The Gentile Witness, Enoch Book 1: Enoch (32 page)

Chapter 125

12:35 PM EST Day four of 1260 Camp David, Maryland - President Richard Stevenson’s Office

President Stevenson was finalizing some signing of paperwork when the door opened slightly, “Mr. President?”

“Yes,” he said to the secret service agent. “We are going to have to leave early sir to Kansas City. According to our advance team, the city is bursting and they want to make sure we have enough time to get you and your family there and get you settled in the hotel.”

“Why the change agent?”

“They are seating you at around 6:15 instead of 7:15. It seems that they need everyone seated by that time in order to keep control of the situation. In addition, there is an hour pre-show and no one other than Jack is, allowed behind stage after everyone is settled. Therefore, we really need to go sir. The Executive Helicopter is already on the lawn and Air force I is already loaded with your wife, Jamal, and the Press Corp at Andrews Air Force Base.”

“Alright, I will be right there. I signed the last two papers on my desk, grabbed my portfolio, and walked out the door.

Well that is unusual, I thought to myself. Usually everyone waits for me, now I have to wait for Jack.

Chapter 126

11:45 AM Day four of 1260 Kansas City, Missouri - City Center, Jack South’s Suite

After I heard the knock, I cracked the door and the security guard said, “Mr. South, Mr. Marks, uh I mean, Reverend Marks is here to see you.”

I opened the door and said, “Come in Thomas. Glad you made it.” I closed the door and Thomas stood there and I said, “Come over by the couch.” Then he saw it.

“What’s that Jack?” he said as he moved towards the bed.

“Stop Thomas,” I said rather sternly. He stopped. I guess my voice was, raised and he heard the panic. “Don’t touch it.”

He turned to me with a bewildered look on his face and said, “Is there something the matter?”

“No Thomas,” I said as I guided him to the couch. “Sit down, I will explain.”

I got up and went over to the bed, picked up the note from Gabriel I had left there, came back, sat down, then said, “Here, read this. It will explain it all.” He read the note, looked over at the bed, and then read it again. Glancing back to the bed, then to me he asked, “Is this the staff of Moses?”

“Yes,” I said. “It is the staff of Moses.” I then told him what had happened before when I held it. 

Thomas just sat there and stared at the staff. He finally said to me, “It’s powerful, isn’t it?”

“Yes it is Thomas, very powerful. It is more powerful than you could ever imagine. Look Thomas,” I said, “let’s order, something to eat from room service and then we’ll talk.”

“Was the staff why you wanted to talk to me Jack?”

“No it is something else. What would you like, a hamburger or something, coke?”

“Anything is fine.”

I picked up the phone and dialed 211 for room service. As they answered, I ordered burgers, fries, cokes, and a side crab salad.

Chapter 127

12:00 PM CST Day four of 1260 Kansas City, Missouri - Liberty Memorial, Anchor Desk

I went through the check point using the back door for the first time and followed the path between the barriers and was checked twice more before I reached the stage area. I walked up to the sound booth where they were testing the sound system. From the stage, it sounded like a giant echo. We would have to put an earpiece in Jack’s ear or he would get too much feedback, I thought.

As I neared the anchor desk, I saw Don coming up to greet me.

“Hi John,” as he was beaming with pride, “we made some improvements over last night and put a clear screen behind you. That way we can superimpose the Memorial on it. Like it?”

“Looks great Don, and as always you pay attention to detail.”

“Yes well that’s what you get when you get a MacKee. We have a family tradition of always doing our best.”

I smiled at him and said, “I just wanted to come over and see the layout before I have to do the news, then Jack’s Sermon.”

“No problem John. I will show you around. We already have the spots marked out for close ups of the President and others.” He walked across the stage and said, “Here the President and his wife will sit. There is a Bishop from Northern Africa here, with the uh, oh yeah Cardinal Richital, from the Vatican. They will also be in the front row, and the list goes on.” He pointed to the camera stands at all corners of the stage and the platform ones above them.

I walked to the edge of the stage and I could see looking down towards Union Station, the incredible sight of a sea of people standing and milling around. There were thousands upon thousands, just waiting. They still had seven and a half hours to go to see and hear Jack. I hoped they would all be okay.

I turned back around and saw Don looking at me, as he said, “Quite amazing, isn’t it John? Just like the film, you see on the pilgrimages to Mecca in the Middle East. It looks almost the same.”

“Yes it does Don, it most definitely does.”

Chapter 128

12:20 PM CST Day four of 1260 Kansas City, Missouri - City Center, Jack South’s Suite

I tried to continue to get Thomas to calm down. While we were waiting for room service, I picked up the staff and brought it over to him, close enough for him to see it. I turned it over slowly and showed him the ball at the end of the staff and the markings, tracing them with my fingers. He had asked me to turn it one way, then the next. He finally said I could put it down.

I went and placed it back on the bed then sat down with the binder of papers I had received from God. He was looking at me strangely and said, “You are going to look strange with a polo shirt, khakis, and that staff Jack.”

I thought about that for a minute, and said, “Well, I could wear the bath robe they give you here, would that work?” At least I was getting some humor back, I thought.

Thomas laughed and said, “No, that will not do Jack. Maybe I could come up with something for you.”

“Thomas, I am not going out there in robes like the movie pictures of old prophets. It is just not me.”

“How about a choir robe? Alternatively, a vestment, like some churches, including mine. I will have one on.”

“Maybe that would work.” Then I thought, hey why not, play-the part? He is right. I would look strange with the polo shirt, khakis, and staff. I said, “We can discuss that later Thomas. Right now, I need you to pay attention. Now, you went to theology school right?”

“Yes I did and got good grades too.”

“Okay. Now when you go to theology school you learn about things like what different meanings a scripture can have, right?”

“Yes that is true. We learned a great deal about scripture that we discussed that were either vague or misunderstood.”

“Okay, here is the question I want you to answer, tell me the story of Adam, Eve, the serpent, and Cain and Able. Not the one I read in the Bible, but the other ones. I need to hear what others think, other than just me and this paper here.”

“Well God created man, then woman and they were in the garden and they could do as they wanted and wanted for not. However, they could not eat of the tree of life. Eve did anyhow, because of the serpent.”

“Stop, Thomas. That is not the story I want from you. I want the real one.”

He hesitated, seeming stressed, then said, “Jack we were told that the other story was conjecture. Granted we were always able to make it work and it made sense, but we were, told to tell the story I just related to you. People would not believe the other one and the children would not be getting a sterilized story.”

“Tell it to me Thomas. What did they teach you?”

After he was through, I looked up at him and said, “This is the same story I am holding in this folder. You just told me almost the exact same one.”

“Are you going to tell that story tonight Jack?”

No, God has another agenda for tonight, but eventually yes, I will. For in these pages I have, is God’s command to me, to set the record straight. I need you to write out the scriptures for me that make this story real, instead of the sterilized form it has taken on for thousands of years. I don’t need it for today, but I need it very soon.”

“So what is your sermon tonight?”

I hesitated and wondered. Then I said, “I am not sure Thomas, I am not yet sure. I am still trying to decipher God’s instructions. But believe me, it will be effective and I will get the message across.”

“I will take your word for it Jack. In the meantime I’ll try and round up something you will feel comfortable wearing and that will work with the staff.” As he stood up he said, “Jack you are a man of God. I have no doubt. However if you’re going to use any of the things we talked about in your sermons, either now or in the future, you are really going to upset a lot of people.”

“I think a lot of them already are, Thomas.”

Chapter 129

4:55 PM CST Day four of 1260 Kansas City, Missouri - City Center, President Richard Stevenson’s Suite

Air Force I had landed at 4:20 p.m. in Kansas City. The Presidential party had been, put into two army Blackhawks, which made the fifteen-minute trip into the city. They arrived at the heliport atop City Center Plaza at around 5:15 p.m. with one copter landing and discharging its passengers, then the other. They escorted the President and the First Lady to the Presidential Suite. The Secret Service and the President then had a quick meeting about the seating arrangements and entry to Liberty Memorial Park.

The Service had said that the President would be one of the last seated, but that the early seating was due to the program starting early at 6:30. There was a preshow of choirs and other local talent, so they needed to, immediately get to the staging area. He would be sitting by the Prime Minister of England, on his right, and his wife on his left. All other heads of state were, also seated in the first four rows of seating. Other dignitaries except, Aafre Waldger and the two priests would be in the other rows along with some other clergy and corporate leaders.

The President asked where Aafre was, seated and was, told right behind him. The agent then said that they needed to be at the access door at 6:15 at the latest, which was about 45 minutes from now. The agent took leave of the President, to let him and the First Lady, get ready.

Stevenson moved towards one of the bathrooms, and then as he was walking across the living area, he asked his wife, “Thelma, do you think I should go casual, which is my normal style, or put on a coat and tie?”

“I would go casual,” she said. “It is warm out and a tie would be somewhat overbearing in this weather. We will be outside for over two hours. I am wearing a light chiffon blouse, slacks, and some sandals. I would assume most would dress the same way. Besides, most people are very used to seeing you casual rather than stuffy,” as she laughed.

I then heard the telephone in the suite ring and then the Secret Service Agent say, “Please wait,” that meant the call was for me.

“Mr. President, sir, I have a gentleman on the phone, a Mr. Aafre who would like to speak with you.”

“Thanks Agent Simpson,” I said as I took the phone. He stepped away into another room and I sat on the couch and said, “Hello Aafre. How are you today?”

“Fine Mr. President, I was hoping we could have a few moments together before the Rally, but I guess we need to be seated by 6:30. I just wanted to say that I am pleased you are here. We will talk later, maybe after the fireworks display with Mr. South?”

“That will be fine, and I look forward to speaking with you.”

“Great, Richard. I will see you soon on the stage.” The phone disconnected.

As I was replacing the receiver, I thought today I was only going to be a bit player or window dressing. I wondered what Aafre meant about fireworks. No one said anything to him about fireworks. Maybe he should alert the Secret Service about what he said. Aafre was not one to be to comical when it came to things like this. No, I thought, and then I would have to argue with them all over again about attending. That will not do.

I was thinking that Jack had people that are more famous and world leaders coming tonight to hear the Rally or Sermon, as he calls it, than a State Funeral. I was also somewhat afraid, for even though he was a part of The Waldger Group, he felt that this man’s power far superseded anything Aafre and his Master could muster. I only hoped that in the end, I was on the right side.

Chapter 130

5:25 PM CST Day four of 1260 Kansas City, Missouri - Liberty Memorial, Anchor Desk

John had to make sure that the evening news was over by 6:00 p.m. and his co-anchors for the pre-show were at the anchor desk. He would do today as he had done most of the time and keep the news to about 21 minutes of reporting and nine minutes of commercials. At 6:00 p.m. CST, they would be live for the pre-show then Jack South’s message at 7:30. There was more than enough to report on. Our people had also been filming all day in Kansas City. This, in itself was a great story and he would be filling in details on celebrities and world leaders while the dignitaries were, being seated. He had a list of those attending the rally and it read like the who’s who of the world. Amazing they are all here together for this. His thoughts were, interrupted, by the camera operator. He asked, “John, you ready? We are down to thirty.”

I turned, faced the camera, and said, “Let’s do it.”

I then heard, “five, four, three, two, and one.”

The announcer started, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Bear News Live tonight with John Roddenburg, from Liberty Memorial Park in Kansas City, Missouri. Tonight is our three and a half hour special on the state of the world and the greatly anticipated sermon of Jack South, the self proclaimed Witness of God. Now, here is tonight’s host, John Roddenburg.”

“Good evening America and the world. Tonight, as you all know, we are again providing live coverage on Jack South’s message starting at 6:00 p.m. CST, right after our evening newscast. However, let us get to the news updates on the world and here at home for this Thursday. First, let us go to Brian Wilcox who is standing by in Rosemead, California. Brian?”

“Thank you John. It is about 3:30 here in Rosemead, California, which is south of Pasadena. You can see behind me that, like Pasadena, this area also looks like a war zone. I am standing on San Gabriel Boulevard where just a few hours ago there was a shoot out between looters and the National Guard. Two guard members were, wounded and three looters were, killed. Two others looters were, caught and are in custody. They are being, held in a makeshift military stockade near the Pasadena command center. You will also see behind me, like yesterday, the troop carriers that are being, loaded with refugees or people with nowhere to go. Here in Rosemead, like reported in Pasadena yesterday, they are being, transported to a makeshift FEMA camp at Twenty-nine Palms. Our understanding from military authorities, as of about an hour ago, is over three-hundred thousand people are there and it has pretty well reached capacity.”

“Have they said where they will start sending people to next?”

“No John. The military has not made any comment. Rumors are that if they can get clearance, they may go up to Bakersfield and use one or more of the migrant field worker camps there. However, that may be an issue for the I-5, known as the Grapevine, has sustained a lot of damage.”

“Any other reports of looters, robbing, or other crimes, Brian?”

“Yes. Last night, according to military commanders, there were several robberies, muggings, and break-ins of partially held buildings, where the owners were trying to protect their property. The reality of it all is this is like a third world country during a civil war. It is hard to keep some semblance of order. The Commander down in this sector said, people, need to get out of the area, for it is not safe. The gangs are going for as much as they can get. In addition, John, I overhead one guard member say to his friend, shoot and ask questions later. I don’t know if that was an order they had received or it was just them talking.”

“Do you still feel like you are being censored Brian?”

“Definitely John, as I affirmed last night, definitely.”

“Okay Brian, standby, we may be back to you.”

“Thank you John, This is Brian Wilcox reporting from Rosemead California.

“Now let’s turn to our Washington correspondent, Debbie Cochran. She is outside the White House where the Vice President is staying while President Stevenson is in Kansas City.”

“Debbie?”

“Hello John, Not much more to say since the Camp David meetings ended. Vice President, Alvarez Johnson, is staying at the White House to oversee things until the President returns. However, as you know, this is protocol when the President travels. There is also no new word on the assassination of the Attorney General. The FBI has said little about it and the local police are mum. However, there is a rumor that President Stevenson will address the nation on Monday night, but there is no confirmation as of now.”

“Thanks Debbie. We will get back with you.”

“Thank you John. This is Debbie Cochran reporting from the South Lawn of the White House.”

“When we come back, we will go to Houston, Texas where we have an interview with the mayor regarding the fast approaching hurricane, which is now in the Caribbean. It is expected to hit on Monday morning” A satellite picture is in the background, behind John, showing the enhanced photos of Hurricane Alex. It now stretched over three-hundred and fifty miles across.”