(Idea comes from Peter Kreeft’s fascinating book about the waiting room of heaven titled ‘Between Heaven and Hell’) Off-screen Announcer: “Welcome with me our host for tonight’s show, standing center stage, that friendly familiar face, the American icon of schmaltzy television game shows, the one, the only, the master horse trader himself, Monty Hall!” (Applause) Monty: “Welcome ladies and gentlemen, boy do we have a show lined up for you tonight! In fact this will be my last show, the final deal. I was notified last Saturday that I was given the opportunity to air my final program before I go. But my final deal will be no ordinary deal, it is the great deal reveal. Tonight our three contestants have already made their choice on which curtain they would choose. We are simply here to see if they chose wisely, our viewing audience wants to know what’s really behind the curtain?” “Stay tuned with us because after the break we will once again return to everyone’s favorite game show, ‘You Made a Deal!’” (Applause) Commercial Break: “Tonight’s Show is sponsored by the fine people from Purdue Pharma - makers of OxyContin and Fentanyl. Keeping people addicted since 1991. Now back to ‘You Made a Deal.’” Monty: “Welcome back friends and my faithful television audience. You know how this game is played. We have three contestants who have chosen what is behind one of the three curtains - and today we will see what they bargained for. This also is being shot before a live studio audience.” As the cameras pan the crowd everyone is decked out in a variety of colorful costumes: bearded men in ballerina dresses, ladies in blue pantsuits wearing President Trump and Obama masks, women in army fatigues holding yellow daisies and men in ties wearing white aprons waving large rolling pins. (Applause) Monty: “Such a fine and diverse studio audience tonight. As we say here on ‘You Made a Deal’ everyone has the right to be what they want to be without judgement. Don’t you love it?” (Applause) “Our first contestant comes from our very own Las Vegas, California. Like myself, this will also be his last show, his final deal you might say. Dressed in blue silk pajamas and wearing his signature captains hat, let’s hear it for Hugh Hefner.” A smattering of Applause could be heard. One man dressed in a loose black tie and charcoal gray suit stands up and throws his shoe at Hugh yelling at the top of his lungs, “That sick creep corrupted my 16 year old daughter. She was lied to by an advertisement in his stupid magazine promising her that she would be famous. What fame did he offer her? Abuse, disgrace, shame and addiction. Now she is a broken down stand-in for a ten cent porn agency. Monty, that man doesn’t deserve a deal, throw the bum out!” Another man was standing next to him dressed in a greasy college fraternity sweatshirt holding a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer in his chubby fisted right hand. Taking a swig, the man wiped a drooling fat mouth and slurred, “Shut up and sit down old man! Hugh is our hero in the frat, and I think a poster of your skanky daughter is hanging on my dorm room wall right now? So I guess you could say she is famous...Cheers!” While taking another sip, the man in the gray suit cocked his right arm back and proceeded to land a round-house punch square on the man’s nose sending a spray of beer into the cheering crowd, and a stream of blood started pouring out of the chubby man’s right nostril. Monty: “Settle down folks, remember this is a game show. It’s all in good fun, all in good fun.”(Applause) “Hugh, the last time you were here your mom was with you trying to convince you to choose curtain number 1, remember?” Hugh: “Monty, how could I forget? When they opened the curtain and I saw it contained a conservative Midwest home, and a missionary’s salary, my mom begged me to take it! I told her trying to find happiness behind that curtain was ridiculous. In fact, thinking back on it I even told her that her superstitious idea of God was nothing but a myth. My mom was raised a guilt ridden Puritan - there was no way I was choosing that curtain. So yeah Monty, I choose curtain number 2 instead.” Monty: “And what a great choice it has been! A package of bikini clad, blond haired naive girls, offering life-long sexual pleasure at other people’s expense. Well today, since that was your choice would you like to see the final outcome?” Hugh: “Yeah, hopefully there is more than the monotony of trying to satisfy my sexual hunger and personal need for meaning? It never was enough, and in my last few years I just wanted it to end...it seemed like everywhere I turned I was being sued? Being called a pimp and a home wrecker. Hopefully there is more than this...and I just can’t wait to spend eternity with Marilyn?” Monty: “Sorry Hugh, you won’t be seeing Marilyn, and in fact you won’t being seeing much of anyone or anything. Show him Jonny what is in the far back of curtain number two.” Off-screen Announcer: “Well Monty, curtain number 2 doesn’t just end there, yes there is more, so much more! Hugh, you will be traveling to a far away land of utter darkness. The temperature never gets below a steamy 200 degrees, and there is no water to cool your tongue. But before that, you will get to hear the testimony from every father whose daughter you despoiled, every mother whose son you corrupted, and of course you will answer to the God you thought was a myth. Thank you for playing ‘You Made a Deal!’” Out came two ugly demons with red tails both wearing a pair of white bikinis each taking Hugh by the arm dragging him through curtain number 2. Watching the curtain close behind them the crowd went silent. Monty: “Well, I don’t think that was a good deal. Let’s take another advertising time out and we will be right back to ‘You Made a Deal.’” (Applause) Commercial Break: “When that pesky mom wants to ruin your life by teaching you truth, head to the great state of Colorado where reality and a stable future will go ‘Up in Smoke!’ Sponsored by Colorado marijuana growers. Now back to ‘You Made a Deal.’” Monty: “Welcome back again, and maybe our next contestant has chosen rightly. From Santa Monica, California, we have one of our crowds favorite with us for his final deal, please Welcome the popular Tom Petty.” Walking out front of an uproarious crowd, came a tall thin man with long blond hair, wearing a dark gray top hat, and wire-rim sunglasses. Random whistles and shouts came from the crowd, “Don’t Back Down Tom!”, “Run Down Your Dream man,” and “You Got Lucky dude!” Monty: “Wow, the crowd loves you!” Tom: “Thanks man, I love you too, even though I don’t know any of you personally.” Monty: “Well when you choose curtain number 3, a life of fame and fortune, it sure seemed like you got lucky after all?” Tom: “I did. I got to do what I loved to do. Make music.” Monty: “You seemed to choose that curtain right away. Did you want was behind number 1 or 2?” Tom: “No man, I was too busy to think about it. I saw that curtain number 1 included people who followed the Christian God, but they all seemed like hypocrites and child molesters. So I thought I could do better just going it on my own. I don’t believe in any God, I’m too cool and too busy for that. I’m fine with whatever religion you want to have, but for me, I’m just ‘Free Falling.’ Whatever happens, happens.” Monty: “Well, according to the producers, you will be fallin, but it isn’t so free. In fact, well...Jonny..you tell him.” Off-screen Announcer: “Well Monty, curtain number 3 had some fine print Tom ignored. While he is cool guy, I hate to say it, the place you are heading to is not so cool. In fact he gets the chance to see if he can indeed, ‘stand up at the gates of Hell.’ Since you had no interest in the beautiful God, you get no invitation to his beautiful wonderful place. I know that fans love you down here, but sadly Tom, it breaks my heart to say it, but you often stole his love for yourself.” Tom: “What does that mean Monty? That playing a guitar wasn’t enough?” Monty: “Sure looks that way?” A sad Tom slumped away slinking into the back of curtain number 3. Two large curtains closed behind him. No applause was heard. Monty: “We have one more contestant, dressed with a belt of high powered ammunition and carrying semi-automatic rifles, come on down, the Las Vegas killer, Stephan Paddock...” The crowd went nuts! Furious screams were heard and the bull rush of angry studio audience was captured by every camera. The last thing that was seen before the station went off air was a man being pummeled under boot and fist.
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I’m a part of the chain gang. No, I did not rob a bank, forge a check or break the heads off parking meters like Cool Hand Luke. The chain gang I am on runs the first down markers for my son’s varsity football team. I love it because I get front row seats to the game. I see up close and personal every hit, every block, every run and every penalty. But that isn’t the best part. I also get to be on the sidelines of the opposing team. I am able to get the inside scoop from the other side of the field. I get to listen to their play calls, watch their players interact, and hear the opinions of how they view my son’s team. It is fascinating to be privy to the unvarnished truth about your son and his team. Especially when they announce his name on the loudspeaker and one of the coaches smirks and says, “What kind of idiot would name their son Giovanni.” I am tempted to say, “Ahem, that would be me, would you like to talk about it?” But I am not supposed to make my presence felt, as a member of the chain gang I am merely meant to be a silent, neutral part of the field. Now that I have done this for three years, I have learned a few things on how the other side thinks and feels - - I have been forced to learn “the art of empathy” firsthand: Seeing a situation from another’s perspective. I’m thinking that these insights can help me navigate the political maelstrom America is presently facing. In fact, it is always good to try to learn how the other side thinks. Here is what I found: When there are two opponents wanting the same thing (a victory for a football team, expanded rights for an ethnic group, more power for a political party, a bigger piece of the tax dollars collected), I have found the other side goes through four stages of thinking trying to accomplish their goal.
It is strange being on the inside of the other side. I wonder what opposing groups would think of me and my group if they listened in to our discussions?
From having the opportunity of being on the other side I have found that a good team first and foremost teaches and coaches their own. They first acknowledge their own faults - - they see and admit the areas where they have not trained and taught their side well. They appreciate the abilities of the other team, respect the rules and authorities that are put in place, and they stop blaming their loss on the things they can’t control. And ultimately every team needs to shake hands when the game is over. Hatred is killing us as a nation. Three weeks ago the other side was so angry at losing to my son’s team they reverted to violence. They wanted to hurt any player on my son’s team, and they did. Sure we won that day, but we all lost something in the long run. Enjoyment of the game and respect for each other’s common humanity. Our country is starting to lose it too...Pray for Las Vegas. Chapter Nineteen: Liquid Gold by Tina Semanas "Here, put this on," a cotton white hotel robe was thrown to Beck who was still rubbing her eyes trying to wake up. Ara was also wearing a similiar robe as she walked into the large bathroom turning on the shower to a scorching hot setting. Waiting for the room to steam up she stood by the door waving for Beck to join her. "I think it is safe enough to talk." Ara said. "First of all, how are you feeling? You were knocked out for the whole night and most of the morning?" "My head is throbbing and every muscle aches. I need to sit down, I feel sick." Beck leaned against the damp white tile wall of the bathroom and slid to the floor while rubbing the temples of her head. "I'm glad we are in the bathroom, I may need that toilet in a second." Ara walked over to where Beck was sitting and joined her on the floor. She said, "Ms. Paris, I can't tell you how sorry I am to see you like this. I have always been a big fan of yours, I just wish I didn't have to meet you for the first time under such horrible circumstances." "Yeah, horrible is a good way to describe it. . .and why am I here? . . . And how did you end up working with that dragon-lady, Dr. Gladstone?" Beck grumbled. "Shhhhh, I still am not sure how much they can hear? I know there are cameras in our main room, I am just hoping the noise of the shower and the steam blocks out most of the sound." Ara stood up to get Beck a drink of water from the sink, and sat back down handing her a cold glass. "Ms. Paris, I really don't know how to explain this whole crazy situation to you, but I am asking for you to trust me. You are in big trouble." "You don't think I know that? So Ara, how do you know so much? And why should I even trust a 12 year old?" Beck rubbed the cool side of the glass on her hot forhead. Ara looked at Beck in the eyes with a suprising intensity, "Because I am smarter than they think I am, and I am not going to be anyone's child spy! That's why!" After taking a sip from the glass, Beck replied, "Spy? What exactly does that mean? And who are you spying for, that Gladstone woman? She wants to use your apparent innocence to get info out of me, huh? Well I have nothing to hide, because I don't know anything! I'm just a washed up Dowager who is of no use to anyone. Maybe Lacy was right, I was nothing but a product of the state, a plastic doll keeping people stupid, happy and entertained? And for what use...to be shackeled in diamond chains by those power hungry Sisters? What I could use right now is a stiff drink." Ara quickly stood up and said, "That's it! Lacy's place! I still have her key. If we can slip out of here - as one of the five I have been given my own security escort that is to be loyal to me - I am sure we can travel unnoticed and then hole up there for awhile, let you get some rest, because I have an idea." "Oh, no!" Beck insisted, "I am not going anywhere near that beast of a woman. Not only does Lacy still hate me, but she won't stop until I get her some of Athan's money. And don't let her fool you Ara, I am sure she can't stand you either." "You haven't heard?" Ara replied, "Lacy is dead." --------------------------------------------------------------- The Rock House was a good hour hike through dense woods and some steep rocky trails of the southern Ohio hills. Midway up a 150 foot Blackhand sandstone cliff, a dirt trail led to two large openings naturally formed out of the massive rock walls. Don led the group of ten people through a 25 foot archway that brought them into a vast cavern patrolled by four armed gaurds. "Any sign of trouble today?" Don asked a muscular bearded man standing ready by the cave's opening. "No Don, it has been a relatively quiet day. All ten of the chemists you asked for are already inside. Is it really true? Have you found a way to actually block the Xenon? I haven't heard from my brother the past year since they shipped him off to the factory, and I would do anything to see him alive and well and in his right mind?" Don, squeezing the man's shoulder, offered him words of reassurance, "I have complete confidence that we can help your brother and other's like him. Do you see that man at the back of the line? He was given the formula we developed and he is fine. Not only has he been restored to health, but he is completely immune from the Xenon drips ever effecting him again. It is amazing! That is why we are here my friend, keep praying for us!" "Will do," the man said after wiping a tear off his cheek. "Good luck Don." Near the middle of the cavern a rough hewn passage way was cut into the heart of the mountain hill. Don punched in a five digit passcode on the wall lock which opened up the two thick steel doors leading down a long hallway. At the end of the hallway was another double door leading into a entry room where a female attendant welcomed Don with a hug. "Jenny, great to see you. Could you outfit each man with a lab coat, gloves and mask? We have 10 in our group." She replied, "Sure thing... this is an exciting day." Athan walked up to Don and whispered into his ear, "Don, while you and the other men go into the lab, I would like to go back and peek into the surveillance room. I need to catch a glimpse on what is going on in the outside world. Ever since the bombing of the Dayton shelter and our crazy drive here, I haven't had the faintest idea what is going on. Besides, you don't need me for your research, that is not my expertise." Don looked at him and said, "If you want to Athan, go ahead? I know this is about Beck. Just be careful and watch your heart. She has to be a target by now and we are so close, I wouldn't want to do anything to stop us from setting the men in captivity free." Athan curtly replied, "Don, you can trust me. I just need to know." A worried look remained on Don's face as he nodded approval for Athan to leave. The rest of the group was outfitted while waiting to enter the next door leading to a complex laboratory of high-tech computers, test tubes, cold rooms, and chemists. A pint sized Asain lady approached the group and asked, "Which one of you is Phen Dias? We need to start right away taking some of your blood - - come with me into the next room." Jonathan, who was buttoning up a long white labcoat, winked at Phen with a smile, "You better listen to her, Nika runs this lab. And if you are not careful, she knows how to draw your blood while causing as much pain as possible!" Nika turned to Jonathan with wry smile, "Shut your mouth Jonathan! Or you may be next!" Phen followed the stoic serious lady without uttering a word. She had him sit down on a 4 foot table with a white paper pulled across the top. Wrapping a rubber cord around his arm she waited for the vein on Phen's forarm to swell up. After drawing four quick vials of blood, she handed them to Don smiling, "Here it is, liquid gold, we don't need your formula now. His body has naturally produced in no time what we have been wracking our heads for years to figure out!" Turning to Phen she said, "Here is some orange juice, keep drinking because we are going to need more of your blood. Consider yourself a permanent resident of this place for awhile. You are the new Rock House Blood Bank!" Before taking a sip, Phen rolled his eyes saying, "Whatever it takes, whatever it takes!" -------------------------------------------------------- The flight from Manhatten to Cleveland was a short two hours on the state owned small jet that was requisitioned for Ara's private use. She was right, flying under the insignia of the five turtle-doves of the Conclave shielded her from any questions and monitoring by the local Tergamant gaurds she saw patrolling in their tan Rovers around the airport. Waiting for Ara at the tarmac was a large pink Rover fully equipped with heavy armor and stealth capacity cloaking equiptment so they couldn't be followed or watched by any satellite uplinks. When the small jet came to a stop, Ara and Beck ran quickly to the Rover with heads hanging low each carrying a small bag of clothes. "Hurry Beck, I don't want to be spotted by any regular spying drones that are always hovering around for security purposes." "I'm trying to keep up. My head is still throbbing, not to mention my stomach is completely emptied out from that terrible terbulance over New Jersey." Beck said as she ducked into the large vehicle. Once inside the quiet of the Rover she looked at the driver and asked, "Do you have any soda water in this tank? I need something to calm my stomach and my nerves?" In the side panel of the Rover there was a drink dispenser that Beck punched the number for a pink sparkling water and a shot of Gin. After the bright liquid was squirted into a small crystal glass Beck took a long swallow letting the cool drink slide down her throat slowly. She then turned to Ara and asked, "So sweetie, what is your plan and how can you assure me this is not a Gladstone trap? I know how she works." Ara replied, "Because she is expecting me to head to the new Condominium in the upscale part of the city. She thinks I will be going there. She looks at me only as a stupid little girl that ony wants the frills and special amneties of power. I guess the apartment is fully equipped with a new wardrobe, chef, and full service bed, bath, spa, work out facility and pool. The attendents are waiting for me to come and start my leadership training there." Beck looked skeptical, "Yeah, but don't they know you are meeting with me?" "They think I am bringing you back there too where a secret police unit is waiting to bring you into state custody. And I hate to even think about it, but I overheard Dr. Gladstone on her flat pad say they want to extract information from you, and they will use any means possible. I think she even gave them permission to drain you of your bodily fluids while still keeping your brain and senses fully functioning if you are unwilling to talk..." "You mean they want to use the Extirpation Procedure on me? Ara, I have read about that. That is only used for exile runaways...suspended animation of sheer torture and hell. How do I know you can protect me from that? I want out of here?" Beck pushed open the Rover door getting ready to jump even though the Rover was already traveling fast. "No Beck!" Ara quickly leaned over to grab the door to shut it while pulling Beck back at the same time. Catching her breath Ara continued, "Why would I tell you that if I was going to hand you over? Trust me - I dislike Gladstone as much as you do. Her evil system full of power hungry, blood thirsty women killed my mom and made a drone out of my dad for crying out loud!" Ara swallowed back hot tears. Turning toward Beck with a reassuring look, she continued, "Beck, I am sure they completely forgot about Lacy's apartment. After they killed her they were too busy getting ready to travel to New York. Her place is being ignored. It is the perfect cover for you, and you can have your old room back. Besides, I know the equiptment Lacy was stashing in the back room, it is some highly lethal stuff. You can use it to protect yourself." "I guess I have no other choice. I am sure they already confiscated Athan's place. So that leaves me without a home. I'm at an impasse." Beck buried her face in her hands. Ara replied, "Don't worry, it is a 15 minute drive and you will see, Lacy's apartment is perfectly safe." The rest of the drive the two passengers remained silent. 15 minutes later the sign for M. Sanger Luxury Condominiums overlooking Lake Eve was in view. "Driver, please pull to the front." Getting out, both Beck and Ara carried a single bag up the stairs to apartment number 217. Reaching in her coat pocket, Ara pulled out a small card key. Beck grabbed it and said, "Here, I will take the key. I want to go in alone because I need a few minutes to myself, there are alot of bad memories I have left behind here." Ara stepped back and sat down against the other wall waiting for Beck to have some time and space to herself. After inserting the card key, a green light above the knob flashed letting Beck know the lock was released. Pushing open the door a bright yellow powder flash and loud boom sounded, sending Beck's body flying backward slamming against the opposite wall. Ara saw her limp body come crashing to the floor, a partial hole was blown out of the side of the door and wall. Black smoke was curling through the air. Ara's eardrums where popped. "Beck, Beck..." A high pitch ring was piercing Ara's skull, and trying to form her mouth to speak, all she heard was a hollow tinny scrape of sound that she could decipher coming from her own voice box. "Beck...Beck..." Beck's unresponsive broken body lay flat, with singed hair and a half-twisted leg lying on the floor. Ara ran over to check for a pulse. Leaning next to Beck's face, she felt a small puff of wind. She was still breathing, she needed help fast. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three large projection screens on the wall were playing random footage from the previous week's top news and headlines. Every wall picture displayed talking heads discussing the fate of Beck Paris. Athan had to watch. Asking if he could sit in one of the seats in the surveillance room, he sat down turning up the sound on one of the live feeds. "Beck Paris completely embarrassed herself this weekend..." A plastic, yet perfect, female reporter said staring into the camera, "Not only did she show extreme hatred and bigotry toward a few of the beauty contestants, but she openly mocked the current government of our state. No word yet has been recieved from the representatives of the Doyenne Council if they will prosecute Beck Paris. One thing is for sure, her career is over." On the screen flashed the last night of the Vanity festivities, Beck was outfitted in a black dress with a simple string of pearls and matching earings. Athan instantly remembered to himself, "That is the exact outfit she was wearing on our first date. I told her that was my favorite look. She wore that for me." Picking up his flat phone, Athan knew he needed to find her. He knew this dress was a message - - she could be trusted completely. Dialing yet getting no answer, Athan in desperation said out loud, "Oh Beck, where are you? I am sorry. I am so sorry." |
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