotten out the tools of his trade and was taking notes. “Excellent,” she thought, and again found herself staring at his face. “Quit it,” she admonished herself, and began speaking again.
“It seems these three, while friend, each had distinctly different personality traits. The one who received the land was a visionary, or seer. One of the friends was a bookish type who excelled at bookkeeping, and the third was an outgoing personality who cared little for possessions, however, could sell refrigerators to Eskimos. It appears this diversity, when combined with their deep feelings of friendship, allowed them to bond these traits into one personality of unique capabilities. It is told that the two friends came to the seer, and requested him to see a way they could change the world, in-order to make it fair for all people. It was this event which led to the founding of Whynot. This event, as you are aware, happened sometime in the sixties, and we have been on their path ever since. For now, I think that gives you enough fuel to ponder, and when you have given this some thought I will try and answer any questions. I have no doubt you are wondering about Sachem’s role, and we will get to that, however, why don’t we stop and have some lunch.
Skinner had a million questions, all of which were forgotten at the thought of having lunch with Mel. As soon as he realized these thoughts, he felt guilty, however he could not help the way he felt. As he considered these feelings, he could only think they equaled an excitement for life. Skinner was amazed at the new appreciation for life, he felt, when in her presence. Closing his note book, he rose, and said, “After you.”
Chapter 6
The Heart of The Matter
Walking, to the Neighborhood Café, Skinner felt an exuberance of inexplicable intensity. It took all of his resolve to not reach for Mel’s hand. Like a shy teenager, he walked beside Mel, and tried to observe her profile from the corners of his eyes. He could not help but feel foolish, and he chided himself for the thoughts which consumed his mind. After all, he had been given no reason to think that she saw him as anything other than a fellow newspaper man. Thinking this did not stop him from finding an excuse to stop and tie his shoe, a simple ruse to observe her purposeful stride from the back side.
When Skinner stopped to tie his shoe, Mel intentionally continued walking towards their destination. She felt her face redden by the realization his shoe was not untied. An unbidden rush of pleasure flooded her thoughts, and she tried to hide the sense of excitement she felt. There was no way for her to explain these feelings. She and her husband had known each other, almost, from birth, and both had always understood they would grow up and marry. Mel realized she had no experience in these matters, and this created a sense of uncertainty, and fear. “What if I am wrong, what if he is really tieing his shoe tighter?” Doubts washed over her original feelings of pleasure. “What the hell, I am acting like a young girl with a crush on some singing idol.”
As both of them arrived at the Café, Skinner suddenly realized the walk had been totally uninterrupted. Stopping, he glanced back at the number of people they had passed. Not one greeting, and this was so out of character for this community, he shook his head in confusion.
Mel too had noticed the reaction of her friends, and after some thought understood they also felt the growing curiosity between her, and this man. In their own way they were cheering her on, and this realization caused a tear to course down her cheek. A thunderous rush of love and appreciation, for her home, filled her heart, and she wished for some way to let them know. This caused her to laugh aloud at this thought, for there was no doubt they already knew.
“Did I miss something?” Skinner asked at her laughter.
“No, it was just a laugh of joy, as I was feeling lucky for where, and how I was raised. I cannot imagine ever living anywhere else.”
Skinner glanced about, and had to admit it was a very unique place, he had traveled a great deal and could think of no other community as clean and orderly as Whynot.
Reaching the Café they entered, and immediately the atmosphere changed. Here they were greeted, and spoken to with friendly enthusiasm. Having been seated Skinner was addressed, time-and-again, with warm words and reassurances of his welcomeness.
Finally, Mel had to announce their need for privacy, if they were to ever accomplish their goals. Nobody seemed to mind this request, and they were politely ingnored.
Mel continued her tale of the founding of their community, and Skinner listened with rapt attention.
“By todays standards, the three founders would be considered geeks, however, this was more from the simplicity of the time than personal flaws. The names of these three are unimportant, and if I had to explain them we would never get through this information. For reference. If needed, I will call them the Seer, the Accountant, and the Salesman. Now, as I was saying, the Accountant, and the Salesman had come to the Seer with a request. They wanted him to see a way to change the world in-order to make it fairer for all people. This request resulted in the Seer discovering an open door provided by the magical founding of America. Those words are the exact way they referred to this event, and I believe you will come to undersand why.”
Skinner, interjected his thoughts, “Let me guess. The Seer found a way to apply pure Communism with Democracy in-order to enfranchise everybody into the system?”
“If you will be patient, you will be amazed by what he did discover, and you will find you couldn’t be further from the truth. Let me put this very simply, what the Seer envisioned was a way to apply pure Democracy, in a way that when done slowly could not be stopped. In other words he found a way to apply the stated purpose of this nation, in a manner which had never existed.”
“You look confused, so let me see if I can clarify this for you. What it boils down to is these three individuals realized the Founding Fathers had stated the vision. However, evidence supported, their vision had never been achieved. The three determined this was due to centuries of conditioning enacted by people claiming manifest destiny giving them the right to rule, and control. This training was so subliminal nobody noticed when a miniscule portion of the population, of this new nation, excercised a system of assuming control much as had always existed. The unique freedoms and rights granted by America were so intoxicating nobody noticed they still were not enfanchised participants in the wealth of the world.”
Skinner, found his head nodding in agreement with her tale, and he responded by saying. “I see exactly what you are telling me. It is remarkable that when traveling to get here I passed through areas that made me have these exact thoughts. I was thinking that Kings, Princes, Barons, and Earls had taken control of the resources of our nation. I understood they did not use these titles, however, they still performed the exact function of these titles. Less than five percent of the population controls ninety-plus percent of the resources of our nation. This fact re-enforces the continued existance of class divisions of upper, middle, and lower segements of society. Remarkably, this equals the same old order with only the middle segement being added. Throughout history, whenever the masses have become restive, this has been the throw-them-a- bone approach to appease them. This approach has been so effective, it has allowed the few to subjugate the many since the beginning of time. It has reached such a critical state, with the few controlling so much of the resources, I am afraid I am unable to see the doorway of your founding Seer. I just find it hard to believe there is anyway to change it at this time.”
“That is part of the subterfuge that is applied to this process. The founders believed the dissemination of addages is all part of the conditioning presess. ‘You can’t fight big Government,’ ‘you can’t change it, so why try,’ et-cetera. All of these, and other sayings are designed to become part of a belief system, thus insuring nobody sees the truth. This is done because, if you don’t believe it can be changed, you won’t look for a way to change it. Centuries of manifest destiny purveyors have learned these tricks until they have elevated them to an art form. They have done this so effectively, the founders of Whynot, believed that even if the masses were told the solution, they would not believe it. Believing this to be the case, they designed the most remarkable system to defeat this evil construct you have ever seen.”
“That is the most exciting thing I have ever heard. Now, I want you to realize, I am just as skeptical as the next man, however, I want to believe so I will listen with an open mind.”
Having finished with their lunch, some time ago, Mel replied, “I can’t ask for more than that. If you do that one thing, I believe you are in for an education of life changing proportions. Let’s go back to my office, and I will give you your class schedule to begin this process. It is time to let go of the past, and show you what is here now in the present. When you have completed this course you will understand what I meant when I referred to the founding of a nation."
As they walked back to her office, Skinner realized the importance of what he had just heard. If this information was true, he was involved in the biggest story of his life. This fact made it mandatory he maintain his objectivity, and to do that he must control his growing feelings for this woman. Both saddened, and excited he pondered exactly how this was to be done. Writing had been his only love, and not once had he ever had another person impact him as Melly De La Casa had.
Upon reaching her office, Skinner made an excuse by saying, “I need some time to consider this information, so I hope you don’t mind if perhaps we could meet later for dinner to continue our talk. I freely admit my skepticism, however, I promise to follow your instructions, once I have had time to reflect and rest.
“That is an excellent idea. Perhaps you could come to my house for dinner. You could meet my daughters, and we could set up an itenerary for you to follow in-order to see what we have accomplished here in Whynot. How about eight o-clock?”
In a daze Skinner agreed. When he asked for directions, she replied anyone could direct him, and with that settled he stood to return to his room. He knew he was going to have a real battle controlling the anticipation of spending an evening with her.
Chapter 7
Schizo Again
As Skinner paced the confines of his room, a conflagration of thoughts exploded in his mind. The dual nature of the situation pitted the the emotions of the man against the logic of the reporter. Before him lay the blueprints of perhaps the greatest story he had ever confronted, while within him grew the strongest feelings ever to pull at his emotions. The very scales of his existance were at war, and for the first time balance did not exist in his life.
Skinner knew better than to expect simplicity from life, however, just once it would be nice. An old adage came to mind, “I started out to drain the swamp, and find myself up to my ass in alligators.” In an unacccustomed moment of naivete he convinced himself logic could be applied to the heart, and thusly determined his focus would be given to the task of researching the chore before him. As he made this determination, he found his thoughts slipping into an analysis of his compelling thoughts on this woman.
She was not beautiful, nor even pretty when considering her feature by feature. Yes, she was competent, erudite, and obviously highly considered by her associates, however, this could not explain her impact upon him. He told himself that over the years he had meet many women with these characteristics, and many of them far more attractive than Mel. Just as he was convincing himself of these obsfucations he was hit by reality. When she smiled it was as if the sun had risen, and when she laughed he heard music. “Damn, I am in trouble here. It is going to take every bit of willpower I have to maintain my focus. I had better make some phone calls, and hope the contact will provide me with a lifeline. One minute I am running from harashment of my life, and the next I am running from the lose of my mind.”
Watching the time approach the hour of eight, Skinner felt like he had been in a barroom brawl, and honestly he suspected he was getting his butt kicked. Well, the phone calls would have to wait until morning, however, he knew if he waited any longer than that he would be lost.
A quick shower, some fresh clothing, and he was ready for what ever was to come. As he walked outside he could not help but glance about for the villians he knew were still waiting to get their hands on him.
Chapter 8
A Short, Long Walk
Mel had been correct when she told him anyone could give him directions. The first person he saw, greeted him like an old friend, and when asked how to get to Mel’s house explained the directions very throughly. It was only about two-and-a-half blocks, however, this short distance seemed the longest walk of his life. Each step felt like he was walking in clay as he was sure his feet were growing heavier with each stride. Ten minutes saw him reach the walkway to her door, and he noted once again the phenomonon of the neatness of her house. This neatness was one of the remarkable features of this community; for here there were no houses in need of repair. He made a mental note to ask about this remarkable fact. Perhaps there was an ordinance, which required the citizens to keep their house so pristine.
“Damn,” he thought, “I should have kept these meetings within the confines of her office. At least there I could maintain a semblance of business like atmosphere.” Calling on all of his resolve he pressed the door bell, and heard the climes ring somewhere in the depths of the residence. Almost instantly the door was opened, and every hope he had of maintaining his business like attitude, crashed to the ground. Like sunshine on a crystal blue mountain brook she stood there dressed in soft blue. Her dress was soft and sensuous with spaghetti straps, and her hair like liquid fire flowed over her pale shoulders. He felt a sense of falling, as he looked into her brillant blue eyes, and all-in-all the effect was like being run down by a speeding bus.
Her words transcribed to music within his mind as she asked him in. Robotic like, he automatically entered, fully knowing he was lost. Never in his life had he wanted, “anything,” as much as he wanted this woman. Feeling like and idiot, he heard himself stuttering a greeting, his head nodding like a bobble doll accentuated his mumbled compliments for her home. She appeared not to notice his foolish efforts, and showed him into her front room. Slowly his tunnel vision expanded and he noticed the two beautiful young ladies as he was introduced. “This is my oldest daughter Cydney,” she indicated a young woman of an height equal to her own, “and this is my youngest daughter, Cymantha.” Both young women were as tall as their mother, however their coloring obviously came from their father. Long black hair, and olive complexion, with only the remarkable blueness of their eyes showing their mother’s genetics.
Skinner gathered his senses, and managed to express his pleasure at meeting them. Slowly his thoughts were coming under control, and he faced the truth he was in deep trouble with his feelings. “Keep your cool Mr. Skinner,” he warned himself, “you can handle it.” Well, anyway he prayed he could handle it, or he just might end up begging to never leave this house.
The balance of the evening was a swirl of education, however, he took away more information about their family than about the community. A special closeness existed between the mother and daughters. It was so powerful blindness could not cloak it’s existance. Both girls were intelligent, and self assured; joining in the conversation smoothly, and without seeming to do so for the purpose of gaining attention.
As the evening progressed, Skinner found himself totally amazed by the depths of knowledge, and the self assuredness of the young people. Cydney expained she was a senior whoes main interest was in the study of community enhancement. She explained that this was the study of how her community functioned, and how it could be improved for the benefit of all the citizens living there. Cymantha’s interest lie in numbers, and the use of them for the advance of the financial security of everyone within the community. She further explained how she planned to apply this knowledge for the benefit of the world-at-large. Soon Skinner was lost to the amazing conversations, and the natural way laughter was such a integral part of this communication.
Before he realized it the evening had flown by, without a doubt it had been one of the most interesting evenings of his life. Thanking Mel for the experience and warmly telling her daughters how much he had enjoyed meeting them he made ready to leave. Without giving it a thought he found himself agreeing when Mel explained she would like to give him a personal tour of the community, the following day. She assured him she would explain it’s functioning, and introduce him to the people who could answer his questions.
As he walked back to his room, he was considering the pleasurable evening he had just enjoyed, when it hit him. “My God, I am going to have to spend the whole day riding with…Her.” “Oh oh, I was just going to find out who to go to, and do this on my own. Why, for Gods sake did I agree to let her show me around. I must be going crazy, that is the last thing I need…To spend a day with her.”
Alone in his room he knew this was going to be a long, and sleepless night. “Boy you are really a piece of work Skinner. Hell if that woman handed you a cup of hemlock, and said drink you would swill it down and beg for more. You better gather your information, and get the hell out of this town or you are through.
As Mel straightened up the house she found her mind examining the warmth she had felt all evening. When her daughters came to tell her good-night, they both teased her about having a crush on Skinner. As she protested, they laughed at her disclaimers, and assured her they both had liked him very much. In an effort to defend herself she gruffly told them they were far too young to understand these matters, and to get into bed. As they laughingly left to follow her instructions, Mel relized how foolish her protestations had sounded. Yelling, after her daughters she exclaimed, “You youngsters are too darn smart for your own good.” At this all three soon had tears of laughter running down their cheeks. Mel walked to her daughters, and hugged them good night. Silently she wondered if she could sleep, and she wondered why she had not just told him, who to talk to. “You didn’t need to drive him around in-order to get the information to him,” she chastised herself.
Chapter 9
Driving Insane
Sleep proved every bit as elusive as he had thought it would. Skinner’s fantasies were like stalking phantoms, and he could not hold them at bay. What-the-hell was going on, was he some school boy caught in the throes of his hormonal rampages? Finally, unable to control the demons, he picked up the receiver and placed a call. Like a lifeline he cast into the ether, he listened to the incessant ringing taunting his senses. After three rings, he knew Quonah was not going to answer. “Oh great,” his thoughts, like a desperate grasp at a life preserver, gave him no support. This was not the time for Quonah to not be there. Never, in the time he had known the big Indian, had he not been there in times of crisis. This fact battered down the barricades of his thoughts, and allowed the seed of paranoia to take root. Was it a plan, were they all in on this nefarious orchestration? With these thoughts came the realization of just how lost to his feelings he was. That, and the further understanding it scared the hell out of him.
Nothing to do but wait for morning, and the hope Dan Foster would have some good news to which he could cling. Forcing himself to relax, he lay there seeking the respite of sleep.
The jarring ring of his wake-up call caused him to sit bolt upright amid the twisted carnage of his covers. No sooner had he assured the desk clerk he was, indeed awake, he was up, and filling the two cup coffee maker the motel provided. Showering, while this was brewing, he toweled off, filled his cup, and called his office. The phone was answered on the second ring, and for the first time in days he felt anchored to reality. Within moments he was put through to the editor, and when Dan answered he allowed the breath, he was holding, to explode from from his lungs.
It did not take Skinner long to sense the tension in the other man’s voice. Initially Skinner had begun to fill Dan in with the remarkable circumstances he found himself involved with, however, the complete lack of curiosity by Dan quickly quelled his narration. Taking a moment to think, he knew, without being told, things were not right on the home front. Changing gears, he told the editor he had a visitor, and requested he call him back. Dan grasped this straw, and informed Skinner he would call back within fifteen minutes.
Promptly in the alotted time Skinner’s phone rang with a jarring urgency. Before he could speak, his editor began, “I don’t know what is going on, nevertheless, I would watch myself if I were you. I can’t give you specific reasons, it is just a sense something is not right. Little things have made me realize I have been excluded from a great deal of information. It has gone from a barrage of calls concerning you, to no comments at all."
Skinner was analyzing these words and trying to form his information in the best light possible. At the first opening he informed his editor of what he had discovered.
“Dan, you will not believe what I have found out about this place. I can’t say it will help me correct the impact of my previous article, however, I truly believe this is the biggest story I have ever seen.”
Silence of several seconds greeted this statement before Dan replied. “Skinner, I will be honest with you, I am not sure if it were the greatest story ever told I could get it published for you. Just so you know, I am calling you from a pay phone in the Sandwich Shop down the block from our offices, and I do not feel confident about this precaution doing any good. You have my word, you write it, and get it to me, and I will pull every string I can for you. Honestly though, I doubt if any publication would touch it right now.”
Shocked to the core Skinner heard these words, and felt like he had been punched in the stomach.
“Look Dan I consider you my friend, so what do you recommend.”
“I don’t have an answer, however, I can see only one path. Write the story, take your time, and we will go from there. Stay in touch, and I will let you know anything I find out. I’m sorry, but that’s the best I can offer.”
Skinner agreed with him, and promised to stay in touch. After hanging up he felt like a man without a country, and he could not explain why.
What good would it do to write the story if he couldn’t get it published. Having no answer for these thoughts, he reached for the phone, and dialed Quonah’ number. The incessant ringing was broken by the anwering of a machine, Quonah’s voice gave a brief explaination, “As summer comes, I have followed the geese.”
Not sure what to make of the message, Skinner found himself hoping it meant the big man was on his way North. He recalled Mel’s statement about knowing Quonah very well, and this he hoped meant he would be here shortly. A weak straw to grasp at, but right now it was far better than no straw.
Turning this over in his mind, he was suddenly hit by the realization Mel would be here shortly for their day of introduction to Whynot. Even the thought of her did not lift his spirits, and he knew things were very bad. There was no way he could help but think of himself as a trapped animal, and this wiped out the joy of thinking about Mel, and the remarkable story he had discovered. It appeared he was a flea on a bucking bronc, and he was in for a bumpy ride. With that thought he made ready for the day.
Chapter 10
Revolutions Revelations
No sooner had he finished his preparations than there came a soft knock on his door. Opening the door revealed Mel ready for their tour. After initial greetings Skinner decided to explain his situation. He assumed, from her handling of the two agents, she was far more influential than the size of this small community warranted. For now he was just hoping for assurances he would not be harassed while staying here. As they began their tour he filled her in on everything, which had occurred during the last several weeks. She listened politely, and when he finished she surprised him with her response.
“I am aware of these events, and that is part of the reason we sent you the message concerning our community. During the next several days you will come to understand the complete reason for our message. I undersatnd your concern, and the only thing I can offer is the protection you saw applied at our first meeting. What you are about to discover is how I was able to accomplish those results, and why this reason gives you complete protection while you are here. Even should you decide to leave, we will do our best to keep the authorities from making your life miserable. However, it is our hope, that once you see what is happening here, you will choose to stay, and work for our goals. For now let it rest with the fact that here you are secure, and we will let the rest be as it may.”
Skinner knew he did not have enough information to make sense of what he was just told, however he could not help but wonder. Well, he decided, I guess I will have to pay close attention if I hope to solve this mystery. Deciding there was nothing to lose he asked, “You said you have known Quonah for a very long time, so I am curious, will I be seeing him anytime soon?"
“I suspect he is very close already, and it is just a matter of time before he makes himself known. You understand, I am sure, he pretty much dances to his own music, so that too remains to be seen.
The usage of that cryptic saying, he had so often heard the big man use, brought a smile to his face. “Yes, you are right, that too remains to be seen.” Her assurance helped to give him a sense of peace, and he decided to go along, to get along. After all, it was not as if he had a choice.
Being this was the time of introduction he felt free to ask, “Just how were you able to accomplish stopping those agents when I first arrived?”
“Oh that, well I am sure when you arrived you noticed our sign welcoming you to Whynot. Perhaps you were confused by the population figures stated on the bottom. Two-and-a-half million was listed as the upper figure, and for political purposes that is the figure that counts. When you received our message, did you research our community and see those same figures?”
“Yes, and I have to admit I grew up thirty miles from here, and had no doubt there was no community of two-and-a-half million anywhere near here. Moreover, I admit I doubted the existance of any community, of any size, existing so close to my home without my knowledge.”
“I think you would have been better served if you had researched on the name alone. I am sure you looked up Whynot, California, and that was your mistake. Had you looked up Whynot, the name, you would have found there are seventy-two communities with that name scattered throughout the United States. Each community is held to thirty-five thousand residents. This is done in-order to assure strong community awareness, and interaction. You have seen a part of the results demonstrated here at our community meetings. How these tie together is accomplished by community trade programs. We not only trade the products and produce from these communities, but we also trade people. This is done by calling on any of the other communities for human resources when a need arises, we also have a system of foreign exchange students, so to speak. In other words, we freely move our citizens around in this system to the point we achieve universal acceptance of each community. All of this is done to assure a joint meeting of minds on one agenda, ‘The changing of the World to achieve acknowledgement for every citizens value.’ That is the heart of the motto you read on our community sign, ‘Where it is all about you.’”
Skinner was overwhelmed by these revelations. It had never occurred to him the depth of what he had discovered.
“Why me?” the thought popped from his mouth before he could consider it’s result.
Mel smiled as she replied, “That too remains to be seen. If you will give me a little more time, I believe you will understand why. For now, let me say we are at a cross roads, and it is time to open the curtains.”
Well, he would just have to wait, and with that thought he found himself doing some mental calculations. Seventy-two communities times thrity-five thousand people equaled two-and-a-half million residents. “How can you claim all of these other communities as part of your population?”
Every citizen of every community maintains residency in every other community. They have a ligitamate address, and spend enough time, when it becomes important for certain elections, to insure a controlling vote in that election. Now understand this cannot be accomplished for every election, however the threat of this happening is adequate to assure we wield great political power. This overall impact is guaranteed because we vote one-hundred percent as a block of votes. This results is because of the benefits of our structure are so great, nobody would every consider chancing harming our agenda. That is how we achieve state-by-state influence, and if you research the impact on national elections you will see we can virtually decide who is elected in any national race.”
“That is the most remarkable story I have ever heard. Are you pulling my leg, do you really have that type of influence? Why doesn’t anyone know of this?”
“Oh, there are a few politically astute players who are aware of this situation, however they have no desire to make this known to the general population. You see the system exists for the benefit of the few, and any leak would make everybody aware of their power, and self worth. So far the general approach has been to ignore us and hope we will go away. We have never stated our ultimate goal of empowerment for all people, and so they are willing to accept the loss of approximately one percent of the people. They treat us like a bunch of cult loonies. Does that sound any alarms? It should when you consider my earlier statement about opening the curtains.”
“My God, are you serious about what you are saying?”
“More serious than a heart attack.”
Skinner stared at the profile of this remarkable entity sitting beside him. Had he ever underestimated how truly remarkable she was. He was awed by what he had just heard, and was struggling to encompass the total impact. This represented the way it should always have been. He cut this thought short, what if this was just another cult scam, a way of dominating a segement of the population. He decided he better slow down, and wait and see.
“Teach me,” was his final response.
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© Copyright 2006 K. I. Smet (UN: k-i-smet at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
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