THE HAUNTING PAST MYSTERY OF THE DARK MAGIC COVEN

THE HAUNTING PAST: MYSTERY OF THE DARK MAGIC COVEN Having just completed the mystery, of the drive-in theaters, Ghost Ship Two was cruising, for our next, PAID, case. A case which, as bizzarre as it may seem, involved yet ANOTHER light house. Now, even I will admit that lighthouses have a history, as full, and rich, as America, herself, yet the file contained only the identities, of those who had been drenched, or tied up. The file contained NO background, at all. As a result, if Tami and I accepted this case, WE would be developing the case, from the ground, up. What really got on our nerves, as well, was the fact that the file did not even suggest WHO MIGHT be haunting the property. While G.S.2 was at cruising altitude, and we were about two hours, from our destination, the Brown Agency did something the boss, rarely, did. Using "flash traffic", Mr. Brown set us an upload file, which included a course change, for our pilots. When Tami opened the file, the first line read "The drenchings, and tying ups, will have to wait. URGENT! Detour to the following coordinates. Reason contained within main file. According to the main file, a group, of high school teens, had taken a water taxi for a ride, on some in-land waterway. The problem was not only that the water taxi was hours overdue, but that atleast two, of the students, on-board, had serious, medical, needs. The police had been searching, for the water taxi, for hours, yet with no luck. When Tami suggested "The taxi is only three hours late, and there is no ransom demand. What makes people think the taxi did not just have engine trouble, and that it is not just sheltered, in some cove?" Tami and I found the reason, for the concern, in the medical attachment. Atleast one, of the students, had some condition, which required medication, every six hours. Since the water taxi was missing, for 4.5 hours, so far, there was only 90 minutes, to find the student, and give them their medication. The main problem, with the file, was that the contents included so much medical jargon, that it would take us DAYS, just to understand the contents. When Tami vid-linked, with the secretary, asking WHAT the contents, of the file, meant, in simple English, the secretary would say "From what **I** understand, thirty minutes, beyond the medication deadline, and, I THINK, the students life signs will begin to shut down. At approximately seven hours, it will be time to call the coronner." When Tami would ask "With just 90 minutes, WHAT can they expect US to do?" The secretary would say "We have been asked to have your plane use its electronics, and sensors, for one, final, sweep, of the waterways. If you pick up the taxi, then transport the patients to the nearest hospital, immediately". (Neither of us wanted to ask what we should do, if we arrived, late.) I have to hand it to our pilots. They brought Ghost Ship Two so close, to the water, that the sensors recorded the fish population, and other "debris", even as we followed the taxi's assigned route. Our pilots were so determined to make a thorough search, of the area, that the men kept G.S.2 just beyond stall speed, while we kept the sensors at maximum power. It was while the four of us were searching, for even the smallest of clues, that one, of the students, who had medical needs, appearred, in our camera area. When we brought the student aboard G.S.2, the student would ask us "Please, tell my parents that this was NOT their fault. No one could have forseen. Tell them I will, always, love them". When Tami would ask the student "Would you show us where the taxi is?" The student would say "I am sorry, but I must go, now". Less than a moment later, the student vanished, and another student showed up, eyes, full of tears. The student seemed to be whispering "Sorry", then dissolved. When we found the water taxi, it was treading water and, according to our instruments, the water, around the boat, was icy cold. Hypothermia, on top of medical conditions. Even as our pilots were aiding the floundering boat, the captain was, still, trying to make repairs. This, even as G.S.2 removed the students, and the bodies, and flew these to the local hospital. While Tami and I waited, outside the hospital, as the bodies were identified, we could have been in the next state, or even in Europe, and we would have heard each, of the mothers anguished cries, while identification was being made. As far as anyone could understand, a part, of the boats engine, had shorted out, and stopped pumping water out of the hull. After enough water had gotten inside the hull, the engine had shut down. The pilot was working to stop the leak, so he could pump the boat dry, and re-start the engine, when G.S.2 had arrived. Once the survivors were un-loaded, at the hospital, Tami and I did not stick around, for "thank you's". Tami simply wrote the students message, on a slip of paper, and placed this inside the corpses pocket. If it were up to Tami and I, we would have departed the area, immediately. That is, it seems, until local law enforement had another matter which they wanted to discuss. Parking G.S.2 in a shopping center parking lot, Tami had me drive us to the police station. A place, where the matter, of a disabled water taxi was the LEAST of the concern. By this time, Tami and I had become accustomed to entering places, only to be hustled, quickly, and quietly, to side rooms. (It would seem that our "legend", as "ghost-busters", was becoming even better known than even we could have dreamed of). When the Chief of Police, joined us, in the conference room, Tami and I were ready for the usual "This is, completely, OFF the record, right?" When Tami and I agreed, the chief would say "One, silver, lining, to that taxi tragedy. Atleast no one is paying attentioon to the fact that a brand new, multi-million dollar, boat, has vanished." When Tami and I looked at the chief, then the man would say ""Not vanished, as in stolen. That thing was too BIG for anyone to steal.. No, I mean that ship disappearred". When Tami would ask "When, and where", the chief would produce a map, showing the "where". As for the "when", the chief would say "We THINK it was just a few hours ago. Cant be more certain, since every set of eyes, in this whole area, was looking for the water taxi". When Tami would ask "What if the crew just took the ship out". The chief would say "If anyone saw that boat, they would know it. We are not talking a row-bat, here. We are talking about a floating casino". When I suggested "Rival gamblers?" The chief would say "As soon as I got word, I set every port, within miles, on alert. No one has reported seeing the ship". When Tami would ask "Chief, what aren't you telling us?" The chief seemed hesitant, as Tami would say "Let me guess. This is not the first boat to go missing, is it". When the chief would, quietly, say "No, ma'am", I would add "This is the reason why you KNOW the WHERE. Other boats have gone missing." The chief almost whispered "Cars, and hikers, too". When Tami seemed puzzled, the chief would say "We have been over the ground, and dragged the water, over and over. I just cant explain it". When Tami would ask "So, why call us in?" The chief would say "The ships owners aint happy. $95 million, they put into that boat. They want the boat back, or the town will have to re-imburse the investors". When Tami would say "Let me guess. Re-payment would bankrupt the communnity". The chief would say "Wipe us clean off the map. Locals generate just enough money, to cover costs. This is why, when I heard you were around, I was hoping your plane could find the boat. Just as you found the water taxi". When Tami would ask "Ball park it for us. How MANY boats have gone missing? 4, maybe 5?" The chief would say "Multiply that by 100. Shipping is starting to avoid this area. Delivery companies make us pick up our supplies, in our own vehicles. If we dont find out what is going on, and soon, this town will not exist, anymore. It will be another victim of this accursed New World Order". This was a story Tami and I heard, many times over. Towns, which had, once, prospered, while HUMANS were employed, at manufacturing plants, under the old economy, were becoming barren derelicts. All because management had been shown how to save money, by dumping humans, in favor of robots. The computer programmers, even today, failed to understand that it was people who stimulated the economy, by WORKING, for salaries. Wages, which humans used, to pay bills, and buy goods. Now, thanks to plant mechanization, production was more efficient, than ever, however, with humans un-employed, there were no customers, to purcase the produced goods. This is why, in desperation, to "save" economies, but with-OUT creating manufacturing jobs, many cities had turned to legalized gambling, for replacement revenue. Government had found that people, though un-employed, were willing to gamble their lives away, all in the hopes of winning enough money, to pay bills, and eliminating debts, with gambling winnings. (In point of fact, only 1, out of every 100,000, gamblers, achieves this goal.) Thanks to the "New World Order", un-adjusted un-employment was well over 60%, with more job losses, everyday. Still, the government REFUSED to return the nation, to its manufacturing roots. Government was determined to finance operations, strictly through gambling revenues. Investors were encouraged to take enormous gambles, on newer, and larger, ships, while the government told the public "Be patient. EVENTUALLY, SOME-day, the economy will return, on its own". This is what had lead to the new boat being built. While the local community was, openly, opposed, to gambling, atleast the ship-building industry was fully employed. Two hundreed people had found work, on the boats construction, and their wages were aiding the towns "survival". Now that the boat was nearing completion, the investors had ordered a "shake down" cruise, in order to learn if their money was well-spent. While the investors had specified a launch time, three hours ahead of the actual departure time, the boat was required to wait until the tide was in, before launching. The shipyard had confirmed that the ship had departed, logging in the time, direction, and speed, of the departing boat. Later, a few people, not involved in the search actrivities, reported seeing the boat, on course, and under power. The final group, to report seeing the boat, were estimated to have seen the boat, maybe five, or ten, minutes, before it vanished. The witnesses reported "Nothing seemed strange". Now, a $95 million gambling boat had joined the "ranks", of cargo ships, yachts, automobiles, hikers, and so on. The chief would say "What puzzles me is the LO Jack signals. The department has used Lo Jack signals, to find stolen cars. The system works well, in, and around, town." Tami would suggest But, cars, which disappear, in this area", Tami would indicate the maps highlighted area "Do not leave a LO Jack signal?" The chief would say "No, ma'am. Nothing we can trace, anyway. Just like the boats. Even G.P.S. just does not work, in that area". After thanking the police chief, for his time, and returning to G.S.2, for our gear, our pilots would agree to do some circuits, over the afflicated area. When Tami would caution "Be careful", our pilot would say "Yes, ma'am. We KNOW how much this plane cost." Tami would say "I wasn't thinking about the plane. I just would not want the duty, of notifying your families." The co-pilot would smile as he said "We will be careful". While Tami and I visited some sights, G.S.2 was criss-crossing the suspected area, but with no results. To Tami, I would suggest "I wonder what phase the moon was in, last night?" When Tami called up the data, she confirmed what we, both, thought. Last night was the final night, of this months full moon cycle. I would suggest "We have three weeks to prepare". The way Tami would say "Swell" seemed like she was looking forward to her part, of this job, even less than I was. When the Brown Agency messaged us, saying "The ships investors are offering a ten million dollar reward, for return of the ship" Tami would suggest "Better hang on. We are about to be inundated, with "fortune hunters". Sure enough, within five days, the shore-line was so "thick", with "treasure seekers", that locals could neither fish, nor swim. The police department had to commandeer a former store front, for processing all of the junk, which the hunters brought in. While Tami and I understood that the ten million would be a reward, for either returning the ship, or for the confirmed whereabouts, of same, fortune hunters could only see the dollar signs. The local dive, shop had to rent equipment, from regional dive suppliers, to cope with the needs, of the fortune hunters. While the police had to break up fist-fights, on the shore, as "prospectors" fought over WHO had found WHAT, the search-and-rescue team were kept busy, retrieving the bodies, of in-experienced divers. So many people thought that all they had to do was place the scuba tanks, and a face mask, on their bodies, and they were ready to dive. Not one, of these people, understood that tank valves must be manually turned on, for air flow. While the police were kept busy, recovering divers, Tami was conversing with locals, even as I worked on finding out just how MANY ships, including the names, and points, of disappearances, where ships had gone missing. When the morgue had to rent out freezer space, to handle the number, of bodies, which were being retrieved, by search-and-rescue, the police chief decided to offer the ships investors a compromise. Either the ships investors would begin paying ALL of the bills, including storage, overtime, and so on, for the fortune-hunting fiasco, OR the investors could rescind the ten million dollar reward. When the investors told the police chief "We want our ship back", the police chief would, no-sooner say "Fine. My department begins billing you, for ALL of this, as of tonight". When the investors asked, and the chief told then the current cost, of operations, the investors thought the chief was "padding" the bill. That is, until the chief produced the receipts. When the investors would give in, saying "We will make an announcement, in the local paper. The morning edition." The chief would say "Thanks. You just saved everyone a LOT of money." Within twenty-four hours, of the announcement, the fortune hunters had fled, leaving locals to clean up the mess, left behind. As Tami and I had, long-since learned, nothing builds better relations than working, side-by-side, with people. While Tami assisted with writing up damage control reports (and engaging in conversation, whenever posible), I would join the "dirtier" end, by aiding in the clean up, of the debris, and trash. The fortune hunters were so very messy. It was as if all the fortune hunters cared about was the "pot of gold". Tami was able to gain much more access, to local information, just by asking about the crews, of the various ships, which stopped by this port. Esapecially those crew members who were "local", and which members were from other ports. By contrast, the workers, on the clean up crew were much more "guarded". Anytime a conversation started up, among the men, especially about the KINDS of ships, which had vanished, I made sure my own recorder was turned on. NEVER did Tami nor I, ask how much various items were worth. We wanted to know about crews knowledge, and ships abilities. Not surprising, when Tami and I met, back at G.S.2, Tami would report that only 2.5% of the workers, on most of the ships, were locals. 95-98%, of the work-force, were from out-of-town. Maybe even from out-of-state. What puzzled me, even more than the variations, of sizes, of vanished items, was the scale of what had been "stolen". I mean, row-boats, and sedans, can be packed into a semi, and hauled away, un-detected, but HOW does one haul away a 200-ton cargo carrier, or a gambling boat? Items, which are as long as two football fields, and as tall as buildings. Even Tami shrugged at how such feats were accomplished. Especially since her own interviews showed that widows, and grand-mothers, knew more, of what went on, locally, then even the police did. Tami was pretty certain that, if this town were like her home-town, that the seniors would have seen something. While Tami and I accepted the invitation, to the high schoolers funerals, I just could not beleive that, after just one hour, in cold water, mixed with late medications, could, really, cause death. This, even though a Brown Agency medical doctor said such events happened, regularly. When I had mentioned that most medications have a "four hour window", of effectiveness, the doctor would say "Depends upon the disease, and the patient. Add in Hypothermia, and four hours can become as little as fifteen minutes." When the doctor would add "In extreme conditions", I would ask "You mean extreme, medical, conditions", the doctor would add "Extreme cold, like the dead, of winter, in the north, or extreme heat, like the desert". (And I thought my life was tough, consuming nine, seperate, drugs, everyday) Tami had, also, learned that, with the diseases in question, medications, taken by mouth, would not have been effective enough. Each, of the students had faced daily injections, four times each day. Not a "life" I would wish on anyone. As for the funerals, of people, so young, the services would be dedicated to the persons childhood. I just dont know who was saddest, at the ceremony. The teens mothers, or the taxi driver. A man, who was grief-stricken that his boat had broken down, with innocent life on-board. When an older gentleman would appear, behind us, asking "Would you tell my son not to grieve, so deeply. It was not his fault, that the pump failed. It could have happened to any of us". The gentleman then gave Tami a "code", so his son would understand that the information was real. After this, the gentleman faded, and one of the students appearred, to Tami and I, asking "Would you tell my parents to stop balling. I have, never, felt better. No more shots. No more, rigid schedule. I am free to be me. I want them to be as happy as I am". When Tami would ask "How will they know the message is from you?" The student would say "Tell them purple Scooby Doo! says so".. After the service, I let Tami take lead. After all, Tami is the "people person", while I am just "excess baggage". The taxi driver must have believed the message since he made the "Sign, of the cross", then embraced Tami. When Tami tried to temper the message, to the one students parents, with gentler wording, both parents said "Thats not from her. We KNOW our daughter. She was, never, so polite". When Tami, then, gave the parents the actual message, word-for-word, the parents just looked at her. When Tami apologized, for the tone, the parents just looked at one another, then the father told Tami "THAT sounds like our daughter". While the funeral was letting out, and Tami asked the other parents "I thought Scooby Doo! was a brown, Greate Dane". The father would say "You have to remember that children go through stages/phases. IN our daughters case, she had a thing, for purple. She loves Scooby Doo!, but she loved purple, as well. We never found out where she got the dye, but she got some purple dye." The mother would say "The mess that girl made. Heavens. She not only died Scooby Doo, purple, but she got covered, in the dye, as well". Her father would add "The school wanted to put her out, on medical, until the color faded away" "But, my husband asked "Why? She isn't sick. She's just purple." That girl could be so impulsive". When Tami would ask "What happened to purple Scooby Doo!?" The mother would say "He remains on the top shelf, all by himself. My daughter had other toys, which came and went, but purple Scooby Doo! was her LOVE". After talking with both groups, Tami would tell me "No wonder they want the disappearances solved. This place is even less like a community, then my own home town. This place is like a family. Later, as Tami and I were taking a stroll, on a walking trail, which overlooked the waterway, we watched as the full moon crested a local hill. As we observed the waterway, for some reason, in the early twilight, a container ships lights went out, even as the ship seemed to coast to a stop, on the waterway. Moments later, the ship vanished, as though behind a curtain. It was just too bad that we were so far away. We just could not make out any details, By the time we returned, to G.S.2, grabbed our gear, then returned to the area, a search party was, already, present, searching for a lost bicyclist. According to the missing teens fellow riders, the group was just riding the trail, when the riders watched as the lead rider vanished. When Tami would ask "What time did this occur?" When the cyclist spoke, we found out that the cyclist, who had vanished, had done so, maybe ten minutes AFTER the ship had vanished. When Tami viewed the sky, and the youth asked if the riders were in danger, Tami would be the one to say "Dont worry. You see. The moon is beyond the horizon." When the police chief would ask "What was that?" Tami would say "Items only disappear, when the full moon is overhead. Currently, there is NO moon, so the area is safe". When the police chief took Tami and I aside, asking Tami "What is all this nonsense, about the moon." Tami tried to explain, but the chief was not in a listening mood. Especially when he asked "HOW do you know all of this?" Tami turned to me and, using everyday terms, I explained how Tami and I had witnessed houses, changing their appearance, as well as houses, appearing, as if from nowhere. Spirits, who were most talkative, when the full moon was overhead. To all of this, the police chief would say "I will put a stop to this, right NOW!". With that, the chief called the station, asking "Look up the dates, of the vanishings. I want to know if there was anything "funny" going on. Have it ready, when I get there". On the way, to the station, the chief just kept saying "Full moon. What nonsense. A couple of crack-pots. Thats what you are. Full moon, HA!" Personally, I was pretty certain that the police chief was about to "book" both of us, until we arrived, at the police station. When the chief asked his staff officer "Well, what did you find out?" The officer would say "Nothing strange, or spooky. No witches, werewolves, or any other, such activity. If that is what you mean". It was right after the chief looked at us, saying "HA! Blows you right out of the water, doesn't it? Nothing bizzarre going on..." This is when the staff officer would add "Chief, about the only thing I DID find, though its not "starange", is the fact that, when I checked the dates, on the calendar, it seems that every disappearance happened, on a full moon night. Dont know what that means..." When the chief would say "Repeat that stuff, about the moon", the staff officer would call up the dates, of each disappearance, then cpompare this to the lunar cycle. When the chief would turn to us, asking "How can that be? The moon is just a chunk of rock". Tami would say "To some cultures, the moon is a symbol, of great power. People worship the moon. People have sex, under the moon, for various reasons. Crops are planted by the moon. Nations have even been invaded, based upon the moon." When the chief would ask "So you REALLY believe in this stuff?" I would say "In our line of work, the moon is like our time clock.". When the chief would ask "How do I protect my people from the MOON?" Tami would suggest "Allow us to understand WHY the moon is doing this. Just keep your people clear, of the area, until we understand WHAT is going on" When the chief would ask "WHAT do I tell the town council?" Tami would suggest "Why not try saying that we are investigating rumors. You want to be sure, of fact versus fiction, before releasing details". The police chief woulkd say "That would buy us SOME time. How much time do you think you would need?" Tami would say "About five weeks. We need to understand the WHERE, before we learn the WHAT". Even with our pilots assistance, Tami and I were un-able to complete our "base-line", before the last quarter moon. During the last quarter, to the first quarter, of the moon, Tami and I heard, and recorded, the sounds, of machinery, coming as if from underground. The problem was that the sounds did not, always, come. In a few cases, just as Tami and I thought we were "closing in", on the sounds, we heard something similar to doors closing. When Tami asked around town, she was surprised at how many people KNEW what we had heard. Locals reported hearing the sounds, "regularly"". When we checked the town hall records, though, the records proved the city council correct. No one had done any digging, or moved machines in. Atleast not in the past 75 years, which the records covered. If we wanted access, to even OLDER records, Tami knew what this would mean. While my own review, of the landscape, showed evidence, of past structures, which the towns official records did NOT show, the one thing I found no evidence for, was the ventilation shafts, which machines would need, to vent exhaust gasses. By the time, of the next, full moon, the most "solid evidence" which Tami had found, was the proposition, that an ancestor, of professor Einstein, had, allegedly, been conducting experiments, with both time and space. Tami would note, in her daily report, to the Brown Agency, "No hard evidence, as yet". Then, there was the conflicting lore, about witches, or demons, or aliens. Either casting spells, or setting up tech, which humans would never understand, for several centuries to come. Tami just did not know which she found most hilarious. Demons, working black magic, and making things disappear, just for the "Fun, of it?" O-R Witches, brewing a spell, so that, under the light, of the moon, anyone, who DARED enter coven property, without permission, would be "sent away". (The lore never said "WHERE" though). As to how successful the spell had been, the fact that the coven was captured, tortured, into confession, then burned, alive, brought Tami to the conclusion that "The spell failed". IF it were a spell, though, this left the question of "Why did it linger, after the Wiccans were burned to death?" Was some, living, person controling it? OR, vice versa?" My own attachments, to the daily reports, added very little clarity, to reports contents. All that I had managed to locate were various, stone, foundations, and some long-deserted structures. These units must have been VERY OLD, since the forest was "re-claiming the stone". I, too, found many stories, inncluding one, about a ships captain, who, allegedly, cursed the lord, for sending a storm, which caused a ships departure time to be three days behind schedule. The story claims that, when the captain cursed the Lord, a "wonder", of clear skies, opened, before his ship, and he sailed from harbor. The legend goes on to say that, as the ship was passing a certain point, the captain was heard to say "Now, he knows who the boss is". The legend says that, suposedly, upon the Lord hearing these words, the Lord sent a series, of lightning bolts, which struck the ship, causing the ship to explode, and sending the ship to the bottom of the river. When I recruited our co-pilot, to dive the waterway, with me, all that we found were centuries worth, of old junk, and refuse. "Not a ships outline in sight". What we, also, did NOT find, were "man-eating monsters", or the wreckage, of large ships. By the time we exited the water, the one thing we could confirm was that this was NO "graveyard, of ships". As for the rumors, about the pre-Einstein theories, of space and time, Tami, myself, and our pilots, all agreed that such were impossible to prove. This is, in fact, the reason why these notions are referred to as THEORIES. While Mr. Black was able to tap some science fiction, about how time, and space, might work, the problem remained the amount of energy needed, for such "events" to take place. Energy which, at present, was beyond our ability to create. Tami also "tossed out" the "alien" angle, since it would be impossible to "hide" such technology. And, regardless of what mythology might propose, neither Heaven, nor Hades, would use so much power, JUST for making a joke. Like it or not, the Wiccans, and a protection spell, seemed our most "logical" solution. When, during the next seven nights, of the full moon, Tami and I "staked out" the area, of the disappearances, including the spot where we had witnessed the ship disappear. Tami and I spent those, seven, nights, watching ships, cars, and people, coming and going. Still, Tami continued her research, into likely causes, for the disappearances. Sure, there were legends, lore, and camp-fire stories, in abundance, but none of these aided our investigation, any more than the full moon did. Granted, ALL, of the disappearances, were on full moon nights. What Tami, soon, discovered, though was that there were "gaps", in the time-line. In fact, one of the reasons why locals "wrote off" the disappearances, was because there were periods, of as much as YEARS, between disappearances. Sometimes, there was only one disappearance, per full moon cycle. Then, there was one, full moon, cycle, where, on a single night, fifteen cars, and as many as fifty people, had vanished. When even the Brown Agency computers could provide no rational explanation, for the events, Tami made contact with our local, Wiccan, coven, requesting an introduction, to our "on-scene" coven. What always un-nerved us was how the Wiccans always KNEW what we wanted, before we asked. When Tami asked me if I thought that the Wiccans were "eavesdropping", on us, I had to remind my partner that "The Wiccan Way", is to be knowledgeable of th world. To be aware is to be enlightened. Just dont ask me HOW, but the local coven knew, to come to G.S.2, even before we contacted our hometown coven. It was just amazing how much the Wiccans knew, of our "progress", to date. Still, while neither acting "superior", nor "condescennding", the Wiccans made us aware of some of the parts, of world history, which had been ommitted not only from the Christian Bible, but ommitted, from history books, as well. Such included the story, of a village, which decided to "mark" all of its women, with a tattoo, type of brand. The Christian church was preaching that women, pure of heart, and soul, as well as devoted, to the church, would suffer no dis-comfort, from the branding. Never mind that over half, of the tattoo artists regular, male, customers, fell ill, after being "branded". (This, in a time before instruments were sterilized, before, and after, each use). The covens record keeper would inform us that "As many as nine, out of every ten, women, did suffer side effects, from the "branding". This was the result, NOT of Satanic Worship, but of contaminated instruments. Even so, those people, who fell ill, would be condemned, and sent away, from the village. When Tami would ask "What did the coven do?" The record Keeper would say "The coven was willing to nurse any sick person, who would accept the covens assistance." When Tami would ask "But, not all?" The records keeper would say "Some were so terrified, of the churches power, that these, poor, souls, avoided all treatment, in a vane attempt to "atone" before God". When Tami would ask "How many died?" The records keeper would say "Of those, who declined our assistance, ALL of their number." When Tami would ask "Of those, who sought out Wiccan, healing, practices?" The records keeper would say "The coven saved three, out of every four. You see, we were dealing with a situation where, once an instrumennt was used, on an infected person, then used on others, the infection only spread". Tami would say "Like V.D., or the common cold. The more exposure, the greater the risk." The records keeper would add "Even our most potent potions just could not help some recover". When I would ask "Those, who recovered. Did they return home?" The coven high priestess would laugh, as she said "Hardly, young man". When I asked "Define, please" The high priestess would say "Once a person fell ill, and the church decided that the illness was the "Mark, of the Devil", the victims were banished, for the remainder of their lifetimes." When Tami would step in, asking "Okay, so what did happen to the victims, who were cured?" The records keeper would produce a list, of where the people travelled to, back in the day. The high priestess would add "Some did remain, within the coven, in the hope of, one day, rejoining their families". The records keeper would, then add "Un-fortunately, there were those who were bitter, at the branding, and who turned "dark", once healed. These people wanted to use magic to seek revenge, on those who had branded, then exiled, them" When Tami would ask "Where did these people go?" The high priestess would start by saying "You must understand, first and foremost, that the Wiccan Way is the way of healing, and nurturing, life. No matter how Hollywood portrays us. We embrace light, and wisdom". Then, the high priestess would continue "For those, who choose the darkness, of the world, the coven is NO place for them. They are banished." When Tami would ask "To where?" The high priestess would say "The place where ships, cars, and people, vanish. Do not worry, though, since the doorway is one way. No evil may escape from the dark place." When Tami would ask "What of the victims? What becomes of those, who are trapped, through no fault of their own?" The high priestess would say "Who knows. We neither seek out, nor sanction, evil". When Tami would say "So, thats all? The innocent, condemned, with the guilty?" The high priestess would ask Tami "What would you have us do? Release that evil, upon the world?" Tami knew, even before she checked with on-line sources, what the response would be. Still, she had to cheeck. Not surprisingly, almost ALL of the lore, stated that "domains, of evil", were twenty-four hour orgy palaces, where human blood flowed, and was consumeed, like water. Wild sex was the order, of the day, and ofcourse, infants were cut up, and consumed. Tami had seen such images, so often, in the past, that she had become immune to the effects, of the visuals. Especially since the Garrgoyle case. In this case, though, the coven were willing to compromise. The high priestess offered Tami and I safe passage INTO the "realm of darkness". (The CATCH was that we would have to find our own way out). To myself, this would have been fine, IF the transport were only town-to-town, or state-to-state. But dimension-to-dimension? (Not exactly a "walk in the park") When the Wiccans produced amulets, saying "When you are near an exit, these will point the way". When I would ask "Just how LARGE is this, other, dimension?" The Wiccans would say "Who can say? We have, never, been there. Tami would ask them "HOW do you know these things will work?" The high priestess would say "Faith, is the source, of all life". Two weeks, of research, later, and all Tami and I had to show, for our efforts, was that this other dimension COULD be as small as a ball-bearing. OR, it COULD be as large as our solar system. When first Tami, then both of us, met with the local, Wiccan, coven, the very first thing the high priestess would remind us of was the fact that there were two, seperate, kinds of magic. There was "white" magic. This promoted health, and healing, and was the Wiccan way. As the high priestess would say "White magic prefers to live in balance, with the natural world. The powers are only manifest, in the most powerful form, when battle is un-avoidable." When Tami would ask "What can you tell us, about the dark group?" The council, of Wicca, then provided Tami and I with another of those "Mist of Time" re-plays. The "mist" showed us, of all things, teen girls, being swapped, between members, during soome kind of ceremony. (What shocked even ME was how, at most, only one girl out of every couple of dozen, girls, was under the age of twelve.) The vast majority, of these "sacrifices", were in the age group of 13, and 15. The Wiccans "voice-overs" informed us "The reason why discovery, and justice, took so long, was because the dark ones were clever enough to give the girls tainted food, and drink, to silence opposition. By the time the girls realized what was going on, they were so drugged, that they did not consider resisting." Whenn Tami asked "What was the point, of such orgies? Power? Control? What?" The Wiccans would say "It was to curry favor, with dark forces". When I would ask "HOW does raping minors translate into "power", for the dark ones?" The Wiccans would say "Like the Christians, and the Jews, some groups CHOOSE to translate writings, to serve their own agenda's." The Wiccans would add "In this case, that means that "Violating Purity", otherwise known as "De-flowering", of virgins, is supposed to empower the dark ones, while preventing the victims soul from finding peace. The soul is condemned to wander, in torment, un -able to make peace, with the Divine One." Tami would add "Let me guess. The more the souls suffer, the more "powerful" the dark ones feel". When Tami asked "What clued you in, to what was happening?" The Wiccans would say "Un-like the villagers, the coven began mapping, and tracking, the time span, from disappearance, to return. Once we realized that each girl was returned, approximately four months after disappearing, during various festivals, we slipped several, of our coven, into a festival. Once our members realized what was going on, our members TRIED to slip an antidote, to the victims. They were discovered, though, and had to "bail out". When Tami would ask "How many did you save?" The Wiccans seemed disapointed, to report "Only a few. Maybe a handful". When Tami asked "What happened, then?" the "mist" and the Wiccans, showed how irate villagers had gone hunting, for more of the missing girls. As th Wiccans would inform us, "Once the antidote was administered, and the children had fled, most of the coven members were able to get clear, before the enraged villagers set to destroying something, which they, simply, did not understand. It grieves us, to no end, that the coven had to seal innocent villagers away, with such evil, but we could not risk the dark ones escaping. This is why the spell was cast." When I would ask "Just HOW did you imprison the dark ones?" The Wiccans would say "With a boundary incantation. Sort of like your modern day prisons". When Tami would ask "Why did you cast something, which would cause people, and objects, to vanish?" The Wiccans would asay "We did not do this. This is the work of the dark ones". When Tami would ask "Define", The Wiccans would say "While our coven was invoking white magic, to seal off such evil, from the world, the dark ones were casting their on magic. THEY were trying to "take down" our work, even as we built up, the barrier". When I would ask "Okay, so the two spells collided. How does this..." and the Wiccans would say "Due to the power, of each incantation, the two spells blended, into a new, un-predicted, incantation." When Tami would ask "Can it be broken?" The Wiccans, sadly, would say "We have been trying, for centuries". I just never thought that the Wiccans would take my "thought" seriously, as I suggested "I guess you would need someone, to travel back, in time, to undo the damage". The Wiccans would say "We have the power, however, the forces of evil, are, equally, strong. Each time we have sent memebrs, on missions, ALL have failed. ALL were executed, by the dark ones". When Tami would ask "What about..." I would say "Dont even THINK it". The high priestess would say "Your generousity is most commendable. However, your husband is correct. Since we are aware, of your previous time travels, there is concern, over your well-being." When Tami would ask "What concern would that be?" The high priestess would say "Each time travel process takes some of the travellers life-force. In reviewing our records, we have discovered that your travels have decreased your life-spans, by as much as ten years". When I would mention "So what? No body lives forever. No one knows when their end will come" Tami would add "Who would want to know?" The Wiccans would consider this. After all, it is true, that no person knows just how long they will live. While the Wiccans were making their decision, Tami and I went to both local law enforcement, and the local church, asking each for their cooperation. Tami and I wanted to be sure that, when the barrier was lifted, lynch mobs would not try to kill anyone, in the area, out of pure vengeance. When both law enforcement, and the church, were reluctant to commit, Tami and I returned to the coven, where we found the Wiccans preparing to defend themselves. What I could, never, figure out was the reason why I never got used to the process, of time travel. The very idea, of watching time move, in reverse, as the spell took effect, was weird, to say the least. With our tactical gear disguised as back-packs, and our modern clothes, traded for the clothing, of colonial days, Tami and I stepped through the Wiccans portal, even as I would ask my partner "When we return, to our time, should we correct the Wiccans, of the mis-conception, of our being married?" Tami would ask "What good would that do? Remember, my own mother is convinced that we are married. As far as mother is concerned, we are on our way to parenthood. Now, if my own mother will not listen, then why waste our breath, on the coven?" My only concern was that, when Tami's "Mr. Perfect" came along, he might think she was, already, married. Tami could lose out, on her happiest, possible, life, just because of rumors, and innuendo. In colonial days, finding the dark ones "lair" was even easier than expected. This, especially, when one, of their patrols, found us. I had to suppress a laugh, though, when the patrol tried to determine Tami's virginity, by, of all things, the scent, of Tamis body, and her walk. In order to gain acceptance, and admittance, to the dark ones lair, I think there were a total, of eight tasks, for Tami to prove her female virginity. My partner suffered them all, before being declared a "virgin". (In my opinion, Mr. Brown would owe Tami, BIG time, for her endurance). Once admitted, to the dark ones lair, Tami and I noticed how well the teens were fed. No mal-nutrition here. (Tami just hoped that the antidote pills, which she slipped to the teens, while I chatted with the guards, was the correct potion to use. It was based upon the Wiccan assumption, of which drugs had been used, to cause compliance, in victims). We just hoped it was the correct antidote. After all, an antidote, for one poison, could be just as lethal, if used with the wrong poison. I thought, for just a moment, that Tami and I were "busted". This, because, when a dark one grabbed Tami, firmly, my partner would use self defense skills, which Americans would not learn about, for centuries to come. For just a moment, While Tami left the dark one, lying on the floor, holding himself, Tami and I watched, as other dark ones looked on, in amazement. After a moment of silence, the other dark ones just laughed, at the fallen dark one, with a couple of the others saaying "Cant stand up, to a child? Ha! Ha! Ha!" I knew my partner hated to be called a "child". Thankfully, Tami remembered that we were on duty, AND in colonial days. When Tami noticed that the teens were recovering, and whispering about the coven, Tami went to the teens, whispering, to only two, at a time, "Do NOT try a mass escape". When a girl would ask "Why not?" Tami would say "Maybe a FEW of you MIGHT get away". When the teens asked "Got a better plan?" Tami would outline another of her boldly ingenious plans. Since only one teen disappearred, about every fifteen minutes, the guard paid no attention. It is assumed that he figured that, since the girls were drugged, that dark ones had, simply, walked off, with the girls, without telling the guard. By the time the guard, finally, "wised up", only 15% of the teens remained. This is when Tami and I violated temporal law, by cracking canisters, of Mr. Black's sleeping gas, inside the dark ones lair. After popping four canisters, Tami and I donned our air purifiers, and lead the remainder, of the teens, from the dark ones lair. This, while the dark ones membership fell into a twelve hour sleep. Once the last, of the teens, was ushered away, by the Wiccans, the high priestess, herself, would lead the invocation, which would seal the dark ones inside their lair, forever. (This, just days before the riots, of history, were due to take place). Now, there would be NO riots. When Tami would ask "What will happen, to them?" The high priestess would say "That is NOT our concern. We serve light, not darkness." With history "repaired", Tami and I would watch, as we passed through time, back to the present. Before departing the past, the Wiccans would provide us with amulets, saying "These will show your generation (of Wiccans), that you have done noble work, and saved many lives. Blessed Be." When we returned, to the present, the Wiccans would caution us "The past has been changed. Only the two of you, and the coven, will remember the other time line." When Tami would ask "What about Ghost Ship Two?" The Wiccans would say "Your remarkable plane did an excellent job, of finding the water taxi. You remained, for the funerals." When Tami would ask "Was there NO way, to save the teens?" The Wiccans would say "They were on borrowed time. Historically, such children would have been abandoned, shortly after being diagnosed. These youths had many years, which ancestors would not have had". When Tami and I boarded G.S.2, Tami filed the report, on thee water taxi incident. (She did not bother to mention the disappearances, since, in this time-line, they had never happened.) Just one note, of caution: It seems that, because the dark ones were handled, in the past, there was just not much call, for local law enforcement. This is the reason why, when the previous chief of police, passed away, his WIFE was allowed to take the job (until another man wanted the badge). It would seem that there was no, local, rush, to find a replacement, since the woman had 13 years on the job. Just as Tami and I were about to relax, for the trip, to the latest light house, Mr. Brown would comm-link with us, asking "How would you like a trip, to New York City?" When Tami would ask "Who's the ghost, and where are they haunting?" Mr. Brown would say "The report claims multiple ghosts. However, we need verification, of this". When Tami would ask "Sir, just how MANY are "multiple" ghosts?" Mr. Brown would look at the master copy, of the file, then suggest "Maybe as few as one hundred, however, I can promise no more than three thousand, at maximum". When Tami would ask "WHO is the source?" Mr. Brown would say "The President of the United States". Once Tami heard this, she would say "We're on our way". Oh, yes, life, and death, go on, and on, and on... (Final update: No one is for certain just WHAT the dark ones did, to the ships, however, by the time the ships, cars, and the gambling boat, reappearred, NONE was in any shape to be used, in the near future. Everything was due to be taken to salvage yards.)

THE HAUNTING PAST MYSTERY OF THE DRIVE INS

THE HAUNTING PAST: MYSTERY OF THE DRIVE IN'S While Tami DID contact her family, and we DID find out that the local drive-in was playing some classic movies, what we had no idea of was what we were flying into. All that Tami's family would say, over the phone, was "We have something, which might interest you." (Tami just hoped it was NOT ANOTHER attempt, to send the two of us, on a lovers weekend). Tami's mother was the "worst" of all. The woman never stopped hoping, that Tami and I would make our "relationship" more official. From what Tami had figured out, her mother not only wanted grand-children, but the woman wanted to see her "rebellious" daughter, wearing a wedding ring. This, while, although her grand-father liked me, as a person, the man, always turned "cold", with hatred, when reminded that my ancestry was German. After telling me "You krauts killed my best friends, during the war. This is why I will hate you, forever". His daughter would remind the man "Father, this man was not even BORN, during the war years". Still, I did my best, to steer clear, of the man, and the conversation. While Tami had been annoyed, at her mother, for continuing to ask when she and I were going to make "it" official, even as Tami had secured little more, during the conversation, than the titles, of the movies, as well as the start times. When I asked what time we should start out, to find the best parking, Tami would smile as she mentioned "I guess that I forgot to tell you." When I asked "Tell me what?" Tami would say "MY mother has been on the governing board, ever since the last, of my siblings, grew into adulthood. After spending thirty years, raising us, now, she is looking after the community." When I asked about the drive-in, Tami would say "As a member, of the governing board, my mother not only has a say, in which movies are being played, but our family does not have to PAY gate fee's. On top of this, we have reserved parking." It would not be until Tami had, again, arranged, with a neighbor, for Ghost Ship 2 to land, on a neighbors farm, that we landed, and un-loaded our cars, and supplies. Once we were un-loaded, G.S.2 would lift off, leaving us to the mercy, of Tami's family. On the way, to the family home, Tami suggested "IF my mother offers us the guest bedroom, I think we should TAKE it. It would make a great H.Q., should we need one". When I would remind Tami "I thought we were here, to relax. Re-live old drive-in memories." Tami was correct, about her mothers hopes, for us. Her mother even annoyed Tami, by promising me "My daughter is a real catch". It would not be until later, when mother and daughter wer discussing the movies, and how profitable the drive-in had become, that mother "dropped a hint". The way her mother would say "No one is supposed to know about this, so, if anyone asks..." Tami would say "You never said "A" word". (It would seem that there was some dispute over the drive-in). Tami's mother would say "A few, of the board members, would like to bring in more MODERN films". When Tami would say "I hope that "modern" does not mean what the last owner did". When I appearred curious, Tami would say "Before the committee took over operations, at the drive-in, all that the owner would run was XXX-porn. The more graphic the sex, the better the owner liked it. The man even sold condoms, booze, and hookers, at the "refreshment center". Mother would add "After awhile, such "awful" material lead to a decrease, in patronage, to the point where only about a dozen cars were showing up, for each movie." Mother would add "When the owner filed for bankruptcy, **I** was the one who formed the group, which bought the drive-in, and brought it back to life. Sure, we, mainly, showed black-and-white movies, and brought in donated, kitchen, supplies. It was my group, which turned the refreshment stand back into what the name, originally, implied." When Tami would add "Maybe it not a multi-million dollar operation, but as long as revenues exceed costs." This is when mother would sat "Too bad both the Roxbury, and the Tremont, are not faring so well". When Tami would ask "Whats up? Bad management?" Mother would say "I WISH it were that simple." When I would ask, Tami would say "The Roxbury, and Tremont, drive-ins, reportedly had to close down, years ago. Patrons claimed they were seeing ghosts. Get this: Some people actually claimed they heard a childs voice, on the clunky, box-type, speakers, calling "Help me" Mother would say "If it were up to me, I would suspect the land developers." When I would ask "Why is that?" Mother would say "The developers keep trying to buy up the drive-ins. The developers want to build more shopping malls. Like we, actually, need more shopping." When Tami would mention "But the Roxbury, and the Tremont, were in even better condition than ours was." Mother would say "That was before the developers started sending in actors, to impersonate dead people. Imagine, watching a western, on the movie screen, when a person, maybe a woman, in a victorian dress, come up to your car window, asking for directions." When Tami and I seemed baffled, mother would say "The woman is deathly white, of color, and is made up to appear as if her throat has been cut, ear to ear, and is bleeding." Mother would continue "Then, there are stories, of children, in the playground, after closing time, and wandering the parking lot". When I would ask "What makes you think it is the developers, and not just some pranksters?" Mother would say "After the developers offered land owners only 20% of land value, and the owners declined, this is when the "ghosts" began showing up. Before this, nothing". When Tami looked at me asking "Worth a look?" I would suggest "On sunday. On saturday night, all I want to do is relax, and enjoy a movie". Tami, however, had decided not to wait. While her mother was preparing for the evening movie, Tami was on the computer, reviewing the history, of each of the drive-ins. This, using our Brown Agency computers. These devices were approved, for every search mode, short of government web-sites. Tami, soon, found that, either her mother was not being "totally honest", or that something was going on. When Tami asked her mother "Why didn't you mention the remodelling, which the owner, recently completed?" Mother would say "That stuff? No big deal. Just some updating". Tami would emntion "The ground was excavated, for the remodelling." Mother would ask "So what? The ground was excavated, for the new, sewer, pipes." When Tami would ask "When was this?" Mother would say "Remember, you were just entering high school." When Tami would ask "Any ghost stories, then?" Mother would say "No more than there were, when you were in the forth grade". Not remembering much, of forth grade, Tami would ask "What happened, at that time?" Mother would say "Remember? The playground was closed, for two weeks, while broken, and worn out, parts, were replaced. Remember? The had to dig up then re-plant, the swing set, and the sliding board". When Tami asked "More ghost stories?" Mother would say "If you believe in such things". That evening, it was a good thing that I decided to drive my Jeep, to the drive-in. Ofcourse, we used one, of the family passes, to gain drive-in entry. What I noticed, though, was that, only about twenty-five minutes into the first movie, when even Tami was relieved that we had brought my Brown Agency modified Jeep, to the movies. While most of the rest of the audience was captivated, by the on-screen performance, Tami and I were using our digitally-enhanced binoculars, to observe the commotion, in the distance. (I would NOT consder it "Earth shaking", however, it DID catch our eyes) When I saw a brightly colored, luminous, cloud, in the distance, and asked Tami "What is over there?" After Tami viewed the scene, through the digital distance meter, she would say "That is where the Roxbury, and the Tremont, are located". Personal Note: I would have been surprised, when we had pulled up, to Tami's hometown drive-in, and found the drive-in was named "The Constellation", until I remembered that this was similar to a favorite, childhood, drive-in, which I remembered. This one, titled "Star Lite" Tami and I might have tried to ignore the glowing patch, of sky, except for the lightning bolts, which kept drawing our attention. It was, almost, like the properties were "calling out", to us, saying "Pay attention to ME". While we were too far away, from the event, to use our instruments, when Tami asked her parents about the sky display, Tami could tell, by the way her parents said "Not our concern", that they, also, were suspicious. Thankfully, the display ended, before the movie ended. It, also, did not re-appear, during the second feature. I think that what amazed me, about this drive-in was that, despite the fact that the movies were "classics", the drive-in, still, packed a full lot. As to whether it was the drive-in experince, or the classic movies, I cannot say. What I CAN say is that, after the movies were completed, and movie-goers were headed home, Tami would alert her parents that we would see them, later, at the house. When mother asked WHEN we would be there, Tami would not commit to a time. It was mother who would advise us "Be careful. You never know who you might run into, after dark". While the road, back into town, was bumper-to-bumper, with happy movie-goers, the route Tami and I drove, in the opposite direction, was so vacant, that only my Jeeps lights illuminated the roadway. Ofcourse, after so many "ghost hunts", Tami and I were as accustomed, to the dark, as a vampire, or werewolf, would be. Since the Roxbury was the closest drive-in, Tami and I decided to check it first. When Tami pulled out her laptop saying "I wonder whether the locks will be electronic, or touch-screen". Moments later, when we pulled up, to the entrance, of the Roxbury, Tami would be saying "I dont understand. There is nothing listed, on the security". I would mention "I KNOW why". When Tami would ask "Why is that?" I would inform her, as I stepped from the Jeep, and examined the lock "Its just a standard pad-lock". When Tami would join me, asking "Is THIS what they call "security"?" When I looked about the area, I could see the reason, for the lax security. Aside fom the huge, projection, screen, and a "refreshment center", which was on the verge of collapsing, there was nothing, present, which was worth stealing. Even so, it was not long before each of us felt a familiar feeling. There were spirits, on this property. No doubt about it. Thanks to Mr. Blacks ingenuity, we did not even have to pick the pad-lock, to gain entry. Mr. Blacks "All Purpose Lock-Picks" could pick just about ANY lock, that man could devise. (A set, of these lock-picks, had been standard equipment, with both my original, and replacement, Jeeps). Retrieving our "state-of-the-art" night vision glasses, from the Jeep, Tami and I found it easy to un-lock the pad lock, even at night. It was just as easy as it would have been, during the day. Once inside the property, Tami and I not only felt the energy, of life, which was present, but we heard the children, playing, as well. Nothing visual, but we could hear the children playing, on invisible, playground, equipment. When we used our electronic "sampler", on some playground equipment, we found little more than the residue, of human sex. By the state, of the playground, just one, or two, more storms, and the place would fall to pieces. We did, however locate what appearred to be some half-buried foundations, along the edge of the property. What the foundations had been for, even Tami did not know. It was not, however, until an invisible child took hold, of Tami's hand, asking "Want to play, with me?" That Tami knelt, to a childs height, and whispered, to the air "Whats your name?" This is when an adult womans voice would reprimand the child, saying "Angelica, what have I told you, about talking to strangers?" When Tami told the air "No harm was intended". It seems that the spirits were, now, ignoring my partner. I, on the other hand, had been listening to a group, of boys, playing "tag". Tami and I documented as much as we could, here at Roxbury, then headed over to Tremont. (We were careful not just to lock the pad lock, upon exiting, but to wipe it of our fingerprints.) Since our eyes were accustomed, to the dark, by now, I did not use the head-lights, on the path to Tremont. At the entrance, to the Tremont drive-in, however, we were stopped, by a police cruiser, and asked our business. Even when Tami and I displayed our credentials, however, the patrolman, simply, pointed back down the road, saying "Go on home. There is nothing to see, here". While we DID depart the Tremont drive-in, we stopped, nearby, and used the binoculars, on the drive-in. Sure enough, in night vision mode, we saw a priest moving about the drive-in. When Tami brought out our audio sensors (Which we had tuned, to their lowest power), Tami and I listened, as the priest chanted an incantation, along with incense. After repeating the incantation, atleast three times, when another figure would ask "Is that ALL there is, to it?" The priest would say "Remember. This is only protection from, and vanquishing, evil". The figure would say "Just as long as this place remains "quiet", until I can "dump", the land". Later, back at her parents house, Tami and I spent most of the remaining hours, of the night, researching the properties. While Tami had not been surprised, to hear children, playing, near a playground, she was suspicious, of the foundation woork. Come sun-rise, and while mother was serving up coffee, Tami would mention the foundations, mother would say "Ofcourse. I remember. It was before you were born. I was only a child, myself." When Tami would ask "What was it?" Mother would say "After the school lost its sources, of funding, the property, including the childrens school, were sold to some real estate developer. If I remember, correctly, the man wanted to build the "newest thing", in American advancements. A strip mall." Mother would continue "As I recall, the man bought the land, at auction, kicked the children, and faculty, out, then bulldozed the school to the ground. Funny thing was, there was no trouble, at the property, until that time. It was not until the real estate developer sank the foundations, for the shopping mall, that rumors, of ghosts, and other, weird, occurances, drove away investors. As I recall, the property went back, on the market, for years, before the drive-in opened. The new owners had hopes that, with minimal improvements, the drive-in would "make a killing", with the land. Problem was, the owner forgot that theater patrons need restrooms, and snacks, just as the projector, and the speakers, need power. Add in the cost, of the movies, and the owner realized that the drive-in would only suppliment their income. You know, I even recall when attendance began to drop off, even as I recall the reason." When Tami would ask "What was the reason?" Mother would say "The owner taped off the restrooms, due to plumbing problems". When Tami askeed "What happened, after that?" Mother would say "When the audience asked the owner to install more than just snack machines, as "refreshments", the owner closed the refreshment center, instead.". When Tami would ask "What happened, next?" Mother would say "As the cost, of both motion pictures, and family-style movies, increased, the owner was so determined, to show a profit, that, despite a shrinking audience, the owner transferred the once-beautiful Roxbury drive-in into a porn theater." When Tami would ask "Why did they do that?" Mother would say "Porn was cheap, even then. The owner did not even care, if audiences were having sex, on the playground equipment. No children were allowed, into the theater, by this time, you understand." When Tami returned to the computers, and researched local history, it seems that, when the owner, eventually, wanted to use the drive-in, as collateral, for another investment, the owner was informed that the land was, basically, worthless. As a result, and with only eight, to twelve, regular customers, the owner decided to close the Roxbury. Currently, the only "people", who seemed to be about the grounds, were the children, and the staff, of the school. When Tami asked her mother "What will become, of the drive-in, now?" Mother would say "That, my dear, remains un-decided". When Tami would ask "Why doesn't YOUR group take over the drive-in?" Mother grew serious, as she said "First of all, "The Constellation", is just covering its costs. The drive-in generates just enough income, to pay its utilities, and taxes". When Tami would admit "Okay, so it is NOT a multi-million dollar enterprise. What else?" Now the mother knew she had Tami's attention, would say "Then, there are the stories, of the ghost children. Add in the stories, of people, hearing the children, crying for help, through the audio speakers, and you have a real drag, on potential business". When Tami would ask "What if the spirits could be placed at peace, and eternal rest?" Mother would say "The Roxbury is NOT the place you remember, from childhood. That property needs so much work, that it could not show a profit, for maybe, ten years". When Tami would ask "What if the money WERE available?" Mother would say "Look. I know you mean well, and you, and your guy, got lucky, with helping Crystal. THIS, however, is NO "haunted house". It is not a place, where you can just "run off" the "ghosts". When Tami would ask "What if I COULD give the ghosts Peace, as well as arrange the financing?" Mother would, then, say "A delightful dream". Mother would, then, ask "What would you do, about the Tremont?" Tami would suggest "I was hoping to focus on the Roxbury, first". Mother would caution "If you work, on the Roxbury, people will EXPECT you to work on the Tremont, as well". When Tami would ask "What would the Tremont need, beyond the quiet, from the dead?" Mother would say "Since the owner did not want to follow the Roxbury's example, the Tremonts owner shut the drive-in down, after VHS tapes had people sitting at home, watching movies". When Tami would ask "What kinds, of Ghost Stories, does the Tremont have?" Mother would say "Just the local, camp-fire stuff. Odd noises, and wild imaginations. Claims, of ghostly figures, swinging blades, at the un-wary. Typical, pranks." By mid-afternoon, Tami felt like she was a school girl, asking her mothers permission, to visit a friends home. This time, however, Tami wanted her mothrs support, in allowing US to investigate the Roxbury. As Tami would inform me "I think it would be more discreet, to have the UN-official permission, of a member of the board of directors, for the investigation, than to try for court permission". By the time Ghost Ship 2 was calling, asking if we were ready, for pick-up, Tami would say "We have something, in the works, right now". Knowing what this meant, the pilots agreed to bring G.S.2 to our assistance. This way, in casee we needed our equipment, everything would be on-hand. To Tami's surprise, gaining the boards permission was easier than gaining her own mothers support. As Miss Lydia would explain "Remember, child. That woman gave birth to you. She was there, from the delivery room, through first steps, to first words. Dont tell her that I told you this, but your mother knew, all along, about that boy disguise, of yours." When Tami would say "She never mentioned it" Miss Lydia would say "Your mother realized that you were growing up, from the moment you held your ground, over the hair issue. She understood, the first time you had your heart broken. She even knew that she felt like a failure, as a mother, when you left home, to make your own life". When Tami would ask "Can you blame me? Nearly twenty YEARS, of rigid scheduling. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, chores, even bathing. Everything, according to HER schedule". Miss Lydia would say "Actually, it was not your mothers schedule." When Tami would ask "What do you mean?" Miss Lydia would say "Child, you are much too young to remember, but, when your mother was young, she tried ALL of the new, "Raise your child this way" stuff. All of it only to find that her life was in complete chaos, while giving you children more freedom, and individuality, than any child needs. I told your mother that this stuff was just a load, of crap. Children need discipline, and schedules, in order to succeed. **I** taught your mother, from my own experience. This is the primary reason why you lived, long enough, to "rebel". When Tami would suggest "I just wish she would treat me like an adult." Miss Lydia would say "Child, to your mother, you will, always, be the child she gave birth to". When Tami asked me what I thought, I told her "Miss Lydia is right. 100% Look at what remains, of my own "family". To them, I am, still, an eight year old boy, who needs to be regulated, and cared for. They will, NEVER, see me as an adult". When Tami would mutter Family, who needs it". I would tease her, saying "Keep trying. You just MIGHT convince yourself". With the boards permission, I had Tami agree to say nothing, when we re-entered the Roxbury property. (One, sad, point of note. Mr. Black's pick-lock keys worked better, in the pad-lock, than the official key did.) Thankfully, Tami had, again, secured her neighbors permission, for G.S.2 to land in the farmers field. This, to provide more convenient access, in case we needed our equipment. While Tami and I did not, find any additional evidence, of spirit activity, on our second visit, to Roxbury, Tami had an idea, for drawing the spirits out. After a donation was made, to the Restore Roxbury Drive-In fund was made, a work-force was assigned, to the site. When the workers, casually, asked about the ghost-stories, Tami and I would suggest "Let US handle anything, which goes "bump, in the night"." Based upon our experience, with cases, such as the corporate lodge, Tami and I remembered how much spirits hate it, when the living begin to change the "haunting grounds". As far as anyone was concerned, the old, refreshment stand, building, was scrap. Tami and I were reviewing plans, for a replacement, when we lucked out. A "portable shelter" manufacturer had an "excess kit", which they were willing to part with. Sure, the building was "compact", but, on the plus side, it was three stories tall. The building was designed for the first floor to be a restaurant, while supplies storage would be in the second floor, with an owners office, on top. From what Tami was able to research, the manufacturers story was correct. The original purchaser had been so confident, of securing th necessary land, for the building, that they had ordered, and paid, in advance, for the building. This even BEFORE completing the land deal. When the sellers price exceeded what the financiers were willing to pay, support vanished. Now, the manufacturer had a load, of building supplies, custom made, and no client to deliver to. When we asked the company's price, for delivery, the company bid just fuel, and work-mens labor. This is how the Roxbury Drive-in added a BRAND NEW refreshment center, at only ten percent of normal cost. The ONLY reason why the old, speaker, wire, had to be removed, was because it was so thread-bare, and in far to many places. It would seeem that, over years, of traffic, the top layer had been worn off, leaving the wire exposed. While the wiring contractor would say "Its no big deal", to remove the wire, and that, all the contractor had to do was assign a few workers, just to lift, and coil, the age old wire, it was just for safety. The playground equipment, though, HAD to go. Not just because of what the parts were "coated" with, either. Simple fact was, lack of maintenance had left the parts ready to crumble, during any coming storm season. Add in the lead paint, from so long ago, and it just made sense to replace the parts. While Tami and I, both, remembered how rough the ground had felt, as children, when we, as adults, viewed the "trenches", around the toys, and remembered skinned knees, and elbows, once the ground was levelled, in the modern day, We decided to try some construction mats, on the "floor" of the playground. The goal being not just to keep clothes clean, but allowing the hard rubber to take the abuse. I have to hand it to my partner, her plan, for the rehab, showed REAL, and phantom, results, in almost no time. Aftre the construction workers departed, at the end of the work day, the spirits came forth. Most of the spirits wanted to know "What is that tall thing (the refreshment center) doing in the middle of our sports field?" When Tami tried exlaining, both to the chilldren, and to some adults, that the childrens school no longer existed (and hadn't, in over a century), the children, ofcourse, would insist "I am NOT over 100 years old. I am (5,6,7, or whatever age each spirit was, when they lived, at the school). A matron would, also, and most adamantly, state "Young woman. **I** have been a matron, at this school, for only fifteen years. I am only fifty years old. Are you trying to suggest that I am well over 100?" What Tami would say "I have no doubt that was your age, a century ago, when you LIVED here". The matron would say "If you are trying to convince ME, that **I** am over a century old, I would insist that you prove it". When Tami would ask "Okay, for starters, what YEAR is it?" The matron, proudly, announced "It is 1875. What a silly question. Why would you ask such a silly question?" When Tami would ask "What if I told you that it is the twenty-first century?" The matron would say "I would say you need such lies washed out of your mouth. Maybe even a good hiding (whipping)." A moment later, when the matron would glance beyond Tami, asking "What IS that thing? What is it doing, in our sports field?" Tami would look at the building, saying "In your time, this did not exist. In MY time, that top level is called a projection booth." When the matron would ask "To project what? and where?" Tami would say "A projector sends pictures, through the air, to that large, white, wall, over there". Now, as if seeing it, foor the first time, the matron would look, at the projection wall, its white panels, which made up the screen, and wonder. When the matron would, then, look in the direction, of the school, and see a cellular phone tower, instead of the school, the matron would ask Tami "What IS that thing?" When Tami would point, at the tower, saying "That? That is a cell-phone tower".. When the matron would ask the all-too-familiar question, of "Why would prison cells have things, like telephones?" Tami would be left to explain one of the "wonders", of the late twentieth century. "Actually, it is called either a "cellular phone", or "cell-phone", for short". When the matron would ask "WHERE do you plug that THING in?" Tami would say "You dont". While the matrons spirit was difficult, to convince, Tami would find the children much easier. What baffled my partner, though, was the REASON why the children were present. After all, upon reaching adulthood, most children leave such places. When Tami asked the children WHY they remained, each child would say "This is the only "home" I, ever, knew". Realizing how easily a childs feelings could be hurt, Tami was about to call upon Mother Superior, when the nun appearred, on her own. Tami only wished that she knew HOW Mother Superior could encourage cooperation, from ALL whom she was involved with. Maybe, like her boss, the Chairman, immortality had its "perks". Cooperation being one of those "perks". With Mother Superior pointing the "way", a matron would stand, at the front, of the line, of children, with the remainder, of the schools staff bringing up the rear. Mother Superior would begin singing "Jesus loves me", and, at this signal, the matrons, and the children, would join in. Tami could not help but smile, as the line, of children, walked into the distance, dissolving, into thin air, while singing "Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to HIM, belong. They are weak, but he is strong". When a tiny voice (which Tami figured was a boy), said "Down right", Mother Superior would slap the childs head, saying "Respect, for the Lord, our God"." Then, the children continued, more or less, in unison "Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible..." Then, the voices faded out, and Tami found herself whispering the ending, of that very old, and traditional, childrens song, with "The Bible tells me so". While the remodelling crew would have no, further, problems, with the Roxbury, the REAL PROBLEM would be the Tremont. Not only were the "inhabitants", of the Tremont, un-friendly, to visitors, but so were the local, and very much ALIVE, police. Tami would find that even her own neighhborhood officer was about as helpful, in regards to information, about the Tremont, as it would be, for Tami to talk to a brick wall. This is why Tami was relieved that Ghost Ship 2 was available. Since neither the police, nor the city council, were forthcoming, with information, Tami had to use Brown Agency software, to find out what she could, about the Tremont, on the internet. This, while I surveyed the grounds (And almost fell into a deserted well, which was "capped" with rotted planks.) While I not only found the remains, of some stone foundations, I, also, met a few less-than-sober, male, spirits. While I accepted a mug of ale, and asked the men about this place, atleast one, sort-of-sober, man would "shhh" me, whispering "Friend. Take care. The kings men are all around. We must be careful, as to how we speak. The Kings ears are everywhere." While I KNOW that I did not even SIP the ale, it must have been the FUMES, which made me imagine the woods, the gulley, and even the drive-in vanishing, from my view, to be replaced with this 15th, to 17th, century inn. This place must have WANTED to appear loyal, to the crown, of England, since "red coats" were treated as friendly as possible. While I was astounded, that the booze was served, in wooden cups, I would have considered this a health hazzard, but only until I remembered that, in places, like Boston, Philadelphia, even New York, booze, in public houses, was served, in lead mugs. Only the very rich, and politicians, could afford brass, drinking, glasses. THIS place did not even have its candles, in reflective sconces. The candles were bare, on the tables. At this point, I used a tip, from my partner. Shut up, and listen. Listen: More important than talking. While trying to place the current year, of this public house, I figured that, with no talk, of revolution, or of independence, I was in the 1600's. One thing is for certain. This public house was biult in the days before indoor plumbing. What history books fail to mention is that, un-like todays mens rstrooms, where the simple emptying, of ones bladder, and bowels, was the "norm", by contrast, in colonial days, men did, at times, discuss farming, land purchases, and whose son might marry whose daughter. While I did need, to step outside, for some fresh air, I was happy when, upon departing the public house, I did not return to the present. This was how I learned about "mens rooms". There was too much information, which I needed to gather, in the past. Information, which was DEFINITELY NOT in the history books. Information, such as th bar owner being as huge as a bear. Information, such as the owner, chasing a drunk away, with a wooden baseball bat. Including the threat that, if the customer ever attacked a waitress, again, the bar owner would "run the man through", with his cutlass. I should, also, remark that, atleast at this public house, men seemed to drink, to relax, and enjoy good company. (NOT for the purpose of getting drunk) Out of, maybe, fifty men, that night, I saw only three staggering home, drunk. I did, however, have to dodge the British patrols. It was not until I heard the bar announcing "Closing time. Pay your tabs". I dont know why, but I reached for my own wallet, to make sure my own cash and I.D. were prsent. Then I remembered "If this is the 1600's, then my money, I.D., even my Social Security card, were worthless." The Founding Fathers had not yet, even been born. Then came th question "What if I am stopped, by a patrol? All I have are my 21st century identification, and money. HOW would I explain myself?" Since even Washington D.C. did not exist, yet, the Social Security Administration would not exist, for centuries to come. No, until I was finished, with my research, best to follow Tami's example. "Blend in, as well as possible". I did, however, offer my praise, to the Lord, for the Mission Vests, which Mr Black had created, for agency personnel. After spending two weeks, in the past, I felt that I had more than enough intell, on the Tremont roperty. This is when I made contact, with the nearest, Wiccan, coven. Naturally, the Wiccans asked me for proof, which I supplied. Proof, in the form of codes, which only Wiccans used. Codes, supplied to Tami and myself, on previouis cases. While I understood the reason why the Wiccans wanted me to wait, outside the coven, I knew when the spell was working, even as I watched the scenery change, and when the sound, of diesel engines, came into my hearing range. When I returned, to G.S.2, I informed Tami "Once I get cleaned up, I have some news, for you". After a shower, and a couple of rations packs, I informed Tami of what I had learned, in the 1600's. While Tami agreed, that local history did not span, as far as the 1600's, Tami HAD found references, to a place called "Tremont". When I informed her "The reason, for the name, was because, originally, there was a group, of tree's, on a mount. While a family would, eventually, clear the tree's, and build a house, the family kept the name "Treee Mount", for the property." When Tami would add "Some time between 1725, and 1775, the house burned down. The property reverted back, to the forest". I would add "The reason why the spirits seem so angry, and so willing to fight, is because these men, in life, knew only violence. Killing, stealing, and so on." Tami would add "During the 1800's, another house was built, and the land was planted, with crops. Problem was, tavern customers kept passing out, in the fields. When the owner fenced the fields in, drunks just jumped over the fence. While the landlord, whose name I have yet to find, rallied locals, to close down the public house, the customers responded, by burning down the homestead. The land, however, remained in the same family, until the invention of motion pictures. In fact, the original name, of the drive-in, was the Tree Mount. I am not sure of just when it happened, but, somewhere, along the way, a couple of letters fell out, of the name. The drive-in then became known as the Tremont." I would add "As far as I can tell, the spirits are happy, where they are. Most still think it is the 1600's. They have, only been attacking, due to the noise, of automobiles." Tami would suggest "To bad we cannot just put up a sound barrier." When I would remind Tami "Spirits can walk through walls. What makes you think they cannot HEAR, through walls?" It would be when Tami would suggest "To bad a solid, concrete, wall, with tree's, and shrubs, as decorations, would not work". This is when a man, whom I had met, in the 1600's, would ask "Kind sir, might I inquire as to why the little lady's suggestion will not prove effective? For myself, it would be considered an excellent idea". When Tami would ask the spirit "Can you egt the other spirits, to agree?" The man would say Kind lady, we will discuss the matter". By the time Tami finished the negotiations, the deceased would only agree, to stay on THEIR side, of the wall, IF we, humans stayed on OUR side. That, and if the wall were raised to a height, of 100 feet. While the idea, of tree's,and shrubs, would be welcome, the 100 foot height would be for the spirits privacy. While the Tremont "refreshment center" practically fell down, in front of us, the manufacturer was willing to give us another unit, at cost, plus ten percent. This deal, because the public was happy with the recently re-opened Roxbury. The new "Refreshment Center" would, also, have brand new equipment, just as the Roxbury had. Over a four day span, the 100 foot wall would take shape. (Workers just wondered what people, dressed in colonial clothing, were doing, watching the cement pour). Once the wall was set in place, and the tree's, and shrubs, were planted, the public houses customers came by, to shake my hand, and kiss Tami's hand. To our surprise, though, the owners, of the former homes, even stopped by, to wish us luck. They seemed pleased that the land would be in use, again. While local theaters, and video stores, complained, about loss, of weekend revenue, it seems that families began enjoying the classic entertainment, of drive-in movie viewing. As Tami's mother would caution, though, "As long as we can cover operating costs, we will be fine. I just hope that we can generate enough income, to keep all three drive-ins operating." By the time all three drive-ins were "squared away", Mr. Brown would be on the satellite link, asking "While I commend your ethics, and desire, to aid your community, may I remind you that our agency operates on the money, generated by satisfied customers?" When Tami would agree "Yes, sir. Understood". Mr. Brown would ask "Have you begun your review, of the current, ACTIVE, case?" Tami would say "Sir, I am not so certain, of this case." When Mr. Brown would ask "Why?" Tami would say "According to the file, people are being thrown into a watery channel, between two land masses. Other people are being strung up, in tree's." When Mr. Brown would say "All you have to do is verify whether those, involved in the throwing, and tying, are human. If so, the police will take over". After Tami gave her family, and neighbors, ANOTHER farewell, G.S.2 did its "trademark" , vertical, lift-off. On-ward, to the next, light house case. (Personal note: Six months after the renovations, to the Costellation, Roxury, and Tree Mount, drive-ins, my mother reports that both attendance, and revenues, have, never, been better. Mother also reports that, each time a movie is being aired, the local, video, store, prints out an ad, detailing the contents of the movie. The video store has, even, been providing some movies, in return for a share, of the gate fee's. Maybe, the "good OLD days" may, never, return, but that wont stop my mother from making the best of the "Good NEW days".)

THE HAUNTING PAST AN ENGLISH HAUNTING

THE HAUNTING PAST: AN ENGLISH HAUNTING Where will it end? Thankfully, that was Mr. Browns decision. I was just thankful that the decision had come just as things were about to spiral, out of control, in the Middle East. After the bomber crew directed Tami and I to the location, of the downed bomber, I would say that it was a miracle, that we found the airplane, at all. Just from viewing the extent, of the damage, to the composite fuselage, the B-2 bomber must have been flying "on the deck", and low enough for rifles, and other, automatic, weapons, to punch holes, in the composite material. The bomber pilot would inform us "The last thing I remember, I was looking at my air crew, and I was shocked to find only dead eyes, staring out, at nothingness." When Tami asked "Why were you flying so low?" The captain would say "Orders, ma'am." Just by visual observation, alone, it would seem that, once mortally wounded, the bomber had plowed into the sand, similar to a childs, plastic, shovel. When the bombers co-pilot provided Tami with the number, for Graves Registration, she agreed that we would mark the location, for a body retrieval team. After that, we moved on. The next group, of pilots, had been flying some Apache attack helicopters. While the pilots agreed that ground fire had not damaged the helicopters engines, the ground fire HAD "taken out" the helicopters "heart-and-soul". Due to the helicopters HEAVY reliance, on computer technology, a few shots, into the delicate circuitry, had caused the helicopters downfall. Without computer control, the "fly by wire" system was useless. Just a few, lucky, shots, into each helicopter, was all that were needed, to send the flying "marvels of science", spinning into the ground. While the cockpits might have been bullet-proof, NOTHING could have protected the crew, when the helicopters went "belly-up", plunging the helicopters engines into the sand. The impact would drive the engines through the cockpit, even as the nose dug its way into the ground. After another call, to Graves Registration, and a new list, of coordinates, for body retrieval, Mr. Brown would call US, asking "WHEN are you coming home?" While Tami and I could see a long line, of both Americans, Afghani's, and Iraqi's (In a continually GROWING line), all awaiting our assistance, Tami remembered that Mr. Brown was the man who controlled our paychecks. If Tami and I wanted to retain our pretty plane, our expense accounts, and other benefits, we did what the boss said. When Mr. Brown would say "I want you to "pack it in", and head for England. The on-site team has something they want you to look at." When Tami asked "What about the dead, from the war?" Mr. Brown would say "As long as the war continues, as endlessly as it has, there will be no end, of need, for the deceased." By the time Tami was thinking "I wish Mother Superior was here". SHE would know EXACTLY how to handle this. Sure enough, as if in answer, to Tami's thoughts, Mother Superior DID appear. The woman might be an angel, but she could be a ruthless tyrant/warden, when a situation called for such measures. Even I do not know what Mother Superior said, to the spirits, but, the spirits must have understood. The gathering, of war dead, dissolved into thin air, before Mother Superior came to us. The nun would say "Just like ALL of God's children, you just need to show when a FIRM hand is needed." To this, Tami gave a curtsey, while I gave the nun a bow, even as we thanked the nun. This is when, to our surprise, the nun would say "Your next case will be something, of a joy. I would hope that you treat it accordingly". Tami and I were just about to wonder HOW the nun could know about our next case, even before WE did, however, this was only until we remembered WHO her boss was. It would seem that, being the Chairman, of Heaven, had some major advantages. When Mr. Brown downloaded the case-file, Tami and I sighted a problem, right away. According to the case-file, the events were taking place within a community, where no one, of legal age, was allowed to remain, unless married. In fact, one, of the rules, of the community, was that no one was allowed INTO the community (including staff members) unless the people could PROVE that they were married. This lead to the question of HOW, on Earth, could we, two single people, even gain entry, to the community? When Mr. Brown would only say "Working on it", Tami and I began working on our review, of the file. If the agents, on-scene, were correct, then so was Mother Superior. IF the case turned out to be, what it APPEARRED to be, it would be nothing more than verifying "residual haunts". Nothing, for people to be concerned about. When the secretary contacted us, a couple of days later, the secretary informed us "Good news. Mr. Brown has arranged a compromise. The community has agreed to allow you access. All we have to do, to comply, is to provide "proof" of your "intent" to become engaged". When Tami would ask "What KIND of intent?" The secretary would say "Just as simple announcement, in the media. Dont worry, though. The agency is covering the cost, of a license". When Tami would gasp "A license? For what?" The secretary would say "A marriage license, of course". When Tami would say "Now, hold on. We agreed to WORK together, but this is going TOO FAR". The secretary would say "Relax. It is all for show. You dont have to set a wedding date. All the community has requested is proof of INTENT." When I would ask the secretary "Just curious. What happens when the community learns that we are NOT, actually, getting married?" The secretary would say "Relax. By that time, the case will be concluded, and you will have moved on, to your next case". The one thing I just could not puzzle out was the question of if Tami was, actually relieved, over this news, or, if she only wanted to appear relieved, by the news. For Tami and I, the biggest concern was the question of what do to, when locals questioned us, about our wedding plans. Both Tami, and I, had been through this nightmare, before. In each case, all, that either of us, had done, was to ask people what it might be like, to be married, to either of us. The next thing each of us knew, we were "running for cover", as people POUNDED us, with questions, regarding marriage. NIETHER of us wanted to undergo that NIGHTMARE, ever again. While the secretary would say "It is, ALL, being arranged", Tami made a point of contacting her mother. Tamis concern was that her mother would take the announcement, seriously. In fact, Tami had no doubt, at all, that, unless she explained, to her mother, first, the elder woman would take the announcement seriously. In fact, Tami had no doubt that, unless Tami got to her mother, before the news arrived, that her mother would begin making wedding preparations, including invitations, securing a church, and even having a wedding dress prepared, for her daughters arrival. Un-fortunately, just as Tami predicted, no matter how often Tami would inform her mother, that we were WORKING, her mother only had "wedding bells", on the brain. I guess that this is why, before hanging up the phone, Tami had told her mother "Think what you want. **I** know the truth. After Tami cut the line, she would inform me "As far as my mother is concerned, I am, already, your wife". I told her not to worry. That, if my own sister, and I, had been on speaking terms, my sister would have reacted no better. Still, Tami HAD hoped, to let her mother down, easily. The elder woman, however, wanted no part in this. Tami's mother wanted GRAND-children, period. As a result, Tami decided on her OWN course, of action. Tami just would not visit her parents, until her mother had this "marriage business" out of her head. This is why I was thankful that I had no such problems, seeing as how my own family was about as "close" as Earth is, to the Andromeda Galaxy. As for the case at hand, if it turned out to be nothing more than the residuals, which we were expecting, then we could "clean it up", before anyone got "wise" to us. As it would turn out, SOME, of the spirits, were just residuals. A few children, who, still, played the games, of their youth. A couple of adults, whose routine Tami had down, pat, after just a couple of days. Most important, of all, was the fact that these "residuals" paid no attention to the humans, around them. Even when we stood in the spirits path. the spirits just moved through us, like we were not even there. Tami was able to verify that two, of the children, were from the same family. As far as anyone knew, however, the children had died, of "Natural Causes". What was sad was that ALL of the children had died, of conditions, now, totally, preventable. As for the adults, community staff had verified that two, possibly three, of the spirits, were of deceased workers. Even in death, the people still carried on, with their duties. Everyone was in full agreement, that there was nothing to be done, with the "residuals". What made Tami and I most grateful, was the fact that, once the community was informed that we were on-site, to investigate the spirits, and try to send the needy on, to meet their maker, this meant that neither of us was "badgered" with marriage questions. About the most questions, that we encountered, were about G.S.2. People never ceased to be astounded, by our plane. Granted, while most planes are painted, more like the sky, except for passenger jets, which were painted a wide variety of colors, our jet was painted dull black, and for good reason. While Tami engaged local women, in the normal conversations, about the past, including how the community came to be, the young, especially the boys (and a few "tom-boys"), could not stop admiring the jet. While this community was nowhere near as "backward", as the Amish, it would seem that our plane was a temptation, which the young could not resist. Now, granted, in SOME ways, the planes sleek shape DID resemble some of the bat-man planes, from recent movies, I would only promise the boys, and some men, that our plane had been designed, and built, in the days before the modern movies. When some of the men asked "Is that thing armed?" I would emphasize "Only for defensive action. We have no offensive capacity". When one man would ask "What is the difference between offensive, and defensive?" Our pilot would step forward, saying "Sir, while this plane is fully capable, of defending itself, from a variety of hazzards, we have no capability, nor orders, clearing us, for attack." When the man would suggest "Potatoes/Po-tah-toes", the pilot would say "No, sir. Without direct orders, it would be illegal for us to initiate an attack.. I am talking YEARS, of jail time." When another man would say "Even still, it would be best if we kept the children AWAY from the plane". The pilot would say "An excellent suggestion." While Tami was conducting her interviews, I would be pursuing my main task. That of surveying the grounds, and finding out what was here, past, and present. While a local, land, surveyor, was willing to give me a "grand tour", I suggested that the man accompany ME, on my "rounds". This way, instead of a "package tour", we could look at the places, most people avoided, whenever possible. Okay, so I will admit that, when we went, to examine a pier, from underneath, we happened upon a young couple, who were "involved". Once they saw us, they ran. What astonished me, however, was that the surveyor was correct. The wooden piers, which held the pier together, were not sunk into the lake bottom. At low tide, it was obvious that the supports were mounted inside what looked like stone, or marble, cubes. The surveyor would admit that no one knew what had been here, before, however, once the dirty lake water was cleaned up, it was found that the stones rested atop a long, stone, structure. Its purpose was unknown. As to what the holes, in the stones, were, originally, for, was anyones guess. About the only place the surveyor would NOT enter, with me, was an ancient cave. Sure, the place held the appearance, of being pre-Columbian, maybe even pre-Viking, but that was about all there was to it. No carvings. No paintings, No scrolls. While myself, and my guide, were being disappointed, by Mother Natures use, of the landscape, Tami would be learning about the history, of this, supposedly, "old", community. Over several, home visits, coffee, tea, cookies, and cake, Tami would learn that this community was nowhere near as old as we had thought it would be. In fact, as communities go, this place was, practically, a "grade school child". Tami was to learn that this place had happened, not by accident, but by design. It was not some backwoodsman, who hoped to be left alone. No, this place had a purpose. What Tami heard, time and again, was how people had become so revolted, by modern "values", which included mate-swapping, three-somes, and even voyerism, that a large group, of persons, brought together their life savings, and purchased this land. And, no. Aside from some ancient tales (which no one believed), the people, who took on this land did not do so, for "mystical powers". This area was built, for those who respected one anothers privacy. This area was built, for those who wished for a return of the days, when neighbors trusted one another, and community meant something. Tami was to learn that one of the charter rules, of this community: "No excessive foul language, or vulgarity", was founded in the fact that several, of these families had come from places, where profanity was in such wide-spread usage, that locals were ashamed to call the area "home". There were others, who came here, from places where, when a person purchased something, that another person wanted, just to say "I have it. You dont", the thief would, simply, put a knife, or gun, to victims, and say "I am TAKING it". Those, who fought back, found that jail cells, were the cost, of this fight. To the law, it didn't matter that the "victim" had a receipt, for purchases, all the police cared about was filing charges, of Racial Mis-Conduct, against those who tried to keep their own property. Another reason, for the marriage clause, was the fact that, in atleast a few neighborhoods, single mothers let children run, wild, round-the-clock. It did not matter what the children were doing, as long as they were out of mom's "hair". When locals had filed a complaint, against one welfare woman, for, at seperate times, giving birth to over a dozen children, saying the woman was a drain, on community resources, all that local government had told the petitioners was "YOU can leave anytime you want to". What the communities had NOT expected was for large numbers, of locals, to finally, accept this "offer". What government had HOPED for was a gradual reduction, of local population. Something, explainable, by the loss, of jobs. What communities had not planned for was wholesale migrations. Migrations, which could not be explained away, by job losses. From what Tami was able to piece together, from her conversations, people began coming to this area, when they heard about a new community being built. A place, where RESPECT meant something. During one conversation, alone, Tami would find out that, even while the place was being purchased, people were willing to "camp out", just to be away from the trouble areas. The community would, actually, be constructed, by those who would live there. Tradesmen were brought in, to oversee work, but the majority, of the work was done by people, who, now, LIVED here. By the time my guide was showing me the boundary marker, for the community, I noticed that it was less a marker, and more of a guard tower. My guide would promise me "As you can see, the guard is angled AWAY from the community. While the tower is more for "show", the guards, all retired law enforcement, have permission to shoot anyone, who tries to break in." What I noticed was that, while the guard tower had powerful search lights, that there was a hill, between the tower, and the community. When I asked my guide, they promised "If you notice, the lights are low enough, as not to be viewed, by the community. We want our residents to feel SAFE, not incarcerated". By the time Tami and I re-grouped, back at G.S.2, Tami would tell me "I hate to say it but I think I could enjoy living here." When I reminded her "I thought you did not like rules, and regulations. I thought that was why you left home, originally. To get away from the "rigidity"." Tami would clarify "At first, I thought that living my life, on my terms, would be so great. No one telling me what time to eat, or go to bed. I thought that life, on my own, would be the answer to my prayers." I would suggest "Let me guess. Life got in the way." Tami would correct me, saying "I did not realize why my parents were so strict, until I got out, on my own. I, never, considered that the world runs by its own clock, NOT by my clock." I would add "Not by mine, either." Yes, it was true. Life did operate, by its own clock. A clock not based on person needs, but upon community needs. In a world where, more and more, people were even rioting over the idea of "**I** am special. Bow to me". Tami and I had entered an area, where community was the center of life. Children were in bed, at a sensible hour, and adults sat out, on porches, on warm evenings. Anyone, who wanted to listen to music, was encouraged to either wear headphones, or close their homes windows. Excessive noise was a great, and easy, way to get kicked out of this town. What Tami and I found relaxing, about this place, was the fact that, like the vampire community, and the case, of the look-a-like, after ten o'clock (22:00 hours), the city became so quiet that a nearby river could be heard. Couples strolled, and people walked pets. It was hard to imagine that any spirit would WANT to haunt such a beautiful place. Tami and I were on-site, maybe a week, when security had to eject a trouble-maker, from the community. A person who had shouted "I have the same f*ing right, to be here, as you (deleted) have". As security dragged the trouble-maker off of the property, where a police car awaited, Tami was just making a joke, with a local woman, asking "Another satisfied customer?" The woman would whisper "Caution. Do not make such comments, out in the open." When Tami would ask "Why?", the woman would say "As a visitor, you will be shown some leniency. In this community, we do not heckle others. Not even such dregs, as that one. Heckling others is a sure way to be put on the street". Shortly after this, and while I was out, surveying the land, to better understand this place, Tami was being introduced to the "Application Center". A place, which was founded, shortly after the community opened, and some trouble-makers conned their way in. As Tami was to learn, people did not just buy, or rent, land, in this community. Prior to entry, each applicant filled out a background sheet. Something like a criminal background, only more comprehensive. In this case, not only were credit bureaus contacted, about legal trouble, but banks, landlords, and other groups, were contacted, about a persons bill-paying habits. The best way, to gain entry, was by having a solid record, of paying bills, on-time. Add in no more "criminal record" than an occassional parking ticket, and entry would pass, easier. So far, though, several groups, had been launching lawsuits, demanding access, to the community. Some applicants, even wanted subsidized housing. Thee problem the courts had, with these suits, was that the community had no federal, or state, grant money. All land was purchased, via mortgages. There was NO rental land, especially for low-income people. When Tami had asked "What happens if someone loses their job, due to factory closings, etc.?" A senior would say "We dont throw them out, if thats what you are implying. We aint no monsters. If a person falls on hard times, we try to help them out. The only people we would PUT out would be those who, when they lose something, they just sit back, and relax." Tami was not certain but this place sounded more, and more, like her parents home, every minute. After six weeks, on the case, Tami was extending her exercise sessions, saying "Coffee, Tea, cake, and cookies, might be great, for conversations, but my waist-line. I will be lucky if I do not gain twenty pounds, from all of this food." I only said nothing since, in my own "battle", with weight, I was working harder, and harder, to keep my body firm and trim, yet I remained much larger than I wanted to be. I would not mind having the build, of either Arnold Schwarzennegger, or Lee Haney, but, solid as I was, I remained larger than I wanted to be. Muscular, yes. Large: I could do without. What I did remind Tami of was that her efforts were not in vane. Thanks to Tea, and cookies, Tami had learned that most of the spirits were not of those, who lived in this community. The place was just not old enough, to have its own, ghostly, population. Tami knew what this meant. Time for the Hall of Records, and, Heaven forbid, back to the convents records. This, while I visited the county, title, office. While the development was in the newest part, of the titles section, since the community was the "newest" thing, in town, I had to remind the clerks that it was the older records, that I wanted. I wanted to know what was there, BEFORE the community was built. The clerk would caution me "Be careful. THOSE records are, nearly, as old as the county. Some, of that paper. It will crumble, in your fingers." While I was examining records, which looked like they had crossed the ocean, with Columbus, Tami was on a "head-hunt", as well. By the time we converged, on G.S.2, we were so tired, from examining documents, which were older than America, that we just chose meal packets, at random. As for what time we drifted off, to sleep, that was anyones guess. All I remember was eating dinner, then waking up, in the early morning. Sometime, before sun-rise, Tami and I finished feeding the footage, into the ships computers, then we ate breakfast, as the sun-rose. I dont know why, but I never got tired, of watching the sun-rise. No matter what country we were in. There was, always, an occassion, to watch the sun rise. By lunch time, our computer had done its best, so Tami decided to feed the information, to the agencies computers. Maybe Mr. Black could make something out of the data. Tami returned to her duty, of interviewing locals, while I returned to trying to figure out what had been at this location, in the past. As near as I could figure, at one time (who knows when), there had been a previous settlement, at this location. I am just not certain of exactly WHAT had been at the location, of the current pier. All I think is that the holes, the piers were set into, were NOT designed to hold wooden poles. When Mr. Brown supplied me with the latest version, of Black Ops diving gear, suggesting that I "jump in the lake", I did as the boss suggested. While some locals warned me, that there were some heavy rocks, in the water, and to avoid getting fouled, since "We dont want to have to call for a rescue team. It might make the community seem un-safe." I made my promise, hoping that I could keep the promise. Personally, I have no idea of why the government turned these units down. My pack held everything a diver could want. (I just wish I knew how that flashlight could light up objects, without harsh glare.) While I was relieved not to find any sphinxes, grave yards, or other, spooky, stuff, in the clear waters, of the lake, what I DID find was obvious, construction debris. No qustion about it. At some point, this place had been a dumping ground, for marble. When a member, of the town council would say "Impossible. There has, never, been marble, quarried, in this area." I would suggest "Pull some up, and see for yourself. If that is not marble, I will eat this tank". When a local handed me some yellow mustard, and I suggested "I prefer spicy brown. Makes the metal taste better". Laughs went up, all around. After the town council member would go on, for four hours, insisting that there had, never, been a quarry, in this area, the local tow truck driver would decided to put an end to the conversation. Backing his monstruously large truck down to the edge of the lake, he would hand me a cable, saying "Hook me a BIG piece. If you are right, I want something I can be proud to say "I hauled this in". While it took me over an hour, to hook a piece, by clearing away the soil, and water growth, when I gave the tow truck driver the signal, I noticed that the man was not alone. It seems that dozens of people had showed up, to see what we would haul up. Even before the slab broke the surface, I could see that it was carved. When the council member would look at the carving, claiming "You carved it, before you lifted it. That is what you were doing, underwater, for so long." When this was, openly, laughed at, especially by the resident carver, of the community, who would say "You are crazy. That kind of work would have taken months", the council member would be silent. When I asked "Can anyone tell me what this says?" The pastor, of the closest church, would come forward, saying "It looks like Latin, but it could be Greek. Too hard to tell, until it is cleaned off." The pastor would turn to the truck driver, who would say "I can have it to the church, in about half an hour. I just need to make sure it is secure, for transport." The pastor would say "Very well. I shall see you in about thirty minutes. No rush, though. Safety first". The driver would say "Yes, father". Later, at the church, I would find the minister, going through violumes, as church members would whisper "He is, still, trying to find a reference point, for the language." After awhile, the minister gave up, and threw down the oldest transcription, that anyone knew of. This, the minister did as he said "I give up. Not a single reference, to be found. Blasted internet. Supposed to be a "one stop shopping center", for everyones needs. Everyone, but me, so it seems". When I looked at the cleaned up slab, I would mention "Father, I know how weird this will sound but..." When the minister would say "Out with it, my son. In the house, of the Lord, ALL are welcome". I would suggest "These markings. They look like what science fiction writers would carve, on props, like for shows like Stargate, Star Trek, maybe even Battlestar Galactica." When the minister would say "My son, I hope you are not suggesting aliens" I would correct this, asking "Have any movie production companies been in this area?" The minister, and the locals, would agree "No movies, or production companies, that I know of". When a local would ask my reason, I would suggest "IF a production company HAD been in this area, that would explain the writings. Especially if the movie were science fiction." When the minister would say "I dont follow." I would suggest "What is easier, after a movie is complete. Haul everything, back to the studio, OR just find a body of water, and dump the props". During a closer examination, the following day, when I had HOPED to find evidence that the marble was, actually, some cheap substance, made to look like marble, no such luck. Even the analyzer, which Tami brought, from the plane, confirmed that this marble was REAL. As to the reason WHY the marble was dumped, this remained as much, of a mystery, as WHO the previous inhabitants had been. There was no record, in the county courthouse. Even after Tami checked the convents records, no luck. All that anyone knew was that, when the town was established, the land went on the record. As to the reason why no one developed the land, this was more superstition, and legend, than fact. Just because a few people had drowned, in the lake, there was fear that "monsters" lived in the waters. Monsters, which pulled people under. I had to laugh, at that one. Especially when I asked "If there be monsters, WHY did they not drown me?" No one had an answer. While myself, the minister, and some locals, were attempting to make some kind of sense, of the carvings, on the marble, Tami had decided to turn the investigation, into a different "heading". What Tami would tell no one, except myself, was that, even while she had been examining the towns historic records, a Negro male had approached her. Tami would report "I dont know where he came from, but I DO know that he was a senior citizen. His kinky curly hair, and his mustache, were as white as paper. While he seemed generally polite, he seemed FIRM, when he told me "You are looking in the WRONG place". Tami would say "When I asked him how it was wrong, with searching the records, he smiled, at me, as he said "You are looking at the LEGAL stuff." When I asked "Why would legal be the wrong direction", Tami would say "Not legal. Dont look for legal" These are the words the man used. When I asked "Did he say anything else?" Tami would say "The man said to look into scrappers, and haulers. That kind of thing." When Tami would say that "As soon as I "changed gears", in the investigation, the man tipped his head, then vanished." When I asked "So, WHAT did you find, under "il-legal?" Tami would say "Plenty. I found a group, of men, who had been un-employed, long enough, that the men were willing to work for cash, to pay outstanding bills." Tami would continue "Based upon the records, the men have spent the past few years, travelling around the area, offering to remove debris, which state law would charge twice as much, to haul away." "The men pack up their truck, with debris, then find the nearest, water, source. Something which has murky waters. Once they found this, they dumped the debris." When I would ask "What does this have to do with the haunting, of this community? Its water source is as clear as drinking water". Tami would correct me, saying "NOW! It is clear. When the dumping was going on, the water was as "clear" as coffee, or soda." When I asked "How does the marble fit into all of this?" Tami would say "According to regulations, the marble is subjected to strict, and very expensive, regulations". I would add "In come the haulers". Tami would say "Thats right. In return for gas money, and some "pocket change", a quarry, from another parrish, eliminates its rubble, at, maybe, 3% of normal cost". When I would ask "So, what happened?" Tami would say "Simple. The haulers had to stop dumping, when, first, police set up check-points, then the community began construction, including a water purification plant." Even so, I had to wonder HOW the team got the larger chunks into the water. I just could not see a small group, of men, muscling the pieces about. Slabs, and chunks, maybe. But not pieces, the size of the lake pier foundation. When I asked Tami "Does the record say anything, about the writing, which is etched into some of the slabs?" Tami would report Those are what stone carvers would call either "test pieces", or "learning tools". Stone carvers practiced, and refined, various writing styles, as well as other engraving, in these stabs". When I would conclude "So, this was just an un-authorized dumping ground, before the community was built." While the community had WANTED to salvage the marble, for community use, it seems that parrish regulations were just as strict, on salvage, and re-use, as the regulations were, on disposal. The remaining marble would remain in the lake. The parrish regulators set such a high price, on salvage, of the derelict pieces, that it would cost the community LESS money, to quarry fresh marble. It was AFTER Tami reported, to the Brown Agency, HOW the debris came to be in the lake, that a Negro male, named Oscar, would visit Tami, for a discussion. While Oscar admitted that he had lived several meters away, from this area, Oscar would, also, admit "I loved this place, so much. Ever since I found it. It is so nice, and quiet. A man can relax, and be alone, with his thoughts." While Oscars wife had THOUGHT he was having an affair, with other women, the woman had grown furious, when Oscar had told her "Think what you want. I am going, to be alone". When his wife followed Oscar, finding him completely alone, and resting, at the waters edge, his wife had challenged Oscar, saying "This is a cover-up, isn't it". Oscar admitted walloping his wife, for "Disturbing the Peace". This is when his wife toold Oscar "Once the kids are raised, I am gone, as well"". From that time, on, everytime the wife threatened to leave, Oscar would say "Fine by me". Oscar would say "Eventually she DID take the kids, and moved in with some guy. He had an expensive car, and a really fancy way of talking." When Tami would inquire "Why do you remain here?"" Oscar would say "I LOVED this place, all of my life. Thats why, when this new group, of people, moved in, I presented my services, and they hired me. This way, I would be able to keep my lake as beautiful, as possible". When Tami would ask Oscar "How long did you stay?" Oscar would say "I never left. Once I saw how peaceful life was, here, I just stayed on. One, of the property owners even built me a cottage, for my labors. I have lived in that cottage up until now". When Tami would, gently, inquire "You do know that you have passed, from this life, dont you". Oscar would say "I will remain until the community finds another keeper. Someone who LOVES the land, as much as I do. Only then will I depart". This is when Tami proposed her BIG ask "If you knew of any of the other spirits, inhabiting this land, WOULD you introduce me to these spirits?" Oscar would ask "Whats in the deal, for us?" Tami would promise "I can forward any final messages, to your loved ones." When Oscar would ask "What about the property owners?" Tami would say "I can give them messages, as well". When Oscar would ask "WHY should these people trust your generation? All that profanity. Just stealing what you want." Tami would correct the man, saying "We are NOT all like that", then she would add "Ofcourse, each of you will provide me with something, which only the receiver will know about, and understand". Oscar would say "Allow me to consider your offer." While Oscar was "considering", Tami joined a community member, in attending the latest round of hearings. There were held at the county courthouse, and the charge, each time, was: Racism. The accusers were complaining that the "closed community" simply refused to allow Negroes to enter into the "white paradise". The current hearing was, again, to decide whether the charge was, in fact, accurate. While the prosecution made a PASSIONATE case, for Negro rights, saying that Negroes should be allowed to live anywhere they chose, Then came the community's chance to respond. At this time, a resident attorney would inform the hearing "While the presentation, you have just heard, does, in fact, assume that the community is "Racist", I would wish to point out the following facts, in evidence." When the attorney listed the complainers FIVE evictions, just in the past three years, and all listed as "Non-Payment of rent", the attorney would, also, list even MORE canncellations, of utilities. Reason: Non-Payment. Not partial payments, but NO payments, at all. Then, there were the complainants cell-phone bills. The attorney would inform the hearing that the applicant had charged up three, seperate, phone bills, before being ordered to switch over to Pay-As-You-Go. To each, of these charges, the accusers attorney would object, asking what grounds this held, on the CURRENT case. When the chairman, of the hearing, told the defense lawyer to proceed, the attorney spoke of the complainants "maxed out" credit cards, as well as the complainers "maxed out", public credit. Later that day, after the hearing let out, Tami, and her guide, watched as a woman chased a group, of foul-mouthed children, away from the downtown, with a stick. When the woman called, after the children "I will teach you mannners", and Tami would say "Wow! I have not seen such discipline, in decades". Her guide would say "Its no wonder. That woman died, in the 1970's. She died after her children left home, and her husband fell, to a heart attack." It was as Tami, and her guide, travelled back, to the secure community, followed by some "local" kids, who used very foul langauge, on the ladies, that Tami was more than a little relieved when the ladies re-entered the gated community. It was only as the ladies approached, that a gate guard emerged, from a guard shack, that the kids ran off. Whether it was the guards imposing presense, or his fire-arm, which scared the trouble-makers off. That is debatable. Inside the closed community, Tami remained hopeful when atleast two, female, spirits came forward. It seems that atleast one, of the spirits, knew the lady, with the switch. (The woman who charged after the foul-mouthed children, with a stick). As the woman would inform Tami, "That would be Bertha. I remember her being a "task-master", with her own children. She would not even allow her children outside, to play, until all chores, and homework, were completed." When Tami would ask "What about her husband?" The woman would say "Bertha was much gentler, than her husband. When a child needed severe discipline, her husband showed no mercy." When Tami would suggest "So, the childrens lives were, strictly, controlled". The woman would say "Heavens, no. As long as the children obeyed rules, and their manners, play-time was plentiful." The other woman would come forth with "Bertha was, also, the leader of our sewing group. She didn't just want us knitting, just to be knitting, while gossiping. Bertha wanted us to try new patterns". When Tami would ask "So, she was a task-master?" The ladies would say "Heavens, no. Bertha just wanted us to aid her in learning new patterns. If we took up the same skill, along the way, all the better". When Tami would ask "How many patterns did Bertha intrioduce, to the group?" The second spirit lady, named alice, would say "By the time the fever took me, I think I could knit atleast 235 patterns." The first lady, who asked to be called "Matty", would say "As I remember, it was 237." By the time the community hearing re-conveined, two weeks later, no one was shocked, at the hearings decision. The hearings administrator would inform the complainer "We have reviewed your records, and general, credit, history, ourselves. Since the prime rule, for acceptance, into the gated community, is a prolonged credit history, of TIMELY bill payment, something which you do NOT have, this hearing finds that, regardless of race, you do not qualify, for entry, into the gated community." Later, when the rejected tenant brought together a mob, of other, rejected persons, these people gathered at the communities gates, but not just to hurtle trash over the communities gates. The rejects actually began scaling the communities walls. Once inside the community, five, of the trespassers, began spouting obscenities, at residents, in statements such as "We have the f*ing right to be here!" This is when Tami got a familiar feeling, and the air was filled with something Tami recognized, My partner KNEW what was about to happen. As the trespassers begna vandalizing the "Visitors Area", while shouting racial obscenities, at residents, such as "Whatch gonna do about it, huh?" The vandals, with their foul language, watched as first one, then more, of their foul-mouthed, leaders, suddenly rose, into the air, then "flew", as though tossed, back across the gate. They would land out, in the parking lot. As something began throwing out the intruders, community members began put out the burning trash fires. When, after three trespassers were thrown out, of the community, and the remaining trespassers decided to ATTACK the community members The community members would be astonished, when un-seen defenders began grabbing the trespassers, dragging the trespassers, to nearby trees, then tying the hoodlums, to those tree trunks. From the distance, beyond the gates, police would watch, and record the events. The police chief, however, would have to reprimand a Negro officer, who would say "These h*nk*eys are attacking the brothers". When another officer would suggest "Looks to me like the other way around." The Negro would say "It figures that a "whitey" would look at it, that way." Inside the community, as the last, of the trespassers, was tied to tree's, massively-built, pioneer-style, men, would appear, bowing to community members. When the tied-up trespassers would hurtle vulgarities, at the community members, shouting "Just wait until we get lose". It would seem that the spirits had more than enough, of this, vulgar, language. The spirits would gag the trespassers. When security allowed the police into the community's gates, community members would be shocked, first when the police asked "Do you wish to prosecute?", then were told "Since this was, obviously, a RACIAL matter, IF you prosecute, then we are required to file charges, of Racism, against the members of your community." This is when a former police chief would appear, asking "Since WHEN do we prosecute VICTIMS, for protecting their own rights, and property?" When the live officer would say "Ever since Affirmative Act..." This is when the officer realized that the man he was talking to had died, decades ago. When the officer continued "It is the LAW. Negroes MUST be considered the victims..." When the chief would say "Regardless of the Negroes OWN actions?" The officer would say "Its statutory law. I can do nothing about it." The deceased chief would say "Rubbish. I knew you grand-father. We grew up, together. He would, never, stand for such ignorance". The officer would remind the spirit "My grand-father lived, in a different time..." To which the spirit, of the police chief would say "Seems to me, it was a BETTER time." When several patrolmen asked the senior officer "What do we do, with the trespassers?" the ghost police chief would say "Take them in, book them, on felony trespass, vandalism, and attempted assault". When the stunned officers would ask the live officer, they saw the mans own hesitancy, before the younger, live, officer, would "whimp-out", saying "Okay, book them". Then, the living officer would inform the ghost "According to Affirmative Action, I am required to book these community members, as well". When the deceased chief would ask "On WHAT charge?" The officer would say "Violating Affirmative Action". When the deceased chief would ask "Just WHAT is this Affirmative Action, you keep talking about?" The officer would say "In short, it says that, if a white person accuses a Negro, of a crime, the white person MUST be charged with Racism". When the ceeif would ask "For defending their own homes? What nonsense". When the case came to trial, and it was found that the only three judges, in the local vicitnity, were white, the NAACP demanded that th case be moved to a Negro jurisdiction. The claim was made that white judges would not be im-partial, in racial proceedings. Tami would, later, report "Case-file update. While the prosecution, of the trespassers/vandals HAS been moved, to the court, of the Honorable Franklin Johnson (A Negro), it would seem that Judge Johnson could not care, less, about the racial issue. Over the vocal opposition, of Negro rights groups, Judge Johnson ordered the playing, of both police, and security, recirdings, in the courtroom. During the procedings, atleast five, of the defendants, were required to be gagged, and hauled out of court, for excessive profanity. Based upon the video evideence, Judge Johnson found it easy to sentence the trespassers/vandals, to ten years, per vandal. Whil no one doubted that the fine would, ever, be paid, Judge Johnson ordered local, Negro heritage groups to pay a $100,000 fine, for taking NO action, to prevent the criminals actions. Judge Johnsons final decree was that he found NOTHING, in the communities intake charter, which prohibited Negroes from mving in. In fact, the judge would rule that race was neither written, nor implied, at any point. Tami would add "Point of note. Over two dozen, WHITE, peoples applications, have, also, been rejected. Reason: Bill payment "history". Three, of these, white, applicants, were rejected, due to chronic alcohol abuse, while others were rejected, for drug abuse. The rest, of the rejects, had such terrible, bill payment histories. These people, both white, and Negro, were so perpetually, "on the move", that their list, of recent residences, was pages long. This in a clear contrast, to those, whom the community accepted. Those, who were accepted, had five, to twenty, years, at a single residence. Also of note is the fact that, after the attack, community members did not wait for the city to begin the clean up operation. Community members, themselves (Point of note: I have noticed atleast a dozen spirits aiding the clean up), performed the clean up, over night (while their children slept). What Tami could not help noticing, about both the living, and the dead, is how little, if any, talk, of racism, there was. In fact, Tami noticed that race was mentioned only when distinguishing people, who had the same name, but different skin color. Other than this, no one spoke of race. Everyone, living AND dead, held high hopes, that their community would serve as a model, for other communities. Sure, a few men had joked, about a "profanity prison". A place, where profaners, vandals, and thieves, would be placed behind 50, to 100, foot walls, and left to "feed" off one another. When a few women would say "For shame! To speak that way, of our fellow man". The men would, only, say "Just making conversation". I Do know, of another group. One which was "crushed", by the news of the marbles. This was a group, of "Aliens are among us" believers. It would seem that this group had been diving the lake, over the years, found the writings, and had been hoping the carvings were proof, either of Atlantis, or of extra-terrestrials. When word got around, that the marbles were just "practice pieces", the alien enthusiasts had been "crushed". While there were no surviving records, to support his claim, a Lord Mountbatten would come forth, to explain what had been, at this location, before the modern practice, of record keeping, had been created. According to the spirit, "In MY day, there was a beautiful mansion, on these grunds. The flicker, of gas-lamps, made the main house seem almost spectral, after dark. We even had a decoratively carved pier, on the lake." When Tami would ask "How much did all of this cost you?" Lord Mountbatten would say "Dear Lady. I financed very little, of it, other than my food, and entertainment, expenses". When Tami would ask "Then, how?" Lord Mountbatten would say "I was born, and raised, on these grounds. I spent my life, on this property. I even met my demise, on the premises. You see, the Mountbattens owned this land, for centuries. I think it was about 900 years, more or less." When Tami would ask "So, you INHERITED?" Lord Mountbatten would say "It humbles me to admit this, since I had older sisters, and younger brothers. Now however, our society had its rules". When Tami would suggest "The eldest SON is first, in line, to inherit". Lord Mountbatten would add "I wish it known that, while I inherited the title, and manor, any stories, of my "throwing my family out", are just camp-fire stories. For example: My sisters moved on, when they married" Tami would remark "In those days, respectable women had NO careers." Lord Mountbatten would continue "My brothers went into the trades. We did try to keep in touch, both brothers and sisters, over the passage of time. Eventually, though, we drifted apart". When Tami would ask "You say that you inherited ALL of this. WHO did the actual work?" Lord Mountbatten would list the names, of ancestors, each of whom added to the value, of the land. This, until a small, humble, farm, became a lavish estate. Lord Mountbatten would caution, though "Never let Leopold know that you are, in any way, connected, with the estate." When Tami would ask "WHY?" Lord Mountbbatten would say "My ancestor, Leopold, spent his whole life, in the bottom of a mug of ale. He did, at one point, nearly bankrupt the family. It would take YEARS, for his own children, to pay off his outstanding debts. Only the good Lord, himself, knows why the family did not just dis-own Leopold." When Tami would suggest "A skalawag, huh?" Lord Mountbatten would say "I never understood how he found time, or energy, to create a family". What Tami would ask "What, eventually, happened, to the estate?" Tami asked this as she motioned about the changed scenery. Lord Mountbatten would say "Time passes. That which was important, fades, with time. Just as the long, flowing, gowns, of the 13th, through 19th centuries, eventually fell out of style, so, too, aparently, have good manners, and community." When Tami would mention "Not everywhere". Gesturing at the renaissance community. Lord Mountbatten would say "In my day, good manners were not hidden behind walls, and guard towers. Property was respected, even without walls, or fences. The citizens were delightfully polite, towards one another." Tami could agree that the modern world had LOST so much, of the beauty, and charm, of the Victorian era. And WHAT had we given it up, for? The right to vote? The "right" to be as profane, as possible? Sure, we have smart phones, and electronic fuel injected cars, home computers, stereos, and microwave ovens. The question is "What did we LOSE, for these "gains"? Prior to his departure, Lord Mountbatten would bow, and kiss, Tami's hand, even as he said "I am grateful that I did not have to live to see what has become, of my beautiful world. I am also, grateful, for your splended company.". When other spirits came forward, to speak of the days, when men bowed, to women, and men even tipped hats, while public conversation regarded civic improvements, gardening, cooking, etc. Men, reportedly, built, and maintained, property, and engaged in sports, such as baseball, tug-of-war, and so forth. The days when "overnight music" was the sound of crickets, and grasshoppers. The days when, if men had personal differences, arm wrestling, or even full-body wrestling, was the preferred solution. ALL "fights" were governed, most strictly, to something called the "Maques of Queensbury" rules. The more Tami heard, about the old days, the less she liked living in the 21st century. Oh, sure. We had Ghost Ship 2, and we could fly anywhere. Thanks to the inventions, of VHS, and DVD, people could enjoy entertainment, at their leisure. Not like the old days, when families had to plan meals, around show times. Still, after speaking with several spirits, Tami felt her own wave, of nostalgia. A piece, of the past, which her hometown was "fighting" to preserve. The final two drive-in theaters, located at the edge of town. Sure, the places were not "money machnines", however, over the years, the drive-ins had changed. In fact, according to Tami's grand-mother, the changes began even before computers took over factory jobs. It would seem that, when locals got tired of racing, for a good place to park, before movies started, someone had come up with the idea of adding picnic tables to the grounds. When some women had protested that children got filthy enough, in the dirt, of the playground, the idea, of laying a covering came to light. When the ideas had been presented, to the drive-ins owners, however, all the owners could think of was COST. The owners even rejected talk, of donations. When the owners abandoned the drive-ins, claiming that they were "losing" money, a local group was formed, which took over the lands, and began the work, themselves. Nowadays, in between the drive-ins, there was a park, for adults to rest in, and a picnic area, for those who wanted to be outdoors, before the movies. The playground was "overhauled", but not modernized. The old, rusted, steel, and iron, which had corroded, over the years, was replaced, with modern parts. Eventually, even the clunky, box, speakers, were replaced, with wireless radio transmissions. As Tami's own family agreed, the drive-ins were as much a part, of the community, as the church was. Now that Tami was interviewing spirits (And some live people), about the "glory days", of yesteryear, Tami wondered if society had "gained" more than we LOST. Even the spirits wondered if Affirmative Action was worth the LOSS, of good Manners. Yes, since the trespasser/vandals had forced their ugly way onto the property, the spirits wanted their stories, of the beauty, of life, to be told. The spirits wanted OUR world to remember how beautiful the past had been. Even the spirit, of a condemned witch, came forth, saying how beautiful the village had been, and how sweet, and aromatic, the gardens, and landscape, smelled, during her morning walks. Tami would ask "How did you feel, when your neighbors denounced you, and the holy church burned you, alive, for witchcraft?" The spirit would say "Child, I have no idea where you get such ideas". When Tami would say "From history books", the spirit would ask "WHOSE version of history?" The spirit would, then, inform Tami "It was neither my family, nor the village, nor even our church, which condemned me, for witchcraft", When Tami would ask "Then, by WHOM?" The woman would say "A man, with a book. The title, of the book, when translated, from Latin, to English, reads..." Tami would asnwer "The Witches Hammer. The lynch mobs "guide" to exposing witches". When Tami would ask "If your people did not betray you, then why did they not aid your escape?" The spirit would remind Tami "In those days, the church held even MORE POWER, than it does, in your time. In MY time, the church could end a war, just by saying "It is God's will". After discussions, with over two hundred humans, and over one hundred spirits, Tami came to the conclusion, which she submitted to the Brown Agency. "The spirits, in this area, are not malignant, or malicious. The spirits are PROUD of these people, and what the community wants to re-create. The spirits are, even, willing to aid, if they are able. This is why locals are viewing the spirits so often. The spirits want to aid the living, in making the community a success." As for the rejects, I doubt they will stop trying to "pull this place down", until the rejects die off. They just cannot stand the thought of others having more, or living in peace. While one of Tami's now-famous agreements, would be very easy, to reach, between the community, and the dead, it is doubtful that the rejectes will, ever, accept any compromise. All the rejects care about is "being the last man standing". When Mr. Brown would suggest "Why does the community not just pull up stakes, and come to America?" Tami would say "Same reason". Atleast in England, the people KNEW who the opposition was. Then, there was the fact that, atleast FIVE attempts, at starting such communities, in America, had ended in rioting and arson. Those, whom the communities rejected, for records, of violence, only proved the criminal records correct, by breaking into communities, and setting fire to anything which the trespassers could not steal. Five beautiful, and peaceful, communities, burned to the ground, by those who just cannot stand peace, or to respect the property, or person, of other people. While Tami and I knew, that there were hundreds more souls, available, for interview, it would seem that, once Tami submitted our report, to community leaders, we were given a "Thank You", dinner, before our departure. On-board G.S.2, when Mr. Brown would, via conference call, ask "How would the two of you like another, light house, case?" When Tami would ask "What IS it, with ghosts, and lighthouses?" Mr. Brown would suggest "If you believe the ghost-hunting groups, from around the nation, these people believe that the combination, of water, and centuries old buildings, give spirits the "stimulus", to appear." When Tami would ask "Is this spirit civil?" Mr. Brown would say "Hard to say. I want you to review the file, of this case, and submit your recommendations, as soon as possible". When I suggested "Why dont we just BUY a light house? Let the ghosts come to us?" Tami would say "Dont even joke about that. I am just fine, with Ghost Ship 2." I would add a smirk with "And, our "frequent-flyer" miles". By the time G.S.2 lifted of, leaving England behind, I found Tami reviewing NOT the case-file, but the history, of her hometowns local drive-ins. When I asked, Tami would inform me "The spirits spoke, so much, of the "good old days". I was remembering my own family's outings, at our drive-ins. How much fun we had, especially on saturday nights." When I recalled some of my own, favorite, memories, of drive-in visits, Tami would ask "Do you think we would get into trouble, if we just visit my home town drive in?" I would suggest "You should call your mother, and find out what is playing". When we consulted our pilots, it took about five secoonds, to gain the retiree's support. The suggestion, was, even, approved, that the pilots would deliver us, to Tami's home, then the pilots would visit their own homes. It was a joint decision, that the latest spirits could wait, until monday, maybe tuesday. After all, how LONG had they waited, so far???