THE JUPITER PROGRAM RE VISITED

THE JUPITER PROGRAM: RE-VISITED While the plan was to build long range, deep space, craft, to survey planets, to house the worlds populations, the first problem was not a question of the ships design. No, the Jupiters would follow Irwin Allens classic design. The question was about both the engines, and the fuel core. Scientists would agree that the ships would need a renewable fuel core. This because it is a known FACT that, outside the Earth's atmosphere, there are NO gas station/convenience stores. While scientists developed what they THOUGHT would be considered Hyperdrive, the problem remained "What kind of FUEL, to use." While the scientific community wanted a contest, for renewable fuels, the nuclear industry out-bid all other fuel sources. While the public WAS told that the Jupiters would search for habitable planets, then report in, to Earth, when contact was made, What the public was NOT told was about the seventy-two hours, that the nuclear cores would need, to build up, and store, enough energy, for lift off. Once the energy stores were at sufficient levels, the crews would board, as well as supplies. N.A.S.A., and the European Space Community, had learned a hard lesson, from the Jupiter 1 program. In order to try to save tax money, the Jupiter 1's had their flight paths programmed, from before Earth launch. This way, the ships could save millions of dollars, by not deploying expensive sensors, until outside the solar system. The system MIGHT have worked, except that, beyond the moon, very little is known, even about our own solar system. While the ships were programmed with the most direct route, to, and beyond, Polaris, what the programmers failed to calculate was the presence of asteroids. Following their pre-programmed courses, the ships had no reason to doubt their human programmers. That is, until the ships began running, directly, into the path, of asteroids. The destruction, of the nuclear power plants, gave Earth just a "pin-prick" of light, in the sky, as acknowledgement of the explosions. It was not until the last, of the Jupiter 1's did not last, to the edge, of the solar system, that scientists won the "battle", for a better (if more expensive) design, for the Jupiter 2's. The odd thing, that scientists found un-nerving, was not the fact that, having active sensors, on the new craft, during solar system exit, meant adding millions more dollars to total, project, cost. It was the fact that, While the Jupiter 2 concept had, first, appearred, on American television, the Russians had been the first, to begin building the actual ships. This is why, when the Jupiter 2 class vessels were designated, Russia would receive the "honor" of having built Jupiter 2-A. N.A.S.A. would be stuck with the designation Jupiter 2-B. As for propulsion, the nuclear industry threw enough money, at the program, to make SURE that their engines were used. For the ships crews, and the space agencies, this meant a week, of energy build up, just to reach Earth orbit. This is why the fuel tanks were storing energy even as the last press conferences were held. Once the supplies, as well as a limited supply, of cryo gas, had been loaded, the ships would begin count down, to launch. The nuclear community would promise that, once free of the atmosphere, the nuclear engines would drive the Hyperdrive engines far beyond light speed. Now, sure, the nuclear engines DID (with a weeks stored energy), lift the ships from the ground, not all of the ships launched, successfully. While "A"-"E" had smooth launches, it was "F"-"H", which just did not reserve enough power, for lift off. "I" -"L" suffered electronic faults, on lift off, and crashed. Jupiters "A"-"E" did make it, to orbit, with the International Space Station photographing their arrival, what stunned the scientists was how, once in orbit, the ships took another two weeks, to build enough energy storage, for the flight just to leave the solar system. While hyperdrive systems, such as from Lost in Space, Stargate SG-1, and others, showed how the engines could send the ship hurtling into deep space, far beyond light speed, the scientific community had tried to warn governments, that the world did not yet have the tech, all that places, such as Washington D.C. would respond with was "We see it, on television, all the time." The scientists would try to explain that what television viewers were, actually, seeing was high speed backgrounds, and other special effects. As for the "distant" planets, the scientists would remind leaders that those scenes were not shot, on alien worlds. They were shot, on movie sets. Here on Earth. What was of even more concern, to the scientists, was the fact that it was projected that the nuclear engines would take seven days, to build enough power, to reach the edge of the solar system. When it took two weeks, the scientists just HOPED the other calculations were more correct. What proved to be completely "lack luster" was what the crew, of the space station saw, when the Jupiters engines came back on-line. The scientists had expected to see a flash, similar to Stargate SG-1, or from Star Trek. What the scientists saw, and reported, was something more like a model "T" Ford, "crawling" from orbit. This was with the Hyperdrive engines set to maximum power. It would take the nuclear engines five days, to push the ships just to the lunar body, then a full twelve months, to push the ships to the edge of the solar system. Now, the space community had a new problem. There were only two years worth of coolant, on-board the ships. With only one year left, once the ships stopped, to re-build fuel levels, at the edge of the solar system, N.A.S.A., Russia, and the Europeans would have to discuss how to ship additional supplies, to the ships. This, with transit taking twenty-five times LONGER than predicted. While it was suggested the Earth send an un-manned probe, with additional supplies, the problem was that, even with the best engines, the supplies would not reach the ships, before they transitted. The crews hope would lie in the nuclear engines working better in deep space, than they had done, so far. By the time the ships transitted, about six months later, even the electronics firm, which had "guaranteed" that communication would remain possible, under any circumstances, had to repay the government millions of dollars. This because, once the ships transitted, to "hyperdive", ALL signals were lost. All that the scientists could hope for was that the computers worked, properly. All of the tons, of data, which Earth had expected to receive, as the ships transitted past many planets, failed to be sent. With no way, to track the ships, it was decided that the ships would be listed as "Missing". This caused a demand, not just to overhaul the design, of the ships, but of their engines, as well. With so many failures, of the nuclear designs, the space community agreed with the public. What good was saving dollars when return on investment is, practically nill. This is why, when the Jupiter program went "back to the drawing board", another group was tasked with the question of "What is the most economical way to transport man-power, and material, to space?" Space shuttles were far too limiting. Rockets would have to be insanely HUGE, to transport parts. This is when science would turn to classic fiction, again. It would take ten YEARS, of effort, but the Transporter unit, from Star Trek was changed from a model, on a set, into a functioning, cargo, carrier. There was just one problem. The Transporter only worked during the one hour cycles, when the surface pad lined up, with the space pad. This meant that, out of every twenty-four hours, supplies could only be shipped every other hour, for a total of just twelve hours per day. This is why the platform took twice as long to complete. Once the platform was finished, however, a ranking politician stated "I will be the FIRST, to represent my state, by walking that platform." The politician forgot that, in space, there is no gravity, to hold him down. The politician nearly floated away, until pulled back. This lead those, back on Earth, to discuss another, science fiction, idea. When it was suggested that Moonbase: Alpha would be a great site, from which to build, and launch, the sub-committee, on the use of outer space, had to call a closed meeting. Only committee members, and scienitists were allowed behind the closed doors. Once the place was deemed "air-tight", the sub-comittee would announce the following: During the Apollo missions, the public was only showed what we allowed them to see. This was especially true of that rock overhang. When the English ambassador would ask "What are you saying? That the equipment did NOT fail?" The sub-committee would say "We could not risk the public seeing what Apollo, really, saw." When England said "Proceed." The sub-committee would say "We did not just find soil samples. The reason why we have left the moon alone, since Apollo, is that we found that someone else had, already, built a base, there. The "caverns", which some Earth observers had found, turned out to be part of a complex, very similar in design to NORAD, Cheyenne Mountain." When Russia would ask "You mean that some, other, race built, then abandoned, a base, inside the lunar surface?" The sub-committee would lower their voice as they said "NO one said that they abandoned the base. Based upon the lack of dust, we believe that the base is active. Just not when Apollo visited." When England would ask "Are you saying that Romulans built a base, this close to Earth, yet we have never even detected their ships?" The sub-committee would suggest "Never said they were Romulans. We dont, really, know WHOSE base it is." When England would push, asking "IF what you say is correct, HOW is it that we, never, spotted their ships, coming or going?" The sub-committee would suggest "Do you remember that final scene, from the Star Trek movie, about the Borg traveling into the past, to destroy the founder, and creator of Warp Drive, before the tech could be created?" "Do you remember how the Enterprise masked its own, warp signature?" England would reply "Oh, come now, sir. That was just science fiction." The sub-committee would ask "Where do you think that the idea came from?" During the same, ten years, when the Transporter was being created, both N.A.S.A., and the European Space Agency, would continue to try to make contact, with the Jupiters. It would be twenty years before Earth gave up trying to make contact. The report, to the United Nations, would consist of "Either of two things may have happened. Either the ships have travelled beyond our range, and ability, to receive, or the ships have lost power." When the Secretary General would ask "How far is your equipment reliable to?" and was told "Maybe three light years." The Secretary General would laugh, saying "You must be joking. This is just outside this solar system. How could you hope to remain in contact, beyond the solar system?" The communications company would remind the United Nations "We are in un-charted territory. No one has travelled beyond this solar system, before. Even if the ships are operational, the crews have no way, short of returning to Earth, to report in." By the time the United Nations was asking "What would be needed, to boost signals, from beyond the solar system? What would the COST be?" Germany would come forward with the projections. The cost would have to be international. The German scientist would say "I propose another solution. One, suggested by Herr Roddenberry. Germany suggests that Earth begin work on creating the sub-space radio." When the United States would ask "What good will that do the Jupiters?" Germany would say "IF we can develop a REAL, functioning, Warp Drive system, then we can send ships out, and make contact, with any, surviving, Jupiters." When the American space sub-committee would ask "Has Germany any idea of how MUCH this would COST the world?" Nationally, the figure would bankrupt any economy. This is why Germany would propose "If we split both the cost, and the information, between the worlds nations, the cost will be acceptable." While the White House was back under the control of "I REFUSE to tax the rich...!", the international community would be un-daunted. This is why, as American ambassadors, around the world, would begin reporting on national work, being done, by other nations, on the technologies, Congress would have to ask "Do we REALLY want them to reach the goal, first?" This is why the Jupiter program was re-visited, and placed under the control of Lockheed-Martin. If Warp Speed, and sub-space radio were possible, the skunkworks would be at the front of the line. While Washington D.C. wanted to impose TIGHT budget, controls, on the project, the simple fact was that such controls would only hinder the project. After all, the technologies would have to be created, from nothing. It was nothing like turning the F-22 Raptor into the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. While sub-light engines existed, even today, no one had come up with a design, for exceeding light speed. It would take the very best minds, and a very blank check, as well as forty years, for an operational system to be invented. Thankfully, the cost, for both Warp Drive, and sub-space radio, were covered by more than a dozen nations. Still, over those forty years, minimal attempts were made, to make contact with the Jupiters. It would not be until the passage, of year number 65, that the first, truly interstellar, Jupiter design would sit on the launch pad. If the launch was successful, the ships first test would be to spend a couple of months, trying to track the older ships. Since this ship was equipped with Warp Speed, no cryo tubes would be needed. The launch would be an inspiration, for generations to come. Because Lockheed had felt that crews might need G-Force protection, during take-off's, the company had created an electronic shielding system, to surround the craft. This is why take-off was even smoother than ever. In orbit, the aging, yet growing, International Space Station had to grab camera's, to photograph the ship, as it rose, not just to orbit, but away from Earth. (The ship would transit to Warp Speed, behind the moon). Six hours later, the ship would report in "Just departing system, now. Unknown when next contact will be made." With that, the ship would vanish, from conventional radar. Only laser radar could track the ship, now. Just three days out, and the modified ship would report "Found Jupiter 2-D. Our readings show that the ship is, highly radioactive. We dare not approach." When Houston would call out "Can you detrmine if the ship was attacked?" the interstellar Jupiter would report "Just found reason. It looks like the nuclear reactor went critical, and exploded." After Houston would order the ship to destory the dead ship (for safety reasons), the interstellar ship would continue on course. Two, more, ships would be found, with highly contaminated interiors. Since these showed no damage, the interstellar ship would report "Most likely cause would be leak, in nuclear reactor. Crew appears to have died, in hybernation, due to exposure to radiation." Houston would order the destruction, of these ships, as well. The most hilarious incident, that the interstellar ship would have to report, was the incident, of a ship, whose nuclear reactor had not been strong enough, to fight off gravity, from a planet. While the ship had made a forced landing, its crew had been un-able to even send a distress signal. The crew had set up housing, on the alien world. It was not until the interstellar ship had landed, made contact, and prepared for launch, that the crew cheered the Skunkworks. The new engines DID have enough power, to defeat gravity. The sub-space radio, however, would NOT work, until the ship was out of the gravity well. After this, the crew gave the ship forty-eight hours, before proceeding. The remains, of the last three Jupiters, were found on the surfaces of asteroids. The interstellar ship scanned for, and found, the remains, of the nuclear reactors. As near as anyone could determine, the nuclear engines just did not have enough power, to pull the craft away from the rocks. Based upon skeletal remains, the crews must have died, either in cryo, or upon impact. The only reason why the interstellar ship declined an immediate return order, was because its sensors detected an Earth-like planet, in a nearby system. When this was reported, to Earth, the approval, to explore, was given. The crew would have given Earth a positive report, on the planet, except for one thing. Planet-side, the crew discovered that the planet was more Earth-like than they imagined. The crew even found remains, of abandoned cities. Whats worse was that, lettering, found in various places, was a version, of various, Earth languages. Some in English. Some in other languages. Man-kind had been to this planet, before. Why was it not registering, on any maps?" What annoyed the ships captain was when the interstellar ship returned to Earth, and the man stated "It is evident that we HAVE been there, before. The evidence was all over the place. Why wont you admit it?" Just a week later, the ships captain would have to apologize, for his mistake. While modern day humans had NOT been to the other planet, some very old, religious, texts made mention of the place. Scholars had just thought that the authors had been trying to embellish the old stories. This left space command with a whole new problem. If there was evidence, older than Earth, of human presence, then this would call, into question, the entire religious community. "Were we, in fact, descended from a previous, more advanced, culture?" As the new class, of interstellar Jupiters, were rolled out, the question, before the space sub-committee, would be "What if evidence, of human habitation, IS found, on other planets. HOW do we keep our religions intact, when people realize that we are, actually, descended from the stars, themselves?" This is why the international orders were given. No matter what was found, on other planets, there would be NO public information, until this information was approved by Earth's own religions. While the next, five, interstellar, Jupiters, would find evidence, of inhabitation, it would be the first Jupiter which, while exploring a planet, would come across an actual Morse Code S.O.S.. The odd thing was that the orbital, and surface, probes did not detect any pathogen, known to Earth science. What the crew wished that they had NOT discovered, on this planet, was the intact remains of a scientific, and biological, research center. Back on Earth, a center, of this very type, was just in the design stage. Here, it looked centuries old. When the ship reported in, to Earth, the directive was clear. "Demolish the place. Leave no evidence." Instead of demolishing the place, the ships captain left a disaster beacon, marking the planet as hazzardous to human life. Between this, and the distress beacon, no one would come near. A month later, when the crews found a deserted space station, and docked their ships, they realized that their courses held a pattern. Sometime, deep in the past, ships had travelled, from planet to planet, settling primitive worlds. There was a definite path forming. A path, which pointed both to the center, of the galaxy, and out the edge. This left the question of "Did mankind come from the center of the galaxy, or from outside the galaxy?" The ships were ordered NOT to proceed, either way. They were to survey worlds, and find new places, for mankind to inhabit. This, however, was not the only question, back on mother Earth. A new fear, based upon another students remarks. While Greta Thunburg had challenge climate change deniers, another student had asked the question: Even if we send our excess populations, to other planets, what is to prevent yet ANOTHER disaster, destroying other planets, as we have done, with Earth? How do we control the population? No one wanted this question asked, either. While climate, and population activists, were urging caution, the governments were working on what they HOPED would be the worlds best deterent, to abusing other planets. Here, again, science fiction was coming into play. Many people wondered what the late George Lucas would have thought, had he lived to see the day when Earth would begin construction of its own Death Star. This project would take another decade, to complete, yet there was, already, a waiting list, of volunteers. As for the ships, which would transport humans to new worlds, the idea, of a generalized design, was trashed, when the cost was announced. While the Earths, major, government's were trying to make the tech more affordable, smaller governments were working in a new direction. These government were working WITH industry, on a whole new class, of freighters. The goal was to have private enterprise pay for the ships, by allowing companies to advertise on the insides, and outsides, of the ships. To the surprise, even of the United States, once private enterprise was involved, companies were willing to invest even MORE money, in better equipment, and design. (It would make great publicity). While the international transporter unit came into more active use, than ever, the problem, for scientists, and workers, was how to move freight between the Transporter, and the job-sites. Again, science fiction would be the leader of the "pack". In fact, it would be Gene Roddenberry's teams, working on one of the newest versions, of the Star Trek universe, which created the answer. Since the public had been calling for a series, which told the back-story, not just of the men, and women, of Starfleet, but to show the actual creation, of a starship, the team, at "Star Trek" had created what they HOPED would be the future of space, freight, movement. While the design was no "beauty contest" winner, its simple design would become the basis for the orbital, freight, movement. To cover the cost, of the cargo movers, corporations were allowed to place labels on the units. This, however, gave a whole, new, meaning, to "traffic control". The Professional Air Traffic Controllers (PATCO) would have to train a whole new generation. A generation, of controllers, whose main concern was not having planes crash. In space, the main problem would be keeping everyone on-course, and not losing any pilots, to the depths of outer space. Ofcourse, the GOOD news was that the Skunkworks did its job, better than expected. They not only built craft, for interstellar travel, but they had created an energy source, which placed nucelar on "notice". While the discovery had been an accident, this accident had come from "What if ships run low, on fuel, during flights? Ther are NO fuel stations, beyond Earth." This had lead the skunkworks to create another, splinter, group. A group, of scientists, whose only job was trying to solve the fuel problem. While anti-matter was, in fact, being harvested, the problem was that the quantity was just not enough to meet the need. While the new fuel had no name, it did turn out to be easy to create. It was, also, self-replicating. While even world leaders knew that it would be impossible to control human reproduction, there were other methods, placed into operation. Methods, normally used only by brutal dictators. While the governments began massive public awareness campaigns, including free birth control, and voluntary sterilization, some people did not "get the point". It would take an example, of a disgusting technology, to make the public aware of the problem. Across the world, and on live television, dozens of rebellious families, all spouting the scripture of "Be fruitful, and multiply", were executed. After the executions, the moderator would remind the public "To avoid such a tragic end, all citizens are encouraged to use, and utilize, contraceprtives. The more we reduce our population, the longer this planet can sustain our race." Once word, of the executions, reached the interstellar Jupiters, the commanders returned to the abandoned space station, and worked on a solution of their own. This is where the idea, of just building barriers, and listing area's as "Off-Limits", would lead to dozens of planets being opened, to human transport. Since the colony ships remained under construction, the Jupiters had time, for supply, and personnel, deliveries, to the "abandoned" worlds. Soon, the concept, of the "concentration camp" would be applied, in REVERSE. Instead of trying to keep the public within walls, the group would work to keep prying eyes OUT of ancient tech. It would be the tech, which would be "imprisoned". Sadly, while this was going on, in deep space, back on Earth, atleast three cults, all of which insisted that their membership follow scripture, to the letter, held their own version of either Jonestown, Guyanna, or Waco, Texas. Maybe 30,000 people took their own lives. This, while sending the pope the message "If we cannot live as God commanded, then we shall strike a blow, for the Holy Father." Hoping for the popes, and the Vaticans blessing, of their acts, what any survivors found was the papacy condemning their actions. It was because of these holocausts that the Papacy made public its plans NOT to abandon Roman-Catholics, who departed Earth. A new breed, of cardinals, was being trained not just in scripture, but for the needs of space travellers. The pope even declared "NO matter where Christians may travel, they will know that the Lord travels with them." While the idea, of a space station based Vatican City was discussed, and considered, the cardinals college was not so much in favor of moving Vatican City off of Earth, and to a more "centralized" point, among the colony worlds. Legend/History says that, while the Vatican would, eventually, be moved, from Earth (as the Earth lost its ability to sustain human life), that three locations were tried, before the Vatican bowed to the wishes, of Catholics, and had its own version, of the Death Star built. With this mobile Vatican City, the cardinals, and the pope would be able to stay in closer contact, with the colony worlds. Legend also states that the first Death Star only had to be used, to implode planets, twice, before colonists understood. Lack, of proper population controls, would result in an un-welcome visit, from the space station. The new Vatican would be just the opposite. The station would deliver new priests, retrieve aging priests, and minister to the sick. For reasons, that history does not reveal, legend says that some people stayed on Earth. This, even as the planet because more myth/legend, than an actual place. What was to be gained, by remaining on the dying planet? What is known, even to those, born on the colony worlds, is that space travel is as normal as cross-country travel. Each planet had its population centers. (This, despite an order to spread out, given from Earth, and given centuries before). While the Death Star had its orders, regarding population SIZE, even the stations various commanders had seen no problem, with colonists forming into groups. As the Death Star's own crew-men were told "While we have not been called, to assist, in many years, it is our obligation, to keep this station ready, at all times." The last, that anyone knew, of the interstellar Jupiters, was that half had followed the line, heading into the center of the galaxy, while the other half had set course, in the opposite direction. Nowadays, only a few colonists manned the listening posts, hoping for a signal, from the ships. While Earth would be a memory, as forgotten as Atlantis once was, the colony worlds could look at the skies, and see what mankind had accomplished. Finally, the wars would have ended. This, since there was, always too much work to be done, to worry about arguments. Nowadays, people lived just to survive, and care for family. Freighters would transport commodities, from planet to planet, while the Vatican station kept watch. What would the Jupiters eventually find? Some hoped that the ships would discover mans true origins. Others wondered. Some, even feared that, once the Jupiters found mans source, that the race would be so advanced that Earth's people would be like "microbes", by comparison. The passage, of time, would be forgotten, again, before a Jupiter would return to the colonies. The ship bore a message. "Yes, we have watched you grow, and develop, many times over. We watched as you departed the Earth, and set out for other worlds. So long as your violent ways do NOT infect our way of life, we will wait until you "mature" before making contact. Until then, we will do nothing more than watch." How long would it be, before mankind matured enough, for contact? WHO can say?

A QUESTION OF SCHOOL LUNCHES

AUTHORS NOTE: I am posting this petition, to my short story site, since MoveOn.org REFUSES to allow me to post via their petition site. The author apologizes, in advance, for any in-convenience which this may cause my readers. STOPPING MR. TRUMPS LUNCH PROGRAM It is my belief that Donald Trump has never been required to eat the types of lunches, which America's school children are forced to "choke down", in public school. This because the elder Mr. Trump was a successful home builder, who could AFFORD quality food, for his childrens lunches. As for the reason, for this petition, this is simple. I believe that too many of us adults, who eat at restaurants, daily, have forgotten what school lunches were like, back in our school days. Let me remind you of what you have forgotten. In District 150 schools, Peoria Illinois, where I spent my childhood, under school superintendent Harry Whittaker, students, in the 1970's, were served nothing better than the contents of trash dumpsters. From what the people of Peoria were told, Mr. Whittaker decided to keep taxes lower, by reducing the size, of these "meals", in order to keep a contract, with Mass Feeding Corporation, as affordable as possible. One of the things I still have nightmares about, is how Mass Feeding kept supplying half pints, of milk, to each student, sometimes in short, squarish, containers, while, at other times, in tall, thin, containers. Then, there was the "contents", of each "dinner". Contents which became smaller and smaller (to keep costs down), until the contents were half the size of modern, basic, Swanson, and Banquet, frozen entree's. In fact, like modern, frozen, dinners, after student lunches, many students snuck off of school property, for snack foods, to fill empty stomachs. This, while politicians stated "We must NOT INCREASE taxes." It was in the year 1978, when students, finally rebelled, against the lunches, and a very wise teacher, at Trewyn Junior High School, used the school lunch dilema to teach students how to, properly, handle such problems. Of course, when Harry Whittaker learned that low-income students, at Trewyn, were rebelling, against the "garbage" being served, that Mr. Whittaker ordered Trewyn to issue swats, and detention, to students, who refused to eat the "garbage". When this did not "break" the students, Mr. Whittaker resorted to a new plan. This by FORCING striking students to sit at "punishment" tables, while non-striking students "forced down" the "garbage". By the end of the strike, Peoria radio stations had taken the issue, to Peoria's residents, via the airwaves, and Mr. Whittaker was forced to "stand down". I remind viewers of the 1970's since, in my opinion, Mr. Trump is planning on returning school cafeteria's back to this era. With Mr. Trumps suggested campaign, of returning pizza, hamburgers, french fries, and other, less than healthy food, to schooll cafeteria's, I forsee a return to the 1970's. A time when, after the old lunch content returns, that portions will begin returning to 1970's levels, even as parents observe students eating larger breakfasts, then consuming even burnt dinners (since even burnt food will taste better, and have more quantity,than shrinking, school, lunches). As soon as corporations, such as Mass Feeding, return to providing school lunches, and students return to eating, at home, all that politicians will say (as they did, in 1978), is "More nutritious, and fiiling, meals will mean INCREASED taxes. We REFUSE to increase taxes" Befor signing this petition, ordering Donald Trump to leave Mrs. Obama's lunch program in operation, I encourage parents to visit schools, and "taste" what lunch will be like, under Mr. Trump's very old school lunch program. If you agree that Mrs. Obama's program is superior to the very old system, then I ask not only your signature, on this petition, demanding that Mr. Trump abandon the very old, system, which he wants to return to, but, when politicians say "We must NOT INCEASE taxes" I say "Petition your local government to have the question put on the next ballot. Have your local government ASK citizens for a public vote." "Would you be willing to pay HIGHER taxes, for your children to receive better quality food, and in larger amounts, in school cafeteria's?" Let each towns citizens VOTE on the quality, and quantity, of each districts lunches. Like the new Berlin Wall, dont let politicans IMPOSE their views on the public. This is OUR nation. Washington D.C., and local government, works for US! Let us work together, to remind them of this! The American people have NO say, in the new Berlin Wall, but we can, and SHOULD, have a say in what our students have to eat. Wouldn't it be wonderful if faculty, and administrators were banned from having lunch at local fast food restaurants, and be ordered to eat the same "food", that students eat? If you agree, then I ASK your signature, on this petition. Thank You for your time, and attention.

CASTLE # 7 THE DISAPPEARANCE

CASTLE # 7: THE DISAPPEARANCE This is how it would be explained, to Senator Kate Castle. The most accurate, and current, information, was that Ryan and Esposito had been pursuing a rumor, about an ancient building. This time, it had been the new captain, of the 12th, who had assigned the detectives. The reason was simple. The mayors office was receiving reports that, not only was there a fortune, in jewels, hidden, in a "secret passage", inside an old building, but that modern day treasure hunters were preparing to mount "expeditions". The mayors office was concerned because most of the explorers submitted no lists, of supplies, to be used in the search. Since the mayors office did NOT want New York City to raise its death toll, by the reckless actions, of un-trained explorers, the mayors office had put in a call, to the 12th. Why? By this time, it was well-known that the 12th had not only been the hang-out, of writer Richard Castle, but that Ryan and Esposito, had been an active part, of discovering parts, of New York City, which most people had forgotten about. While being assigned, to look into more dusty passages, for who-knows-what, was not a duty that the detectives looked forward to, it was when the captain mentioned "I have been approved to offer you hazzardous duty pay, for your help." No way could Ryan turn this down. Not with a wife, and two children, to care for. As for Espo, his reply was "Ryan is my partner. Where he goes, I go." This case, however, would be un-like normal cases. In fact, it would be much more like the case of the woman, who left Richarde Castle the inheritance, of a dusty, old, un-used, home. Before even starting the case, the detectives had to find a starting point. Espo would, even, say "Castle would love this. A case, where we need to FIND the starting point." As Ryan would point out "Well, we KNOW where the jewels are not, since we searched dozens of places", while looking for secret passages, which allowed killers to strike, without setting off alarms. These buildings came off of the list, as soon as the case-file was reviewed. When Espo would call Alexis Castle, the woman would help narrow the list, even farther. This because Alexis had her friends, and cyber-friends, still looking into documenting New York City's history, for the real video. Alexis would inform Espo "To date, we have found four, forgotten, work-shops. We THINK that they were used either during the civil war, or, maybe, Prohibition. We (we, meaning Alexis friends) have found journals, antique weapons, and something, which resembles a camera. Just older than anything we know of." When Espo would ask "Have you heard anything about jewels? Maybe hidden in a secret room?" Alexis would say "At last count, I think we were up to fifty-seven, and had debunked twenty-nine more." When Espo would ask "Would you provide me with the list of those not yet debunked?" Alexis would suggest "Why dont I just fax you a copy." Espo would say "Thanks." Ryan, and Espo, would not be prepared for the information, faxed to them. Now, sure, it was general knowledge that, before, and during, the Revolutionary War, New York had been an important port, for the British Navy. At one point, for centuries, the bay area had been a staging area. A place, for the British Army to inspect all incoming ships, both for imperial seals, and for contraband. Sailing ships, by the hundreds, passed through the bay, regularly. In fact, had it not been for the Stamp Act, of the 1600's, the port might not have had as many soldiers. All of Europes hopes, for increased revenue, from the Stamp Act, faded to nothing when the thirteen colonies stopped accepting European goods, and began improvising, with native goods. During Ryan, and Espo's, duty, with the video review, the detectives were given access to locations, along the Hudson River, where British shipping was not the only wrecks which had been located. Three projects had dug out the remains, of British, sailing, craft then made new soundings. To date, three, Viking, ships had been found, buried in the bottom. This, along with a large, and, suspiciously, Egyptian, boat. Still, the detectives checked in, with the teams, to find out more information, on the jewels. All that the team leaders would say was "So far, all we have found is religious, and personal use, items. No jewels, yet." When asked "Could the story, of jewels be some kind of hoax? A way to rip people off?" All the team leaders would say was "50/50. The jewels COULD just be yet another legend, OR they might be REAL." When Ryan would ask "IF the jewels are real, how much would their street value be?" No one was willing to speculate, except to say "The list, of buyers, would be very SMALL. Items, that old, cannot be fenced, on the open market." When the detectives visited some pawn shops, which specialized in high end merchandise, all the men heard, again, and again, was "Are you crazy? No one would try to sell something that OLD. It would be like holding up a flag, and saying "Here I am." When asked about a list of buyers, the pawn shops operators would say "I dont deal with those kind of buyers. I deal with people, who need cash. Dope, booze, guns, that kind of stuff. You wont find any limosines parked in front of my place." The detectives heard the same thing from ex-cons, drug dealers, and prostitutes. All that one prostitute would tell the detectives was that some "john", had wanted some company, while his wife, and kids were out of town. "Yeah, he took me to his house. Real nice place. Fancy, red, tile roof. Fountain, in the center of the drive. That was just the outside." When Espo would ask "What about the inside?" The woman put out her hand, and Espo would say "Ryan, pay the lady." When Ryan would ask "What about Jenny?" Espo would say "This is police business. You can write it off." Knowing, from experience, of arresting hookers, Ryan pulled out a $100 bill. When the woman took the money, she asked "This is not a bust?" Espo would say "No. We just want information. Now, how about this house." The woman would say "Art all over the place. Picaso, Rembrandt, Michaelangelo, Mozart, Beethoven. Man, the place was like a museum." When Espo would ask "How would you know about all of these people?" The woman would say "I was not born to this life. My parents had all of us sent to art school, and prep school. Only saw our parents on holidays." Espo would say "You are breaking my heart. Now, about this house." The woman would say "I am telling you, this guy did not have anything older than the Vatican. Plenty from the time, since. But nothing older." When Ryan would ask "What about Jewels?" The woman would ask "Do you believe this. This guy asks me into his family home, shows me his collection, yet, when I want to touch it, he sends me away." When Espo would ask "Before, or after, the fact?" The woman would say "After, of course." When Espo would ask "Does the house have a safe?" The woman would say "Yeah, it does. Dont bother trying to break in. That thing is the size of a locomotive. I dont think that even a nuke would dent it." The detectives left the woman, and called Alexis. She would verify "We just checked five more sites. Nothing but old stills, a few log books. Some art work, and mummies. No jewels, so far." It would seem that the district attorney, when informed of the bootleg log-books, failed to comprehend the AGE of the journals. Yes, there were entries, from all over New York, AND New Jersey. The problem, as staff found out, was that the latest entries were from just after Probition ended. IF anyone was alive, from that era, they would be in nursing homes. Still, the D.A. told their staff to check. Any lead would do. All staff came up with was two people, who had Alzheimers, to the point where they did not remember their own names. Prosecution, and cross examination, would be impossible, since the people were slipping away from life. Still, none of this helped the detectives. With a total, of $5,000, in "tips", paid out, the New York City "underground" would promise to inform the detectives, if anyone was talking about high end jewels. Espo would be the one to ask "What I dont get is this. IF a fortune, in jewels, has been in New York, for centuries, then WHY are people just hearing about it, now? Why not a couple of centuries ago?" Ryan would ask "Do you suspect a swindle, or a trap?" All Espo would say was "Maybe both." The trouble, with most, American cities (New York City included), was the fact that both before, and after, Prohibition, the list, of cons, could, nearly circle the globe. Cons, as simple as children, taking money, from other children, for goods, that would never be delivered. Cons as complex as people being offered huge rewards, for diving, in very un-safe materials, for specified items. It would be Martha Rogers who would come up with an un-expected clue. Martha would tell the detectives "You know, back in my day, there was even a wine which was either NAMED "The Jewels", or was reported to taste as fine as Jewels." When Alexis would say "Grams, I never thought..." Martha would say "Darling, I have been of "age", since LONG before you were born. I have tasted more wine..." This is when Espo would ask "Mrs. Rogers, do you know where this stuff was kept?" Martha would say "Dear boy. I said I drank the stuff. I have no idea of where, or how, it was bottled." At this point, Ryan was about to "call it", when one of Alexis on-line friends came forth. The girl would suggest "I have an idea. If you check with the richest people, in New York State, they may not know who has the jewels, but they will know if the stories are true." Ryan would say "Of course. Talk to the people who deal in the item." Espo would ask "Bro, do you realize what it will take, just to get an audience, with these people? It will be like having an audience with either the Queen of England, or the pope." Ryan would say "Better start making some phone calls, then." While the captain was not happy, with receiving calls, saying that the police wanted to question the most prestigeous people, in the United States, Ryan, and Espo, would explain it this way. "We dont want to question them. We just want to ask about the jewels. If the rich dont know anything, then we KNOW the rumor is fake. If the rich know about the jewels, then we know that the jewels are real." This would be when the captain would receive a phone call, from the mayors office. The fortune hunters wanted permits, not delays. How much progress was being made? All the captain could say was "I have my detectives tracking down leads, as fast as they can. We are just dealing with something, so old, that we need more leads." When the mayor would ask "What KIND of leads?" The captain would say "We have a source, which has suggested that, IF we TALK to the very rich, that THEY will know if the jewels are real." When the mayor would ask "Source of the lead?" the captain would say "The group, which is reviewing New York City's checkered past. A group member has suggested that the rich will know if the items are real. Would you make some calls, for the department. Soothe things over?" The mayor would say "I can arrange for social visits. I will ASK for cooperation." The captain would suggest "Tell them that the N.Y.P.D. will be greatful, for any, and all, asistance." Two days later, the list came through. The captain would remind the detectives "These people are opening their homes, voluntarily. Treat them with respect." Both Ryan and Espo, would say "Right, captain." When Ryan made the mistake of telling Jenny about the visits, she made such a fuss, about her husband making a "good impression", that Ryan, finally, said "Gotta go. I hope to be home, by dinner." When he met up with Espo, he found that Espo's girlfriend had given him the same treatment. When Espo asked "I TOLD her this was a police matter, yet she acts like I am going on a date, with another woman." At each, of the first, five, residences, that the detectives visited, they were shown wine bottles, of a very old age. The owners would say "TO throw off thieves." When the bottles were poured into trays, jewels did emerge from the wine." Ryan would say "Impressive. Hide your valuables in the last place anyone would think to look." In each case, the owners would say "These are not the most valuable. These are just to impress the public." It was after the detectives visited number citizens, number five, on the list, that number six would call the station, asking "We have an engagement to leave for, soon. When are your officers going to arrive?" When the captain would say "Hang on." Then would ask the duty staff "Where are Ryan and Esposito? We have clients waiting to be interviewed." When duty staff tried to call, all they got was voice mail. As for the cruisers tracking unit, when this was discovered to be de-activated, the captain would have to tell the caller "I will have to return your call." Then the captain, hung up the phone. When the captain called up maintenance, about the tracker, asking "Could my detectives have turneed the unit of?" The electrician would say "Impossible. You dont have access. If the tracker is not working, the car must be inside something which is blocking the signal." When the captain would ask "How do we track it, then?" The man would suggest "Why not an old fashioned "All Points Bulletin?" The captain thought "Funny! If we put out an alert, on a police cruiser, the media will eat the department, alive." Wasting taxpayer money. What a headline that would make. The captains alternative would be just as simple, if not too late. N.Y.P.D. dispatch would ask officers just to "keep a watch out". By the time this watch went into effect, however, Ryan, and Espo's, unit would be inside a shielded container, loaded onto a west-bound train, and heading west. Atleast seven patrol cars would watch the train go by (not knowing what it contained). Senator Kate Castle would be "brought in", and given a summary, since she had been the mens superior, for years. Kate even allowed the captain to apologize, for calling the senator away from "other business", to ask questions about her former workers. Kate had been happy, to take the call, since she was growing tired of the latest round of "budget favors". It would seem that a politician, from another state, was asking a New York State politician for a favor. If New York would grant the favor, then the politicians own territory could NOT refuse the persons offer. Being a former police detective, Kate would have thought she had heard, and seen, it ALL. (Boy, was she wrong) Kate was suspicious, from the moment, when she heard "New York will receive part of the profits. I just need the states support, to show my own constituents that other states are willing to fund this offer." After nearly ten minutes of hearing "New York WILL profit, from the project", Kate would ask "Sum it up, will you? What is it that you want New York to support you on?" When the politician would suggest "AN evolution, of legalized gambling." When Kate would ask "What SORT of evolution?" The politician would say "MY advisors tell me that, if we allow call girls, as well as gambling, we can triple our income. Maybe even quadruple the money. The more money we make, the more New York will make." When Kate would ask "You want New York State to support legalized prostitution?" The politician would say "Nothing so crude. We are not talking about street corner addicts, hoping for a score. We are talking..." and Kate would finish, by saying "You want what? Escorts, to approach each suite, and ASK if occupants want some company?" When the politician would say "Not a bad idea." Kate would say "I was joking. Tell me this. If a gambler loses their savings, at the tables, HOW are they supposed to PAY the escorts?" When the politician would say "Simple, we add the service as a "room charge." This is when Kate had heard enough, and excused herself. As she left the room, she heard the chairman asking "Approximately how much revenue would this venture generate?" Back, in her office, Senator Castle would no-sooner pour herself a drink, when she would look at the glass, then place it on a table. It was at that moment, when Kate realized "I have just acted as my own escort." Knowing that she wanted no part, in the discussion, Kate would call New York, then arrange a flight, home. Good old New York City. A town which felt just as comfortable as her father. At the family loft, When Kate asked to speak to Martha, Kate was about to ask Alexis to depart the room, when she realized that Alexis was not a school girl, any more. While Martha, still, called the girl "kiddo", Kate knew that Alexis was old enough for anything that she wanted to do. (Kate just did not want to THINK about what young women do.) Instead, Kate asked both women "What would you say if a person came to town, offering not just no-limit gambling, but, when a customer became tired of the games of chance, and went to their room, a call-girl would arrive, to soothe hurt feel..." Martha would say "I have heard enough. What lunatic would supply an "escort", to a person, who was broke?" Kate would say "The "lunatic" is saying that a gambling place can apply the escorts services, to the room bill as "Room Service". It would be billed to credit cards." While Alexis would say "Ewe!" Martha would ask "Who would be dumb enough to add this to a room charge? Once you are busted, you should LEAVE the casino. Thats just common sense." Kate would say "The discussion is before the senate, now. The investor is trying to make the senate believe that the added "service" would increase revenues." Martha would say "Simpler just to put a gun, to guests heads, and say "Turn over your home, cars, accounts, college funds, and so on, and be done with it."" Kate would remind Martha "Putting a gun to a persons head is ILLEGAL." Martha would say "When has that stopped anyone, before?" When Kate would summarize "So both of you feel that adding prostitution, to gambling debts, is a bad idea." Martha and Alexis would, jointly, say "Yes!". At this point, Kate would say "I guess it is time to meet the public, yet again. I need more than my daughters, and mother-in-laws, votes, to stop this matter." Martha would say "Step one. You, Katherine Castle, are headed for a glass, of fine wine, then to bed. Step two. Alexis and I will activate the "network", then Alexis will be off, to bed." Since Kate had too much respect, for Martha Rogers, she did not argue. The two women shared a couple of drinks, then some stretching exercises, then, once Kate was relaxed, Martha would say "To bed with you. If your husband finds you, like this, no one will hear the end of it." It would be over breakfast, that Kates phone would ring. Just out of habit, she would say "Beckett". Soon, after this, Richard and Kate would be on their way to their old precinct. At the precinct, the main question was "Where are Ryan and Esposito?" To Kates surprise, the captain would ask Richard, directly "Mr. Castle. I understand that you have a variety of very wealthy authors, and clients, about you." When Castle would say "That is true." The captain would say "NO false modesty, in this case. I need your help, not just in solving this case, but with FINDING Ryan and Esposito." When Kate would suggest "So, neither man returned home, last night?" The captain would say "Their women called in, this morning, asking if the men had been assigned stake-out duty." When Kate would ask "What did you tell them?" The captain would ask "What do you THINK that I told a mother, of two children, as well as a hopeful bride-to-be? I told them that I would check on the men." Kate would say "Good call. Now, what do we know about Ryan and Espo?" The captain would say "Last we heard, they had departed the fifth name, on a list, and were headed, for the sixth. We knew the men were missing since the sixth name called in, asking when the detectives would arrive. It seems the couple had a dinner engagement, after the interview." When Kate asked "Did either man call in, with any information, on the case?" The captain would say "After interviewing half of the city, all that either man had was that the story was fifty/fifty." When Kate asked to see a grid map, the captain would say "Already checked, three times. After the men left house number five, they just "dropped from sight." Kate would say "Doesn't make sense. They may not have been "by the book", but they ARE good men. Something MUST have happened." The captain would ask "But, WHAT?" When Kate would ask "What about black-and-whites?" The captain would say "Word is out, but no one has seen either the men, or the cruiser." What no one had any clue about was the fact that Ryan and Esposito were, at that moment, being "interrogated", by a couple of fanatical fortune hunters. Poeple, willing to use "enhanced interrogation", as long as they found what they wanted. These people wanted the jewels, bad enough, that they were willing to KILL, for them. All that Ryan and Esposito could tell them was "We dont even know if the jewels are real." When the "hunters" would yell "LIARS", Espo would say "What do you WANT to hear?" Then add "Do you WANT to hear the the jewels are at the Metropolitan Museum?" Ryan would suggest "Why not try a Chuck E. Cheese? Maybe the jewels are in one of the costumes." When the fortune hunters bolted, leaving the detectives tied up, Espo would ask Ryan "Chuck E. Cheese?" Ryan would say "Hey, it gave them something to focus on." Espo would say "Until they tear the old places up, find nothing, then come back, for us." Four hours later, and the N.Y.P.D. was checking out a serious of "Breaking and Entering", at old Chuck E. Cheese locations. Three, in a row, could not be coincidence. Kate would say "Its like someone is sending a message." When Castle was "Like what? That Pizza Hut is better?" Kate would ask "Why Chuck E. Cheese? Why not McDonalds? Why the bears, and not the clown, and his friends?" Since Espo's woman was closest, the N.Y.P.D. checked with her, first. The woman was a Latina, who spoke amazingly good English. Like she told the police "My parents are from across the border, but I was born and raised, in the United States.." When Kate asked "Do you know anything about Chuck E. Cheese?" The woman would ask "Who is that? A money maker?" It was at Ryans place, that the lead came forth. Jenny would inform the detectives "Ryan and I grew up near one another. Just not close enough that he knew about me." When Kate would ask "Does Chuck E. Cheese mean anything, to you?" Jenny would roll her eyes, saying "My Ryan, he loved the place, as a kid. He regrets that our children will, never, know the fun that he had, there." When a lieutenant would call Kate away from Mrs. Ryan, to say "We just got more calls. Someone just went through four more Chuck E. Cheeses." When Kate would whisper "How many does that leave?" the officer would say "Just one left. Going to be demo'ed, next month." When Kate would ask "How far?" The officer would say "Give the word, senator, and units will roll, within five minutes." Kate would whisper "Lieutenant, the "word" IS given." Kate would, then return to Mrs. Ryan, saying "We have a hot tip, on your husband. We have to go, NOW!" When Castle would ask "Whats the rush?" Kate would say "Chuck E. Cheese is the warning flare. We know where any kidnappers might be, next, but we need to arrive, first. We need them alive, to tell us where Ryan and Esposito, are." While using sirens on the main streets, once in range of the restaurant, police proceeded silently, and as dark as possible. Finding locks ripped from doors, the police would hear two voices, calling out "Not here", and "Check over there. They HAVE to be here." The other voice would say "Unless the cops lied." This is when Beckett, armed with a borrowed revolver, would enter the building, saying "Cops dont lie, unless under duress." When the woman turned, and Beckett saw her automatic weapon, Kate did not have time to say "Put it down." The woman opened fire as she turned. Knowing the police needed the suspects alive, Kate would shot the woman in the leg. When the automatic dropped to the floor, followed by the woman, a police officer would say "On the ground, NOW! " When the man saw Kates ruthless efficiency, he decided it was not worth trying. He dropped his gun, and was hand-cuffed. It was only after the criminals were taken to a waiting ambulance that another officer would call Senator Castle over, for an un-expected sight. Kate had to suppress a smile, as the two young people asked the police "IS the shooting over?" Until that moment, Kate Castle had forgotten that this, abandoned place had started as a place, for people to share memories, of Chuck E. Cheese, then it became a make-out spot. This was proven to remain true, when the two, young people, both naked, stood before the police. When Kate found her voice, she would suggest "If those are YOUR clothes, over there, I suggest you get dressed, then check in with the paramedics." At the ambulance, the young people would tell the police "We were, already, there, when the other two broke in." Kate would say "Skip the details. Did they say anything?" The girl would cut a deal. "If we tell you what we know, you DONT call our parents. They would freak out, like we were kids, or something." Kate would say "Fine, now, OUT with it." The young man would say "They kept saying that some cops told them to look in the old place. It was all "Look over there." and "How big is it?" and "I dont know." When Kate walked over to the thieves, saying "If you want to cut a deal, now is the time." When the man started to talk, the woman all-but shouted "Shut UP!", then, looking directly at Kate, the woman would say "You cant trust a cop!" When Kate would ask "Why would you say that?" The woman would ask "Ask me how many times my father raped me, before I left home. Every time he got drunk. He called me my mothers name, while he took what he wanted. The police never did anything." When Kate would ask "What became of your father?" She woman looked at Kate, with the fires of Hell, blazing, in her eyes, as she said "When the police would not prosecute the man, claiming that I made it all up, for attention, I showed them the truth. Slit his throat, from ear to ear, then left home." When Kate promised "I will review the case, at the station. For now, WHERE are my detectives?" When the woman would say no more, the man would give the location. Later, while Ryan and Espo were cleaning up, Kate called for the woman's file. She did have a file, and had, on multiple occassions, TRIED to file charges. Trouble was that her father was both a Catholic, and a drunk. His time, in the "tank", would equal close to a year, when put together. When Kate would ask "Why was there no follow up?", local police would tell her "The family was not perfect. The mother had three affairs, that we know of. The father. He had "stoolies" everywhere. Any time child welfare came close, the home was found empty." When Kate asked "Why wasn't the girl rape-tested?" The police would say "Against her own father? Even we know that the test would be 95, or more, percent, positive. Same family. Same D.N.A. No way to be sure." When Kate asked "When the man was murdered, was there an investigation?" The police would ask "What for?" He was a drunk. His throat could have been slit, any where, and then he stumbled home." Rather than pull rank, and have the officers fired, for "Gross Incompetence", Kate would return to New York, and file a report, verifying that the mans death was, in fact, "Justifiable Homicide". Kate would have wanted to ask the woman how many times her father had raped her, but Kate knew that some memories are best left alone. Besides, Kate had another problem, in the present day. Martha had arranged a series, of community meetings, and, with no small amount, of assistance, from Alexis, and her friends, the "gigs" were just as "sold out" as ever. Kate would explain the proposed project, as well as possible, to her all-adult audience. When the audience asked for clarification, and Kate provided this, Kate would have to call the meeting to order. Kate would tell the assembled "I dont like it, either, but I need your votes, to help me defeat the plan. As we hand out the vote slips, we need you to fill them out, and leave them with us. I will deliver your votes, to the senate, FOR you." Kate then joined Alexis, Martha, and the other volunteers, in handing out ballots. It was after the balloting that Kate, Martha, and Alexis, began hearing bits and pieces, of a story, from long ago. From a variety of people, the Castles would hear such things as "I think that the story is as old as New York. Maybe older." As Kate, Martha, and Alexis, listened, and took notes, the story formed, of yet another, infamous pirate. A man, rumored to be rich enough, in his day, to buy young girls, from impoverished families. The girls would serve the pirates needs, until he tired of them. At this point, the agreement would "fork" as some stories said that the pirate kept the women, at a monastery. A place which forbade women to speak. In another story, the pirate took the girls, walked them into marshes, then held pistols aimed at the womens backs, until heads went under the muck. Still another version said that the priate waited until the girls were asleep, then buried them in concrete. When Kate asked "Any record of any of this?" The people asked "That long ago?" Another person would ask "Do you really think that anyone would record the story, of a pirate, who dragged a girl, from her parents home, after killing her father, then dragged the girl to his boat?" When Kate asked "What about the mother?" The people would ask "What about her? Remember. In them days, women lost just about everything, to their husbands, upon marriage." Another person would say "Yeah, in them days, widows, and orphans, were sold off, like cattle, to pay off a mans final debts." When Martha would say "This is all very charmingly historical, however, does anyone know about some jewels, said to be buried, near New York?" When asked "What KIND of jewels?" Martha would suggest "oh, maybe diamonds, rubies, emeralds. That kind of thing." About the only story that Kate was interested in was the man who said "I dont know how true this is, since I never SEEN the jewels, but I think it was my grand-father claimed he found some stones. Said he hocked them, for enough money, to buy a store front. Converted it into a bar, and its been ever since." When Kate would ask "He pawned the jewels. Did he ever try to recover them?" The man would say "Sure did. As soon as business got good, he bought them back. So he said, anyway. Claimed he kept them in a safe. One of them big, tough, old models. The ones criminals take one look at, and walk away." When Kate would ask "As his grand-son, wouldn't you have the combination?" The man would say "I was told not to open the safe until the limitations are up. I think it will be in two years." Kate would correct the man, saying "The Statute of Limitations" begins when a crime takes place. If your grand-father found the jewels, after who knows how long, the statute is up." Before the man would agree to open the safe, he asked that the theft be verified, in honor of his father. A life-long New Yorker. Kate, Ryan, and Espo, would have to go to the historical society, to find out when the jewels were stolen. The closest match was a set of jewels, stolen from a trading ship, by pirates, back in the days of the Thirteen Colonies. Kate would say "Lets see. That would make the crime, taking place about 350 years ago. Give or take. I think that the statute is up." The man would say "Now, lets hope grand-father was not just a story-teller." It was obvious, by the groaning, of the metal, that this safe had not been open, in decades, if not centuries. It would take the combined muscle, of the man, Ryan, and Espo, to pull the door open. Inside the vault, and resting on smooth silk, was a glorious set of jewels. It was no wonder the rumor never died. When Ryan would ask "How much do you think?" Espo would say "Bro, these are historical. You cant place a value on history." Kate knew that there was no use trying to find the owners. The shipping line had been driven out of business, when the owners were found conspiring with the colonial patriots. The offices had been burned to the ground, after all records were sent to their majesties tax-collector. As for the family, which had imported the jewels, history says that, during the Civil War, their family died out, as they fought off the "Northern Devils". Still, the south had lost the war, yet even the north had taken tremendous losses. The families property was auctioned off, after the burials. As far as Kate Castle could figure out, the young man, and the bar, WERE the legal owners. Just two days later, U.S. Senator Kate Castle would stand, with the mayor, of New York City, to proclaim. "The jewels have been found. They are in a safe place. There is no need for any hunts. As your senator, I certify that the hunt, for the treasure is at an end. The rightful owner is in possession of their property." The man would smile at the fact that the senator had kept her word. She had promised the man that she would announce that the jewels were found, yet would NOT reveal his identity. (She had his vote, in the next election). The U.S. Senate was another matter. By the time Kate Castle would return to the senate, for the vote, on evolved gambling, a community vote, of about 500 people, had turned into an internet campaign, which lead to about five million votes. This is why Kate Castle would enter Senate chambers, with a group, of delivery men, pushing dollies, full of boxes. When the chairman would ask "Senator Castle. What is the meaning of this?" Kate would announce "Fellow senators, I have asked my territory IF I should back the idea, for evolved gambling. In these boxes is New Yorks answer." When the chairman would ask "What does New York think of the idea?" Kate would say "To be polite, I would say that, maybe 100 people are IN FAVOR of the idea. The other five million people are opposed. For this reason, I cannot vote in favor of evolved gambling. Not in New York, for any other jurisdiction." This is when the Chairman would add "You know, senator, I followed your example, and asked my own home territory." When Kate would ask "What was the peoples response?" The chairman would say "Same as New York." This is when three, other, senators would come forth saying "Mine, too." The chairman would tell Kate "You know, Senator Castle. This body does not look DOWN, on the American people. We SERVE the people. We do not look DOWN on decent. We just want to make sure that the people get what they voted for." When Kate would ask "So, no more, idea, about prostitution, paired with gambling?" The chairman would say "Terrible idea, to begin with." Boy, what a month this had been. Mysterious jewels, kidnapped detectives, a prostitution/gambling project, and Ryan and Espo, still doing research, for the real video. When Kate asked herself "IS it worth it?" When she thought of Castle, she wondered. When she thought of Alexis, Martha, and the 12th, Kate KNEW she had made the right call. After all, when her father had liked Rick, taken to Martha, and accepted Alexis, as his first grand-daughter, Kate knew things would work out. Now, if she could just keep everyone OUT of trouble. She knew the answer: NO chance.

SUFFERAGE REMEMBERED

SUFFERAGE: A CENTURY OF ADVANCE, A CENTURY OF PAIN. Yes, in this, the year of 2020, I think back on the events of the past century. I think back on the fact that it was just this time, a century ago, that American women won the fight, to be allowed to vote. This, after a brutal battle, just to be seen as human beings. In the years leading up to 1920, women were no more than their husbands property, once married. In my opinion, this is why women fought, so HARD, for the right to vote. In order to understand the true hardships, which women endured, a century ago, all we have to do is look at the modern day news. Here, we watch as people, who have known no other home, than the United States, are being dragged out of homes, schools, and work places, and thrown into concentration camps. Their only crime: Being HUMAN. The real core, of this tragedy, here is that America thinks that we have come so "far", in the past century. For instance, music has evolved from wax coatings, on glass cylinders, to vinyl records. From there, to 8-track tapes, then to cassette tapes, to compact discs, and, in 2020, music is now "downloadable", to personal players, which are no larger than credit cards. Transportation has, also, evolved. Even in the early 20th century, many people still used horse, and wagon, to move about. Then came Ford, and his "Model T" car. Back in the early twentieth century, if people wanted music, in their cars, they brought along instruments. This was followed by Mr. Marconi, and his wireless radio. This lead next to A.M. radio, then F.M., then to stereo. In 2020, we have Satellite Radio. (For those who understand such tech). In 1920, the idea, of space exploration, was the province of science fiction. Later, it would be German Werner Von Braun, who would bring N.A.S.A. into existance, (after his former German rocket group was sliced up, with half sent to the Soviet Union, and the rest, coming to the United States.) As for the reason why, when we enter movie theaters, all movies begin with a "clock", which counts down from five to one. This is because, back in the days, of Sufferage, American movie makers filmed on black-and-white film, yet recorded the sound tracks, including actors lines, on phonograph records. The count down was to allow projector operators to "synchornize" words, and sounds, on the record, with the vision, on the screen. In those days, sound, and visual had to be mated, manually. It would not be until Walter (Walt) Disney would learn that the Germans were testing a new brand, of film. One, which, BOLDLY, placed the sound directly ON the film. After Mr. Disney was impressed, with the German achievement, he arranged to bring the technology to America. The German film industry presented Mr. Disney with a cigarrette case with an engraving of what would, in a few years, become the hated symbol, of the Third Reich. Yet, Mr. Disney brought the new film technology, to the United States, and filmed such classics, as Fantasia. A technology which, by 2020, can be used with so many devices... In the early twentieth century, if people had a call coming in, they had to wait, by the phone, for the corded device to ring. (No options, for ring tones, or Caller I.D.) In the 1960’s, Gene Roddenberry introduced the hand-held, wireless, Communicator, in Star Trek. (Many people laughed at such an idea) In 2020, almost everyone has a wireless Communicator. (We call it a Cell-Phone) And yet, despite all of our advances, in technology, and "ethics", in 2020, we see history repeating itself. The same history, of the Sufferage Movement, in the United States, then of Germany, once Adolf Hitler SEIZED control. Now, history is, again, repeating itself. The new Sufferage is Hispanics, who want no more than to be full Americans. Being rounded up, just as women were, a century ago, and as "dis-loyal" Germans were, during World War Two, now, it is the Hispanics who are facing concentration camp treatment. Where did the United States go wrong? When did "and Liberty, and Justice, for ALL." become "Liberty, and Justice, but only for those with incomes over $1 million, per year"? What happened to "We the People, in order to form a more perfect union..." cease to be true? When did the United States decide to abandon the very concepts, which Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin, worked, for years, to establish? These, including the idea that, when people wanted entry to the United States, the nation said "Just petition for state-hood, accept our laws, and add your star to our flag. After that, we welcome you as our brothers." When did we forget this? We think that we have come so FAR, yet, with only the slightest pull, of a string, we fall right back into the past. Where did we go wrong?