Chapter Twelve: Dionysus' Disciple by Tina Semanas Tearing down Highway 58, Duenna Black was ready to show Simone Gladstone just how valuable of an asset she was. It was a clear night and the full moon illuminated the old country highway that led to the Oberlin College campus. “Dr. Babbitt, do you have all your findings ready to show Dr. Gladstone? If we don’t come prepared, she will not be happy at this late at night. I have a lot riding on this and if you screw this up and make me look bad, I have the authority to send you back to the factory to administer Xenon drops.” Duenna Black said. “Don’t worry, I have pinpointed the exact locations of both numbers. The detection software has a 98% certainty rate in its findings. I also have detailed information about the possible sleeper cell associated with the first number, and the classified background research on one Athan Stone…” “Excellent!” Deanna Black was as much nervous as she was determined to impress. ------------------------------------------------------------- The light on the front porch of the old Victorian house was on. Duenna Black thought this was a strange choice for the most powerful woman of state to reside in, but Simone Gladstone was always a bit of an eccentric. Circling around the full three acres of the Head Sister’s estate was a ten foot high iron security fence with two massive Termagant patrol officers standing guard at the front entrance. Motioning for the glider to stop, the larger officer leaned into the driver’s side window, “Is Dr. Gladstone expecting you?” “Yes officer, my name is Madylyn Black, Duenna of the Girl’s Development Institute in Westlake. I called to make an appointment with her about two hours ago. She is expecting me.” The officer replied, “State your business.” Duenna Black said, “I have important information concerning the fugitives.” The officer called ahead and the large iron gate slowly opened letting the glider pass. The driveway wound around the back of the mansion where two more guards were waiting fully armed to escort the guests in. Duenna Black was the first to get out of the glider followed by Dr. Babbitt and a diminutive Ara Dias. They were led through two heavily fortified steel doors with observation cameras mounted overhead. The inside of the building had none of the vestiges of the old Victorian style as the outside had. Resembling a nuclear fallout shelter, the massive hallway was made of thick concrete and was equipped with the newest security and motion detectors. At the end of the hall was another door leading to a staircase that went down to a huge conference room. In the middle was a mahogany table surrounded by 5 chairs. There were three doors, one on each wall around the room, and the guards led the three visitors to the farthest door. Punching a code on the wall unlatched a tumbler on the lock. The lead guard opened the door and said, “Please go in and take a seat. Dr. Gladstone will meet you when she is ready.” The waiting room to Dr. Gladstone’s office was not suprisingly ornamented with Victorian furniture and wall tapestries. Dr. Babbitt and Ara sat down on a white high backed couch while Duenna Black paced the small room trying to calm her nerves. Meeting Simone Gladstone face to face terrified her. On the opposite wall from the couch hung a giant oil painting of a beautiful auburn haired woman. Underneath was a small golden plaque, Duenna Black went over to read it, “William Bouguereau ‘s ‘Bacchante 1889.’ A Bacchante in Roman mythology is a female follower of Bacchus, god of wine and intoxication. In Greek mythology, they are called Maenads. Bacchantes are depicted as mad or wild women, running through the forest, tearing animals to pieces, and engaging in other acts of frenzied intoxication.” As Duenna Black was reading the plaque a soft voice behind her said, “Do you like it? This painting depicts the spirit of the Maenad, a follower of Dionysus. According to myth, these enchanting disciples of the wine god often converted others to their hedonistic ways. It is said that they would travel the mountainsides, banging on drums, dancing ecstatically to gather followers for Dionysus. Most men could not resist them.” Duenna Black stood confused by these comments for a moment, gathered her wits and said, “We have come to report on the urgent fugitive crisis. We know where to find Phen and Drew Dias, and we have reason to believe they are receiving aid from a small remnant of the ‘Last Resistance Movement’ financed by a very familiar player.” Dr. Gladstone’s eyes narrowed, ignoring what Duenna Black just said, she replied, “My dear Madylyn, why does everything need to be a crisis? You needn’t have come at such a late hour, events can always wait. I have been rather enjoying this manhunt. Hunting men is fun, wouldn’t you say?” “But Dr. Gladstone,” Duenna Black interrupted, “this is a matter of state security! There may be a serious rebel faction forming which could upset the peaceful balance of our perfectly engineered society. I think The Sisters would want to know?” “With all due respect, Duenna Black, I will decide what The Sisters should know. I see your eagerness and determination to extend and expand feminist ideals, but frankly, I really don’t care about such theoretical nonsense.” Dr. Gladstone walked over to the painting and turned to Duenna Black. “You see this woman? This is what I want.” “I don’t understand?” Duenna Black replied. “Look my dear, hopelessly serious, Duenna; feminist ideals are all a bunch of crap. For that matter so is every ideology, it is simply a means to an end, not the end in itself. I once thought female power was the goal to reach in life, but controlling the lives of others has very little return. I have come to realize pleasure is what people really want. If all we are striving for is a world full of women, I think I would go mad.” Dr. Blackstone said smiling. Duenna Black replied, “But I read your works, you have been the foremost champion of female domination and superiority. You have so eloquently extolled female virtue. You have argued time and time again for complete male subjugation as the only way for civilization to advance...is that not true?”said Duenna Black. With a distant look, Dr. Blackstone said, “I was wrong. Plain and simple, I attributed all my hurt to men, but over the years I realized that women are just as screwed up, just as petty, and they can be just as brutal as men. Like this Maenad here. But instead of power, she wants pleasure.” “Tell me Madylyn, why is Vanity Night so popular? Every female led household in our state is tuned in, twenty four hours a day, to the rather empty parade of beautiful faces and bodies. Why, for power? No, pleasure! That is all women really want -- the ones who say they want power are protecting themselves from being hurt again. I have found the more militant a female is the more rejected she feels. Tell me Duenna, why do you want to be a Sister so badly?” Duenna Black hesitated, she was caught off guard by this line of thinking. “I want to continue female advancement.” Dr. Gladstone smiled, “What is female advancement? Where we all become like the men we so hate? Is not imitation the highest form of flattery?” Duenna Black responded, “What are you saying? The feminist cause is a waste of time and it is actually an admission that maleness is praiseworthy? How stupid….” “Careful Madylyn...I will still use my power if I need to, and right now I hold your future in my hand. What I am saying is that feminism has run its course. It has flattened life. Look at the Termagant Force, it is nothing more than women wanting to be men, why else do they take Testosterone-shots? They never would have the natural strength on their own, they need male hormones to become strong. They have to become what they supposedly hate. Look at this picture, a Maenad’s strength was in her ability woo men. Fertility was once honored, now it has become a sterile function in some biologist’s lab.” Dr. Gladstone looked over at Ara whose was listening to the whole conversation. “And you my dear girl,” Dr. Gladstone said, “Drew Dias is your brother, is he not?” Ara with teary eyes nodded her head. “Do you want him to go back to the factory and become a mindless drone again? Is that what you want?” Dr. Gladstone hit a nerve. Ara started crying. “Dr. Gladstone, young Ara here has genius level capabilities. She is my best prospect for being a Vitup of renown, she has no room for familial sentiment. I am training her to be cold and calculating, a servant of the state.” Duenna Black said with confident strength. “Oh, you want to be a Vitup? And to do that you will gladly destroy the life of your brother?” Turning to Duenna Black Dr. Blackstone said, “Tell me Madylyn, are not women in our state becoming just like the men we once hated? Where is the virtue in that?” There was only silence. Dr. Gladstone headed out the room and said, “Go home ladies, I have no use for this information this hour of night. Leave your findings on the table, I’m tired. And plus, I still want to see how this plays out.” Slamming the door behind her, Dr. Gladstone left the three women alone in the room with the painting staring back. ------------------------------------------------------------ Between contestant curtain calls, Beck would check her flat pad to see if Athan left a message. Each time she checked there was nothing. After introducing a 16 year old beauty queen in a black bikini from the Bahamas, Beck noticed her pad was buzzing. She picked up... “Athan, finally!” Beck said. “It’s Lacy you fool. I have some information that will definitely interest you.” There was a strange smugness to Lacy’ voice Beck thought. Beck replied, “I don't have time for this, it is day three of Vanity Night competition. I’m live vlogging.” “I know Beck, I’m not stupid. Not like the sap you are becoming. I think it is time you finally ditch Athan and take him for all he is worth like you said you were going to do a month ago. I need that money Beck, and I will do what I have to to get it.” Lacy said. “Lacy I don't have time for this now!” “Well you better because I have information how your wonderful man, Athan Stone, may be aiding and abetting the two fugitive escapees, Drew and Phen Dias. And if it is true you may be implicated by an anonymous source.” Lacy was pressing on Beck hard. “Give me a few minutes...I’ll call you back.” Beck hung up. It was time to introduce Miss Virgin Islands, but how could she go out after hearing what she just did? Athan involved with the fugitives? What? Beck quickly gained her composure, walked out before the hot stage lights and raucous music, “Ladies and Plastics, Miss Virgin Islands.” Quickly she once again she ran off set, grabbed her flat pad and dialed. The other line picked up, “Athan, it is you! Where are you?” “Babe, I told you I am at my dad’s plant in southern Ohio.” Athan replied. “I just heard you may know the whereabouts of the two fugitives...is that true?” Beck sounded worried. “What? Who?” Athan said, “Where in the world did you hear that?” Beck said, “I can’t talk now, I need to know if that is true…” A camera man was waiving her to get ready to come back on stage. “Athan I gotta go. Call you tonight.” She hung up. Athan put down his pad, looked to Jim Defabio and said, “We have real trouble…”
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