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.

THE RETURN OF RICHARD CASTLE

THE RETURN OF RICHARD CASTLE While Richard Castle, and Kate Beckett, were absorbed with raising their new family, neither knew what was about to befall them. Back, in New York City, a crime would be reported to the 12h Precinct, whose latest captain was no fan, of anyone "tampering" with police work. (Not even if the tampering lead to resolving the case) The crime, being reported, was that a courier had delivered a package, to a businessman, with a postmark of nothing more than the Hamptons. Had it not been for Ryan, and Esposito, intercepting the case, everyone, in the 12th knew that the new commander would have made the case public. This, because the latest commander was "gunning" for a "shot", at becoming the next, police, commissioner. What puzzled the detectives, and caused them to call on Castle and Beckett, was the nature, and time-frame, of the crime. As the duo e-mailled the couple, "The enclosed photo's were, in fact, taken, at the suspects home. The question is "WHEN?" The moment, when Beckett saw the photo's, she knew, immediately, that the photo's were from the days before digital photography. When Beckett phoned Esposito, asking how soon she could have an interview, with the suspect, all Esposito could say was "Working on it." When Beckett would ask "What do you mean "Working on it?" Esposito would say "It seems our boy had to fly, for an appointment. No phones allowed, in flight." When Beckett would ask "Does he even NOW that we want to speak to him?" Esposito would say "I doubt it. We could no reach him, before take off." Beckett would suggest "Have plain clothes meet him at the airport. Tell then NOT to draw attention." Esposito would say "On it." When Castle took a look at the photo's, and said "Whoa!" Beckett would say "Down boy. These are evidence." Castle would ask "Evidence of WHAT? Out of date photography?" Then add "I haven't seen pictures, like this, since the late 80's" Beckett would suggest "Maybe our suspect can tell us more." When Castle would ask "Who is the suspect?" Beckett would say "Jay Randolf Hoovey. Property developer." Castle would ask "You are joking, right? Jay Hoovey?" When Beckett would say "Yea, why? Do you know him?" Castle would say "Know him? He wanted me to trade in this place, for something which he said was more ME." When Beckett would ask "More YOU? What does that even mean?" Castle would say "No idea. I told him that I LOVED this place. After that, we never mentioned it, again. Not even over drinks." Beckett would ask "You have DRINKS with a multi-millionaire property developer?" Castle would ask "Why not? I play poker with other, rich, authors." Beckett would shake her head, as she wondered "Why did I marry him?" Later, back in New York, Beckett, and Castle, would finally, meet up with Jay Hoovey. (This, via a private phone call, between Castle, and Hoovey). As Hoovey would say "As soon as I learned who was in charge of the case, I rushed right back to town." Beckett would ask "You rushed back to town, to see Richard Castle?" Jay Hoovey would say "No. I rushed back to see how soon Nikki Heat could solve this case. I wanted to make sure you were in charge of the case." Beckett would remind Mr. Hoovey "My name, my REAL name, by the way, is Kate Beckett. NIkki Heat is..." and Mr. Hoovey would say "I know. Nikki is a fictional character, based upon you. Now, if you are half as good as Rick has written you, I want you on this case." When Beckett would ask "Why?" Jay would say "I want to know WHO and HOW, my house, in the Hamptons was accessed, without my knowing about it." When Beckett would ask "So, you claim to know nothing about these photos. Nude photo's, of a MINOR. Do you understand?" Jay would say "Of course, that is why I want the BEST on his case. I want these people brought to justice." This is when a P.I., named Scarrit, would enter the office, saying "It would seem, Mr. Hoovey, that you are not the only one looking for this answer." When Beckett would ask "What do you mean?" Mr. Scarrit would say "Mr. Hoovey's security is MY responsibility. If someone entered his home, I WANT to know." Mr. Scarrit would, then, turn to Mr. Hoovey, saying "The lab just finished going over the pictures. They are as phony as a four dollar bill." When Beckett would ask "How do you know that?" Mr. Scarrit would turn the pictures, over and show what no one, including Mr. Hoovey, had thought to look for. The digital "foot-print", which every photo makes, based upon manufacturers production codes. Mr. Scarrit would say "Sir, it appears that someone took these photo's, recently. They, then, had them "doctored" to look old." When Beckett would ask "What about the teenage girl, in the photo? Who is she?" Scarrit would say "Still working on that." By the time Beckett was ready to ask Mr. Hoovey would say "I invite the police to verify all of this. Especially if it tells me the WHO, and WHY." Beckett would say "We will do our best." Ouside the business, on the street, Beckett would phone Ryan, since Esposito was out, on assignment, saying "I have the photo's. The originals. When I bring them in, I want tech to wash them. Anything that will give us a clue." Ryan would say "On it." After the call, Castle would ask "What I dont get is both the attempted extortion, and a fake photo, of a teen. Why to Jay? All the man does is develop property." Beckett would say "Who knows. Maybe someone felt they got a bad land deal." At the station, Esposito would take the photo's to the lab, While Beckett would no-sooner ask Ryan "Run phones and..." and Ryan would say "Already on it." A short time later, the news came, like a waterfall. Esposito would say "The lab verified that the pictures are fakes. They were shot two weeks ago." When Beckett would ask "How do they look so old?" Esposito would say "Electronic effects camera. Maybe 100 just in New York. The lab says they are big business, for people who want what appear to be collectable photos." Ryan would follow this up with "School records identify our "picture girl" as a Sophmore in public school 215." When Beckett would suggest "Ryan, why dont you..." and Ryan would continue "The school says the girl has not been to class, in nearly three weeks. They are about to send a truant officer, since the girl is under sixteen." Beckett would suggest "Call the school. Tell them that the N.Y.P.D. will do the home visit. I want to talk to this girl." Castle would say "So would I." When Beckett would say "Police business, Castle." Castle would say "I meant that I want to know her REASON, for the photo's." Not surprising, when the police arrived, at the home address, the landlord would say "They moved out. I dont know when. All I know is that, when the rent was due, and not paid, I used my key, on the unit, and found it empty." This is when Beckett would suggest "Lets try the school. See if anyone knows anything." At P.S. 215, all the police heard was "She's missing? Where is she?" Beckett would say "We were hoping that you could tell us." A check, with Admissions, turned up only a cell-phone number. Not surprising, when Beckett put the call on speaker, the automated voice would say "The number you are trying to reach is out of service." Beckett would say "No surprise there." When Espo would ask "Beckett, Apartment cleared out, not at school, and dis-connected phone? Does it sound like someone is "on the run?" Beckett would say "Sounds like it. But, WHO is running, and from WHO?" Back at the station, Ryan had nothing but bad news. "I checked on the family's financials, once I knew who she was. Not much of anything to go on. No bank accounts. Pre-paid cell-phones, debit cards, not even drivers licenses. Its like these people dont want anyone to know they exist." This is when Castle would ask "If they dont want anyone to know, then WHY try to blackmail a multi-millionaire businessman?" When Beckett looked at the envelope, again, she realized "The only return address is "The Hamptons". How would they expect to be paid, without contact information?" This is when Esposito would come into the room, saying "You have GOT to see this." When Espo pulled up the video, on his computer, it appearred to show the businessman, having sex, with the minor. When Espo would add "It was just posted one hour ago." When Beckett would ask "Do we know where Mr. Hoovey is, at the moment?" This is when Mr. Scarrit would enter the room, saying "That video is fake, as well." When Beckett would ask "How do you know this?" Mr. Scarrit would say "Mr. Hoovey has been in a business investment meeting, for the past three hours." When Beckett would say "So, he does not even know about this video?" Mr. Scarrit would say "I wanted to make sure that the police had it controlled, before telling my employer." Beckett would suggest "Mind if I come along?" Mr. Scarrit would say "Fine by me. I just dont know how Mr. Hoovey is going to react." In a borrowed, side, office, as Beckett watched the shocked look, on Mr. Hooveys face, and the way he sloutched, in his chair, the detective could tell that the man was, clearly, surprised. When he recovered his voice, he asked "How? I have been HERE, all morning. My investors can vouch for that." Beckett would say "Sir, we checked those photo's. They were made just two weeks ago. At the Hamptons, inside your house." When Mr., Hoovey would ask "You dont really think that I did this, do you?" Beckett would say "I have to ask. If not you, who else has access to your Hamptons house?" When Mr. Scarrit would ask "What about the girl. The child? Have you found her?" Beckett would say "Sir, it will sound as suspicious as it is, but the home address has been cleared out, the girl has not been to school, in weeks, and the parents phone is dis-connected." Mr. Hoovey would be the one to say "It sounds like they are covering their tracks, very well, right Rick?" Beckett would ask "WHO is "they", and WHAT are they trying to hide?" Rick would try to comfort his friend, whispering "Come on, Jay. Cant you think of anyone?" Mr. Hoovey would say "I buy, develop, and sell, real estate. Who would be un-happy with that?" Beckett would ask "Have you, ever, had any land deals, that went bad? Owners, who would not sell. Buyers, who would stop at nothing, to acquire land?" Mr. Hoovey would say "Detective Beckett, this is NOT a novel, or movie. In the real world, we do not kill, for property. If an owner will not sell, then we move on." When Beckett would ask "Did you have any deals, where people felt cheated?" When Mr. Hoovey would ask "Cheated? How?" Beckett would suggest "Maybe, someone did not want to sell. Maybe they were determined to protect what they thought was theirs?" Mr. Hoovey would say "Detective. I develop COMMERCIAL real estate. Places, where businesses are built. I dont deal with private property." When Castle would alter the discusion, asking "Jay, tell us where you were, two weeks ago, and between the times that Detective Beckett will list." After Beckett read off the list, Mr. Hoovey would say "Impossible. When I left home, on those dates, I set the alarm. No one could have entered, without the dis-arm code." When Beckett would ask "How many people know your code?" Mr. Scarrit would say "Fifteen people. All fully vetted. No one gets the access codes, without passing a background search." When Castle looked at Mr. Hoovey, the man would say "Scarrit is correct. We dont just hand over our codes." This is when Beckett would ask "Then HOW did the blackmailers enter your home?" Both Hoovey, and Scarrit, would, jointly, say "I wish I knew." Back at the police station, it would be the video control officer, who would figure out the fake video. "When you just look at the video, it is fine. It is only when you look, closely, that you can see what the blackmailers dont want you to see." On extreme zoom, it was clear that a man, and a girl, were having sex. The problem was that the effects operator made a rookie mistake. They forgot to "clean up the edges". On extreme zoom, it was clear that Mr. Hoovey's face was photoshopped onto the mans body. The girl, from the photo, was "shopped", as well. When Beckett would ask "Can we trace the original address, from the video?" The operator said "Already tried. This video is old enough, and was routed through so many i.p. addresses, that it will take months to find the original address." When Castle would suggest "It must have taken a long time, to make such a trip." The officer would say "In human time, it would take just thirty minutes." Castle would say "Whoa. That fast." The officer would say "Computers may be faster, at processing data, but humans still hold the title, for deductive reasoning." What no one could figure out was why there was evidence, being presented, yet no demands being made. WHAT were the blackmailers after? When the N.Y.P.D. checked the family, for criminal records, all they came up with was zero. No one, in the family, had anything more dangerous than "jaywalking". Employers came up, empty as well. All employers would say was "I replaced them after they did not show up, for two days, in a row." When Beckett would ask each employer "Was it common, for the worker to do this?" The employers, both, said "That is whats odd. They were solid people. Dependable, trustworthy. References checked out." When Beckett asked for a copy of the references, the employers handed it over. Just six hours later, while Beckett was trying to figure out how a family could just vacate a place, without anyone anyone seeing, or hearing, Esposito had more, bad, news for Beckett. "Just checked that list, of references, and no one remembers any calls. In fact, two calls had people asking ME why I was calling them." When Beckett would say "Lets check local, moving, services. FInd out WHO they rented the truck from." Ryan would say "Dont bother. While checking on the parents information, I checked on possible, truck, rentals. No recent rentals". When Beckett would suggest "What about..." Ryan would say "Checked for stolen trucks as well. Nothing." Castle would be the one to say "These people are, really, trying to hide their tracks. I wonder, from whom?" Beckett would suggest "Who knows. Could be debt collectors. Loan companies, un-balanced relatives." Castle would ask "If they are scared enough to go "on the run", then why not go to the police." Esposito would suggest "Unless they are afraid to go to the police. Maybe their mystery pursuer has connections." Beckett would suggest "Maybe, they think that the pursuer is someone the law cannot touch. Too big to fail? Something like that." Beckett knew that something was "off", but she just could not put her finger on it. Not until Ryan mentioned "If someone got the alarm codes, to enter the house, I have to wonder what that person is hiding." This is when Beckett would realize "Maybe, we have been searching in the wrong place. We have been looking OUTSIDE Mr. Hoovey's circle. What do we know about his "inner circle"? The people, closest to him?" Espo would, no-sooner say "According to Mr. Scarritt, everyone has been vetted, by Scarritt's staff." This is when Beckett would ask "What do we know about this Scarritt?" Ryan would say "Security consultant. Works with high profile clients." When Beckett would ask "Is that ALL we know, about him?" Espo would say "What else is there, too know?" When Castle saw Beckett's look, Castle would say "Dont tell me you..." and Beckett would ask "Why not? As security chief, he would have access to everything from property, to personnel.. He, himself, told us that he vetted everyone." Castle would say "Sure, for his BOSS." When Ryan would ask "Even if Scarritt DID create the pictures, and video, WHERE did he FIND the girl?" When Castle would ask "The want ads?" Espo would remind Castle "Bro, you DO know that it is illegal, even for underground sources, to offer children, as "sex toys". No, if anyone found a girl, for Scarritt, it would have to be for cash money. Someone who needed cash, badly enough, that they would be desperate enough to let their daughter do this." Beckett would add "Maybe not just desperate, for the cash, but what IF the person had something, ON the family. Even if it was forged. Maybe the blackmailer has what they THINK will land their victims, in jail." Castle would ask "HOW could a forgery be made to look real enough, to fool a court?" This is when Beckett said "Remember that video? The tech said the video was amateurish. What if it wasn't. What if it was just filmed, to appear amatuerish?" Esposito would say "Thats a whole lot of if's." Beckett would ask Ryan "Have you checked on that effects camera, yet?" Ryan would say "Still canvassing. No one remembers their camera being either borrowed, or even stolen, then returned." Esposito would add "Remember, Beckett, there are over 100 camera's, just in New York. That only helps IF the pictures, and video, were made IN New York." When Castle would ask "Where else could they have been made?" Ryan would say "Dude, with the internet, and every bit of data, available, at a price. That stuff could have been created anywhere between Alaska, and Uganda." This is when Beckett would make a discovery. She would call the photo lab, and have the pictures turned over to "computer enhancement", for analysis. When Espo would ask "Beckett, whats up?" Beckett would say "We have been assuming that, because the girl was filmed on what LOOKS like Mr. Hoovey's bed, that the picture was taken inside Mr. Hoovey's house." When Espo would ask "What about it?" Beckett would ask "Lets review ALL of the photos." Sure enough, once digital enhancement was finished, Beckett would ask "What is missing?" When Castle, Ryan, and Espo, came up "empty", Beckett would say "There are no, exterior" references. All you see is a bed, and a nude girl." When Espo would say "I dont get it?" Castle would say "Of course. If you are going to blackmail a person, you take exterior shots. This way, you can suggest "No way can you deny this is your place." Beckett would say "Precisely. The way these pictures are modelled, to emphasize the girl, no one would think to look at the background." When Ryan would ask "So, what do we do? Ask the internet to identify one of its members? Do you think that they would, even if the blackmailer is in a non-extradition country?" That was the problem. In order to find the blackmailer, the N.Y.P.D. had to find the victims, and encourage them to come forward. Only then could the real blackmailer be prosecuted. Without the girl, and her family, the case was nowhere. This is when Castle would chime in with "If I were writing this story, I would contact the mayor, and have him contract the governor, so that Nikki Heat could visit the Hamptons, and interview Mr. Hoovey's neighbors. Maybe find out if any of them saw anyone around Mr. Hoovey's house." Beckett would, no-sooner, say "Well, Castle. This is NOT one of your books. This is real life. We dont "get around the law", we uphold it." When Esposito, and Ryan, would ask "Beckett, what would be the harm in just asking?" Before Beckett could answer, about jurisdiction, Castle would excuse himself, and make a call. He would, then, set his watch timer, for fifteen minutes, then re-join the detectives. In fact, it would be just three minutes after Beckett had been called into the new captains office, to be reminded of procedure, that the captains phone would ring. After a short conversation, the captain would call out "MISTER Castle. Beckett, inside, NOW!" With the door to the office closed, the captain would tell the duo "Mr. Castle. I knew you enjoyed meddling in our cases, but this is your last time. Once you finish this case, with my detectives, you are OUT of this precinct, permanently. Understand?" Castle would say "Understood." This is when the captain would re-open the office dor, and call out "Ryan, Esposito. Since you seem to enjoy "tagging along", on such cases, I am assigning all THREE of you to duty with the Hamptons police. Now, let me be clear. Either you bring in the blackmailer, for prosecution, or you hand in your badges. Am I clear?" Ryan and Esposito would say "Clear as glass, sir." Outside the police station, Beckett would pull her "patented" ear-tugging, of Castle, while asking "WHAT did you do, in there?" Castle would say "I made a call." Beckett would ask, sternly, "WHO did you call?" When Castle would say "A friend", Beckett would grab the ear, again, demanding "WHO?" Castle would say "Okay, okay. I called Jay, and asked him to call the mayor." When Beckett would ask "AND?" Castle would say "I might have suggested that the mayor call the governor. "I might have suggested that the N.Y.P.D. could assist the Hamptons police." Beckett would assert "We do NOT "assist" other departments. We, each, have our "chain of command."" When Ryan and Espo would ask "So long as we have the invite, what could it hurt to check in. Just give the locals a bit of help." Beckett would say "Fine, since a minor is involved, and the minor MIGHT be in danger, we will give the Hamptons all the AID that we can." After the detectives turned in their "economy class" air tickets, for the first class tickets, provided by Richard Castle, then flew into the Hamptons, Beckett and Castle would go over the "crime scene", again, even as Ryan and Espo, would spend several hours, canvassing the area. When Ryan, and Esposito would return to Mr. Hoovey's home, all they could report, to Beckett, was "The ONLY person anyone has seen, in the area, who does not LIVE here, is Mr. Scaritt. It seems he has been in this area more than a few times." When Beckett would mention "He IS a security consultant. You would expect him to keep watch." Ryan and Espo, would ask "While his client is in the city?" Beckett would suggest "Maybe he was just double-checking." Espo would say "Heres the thing. When neighbors saw the man going over the property, he seemed shocked. The neighbors said that, each time, Mr. Scaritt was seen, he seemed shocked to be seen." Castle would ask "Why would a man, hired to run secuirty be afraid of being seen?" Beckett would suggest "Maybe for the same reason that the photo's were sent to Mr. Hoovey. Maybe, Scaritt wanted the credit, for the capture." Castle would come up with "Maybe, he was checking to make sure the alarm codes were in place, to allow the illegal photo's to be taken. I mean, how better to get bigger bonuses, from your boss, than to create a crime, then solve it." When Beckett would say "Real world, Castle." Ryan and Espo, would ask "Beckett, WHAT would be so far fetched about an employee, or contractor, getting close to a boss, then doing what Castle just said. Create a crime, to solve it?" When Beckett would ask "Then WHY call in the N.Y.P.D.?" Castle would say "Come to think of it, Jay did tell us that it was HIS decision, to call in Nikki Heat. Not Scaritt's." Beckett would ask "If the consultant wanted more money, why not just CHARGE the client more?" Ryan would suggest "SImple. Even I know that there are more than a few private security firms, in New York." Beckett would indulge the men, saying "Fine. Lets do a deeper background, on Scaritt. FInd out what he was doing here, without his client. IF Scaritt is our man, he will know enough to cover his tracks..." and Castle would say "expertly". Twenty-four hours later, the "veil" began to part, only in an un-expected way. While the detectives were on-location, just on the off-chance, that the real blackmailler DID return, even Beckett got an earful, as Scaritt brought the missing girl back to Mr. Scaritt's home. What caught Beckett's attention was the girl asking "My parents will be safe. You promise." Scaritt would say "As long as you do what I tell you. Mommy and Daddy will be safe." Beckett could only think that the girl knew that someone was listening, since the girl asked "What did you say you would do?" Scaritt would say "I told you, once. If you dont do as I say, you will return home to find their heads full of bullet holes. My men have orders not to stop shooting until they are sure." While Castle would whisper "I have heard enough." Beckett, Ryan, and Espo, would say "Let them get inside. We want all the evidence that we can get." Even as Scaritt was setting the bedroom scene, for new photo's, Beckett, Ryan, and Esposito, would take positions, giving them a clear line of sight. When the scene was set up, Scaritt called, to the girl, saying "Hurry up. I want these pictures on Hoovey's desk, before morning." When the girl, dressed, now, in a see-through baby-doll, would enter the room, saying "I'm ready." Beckett would come forth, followed by the others, saying "Wait a moment. So are we." When Scaritt would say "Detectives. You have no jurisdiction, here." Detective Beckett would produce the governors authorization, for state-wide cooperation. When Mr. Scaritt would try to "make a break", Ryan and Espo, would block his attempt. Scaritt would, then, play his "trump card", saying "If my guys dont hear from me, by 3 a.m., they have orders." This, even as Castle would wrap the girl in a blanket, until she could dress. The only question left was that of where the girls parents were. All the girl could tell the detectives was "The trip, here, is, never, long." With a call, from Castle, the governor would order both recon, and attack, helicopters, to the area. The cover story would be "Training mission". Thanks to Lockheed-Martin, the mercenaries did not even hear the silenced rotor blades, of the helicopters, until the beach-front house was flooded with light, and the mercenaries were blinded. Not a shot was fired, and army medics examined the parents, announcing "A bit mal-nourished, but fine." Before sun-rise, the coast guard would intercept the get-a-way boat, as it cruised, just off-shore. The big "give-a-way", was the lack of running lights. From what Beckett, and the guys, could piece together, it seems that Scaritt was not only a security expert, but a blackmail expert, as well. The man earned the bulk, of his income, by researching company employee's (under the excuse of background checks). Scaritt found the workers, who needed money, in a bad way. He paid off the bills, then blackmailed the workers, claiming that he could provide Child Welfare with "evidence", showing that parents encouraged child porn. Since Scaritt knew about photography, this is how he made his blackmail photo's. Families could not go to police since Child Welfare would, never believe that evidence was "manufactured." All that families could do was whatever Scaritt told them to do. What would enrage the new captain was how well, as in silently, the case had been resolved. It seems that the captain had been hoping, for something more dramatic. Something, which would allow the captain to "encourage" Mr. Hoovey to "make a contribution", to further the captains career. As the case stood, the girl would return to school, her parents, to work, and Mr. Hoovey would be cleared of any wrong-doing. Mr. Scaritt would be spending MANY years in state custody. Now, all that Castle and Beckett would have, to return to, is their home, and their "family". Another Nikki Heat novel would be in bookstores, soon.

AMBROSIA DIANA

Diane KNEW why she was in bed, with me, that night. Diane was adamant that RACE had NOTHING to do with it. Diane wanted to find out why, after a night, with me, that Ambrosia never said a word, about the night. In fact, when friends asked, all Ambrosia did was smile. Diane wanted to know why. Diane was curious about the myths she had been hearing, about me. Was I REALLY not into booze, drugs, and gambling? Did I, REALLY, pay my bills, first? After Diane saw how Ambrosia smiled, after, and around, me, Diane decided to do her own "detective work", on me. IF Diane let ME into her bed, she wanted to make SURE that I was who, and what, I said I was. Paying a hacker-friend $100.00 (That she had, un-expectedly won, from a lottery ticket), Diane got the "run down" on me. The reason, for this, was simple. Diane had known plenty of men, since high school. All of the men had told Diane of heir "dreams". It was only AFTER she began dating the men, that she watched as they "worked towards goals", via gambling their paychecks away. This is how Diane became a regular, at social service lines. She was, constantly, asking for assistance, for her mens bills. Then, there was the food stamp subject. The men made a habit of buying cart-loads, of food, then SELLING these, for gambling money. The men then sent Diane out, to food pantries, for hand-outs. Diane had spent many a morning, standing in line, for food. Diane was just considering how LONG her boyfriends landlord would let the man get by, on "promises" to pay back due rent. How long before his latest land lord kicked him out? As her hacker-friend told Diane "Man, this guy is weird. Only lived in three places, over thirty YEARS! Only goes to food pantries, maybe once per year. Been with one phone company, for YEARS." When Diane asked "Okay, so he has a paid cell-phone. Pre-paid, I will bet." The hacker would say "You would LOSE. Says, here, that the man has land line service, as well as pre-paid cell service." Now, Diane was beginning to understand why Ambrosia smiled at me. I had no history, of payday loans, drugs, booze, or gambling. After receiving this information, Diane went about deciding HOW to encourage me to ask HER out. That is, until another friend suggested "If you want to get into his pants, girl, why dont you ask HIM out?" Diane was not about to go up to a man, saying "Why not come over to my place, and fuck the living shit out of me." No, according to Ambrosia, the best way to get me into bed was to be polite, and "just a touch" suggestive. This is why Diane found her "in", during a conversation, about sex. While her friends were trying to draw me into conversations, about sucking cock, and titty sucking, Diane seemed to enjoy helping with talk of kissing, carressing, and so on. It was when her friends mentioned "fucking the shit out" of a woman, doggy-style, that Diane asked if we could talk. When we were away from the group, I mentioned "I just cannot believe that Ambrosia could be so disgusting. I mean, when we were..." then remembered who I was speaking to "... making love, she was so gentle, compassionate, and tender." Diane would whisper "Baby, this is the way that women speak, in private. In public, we are just like men, so men will KNOW that we are not whores." While I dont remember much of he following conversation, other than that, of the goals that I was, both, working on, and planning for, that we began snuggling, then kissing. When I began lifting her top, Diane whispered "Not here. AT my place." On the walk, to her place, Diane noticed how we snuggled, yet I never mentioned being a millionairre. Behind her locked door, I discussed my part, in causing the renewal, of shopping, to the north end. Yes, the north end would have another chain, discount, store, taking the place of the former grocery store. Like I told Diane, all myself, and my alderman, needed to do was show corporations that there was, indeed, a large enough consumer base, to keep a store operating. I left it to my alderman to explain that the previous store had closed, simply because management was "consolidating its base", around its "core operations". When Diane asked if I were, also, behind the new laundry, which was, soon, to open, I admitted that I was. Using the same kind of poll data, my alderman and I, were converting an un-sold property, into a laundromat. When Diane asked, I told her "Target date, for opening, is about a month from now." While we, briefly, discussed the state-hood subject, Dianes biggest concern seemed to be my project, for encouraging bicycle riders, to place electronic trackers on bicycles. I cautioned Diane not to get her hopes up, too much, since our deputy mayor had, almost, "freaked out", when I mentioned expanding the monitoring program from just city-owned bicycles, to every bike in the city. I snuggled up to Diane, and her beautiful, ebony, body, while whispering "I would say that the United States will have 75 states, before the bicycle tracking goes into effect." Soon after this, our clothes found her floor, then we walked, arm-in-arm, to her bed. It was in her bedroom that Diane found out why Ambrosia smiled at me. For a white man, Diane found that I had the most beautiful shaft she had, ever seen. Maybe I was no "KIng Dong", but, on the plus side, I was treating her with love, and respect. Diane LOVED the way I seduced her. Not just "shoving it in", but seducing her, until she was aroused, more than she had been, in years. Between my french kissing, and necking, Diane was certain that she was coming close to being in Heaven. When I carressed, kissed, and nursed, her breasts, she was certain that she was at Heavens door. When I slipped it inside her, Diane had no doubt. This was Heaven. While we rolled about her bed, touching, and carressing, Diane asked me "How are we supposed to fit more people into this country?" I whispered "By granting their homelands state-hood. We will bring their people, AND their lands, into our country." When Diane whispered "Do you think that it will work?" I whispered "Why not? It worked for the Founding Fathers." After I fell asleep, nursing her beauiful "B" cups, Diane got up, went to the kitchen, for a snack, and some coffee. So far, her only regret, of the night, was not having any milk, for my nursing. While snacking, Diane remembered asking several, of her friends, if I was the kind of man, who would take a womans money, for drugs, booze, or gambling. Out of the seveny-five women, whom Diane knew, none had any memory, of my asking for money. (Something the women found odd.) Only one woman claimed that I owed her thousands of dollars. When the woman claimed that the money was for cleaning her place, after I sprayed my "stuff" all over everything, Ambrosia just laughed at this. When Diane asked the woman to describe me, the womans description could not have been more different, from my appearance, than if the woman had called me a Negro. Diane had smiled, as had Ambrosia, as the woman insisted that I pay up, or that she was taking me to court. The reason why the women smiled, at the thought of court, was that the woman, herself, had SEVERAL Arrest Warrants in effect. Not much chance of going to court, when her own arrest would result. When Diane went on-line, and checked both the grocery store, and laundromat, projects, she found my name listed, as "advisor". Diane even found a picture, showing my alderman, and myself, standing, back-to-back, with the caption "Watching one anothers back" (and yours) What Diane could not understand were the articles, regarding how the deputy mayor was insisting that the city absolutely could NOT afford to send out police units, to recover every single stolen bicycle, in the county. The deputy mayor even claimed that such a project would "bankrupt" the city. The problem was that a growing number, of cyclists, were attaching tracking units, TO bicycles. This concerned Diane since several of her friends subsidized sub-poverty jobs, with profits, from bicycle sales. Diane even knew of a few people who, when children wanted bicycles, either parents, or other adults, STOLE what the child wanted. As for that damned new Berlin Wall, at last report, the White House had issued orders that, if the "caravans" got within a certain distance from the border, that American artillery was to open fire, INTO Mexico. While Congress joined the Mexicans, in stating that this would be nothing short of a declaration of war, the White House would not budge. This, according to the media, is why Congress set aside budget negotiations, in order to consider petitions for state-hood. THIS was the man who was sleeping in HER bed. A man of goals. (Man, how she wished she had some mothers milk.) Come morning, I awoke, and mounted her, whispering "You are fantasic." as I kissed her, again, before preparing to love her, again. That is, until my stomach began to growl. Diane smiled as I looked at it, and said "Shut up. I am trying to love this woman." When Diane drew my face to hers, she whispered "Baby, your belly is just saying that I made you happy. Now, you need food." When she saw me looking at her breasts, she whispered "I mean food." This is why Diane had been glad that she followed Ambrosia's advice. Ambrosia had been dis-heartened when, the morning after, she had niether "white man food"", nor mothers milk, for me. She seemed like a child, who had been disciplined, when I promised her "I will pick up some food, along the way." Diane had been clever, in how she asked me, and found out what I liked to eat. She used the old "I just read this in a magazine. How true do you think it is." I had taken out a piece of paper, and listed such ingredients as scrambled eggs, chopped onion, cheese patties, hash browns, sausages, and diet coke, along with kisses, carresses, and nursing. For breakfast, this time, Diane placed a spread, of all of my ingredients, in a breakfast, fit for a king. (The romance would be saved, for desert). By the time I departed Dianes place, Diane understood why Ambrosia smiled, at me. Now, it would be Diane, who smiled. Diane, and Ambrosia, were, both, happy, that we had remained friends, and NOT become "official" lovers. This since, as my "legend" grew, I was being called away, from home, more and more. If either Ambrosia, or Diane, wanted my ivory body, that both had to operate under the idea of "Get it, when, and where, you can." The United States would have sixty-five states, by the time our deputy mayor would admit defeat, and begin encouraging bicyclists to track bikes, electronically. Of course, for part, of one summer, this proved a major problem, for the police, as Search and Seizure warrants will filed, by the dozen. As the jail filled, with thieves, and with prisons already over-crowded, theives were given terms of home-confinement. This, and the fact that, for a short time, every prisoner transport, in town, was driving around, picking up stolen property. For awhile, the media claimed that the police station looked more like a drive up window, at a restaurant. Still, once word got around, that too many bikes were "tagged", gangs moved on, to "easier pickings". As far as my "sexuality" was concerned, Ambrosia and Diane just settled on sharing my ivory shaft. While neither complained about SHARING a "famous" man, neither wanted the "spot-light", which would come if they "officially" declared themselves. While Diane would continue to focus on her own dream. That, of becoming a fashion model, Ambrosia would, eventually, content herself with giving birth to the children of a man, she refused to name. What thrilled Ambrosia was the fact that the fathers "race" genes, far outpaced her Ebony genes. She would, eventually, give birth to a total of five children. All of them as ivory as their father. By the time Diane was getting used to being told "You are too OLD for modelling", Diane came to enjoy helping Ambrosia with her children. Diane and Ambrosia, took turns, with the children. Each watching the young while the other attended "Employment Groups". While Diane noticed that it was "suspicious", how much the children acted like me, it only took three, of Dianes friends, to remind Diane "You know. HE is not the only man, of his kind." It would not be until the United States contained 90 states, that a drug lord would execute me, while I spoke with villagers, about state-hood. The drug lord wanted these people to harvest his crops. It was only after the man emptied his clip, into my body, on international television, that American Military Police took the man under arrest. While the assassin was buried, in an un-marked grave, my body would go first to my home town, for viewing, then to Arlington Cemetary. It was not until Diane mentioned "I wish he would have let me give him some children. Now, his legacy is gone, with him." Ambrosia would say "I would not be too sure, about that." When Diane gave Ambrosia a look, Ambrosia just smiled. All that my home-town had to show, for my life, was the return of grocery shopping, to the area, as well as a laundromat, and a complete end to bicycle theft, once the city made it clear that ALL bicycles were being tagged. All that the nation had to show, for my efforts, was the addition of up to 45, additional, states. What would the future look like?

THE QUESTIONS

THE QUESTIONS While Maria and I remained "intimate" friends, over the years, we did, in fact, watch as Calvin had his benefits cut off, many times, as well as serving time, for what was described as "welfare fraud". Simply stated, Calvin used up his benefits, the first week, of every month, at convenience stores. For the remainder, of the month, Calvin stole, and sold, anything he could get his hands on, for food money. Atleast three times, Calvin was sent to jail, for six months. This, for recruiting a friend, to aid Calvin, in breaking into food pantries. Calvin broke in, then he, and his accomplice, packed the truck, full of food. Since food pantries, like churches, are considered "holy ground", few have alarm systems. Each time Calvin was caught, it was during a random, home, visit, by his case worker. Calvin was arrested, each time, since he did not even bother to hide his "booty". Maria and I watched the man being taken to jail, several times. Each time, she snuggled up to me. Maria and I had become friends, over a conversation, over mens, and womens, habits. Everything from goals, to relationships. Even motor vehicles. When we, first, began to talk, Maria provided some deli type food. Not all that tasty, but good, all the same. When Maria had mentioned "Not near as good as my mother can cook." I suggested buying the ingredients, then fixing the food, the way her mother did. I was surprised when Maria asked me "Will you help me to eat it all? Even if it means multiple meals?" I suggested "Might make good practice, for married life." This is how we "began". As for the romance, that part came, naturally. As Maria's cooking improved, I went from verbal compliments, to kissing her. Soon, embraces were added, and, before I knew it we were resting, in her bed, after meals. It was easy, finding time to spend, together. Calvin was away, so much, that Maria and I could date, sometimes, for months, before we saw Calvin, again. This is how I learned that Maria was not just into home-cooking, but that my favorite grocery store, was hers, as well. A discount, grocery, store. A place, with ten times the variety, of the convenience store. The one thing, that I had to "watch", with Maria, was her desire for filling meals. While she had to get used to the fact that I did not drink beer, she, also, learned that I preferred HUGE salads, to huge meals. Maria was just happy when I took over Calvins weight training equipment. (Man, had he told Maria, several times, how he could become a professional body builder.) As I told Maria, with my back injury, I had a choice. Either exercise, or take HIGH potency, pain medication. I CHOSE exercise. Maria watched as I sculpted my body, into a mass of muscle. Now, while this did not encourage my spine, to heal, any faster, the extra muscle protected the spine, and cut down on pain, as I built up. While my health campaign continued, Calvin was sentenced to a full year, in prison, after being convicted of breaking into five pantries, in a single night. Street camera's had caught the fleeing vehicle, and the police arrested Calvin, with an apartment, full of stolen food. Calvin caught an extra eighteen months, when an officer used a night stick, to push Calvin forward, only to have Calvin beat the guard, with his own stick. The judge, overseeing the case, would have ruled that Calvin was ordered to work, to pay off his debts. This, however, with Calvins work record, showed would, never, work. Calvin did not CARE about work. IF he showed up, that was fine by him. IF he didn't... As Maria pointed out, this is the same reason why workers had to collect Calvin, for appointments. IF he showed up... This is why his workers had to pick him up. For Maria, I was a delightful "change of pace". I was the one who, when schedules were made, I kept to them. Maria did wonder how Calvin would adjust, when a judge, finally, sent him into LONG-TERM care. Still, Maria had me to train on. She just had to get used to the fact that, even afer day-time sex, instead of television, and beer, Maria found me with iced tea, and at her computer. What I dont understand is why, when my plans began to see yields, that I was told that Maria was "too old". After all, she was only twenty-nine. Turns out that the media would pay MORE attention if I were seen with an eighteen year old. When I asked Maria, she said "Sad, but true. To the media, I am a relic." Well, if Maria was a "relic", at age 29, then WHAT was I, at well over fifty? As for the reason why I began asking Maria to teach me Spanish, there was more than one reason. First of all, there was tthe "problem" that, when Maria got really aroused, she forgot how to speak English, and returned to Spanish. While I respected her right to her native language, my problem was "Maria, when you speak Spanish, I do not know if your words mean "More, baby, more", or "You are hurting me." When Maria suggested "My friend, Tequilla, has a deal, with her man. Anytime she slips into Spanish, he slaps her." When I suggested "Not my style." When Maria would ask "What then?" I suggested "Why dont you teach me Spanish. This way, in either language, I will know when you want more love." I, truly, do NOT know how she did it, but Maria had me able to master basic conversation, in Spanish, inside four months. (Maria only asked me NOT to tell her friends.) I found out why when Darlene visited Maria, one day. In Spanish, Darlene was telling Maria "I, really, thought that Marguerette was the one. She was so GOOD, in BED. I swear that I even tried to BUY her affection. She wants a man, though." Then looked at me, saying "I cant understand why." When Maria tried to explain what it was like, having a man, inside her body, all Darlene would say was "I know of vibrators, which can do better." On another day, I caught Darlene actually asking for Maria's breasts. When Maria reminded the woman "They belong to my man." Darlene all-but DRAGGED Maria into her arms, bent Maria over, and kissed my woman, about as deep as I did. While Maria accepted the un-wanted kiss, and necking, it was when Darlene rippeed Maria's top open, saying "I want some." That Maria called out, in Spanish "Husband". When I grabbed Darlene off of Maria, the first thing Darlene asked was "When did you (me), learn Spanish?" As Maria sat up, she told Darlene "I taught him." When Darlene asked "WHY?, This is our language. That of our ancestors." Maria said "My husband wanted to know when he was making me happy, and not just in Engish." What I noticed, but Darlene did not, was that, even as Maria rested, she did nothing, to cover her breast. In fact, what Maria DID do was to carress the flesh. What I could not believe was when, as I moved, to comfort my woman, Darlene all-but pleaded "Can we make it a three-some? I need some woman, BAD. Even if it means having a "man", as well." When Maria looked at me, asking "Husband?" I told her "My angel. It is YOUR body. She is your friend." In the bedroom, Darlene was the first, out of her clothes. When Darlene entered our bed, she, actually, called out, in Spanish "Me, first, Maria." The problem was that, while Maria was more WOMAN than ever, what Darlene had wanted was more of a man. Someone who would "take control." When Darlene cried out, in desire, Maria moved aside, asking "Husband, YOU are on." While Darlene got me off, until I was empty, once she rested, for a moment, she slapped me as she said "I dont need a man. I need a woman." I think that the moment, when Darlene got angry enough, that she took her clothes, and left, was the moment, when I took Maria into my arms, gave her a DEEP kiss, then drew my beloved into bed. After a night, of incredibly deep passion, Maria snuggled to my side, as she whispered "You know, for a confirmed Lesbian, Darlene sure "got off", with you. I think that is why she got mad." This is when I embraced the woman that I loved, and kissed her. When she went into Spanish, saying "More and deeper", I gave her what she wanted, atleast until my stomach growled. After this came a terrific breakfast, then I started out, on my daily errands. This, while Maria stopped by her mothers house, to tell of the nights activities. Maria tried to be tender, considering the fact that Darlene was who she was. This is why Maria was delicate, in telling her mother. Sure enough, mother repeated her same phrase. "All that woman needs is a man, to take CHARGE. Someone, who will force her to be a woman." When Maria would suggest "Mother, this is America. Freedom of Choice." All mother would do was whisper "Get a good man inside her, and watch her turn into a woman." Maria knew there was no chance, of winning this, so she informed her mother, about us. Here, again, mother had warned her daughter "Once you teach that boy Spanish, there will be no more secrets." Still, Maria had no regrets. While we remained friends, once Maria saw her friends getting pregnant, we broke off when I told her that she needed to find a man, who wanted children. I just dont know why her friends could not understand that we had broken up. After all, the most we did, in public, was embrace, and kiss. Not like Francesca, and her man. While the two "broke up", before we did, thee women noticed how Francesca made no complaints, even when the man, while kissing her, carressed her breast, through her top. As if that were not enough. Any time there was oral sex going on, Francesca, and her man, were in the middle of it. While the two gave, and received, oral, it was when the "main course" began, that the two "went at it", with the passion, of newlyweds. After the fact, the two would lay, side-by-sidee, just as Maria and I did, in bed. These two, however, lay, exposed, in front of the party, laughing at how good sex was, with an "ex". While Maria and I agreed that, in return for my reading her mail, we would embrace, carress, and share a kiss, it would seem that Maria had forgoten something. Maria had forgotten how much she LOVED swapping me what I wanted, in return for my assembling her kit furniture. Since nowadays, Maria did not have much kits left to buy, she made deals with her friends. I would build THEIR furniture, and Maria would "pay" me. Pay, Maria did. In fact, she went from offering me weeks, in return for construction, to offering months. While Maria KNEW that, eventually, she would have to re-enter the dating game, she traded me a few weeks, here and there, for escorting her to parties. Maria's biggest ask was with her grand-mother. An elderly woman, who felt that a womans first purpose, in life, was to bear children. While grand-mother considered Maria's sisters "bohemians", for working in arts and crafts, the woman, also, made it known that she did not like Maria's last man. Frankly, he did not like her family, either. Especially after her sisters reminded him that he was with Maria. This is why Maria was so happy, when she met me. Since her grand-mother made it clear that I ws her "favorite", for Maria, Maria got "off the hook", for the question: "When are you going to find a man." For the past, few years, grand-mother had been reminding me of he "joys, of parenthood." Now that we were "no longer", Maria had a problem. How to tell grand-mother that we had parted. Maria's suggestion was "I want to wait, just until we bury her. Then, I will tell her." When I asked "Until then?" Maria would say "I give you all that you want, and you pretend that we still, love one another." When I asked "What happens if we DO fall back in love?" Maria would, only say "I never knew we were OUT of it." For each holiday season, that I agreed to be her man, Maria would grant me an extra YEAR, of V.I.P. status, in her bed. As to the question, of how LONG this could last, I had no idea. After all, how LONG can two people be in love? Life was just one question, after another. Would the questions ever end?

THE NIGHT SHIELA WISHED HAD NEVER HAPPENED