THE NEW SIXTH SENSE # 20

THE NEW SIXTH SENSE # 20 Doctor Johnathan Rhoades, medical doctor, and licensed psychiatrist. A man who DARES to look PAST the obvious, and discover what is at the HEART, of patients conditions. The following is case-file number 20, of Doctor Rhoades highly unusual approach to treatment, of mental disorders. According to the file, which I have been granted access to, a group, of people, are insisting that Rapture is upon the Earth. Their rationale: It would seem as though "out of the blue", people have begun disappearring. Just because the police have found no clues, except for abandoned cars, local churches are suggesting that this is the beginning of Rapture. The concerned are even quoting the Bible, where it says "I shall come, like a thief in the night..." The police are asking for my assistance since some of the eldest residents, of the town, remember Jonestown Guyanna, as well as Waco, Texas. The police, main concern, is bringing an end to rampant speculation. Too many people are scared that the Lords return, to Earth is at hand. The police hope that a psychiatrist will be able to calm those, who remain, while the police search for the missing. While I, too, have Christian faith, I guess that I would be considered a "Sunday Christian". This because, weekdays, I spend working hours trying to dis-prove so many outlandish beliefs. Now, I was being summoned to work on the most bizzarre incident, of my career, to date. Upon arrival, at the police station, an officer would drive me to the scene of the "incident". Here, in a public, parking, area, maybe two dozen cars, of various makes and models, sat. What made the situation unusual was when the chief of police called me over, to the cars, having me make note that the keys were in the ignitions. Equally important was the fact that ignitions were in the "on" position. The chief of police also pointed out the abandoned hand bags, as well as the wallets. While officers searched the bags, phones began ringing, in various ring tones. An officer would say "Thats odd." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "Why is that?" The officer would say "Thats Chucks phone. The man goes nowhere, without that phone. Wont even leave it home, when he goes to mass." When another officer called out "Here is Miss Sadies phone." Another officer would suggest "Its as if they just were whisked away." The chief of police would say "Non-sense." Then the chief would ask Doctor Rhoades "Tell me this stuff, about people just vanishing, is just nonsense." Doctor Rhoades would say "So far, all we have is circumstancial evidence." When an officer would ask "Who, in their right mind, would leave wallets, purses, and phones, behind?" While Doctor Rhoades would decline to speculate, he doubted that this was Rapture. As the doctor set up his temporary office, in town, he heard of maybe five, to eight, people, just vanishing. It was not until the doctor spoke to each person that thing became clearer. Now, sure, in towns like this, people know one another, and only accidents, illness, or death, prevent people from attending appointments. The problem, that Doctor Rhoades was finding was that people spoke, early in the day, set appointments, then never showed up. It was when Doctor Rhoades would ask "Did they vanish, before your eyes?" Each person would say "No. They just walked away. That was the last I saw of them." When Doctor Rhoades would ask locals about the cars, asking "Did you SEE the driver vanish?" The reply was universal. The driver was seen, hours earlier, but the car was not found, until much later. This set Doctor Rhoades to thinking. Cars, with keys in ignitions, and motors running. All identification, including cell-phones, left with the cars. Was this, REALLY, a DIVINE incident, or was the answer much closer to home? People go missing, everyday. How can people KNOW that this is the Rapture? The scientist, inside Doctor Rhoades, refused to accept any conclusion, unless it was proven. By evening, both Doctor Rhoades, and the police, had their hands full, when the local minister called a special service, then began quoting Revelations. As the minister began quoting "And the Lord said, I will come, like a thief, in the night..." The minister would say "This is the word, and will, of God." Doctor Rhoades would ask "Pardon me, reverend, but is it not true that that book, you hold, and other, similar volumes, were written, NOT by the hand of God, but by the hand of man." The minister would say "The men, who wrote these volumes were Godly men. Priests, Prophets..." This is when Doctor Rhoades would interrupt, saying "But, men, anyway, right? The Gospel was neither mailed, faxed, nor e-mailled, from Heaven." The minister would hold the Holy Bible aloft, saying "This IS the will of God. His judgement IS upon us." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "HOW do you KNOW this? Arent the present incidents subject to interpretation?" When the minister would ask "What interpretations?" Doctor Rhoades would suggest "One, equally, plausable, theory, is that those, who seemed to "vanish" are being held captive. Maybe, the city should prepare for ransom demands." When the minister would ask "Sir! How could anyone, except the Lord, take on twenty-plus people, all at once?" When Doctor Rhoades would ask "How do you know that all of them were taken at the same time? Were they due at a meeting, and all of them missed attendance?" The chief of police would join the conversation, saying "Reverend, the answer, to that question, is NO. The missing were reported, days apart." When the minister asked "Then, HOW does your "science" explain the cars, grouped together, keys in ignitions, tanks run dry. Who can afford to run engines dry, at fuel prices?" Even Doctor Rhoades would admit "I have not, yet, had time to form a proper theory. Still, NO source should be given emphasis, when there are multiple possibilities." When the chief of police would say "The doctor is right. We just dont have enough evidence, yet, to make any conclusions." This is when the reverend would suggest "Chief of police, perhaps YOU should join this "doctor", in departing town. Once your sin is departed, the town will prepare to meet the coming of the Lord." Taking the threat seriously, both men, and the other police persons, loaded up and departed town. Just twenty miles beyond the city limits, however, the chief would stop the group, then ask "Doctor Rhoades, what do you make of that talk, about "preparations"?" Doctor Rhoades would say "It concerns me, since that term could mean anything from a Thanksgiving meal, to blood sacrifice." The chief would say "That is what concerns me, as well. I just wish there was some way to get the chidren away from there." Doctor Rhoades would agree "Yes, children are prime targets, for blood rituals." When an officer would say "I am going back." the chief would say "Not like this. If we go in, as police, we could cause more harm..." When the officer said "But, the children are innocent." The chief would ask "Dont you think I KNOW THAT?" When the chief saw the doctor thinking, and asked "Whats up, doc?" Doctor Rhoades would say "Maybe there is a way, both to save the children, AND find out who is behind the disappearances." After the doctor laid out his plan, more than a few clothes lines ended up with missing shirts and pants. As twilight drew near, and faces became less definitive, the police, and Doctor Rhoades, would wait until people, who passed them, mistook them, for other people. Then came Operation: Swap Starting with playgrounds, and local schools, the group began rounding up the city's children. Children, who had no reason to fear the sheriff. What proved trickier was when the group had to begin entering homes, to quiet children, them remove them, to safety. In fact, the ONLY children the operation had to leave behind were newborns. Still, when Doctor Rhoades, the chief, and a few deputies, found the "celebration", a deputy asked "Why are they draining the gas from the cars?" The chief would whisper "Just wait and see." Soon, torches, lit with gasoline, would light up the night. In the center, of the gathering, the watchers got their first view, of the fire platform. It was not, however, until the reverend called for the first sacrifice, that a farmer left the group. After waiting for awhile, the reverend asked "Where is he?" This is when the farmer would return, saying "I cant find any of them." When the reverend asked "What are you saying?" The farmer said "They are gone. All of them. The playground, the school, the houses." It was not until an infant cried out that the farmer added "Only the infants are left." When the reverend stood, saying "Is that so?" a young mother brought her child closer, while whispering "No, No, please not my baby." When the reverend said "Do not worry. You can make another." This is when the chief whispered, to the doctor "I thought I knew that man. Lived here all my life. Never thought..." Doctor Rhoades was more interested in what happened, next. If the ritual were for evil, certain spells would have to be spoken, to "sanctify" the sacrifice. Doctor Rhoades HAD to be SURE, before making any judgements. Quick judgements have lead to far too many, wrong, diagnosis. It was not until the incantations began that Doctor Rhoades realized that the "spell" was, almost word-for-word, from the Bible. Doctor Rhoades was about to ask "Why would Christians burn people, alive." then he remembered times like the Salem Witch Trials. It would be sun-rise, the next day, before the "caravan" would stop, in another town, for rest, food, and so on. Doctor Rhoades would set up an "office", near the campers, and review his findings. What Doctor Rhoades could not reconcile, about the "sacrifice" was the mixture, of religion. The doctor knew Latin, from medical school. The question was "Why were Latin words being used with voodoo gestures?" The doctor might have spent days, even weeks, trying to make sense of what he had observed. That is, until he overheard some teens speaking of their favorite spots. Places their parents had forgotten about, years ago. Only one girl objected, telling her friends "He's an adult. If we show him the spots, he will remind our parents." After a show of hands showed the girl in a clear minority, the group began the trek to some of the spots. What shocked the young people was when the Chief suggested "Better not take the road, or the path. Probably under surveillance." Closing on the mouth, of a cave (which even the teens did not know existed), the chief would whisper "I was young, once, as well." It was inside the cave, where some of the missing were found. All locked in some, very crude, form of cells. When the chief asked about the others, some of the captives admitted "They kept us down here, no food or water. Wanted us begging, and weak, when they took us out." When the police asked "WHO are they?" The prisoners could only say "They are the ones who have been kidnapping people." When Doctor Rhoades would ask "Did they ever say what for?" Another prisoner would say "I heard them talking, one day. Talking of selling the boys, and keeping the girls." When the chief asked "But, WHO are they?", suddenly the police heard some revolvers click, behind them, as a voice said "I guess you want to know." It was not until the thieves got the "drop", on the local cops, that the chief got a look, and asked "Who are you?" One, of the gun-men would smile as they said "The word of God." Now, Doctor Rhoades knew where the missing were, but this question was replaced with another. It was not until Doctor Rhoades sat in a corner, being bound, that he realized what had "bugged" him, about the ceremony. The infants were not dropped into the flames, the children wer TOSSED, THROUGH the flames (no doubt to someone who caught the child, on the other side of the flames.) No, that could not be right. Most of those the town were using, for "sacrifices" were school age. This would mean not one, but as many as three, hidden, forms, behind the flames. (But, HOW did they hide their actions?) The grief stricken mother had SEEMED realistic. Or, had she? Why mix Christian messages, with VooDoo practices? It would take the doctors "third eye" to sweep the area, and learn what was going on. In the vision, Doctor Rhoades saw teens, having been whipped, into submision, while adults were starved, into submission. The victims were loaded onto some sort of boats, then taken down river. At a coastal peer, the victims were loaded, along with other victims. If only the third eye could have shown the doctor the destination. The replacement craft was just like thousands of others. An old rust-bucket, of a freighter. The time, for the escape, arrived, when one of the criminals came for a bit of young woman. While the high schooler made herself as attractive as possible, the boys hid in the shadows. The girl was a very good actress. She had the man thinking that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. His mistake had been being an aroused male. The high school boys landed on the criminal, grabbed his keys, and let the prisoners free. After fleeing, back to camp, that people began to relax. It was as the doctor was trying to see the name, of the ship, that a young voice called "Doctor, do you want some dinner?" The doctor would try again, later. In that moment, he realized that he was very hungry. When the police chief joined the group, he would inform those, present "The town is TRYING to put out state-wide A.P.B.'s, on all you kids." When Doctor Rhoades seemed concerned, the chief would say "Relax, doc. Without the approval, of the chief of police, those notices aint goin nowhere." Just a few days later, the whole camp got a huge laugh off of an internet video called "Chief desperate for...", and an image, similar to the chief, supposedly having sex with a high school girl. It took a computer geek all of two minutes, to refine the video, and show what was what. The geek did applaud the video, which showed not the chief, and a girl, but a husband and wife. While most criminals HOPE that video will spread, world-wide, before it can be removed, more and more net-access ports give new posts the message of "Your content is awaiting moderation". This is how the F.B.I. had tracked a "child" molester, who had been brazen enough to post his activities. The man may have HOPED for world-wide fame, for eluding justice, but, because of "moderation", the videos were sent, instead, to the feds. The man had been convicted on enough counts that he would, never, be released, from prison. No child molestation convictions, however. This because it is known that those, convicted, of crimes, against "children" have a very SHORT life span, in prison. There was, however, another video. One which appearred to be an "outtake" from a chase movie. What caught the police chiefs eye was that the river, the bridge, and the car, all looked very familiar. It took the police chief all of five minutes to realize that the video was, supposedly, of HIM. This is how the criminals hoped to get around the police chief. Claim that the man was dead and the next highest officer would take over. While his late wife did think the man was paranoid, to have a secret code, for use with state officials, it was times, like this, that the code was designed. When "local law enforcement" tried to override the chief, what they did not expect was the challenge question. In order to protect the camp, the chief had one, of the high schoolers rig a relay. A chain of command, so complex that it would take MONTHS for any criminal to make any progress. When the chief answered the challenge question, the state asked if the man needed support. 24 hours later, mini-U.A.V.'s were cruising the skies, and streets, of the community. What they showed was not "pretty". The chiefs beloved community, had armed itself, with enough explosive to take out anything, within five miles. As for the WHO, of the plot, not even Doctor Rhoades could decypher that one. Not even when other psychologists joined the base camp. Every mind, in the camp, found it impossible that VooDoo would have ANY connection with Christianity. Even minds like James Jones, and David Koresh, were crossed off the list. Both of these men had CRAVED publicity. They LIVED for the video age. It was their "ultimate marketting tool". In the case Doctor Rhoades was investigating, the "leaders" were keeping quieter than church mice. These people let their "foot soldiers" do ALL of the work. When Doctor Rhoades did manage to make contact, within the city, he found that something had to be very wrong. While the doctor THOUGHT that he was locked on, to just one person, the problem was that this person was more like the classic film: Cybil. One person. Dozens of personalities. As for how this person kept both Christianity, and VooDoo, under control, this is what scared the doctor, most. This person had a will, so powerful, that they could have handled up to 100, seperate, personalities. This kind of mind, however, had a fatal flaw. This is how Doctor Rhoades knew how to defeat the person. The person was so focused, on local events, to keep control, that the persons "range", of telepathic ability, was limited to just the one city. Now, it even made sense, why the city never attacked base camp. If the mind sent people outside of the town, control effects would fizzle, within two miles. The persons own mind would awaken, and their mission, scrubbed. This is why Doctor Rhoades met both with the local high schoolers, and the evacuee's. If the plan worked, it would be a major achievement, in the field of psychiatry. Sure enough, once the chief of police called an old friend, at an army base, and arranged for a military lift helicopter, the plan went into effect. On the outer casing was a count down timer. This, when combined with the mental projections, of the chess, and computer, teams, caused the city to believe that the outside was ready to un-leash the most powerful neutron bomb, ever made. With the helicopter flown by remote control, there were no pilots minds to search. Add in the rampant fear, that Rapture was at hand, and the "source", of all of the fear, "ran away" from its potential destruction. And, just as Doctor Rhoades had expected, the victims, of the control, had no memory of events. It was like they had been asleep, for months. When the mayor looked at the box, asking "Just WHAT is this?" The teens, all, laughed as they said "Biggest trojan horse, to date". Yes, the box was just a supply container. Doctor Rhoades had suggested a lead based container, to prevent "peeking". The timer, was on-loan, from a demolition firm. Doctor Rhoades would stay on, for another two months. This, to aid people, who did not remember. As to what the "sources" plan had been, no human had a clue. The only thing which was certain was that the source had been very familiar, with the book of Revelations. In fact, the source had used Revelations, to instill FEAR in the people. FEAR, which gave the source even MORE power, over peoples worst fear. Of course, Doctor Rhoades knew it was impossible to "cure" people of the belief that Rapture was either at hand, or "coming soon". The doctor would do his best, to help people adjust to everyday life. Doctor Rhoades philosophy was "Let Heaven worry about Revelations. People should worry about daily lives. Not about "what if" scenarios." While many people still feared a possible return, Doctor Rhoades "prescription" would be "Just take it a day at a time."

DEMISE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY

THE DEMISE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY While the New World Order had been so carefully planned, the one thing, that the Republicans should have, but did not count upon, was the reaction of the American people. From that time, in the mid-1980's, as manufacturing jobs began abandoning the United States, for lower wages, in Third World nations, Ronald Reagan had gone on television, telling Americans "If you want jobs to come back, you must go out and spend! Spend!! SPEND!!!" Those Americans, who fell prey to this "propaganda", and did spend savings (hoping to draw jobs back, to the U.S.) were the first un-employed to find themselves homeless. American management had decided that it was better to charge Americans prices, based upon American wages, even while products were being made, at much LOWER wages, in other nations. The problem, which management, and the Republicans, ran into, was the fact that, as more Americans LOST jobs, and others were being hired, at only ten percent, of former wages, the projections, made by both the analysts, and the computers just did not "add up", in the REAL world. The Republicans, and the computer programmers, just could not understand WHY the American people, now earning less than ten percent, of the way to the poverty level, were no-longer spending, on BIG budget items. The projections showed that the public would, when appliances stopped working, would just buy brand new. What the projections DID NOT show was how many people either paid 1/4th the price, of new, to fix old appliances, or how people would start shopping thrift stores, and on-line, for what they wanted. Management, and the Republicans, had been counting on Americans buying foreign made goods, for American prices. When Americans began buying, in bulk, directly from foreign manufacturers, management called for special taxes. These taxes would offset any savings, on buying direct. Less than five percent, of the Republicans, in Congress, would endorse this idea. As a result, the New World Order would begin to dissolve. Then came the BIG hits. New motor vehicles, which the experts were certain that Americans would buy, began sitting on lots. This, while Americans sold one another used cars, and the public began paying mechanics, to keep old, yet reliable, vehicles running. Then, there was the proposed "buy back", which was supposed to STOP the public from just walking away from homes, which they could not afford, on minimum wage. Buy back MIGHT have been a success, except that many banks told home owners that they would have to wait, up to ninety days, for buy-out checks. (The families had notices saying "30 days, or you are OUT!") Result, realtors ended up with thousands of homes, and no buyers. This is when, without permission, or consent, a Republican was quoted as repeating the same line that got another Republican, in serious trouble. This Republican got into deeper trouble, with their expanded version, of the original insult. The original insult had been: "If people want a better life, then they need to work LONGER, HARDER, hours" The new insult was: "If workers want a better life, let them, AND their children, work LONGER, HARDER, hours, for what they want. Besides, what are we waisting money, on education for? The children leave school, as dumb as ever." Since the Republican sent this out, as a press release, the party would not allow the incumbent on the next ballot. Still, there was the problem, of warehouses, filled with brand new merchandise, and the public, shopping thrift, and second hand, stores. The time, when the Republican knew their "hands were tied", was when Asian partners offered to buy out the Americans, for pennies on the dollar. Merchandise was not being sold, from stores, and warehouses were turning away fresh deliveries. The Republicans realized that the ONLY way to make the New World Order work, was to ban Americans from buying "direct". The one question, which no Republican could answer was "HOW do we STOP people from buying on-line?" Even as the Republican Party debated this issue, they watched as their numbers dissolved, as once profitable company's fell prey to the New World Order. Worst of all, the purchasers were not Americans, either. In the 1980's, the Republican Party was, reportedly, worth some $500 billion dollars. By the early 21st century, mergers, and buy-outs, had left the Republican Party with only about $10 million. The accountants, at party headquarters, warned that, if party resources fellow below $5 million, the party could not afford to compete. Of course, the Asians offered the Republicans loans, for elections. The "catch" was that the Asians wanted more freedom, from American law. The Asians wanted to pay Americans Asian wages, while the workers lived at lower than minimum wage jobs. Seeing that the party had only two choices, the Republicans would agree to abandon the New World Order. A "New Deal", for the twenty-first century, would be made. The easiest part, of the new deal, to implement, was the part about keeping children in school. This, since school districts would NOT release children, from attending school, until Congress sent down WRITTEN ORDERS. (Orders, which no member, of Congress, was willing to sign.) The computer industry took the next hardest hit when, as computers became more complex, and users began rebuilding the old (which users understood), and leaving the new sitting on shelves. According to the media, Windows 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, sold, about as well, with the public, as a model "T", or Model "A" Ford. When the media polled the public, the article would read that, even with Windows 7,8, and 9, most users used less then 20% of computers ability. The public, overwhelmingly, voted that computers had become far too complex. It just was not worth the effort, learning about programs which people MIGHT use, about every twenty years. The internet also had to report that copies, of Windows 2000, purchased via mail order, from Asia, were out-selling the new stuff, by 100,000-to-1. While Microsoft had, long since, ended tech support, for Windows 2000, a group, of investors, put together a new, support, network. A network, dedicated to working with those, who owned older machines. Of course, once the Asians heard about this new venture, they began to revise their product lines, placing only very SMALL orders, for the newer products, while watching sales SOAR, on parts, for out-of-date computers. In another industry, a corporation, which had been importing cheap, Asian, products, and selling that at the profit, of American prices, came to the bitter realization, that an international corporation was selling the product, direct to customers, at just 10% of what the corporation charged. Point of note: Even at 10%, the foreign corporation was making a 300% profit, from sales. The New World Order would become the New World Market. IF American corporations wanted to compete, then prices would have to FALL, drastically. This would mean no more new Rolls-Royces, each year. No more yachts. No more country clubs. Corporate boards of directors would return to living on budgets, just as they did, while working their way up, to the board room. One company actually tried to auction off some Rolls-Royces, to keep the company solvent, until profits returned. The same trick some fool, on e-bay had used, to try and sell a USED, 1972, Chevy Nova sedan, for $2,000. (A car, which had NO blue-book value) The Rolls-Royces went up for auction, four times, yet no offers were made. While no one could PROVE what happened, it seems that the Rolls were "lost", in a fire, along with about $50 million, in other, company, property. What made arson investigation suspicious was the fact that the goods were burned far enough from town, that nothing else was in danger. The insurance company not only refused to pay out, for replacement materials, but cancelled the company's insurance policy as well. When the idea, came out of Congress, to intercept foreign orders, enroute, then deliver, only when Americans paid, full, American, prices, the elder members, of Congress, reminded the younger members "That is called Piracy, on the high sea's. It has not been practiced, since the 1700's, and for good reason." When the elder added "Besides, thanks to electronics, people receive "paid in full" receipts, upon purchase. If you try to hijack their purchases, you will be sent to prison." Result, the New World Order would crumble to dust, while the New World MARKET, would lead to new prosperity. With the new world market taking over, the Republicans would "dissolve" back into the shadows, looking to, one day, make a come back. When this might happen was anyones guess.

ODE TO A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM

ODE TO A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM It may seem odd, however, to think of just how dependent modern Americans have become, on products, which use electricity. That is, until one evening, after dark, when a severe thunderstorm not only dumps enough ran to flood low-lying area's, but, when the rain is accompanied by powerful streaks, of lightning. I, for one, do not know which I fear most. The brief burst, of light. A burst which, for just a second, turns night time into high noon, on a sun-lit day. That, or the few seconds later, when the thunder crashes, so loud, that it shakes homes with the sound of a hungry predator. It is just so amazing that, one moment, a person can be listening to their favorite tunes, on their play-list, or watching a wide variety, of video products, yet, with the FLASH, of a bolt, of lightening, Battery powered, transistor, radios, and outdated, battery-powered, "boom-boxes" become the best music available. Then, of course, there are those persons, who enjoy listening to audio books, which they have down-loaded to their computers. One moment, the listener is engrossed in finding out if a spirit is, truly, that of a loved one, then, with a flash, of lightning, the stereo, and computer, stop playback (just before the truth is revealled). Suddenly, the listener is left to read printed magazines, and hard cover books. All by battery powered (or kerosene) lanterns. All due to the savage power, of "Mother Nature". Yes, how quickly our lives can change, without electric current. In fact, the very same type of current which, in the shape of a lightning bolt, can KILL, or destroy, instead of providing pleasure. Yes, how our lives have become so dependent, on electricity. Everything from C.D. players, to DVD machines. Stereo F.M. receivers, to Digital television signal receivers. Add in alarm clocks, microwave ovens, electric can openers, light bulbs, air conditioners, and portable fans, And it is oh, so simple, for a brief burst, of electricity to return a city, from twenty-first century high-tech, to seventeenth century candles, and paperback reading. It is at times, such as these, that I realize that a foreign power would not need a nuclear attack, to bring the United States to its "knee's". No, all that a foreign power would need to do was use a remote device, to shut down the power-grid, and the United States is returned to colonial times. All of the M.R.I.'s, ex-rays, and tests, whose names I wont pretend that I can pronounce, all useless, without electricity. And what of the American automobile? A device, whose systems, nowadays, run, almost completely, on electricity. Gone are the days, of carbureters, spark plugs (and wires), as well as simple gasoline. Nowadays, automotive design is so "addicted", to high tech micro-chips, that even ignitions do not turn over, without micro-chip permission. As for mobile (cell) phones. It would take just ONE, electrical, storm, to shut down an entire city/county. Add in the fact that pay telephones no longer exist, and it would be so very easy to cripple the nations economy, just with a few lightning bolts. My neighbors and I have sat back, and watched as just two, or three, lightning bolts, took out up to ten, city, blocks, of the power grid, leaving residents without light, heat, air conditioning, or entertainment. With our lives so dependent, nowadays, on this substance, called electricity, I have to wonder why cities dont move the power lines underground, to protect transformers from lightning strikes, as well as moving sub-stations underground, to protect against drunk drivers. In my town, there have been no less than three times when drunk drivers have driven through electric sub-stations, taking down several blocks, of the power grid, until electricity can be re-routed. How dependent we have become on this wonderous, yet deadly, substance, called electricity. A substance which can either keep a nations citizens in contact, or which can kill, faster than any sniper. How dependent we have become, on this substance, and how easily it can cripple our lives. Thanks to a severe thunderstorm, I have learned, first hand, what it is like, when electricity stops flowing. How life stops. How we find ourselves surrounded, by SILENCE. Maybe, we have satellite radio, however, this leaves the question: In colonial times, storms did not phase life, since families used hand-cranked phonographs, and kerosene lamps, as well as paper-back novels, to ride out storms. Are we really better off? This is my ode, to a severe thunderstorm (and the lessons such weather reminds us of)

RUMORS

Crystal and I knew, from the start, where, and HOW, the rumors got started. It was all so simple, and honest. While I had to wait for a friend to tell me that the Latina, Crystal, was engaged, still, I attended the party, which was sort-of an "anything goes", type of gathering. Still, I waited until I noticed how Jesus walked around the party, taking various womens hands, and rubbing them against his crotch. Of those I saw, atleast three women slipped their hands inside his pants. This is when I decided to offer Crystal my own wedding present. It took a bit of doing, to bring her aside, yet, once I got her into a space, where the music was softened, by the walls, and she asked me "Where is the present". I told her "Dont worry. Its right here." For just a moment, when I looked her over, Crystal was a bit apprehensive. As I carressed her, however, and whispered "Dont worry. I wont hurt you." Crystal felt like saying "Lets get on with it." What surprised, and excited, Crystal was how I did not just "shove it in". Instead, I embraced her, carressed her, then drew her into a kiss, which went so deep, and rich, that she wished it would last just for a few months. As the french kiss continued, she lost the ability to think. By the time she could think, again, she felt my lips on her neck. Un-like her fiance, however, I was not biting her (as he, and other men, did). In fact, as my lips and tongue, carressed her neck, she found herself embracing, and carressing me. The time, when she KNEW she had to stop me, was when she felt me kissing her chest. She KNEW where my lips were going. This is why she whispered "Baby", and I returned to give her a DEEP kiss. After the kiss, we just looked at one another (and Crystal did NOT like the thoughts she was having) Thankfully, when she heard her name being called, she whispered "Baby, give me five minutes." I understood. What Crystal did not realize was that her friends "understood", as well. Especially Christine. When Christine mentioned Crystals look, then asked Crystal "Have you looked in a mirror, recently?" Crystal did not realize how she looked until the ladies found an un-occupied bathroom, and Crystal saw the mirror. Her smile, and glow, was like a neon sign, saying "I have been LOVED." When Christine mentioned "I know it was not Jesus. His shaft has been working the party for an hour." Crystal would only say "A friend". It was when the drinking, and drugs, became a (sex)-fest, that Crystal found herself by my side. She did not know why but she felt safe/comfortable, with me. Still, when men began pouring beer into women, before insertion, I felt Crystals dis-comfort, and asked if she wanted to leave. When she whispered "Baby, not alone" I agreed. I understood her reason when, at the exit, she snuggled up to me, even as we passed more than a few men, all of whom seemed ready to take a woman "home". Funny thing, though. When we reached her place, Crystal swallowed a good sized amount of breath freshener. When I took a look, she promised "Give them fifteen to dissolve, and the smell will be gone." What surprised Crystal was when I asked to use her own bathroom. When she saw me take out my "tooth-kit", and prepare to brush my teeth, Crystal looked at me, and I suggested "I thought you might like a fresh mouth to kiss." Sure enough, moments later, our mouths fresh, the pills took effect, then Crystal got another surprise when I put on some soft music, then took her into my arms. She wanted to say "Boy, you, really, want into my pants, bad." however, all she did was carress me, in return. In her bedroom, for the first time, in YEARS, a man aided Crystal in un-dressing, yet without fumbling. In bed, Crystal got another shock when I did not "stick it right in". Instead, I seduced her until she was ready to beg. Only when she smiled, brightly did I slip it in. Once I began loving her, she prayed, to the Virgin Mary, that this day could last just a few years. By the time I was half-finished, Crystal whispered "Baby, I am going to have to teach you how to love me." When I was "finished", Crystal got another shock when I encouraged her to snuggle up to me, as I fell asleep. That following week, Crystal encouraged me to nurse and, the following week, she gave me her milk. At the start, when Crystal still felt that marriage was coming her way, she asked that I only express my love, for her, inside her place. In public, kisses, and carresses, were fine, but "private" touches were to be kept at home. She could not keep the truth from her friends. Especially when the women saw that Crystal, who could pack away a case of booze, alongside the best of them, had started a new habit. "Nursing" a single drink, while enjoying the company. It was when, after a friend ate a super-sized value meal, then mentioned "I guess I ate too much. Man, are my clothes tight." This is when Crystal abandoned most fast food, and began eating more salads. At the start, when Crystal noticed how much I exercised, outside of bed, she mentioned, to her mother, that I was getting back into the same shape that her friends were in, since high school. It was when mother challenged Crystal, asking "So, you think you are, still, in high school shape, huh?" When Crystal would say "Mother, I haven't been out of school, long enough, to get out of shape." Mother placed a $50.00 bill in front of Crystal, saying "If you can prove that you are in shape, this money is yours." Now, sure, Crystal had been watching her figure, since high school, but what she had not been noticing was her trim/tone. When mother and daughter went to the family's rear yard, Crystal did notice that it took a bit of effort, and a rest, at the halfway point, but she made it. All mother would say was "When you were in school, it was not so much an effort, AND you did not have to take a rest break." After Crystal joined me, at my next, doctors appointment, and listened to the doctor tell me "Sir, you are as healthy as a thirty year old. Keep this up and you may make it back to the fitness of a twenty-five year old." Crystals own appointment (which her mother, not myself, attended), was not so good. While the doctor would say "Not bad. Just about five pounds over-normal weight. You could use some exercise, though." Unlike myself, who had been out of school, for decades, Crystals own "recovery" was much simpler. It was not long before the clothes, which she had set aside as "shrunken" began to fit, again. Soon, when she was not doing housekeeping, or fixing meals, Crystal joined me in my exercises. Funny thing was, even as Jesus was teasing the ladies, about Crystal, and I, about being "sickly thin", she noticed how his own "diet" was affecting his body. Jesus may have THOUGHT that he was justifying the fact that he was humping as many women as possible, but, the fact was that people saw the difference. By the time Crystal hear about the rumors (which claimed she was laying with anything that had a shaft), even her friends stated that they KNEW I was Crystals only man. After all, I was the only one she was seen with, and I was the one, handling her "business". By the time Jesus was claiming that Crystal was dating every man she could find, her friends had started up a notebook, for the two. Inside the notebook, all that Crystal had was an index card, with my information. This, because the ladies never saw Crystal with any other man. By contrast, Jesus had pages of "conquests". As for Jesus rumors, of Crystal's "wild parties", Crystal found these hilarious. Considering the fact that she had me waiting for her, at home, Crystal made sure that the only times when she went near being drunk were the days when there was no chance of my needing her. Even so, when she attended parties, she began attending, for her friends. Crystal could even name the exact date, when she last became drunk, and high. It was three months after we became lovers, and Crystal was not sure we had any "future". Crystal did not know why but, while she thought she was having a good time, at a party, she had no idea that I was present, until she saw me. Ofcourse, I had told her, before the party, that I was visiting a friend, and that she should not worry. At the party, Crystal was just the latest lady, to stand on a table, and begin un-dressing. Crystal thought it would be "fun", and "laughs", but only until she saw me. There she was, topless, and looking at me as if she were a child, caught stealing. As soon as she saw me, she climbed down, from the table, grabbed her clothes, and let the next woman take over. Crystal was thankful that she lost me, in the crowd. Even as she dressed, Crystal realized that the "buzz" was gone. Instead of going home, Crystal had gone to her parents home, for her hang-over. The next morning, and without her mothers prodding, Crystal wrote out a pledge, saying that she would, never, removed her clothes, in public, ever again. Since that day, Crystal had not been drunk, high, or naked, in public. This is why, when the rumors circulated, that Crystal was stripping, for hire, her friends did not believe. Now, Jesus had taken on three strippers, so far. Crystals friends found it laughable that everything, that Jesus accused Crystal of, was what HE was actually, doing. It was not long after the rumors became ridiculous that Crystals friends asked me, straight out: If you want her so much, why not just MARRY her? Crystals mistake was in how she handled a name problem. Her friends could not pronounce my family name. To aid this problem, Crystal half-jokingly, suggested "Why not just call him Mr.H, and me, Mrs.H?" Not only, from that time on, was Crystal referred to as "Mrs.H", but, her mail began coming, bearing my family name. Once Crystal verified, both to me, and her family, that she had not done this, herself, everyone gave Crystal the same answer. "If you did not do it, then it is THEIR problem, not yours" What Crystal came to enjoy, about being my "wife" was the fact that, when people wanted "spur of the moment decisions", Crystal would smile and say "I need to speak to my husband, about this." The same thing I said, when people wanted FAST answers, or sales. What began making her mother laugh, more often, waas when the times came up where Crystal would remind me "You are my husband, and I love you, but you DONT O-W-N me." Each time I would ask "Who says I own you?" Crystal would say "Dont try to change the subject. I love you but you dont own me." It would be when mother would break out, in laughter, that Crystal would ask "Whats so funny?" Mother would say "You! You ARE acting like his wife." When Crystal would say "I a-", then realize that we were not married, she would brush her hair back, smile, and say "I dont believe it." By the time Jesus was out of her life, he had spread every rumor, from her having four abortions, to my selling her to some dictator, to pay off gambling debts. Now, sure, our life was not as smooth as glass. Like mother said "Tha best relationships are the ones where people work things out." For mother, the "ultimate" laugh was the times, when, with a butcher knife in hand, Crystal would say "How I would love to cut it off him." When Mother asked "Why not? Say it was an accident." Crystal would say "I enjoy it too much. Without it, what am I?"

FIXING THE FUTURE

FIXING THE FUTURE It started out, like a glorious dream. A dream ( or a fantasy), about the time when America would celebrate the addition of the 100th state, to the federal union. I dont know why, however, even as the festivities were going, full tilt, I felt an urgent need, to relax, and lie down. At the time, when I passed out, my last recollection was that the year was 2045. To say that I would be astounded to wake up, in 1970, would be an understatement. To say that my mother, who would, decades later, die, of a medical condition, which caused severe obesity, was not only alive, but not overweight, at all, was something, while my adult memories found more than freaky. As for my father, it seems that the factory worker, that I remembered, had changed jobs, using his advanced knowledge, of the German language, to land a career, in tech development, was more than a little un-settling. My eldest sister was well on her way to becoming a valedictorian, at our grade school. Our middle sister was harnessing her talents, as a project coordinator. As for myself, what I did not know, until that time, was the fact that the details, that I seemed to know, about coming events, were not just the fanciful ravings, of a child, with an over-active imagination. Without realizing it, I was quoting information from my then-future. What really surprised me was when 1972 came, and went, with my parents not only remaining married, but our moving from the suburbs, and into a development, which my fathers employer owned. Also odd was the fact that my mother did not accuse my father, of having affairs. Not when security placed him, working on projects, at the lab. The time, when I knew that history ws "changed" was when, in the late 1970's, the American Embassy, in Iran, was not taken captive, by alleged "terrorists". In a suspicious twist of fate, the Iran-Contra scandal never developed. Neither did Mr. Hinkleys attempt, on President Reagans life. My own life would change when my father secured me a maintenance job, with his employer. Sure, I was still dumping trash, and cleaning restrooms, but most of the jobs I had, previously, had, did not come forth. While both of the U.S.-led invasions, of the Middle East, did happen, my father was encouraging my pursuit, of body building. Then came the "BIGGIE". After Mr. Trump became "leader", of the United States, with his Zero Tolerance Policy, towards Latin Americans, my father encouraged me NOT to become involved. Even as the U.S. military was given orders to use "Any force necessary", to "seal" the Texas/Mexican border, and the bodies really began to pile up, my parents would remind me that the border was not my problem. I had a job, and my parents were working on finding me a wife. It was the night after Mr. Trump had ordered a mkassive shelling, of Mexico, in order to drive the Latino's back to the south, that I KNEW that history had changed. The war, which Mr. Trumps policies had started, had lead not just to massive devastation, of the nation, of Mexico, but the man sent the Pacific Fleet, to POUND the Latino's into surrender. What the man did not count on were the retaliatory attacks, on the west coast. The United Nations would pass an edict, condeming Washington D.C.'s actions, and authorizing retaliatory strikes, on California. Strikes which, by 2022, would level vast area's, of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other area's. It was the night after the strikes began that I began to wonder what had happened, and how life had changed. After all, in the 2045 that I remembered, the United States was at PEACE, with the world, and Latin American had added forty-nine states, to the stars-and-strips. I was left to fall asleep, wondering "How could the time-line be changed? How did Iran-Contra never happen? Why was the U.S. embassy never attacked? Why did Hinkley never shoot at Reagan?" It was not until American military units were ordered to launch nuclear weapons, on the Latinos, that I dared to ask the question, which began producing answers. Some guy, whom I had, never, seen, before, came to me, saying "History has been changed, on PURPOSE." When I would ask "Why?" The guy would say "They had to stop you from bringing the Latino's into the U.S., legally." When I asked "Why?" The man said "Dont you get it? With Latino's as legal Americans, the labor pool, which produced so much cheap products, would evaporate." When I suggested "Let me get this straight. You are saying that history has been altered. If this is so, then WHY do I remember the other time-line?" The man would say "This is your punishment, for trying to build a better life. If you accept this time-line, then all of the effort, that you put out, in the other time-line, will vanish." When I asked "Oh, yeah? What would the consequences be, if I stay in this time-line?" The man would say "Some very important achievements will not occur, and mankind will perish, on Earth." When I would ask "Achievements, such as?", the man would say "In 2040, yours will be the voice, of reason, saying that man must develop Warp Drive, and Sub-Space Radio, before sending out colony ships. By the time the `100th state joins the union, Germans will be working, with Latino's, on decoding ancient texts, which will begin to prove how space travel SHOULD be handled." When I would ask "How do you know this?" The man would say "I am a temporal law enforcer. I was sent back, to set the past, right, and to set you on your true path." When I would ask "What is my "true" path?" The man would say "While your parents would get divorced, and other tragedies DO happen, all of this, including almost going to prison, for, allegedly, claiming that murdering the president was the way to end the Middle Eat invasions, you will find your "voice", via diplomacy. It will be your repeated references, to the Founding Fathers, and the formation, of the United States, that will lead to a peaceful resolution, to the Texas-Mexico border. It will be YOU, who will show those, involved, that peace is the way. After all, YOU will be responsible for beginning the path, to state-hood." When I would say "Okay, but HOW do I get back to the correct time-line." The man would say "Let ME handle that. After all, this IS my job." I dont claim to understand it but, when I closed my eyes, I was in one time-line. When I opened my eyes, to hear someone calling my name, and saying "You are missing all the fun." I re-jioned the festivities, of watching state number 100 officially joining the union. At last, all of South America, was part of the United States. When I saw the time-traveller, and tried to thank him, he told me "Dont thank me. You are the one who inspired this. I am just doing my job." While I would write, and publish, an article, on the experience, few people believed in it. After all, history had, already, been written. If it were real, and not just a dream, then what a journey it had been. Knowing people, whom I, barely, remembered. When I contemplated "What if I could go back, and change just a few, key, decisions?" The "time-cop" would say "I know that look, and the answer is "No. You cannot go back, and change any part of the past. Not without consequences." When I whispered "Just a thought." The last thing, that the man said was "Thoughts are fine. Just keep it real." With that, the man was gone.

THE WOMENS REGRETS

THE WOMENS REGRETS While my worst, female, critics, spent most of their lives, insisting that I was NOT a man, that I did not deserve a woman, and that I would, never, be anything, these women had a smaller, and smaller, audience, as time passed. Truth is, after Decision 2018, I found a new ally, in the new, ward, alderman. An ally, with whom I would begin making a real impression, on our town. While our mayors office was dealing with a heated debate, over the need, for a sports arena, my alderman, and I, were working on a poll, to find out just how much market there, actually, was, for bringing a new supermarket into the neighborhood. While the deputy mayor insisted that there were just no funds, for our project, the deputy was "cornered" with "If there is no money, for grocery stores, then HOW do you intend to PAY for the arena?" The mayor gave their usual "Just give it TIME, and the economy will correct itself." My alderman, and myself, were among many, who were tired of waiting. That is why the alderman had sought office. To find solutions, to the city's problems. While the mayors office was not about to let go of one penny, for our poll, my alderman found a place, for the poll. For just $500.00, a hacker set up the poll, on-line. All we had to do was publicize it. Funny thing was, every chain store, that people talked to, about our area, said they would need atleast 10,000, regular, shoppers, for the project to be worthwhile. While the mayors office was certain that there was NO WAY that we could come up with 10,000, the mayors office, again, was silent, when we came up with 50,000 names. Sure, not all LIVED in the area, but many WORKED in the area. My alderman ended up attending five meetings, regarding the shopping issue, while I, thankfully, only attended two. The man must have been a better speaker than I was since it was one of his who decided that "Numbers dont lie". The supermarket chain would take out a two year lease, on the former grocery store. The city would, then have to "prove itself", by providing $10 million, in sales, per year. Once the new store opened, the alderman, and I, took our "bows", then thanked the public, for supporting us. As for the former, deep discount, store, it would take longer to open, since the building was in such bad shape. When contractors agreed that it would cost LESS, to just replace the building, that is what the north side decided to do. No, municipal money would be used, since the mayor was "hitting a brick wall", in regards to funding the new arena. As a result, my alderman applied for, and received, a "community improvement" grant. The two, new, stores, were, barely, open, and having customers, when the last, local, laundry owner announced that they were closing. It was no wonder. Not with half of the machines, down, for repair. That, and the fact that the prices, in the vending machines, made local, stores, look downright affordable. The owner said it would cost too much to repair, so they were closing. As a result, my alderman, and I ended up putting aside the latest plan (that of promoting the electronic tagging, of every bicycle, in the city, due to theft). We had not even rested, from the grocery challenge, when locals were asking about a place to do laundry. While the local, housing, authority promised that its residents had three wash rooms, inside the hi-rise, it was the tenants, who put the "damper", on this, by telling the media "We have to wait, in line, for a security key, to get into the wash rooms. After that, we have to sit around, WAITING for security to come back, so we can return the key." This is when I proposed a new use, for an abandoned store. It would seem that the state was happy, with our primary, community improvement, program, so another grant was allowed. With this grant, my alderman, and myself, would begin "selling" the city on the idea of a no cash laundry. It was simple. All a person had to do was secure a card, which would be their "key-card", and allow them entry, to the laundry, at any time. The same, key, card would operate the machines. When asked about vending, my alderman and I would remind audiences "You have atleast five, restaurants, and three dollar stores, within walking distance. Why not pick up supplies, and food, before doing wash?" When a few people asked "What if we have no money, on deposit, can we, still, use the machines." Both of us would say "Sorry, the cards are pre-paid. If you have no money, on deposit, then your card will be useless, beyond the door." While a small group, of people, protested the new system, including the fact that the people had been denied access cards, the media dealt with this, for us. Each, of those, who had been denied access cards, had horrible credit histories. Bills, months, even years, overdue. Loans in default. The list seemed endless. It was at this point that my antagonizers began to go silent (When not trying to say that it was ALL my aldermans idea). What neither of us saw coming was the problem of how MANY people wanted access cards. People from across town. People, who enjoyed a place, where they did not have to carry money. My alderman was just looking at five sites, across town, which would be good, for laundromats, when we got caught up, in yet another problem. Some gang had come to town with the idea that strip malls were easy to rob. Using long-bed pick-ups, the gang would target a strip mall, drive into the lot, then, simultaneously, rob up to seven stores. When the local police would say "We just dont have the resources to handle the problem." the people turned beyond their own aldermen, and their "Dont ask me" attitude, and the people asked us, for answers. I, really, did not blame the people. After all, any time the question, of expenditures, came up, NO one wanted to use the word "PAY". Thankfully, the grocery stores were doing even better than predicted. This meant that grant money could be re-paid, well ahead of schedule. This money was, then, offered to us, as we began work on the first "Members Only", no-cash, strip malls. By the time the project went into full swing, insurance companies were reporting record pay-outs, for damage, and other expenses. Some, insurance, companies were telling the media that "If the city does not do something, soon, WE are leaving town." While various aldermen did try setting up neighborhood watch groups, these were too little, for the busines community. This is why HOPE began to spring up, as the first "Members Only" strip mall went into service. The problem, that the mayor's office had, with the new service, was that it was NOT part of the plan, for the "New World Order". Instead of moving "forward", as the mayor, and the politicians had planned, My alderman, and I, were moving the city "backward", to a time of "stability". A time when things could be counted upon. Of course, this was very BAD news, for thieves, who wanted "easy scores". For the mayors office, this was even worse news, since the thieves got "wise", and switched to bicycle thefts. This, even as the deputy mayor was telling the public: "The city just cannot AFFORD to track every single bike, in town. We just dont have the resources." The aldermen, of the council, were being "encouraged" to follow our lead, by community supporters. This is why the mayor's latest project: An ultra-luxurious hotel, and sports center, with a price tag of about 45 million Was "shelved". The aldermen voted that public safety was more important than hotel rooms. With only a $5 million grant, for "public service" advertising, my alderman would begin a city-wide effort, to have people electronically tagging bicycles. When asked for comment, the mayors office would issue another "No Comment". With a REAL, and intense, bike tagging program going on, city-wide, the thieves found police on thier door-steps, within hours of thefts. The life, of crime, seemed to be becoming impossible. No doubt, this is why the thieves began vacating the city. This, even as the mayor, and deputy mayor did NOT seek re-election. Instead, my alderman was selected, for the post. As our grocery store plans, laundry plans, and so on, expanded, around the county, then the state, both the mayor, and myself, found ourselves travelling the state, for meetings, conferences, and seminars. This while, in PRIVATE, my antagonists were wearing down, on their belief that I was NOT what the state needed. More, and more, of them, were asking "HOW can we KNOW he is NOT a man? Have we met him?" The core, of the group, would say "You dont have to meet a creep, to KNOW he is a homo. REAL women KNOW homo's, when we see them. He IS a homo." Problem was that less, of the public, agreed with these women, every day. More women were wondering about my "potential". As to WHO it was, who decided to send me a "woman", with quad-D sized breasts, and a rear, big enough to hide the whole state behind, even the state-wide party knew, by this time, that this was not my kind of woman. The women, of the party, knew my type, because several of them had inquired. They said it was "political research". This is why I suggested that my favorite ages would be between eighteen, and thirty, with "B" cup breasts, and a trim figure. This is why, when the BIG woman stopped by, men and women, chuckled, as they KNEW this woman was NOT my type. (I have to admit that the workers did a splended job, of, tactfully, sending the woman away.) While this helped, on the "home-base", I DID accept some "company", while travelling between towns. I followed the same plan I was working on, for state-hood. In each city, I spoke to the women, about the area, and its people. This is what the party was paying for. Research. This is what helped me to be able to pin-point how to tailor my presentations. As the plans expanded, state-wide, I had to laugh, when my original town found out that I was part of the planning. The city actually tried to claim being my "home town". Not that I had lived there, in decades. I would only let the city agree to present itself as my birth-place. About six months later, the whole party was pretty sure of the reason why our mayor was being prepared to become the governor, of the state. The current governor, like the former mayor, was the kind of person who only said "Give it TIME, and the world will right itself." Well, after nearly five decades, the people were tired of waiting. With our plans being adopted, across the state, soon, community involvement, in making decisions, became just as REAL as it was, during the Revolutionary War. The "New World Order" was crumbling to dust, even as our "Get Involved" program was gaining momentum. Just at the time when I was preparing to re-start my state-hood plan, this was side-tracked, again, as the new governor informed the media "No, I am NOT running for president. I have enough to take care of, in my home state." This, it seems, is why people turned to me. This is why I became the states "liaison", to neighboring states. Following in our states "blue-print", our neighbors watched as city councils, firmly entrenched in the "New World Order", began vacating positions, while referring to our plans as "Un-American". (We, all, shook our heads at what that meant) Un-American, or not, as our plans moved forward, communities, on the verge of collapse, found new cause for hope, as local leaders joined my state, in returning stability, to local economies. Now, of course, there were some "conspiracy theorists", who believed that the "New World Order" was DESIGNED to bring an end, to the impoverished, and the middle class, by replacing much-needed goods, and services, with un-needed, social, activities. Atleast one conspiracy stated that politicians wanted to remove all, local, shopping, from inner cities. The goal being that, if the low income had no place, to shop, they would just move away. Another conspiracy claimed that the goal was to set the low income, at one anothers throats, killing one another, for access to goods and services. All that we knew was that, within a few years, our state was in the middle of a new, booming, economy. Trash dumping grounds were converted into parks, grocery stores either opened, or re-opened. No-Cash laundries became as common as acne. Stores were, now, proudly, advertising "All bicycles are tracker equipped" At first, the public feared that this was just more of "Big Brother", however, this fell by the way-side, just as On-Star tracked accidents, and dispatched aid. With trackers, lost bicyclists were found, in record time. This, however, was not what made the plan so effective. In atleast two cases, when bicyclists did not reach destinations, by established deadlines, the trackers were used to locate the injured cyclists. No more search parties. Now, emergency services could track any cycle to within 20 feet. Our state did, in fact, soon become a "pocket of prosperity", as people found a place where families were safe. I was just thankful when, before I grew too old, the Latin community reached out, to ME. They wanted ME to represent them, to the U.S. government. When I took the lead, in delivering the documents, to Washington D.C., the Latinos felt certain that their efforts would be successful. This, even as the Latin Americans took the Oath of Allegiance, to the United States. As the Latin community began taking the pledge, the remaining women (who had, so bitterly opposed me), found the world saying "Who CARES! Atleast he is doing something." Even my remaining sister went to her grave, furious that I had achieved some of my dreams. She would end her life being known as my "little sister". Her obit would consist of "Worked in private, and public, industry. Physically fit. Death due to natural causes". Being a government worker, her head stone would bear a copy of the state seal, as well as Name, and birth and death. Since she had spent so many years, driving people away, only her husband would attend her funeral. The only time, when my most ardent critic, would speak, in public, about me, was when my plans began stretching ever further, to the point where half of the nation was with us. (The other half was desperate for the "New World Order" to bring back prosperity.) When the woman blamed me, directly, saying "If we had not let that HOMO ruin our nation, we would not be at one anothers throats, right now." When the media asked the woman "HOW do you KNOW he is a homo?" The woman would, only say "A REAL woman KNOWS." Even the media had no idea what this meant. What the media DID know was that my suggestions had evolved into plans, which caused cities to evolve. Even the nation was evolving. It would seem that my efforts even bore un-expected "fruit". I was, even, offered a house, to live in. The governor won the office five times, before he decided to return to private life. As for myself, I did not rest until I knew that five, new, states had been admitted, to the union, with ten more awaiting processing. When my opponents time came, her friends only attended the ceremony since, when the woman was not making public claims, about my sexuality, she had many hobbies, as well. It was the people, whom she enjoyed her hobbies with, who would attend her funeral. I did wonder what the woman would have thought of an obit, which listed name, birth, death, and hobbies. (No mention would be made, of her stand, against my manhood.) After awhile, even her former co-horts did not remember what they had been standing against. Their own families now took up their lives. As for me, I had taken my STAND, and earned my place, in the history books.

MY DREAMS VERSUS HER DREAMS

HER DREAMS VERSUS MINE When Crystal decided to begin dating me, she THOUGHT that I was one of those "boardroom bound" types. The kind of man for whom Crystal could be a trophy wife. Crystal had made this determination, only after checking my background report, and other documents, which are never to be filed, on-line. Crystal checked my background since I was number eleven, or twelve, on her list of men. All of whom promised Crystal "The moon", IF she stayed with them, until their "ship came in". In each case, Crystal stayed with the men just until she realized how little, if any, "work" that they were putting into reaching for goals. This is why, when I showed an interest, Crystal decided to check me out, before doing anything. Crystal would have asked her friends, but all they would tell her was that I rode bicycles, wrote stories, and was involved in "some kind", of city project. This is why she paid a hacker-friend a deluxe pizza, and a twelve-pack, of booze, for a report, on myself. When the information was downloaded, for Crystal, she thanked the hacker, then took the information home, for personal review. While she took enough time, reading my stories, to decide that I was, in fact, an author, she took a look at my other projects, as well. Crystal was astonished when she learned that I was a major part of the drive, to bring supermarkets back into the neighborhood. This is when she decided it was time to meet, as more than friends. With her dream, of being a luxuriating, relaxing, "trophy wife", in hand, Crystal began plans to meet me. (Her smile was based upon the dream, from her novels. That, of spending her days, relaxing, in the sun, while her ambitious man went about making the connections, which would lead her to luncheons, and country clubs.) I will admit that, when she introduced herself, it was during the "lull" between the north end poll, and the decision, of what to do, with the information. The mayors office, and PART, of the city council, wanted to "place the poll aside, and try to ignore it." This is why, right about the time, when I began romancing Crystal, that life became interesting. What Crystal could not figure out was the reason why, as my alderman, and myself, worked on the city council, that I began researching the various, supermarket, chains. Crystal watched as I put together information, for both my alderman and myself to use, in luring supermarkets back. While my alderman ended up having five meetings, in one week, to try to draw in the markets, I would attend three. While I had a drivers license, but no automobile, the alderman signed me out a car. When Crystal asked, I reminded her "This car is owned by the tax-payers. It is not for joy-riding." Crystal watched as the alderman met with twelve market brands, while I met with seven others. It would seem that all were impressed with our research, showing how our local shopping needs met company criteria. Ironically, on the very day, that a supermarket chain DID agree to enter the local market, Crystal was off, getting so drunk that she did not even remember her name. I only found out, about her "adventure", when my name was found, among her belongings. When I found her, in the drunk tank, and she asked "Who are you?", I agreed with police, that she should sober up, before being released. From what her family told me, it seems that, by the time Crystal sobered, enough, to leave the drunk tank, she had forgotten, about us. She just went to her parents house, "hugged the toilet", for a couple of hours, then showered, and went out with her "friends". By the time Crystal was sober enough, to remember me, the new store had moved in, and its grand opening was, long, over. My alderman and I had taken the bow's, while the mayors office issued a statement of "No Comment". While I would have wanted to work on my bicycle tracking project, next, it seems that a group, of vandals, was breaking into coin operated laundries, by night, and smashing into coin counters. By day, the thieves were bold enough to steal customers change, both at knife, and gun, point. Result, the owners, of the laundries, were closing the places down, due to escalating loses. This is why I had the alderman present another poll, to the public. While Crystal was asking me to attend a party (to show that we were a couple), I had to disappoint her by saying that I had meetings to attend. No lie, there. I would spend the next two weeks (along with my alderman), speaking before groups, and proposing the city's first, no cash, laundry. The concept was simple. All that people had to do was pay a deposit, for a debit/key-card, then pay a small, monthly, fee, for property maintenance, and, as long as they had money, on deposit, they could wash clothes 24/7. Since the first laundry would be along a major, north end street, I would remind locals of how close both food, and laundry products were. All they had to do was buy, in advance, then relax, while their clothes were washing. When asked about access, to the building, I would remind the people "Your debit card will be your access key. It will operate the doors, as well as operate the machines." When asked what would happen if people snuck in, while others were washing, we pointed out that that no charges would be filed against anyone, who was not using the laundry, at the time. Of course, a few people would ask "What if I need to wash, yet have no money, on my card." I would say "Your wash will have to wait, just as it would, if you have no change, currently." By atleast 85% of those polled, the new laundry was approved. The only, real, protests, were among a very few people. Like my alderman, and myself, told the public, all a person had to do, to qualify, for an access card, was present a good payment history, of thier bills. As a result, some people, who had horrible, credit ratings, were turned away. People, whom no one would give credit to. One, such, woman had not just overdue bills, but maybe eight, payday, loans, in collections. (It took our processor all of thirty seconds, to deny her application) The local news media would report the projected reason why management, at local properties, was not pleased with the new laundry. The reason was simple. So long as management controlled access, to on-site laundry rooms, management retained CONTROL, of tenants lives. With the new laundry, management LOST this control, rapidly. Just one problem. So many people wanted to use the place, that my alderman was compelled to seek additional locations, for more laundries. When the public exposure began to overtake our shcedules, the alderman asked that Crystal take on some of the speaking duties. Well, Crystal DID take on some speaking duties. She took on the luncheons, tea clatches, and so on. Crystal even accepted some invitations, to visit private yachts. Problem was that her dream, of lying in the sun, tanning, was replaced with question-and-answer sessions. Add in the fact that, even while seven, additional, laundries, were opening, my alderman and I were starting work, on the bicycle tracking plan, and Crystal realized that her dreams, of champaign, and caviar, were coming at a cost. The cost, of schedules, and meetings. Her hope, of sleeping, until 10 a.m., then partying, into the night, vanished, as the public called, more and more. Crystal realized that, in order to keep up, with the schedule, she had to be awake, at 7 a.m., breakfasted, by 8 a.m., then on her way, by 9 a.m.. With days like these, Crystal realized that, even when she wanted to party, with friends, by 10 p.m., she was ready to drop into bed. What made her mother laugh was the fact Crystals life, with me, kept Crystal so busy, that Crystal had no time, for detox. She had no time, or energy, for drugs, at all. As for my alderman, and myself, once the no cash laundry became a success, people began bringing us more problems, to solve. Problems, such as when ANOTHER, theft ring came to town, and began robbing strip malls. Places locals had depended upon, for YEARS. Now, with the thieves at work, with thieves stealing cash, and driving away, in record time, a solution was needed. I was, actually, joking, when I suggested a no cash mall. I only used the term "Members Only", as an example, of what I meant. Problem was that the public, which had seen the success, of the no cash laundry, decided that they wanted to try "Members Only" strip malls. This, even as I was beginning to work with Latino's, on the subject of the Texas/Mexico border. It was when Crystal realized that she had not slept in, once, in almost a month, that she began restricting herself, first to two meetings, per week, then to just two, per month. While her mother would say "Big mistake." Crystal would say "I need some time, for ME." Crystal was never more thankful, than when requests, for guest speaking, began seeing major reductions. While Crystal was thankful that she had time, to party, with her friends, again, she was in for a surprise. After the ideas, of myself, and my alderman, won him the re-election, it seems that a group, within the D.E.A. was cracking down, on drug users. Crystal was to learn that the Drug Enforcement Administration had, finally, gotten smart, taken over the drug trade, in the U.S., and was selling drugs, directly to users. The PRICE, however, was what shocked Crystal. The D.E.A. had some agreement, with the states. In order for a drug user to have drugs, they had to work three hours, at a time. For each three hours, worked, the person would receive two hours worth of cash, and a nickle bag. If an addict wanted enough drugs, to stay "wasted", for four hours, they had to work a total of twelve hours. When Crystal had said "No problem. I have money, stashed. I can pay cash." Her friends had said "NO go sister." When Crystal asked "Why?" Her friend would say "Haven't you been listening? The only way to get drugs, nowadays, is by WORKING for them. The D.E.A. controls the entire supply." When Crystal would ask "What about the cartels? The Columbians?" Her friends would say "The GOVERNMENT BOUGHT THEM OUT! They are retired. Get it?" Crystal was just about to say "No problem, my man will "fix it"", until she remembered that she had dumped both me, and the party. Now, I was dating a Latina. A woman who, allegedly, was helping me learn about the Latin way of life. While Crystal was considering HOW to get back into the "spot-light", so she could return to her old life, one, of her "friends" gave her a syringe, full of what they called "The best stuff you will, ever, intake." All that Crystal remembered was sticking the needle into her hand, and pushing the plunger. I, only, learned, a week later, that Crystal had fallen into a coma. Source: Drug Overdose. Condition: Unknown. By this time, however, Crystal and I had been apart, for so long, that it was like reading the headlines. The problem, currently, at hand, was the fact that, while I wanted to work, full time, on the state-hood subject, my alderman, and I, ended up holding more meetings, and handling more polls, in area's where politicians were afraid to question the "New World Order". It was because we dared to stand UP, to the order, that my alderman would be asked to run, for state-wide office. I would be called back, from the border, to "assist" with the new expansion. I was just thankful that my Latina woman, Maria, was willing to "join the trip". I loved the way she said "Someone has to keep track of you. Your meals, meds, and so on." I understood her underlying reason, as well. Like I had told her "The more we work together, the more "exposure" you will receive. The more the public sees you, the more offers you will have. The more opportunity." As for Crystal, while she lay in a coma, not aware of the world, around her, Maria was, rapidly, becoming the states Third Lady. And why not? Maria had been proud enough, of becoming an American citizen, that she had shot video, of her taking the Oath. As she said "I have not abandoned my homeland. I am embracing this land, in hopes of helping my own land." To no one, was it a surprise, when the alderman won the governorship, by a seven-to-one margin. This, even as our "Members Only" markets began increasing, in number, to the point where we had no choice except to incorporate. For Maria, the best part was that, as her "exposure" increased, she achieved her dream, of becoming a model. By the time Crystal, finally, woke up, she looked out her window, onto a flag-pole, where the flag seemed to have a much broader field. (Was it her imagination, or were the stripes wider than she remembered?) When she was examined, and Crystal asked about the flag, a nurse would tell her "You have been under, for many years." When Crystal asked about the flag, saying "I remember that it was slimmer." This is when a psychiatrist would begin by telling Crystal "You have been asleep, longer than you think. You are in a state-run facility. Your siblings placed you here, when your parents passed. Life has changed." When Crystal would say "No kidding?" The psychiatrist would say "Yes. In fact, you have missed more than a few birthdays. You have, even, missed the ceremonies, honoring the new states." When Crystal would ask "What are you talking about? There are only, what is it, 50 states?" The psychiatrist would say "That was when you fell into the coma. The United States, now, has 85 states." When Crystal would, without thinking, ask "Where did they come from? The Mexican Border was under dispute, even last week." The psychiatrist would say "Most, of South America has come under the United States. If all goes, according to plan, we should have five more states, by the end of the year." Crystal would have to spend another six months, becoming accustomed to the new world. A world where my crazy idea, of surrounding dictatorships, with Democracy (not bombs, bullets, or missiles), was drawing more people in. A world where, at my urging, computers had access points, for programmers, and access points, for normal people. A world where the people no-longer blamed every German, who ever lived, for the dictatorship, of Adolf Hitler. (Nor every American, for George W. Bush, or Donald Trump) Crystal did find it hilarious when she learned that the Death Star design, from Star Wars, had been adapted, to move some of the population off of the Earth. She, even, told a nurse "Can you believe it? After I watched Star Wars, I could not sleep, for a week, thinking that the Death Star might reach, and wipe out, Earth." When Crystal asked the psychiatrist about me, they told her "Arlington Cemetary. His work, on bringing new nations, into the federal union, earned him a place." Before her release, from care, the aging woman visited her parents graves, and learned that all but one, of her siblings, had perished. All of natural causes. When Crystal asked about a visit, staff had to tell her "Sorry. Your family put you on a no-visit list, after your accident." That afternoon, Crystal took stock of her life. Her dream, of being a "trophy wife". All the trappings of a very rich woman. If she did have children, her husband would pay to have them sent to boarding school. While I "broke my back" making America a better nation, she would sit back, and laugh. Well, the laugh was on her. I had served my nation, and been rewarded, for it. I was buried where her grand-father was. It was as the sun set, and Crystal saw the outlines, of the space habitats, and the "dock-yard", where star-ships were under construction, that Crystal KNEW. While she missed most of her life, while in the coma, I had LIVED my life. My life was, now, a part of modern history books. Crystal knew that, at most, she would receive the standard, one inch, obit. This is why, when she looked at the lake water, she imagined herself at a beach, as a young, and beautiful, woman. Men flocking about her. Everybody wanted to know her. Be close to her. Didn't take much imagination, since she had "tasted" it, while with me. Now, however, people worshipped her, even as she listened, in sweet silence, to the ripple, of the ocean waves. How soft they sounded. How gently they called to her. While her "patient status" bracelet informed staff as soon as Crystal stopped breathing, staff noticed that, when her body was dragged from the lake, that her face bore a bright smile. Crystal's spirit was just happy, when workers stopped trying to revive her. Now, she could join her friends, in the after life. A place where she would be young, and beautiful, forever.