SERPENT AND SAVIOR

Passage 1: Chandler paused. “It’s not what I am getting at … it’s what you’re not getting! If the entire government and most of the media start circling the wagons, it doesn’t matter what the truth is or what anyone believes. They end up determining the truth! If there is a report, it’s denied; if there is a document supporting the report, it’s shredded; if the evidence isn’t destroyed, they pay a bunch of so-called ‘experts’ to come out from under the rocks and paste them all over the airwaves and internet to ridicule the evidence; and if that doesn’t work and the people still believe the evidence, as in the Kennedy conspiracy, they just stonewall until some new crisis emerges and people try to get on with their lives.” Chandler paused to catch his breath. “So, it doesn’t matter that there wasn’t a shred of legitimate evidence tying Ghadafi to Lockerbie or that over a million people were out on the streets of Tripoli supporting him as the NATO bombs rained down—if the mainstream media and government and so-called experts all refer to him as a mad dictator, that’s all that matters. Anyone who stands up to the official lie is mocked as a ‘conspiracy nut’—as if the Bilderbergers aren’t the biggest bloody conspirators of all! Even they themselves admit to trying to control the world! If a congregation of the most powerful western government and business leaders and academic experts held in a secret location with a legion of armed guards and no press is allowed and the meeting location is not even disclosed to its attendees until a week before isn’t a conspiracy, then the word has no meaning!” “So what’s your solution, John … to just piss and moan about it? Why did you bring me in on the Bilderberger stuff?” Chandler paused again and took a deep breath. “Mark, most people don’t worry about the truth. In fact, they’ll ignore it or even go against it if they’re career is threatened or they’re compromised in some other ways—sexual secrets, gambling debts, things like that—or if their own lives are threatened. As you know, I’ve done a lot of research on the Bilderbergers and I want to expose them … but I may not be able to pull it off. Do you remember how I mentioned that we may have bee watched last time? Well, I think we’re clear this time, unless they’ve managed to bug this car, but they know what I’m up to and I know I’m in danger. Estulin claims he almost got killed several times during the writing of his book on the Bilderbergers, and I believe him because I’ve had some worrisome things happen to me lately as well—calls in the middle of the night, anonymous death threats, things like that. So, I need my research to be preserved in a safe spot and published somewhere if I don’t make it. I’ve studied people around here for a long time before I figured you were one who I could trust—not because I know all about you but because I know you are tired of all the lies you’re forced to down. Also, I don’t think very many folks would suspect you … although you still have to be careful.” Passge #2: "Maddie, I don’t know about you, but I’m through with the overseas stuff. I’m totally disillusioned. I almost got killed—and actually knew some SEALs who went down—fighting the very folks our own governments are in bed with. In fact, I’ll probably be gone altogether from the Agency soon.” “What would you do?” I don’t know, but I have a few things I’m thinking about. I’ve already checked out a couple of Ph.D. programs, and I’ve even thought of becoming a high school teacher and coach. I used to be pretty serious into wrestling, you know.” “No, I didn’t. But then again, until tonight there was heaps I didn’t know about you.” They turned away from each other and briefly gazed out at the night, trying to absorb all they had just learned out about their newfound lovers. “Maddie, there’s a lot I’ve come to dislike about the United States and its foreign policies, but let me tell one of the best things about it. America is a land of second chances … a great place to start over in your life.” “Then I’m right where I should be, Marco. I’m as disillusioned as you. Did you know I came within a whisker of resigning the service a few months ago, but then this opening came up and I decided it might open up some possibilities, some new experiences and perspectives.” She stared at the night. “It was great fun today, Marco. I had no idea how beautiful your Appalachians are. I’ve never really spent much time in the mountains, except for one or two family ski trips to the Alps. We hear so much in England about your Rockies, but this is magnificent here.” “Maddie, did you know that there is a famous trail that starts a little south of here and goes for over two thousand miles through the Appalachians, all the way to Mount Katahdin in Maine, almost to the Canadian border. I’ve hiked parts of the Appalachian Trail on occasion, and when I was a kid in the Boy Scouts near Pittsburgh, I remember spending a weekend working on the trail, which passed by east of the city.” “Isn’t that a coincidence—did you know I was in the Girl Guides at home?” “So, we have yet one more thing in common. Next, you’ll tell me you’re part Italian!” Maddie smiled. “No, not at all. But did you know I’m royalty?” “Nah, quit kidding me.” “Seriously, I’m a 5th or maybe 6th cousin of the Duke of Westminster on my father’s side … although my family really couldn’t have a bother. So, do you think you could ever learn to handle a princess?” Marco turned to Maddie and said softly. “Maddie, I could learn to handle anything about you. I’m yours, if you want me.” As they hugged each other in the hot tub, she whispered in his ear “I do!”