It happened in Church - October 19, 1962
Chapter Forty Eight - Desperate Housekeeping

Sunday 04 Nov (continues)

Body Bagging

After the viewing, Brother Kevin got to work. Naturally Roy was with him. John, the big fat dope, was leading. And, surprisingly Marie was helping him. Good woman that girl. He had visions that if John was shoveling “Barbara Streisand”, she’d be next to him matching him shovel for shovel. They’d make a good couple.

Brother Kevin explained the fine art of bagging bodies to them. The body was a now empty temple of God’s handiwork. It was to be treated with respect. But it was empty. Burying the dead was one of the corporal works of mercy. So they were doing the Lord’s work. It was important to get all the big pieces in the right bag. In each bag was a tag and a pencil stub. Barely a half inch, more like lipstick than a pencil. The tag was to have the person’s name. It had a form. But that was for a battle field. Brother Kevin wasn’t sure what you’d call this. If possible, you should put the name on the tag. Then he wanted to place the bodies in a stack for another day.

That’s when he got a shock. John said: “If we stack them, I want to stack them near ‘our’ door. This way we won’t have to move them to far when we load them.” Brother Kevin exclaimed: “Load them?” “Yes,” said John, “all Classmates are going to Vermont. I’ll bury them there. In my aunt’s lower pasture, where they will be at peace.” “That’s crazy. Take 50 some odd bodies 750 miles for no good reason.” “Yup, and the reason is that they are our Classmates. I wouldn’t leave a single one. If there were a thousand and I have to make several trips. One goes; we all go.” “Marie talk to him. He’s gone over the edge.” “Brother Kevin, Love you. But he’s right. They are our spiritual sisters and brothers.” “We won’t have room.” “We’ll make room. If we have to tie them on the bumpers like deer, they’re going.”

Brother Kevin hoped that common sense would prevail. So they got to bagging and tagging. Fifty plus bodies. It took the better part of three hours. They were beat when they returned to the shelter.

The mob was waiting. And, stood and applauded.

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Desecration

Brother Kevin was concerned about the desecration. He was concerned about the future. And the possible future desecrations when they left it for good. He felt he had some obligation as a religious to preserve the sanctity of the Church. He asked for Marie and John to help him figure out his responsibility and response.

They sat around the Dining Room table and kicked the ball around. Brother Kevin stated the problem: “When we leave, we’ll leave the consecrated hosts, the chalices, and platens. I’m not so concerned with the unused ones. Those we should take and sell for the children’s survival.” Marie asked the obvious question: “How can we tell the difference?” “An unused one will be sewn into a linen bag like an alb. When it’s used for the first time the alb is destroyed. There is about six in the sacristy for a visiting priest to use should he not have his own. I would suggest that we load one of the traveling cases with everything that’s used when they go to an away location, like a retreat. Anything that’s been blessed and used should be returned to the first prelate we find. The hosts should be consumed by the youngest children. The Firsts are too young to have sinned so they’d be in keeping with the Cannons. I’m on thin ice here.” John added: “It would seem that this is an exceptional circumstance. The military has an axiom ‘better to beg forgiveness than ask permission’. I’d say we do what seems appropriate to preserve the dignity of the sacraments.” Acting as the laity, in consort, and in the absence of magisterium, they decided that the hosts would be consumed, sacred objects preserved to be returned, and the unused valuables would be taken for the benefit of the children.

Little did they know that the Canons had several provisions like Canon 911 for cases of necessity, where the permission of the hierarchy may be assumed, to prevent desecration, and for all actions taken in good conscience after reflection and with appropriate decorum. June explained to the Firsts what was needed to happen. They were blissfully innocent as to what was the concern. But being told this was serious, they took it so. Together with John, the Staff, and the Eighths they held a little religious service. Prayers and then Brother Kevin used the tabernacle key to open it. The key was kept under the linen right in front of the little door. To Brother Kevin, it was very emotional. To the children, it wasn’t anything. To the unchurched, it would be unintelligible. So, he carefully, without touching the hosts, used a communion cloth to distribute the hosts to the children. There was some wine of unknown status; that too was consumed by the children. A priest’s fingers are consecrated during the bishop’s administration of Holy Orders. It would be disrespectful for him to do otherwise. It really was necessity. But it troubled him greatly. After their service, when all the consecrated items were consumed, he extinguished the ‘Presence Candle’ that notifies Catholics that the tabernacle is occupied by consecrated items.

They carefully packed anything used in the travel chest. Anything that was unused was placed separately. The bodies were stacked neatly ready for transport. They were not going to need a big truck for this. John was concerned about carrying bodies disrespectfully. Marie was concerned what the Church authorities would have to say about all of this. Brother Kevin was concerned about how the world had changed. It would trouble them all for a while. Men and Women of conscience always are concerned that they not only do the right thing for the right reasons, but do it in the right way.

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Marie Groks The Shelter

Marie did what she always does when she’s upset - power walks the length of the shelter. Now she added a new wrinkle up and down the stairways and around the Church. The more she walked, the more enraged she became at the Bravo Golfs, at the desecration of ‘her’ Church, and at John. He was the ‘white knight’; wasn’t he supposed to ride in and save her. He did once. She laughed to herself … ‘but what has he done for me lately’. Crossing the center aisle, reflexively she genuflected, out of habit, the Presence was not there, but it once was. It calmed her.

She prayed silently, ‘dear saint taq, come around, i’ve lost my way and i can’t be found. not here in the church, but in life. what will become of me? of us? of the children? will we survive to vermont like that big loveable fat lug believes? he was right about worst case. help me, dear saint taq, understand the plan for my life.’ (So summoned, Saint Taq reviewed the events and found them excellent. They’d done well to preserve the dignity of the Church. They’d acted as the laity; the Lord would never let His flock stray for the Way. Now she merely needed to realize her true potential and destiny. She needed no white knight; she had power. Like the baby elephant trained to the chain, when big can be held by a thread. She too needed to just realize what threads were binding her. Taq prayed the Lord to give her wisdom. Wisdom maybe called the power to see the boundaries of our knowledge and to extend those limits.)

Marie felt a strange peace come to her heart. The partial verse ‘in whom I am well pleased’ came to mind and was suddenly written on every page in her mind. Covering everything else that was ever written. She was in awe. She was afraid. She’d lost all she knew. Suddenly, in her minds eye, a trumpet sounded, and verses began flooding over her pages. Verses she’d never committed to memory on any of her pages. “Matthew 18:19 Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 21:22 And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. Luke 11:9 So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. John 15:16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.” Over and over again, on every metal page. In colors and sizes unimaginable. So big and so vibrant it physically hurt. Finally, the onslaught ended. A warm feeling embraced her whole body. She felt … … safe, loved, and enclosed. One last page was writ before her inner eye in a font and style she had never seen. “James 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” She swooned.

When she awoke, Lisa and Linda were shaking her. She was sitting on her butt in the main aisle out side the alter rail. Lisa said “Are you OK? We were following you on your gallop thru the shelter. You seemed upset. We saw you genuflect for a double quick heartbeat. And the next thing we knew you’d fallen backward. Like you were pushed. We grabbed you otherwise you’d have hit your head.” Linda said “Lisa, shut it. Marie say something.” “I’m OK.” She squeaked. She was still foggy. She thought: ‘What had just happened? Had she just received a gift like Saul on the road to somewhere. How did her beloved John describe it - not UPS - you can’t mistake it. But what did I just get? I don’t understand it’. She got up and looked around. The Church was empty except for her, the L’s, and the OP team. She felt different. Like she was seeing the Church through bigger eyes. She was focused.

Were all the hidden things in the shelter just tests of our faith in Him? Where did that thought come from? The last passage was still on the board in front of her mind’s eye. She could see around it. She couldn’t move it out of the way to see the other behind it. We really never asked for His help. Sure here and there. Like a poorly prepared student praying over a test; the time for prayer was weeks prior when inspiration would be granted. Then that student could do their own work. She knelt again on one knee and prayed: “Lord, please give me the wisdom I need to fulfill Your Plan.” The blocking board snapped closed. All her other boards were now viewable. They were bigger and more colorful. Certain ones had red ribbons on them. Others blue. Some had none. What did it all mean?

She looked around the Church. The L’s were afraid. “I’m OK. I’m really OK. I’m so OK; it’s scary.” She embraced Lisa and gave her a big hug. Not sexual but sisterly. “Thank you, Lisa, for being my friend.” She embraced Linda similarly. “Thank you, Linda, for being my friend.” She smiled and said “I’m truly sorry for thinking of you as the L’s; you’re each unique and beautiful women. It’s no wonder the boys are crazy for you. Those pony tails draw attention to your butts.” The L’s were speechless. Marie had to have hit her head.

Marie looked around the Church. She was aligning the shelter below with the church above. The Plant Room was directly below the crossing; she now knew the intersection where the nave and transept meet is called the crossing. Had she read that somewhere long ago? Instantly a page she never saw before flashed to the fore, it was a like a book report reference. “Design Features of Notre Dame”. That was scary. She went to rub her forehead and it was gone. As if she whisked it away.

Interesting that there was an empty space above it.

She walked over to the ‘Stock Room’. It was close to the other vestibule door. And, she never really focused on the pews. They were different some how. “Linda, Lisa, look at the pews. Are they different?” The L’s gave them the once over. “Nah, just pews.” Marie felt something calling her to the ground. She looked down the long aisle across the Church. These pews had a strip in the middle on the floor; the others don’t? This was sacred ground where her Classmates died. It felt weird to be crawling around in a crime scene. The strip had a joint in the middle and were not affixed to the floor. Strange? She pulled up on it and it ’scissored’ easily. These were retractable pews. “Quick, ladies, pull all these up.” The L’s may not be observant, but they were the fastest at following instructions. As more joins were pulled, the pews became ‘loose’. When all were up, Marie ran around to the front and pushed. They wanted to move but she needed more umph. The three of them pushed and the pews slid back exposing bare floor. (In the arms locker, unseen by anyone, a green light came on.) She giggled: “It’s an elevator. Don’t you see? That’s how they brought the CD supplies DOWN to the shelter. That’s how we will bring them up. Come the next part of the secret is in the Stock Room. Adjutant, adjutant, where are you?” Someone comes a running. “Miss Abigail, would you please have the Duty Officer to extend my compliments to the Staff and Master John. Ask them to join me in the Stock Room Two Green!” “Yes, Miss Marie.” Abigail ran to the phone. She hoped the Staff never realizes that they could call themselves.

With the bouncing pony tails that inspired lust in almost all the boys, Marie bounded down the up stairs to the stock room. The shelves had a similar strip. How could they have been so blind? They unsnapped the strips and shoved the shelves out of the way. (In the arms locker, unseen by anyone another green light came on. And a red button lit up.)

The Staff was wandering in. John came in and saw Marie was flushed. Marie thought: ‘Where would you put an elevator button? Out of the way.’ “Sam, please open the Arms locker?” Sam exclaimed: “This is different.” Marie said: “May I?” Sam said: “Sure, you found it.” Marie pushed the button, a bell rung, and the floor rose up about a foot. “Not much of an elevator’ she thought and pushed again. Another bell and the shelter room’s roof developed a hole. Splitting apart. The floor rose on a giant tube all the way up. A hydraulic elevator.

Everyone applauded. John gave her a passionate full frontal kiss. “John, this is scandalous. What will the Classmates think?” “That I’m going to marry the smartest woman on Earth!” “I don’t think that … …” was cut short by a more passionate kiss. Those buttons began to tingle and she was weak at the knees. Loss of oxygen maybe?

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Lunch-less Lunch

John faced the Classmates. It wasn’t really lunch-less. Some were eating. The trick was keeping it down. One could be sitting there and have the sickening images flash back!

John, taking a leaf for June’s book, just stood there waiting expectantly. It didn’t take long.

Three classmates stood up. Roy, Andrew, and June. John had a feeling these were going to be hot grounders.

“Master Roy, you stood up first.” “It’s more of a statement, than a question. Speaking for the Men of the Eighth, unless some one objects, <pausing> we will not tolerate any boy intimidating our sisters. Yeah, that’s right. Sisters. Maybe not biological; emotionally. You mess with my sister; you mess with me. Care to comment?” “Agreed. No one ever has the right to initiate force on another human being. Any boy, who thinks differently, I’d like to talk to. Any one, who acts out that way, will get some painful remedial instruction. I don’t think that the women are so weak as to need our help. I’m more ashamed that such thinking could go on during my watch. One for all; all for one! Harm my sisters or my brothers at your peril. Not on my watch. And, if you, who ever you are, have so much time and energy, how about applying it to our opportunities? Enough said.”

“Master Andrew” “Well Mister Prophet, what’s your next prediction?” “Overlooking the scorn, we prophets know what happens in our own lands. I predict we haven’t seen the last of trouble. Jeopardy tomorrow. We’ll run thru again.”

Miss June?” “Master Speaker John: In light of all the death we’ve seen today. May we turn off the TV tonight and pray the rosary for all the people who are lost - we hope temporarily?” “Sounds like a good idea. Frankly, Brian’s jokes stink.”

“Let’s have Jeopardy drill after this.”

Everyone left laughing. The threat of rape made him mad. He wasn’t laughing. Lord of the Flies. Was civilization breaking down?

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Afternoon Drill

Sam set out the chairs:

First Lurp. Brother Kevin and Isabella inside; Lisa and Linda outside.

Second, Marie and John.

Third, Driving Team #1 Master David (6), Master Brandon (6), and Master Jude (6) under the direction of Miss Taylor (7).

Fourth, Driving Team #2 - Miss Sarah (6), Miss Julia (6), and Miss Olivia (5) under the direction of Miss Destiny (7).

Fifth, Recovery #1 - Master Alexander, Miss Brianna, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Madison under the direction of Master TomT.

Sixth, Roy and Jody with Boy Scout James always in the middle.

Sam said: “Silence is golden. First choice is the atlatl; it’s quiet. If you engage an enemy, then you must escape as best you can. Don’t lead them back to the Church. Go to the school. Hide in a classroom. Call the Shelter office. We’ll figure out how to get you. Remember you’re noise discipline. Because we all code, there should be never a reason to yell. Cover your mouth when you talk. Humans are hard coded to hear voices over distance. Think small and quiet; act big and bold. If confronted, pretend the cavalry is just over the rise. Confidence in a weak enemy creates doubt. Use it to escape.”

Sam continued: “Stick to the plan. To the garage for transport. DT#1, Marie, Roy, and James go to the depot; you’re alone the longest — use it wisely — don’t be seen — choose wisely — we may need your picks to survive in Vermont — leave your choices ready to run — we may be under fire when we come to do the pickup. Lurp goes to Pawn. TomT & team recover the garage - trade off big for distance. John, Jody, TomT & Team, and DT#2 go to pawn. Get guns and anything useful; gold will pay for a comfortable life in Vermont? Lurp moves to Radio Shack. TomT & team recover the Pawn Shop; need CBs for kabuki. Move to depot. Pick’em up and run for home.”

Sam was on a roll: “This is the most dangerous of our excursions. We have no idea what we will face. Go slow, but fast. Choose wisely; we don’t want to have to go back. You’ll be prepped to stay out over night. When you lose the light, hunker down. Try not to do that; we’ll worry.”

“OK, let go around the room a few times.”

Six times to be exact. Everyone was serious. Deadly serious.

It was almost time for dinner when they wrapped.

Sam wagged John and they gathered with the depot team. Marie, Roy, and James. John led off: “You guys have the most dangerous task, because you’re hanging out alone. You have to identify two food trucks and one fuel truck. A bus from next door. Tee them all up. You have to find us an empty truck to take with us. Now the fun part. You have two, perhaps three if we are lucky, choices. Pick wisely. I can’t tell you what to pick. Unless we hear from our friends in Vermont, you’ll have to use your gut. I have no idea what’s there. All things being equal; they never are; pick something with full tanks.” Sam had some specific advice. “Careful picking refers that are not running. They’ve probably spoiled.”

Sam, Marie, and John were just sitting. John said: “The Pawn Shop is a hidden key. I’m doing that because it’s going to be a tradeoff between time and value. I’m toying with the idea of bringing the explosives.” Marie was horrified: “What do you know about explosives?” “Nothing other than they go boom.” Marie appealed: “We need Brother Kevin.” “The guns will be in a locked rack, but unless we are incredibly lucky, the gold coins will be in the vault.” Brother Kevin, hearing his name, joined them. “Brother Kevin. This fool wants to blow up the Pawn Shop. Tell him he can’t. Please.” “Well, he probably can. If he wants Bravo Golf to know where we are. But why bother? There’s Phosphoric acid in the basement of the school.” Three people said “SO?!” “Well, assuming is a cheap safe that’s not too tight, you spill water all over the door seams, cover it with a wool blanket, put the solid block of acid in a tin cup, light the chafing candle under it, shove it under the blanket, and go have a smoke. Fifteen minutes, thirty tops, it will weaken any steel bolts in the door. Put the fire out. Let the area air out a little! Stuff’s corrosive. Go tug on the door and if your lucky, the door comes open in your hands. No noise. If it doesn’t work, then you notify the neighborhood. Better living thru chemistry. Oh, and it you breathe the stuff it’ll kill you like you drowned.” John said: “Works for me!” Marie shook her head: “You all are certified idiots. And, I’m stupid to go along.”

Brother Kevin said: “I’ll make a quick run into the basement for the acid. I know exactly where it is and I have Brother Prefect’s key. Fifteen minutes tops.” Sam said: “I don’t like it. We haven’t practiced it. John said: “Risk reward? If I can open the safe silently, that’s a big reward!” Sam added: “But it may not work.” John said: “We gotta go for it. What will make you happy?” Sam though a minute and said: “You with a shotgun and me with a rifle, we cover him.” John said: “Let’s go. Marie can you cover the Church entrance?” “No! We’ve been very lucky so far. You cowboys running off half cocked isn’t right. Let take a few minutes and do it right. Bring two full fire teams. One to cover the Church side; one for the basement side. Then you cowboys can get the acid. I insist!” With a little stomp of her foot. That settled that. You might debate with her ticked off fingers, but the foot, never! She was probably even right.

John went to the office and summoned: Kayla, Linda, Lisa, Michael, Taylor, and Tyler. They quickly went over the plan. Brother Kevin would lead the team down. After a quiet time, the cowboys would split off. They’d roll up the same way. John asked: “Marie OK?” “Yes” was the quick curt reply.

They rolled it out just like it was planned. The acid was right in the caretaker’s office. The cowboys were tempted to look around, but Marie’s caution had the desired effect so they ran home with tails between their legs.

Marie was pleased. That’s all John cared about.

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Dinner

The Classmates were sad and glad. Sad that it was ‘worse case’; glad that things were moving forward. Tomorrow was Jeopardy. The pace was picking up. Rumors abounded about the school raid.

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No TV

June led the rosary. It was sad. There were tears. There was peace. There was hope.

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Staff Meeting

Master John opened with a quick summary: “Did the Church; I thought it went well. Did a quick run for the acid; I thought it went well. I pray Jeopardy does as well.” Centurion Sam reported: “We’ll lock up until you get home.” CoS Brother Kevin explained: “We have to keep things moving so the Classmates don’t have time to be afraid. I’m terrified. And, anyone who isn’t is either a fool or stupid!” G1 Personal Marie reported: “This groking stuff works; that’s how I found the elevator.” G2 Intelligence Brian added: “I’ll have the kabuiki file ready tomorrow; my staff came up with the encryption scheme.” G3 Training Roy said: “We bagged 52 Classmates and three faculty; sad to report. I am afraid to guess why so few faculty.” G4 Logistics Jody repeated her refrain: “I have no way yet to move the water.” G5 Morale June said: “The mural is in effect done; we’ll bless it and be gone when the time comes. And, it’s near.”

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Time with Marie

It was John’s favorite time of the day. He said: “You’re beautiful when you stamp your foot. It’s like when you play with your fingers.” She was pensive: “Will there ever come a time when we are on the same page?” “Does it matter as long as we’re together?” “Guess not.” They walked some more.

The Queen’s Corner was the anchor of the women’s dorm. The Eighth’s two lines - gals and guys - were getting closer. Tonight you could still tell the difference; tomorrow it would be one. There was no doubt what it said. There are standards that we believe in. There are standards that we will enforce. There are standards that are worth killing and dying for.

Marie made the ‘bed’. She demurely sat down and gestured him to join her. She held his hand and looked him right in the eye. “John, my dear, if tomorrow something happens to one of us, the other must go on. Just know, that tonight, I feel fully alive. A woman filled with love for you. Waiting for the priest is a my joy. It allows me a glimpse of what may be His Plan for us. If it’s not to be, it just means something better is. I saw the dead today and felt they were at peace. I received a gift today that I still can’t even describe. Let’s get to Vermont; the joy will only carry me so far.” John said “Let’s get some sleep; tomorrow’s going to be a long day. Promise me you won’t take any chances. I can imagine going on without you. Don’t let that happen.” They nestled. Quietly. Faithful to their vows of chastity. Silently. Aware of the possible bad things to come. Secure in their faith; filled with the belief in His Providence.

One doubt did slip into Marie’s mind, perhaps she should be taking a bit of John so that he’d leave a little something behind of himself for her. She didn’t know what was right. She knew if she waved her little classmates at him, he couldn’t control himself any longer. Was this the boundary of her knowledge? She prayed silently: ‘dear saint taq, james 1:5, should i? is it time for me to have john’s baby? what if he dies? a scared little girl’ (So summoned, Saint Taq reviewed the fact of the cases, these children were finding their stride. Those boys, who were tempted to rape, had no idea the ramifications of their sin. They’d find out when called to account. They’d put their ugly idea in Marie’s beautiful mind. She was presuming God’s Plan. He prayed the Lord to give her the Grace of Wisdom. Again.) As Marie prayed, a smaller gentler version of her experience today occurred. Warmth enveloped her. The giant white wall appeared again, blocked her view of all her pages, and there writ again in the strange script was “”But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lusts. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” James 1 : 14 - 15″ She was at peace. But confused, she never memorized Bible verses. She’d never even read the Bible. She slept.

# # # # #

# # # # #

Entertaining problem. Did Jasper Jottings this week as usual. Just under one hour. New issue up and pushed. Checked the JasperJottings website. New index is up. Click on this week’s link and get last week’s issue. Argh!

First thought is to blame Microsoft Word. Check the site’s web page the link is correct.

Second thought is it had to be 1and1’s problem. Call tech support. Got right through. Who has problems on Sunday morning. Nice lady confirms my stuff is right. (That’s a relief!)

She does some stuff. And, comes back to tell me my week 19 upload actually has week 18 in it. Huh?

So, very embarrassed, I ring off.

Word again?

So I cut ‘n’ paste to a new document. Upload.

Shazam, problem solved.

Elapsed time one hour!

Great productivity tool, Microsoft. Great one.

# # # # #

FROM A FORUM EXCHANGE

You probably want to believe in the FEMA myth too. It would be comforting. “I’m from the gooferment and I’m here to help” — help screw up your life worse than it already is.

Sorry, couldn’t resist.

I really do believe that, at the root of all human problems, our belief in government, the force that we give it and it wields against our fellow man, is our downfall as human beings. Like a mental disease. Like a parasite. Like a desert mirage.

When challenged, I always ask “Name one government program that is a success?” Bear in mind that buying a hammer for 5k$ is not a success. Effectiveness and efficiency. I have yet to hear of one.

Disclaimer: I stole this idea from the Free Talk Live podcast.

Arghhhhhh?

# # # # #

FROM AN EMAIL TO A TURKEY

It’s a new reality; jobs don’t stay around long. Every employee has to realize they are just a consultant, with a gig of undetermined length, without a contract or an agreement.

# # # # #

It happened in Church - October 19, 1962
Chapter Forty Seven - Push into the Church

Sunday 04 Nov begins

Men Rally To The Gals

Jody woke and found that she had a surprise in store when she looked around. A respectful ten feet from the ’shelter sweeties’ line there was another line. The Eighth males had formed up obviously after dark and were paired back to back sleeping at parade rest. There was a line of folding chairs folded flat on the floor in the spaces. Somehow, the males detected their upset, came up with a plan, and actioned it. How could they have known? Was living for two weeks in close quarters with unrelated males without sex causing ‘brother - sister’ ‘identical twins’ mental telepathy? She walked to the ‘outside line’. The nearest male to her was Roy backed up with Sam. While she wanted to kiss him, she needed to chat first. She nudged him with her foot. He snapped to wakefulness and was looking for a target. Sheepishly, he looked up. She said “You might as well stand up. The view isn’t going to change.” She put her hand down to give him a boost. He rocked back and said “Sam, awake?” “Yup, I had to let Jody sneak up on you.”

Roy used Jody’s offered hand. He stretched and slung the rifle. He just waited. He always went very slowly so as not to spook her. She was skittish. “What’s this?” Jody said pointing to the chairs. Other Eighths were rising as well. “Seemed like there was some ‘misunderstanding’ about what conduct the men of the Eighth would accept. So we decided to make a statement! Some of the knuckle heads think that we’re going to die today and need to leave a little part of themselves to posterity. I think I may have mentioned that they hadn’t demonstrated they were worth saving. Seemed like a good idea to make point of what we’d consider acceptable behavior.” Jody looked deeply in this man’s eyes. She could see the character of his soul. “Thanks. Some of the younger ones were afraid.” “Sorry, that happened.” Jody gave him a hug and a peck. “We’ll have to see where your goodness leads us.” “It will only lead where you want it to and when you want it to. Jody, I’m here for the long haul.” What did Marie say ‘boys talk; men do’!

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Today’s Meter Reading

Brother Kevin was up early. He was on a mission. The Fire Team unlocked the door and one went out to watch for his signal. He went up a few stairs. Instant reading. About .3 whatevers. So, Brother Kevin quckstepped back down, signaled the door to be locked, and tugged on it as a test. Today!

“Adjutant!” “Yes, Brother Kevin” “Please run and inform the Office. My complements to all the Staff. If they would please meet me at the stairwell. Priority One Green. On the double.” “Yes, Brother Kevin” The adjutants didn’t run ever since the phone numbers were discovered, so he called it in and the Office dispatched runners.

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Staff Meeting Impromptu

The Staff assembled. Brother Kevin reported. “This is the second day in a row of identical readings. We can push to the Church according to our plan. Or we can wait and follow the schedule.” John said “Brother Kevin seems to have summed it up.” Marie chimed in “Seems obvious but waiting will make everyone nervous.” Roy added “Boss, I’m not happy with our ability to control some of the young Sixths and Fifths that have interesting notions of acceptable sexual behavior. If we go now, that’ll give them something else to focus on.” Brian chipped in “Going today gets us to Vermont a day quicker. We may be rushed, but what’s the expression ‘better a good plan executed today, rather than a perfect plan executed tomorrow’. John said “Other comments? Any one in favor of waiting? <pause> OK, when. I’d say before we feed them. If it’s what I’m expecting, then there will be some upchucking.” Brother Kevin “Now!” John “OK let’s get them up and formed. Just like last night.”

Marie went to John. “John, yesterday, we all agreed you’re leading the lifeboat fire team.” “The hell I am.” “You are the only one who’s gone thru a door under fire. Staff decided. Brother Kevin leads the real effort; you lead the Life Boat. Sorry but you’ve been NOCed.” The Classmates, anxious for resolution, were up and moving. John saw the wisdom and took his place. As usual, working back to front. “Life boat fire team ready” yelled John. “Life boat ready” yelled June. “Fire wall ready” yelled Marie. “OP G2″ ready yelled Jody. “Vestibule ready” yelled Roy. “Far door ready” yelled Sam. “Lurp ready” yelled Brother Kevin. “Miss Marie, Open the door, please. And may God have mercy on our souls.”

Marie ordered the board op in the office to unlock the door.

+++++

Going Thru Doors

Brother Kevin heard the lock click. Hefted his rifle into forward ready. Nodded his head and the Tail End Charlie Isabella opened and held the door. ‘Here goes!’ he thought. Up the steps, his fire team strung out on the stairs. Brother Kevin pushed the door at the top of the stairs open. And was greeted by the all too familiar smell of decades ago. “Bodies” he said to the space behind him. That answered one question. This was no mistake.

That word rippled down the line. Many illusions were crushed. When John heard it, he was not surprised. But mildly thankful, he wasn’t a loon. There were universal teary eyes. Some sobbing. Not all from the girls or the lower grades. Miss Marie was bawling her eyes out. John sensed it and walked from his spot thru the office to her firewall. He gave her a full frontal hug. “Marie, now is not the time. Close that book. We’ll grieve when we really know something. The Classmates are depending up you.” Those were the exact right words. He could see ‘broken leg’ Marie emerge. God help the next Bravo Golf she found that needed legs broke. She was good stock. One always does one’s duty.

John walked among the Classmates. “We don’t know for sure anything other than no one in two weeks policed up the bodies. Don’t borrow tomorrow’s trouble today. This is not the time or place for this. We just don’t know anything for sure. Brace up. Your Classmates are depending upon each of us to do our jobs. Even if your job is just to survive and tell the story, it’s your job to do just that.”

After that, John felt better about being ‘left out’ of the action. Maybe his staff did right to NOC him over to this duty. He did seem to have a visible effect on the Classmates. His fire team had the look of grim determination. They might go down, but not cheaply. As John half knelt at the ready, he was thinking about Kabuki. Funny how one’s mind worked. He was writing his letter to the CO of the S2 they were trying to trick.

+++++

Brother Kevin’s vestibule

Brother Kevin pushed open the door to the shelter. The smell wasn’t as bad as he remembered it. His first duty was to secure the landing. He locked the door to the street. He probably should have done that on Church Day. He’d put it on his checklist for the next time he was in an atomic war. He then went and locked the door into the Church. He passed the word down the stairwell ‘locked’. His fire team joined him on the landing. Clearly, they’d never seen decaying dead people before. He wished he could take the time to be sensitive. He slung his shot gun in the upside down manner he’d been taught a lifetime ago.

It is possible to accurately trigger a shot gun from upside down position if you’ve practiced. You never slung your weapon in a free fire zone; you never daydreamed either. That’s what got Brother Prefect killed. That slinging piece of advice from a DI had saved his butt on Iwo when an infiltrator surprised him in the can on Iwo. Amazing what you can do when sitting on the can. But that long ago DI had instilled in them that their enemy could pop up, drop in, or spring out when least expected. So, he was in that can, doing his business, anxious to get back to the safety of his hole. The Jap opened the door with his shooting hand. Brother Kevin triggered the shot gun without literally moving an inch. They were both surprised.

With the landing secure, he began to drag and stack cordwood. He’d rest between each drag, by rifling pockets. He threw the contents on the floor. Eight bodies. Wonder who tallied what. Not that it matters. Always nice to know what you’ll face when you have to justify your life on Judgment Day.

Housekeeping being done. Brother Kevin yelled down “bump me”.

+++++

Sam bumps BK

Sam’s fire team came up to the landing. More green at the gills ‘cherries’. Sam too. Quite different from what you see on the Silver Screen. Everyone looks dashing and handsome; even in death. The reality was something different. Sam deployed his team. Kayla with her back to the street door ready to aim at the Church door as soon as Lurp jumped off. Taylor lying on the stairs to the shelter aiming at ceiling over the Church door. You only point it at what your ready to destroy. Good students. Too easy to have an accident. Just read the score during hunting season: Hunters - 500, Deers 5. Tough if you are one of the five.

Sam said quietly “landing ready.” Brother Kevin said “lurp ready”. Everyone was praying for an empty Church. Tail End of the Lurp, Linda this time, held the door as Brother Kevin went first. Sam said to Tayor “Pass along: ‘Lurp away’”. It took seconds for it to reach John. He was tense. This is where the fun would begin. If there was to be a shooting war, this is when it would start in his crystal ball.

Andrew edged up to John and said: “Is this a good time to tell you about an idea I just thought of?” John’s immediate reply “Sure” thinking ’sure ww3 is about to break out, but it’s a good distraction’. Andrew continued: “I was sad to hear the ‘bodies’ message cause that meant you were right. You never talked much about it, but if it was worst case, we’re alone in the world’s biggest graveyard. My Mom, Dad, and family are all dead. I was sad, but strangely relieved to have a fact we can hang our hats on. I was thinking how much pleasure my Mom and Dad got last spring when they bought a brand new Chevy. Glad they got that pleasure before … … I was thinking of that darn Chevy. My Dad paid cash for it. They scrimped and saved for it. They paid extra for one of the new automatic transmissions so my Mom could drive it. She had a bum left leg and couldn’t operate a clutch. Then it hit me ‘Automatic Transmission’! I don’t know if trucks have it; doubt it. But, couldn’t scout#2, rear#2, and the bus be specified as automatic. Even if the bus is stick, which I don’t think so. They’ve been automatic for a few years. That gives us, at least another car, or maybe another truck to take to Vermont. And, I know you want to take the 57 Ford, but couldn’t Scout#1, Scout#2, and Readr#2 be station wagons and we get the extra storage space? Just an idea.” John was thrilled with the idea. Just showed you have to be open. “Great idea, Andrew, a little more practical than my prayers for a magic carpet. We’ll have to take what we can get, but all things being equal your right. But, I’d love to spread the peanut butter one truck thinner. Keep thinking. And, I am sorry about all our families. I’ve been just putting those thoughts in a jar for when we get to Vermont. Maybe we’ll be surprised.” “Thanks, John, but you and I both know the truth.” “No we don’t KNOW it. We suspect it. No evidence yet. Don’t borrow tomorrow’s trouble today. Back to your troop. Help them keep their spirits up.” “Yes, Boss.”

At that time Lurp leapt into the Church. Brother Kevin sent Linda down the long side aisle, and Lisa across the alter rail. Dang those girls were fast. All he saw was pony tails. Isabella was left at the door looking for something to hurl a dart at. The 240 yards diagonal across the Church was out of her range. But with the ballerina move, maybe not. Besides, if you had told him on Iwo that one day he’d be clearing a big Church with three grammar school girls, two rifles that they had never fired, and one with a stone age version of David’s sling, he have thought you certifiable. But still, it was kinda of Marine Corps logical, you use what you have, period. Wishing didn’t win battles. And it prevented you from improvising. Like using cocoanuts and rocks on Iwo, dropped into holes to see if they were ‘occupied’. To save using valuable grenades on empty holes. Drop either a nut or rock into a hole, it ‘felt’ like a grenade and would draw fire. Then you could use one of those valuable grenades. As the L’s sprinted on their routes, he did a version of a tightrope walker diagonally across the pews. Up to the halfway mark, if a Bravo Golf popped behind him, then Isabella could nail him. It was some comfort. The girls were waiting for him, laughing at his gait, when he arrived at the opposite corner he went and locked the three big Church front doors. He coded to Isabella ‘next team’. She opened the door and said ‘bump me’. Sam passed ‘bump me’ down the line. In a minute, John knew the war was over for the moment. Not yet time to relax, but everyone could take a breath. They had all been holding theirs since Lurp jumped off.

+++++

Roy bumps Sam to other side door

Roy brought Michael and Tyler up the stairs. Tyler took Taylor’s position. Michael took Kayla’s. Roy took Sam’s. They all had to get used to the smell and the view. Roy and team went thru the door to Isabella. The last movement was now on. Sam took his team across to the other vestibule. Isabella went around the back of the altar and looked in the Sacristy. Force of habit, Sam stopped to genuflect at the main aisle. That thinking could get someone killed. They went to their doorway and locked the door to the outside. The Church was secured. Isabella finished her circuit. Everyone gave thumbs up. Isabella opened the door and said “all secure”. That word sped thru the formations.

Brother Kevin policed up the bad guy bodies. Brother Prefect and Mother Superior would take a little more fortitude. And, he couldn’t even look at all the dead children. It wasn’t a thousand. But it was more than fifty. That made him sick.

+++++

Jody and OP; Brian G2’s

At the ‘all secure’ signal, Jody, Brian, Sarah, and Zachary were up the stairs in a few heartbeats. Jody and the OPers headed for their window. Brian quickly began looking at the dead guy’s stuff. At the window, Sara did a Marie tuck, Jody did a deep knee bend, Zachary steadied the pyramid, and up Sara went on Jody’s shoulders. Jody said: “Remember Sarah. Slowly.” Sara undid the lever clip and the window went ajar. Ever so gently she pushed the window open a crack. Then a little more. Till finally she could see out. She whispered “Dead bodies, wrecked cars, and no people!” Jody told Zachary “Code Isabella ‘worst case’ now.” That word went along like wild fire.

Brother Kevin went and knelt by his former Boss. He said “Brother Prefect: You were right. You were so right. They had potential. We were standing in their way. They need challenges; like plants need sun, air, and water. These kids are wonderful. You’d have been pleased at how they performed. You never had a better infantry company. I’m sorry I couldn’t see what you saw. I’m sorry you weren’t here to see. I’m just a sorry excuse for your replacement. But, I will live up to your expectations.” With that, he took Brother Prefect’s rosary with the master key; he never let it go. He opened one of the side rooms in the Church lobby and dragged out a table. Zachary helped him set it up. Sarah stepped on to it and continued her observation. Brother Kevin walked over to the corned and picked up the house phone. He dialed 86001, and said “Benedict here. Miss Marie please. … … Miss Marie, Brother Kevin, pass the word ‘all secure; stand down’, and all Staff to the Church. And, bring about a hundred body bags.” Marie started to cry and said “We’ll be right there.” She went to the Stock Room door and told June “stand down”. By that time John was there and said “What’s wrong?” “Worst case is pretty bad. Brother Kevin said to bring body bags. About a hundred.” John wasn’t surprised. “At least, it’s not a thousand.” “Should we feed the troops?” John said: “Let’s wait in case any want to see the Church.” The Seventh’s and Eighths took over. June’s ’sheep herders’ - Kaitlyn, Morgan, Sten, & Timothy - went to get the body bags.

+++++

Bag Bodies

John led them up the stairway. The smell was bad. Last time, he’s smelled anything this bad was at the slaughterhouse where his aunt and her neighbor took some lambs to make lamb chops. Actually the slaughterhouse smelled worse. He didn’t eat meat for about three months after that experience.

Marie was a trouper; he suggested that this might be a job best left to the men. Marie said “It can’t be worse than changing diapers.” She was wrong.

John was walking past the dead Bravo Golfs heading for the Church. She said “John!”. He turned quickly. “Something wrong?” “What about those?” “The Bravo Golfs?” “Yes, they were God’s children as well. Bad children, but His children.” “Marie!” “John!!” She stomped her foot and said: “We are better than that. Aren’t we?” He knew he wasn’t going to win this argument so they started bagging with the Bravo Golfs. Many decades later, he’d understand her reasoning. But as a true passive aggressive, he had two bodies placed in one bag.

+++++

Staff meets in Church

The Staff gathered in the center of the Church. John led off with: “Bravo Zulu to all hands. I thinking before we police up the Church, we give any Classmate that wants it a chance to see the bodies. They may need to know we are not lying.” Marie said: “I agree but we should try to dissuade them. It will give them a chance to get out of the shelter. If they want, who are we to say they can’t.” John summed it up quickly: “We’re agreed offer, but discourage. Brother Kevin, would you please tell the Office to order everyone to stand down and everyone to the Dining Ares?” “Done!” Marie and John headed back to address the group.

+++++

Stand down the life boat

June told everyone to ’stand down’ again and head for the Dining Room. She saw in their faces, that they were scared again. How could they be reassured?

She pulled John and Marie aside as people were getting organized. “Guys the crowd is really on edge. If you can reassure them or if you have a magic bullet, now is the time to use it. I know you can’t do a comedy act. But you have to do something different.”

John did his gull wing with Marie beside him. “My Classmates, we have achieved one of our milestones. We have control of the Church. It’s pretty horrific. About fifty of our fellow Classmates are dead upstairs and there’s seventy some odd here in the Shelter, that means that many more 800 are elsewhere. When I talked to you a long while ago, seems like ages, I said that we find ourselves here. We still don’t know if there was an evacuation. Your Staff and I made a plan. We’re still on that plan.”

Marie picked up: “It is terrible upstairs. I recommend that you say here and have breakfast while the Eighths clean it up. The Staff felt that, if you feel you must see it before it’s cleaned up to satisfy your own mind, you should have that opportunity. Now’s your chance. Any one who wants to see it should form up at the door. We’ll go up the stair way once around the Church and down the other stair way in to the stock room. Again, I recommend that you not go. No one will say anything to anyone who stays below or goes up.”

John went to the office and ordered all doors unlocked. Marie went to the stairwell to dissuade.

She might as well have not bothered. The Classmates, to a person, lined up to go up. Maybe everyone had grown up. One of the first on the line was a pair of Firsts - Miss Hailey holding hands with Master Steven. Marie said to them: “Are you sure?” Miss Hailey was quick to respond: “Oh yes, Miss Marie. Trust but verify; trust but verify. We’re not children anymore.” Master Steven added: “Where my shelter sister goes, so do I. We need to close off the old ideas, empty of heads of illusions, and make room for the new reality. ‘tea spills when the cup is full’ This will empty our cups.” She’d have to talk to John about the monsters he was creating.

It wasn’t pleasant. There was bravado; that was quickly turned to nausea. There were tears; not as many as you would have thought. There was realization; soon supplanted by motivation.

+++++

Late Breakfast

After the ‘tour’, most ate something. There was sharing. The mood was somber. The conversations were of Vermont. There was even some spontaneous prayer.

# # # # #

It happened in Church - October 19, 1962
Chapter Forty Six - Good woman gets the pic

Saturday 03 Nov (continues)

Slave Driver

‘Miss Marie was a slave driver. A very nice one, but’, Brother Kevin thought, ’she would have made an excellent Marine Corp Drill Instructor. In the 120 minutes since the staff meeting, she had spoken to him by phone no less than 6 times. She never ordered, merely stated, “Could she please have a status check on this activity or that?” He quickly realized that where John would wander around; she was delegating. Little did Brother Kevin realize what a task master they had?

+++++

Agenda Setting

“Adjutant Miss Abigail, would you please have the Duty Officer to extend my compliments to Master Sam and inquire if he could meet with me at 15 before lunch and extend my compliments to Master Brian and inquire if he could meet with me at 30 before lunch. And, invite all Sixths and Master Brian to meet with me immediately after lunch.” “Yes, Miss Marie. I am studying you. You’re a model.” “Thank you dear, that’s a nice thing to say, but I’m just warming John’s seat.” “No, Miss Marie, I don’t think so.”

+++++

Put Brian In Motion

Brian arrived a few moments early. He knew Marie’s hot button about precise time. In the old days, before he saw her cry over an imaginary dead cat, he thought her just selfish of her own time. Now he could see her trying to control her imagination by strict limits. Brian was beginning to love his Classmates. Not sexually, although he had to admit she was hotter than he’d realized, but like the sister he never had.

“Yeah, Boss Lady Toots, what can I do to put us in Vermont?” “Don’t call me Toots! Would you please go and pull the ten stacks we made. (They had sorted the profile sheets into the four major piles and the six singles.) I want to get us some help with the map problem.” “As good as done, comrade temporary speaker toots.” “And don’t call me toots.”

+++++

Get Sam Planning

Sam arrived at the appointed time with Isabella grafted to his hip. For a guy who trying to emulate a homosexual, he’d made a remarkable change. But Marie saw how some conversation with Isabella would do that.

“Bon Jour, Miss Marie.” Isabella said. “Hi Boss, what can I do more to put us at Vermont’s door?” “Well now that you mention it. Here’s what I need from you. And showed him her ‘clouds’ picture.” Brian liked lists. She had drawn clouds connected with arrows. Each cloud was labeled: Exit Day / Church, Jeopardy, Connected, OPs. 6 Individual, 4 site, trek. “Kool! You drew the sequence and itemized.” “Yes, can you start bullet pointing the ones I don’t know and as my second activity after lunch, let’s work it together. Here’s what I have on Kabuki. After we do what I call the main line. If we can still see, we’ll do more.” “No, no, Miss Marie,” Isabella giggled “That you fee mism is mine, I told Sam when we get to Vermont, he will learn some French, and when he answers John’s question I’m going to **** *** ***** his eyes glaze over and if he could still see, I’d *** ** ** * *** ***** ** **** ****************** so he couldn’t see.” Marie started singing ‘Marie had a little lamb’ (Yeah her Mom never liked Mom’s real name Mary that why she was Marie!). “Very good, dear. I’m sure Sam is very motivated. But could you do me a favor, I’m busy here. The technical details distract me. And, John’s not available to distract me, so put a cork in sister, or I’ll put a cork ** **** **** *** **** ***! So far up, you’ll need a ******* *** and a ***** to get them out! Thank you Sam!” Interesting. He didn’t know that Marie had mining experience and had served with the Sixth Fleet. That expression was one they had in their ‘bawdy unit history book’. Marie would certainly ‘break legs’ when she needed to. He better get the outlines done before she switched from legs to curtain rods. Sam had plans for his. Big plans.

+++++

Six Minutes Free

Her morning done. She had six minutes until lunch. Clean sweep of her mental list. Her afternoon was free of all but one administrivia item. She was going to work Sam until his curtain rod shrunk. And she had to organize a drill. She allowed her self a minute to be worried about John. She ran over her remarks on the mental page. Then her wonderful mind presented her with a picture. Isabella without make up. Make up after two weeks in the Shelter. Isabella had make up in Church. Where did she hide it? When Marie cattily stripped Isabella of the makeup in that picture. She looked like a drab little Sixth. And, Isabella’s hair it wasn’t frumpy like all the other girls. Isabella had a brush in Church. And, now Marie smelled a rat. She was dominantly visual, but that doesn’t mean the other senses are dead. Just that a person relies mostly on their dominant one; use it the most, is most attuned to it, and prefers it. Marie had just smelled a very tiny hint of perfume. She looked at the clock, it was 1301 and thought ‘dear saint taq, i’m going to be late. help me be on time. marie’ (So summoned, Saint Taq reviewed the events of the day. He was mildly amused. Marie didn’t pray for John, her Classmates, or herself. She prayed to be on time. And, she had found one of the deeply hidden silver bullets. A foul mouthed broken bird who had … well you know. He petitioned the Lord to open Marie’s ears like the deaf man in the Bible.)

+++++

Lunch-less Lunch

Marie stood up in front of the restless lunch-less lunch crowd. “Dearest Classmates, if it suits you, I have some modest news, an observation, and will take your questions.” It suited. They were quiet and attentive as soon as she started moving to the front. “Thank you. Your Staff has elected me as the Temporary Speaker. The vote was 6 for 1 against. I was against it. So when Miss June creates the NOC wall in the Latrine, this decision should be duly noted. (laughter) I don’t think I am much of a leader in these things I know little about. Please help me if you see me making a mistake, overlooking something, or know a better way. After all, I’m just a girl; what can I know?” (There was general laughter and people figuratively feeling for their wallets. Anyone who under estimated Marie didn’t know her ‘break your leg’ for the ‘broken leg medal’ ethic. They were assured that stuff would be done.) “I see that though we all agreed that carrying our weapons was a good idea, some of us, even leadership, has been remiss. Perhaps a turn at toilet duty might spark memories.” (Compliance was 100% after that.) “I think were ready for the three questions.” Three individuals stood up. Kayla, Kaitlyn, and Morgan. All her fellow Eighths. First looked agitated, second was fidgety, and the third looked merely upset. Marie could see why John didn’t like this duty. “Thank you Classmates for being so economical. Since “Miss Kayla looks the most aggrieved, you probably want me to start with her.”

“Miss Marie, some of our fellow Eighths think that we will … we should … you know … with them before we go to fight because we will die without ever … you know. That’s not right. What should we do?” “I’ll pray on that and get back to you. OK, done. My uncle vin told me that ‘boys talk; men do’. Since the beginning of time boys have tried to convince girls to have sex with them. Unfortunately, boys don’t understand that women don’t have sex for fun. It’s fun. Or so I am told and I think I believe it. Women have sex to make babies, families, and homes. We are the well-spring of the future. We’ve been taught, and I believe that, in marriage, the love of a man and women is the closest thing we have next to God’s love. Love inside marriage is a reflection of His Love. Sex without love is what animals do. Even animals have more sense. Female birds try to destroy the male’s nest as a test of how good a provider they have … before they mate. And, what will these boys do if you don’t die but become pregnant. Would they marry you and support you and the child? Would you even want them? And, the final straw, would you have sex with someone who smelled like they do? I don’t ever want to follow some of us into the loo. Kill us? The bad guys will probably think were a family of skunks.” Laughter. “Seriously, judge them against some of the other men you see. You’ll find they are just boys trying to score cheap sex. Frankly I’m ashamed to be in the same Class with anyone who was so venial. I invite them to come and try that line on me. I’d like to get to know them. OK?” “Yes, Miss Marie, to summarize, no sex, take a bath, talk to Miss Marie.” “Good girl.”

“Miss Kaitlyn?” “Miss Marie, as we get closer to Exit Day, are we really going to have to kill people?” “Miss Kaitlyn, you have four younger sisters at home. Right?” “Yes, Miss Marie, my Dad wants a son, so every two years Mom winds up ‘with child’ and seems to have a girl.” “Probably the Lord’s plan to have enough women to do the work. No, seriously, and you love your sisters, even thought they can be annoying?” “Yes, Miss Marie.” “So if a Bravo Golf was to try and rape your sister, you’d kill to stop him; right?” “Yes, Miss Marie.” “If someone was going to kill any of your Classmates, what then?” “I’d do what needs doing.” “Yes, we women do. Did you know John’s paternal grandmother traveled the Oregon Trail, bore 13 children, and fought Indians and Outlaws? She’s in her 90’s now. I’ve read her letters. Women can kill when it’s needed. We may not be as physically strong as men, but who seems to get to change all the diapers? Don’t worry about the words and labels. Just do what’s right. OK?” “Yes Miss Marie. And thank you. War is cruel.” “Yes, when we get out of here. We’re going to have to fix that. You know we control something that can get it done. Not the ballot box, but the other box. (A giant sucking sound as pure Miss Marie used a rude idiom.) We can end war. See Isabella is transforming all of us.” (Laughter.)

“Miss Morgan?” “We all understand worst case. But as we get close to Exit Day, we’re all beginning to understand the implications of Exit Day. I don’t want to be too graphic, but what do you think?” Marie had criticized John for this very topic. How would she do? “That is an extremely hard question to answer. The man, I love, and have selected to head MY family, sire my children, has told me, in complete candor, what he thinks the worst case is. I just don’t know if he’s right? If he’s wrong, we have just wiled away the hours in an amusing game. If he’s right, we may be able to save everyone’s life. I don’t know? I know what I’d like to believe. I KNOW that Brother Kevin has evidence that John’s right. I KNOW I felt the ground shake. I KNOW I saw Bravo Golfs do terrible things. But, I know what I want to believe. Does that very bad and obtuse answer tell you what I think?” “Yes, Miss Marie, you were very clear and very open.”

+++++

Musing gets interesting

She retraced her drawing with the pen closed. Over the clouds connected with arrows. Over each cloud’s label: Exit Day / Church, Jeopardy, Connected, OPs. 6 Individual, 4 site, trek.

She thought about Kabuki. When the letter is written, we should offer succor to anyone that they needed brought home.

If when they were ’shopping at the depot, they’d have to really look hard at the possibilities. She needed to talk to John about what would be value. Obviously we wouldn’t bring Maple Syrup.

Maybe our soon to be friends in Vermont could tell us what they need?

“Adjutant?” “Ahh, Miss Abigail again; bucking for promotion” she teased. “Well, would you please have the Duty Officer to extend my compliments to Miss June, Master Sam, and Brother Kevin and inquire if they can join me in an hour?” “Yes, Miss Marie. Thank you, Miss Marie. You’re my hero.” “Isn’t it heroine?” “No, Miss Marie, in our new world run by women, there will be no sex discrimination. We control the box.” With no hint of self-consciousness or shame. “Dear, that’s not a nice way to say it. And, box is very crude. I’m sorry I used it but I was … incensed that war should happen. Maybe you could say ‘we control the future generations’?” “OK, but those balls will be blue before I let my man start another war.” Knowing she’d done all she could, Marie said, “When this is all over, we should talk my dear. We should really talk. Now away with you. Carefully mind you.”

+++++

Getting More Help

Adam , Anna, Brandon, David, Isabella, James, John6, Julia, Nathan, and Sarah showed up on time. They all knew Marie’s reputation punctuality. Brian brought the papers.

“Thanks, Classmates. I know everyone is trying their utmost to get us to Vermont. I have an important task that you can do. If you feel up to a challenge?”

There was complete enthusiasm.

“I would appreciate if you could help me get sketches of each of our targets as soon as humanly possible. I need you to work as a team. This project is critical to complete our recoveries as quickly as possible. Here’s how I envision it. The targets are: 125 Vermilyea, 549 Isham, 25 Indian, 100 Post Avenue, 62 Seaman Avenue, 211 w 211th Street, base #1 South, base #2 East, base #3 West, and base #4 North. Feel free to make such changes as you see fit. At the end of you work in at most three or four days, each page needs a sketch on the back of the individual page for that recovery. There are 77 pages. Six are individual. I’d think that the first six of you would take those on first. When done circle back and help your four Classmates laboring with the others 73. There’s an average of 18 in each base location. The six returnees should pick up with base #1. And finish up PDQ. Then seven chase base #2. Then eight chase base #3. And everyone jumps on base #10. See we have to be ready as soon as we can. Once the last base is recovered, we hit the road. Get us going please. I am available for questions at any time.”

“Master Brian, if you could be so kind to chase this for me and give this a good launch. Please choose some one to be the team’s represent your effort at the nightly staff meeting starting tonight. Please jott down the progress. It would say, “0/6 & 0/#1’s count & so on. With Master Brian’s help you should be able to at least report eleven tonight. More would be impressive. You get the idea. Please help us. Thanks.”

+++++

Squeezing out more rifles

She called Sam for the Lurp and backup names.

She created the following table of organization:

Lurp and Backup
Brother Kevin, Linda, Lisa, and Isabella
Andrew (8)- Daniel (7) - Joshua (8)- Dylan (7)
Kaitlyn (8)- Joseph (7) - Ava (8)- Destiny (7)

*** begin quote ***

The Exit Day incursion into the Church would use the rifles (R) as marked:

Lurp: Brother Kevin (shotgun), Linda (R), Lisa (R), and Isabella (A)
Sam (R) with Kayla (R) & Taylor (R)
Roy (R) with Michael (R) & Tyler (R)
Jody (A) & Brian (A)
OP: Sarah (A) & Zachary (A)

Office Firewall: Marie (R) leads Matthew (R) & Nicholas (R)
June has ’sheep herders’: Kaitlyn, Morgan, Sten, & Timothy

The Lifeboat fire team: John (Shotgun) leads Andrew, Ava, Daniel, Destiny, Dylan, Joseph, Joshua (with the seven rifles).

*** end quote ***

Marie was a master delegator. Running a playground for the Nuns required master’s sense of timing and diplomacy. For example, one common delegation in disputes was to assign teams to the combatant’s that required cooperation. It’s always easy to misdirect and motivate by delegating. The one key is that, while you COULD do it yourself faster and better, the key was that, in delegating, you were free to do other things IF you could let go. Like every ship’s captain, you only had to worry about if delegating would put the holes above or below the waterline.

Miss June, Centurion Sam and Brother Kevin arrived as requested. The purpose was to organize an exit church drill for tonight before dinner. She shares her vision of the Lifeboat fire team with rifles allocated just a little differently. Marie, a normally positive person, suddenly was concerned about holes below the waterline. If we met Bravo Golfs in our push into the Church, then we’d need to be able to ‘disperse’ out the back door. Sam would have to hold the opposite vestibule at all costs if things went badly. Using the phone in that stairwell, he’d have to call the Office and give the bad news. Maire would pop the door and the Life boat fire team would join Sam. Three to bolster his holding and four to push out the Church door. After that John, Miss June, and Marie would be ‘making it up as they went.’ Miss June would have to help ensure that everyone knew where they were to be, and what to say. Sam would have to quickly talk to all the fire teams. And, Brother Kevin would have to help make it all happen. Marie wanted them to have the rebel roll (a rolled blanket) with a krat, canteen, and an atlatl plus 15 darts. Just like they would have if they were evacuating. Everyone has to get in their mind what the day will look like, sound like, and feel like.

An adjutant said “Excuse me, Miss Marie.” “Yes, Master Kyle. Master TomT’s complements. Master John is waking up. Master TomT requests the pleasure of your company at your earliest convenience. Priority 2 Green.” “Thank you, Master Kyle, that’s the best message I have had in a while. Please tell him I’ll be there directly.”

Turing back to the group, “Miss June, Sam, Brother Kevin, I’m now going to excuse myself. Can you please make this happen? I want to go. Can you do without me?” Everyone said “go, go!”

She left on wings. She didn’t run. Running in the shelter was forbidden. Let’s just say, the adjutants couldn’t keep up. What would she find? The Shelter was a hundred miles on the diagonal.

+++++

What will Marie find

She approached the corner with reservations. She could imagine a host of problems; not the least of which he could have fried his brain. She needed him to take the load off her shoulders. She knew just how heavy it was.

He was standing outside supervising the demolition of the ‘apartment’. He looked good. But, was he good? The day was basically over so he’d get another good rest.

She approached with trepidation. “John, are you OK?” He turned at her call. “Sure, toots, why wouldn’t I be?” “You couldn’t stand up was one clue. What happened?” “I really don’t know. I think I was just tired, stressed, or exhausted. I feel fine. I think we have to lie down and sleep. Sitting up, sleeping at parade rest, is not restful. We’ll have to be careful to not sin, but I think I need to sleep.” “We can try it.”

Marie wanted to get business out of the way first. “The Staff made me Temporary You. Can I give it back? It stinks. Since I didn’t know how long you were KOed for, so I started working it like I can work. Hope that’s OK?” “Marie, whatever you did is fine. Why don’t you announce the recursion at Dinner or the Staff Meeting?” “Don’t get upset but I’ve been bossing everyone around. Upset? Why would I be upset? You do what you have to do.”

Dinner

The Classmates assembled for dinner. She made some introductory remarks. “Classmates, Speaker John has returned from his mental vacation, but will not resume his duties until tonight’s staff meeting. We will be at Exit Day shortly. Each day before dinner, we will have an exit day drill before dinner. This will become our pattern. We’ll drill the next upcoming activity. So, let’s show Speaker John that we didn’t waste our time. Let’s assemble for roll call.”

Now they were good little Catholic school students. As most prison inmates, they could line up or form up in any shape, manner, or order you could dream up. Explained one, they’d quickly and silently assume what ever position you wanted. There were some wags who said if the Nuns wanted the children to stand on their heads for prayers they could have without missing a beat.

The Classmates moved to a formation that split into 8 by 2 groups. By class. By sex. In a few minutes. Miss Marie continued. “Classmates, check left, check right, check back, check front, hands?” In normal times, attendance in a large formation was everyone’s job. This was the exact formation that was used in the morning at the schoolyard after first bell. Everyone had an assigned space. It was every individual job to know there neighbors. If one of the four was missing, you were supposed to raise your hand. Attendance literally took itself. Quickly and quietly. Just like the Nuns liked little children. “Brother Kevin, do we have everyone?” Falling back on his Marine Corps roots, “Other than the one still on patrol, all present and accounted for.” “Then, Classmates let’s move to our positions. The office door is the escape stairwell. Thanks you.” Everyone moved to their spots. Like good little robots. The Life boat fire team took their position in front of the door in a standard 2 by 2 cover formation. To each side of the door, the Class formed two lines. Ages interspersed. Sex interspersed. Marie’s firewall formed behind them. Lurp lined up at the stairwell door. With Sam and Roy’s fire team in line behind lurp. Jody and Brian inserted them selves after Sam and before Roy.

John was impressed. Marie and he walked quickly around and groked each group. John noted the rifles were deployed economically, with substitutes used where ever possible, to give the Lifeboat the biggest fire team. If this goes bad, they’d need as much as possible. Everyone had their rolls and a weapon. John stopped once or twice and talked with the Classmates. Usually with the little one who were anxious to impress.

Miss Marie said “OK, where are we going?” The Classmates in unison “Hero, 1 Ladd Road, Pownal, Vermont”. “And, how are we going” “207 street, Fordham road, boston post road, route 7 to pownal”. “Thank you, Classmates that was perfect. Dinner time!”

Everyone was in a good mood.

+++++

Joke

Brian was back trying his hand at comedy.

Q: “Knock, knock….Who’s There?…..Ashe……Ashe who?”
A: Bless you!

Q: “Knock, knock…..Who’s there?…..Nobel……Nobel who?”
A: “No bell, that’s why I knocked!”

Q: “Knock, knock…..Who’s there?…..Leaf……Leaf who?”
A: Leaf me alone!

Q: “Knock, knock….Who’s There?…..lettuce……lettuce who?”
A: Lettuce in and you’ll find out!

Q: Knock-knock…..Who’s there?…..Aaron……Aaron who?
A: Why Aaron you opening the door?

Song

Unbelievably, Miss Jody stepped to the front, and in a gravel voiced delivery, and a swaying manner, gave a good rendition.

San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair)
Artist: Scott McKenzie

If you’re going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you’re going to San Francisco
You’re gonna meet some gentle people there

For those who come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
In the streets of San Francisco
Gentle people with flowers in their hair

All across the nation such a strange vibration
People in motion
There’s a whole generation with a new explanation
People in motion people in motion

For those who come to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there

If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there

Poem

Miss June stepped to the front. She was obviously praying. “I’m Miss June, but then you knew that. What you didn’t know is that I have trouble memorizing material that I read or hear. No one understood; no one understands. So, to succeed, I compensated. When I have to memorize something, I try to get someone to read it while I write it. Like I was blind. In a notebook if appropriate, on an invisible chalkboard if not. I found this crutch, when I found books on tape in the library. Because I asked the Librarian nicely, she let me use the room for the blind patrons. It had a chalkboard. So I could hear the text and write it on the chalkboard. I was astonished to find that I could remember it if I rewrote it on my board. The interesting part was that all I had to do is think about rewriting it, and I could remember it. No one ever listened when I tried to explain. As my Classmates, if you have a problem, tell me. I know what it means to be ignored. Here’s the thing that I learned on that first day in the library.” She began to write on an invisible chalkboard.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers
Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers-
That perches in the soul-
And sings the tune without the words-
And never stops-at all-

And sweetest-in the Gale-is heard-
And sore must be the storm-
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm-

I’ve heard it in the chillest land-
And on the strangest Sea-
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb-of Me.

She brought the house down.

+++++

Staff Meeting

Master John opened with “I’m sorry I was unavailable today. But I understand I was ably replaced. I see some new faces. So Miss Marie was obviously busy. Let’s see where we are.”

Centurion Sam reported that he’d have ‘Connected” bullet pointed in the AM.

CoS Brother Kevin reported that Marie was a slave driver, but that everyone was busy, and anxiously optimistic.

G1 Personal Marie reported that she was glad to be returned to her nominal role of Personnel. She had thought of two items on Kabuki: (1) we should offer to pick up anyone on their route; and (2) ask them if there was anything they could bring. When they hit the depot, they would take all the bills of lading for further study here in the Shelter. We’d also use the time to go into the transit yard next door and find the bus and stage them all when the Driving Teams arrived. She summarized the sex question and advised all hands to put a stop to that nonsense.

G2 Intelligence Brian reported that Adam would report for the ‘mapping team’. Adam reported that they had all six individual sites mapped and sketched, and had 15/71 of the others done. ETA sometime tomorrow. John was surprised and Marie applauded them. Adam “Thanks to the Staff for the opportunity to help in some meaningful way.” Brian reported the quality was excellent.

G3 Training Roy reported that all Sevenths and Eights were now ‘riflemen’ that meant they could reload.

G4 Logistics Jody reported that they had 6 tanks of water with no way to take it with them, krats galore, and about 20 darts for every Classmate. She was keeping a running tally as Miss Marie wanted.

G5 Morale June reported the Mural was done, ceremony ready, and everyone was chomping at the bit. Everyone could code at 10 cps. John asked her to have all First and Seconds stop practicing immediately. We needed some obvious beginners to be plausible.

John said “Thank you my friends. I see I can goof off more often.”

+++++

Time with Marie

Marie and John walked back to the Queens Corner. She was quiet; he talked about what a great job she’d done. “No, John all I did was run out your plan. May I critique you? With love?” “Sure, you need to lead; not run around the shelter. You need to help Brian with the six inches, the seam, and every other room. Delegate everything else other than the things that you can do best that no one else can. Use your staff.” “I’ll take it under advisement. Now what was Miss Isabella saying you should do? Something about six ways? No one would tell me. They kept saying I had to ask you.” Marie was blushing and John was chuckling. As the darkness fell, Marie did the skirt flap. Getting some extra help for her virginity. She arranged the blankets and lay down. She patted the blanket next to her. John lay down. She snuggled up and whispered in his ear “A good girl wouldn’t say such things to a man. But you are my betrothed. After we find the priest, I’m taking Isabella’s advice and *********************** six ways ************!” John was shocked. Marie laughed “Now sleep on that. And keep your curtain rod to yourself!”

John thought he was going to have a hard time going to sleep because it did feel like a curtain rod. But John was unaware of the instant on instant off nature of curtain rods. After a few minutes of no holster, or no apparent appearance of one any time soon, Wee Willie Winkie shrunk back to thumb size. Ready for another day. As John dozed, he wondered: were there six ways. What were they, and how did his virginal queen know them. After the priest in Vermont, if Marie could demonstrate such understanding, he have to ask her who he should thank.

She was pleased to have him back. Maybe she should try groking the shelter. Tomorrow was another day.

+++++

The Eighth Women Gather The Women and Girls

After that most upsetting question, Miss June gathered the Shelter Sweeties minus Marie. In executive session, they decided that they’d carve out a dormitory for the females. As it got time for bed, the female population excused themselves for a ’shelter sweetie’ meeting.

Like a herd of wild female animals, they bedded down near the Queen’s Corner in sort of class order with the Eighths on the outside row. Only Isabella needed instruction as to what was happening and why. Sleeping with women was as attractive as sleeping near Sam. And she more than others, like Jody, knew what could happen. The Eighths slept head to toe. Every Eighth having a rifle certainly made a distinct impression. Cow elephants guarding their collective calves of all ages might come to mind. While not physically genetic mothers, ‘aunts’ tend to be just as aggressive in defending children.

Several strange ideas and plans evaporated from certain groups of males as the opportunity for easy sex disappeared from the possibility spectrum. What you can’t acquire by guile, you might think you can acquire by force. Who would think they could have such ideas? With their ’sisters’? Luckily they didn’t think to turn on the younger boys. That was too homosexual even for their raging hormones. They needed some exercise and some other life or death action to clean their brains of these chemicals.

But estrogen in and around raging testosterone, which has no acceptable channel, nor way to release, can cause young boys fantasies of rape, bondage, and sexual fulfillment. Facing death, the male, as a survival mechanism, will seek to leave an heir. Armies have left these traces in the wake of every battle.

There were no incidents in these pre-fight days.

# # # # #

It happened in Church - October 19, 1962
Chapter Forty Five - John takes a holiday

Saturday 03 Nov (begins)

Brother Kevin was up early. John worried him. It was like he had PTSD Cubed! First the measurement mission. The Fire Team unlocked the door; this was now morning routine. He went up a few stairs. Hesitated. And, went up a few more stairs. About .3 whatevers. So, Brother Kevin went down, signaled the door to be locked, and tugged on it as a test. No exit today. Unless it was an emergency. He felt it was safe now.

+++++

John awoke with new vigor. The only problem was it was later than usual. Marie was awake, but nestled as tight as could be, barely breathing lest she wake him. “You can breathe now.” he told her. She smiled bravely. He knew he had real problems now. His tigress was regressed to a scared little girl, as the weight now bore down on her as well. With just days to go, they could not take a vacation from reality. Where would the find the inner strength to go on? He prayed silently: ‘dear saint taq, come around, we’ve lost our bravado, and courage must be found. Lord, if it be thy will, let this challenge pass away. If we must go thru the valley, give us the emotional stability to do it. I ask this in His name, a scared boy, and wise beyond his years.’ (So summoned, Saint Taq examined their efforts to date. While prodigious, they still had more to do. He prayed the Lord to give John more Graces. Maybe then, he’d learn to accomplish more by doing less. And, he needs to knock off Sven-ing. It gave too much of himself away.)

He said “we have to help with breakfast”. He rose to join her as they got up. But a wave of weakness flooded over his left side. He staggered like he’d taken a punch to the head. He couldn’t hold himself up without her help

She thought ’stroke’? She motioned to the two adjutants who sat a respectful distance away. Alert for a call; not daydreaming too much. “Miss Abigail, summon the staff to me, red one, and you may run!”

Every adjutant’s wish; to run a message. They were not allowed to do more than a fast walk with out a direct order. This was first ever so given. And it was her honor. She was Mercury. She bolted into the Office. Timothy ‘had the desk’; ‘no running’ he growled. With pride, she said “I was told to run. Red One. All staff to the Queen’s corner.” Timothy snarled the team into action “Eyes, where’s BK?” “SW Stairwell” Timothy picked up the phone. “Benedict here. <authenticating himself> Timothy here, I have a running red 1 for bk, queen’s corner, 5 minutes ago.” Brother Kevin’s adjutant relayed the message more politically correct and ‘BK’ was off in a heart beat. And, not to ‘burger king’!

+++++

Brother Kevin, as Chief, suggested that they get him lying down. Roy and Sam hefted him into a bunk. Marie fussed over him. June suggested that they would probably be best if they keep him in a dark and quiet state and let the Lord fix him. Brian directed the rearrangement of some bunk racks and a ’scaffold’ from the mural team, to quickly form an apartment. Roy reloed a toilet near. And, Jody supplied some canteens of water.

Isabella, now Sam’s constant companion, convinced Marie to leave John’s side. “He needs to be still. You excite him. My God, how you excite him, that’s why I thought you had tested the plumbing. Is that the better way to say you ‘****** *** ****** *** *** ***** all six ways *** *** ***** ******* **** *******’?” With all the innocence of a First asking to go to the loo. The entire staff heard her. The boys looked like all the girls were naked; the girls felt like they were.

Marie literally dragged Isabella to the other side of the Shelter. Isabella just continued on not missing a beat: “I can tell not. I can not tell. You’re red. Was the first bad or just the second? It’s very confusing.” Marie’s major button had responded to that sentence, like a Senior citizen at the free buffet. In her life, she’d only really had it close to it being pushed for real once yesterday. And, there were his pants, her heavy skirt, a slip, and undies protecting her virtue. Her virgin status. So it was more just pressure than a push. Today, it seemed like it was an auto operate button. With a butcher’s thumb on it. She thought she was sitting on a hot curtain rod. It took her breath away. When she was able to speak, and mentally got all the buttons un-pushed, she said “Yes, dearest Isabella, ‘testing the plumbing’ was good euphemism for the second.” “You Americans are so … funny about sex. You just had an ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ****** ***** and refuse to acknowledge the pleasure. It’s OK. Do you want another? I can wait. Do you know how? All you do is ***** ***** ***** ***** once or twice and ***** ***** ***** *****. It really is perfectly natural.” Marie was a visual, not an auditory. She now understood what John was saying about how she made everything pictures. And, Isabella was walking thru a ‘Guide to Sex’. And somewhere into a technical discussion of lengths and thicknesses that might work best for her, Marie surfaced from all the over stimulation. She gasped “Isabella, STOP talking! You need to talk to June some more. June, JUNE! Rescue me.”

Isabella was totally confused. She thought talking about sex among girls was ok? June arrive hurrying thinking what else can go wrong. Marie was flushed, red, and in a state June had never seen. Marie blurted: “Know how you felt about nose job? Isabella just said …” pulling June close, Marie whispered what Isabella had said. June’s eyes were like saucers. Isabella thought ‘now I got it; you have to whisper’. June said “But why are you so flushed.” Marie pulled her in again and whispered. Now June’s eyes were like two saucers and, like Sam’s reaction when he thought about John’s third grade kick, June squeezed her legs together. Guess buttons can auto communicate that auto pushing stuff. June took Isabella by the arm, which Isabella found mildly pleasuring; June did have cute perky breasts. June said “Come Isabella, we need to chat, you don’t quite have the concept yet.” But, Marie was wondering what the six ways there were.

This episode distracted her completely from John. The boys had handled it. He was ‘bricked in’ his hermitage with TomT, and three adjutants outside. She was going to push her way in, when Brother Kevin stopped her, “Marie watch!” He tapped on the frame; TomT stuck is hand out and coded ’sleeping’. “Marie, Meeting, Now, One Red!” and gently but firmly marched her by the elbow to the Office. Entering he growled “Clear the room. NOW!” Folks could not find a door fast enough. Some went to Decon2; some went to the shelter. Brother Kevin didn’t care if they went up the chimney like Santa. “Marie, beautiful caring compassionate Marie, let John rest. I have no idea what’s wrong. But I do know you fussing over him, won’t help. Case you haven’t noticed, the man adores you and reacts to your every move. If you’re there, he won’t rest. Give him time and space. Pray. But you have work to do. This will rock the socks off everyone in the shelter. John was their icon of safety and rescue. You have to step up. Remember how you got the children to pray quietly. You need to do that again. You have to lead!”

Marie was near tears. “I can’t; I’m no leader.” If you can’t, we die. And all this effort has been for naught.” Brother Kevin hadn’t taken any promise of truth as Marie sees it. “Marie, can you see all the graves of these children?” Marie was in tears. Not polite girly tears, but ‘your Mom died’ kind. He let her work it out. Then, she spoke, “That’s not fair. You know how to manipulate me.” “But, you know it’s true.”

+++++

Breakfast was a gossip monger’s dream. Marie went from table to table; calming the mob back into Classmates. She could see that Brother Kevin was right. They needed ‘Mom’ to step in for ‘Dad’ who was just away on a trip. She took the floor, without consulting her peers, to put the rumors to rest.

“Classmates, your attention for a moment.” Marie was an icon demanding everyone’s respect. And, she got silence fastest of anyone. “We have, as you all know, another challenge. We don’t know what is wrong if anything, with John. Some of the possible causes are stroke, stress, or overwork. I’m praying for him. I ask you to do the same. Your staff will be meeting in a few minutes to deal with it. I urge you to stay calm and let’s do what you expect us to take us to Vermont. We are a family, a team, and Classmates. No one of us is irreplaceable. Please do your chores and tasks as expected. Use this as an opportunity to grow and adapt. For example, in a few minutes, there is a Lurp practice. Brother Kevin and Sam will be detained, but that shouldn’t prevent you from doing your work. The primary Lurp minus Brother Kevin, the first replacements, and the second Brother Kevin replacement should practice. They can do it. They should do it. They must do it! You all have to think that way. John wouldn’t want you to do any less. We will have more information for you at lunch. Let’s get to work!”

She took a deep breath and was trying to see what to do next. She needed a list. An adjutant approached and said “Excuse me, Miss Marie.” “Yes, Miss Victoria.” “Master TomT said for me to tell you that Master John is still sleeping and he will alert you to any change immediately.” “Thank you, and please tell Master TomT. ‘thank you’ as well.” She was free to do her work. More than that she knew she couldn’t be a John’s side.

+++++

The Staff gathered in the Dining Area as John promised they would. Everyone could see the Queen’s Corner. Brother Kevin started “As CofS, I’ll chair the meeting. Does any one have any idea what is wrong with John?”

After a short silence, Roy spoke up. “I’m no doctor. But I think it’s a temporary burn out. It’s more than just a swag. I have three thoughts. First, he drying out or dried out. Other than Brother Kevin, we have no experience with what happens when you dry out. And, he’s young. Do young drunks dry out differently? Maybe this is just the last gasp clean out. Second, what’s a biograph? When he screwed up my name, it was an interesting experience. He really had no idea. It was like he had split personalities, but he told us he wasn’t schizophrenic. So, if he really has two or more parallel abilities that terminate in the same physical network maybe all the use created a feedback loop. If you put two power sources in the same phone network, they will attempt to drive power thru the other source. Sometimes there are fires. Third, he’s been under lots of stress. Brother Kevin burnt out in under a week. He’s been at it a week longer with more things going on and he did a big Sven that seemed to drain him. Maybe he just needs recharge time? So my theory is to let him rest. If one of my swags is right, he’ll be back in action sooner or later. If not sorry Marie, we have to go on.” Marie looked green.

Brother Kevin spoke up “In the absence of something we CAN do, I’d suggest that we adopt a ‘wait and see’ strategy. Now we need a Temporary Speaker to steer Noah’s Ark while the Captain is indisposed. Because of her icon status with the Classmates, she will calm them. Also, she doesn’t have a project at the moment. All in favor?” Lot of yeas. “Opposed?” Marie squeaked “no!” “Sorry Marie, you’ve been NOCed. The chair is yours; if I had a gavel, I’d hand it to you.”

“OK, having poisoned the King, I can now occupy the seat of power. Ewwh, here’s poo on the seat.” Everyone politely laughed. Jody stage whisper, “Guess she caught him inventorying Classmates.” June, having spent some time with Isabella, said “Well, I think she took Miss Isabella’s advice and, how do you say, ‘****** *** ****** *** *** ***** all six ways *** *** ***** ******* **** *******’. Oui, oui, that might cause Speaker John’s symptoms.” Everyone’s eyes dilated to saucers. Marie was horrified and said “I never …” to which June giggled loudly “We know that!” And, the group laughed. Marie remembered ‘when they are laughing they are not afraid.’ So it was sort of OK. “June, funny but crude. I was hoping you’d help her; not she’d turn you into her. We have a lot of little ones around. So, you are now in charge of answering all sex questions. Boys if you want to know ANYTHING, no matter how intimate or personal, Miss June’s the answer lady. Now on to serious matters. As Acting Speaker, I’d like us to go out and mix for an hour and calm people. See that stuff’s getting done. And, meet back here. OK, let’s go.”

+++++

Alone, Marie pondered her fate.

As a visual, she needed a picture.

She drew clouds connected with arrows. Each cloud was labeled: Exit Day / Church, Jeopardy, Connected, OPs, 6 Individual, 4 site, trek.

Exit / Church
” The Lifeboat fire team assembles at SW stairwell
” June gathers all in the Stock Room
” Marie sets the firewall defense at the Office
” Brother Kevin: fire team out to the vestibule.
” Sam bumps BK into Church
” Roy bumps Sam to other side door
” Jody is OP; Brian G2’s the vestibule and the Church looking for evidence.
” Bag Bodies
” Stand down the life boat
” Staff meets in Church

Jeopardy
” To the garage for transport.
” DT#1, Marie, Roy, and James go to the depot.
” Lurp goes to Pawn.
” TomT & team recover the garage.
” John, Jody, TomT & Team, and DT#2 go to pawn. Get guns and anything useful.
” Lurp moves to Radio Shack.
” TomT & team recover the Pawn Shop.
” Move to depot.
” Pick’em up and run for home.

Then she had a line: Kabuki Plan, Scripts, Encryption, Training, Jeopardy’s CBs, races, twelvetoone, one to Marie, Marie to John, Marie FFT to twelve, letter, declare.

Kabuki Plan

” Write the Legend we’re trying to sell
” Script the mob race, twelve to one, one to Marie, Marie to John, Marie FFT, the letter, and the declare.
” Develop an encryption consistent with the legend
” Train every one
” Mob race, twelve to one, one to Marie, Marie to John
” Marie FFT
” John’s letter
” Declare the route

The two lines had one arrow from Jeopardy to Jeopardy CBs and another from declare to trek.

If she was going to have to: Fly this bird, Sail the ark, or Walk the walk, she’d have to do it her way.

+++++

“Thank you for reassembling. I’ve spent the time doing the skirt tuck on my brain. Here goes. I’m a visual as you know. So I made a picture. I need you to do the same or work with me to do it. No more all in your head. No more just conversation. I can’t deal with that.

Centurion Sam, where are the written plans for each of our future activities — Exit Day / Church, Jeopardy, Connected, OPs, 6 Individual, 4 site, trek? I want you to sit here and write a sketch for each one. Isabella will help motivate you. Isabella each time Sam completes a page; you can give him a French lesson. Remember, Sam, John’s phrase is all that stands between you and what every boy wants.

CoS Brother Kevin. I assume that Guy Fawkes in on schedule. I intend to get to Vermont in the minimum time. For a doc or a priest, what ever John needs. You have to be the top kick and kick this ark into gear!

G2 Brian, Kabuki is a wild card. I see it as: Kabuki Plan, Scripts, Encryption, training, Jeopardy’s CBs, races, twelvetoone, one to Marie, Marie to John, Marie FFT to twelve, letter, declare. Where is the written plan with dates and scripts? We need that asap so we can tune kabuki.

G3 Roy, where is the written plan for everything we must learn? How do I know the drivers will be ready? The atlatl infantry?

G4 Jody, please be a dear and put all the key measures on a paper. And did I thank you for signing my name; I’m shamed by your thoughtfulness.

G5 June, how will we do the code races? And, when Brian is leering over you, ask him what those six inches are? And the groking, that hasn’t produced anything for days. You may need to help him.

So, you know, I’m going to calm the troops. Using all my power, I’m going to convince them that ‘nothing is wrong. All is calm. All is bright.’ You all are going to make me not a liar.

Let’s go. Maximum effort.

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Received your email seeking “intelligent life” at the other end of the keyboard. Pretty hard to find this in today’s society. I’ve become a cynic but I see remedial math and English courses for college freshmen, liberal thinking that says abortion and euthanasia is ok, 25% of high school female students having STDs, students in high school and college who believe they are entitled to a grade of A or B for just showing up, and other signs of entitlement and liberalism. You got me started!

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I’m only a 68BEEE, (paid extra for that Electronics E), and agree with your assessment. I believe that a Secular Progressive fascist / socialist movement captured our education system. Horace Mann led the adoption of the Prussian education system in Massachusetts in the 1850s. It spread like wildfire. Mann is often considered “the father of American public education”. Unfortunately for us, and know to many of the then elite, the Prussian education system, which is virtually unchanged from its roots, was designed to make cannon fodder and factory workers that could be easily led by the elite. What you are reporting is the result of that remarkable German Engineering. And it ain’t a BMW. IMHO the American Catholic Church, and others rolled over and played dead. They let their children be kdnapped by a runaway State. Look to the European history of the great tension between Church and King. When the King oppressed, the people used the Church to balance. Liberalism once meant moving from an autocrat to a laize faire human rights society. When the elite looked at post-revolutionary America free, energetic, and uncontrolable, they “knew better”. Since then it has been a parade down to perdition. Government is a parasite on humanity. I can’t find one redeeming aspect of it. Now we are supposed to worship the godless State who provides all things. I thought the Communists lost the Cold War? Unfortunately the chickens will come home to roost, with dire consequences, for all of us. Maybe we won’t see the ‘fun’. I hope I won’t. History teaches us that those periods are very bad experiences.

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