Chapter Sixteen: Spotlights and Indians by Tina Semanas The stage lights fired hot on Beck’s face. She could feel a small bead of sweat rolling down her back as she looked over a packed auditorium filled with an antsy audience waiting for this year’s winner of the “Selfie Awards” to be presented. There was no higher honor, to be chosen as the most beautiful and more importantly, the most liked and secretly stalked woman in the hand-held media age. And on this night all eyes were fixed on Beck Paris - - waiting for her to open the golden envelope and announce to the world this year's winner. The atmosphere was tense. 10 very nervous finalists were standing up on stage behind Beck hoping to be chosen. Beck, however, was in no mood for this, all she could think of was seeing Athan. He was alive! And she needed to prove her trust and loyalty to the man she grew to love more than anything else in the world - more than his money - and even more than taking center stage and receiving the popularity she once craved. Now all she wanted to do was run from the lights and into his arms. The music in the auditorium lowered to a soft fade as the teleprompter next to the presentation podium was counting down the seconds for Beck to begin. 5- 4 - 3 - 2 - 1… “Welcome Ladies, Eunuchs, Plastics and Beasts. Can you believe it? This incredible week has flown by and tonight we await the final award, the most prestigious and coveted prize, ‘The Selfie’.” The raucous crowd burst forth in booming applause. “Before we begin tonight, let us all stand up to give our appreciation to the five glorious women that have made all of this possible. The Doyenne Conclave, more endearingly known as ‘Big Sis’!” On the far back balcony shrouded in an haunting soft purple light, stood The Sisters all dressed in impeccable dark blue pant suits. Standing tall in the middle was Dr. Gladstone smiling and waving to the crowd with a measured, casual wave, not wanting to bring too much attention to herself. Four of the other sisters were flanked next to her, with two on her right, Octavia Hulambu, President of Smith College, and Dr. Sybil Sorenson, Women’s Study Professor at Agnes Scott College. And there were two on her left. The first was the well known social justice fighter Roxanne Clement, Professor of Revolutionary Change from Scripps College in California and standing next to her was a new fresh unknown face: Ara Dias, dumbstruck before the fawning crowd. A mere 12 years old. Ara was being esteemed as an equal with four of the most powerful women in the world. She pinched herself wondering, “Is this real? Or am I back home dreaming, lying in my soft bed while Drew is downstairs playing on his video console and Dia is making early morning cinnamon rolls in the kitchen?” Roxanne leaned over to put a reassuring arm around Ara while whispering in her ear,”Don’t worry, this will all take a bit of getting used to. But you are a Sister now, it is your duty to put on a good face of strength and confidence. All the people want is a female hero to follow, they don’t care who, just as long as she can sell strength. It is our duty to give them someone and something to believe in. Now wave!” Ara gulped down the anxiety that was rising up in her throat and slowly lifted her hand in a diminutive salute. The crowd didn’t question the new addition to the Five, but cheered all the louder knowing that The Sisters were once again pioneering a new path to greater societal change. Seeing a young girl rise to the highest ranks was bound to raise hope in even the youngest of hearts. This was the true triumph of feminism - - “Having a little girl to lead them!” The teleprompter was directing Beck to begin the presentation… ”Thank you again Big Sis! Now, it is time. Please take your seats, take your seats.” The crowd went silent and a soundtrack of a drumroll started to play in the auditorium. Lifting the golden envelope high, Beck gave a pregnant pause to hook the attention of every person in the hall and those watching online: “This year’s winner…(pause)... with her personal selfie project entitled '52 Poses in 52 Places'...(pause)...and with the astonishing news of her recent marriage to herself…(pause)...the judges have unanimously chosen…(pause)...model, housewife, career woman, world-traveler, and also a charter member of the 'Narcissists Society'... Selfie award winner for 2185 is….Juliette Odette.” The crowd went wild. Walking up to the center of the stage was a smiling 6 foot brunette wearing a tight fitting white dress, wiping tears from her eyes and waving to the adoring crowd in stunned disbelief. Three attendants came out carrying a bouquet of red roses, a glittering red sash with the words Diva 2185 artistically displayed across the front, a pointed crown and a trophy of a large, gold plated, flat pad. After receiving the flowers, crown and sash, Beck motioned for her to walk to the center of the stage and down the 6 foot high runway that flowed into a sea of delirious fans. Stopping half-way Juliette Odette took the golden flat pad and shot a quick selfie of herself with a sea of admirers which instantly went viral across the national cyber grid. Just as the flash of the flat pad went off, thousands of streamers were let loose while fog machines cranked out various colors of smoke and vapor. Plastics and teen transgenders in the front row screamed to get a personal shot with Juliette. Two young fans who touched Juliette’s dress passed out from the excitement...the pit around the stage was sheer pandemonium. Forty Tergament guards lined the runway ready to use their stun sticks on any foolhardy groupie who tried to jump up to grab the preening Juliette. Laughing to herself, Beck said in a quick outburst, “This is so stupid. The Sisters reward a person just because she took a picture in 52 different places around the globe? Humanity has truly hit rock bottom - at least when men were in charge they would reward accomplishment, now all we praise people for is how they look on camera. So much for societal advancement?” Beck noticed the teleprompter was flashing a singular message, “Beck you're live and your mike is hot!” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Athan, Phen and Drew hid their vehicle behind three large pines off the main road. Athan opening the back trunk and throwing packs to the others said, “It's all on foot from here. The people we need to meet demand that every visitor first enter through the ‘Devil’s Bathtub’, it is only a few miles up the path. We have to keep moving.” While putting on his pack Drew whispered over to Phen, “Devil’s Bathtub? Who are we going to meet - some mutant group of vampires or fanatical cult? I don’t like it.” “We have nowhere else to go. And plus I heard this region is off-limits to any government intervention. When the laws for respecting the “Natural Rights for Indigenous People Groups (NRIPG)” went into effect, any land claimed by original settlers became the sovereign property of that group. In effect, we are no longer under the domain of the The Sisters iron grip, except for the national highway system, that is why Athan wanted us to ditch the car. So Drew, as long as we stick to the paths, we are protected by the boundaries of the native peoples.” “Are they friendly?” Athan jumped in, “They are guarded and secretive. But I know them well. You will see that they have a few precautions set up before they will allow any person into their secret community.” As Athan was talking, twigs snapped in the darkness of the wooded shadows off the dirt path. Suddenly a group of ten brown skinned men with tan loin clothes surrounded the group of three. Holding the sharp points of their primitive spears in the ribs of the men, a large man with a painted red face addressed Athan, “State your business or face certain death.” “Jonathan, is that you? I can’t believe it, has it been three years?” Athan said with a genuine tone of surprise. “Wait...wait...I know that voice. It can’t be. Nathan? Dude! Father will be overjoyed to see you! Samuel, Thomas, look who it is?” Two of the painted warriors dropped their spears and ran over to Athan giving him a big hug. Drew wondered to himself, “Are those tears in their eyes? How does Athan know these strange men?” Athan turned to Phen and Drew, “I would like you to meet my good friends, don't let the tall one scare you, his name is Jonathan and he is tender foot, I grew up with him. And his two cousins are Samuel and Thomas.” The three men reached out their hands to shake. Jonathan, wiping some of the paint off his face turned to Athan, “Father is in the cave under the rim with the rest of the community, but we still require each you to enter the ‘Devil’s Bathtub’, precautionary measures Nathan. You understand?” “Sure,” said Athan. “How far is it?” “Only two more miles. We were monitoring the radar and noticed a vehicle coming this way. Father sent us out to see what we could find. I never guessed it would be you? And these two men that are with you look awfully familiar? Are you the two runaway fugitives of the state? The national news is reporting that you both died from a bomb that exploded in Dayton, Ohio yesterday. It is good to see you escaped the claws of the law!” Phen looked to Athan, “Radar and news, how do primitive savages have access to technology?” Samuel and Thomas laughed, “Ha, our disguises fool them every time! If people think we still are living in a primitive civilized state, they leave us alone, no questions asked. Our brown skin, the funny loincloths and crying out ‘You stole our land’, fools them every time! They think they are helping a poor, ignorant tribe to exist as thier ancestors once did - - unpolluted in our natural habitat. Ha, how rediculous! Playing off their false guilt works wonders! We love it when those who think they are fighting for our indigenous rights act like they are helping us be more true to who we are when we run around naked in the woods. Actually, our loincloths are all a front to keep the authorities away from what is really going on in our community.” Drew asked, “What community?” “We call it Hocking Hills Family, other people know us as the Cave. We are 2,000 strong dedicated to traditional family values, fear of God with the right to worship, and promoting natural child rearing, the need for a mother and father, and respecting the sanctity of life, property, marriage, and the dignity of our God assigned gender. The State doesn’t like it, they would love nothing more than to destroy and suppress us, so we formed a free community behind the protection of NRIPG laws.” Drew never heard of such a thing. He blurted out in disbelief, “You mean you have live births here? How? Why? And your women allow this?” Athan laughed, “It is not so wierd when you are raised that way Drew. Believe it or not, in the Rock House the community keeps in a hidden cavern a library of books; including bibles, non-deconstructed volumes of history and classic literature. We have a team of scholars whose whole job is to teach and pass on what was once called “Judeo-Christian” traditions throughout the community. Some of the members also live secret lives traveling in and out of the state’s system trying to recruit more seekers of truth.” Turning to Jonathan, Athan insisted, “Jonathan, I need to see your father. It works, he was right all along, it works!” “What? You can’t be serious?” Jonathan said scratching his head. “But not so fast, the ‘Devil's Bathtub’ awaits!” --------------------------------------------------------------- “I’ve been wanting to meet you for years now. I can't believe it, The Beck Paris? Dowager extraordinaire, Media Queen, and Vlogging Whore, you have been causing The Sisters quite a bit of trouble as of late. And security reported to me your live feed -- did you not know your mike was hot? “So stupid, huh? Tell me, who is the stupid one?” Smiling a vicious smile, Dr. Gladstone looked especially sinister as she placed her hands on Beck’s shoulders looking at her tremble through the reflection of her dressing room mirror. “Please, after the night’s festivities are over I insist that you join me in my hotel room for some tea. We have much to talk about. Like a man named Athan, a boy named Drew, a dead guard named Lacy, and the future of your career. It will be fun.” As Dr. Gladstone turned to leave, she looked back at Beck and said, “I love your choice of black dress. It fits the occasion and my mood. See you soon…” Beck sat motionless. Gladstone was in her dressing room! Lacy was dead? And why Athan? One thought crossed her mind, “I’ve got to get out of here, and quick.” Picking up her handbag, flat pad and a pair of flats Beck quietly exited her room making sure the hallway was clear. Pushing the door just a crack, out of one eye Beck saw that the coast was clear. “Now is my chance…” Slipping down the back corridors of Radio City was easier than Beck thought. There were many shadows, crevices and strange angles to hide in waiting for the chance to escape. A distant yet familiar voice echoed off the hard walls, “Beck! Five minutes dear! Finish up your makeup in there so we can rewire you before you go back on!” Faithful Chen was always one for promptness. Out of the corner of Beck’s eye she saw her opening, a steel gray delivery door was flapping between busy workers milling in and out of the building. Bolting toward freedom Beck made her move. She made it! Outside in the big city. Already huge crowds were gathering for the midnight parade of “Debauchery and Drunkenness.” A celebration of everything that once was not allowed but now is virtuous. What was wrong is now forever to be considered right! People everywhere were wearing masquerade hats and assorted outfits that boggled any moralist's narrow mind. For the first time Beck felt sorry for the blatant degradation of life. It sickened her, yes, it sickened her. A drunk half naked woman with horns assaulted her and said in a slurred tongue, “I know you…(hic)...you are that lady…(hic)... the one that vlogs…(hic)...oops, sorry, I spilled my drink…” Falling on the cement the lady sprawled out laughing while singing some unrecognizable tune. Beck stooped over her, grabbed her mask, and ran into the rolling wave of the drunken rabble. “Beck, one minute and you're on!” After knocking for a long time, Chen burst through Beck’s dressing room door. She was gone. Up in the balcony, Dr. Gladstone checked her watch and said, “One more hour to go until mid-night, I can't wait to see how Beck ends this show.” As the stage lights flashed bright, a skinny, pale Plastic man with a horse's tale danced to the center of the stage with a large smile wearing court jester bells and shoes with jingles, “Ladies and eunuchs, Beck Paris has given me the honor of closing out the show tonight, and let me tell you, we have saved the best for last….” Dr. Gladstone rose to her feet calling for the nearest Tergament Guard, “Find Beck Paris now!” Her face was on fire!
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