oreandmoreferventandresonant.

Uhebrightandluminousmoonlighteverythingwasclearlydisabletothenakedeye.Halfthebrilliantgoldpacehadalreadyemergedfromthekeandlookedespeciallymystidmagicalmaghebackgroundofmyriadshtlyburningopehatdottedthendscape.Mr.Kaffeeandhisfriendsstoodontheverandaontheoppositebank,lookingatthisunbelievablesethatening,whichwasclearandvisiblewithouttheuseoftelescopes.

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“Yes,yes”excimedDavidexcitedly.“”ThatistheverygoldpacewhereIsatonthegoldthroneandhadatasteofwhatitwasliketobeamightyking….He,he.Itisanexperieisreallyunbelievablygood…”

“Thisisreallyunbelievable…”saidMr.Kaffeewithgreatfeeling“IwouldneverhavebelieveditifIamnotseeingitwithmyowhisisataskwhichshouldbebeyondthepossibilityofhumah.IfnotforthehelpofGod,thiscouldnothavebeenaplished.Soitseemstomethatiocarryoutsomethi,man’sendeavoraloneisnotenough.Itmustbeapaniedbydivinewill…otherwise…”Whileeveryotentionwascaughtbythemagicalsebeforethem,thecapableandvigorousRichardheardanunusualnoisebehindhim.Ortobemoreprecise,thenoisecamefromsomewhereaboveandbehindhim.“Ithoughtthiswasthehighestfloorofthenewpace”hemused.“Isthereanatticabovethis?”Thenoiseincreasedandbecamehurriedandimpatient.Richardturnedhisheadtolookbehindhimandsawthreebarbarianwarriorsjumpdownfromthenarrowstairsandturorunaway.Theotherssawthemtooandgavechase.Richardcaughttheslowestwarriorbythehairandthrewhimtotheground.Big-OandJamazwerefollowingclosebehindhimandforamomentRichard’sahiheirpursuitandaffordedthetwootherbarbarianwarriorstheopportunitytoslipaway.Thetwofriendstinuedrunningafterthembutunfamiliarwiththepacetheystoppedshortwhehinnumerabledoorsandcorridorsthattwistedandturned.Onguardagainstsurpriseattacks,thesearchproceededslowlyawobarbarianwarriotawayuheirveryeyes.Relutly,theygaveupthechaseaurheupstairsveranda.TheysawthatRichardwassteppingonthechestofthecapturednativewhowaslyingontheground.Inhishandwasthecurvedkbeloohiscaptiveandhewasquestioninghimfiercely.Thenativewasgesturingandbabblinginhisnativetongue,whieofthemuood.Nowwhat?Uocrossthenguagebarrier,thefrieumpedanddidnotknowwhattodo.Big-OlookedatMr.Kaffeeinquiringly.

“Theseguysmusthaveslippedupstairswhilewewereengrossedwiththedredgingofthegoldpace”hesaid.“Itwastoocarelessofus…Wethoughtthiswasthehighestflooranddidn’tknowtherewasanatticaboveus…”

“No,”repliedMr.Kaffee.“Theymusthavebeenhidingthereiicbeforewecame.Ourpresenceprevehemfromleaving.Theymusthavehadsomethingtheyhadtodoorsomewheretheyobe,sotheyhadtojumpouteventhoughwewerehereanddidobeleavinganytimesooooktheceofbeingcaptured,butthoughtitworththerisk…”

“Really?Sothereisanatticupthere.Iwonderwhatitwasusedfor…”saidBig-Oandmadeasiftogoupthenarrowstairsandiigate.

“Noneed”saidMr.Kaffee.“Iwasjustupthere.IguessitwasusedtostorethemaintreasuresoftheKingdomofDreams:themagicswordandthemagicbowandarrows.Buttheyaregonenowandwhatisleftareoystalls…Thisisanoughingmatter.Somethingterriblyseriousmaybeafoot.”Richardalsobecameworriedandsteppedhardonthebarbarianwarriorunderhisfootuntilthemanwasyelpinginpain.Richardwavedthecurvedkhimandsaid,

“Talk!Whydidyoustealthemagiifeandbowandarrows?Ifyouwon’ttalkIwillcutyourheadoffwiththisknife.”Sayingso,hegavethekoJamazandmadeagestureasifshootingabowandarrow.Thenativeseemedtoprehendandbeganbabblinghysterically.HepoioMedusawhowashintheskiesandmotiohhishandsasifshootingfromabowandarrodusaingherhugewings,tryingtokeepthegoldpabance.Cyclopswasusingtheremainderofhistremendousstrengthandushingthepacetoshore.WhiteFairygedintoawispofsmokeandflewaroundhimgivinghimdiressaying,

“Slowdown…Pushwhenyougetthecorregle…Right,right…No,notoomuchtotheleft,pleasegoabout5degreestowardstheright…That’sright,justkeeponthisillsoohegoldpaitsinalspot…Yes,that’stherightdire,justkeeponpushingthatway…”

“What?”excimedRichardturningpalewithfright.“YouguysaregoingtoshootMedusa?Thenwhatareyougoingtousethemagicswordfor?”Thebarbarianwarriorusedhishandtomaketheshapeofahornoopofhisheadandthenmadeacirclewithhishandsahemonhisforeheadtoindicateahugeeye.Thenhemadeacuttingmotionwithhishand.“YoingtobeheadCyclops,too?”Angrybeyondtrol,RichardgrabbedtheknifefromJamazandsaid,“Well,youpeoplearereallyanastypieceofSh1T!Whydon’tIjustkillyhthere?”Raisingtheswordhewasabouttostrikedowhebarbarianwarriorscaredoutofhiswitsbeganstutteringnervouslythewords“m-m-m-Medusa…..hiteFairy…”Mr.KaffeequicklystoppedRichardsaying,

“Justamoment,Richard.HeseemstoknowMedusaandWhiteFairyandwanttotellthemsomethiakehimtoseethehere’snotimetobelost.Let’ssetoutatonce.Ifwetarry,itmaybetoote…”

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Thesituationwasgettiense,onlytheprincipalcharactersedwerenotawareoftheperil.ThatbarbarianwarriornotonlyknewMedusaandWhiteFairy,hewasactuallyamolesentbythemintothenativetribes.Forquitealongtime,thebarbariantribeshadoccupiedtheKingdomofDreams.AlthoughuhebenigninfluehebeautifultwinnymphsCharmaineaine,mostofthenativeshadreturheirnativend,thereisnoguarahesamerevoltandinsurrewouldnothappenagain.Sothesendingofmolesandspiestoreportonwhatwasgoingonwithinthosetribesolitiecessity.ThemolejusthappeobesentbyhischieftoewithtwoothersahestatetreasuresoftheKingdomofDreams,hemagicswordandmagicbowandarrows.HemeanttomakeuseofthisopportunitytoreportthetestfindingstoMedusaandWhiteFairy,butnowitseemedthatbothheandtheinformationhehadgatheredwouldforeverbesunktothebottomofthekewithoutMedusaandWhiteFairyknowinganythingaboutit.

Itallbeganmany,manyyearsagowhenVioandCyclopsstormedintotheterritoryofthebarbariansandkilledtheleaderoftheirmostpromiribe.Thisleaderhadasonwhowasonlyateehen,butwhowassmartenoughtohideinthesurroundingdenseforestandledanomadlife,esgunscathedfromthenumerouscampaignsCyclopsuocapturehim.Nowafteryearsoftriandtributionshehadgrowrongandresourcefulyoungman.HecalledhimselfAtsafterhisillustriousaor,whokbetweenheavehusinghisstrongarmstoupholdtheskyfromfallingdown.Justwheheforestsandwasattemptingtogathertogetherhistribesmen,rallyhisfordregainthedominantpositionofhistribeamohertribes,twobeautifultwinnymphsClementineandCharmaihetribesmenbacktotheirinalndsandtheyaowledgedhimasthelegalheirofhisfatherandtheirleaderandchief.Buttheyoungmanwasnotsatisfiedbecausehishearthadbeencapturedbythebeautifulnymphsandhisbrainwasfulloftheirlovelyfaces,theirsemi-transparentdressesandgracefulformstotheexclusionofeverythingelse.LaterwhenhekhattheywerethebeloveddaughtersofKingZeus,hewasfilledwithdespairatthedisparityoftheirstationsbecausehispositionastheleaderofbarbariantribeswastoofarbeheirsasthedaughtersoftheKingofgods.AtssuddenlythoughtthatifhebecametheruleroftheKingdomofDreams,hewouldthenbeakingwithhisowndomainandthereforewouldbeierpositiohehandofohenymphsandwouldthenhaveaceofsuccess.Why,infacthecouldevenmarrybothofthemandthusbeetheson-in-woftheKingofgods.ThenhewouldbeinapositiohepainandsufferingofhisaorAts,whohadbeenkneelingoopofthehighestmountainintheworldallthroughtheages,nedbyZeustousebothhishandstostrenuouslyseparateheaveh.Thatthoughtgaverisetoafreofwildambition.Hekwasnotaasktoaplish.Togainhisgoal,hewouldhavetodoawaywithMedusa,theprotectoroftheKingdom.HisaremyCyclopswouldalsohavetobekilled.Butthesetwocharacterswereextremelycleverandpowerfundcouldnotpossiblybeelimiheuseofbruteforcealone.HisthoughtswenttothestatetreasuresoftheKingdomofDreams.Ifhecouldbutstealthemagicswordandthemagicbowandarrows,hewouldhaveabettercetokillthesetwostumblingblocks.Ah,butstealireasureswasaskeither,astheywouldsurelybeundercloseguarddayandnight.Hewouldhavetoatientlyforhiscewhentheirwatchfulnesssed…Onenight,hisallycame.AllthepeopleoftheKingdomwerefocusedingthegoldpathebottomofthekeaittoitsinalspotbyGiantMountain.MedusaandWhiteFairyassembledallmaheKingdomaheguardsdefendietreasureswerecalledtotheoppositeshoretojoinintheeffort.Itwasaonalifetimeopportunity.SoAtssentthreeofhistrustedsoldierstosealthilyintotheKingdomofDreamsahetreasures.Thus,theihappenedandhesucceedediinghishandsonthemagicons.

Thefringfiresonthebanksofthekebegantodiedownandthebrightmoonsankuhehorizon.Ahugegapappearedintheskieswherethedimlightofdawopeakout,drivingawaythedarknessofnight.Mr.KaffeeandhislittlegroupoffriendstooktheircaptivewiththemandrowedasfastaspossibleintwoboatstowardstheGiantMountainontheoppositeshore.Shoutsofjoyrosewaveafterwaveandloudcriesrenttheairasthebrilliantgoldpacewassetonitsinalsite.MedusaandLightningalightedonthedome-liketopofthepace.Medusawastootiredtoevengebaanshapeandonlyhadstrengthtopantandgaspforbreath.WhiteFairywastakingofftheropeedaroundthebodyofLightning,themagichorseanditspreaditswingsandfloatedtiredlytowardstheground.Cyclopshadusedupalltheremainderofhisstrengthandyprostratedandfcthestepsofthegoldpapletelylimpandwornout,whileIleenandVioflutteredaroundhim,massaginghisexhaustedbody,hopingitwouldrevivehimfaster.ThenativewarriorsoftheKingdomwereimmersedinanatmosphereofexuberandjoy.Itwasthenthatthebarbariantribes,whohadbeenhiddennearby,suddenlyappearedandunchedasurpriseattadwhistlingarrowssignalingtheapproachofenemieswereshotbytheseothenightsky.Atthiscritientwhenamoaltaskhadjustbeenpletedandeveryonewereallpletelyexhausted,asurpriseattackcouldbringaboutthepletecolpseoftheKingdomofDreams.

Dimitriyawretchedaupstraight.Heopenedhiseyesandsawbeforehimthedesertedrosegardeheflowerswerebloomingbuttheirpetalsandleaveswerecoveredwithdustandtheredroseswerespiritlessandolegs.Thisdesertedgardenchokedbyweedswaslikeadown-on-her-luckaristocraticdy,whothoughpguedbymisfortuillretainedsembnceofherfradbeauty.Dimitrilookedaroundanddidnotseehisgoodfriends,Kr.Kaffee,Richard,Jamaz,Big-OandDavid.Hesmiledandthought,

“TheymusthavegoomyKingdomofDreams.Let’shopetheyhavesuchagreattimetherethatitwillforeverbeetchedintheirmemoryasaremarkableadventure.”Suddenlysomethingstruckhimahought,“Aren’tmyeyestotallyblind?HowisitthatIclearlyseethedustontherosesandthecobwebshangingontheeaves?”ThenhesmiledahatthesemustbedeceptiveillusionsfabricatedbyhisloyalservantsImaginationaivity.

“Myeyesareruinedandmysenseofsightisdestroyedbutmyloyalservantshaveingeniouslyledmeintoabrandnewmagicalworld.Imustthankthemfortheirgoodiionsbutisledbythemfordeceptionsaredeceptionsandillusioeralljustillusions.Imuststillmakemywayforwardcarefullywiththehelpofmywhitee;otherwiseinceivableactsmighthappen,whichwouldcertainlydisappointmytwoloyalservants.ButIreallyhavedoubtsabouttheillusioedbytheunitedeffortsofImaginationaivity.theyreallytakethepceoftherealsensoryworld?Butthen,whatreallyareillusionsandwhatisreality?Ialwaysthoughtthatdreamsarepartoftherealworld;infacttheyareextensionsoftherealworldwithnoobviousboundarybetweewoofthem.ArethereanydiffereweenthesensoryworldcreatedbythebinedeffortsofmytwoloyalservantsImaginationaivityandthatoftherealworld?Yes,thereisadifferethentheredoesobeanydifference…PerhapsthesensoryworldcreatedbymytwoloyalservantsismorepatibletothatbrandnewworldIlongforinmyinnermostsoul.

Dimitrifeltasifsomeonehadhithishead.Actuallytheoutsideofhisheadhadouchedbutashiftingwaveofmovementfluctuatedonhisbrain.Tobemoreprecise,itwasasifaswitchhadbeenturnedonbyaninvisiblehandandthesebeforehiseyesgedwithit.Thedesertedrosegardensuddenlybecameaerofthepovertystrislums.Thehouseswerecrumblinganddecrepitandeverywheretheeyecouldseewasfullarageandallkindsofdebris.Infacttherewasn’tasiacthouseleftstandinginthearea;thebeamsweresnted,gssinthewindowswasbrokenanddoorsandwindoithouthingesorframes.Theoutertwallsbecamefkeyandpeeledoff.Attheendofthisnarrowalleywasadefuncttrash,uselessandinoperable,withgarbageout-flowingtothesurroundingareasfanenormouspileofmessy,foul-smellingwaste?Whoknowshowlongtheyhadbeeandingthereunattended,buttheelementshadwreckedhavothemandtheairreekedwiththerank,putridstinkofrottingfoodandanimalcarcassesHavinggrownupinthisdirtypoverty-strienviro,Dimitriwasimmuneanddidnotfindittoounusualinanyway.Orary,suchsesweredearandfamiliartohim.Butonedayitallgeddrastically.

Itwasanearlyspringm.Thewarmsunshoneindiscriminatelyohregardlessofwhetheritwasaffluentresidentiareasoftherichorpoverty-strislumsoftheverydown-trodden.Thecrumblingandsntinghouseslookedlikespeciallydesignedworksofart.Springbreezeblewintothenarrowalley,bringingwithitaseedwhichfellontothedirtybutfertilemulchmadeupofsoinddeposedvegetation.Sunshineandraihenaturaltenderlovingcareitneeded,sotheseedsprouted,grewandbecameayoungpnt.Se,beautifulredfloweropeitstip.Itdidnotlookdownonthesqualoraroundit,nordiditmindthefliesstantlyflyingandhummingabout.Itstoodtalndstraightandlookedattheworldwithabrightsmile.Soon,amiraclehappened.Anotherbeautifulfloweropenedup,thenahenanother.Flowerstinuedbloominguntiltheyqueredthedirty,smellygarbagepile.Thatnightatorrentofrainpoureddownfromtheskies,washingawaythedirtfromthehouses.Sunshineshoneindiscriminatelyohthedayonboththeridthepoor.Theearthacceptedthedebrisanddirtleftbyman.Naturewaslikeahugeanismcupallkindsofmatterandallthingstinuouslybrokedownandregrouped,brokedownandregroupedintheloviofkiedMotherNature.Itisacyclethatwilltiilltheendoftime.

AshiftingwaveofmovementagainfluctuatedonDimitri’sbrainandhewasinspiredwithacertaianding.Thesuddengeofserywascausedbythebloomingofthebeautifulredflowerinthemidstofthedirtyandsqualidgarbagepile,whiturntriggeredearthshakingges.Wasn’tthereamagicalswitthedepthofeveryman’sbrain,whichcouldbeturnedonandoffathiswill?Youcouldturnittowardsbrightness,serenityandpermanendenterawonderfulnewworld.Turnitintheoppositedireandyouwouldfallintothedeepandfathomlesspitofsinandenjoysensualpleasuresthatbenumbsandparalyses.It’safreechoicetobedecidedbyyoualoinfluencedorpressuredbytheoutsideworld.Atthatthought,Dimitrisnappedhisfingers,whistledshrilly,pickeduphiswhiteeandwalkedjauntilyawayfromthedesertedrosegardenwhistlinghappily,forhehadfoundthemagicalswithisbrainanddecidedwhichwaytogo.

Dimitriwalkedalongwhistlinghappily.HedidfullytrustthesenseofsightcreatedforhimbyhistwoloyalservantsImaginationaivity,sohetappedhiswaycarefullyalongwithhiswhiteeunawarethattherewasawhitecloudhanginglowintheskyfollowingwhereverhewent.Hefoundthatthepeoplewalkingpasthimallseemedtobeihurry,andthecarsontheroadflewbyinarush.Whataretheyseargforinsuchhaste?Inthisbusyworldofours,whataretheirgoalsinlife?Whydon’ttheygototheirchurches,temples,mosquesorsynagoguestoworshiptheirgodandwashawaythesinsintheirsouls?Inthisworldofoursthereisnothingthattakethepceion.Notliterature,philosophy,artormodernsce.Ourjourneyohislikefloatingonasmallboatinthergeo.Sometimesitiscalmandpeaceful,butatothertimesitmaybetumultuousandstormy.Whenstrongwindsandhugewavestossyourboataroundinastorm,whatyourelyontocalmdownandshowyoudire?Nothing.Whydopeoplegiveupreligion?OfcourseweareagainstreligioustotalitarianismoftheMiddleAges,butnothingeverrepceprofiousteagsandtheoriesbecausetheyarethesymbolofthespiritualcivilizationofmankind.DimitrisuddenlyhadastrangewhimandgaveorderstohistwoloyalservantsImaginationaivitysaying,

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“Quick!Twisttheswitpeople’sbrainsandorderthemtogototheirpcesofworship.Itdoesn’tmatteriftheyareCatholics,Protestant,Jews,BuddhistsorMuslims.Allorthodoxanduniversallyacceptedformsionwilldo.”Imaginationaivityimmediatelyturocarryouttheirmaster’sordersandallofasuddencarsgedroutesandpeoplehurriedtotheirchurches,temples,synagoguesandmosques.Dimitricppedhishandssaying,“Thatismyidealworld.Iagisocietywouldbeewithion.”

Helookedupandsawthewhitecloudhangingthereabovehimandthought.“Thatcloudlooksfamiliar.ItresemblesonefromtheKingdomofDreams.Perhapsithadtravelledthousandsofmilespassingthroughhillsandmountains,seasandosjusttofindme.Look!Itspurewhitecolorhasbeendirtiedinsomepces.Perhapsitfloatedaboveforestswhichwasonfireandhadbeenscorched.Perhapsitpassedthremetropoliswheretheairwasextremelypollutedandthereforewastaihem.IfthiscloudhadefromtheKingdomofDreamsinseare,whatcoulditwant?Dimitriturheswithisbrainandloandbehold,thattarnishedcloudbecamewhiteassnowagain.Thegrey,foggyandsmokyskyturnedblueagainandtheairbecameclearandevenhadafloralfragrance.Dimitrithensawthepeoplestreamingoutoftheirpcesofworship.Hesppedhisforeheadandsaid,“Oh!It’snotSundaytoday,sotherearenoservithosechurchesandtemples.Theywilgaiogoabouttheirbusinessandmaketheirliving.Thatisthepriustpayfortheirexisteatleastintheirheartofhearts,theyhaveanaltarfortheirgodwheretheyfesstheirsins,askfivenessandmaketheirsoulspureagain.AlthoughIamnotafrequentchurchgoer,butihofmyheartthereisaerreservedfionwhereIoftengotogairengthandpower.”AsDimitriwalkedalohatthepeoplehepassedwereallsmiling,happyandverypolite.“Ah!Thatisreallyanewworld!”ThenhewonderedwhyhehadtowaittillhewasfastasleeptogotohisKingdomofDreams?“IamfullyawakenowandwalkingihrivingandbustlingstreetsofthemundaneworldwhichIfeelisnodifferentfromstrollingalongthesereneaifulpathsofmyKingdomofDreams?TometherealworldisthesameastheKingdomofDreamsandMyKingdomofDreamsisincludedinthisrgemetropolis.”DimitriwalkedalonghappilyfollowedbythecloudfromtheKingdomofDreams.

Dimitriactallykickedaywilelyingbytheroadside,whichrolledawayforquiteadistancebeforefallingdownaflightofsteps.Thereonthet,itbrokeintmentswithafrighteningcrashthatsplihecalmandquietoftheearlym.Thesunwasalreadyup,scatteringitsbrilliantraysovertheearth,buttheatmosphereherewaseerilysilent,lifelessahargic.Couldalltheresidentsherebesick?Ifso,theirillnessmustbeserious,evenmortal.Tobemoreprecise,itwasnottheresidentswhowereill,butratherthewholesocietyhadbeeterminallyill.herorpedestrianscouldbeseenoreetsofthisneighborhood.Everywheretheeyecouldreachwasfullofdisorderlyandmessypileseleftoverfromthenightbeforewithnostreeterdoinganyingup.Thiswasthemostnotoriouspartoftown,thebreedinggroundofcrimeandsin.Gamblinganddrugtraffigwererampartahebravestwenfortofficerstreadwarilyhereandcameonlyiftheyhadto.Naturallythishadbeethehavenforprostitution.Gangsandundergroundforcescarvedouttheirownrealmsofinflueurfwarseruptedwhenrivaliscsh.Multiplegunshoutatnightasamatterofcourseandlivesofibystanderslostintheseflictscouldonlybetedassacrificestothedarknight.Thepolicedidnotnormallysetfootintheseparts.Ifnotforthelureofhighpay,whowouldbesofoolishastoputtheirlivesonthelineandpatrolhere?Eveheydoe,itwasonlythebriefestofnominalvisits.Thepolicecarwouldarriveandthenjustturnaroundanddrivequicklyaway.Thiswasnoman’sndwhereanarchyruled,aerutterlyrejectedbysociety.Likeanincurablecer,itwaslefttofesteranddecay.ThisregionwasnotunfamiliartoDimitribecausehegrewupinasimirenviroandthishadbeenhisroaminggroundasayoungster.Hehadnotbeenhereforalongtimeandwasvisitingtheareaforapurposeunknowntoanyoneelse.

NotfarfromtherewastheGreyhoundBusTerminalwheretheloudrumbleofiningandoutgoingbusenginesscheduledsoveryclosetogetherwasstantlyheard.Herewaswherethecrowdsgregatedtogetonoroffthelongdistancebusesandwasthereforethenaturalgatheringpceofallkindsofpeople,goodandbad,highandlow.Dimitristoodstilttheerofthestreetlostinthought,thinkingabouthischildhoodwhenheroamedthesestreetsandlivedlikeastarveddogalwayshungryandthirsty.Justthen,ateen-agersuddenlyranheadlongtowardshimfromacrossthestreet,followedcloselybyamiddle-agedmanwhoshoutedtoDimitri,

“Catchhim!Catchthatlittlethief.Hestolemywallet!”

“No,Iboostnowallet!”shoutedtheyoungboy“Hewantstokillme…Helpme.Helpmeplease…”pleadedtheboyasheranpastDimitri.Whenthemiddle-agedman,whowasrunningaftertheboypassedDimitri,heturnedhisheadcursingangrily,

“Damnyou,youFKingstupidbastard.Toldyoutostophim,didn’tI?Whydidn’tyou?IfIdohim,watchwhatIwilldotoyouwhenIeback…”Thatangrymanmaybemiddle-aged,buthesurecouldrunfast.Hesooncaughtupwiththeboy,grabbedhimbythecolrandthrewhimtotheground.Justasheraisedhisfistandwasabouttohittheboy,Dimitriorderedhistwoloyalservants,

“Quick!Goandstoptheman.Alsotwisttheswitboththeirbrainsahappens…”Imaginationwasfasterthanhispanion.Hereachedthemanfirst,twistedtheswithisbrainandthendidthesametotheteen-ager.Andloandbehold,amiraclehappehemanloweredhisraisedfistandsmilinglyhelpedtheyoungboytogetup,saying,

“….sorry…sorry…lilbro…SorryIthrewyouontheground.Youhurt?”

“…Myfault,bro”saidtheteen-agerjumpingupfromtheground.“Allmyfault.Didoboostyourwallet…Don’tbmeyouforbein’angry…Iwaswrong,bigbro,pleasefiveme…”Takingthewalletfromhispocket,hehaothemanwithbothhands.Themanpushedtheboy’shandsawaysaying,

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“No,no…Youneedmoney,soyoupickmypocket.Bigdeal...Youtookityoukeepit.Lilbro,keepthedough.Don’tmakemelookbad.”Theteen-agerdidnotlistentotheman’swordsbutforcefullytuckedthewalletinsidehispocketsaying,

“Bigbro,Itooktheroll.Letmereturnit…imeIneedmoneyIwilletoyou.How’sthat?imeyougivememoney,Iwilltakeit,nomatterhowmuchyougiveme…”Themiddle-agedmantookthewalletoutofhispocketandstuffeditbacktotheteen-ager’shandssaying,

“…lilbrother…Idon’tmindtellingyouthiswalletain’tmine.Ipickeditoutofsomeone’spocket…Wemeet,webrawl,webeebrothers.Thisismypresenttoyouok?”Theteen-agerssawthatthemanreallymeantwhathesaidandthatheseemedtohavemadeuphismindaboutnottakingthewalletback,sohesaid,

“Bigbro,you’rereallygreat.Whatyousaygivingthiswalletback?That‘seveerright?”Themiddle-agedman’seyeslightedupandhesaid,

“Yes,yes.Yhtlilbrother.Let’sgiveitback.Ipickedthepocketofagentatthebusstatiostillbelookingforit…”WhenDimitrisawtheclusiontothislittleinterlude;heughedaloudandsaid,

“That’sjustgreat!Ihoughtthatitwouldworkthiswell!”Turningtohistwoloyalservantswhowerestandingintheairohimhesaid,“Creativity,pleasegotothecrowdedbusstationandtwisttheswiteveryone’sbrai’sseeiftheywillbeepoliteandcivilized…”CreativityimmediatelyflewtowardstheillingaroundtheGreyhoundbusterminal.

Justasthetwonewlyacquaintedbrotherswerecrossireetandgoingtowardsthebusterminal,multiplegunshotssouheair.Gunshotswerenorareeventintheseparts,butbecauseitwasbroaddaylight,theywerestillcauseforarseemedthattwogunmenwereengagedinagunbattle.Amaninabckjackettotteredontothestreetfromthebusstatiosideofhisbodycoveredwithblood.Heranohinghard,stoppingnowaoshootatsomeonebehindhistrong,sturdymaninaredjacketcamerunningwithaguninhishandandohemaninthebckjackettookanothershotathim.Themaninbcktwasalreadybloodyandwoundedandthisadditionalbulletfinallydidhimin.Faintfromlossofblood,hedroppeddowntotheground.Themaninredranuptohisvictim,kickedawaytheguninhishandandbrutallybootedhiswoundedleftsidecausinghimtomoaninpain.Hesauntinglyatthemanonthegroundsaying,

“Stillbreathingeh,yousonofabitch?Youwannatramponmyturfandrapemywoman?I’lliceyougood,shootyourbrainsoutayoudieamessydeath…”Themaninbckclosedhiseyesandthoughttohimself,

“Thisisitforme.There’snowayIgetoutofthisalive.SomanytimesIhavecheateddeathbytheskinofmyteeth,buttodayIhavemetmymatch.There’ssomuchbadvibesbetweenhimandIthathewillmelivetoday.Iwaokillhim,butdidn’tknowthatitilldieunderhisrod…Itisfate…”Themaninredointinghisgunattheheadofthemaninthebckjacket,gettiopullthetriggerwhenImagination,withoutwaitingforhermastertogivetheand,alreadyflewtowardsthemaninredandturheswithisbrain.Anothermiraclehappehemanthrewawayhisgun,hoveredoverthemaninthebckjacketmurmuringinanguish,

“Heybro,bro,don’tyoudieonme.Ishotatyouiofthemoment.YouandIarebothhumanbeings.Whyfightandtrytokilleachother?Whyallthisbloodshed?Wefightoverturfandpower.Youwantmyturf,takeit.Youwantmywoman,takeher…Bro,don’tdie…,hangonthere.I’llcall911…theywillsaveyou…don’tdieonme,youhear?”Themaookouthiscellphoneandwasabouttodialforhelp,whenthemaninbckactuallyusedhisownhandtohelphimselfsituponthegroundandsaid,

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“Noneed.Look,Iamfihefactofthematterwas,Imaginationhadalsotwistedtheswitthebrainofthemaninbckaswell.Hisformernemesiswatchedinfasationashisvictimpriedthebulletsonebyonefromthebackofhisbodywithhisfingersandthrewthemontheground.Heraisedhiseyestothemaninredandsaid,“Iwasreallycrazytostepontoyourturfandrapeyourwoman.DidnotknowthatshewasyourwifeorIwunnado.EvenIsavvytheruleafriend’swifeisobetouched…Ifyoukilledmewithyunjustnow,that’sokay,becauseitwouldsolvedallproblems.Torapeafriend’swifewasoutofbounds…It’sreallyunfiveable,really,reallyunfiveable…”

“It’sokaybro…”saidthemaninred.“youwasgunneddown,notI.Thebadguyisme…sorrybro…youlikewomen,Igiveyoumyprostitutionbusiness.Iamnotiedinitanyhow…Butthatwomanyourapedisnotincludedbecausesheismywife…”

“Ohno,no”repliedthemaninbck.“Don’tsaythat.Iamtheoobme.YoushotatmebecauseIrapedyourwife,Idon’tbmeyouatall.Ifyoushotmeintheheadjustnow,thatisokayandsolvetheproblem.Butyoudidn’t.Ireallydon’tknowhowIamtolivewithmyselfafterthis…”Seeiwogunmenengrossedwithaskingeachother’sfiveness,apologizingtoeachotherandtakingthebmeonthemselves,thepeoplearoundthemwhohadinonthegroundtoprotectthemselvesbegaup.Themiddle-agedmanaeen-agerwalkedovertothetwogunmen.

“Heyfriends,needhelp?”askedthemiddle-agedmanwarm-heartedly,“Thatguy’sinabadway…Lostalotofblood…Wehelptakehimtothehospital.”

“Oh,no,no”repliedthemaninbck.“ThankyouverymuchforyourofferbutIpriedthebulletsoutbymyselfandI’mokaynow.Idoogotothehospital.Look!thebleedingstoppedandthewoundsaresg…Fhandtumbleguylikeme,thisisnothing.ButIdidlosealotofbloodandIfeelingwoozyandunsteady...helpmeupguys.IwillgoandhaveabigmeandI’msureIwillbeasgoodaserthat…Afewcupsofwhiskeywillhelpmehealevenfaster,ha-ha…”Theyallughedandhelpedthemaninbcktohisfeet.Theyinteakehimtothenearbybarthaten24hoursaday.Hecouldsitdownaihereandordersomethianddrinksohecouldrecoverabitafterhisordeal.Justastheywereabouttoturnandleave,thesebeforethemstoppedthemdeadiracks.

Astilycdred-hairedwomanwalkedacrossthestreet,herfiwistingtheearofashort,fatman,justthewayViodidtoMr.Fiwasafunnysight.Theshortsthatwomanhadoremelybrief,revealinghalfherbuttodhert-shirtwasexcessivelytightandlowcutsothatwheeredalongoilettoheelsheroverly-endowedwobbliswereindangerofpoppingoutofhernee.Shewalkedalong,holdingtightlytotheman’sears,shrillyscoldingallthewhile,

“What?Yougwithemptypockets?Whatdoyouthinkthispceis?Andwhatdoyoutakemefor?ealong,ewithme.Youthinkmyhoisforfree?I’lltakeyoutboss.He’llfixyougood.Heisfamousinthesepartsandhastheniame“Theredjacket”becausehelovestoseeredbloodflow…ealong.I’lltakeyoutohim.Hewillcertainlycutoffthatpenisofyours…Ifyou’reluaylive;otherwisejustgoanddie…Youeouttobopawomanwithnomoney?Whatdoyoutakemefor?DoIlooklikeIgiveitoutforfree?”Thefatmanlookedlikeeitherabutcheroracook.Thepaincausedbyhisearsbeingtwistedbythewomanmadehimbendhisbodyalmostinhalfashefollowedhertryingtopacifyhersaying,

“Ididn’tdothisonpurpose.Really,Ididostiffyou.Butyouaresobeautiful,Ihadtohaveyou…MymindwasteredallonyousoIdidn’tevenknoockethadbeenpickedandmywalletstolen…ImostcertainlywouldnothaveetoyouifIknewmywalletwasstolen.WhatIsayistrue.Pleasebelieveme.Ifyouwillletmego,Iwillbesuretopayyoubackahundredfold.Ireallyamamanwhoalaysmybills.Please,please…”Thewomantwistedhisearevenharder,makinghimscreamoutinpain,beggingher,“Softly,softlymysweet…Don’tbelikethat.You’tbmemeforwantingyou…Youaresobeautiful,sosexy…ThemomentIsawyou,youhadmedrooling.Ihadtohaveyounomatterwhat…You’tbmeme…bmeyourself…youaresobeautifulyoubewitchedme…siderthemoneyIshouldhavepaidyouasadebtIoweyou.Trustme…Trustme…Trustmetoreimburseyou.”Thewomanwasinwardlysmilingatthesefawningwords,thinking,“Thisjohnisstrahe’squitealovableguy.”Howevershekeptherexpressionhardandfierce.Toprotectherself,shealwayshadacarkeyinherhand,whichcouldbeusedasakabattheoppo’ssensitivespotssuchashiseyes,noseorears,shouldtheoccasionrise.Sheupandthreatenedhimsaying,

“Youarestillquibblingoverwhatyoudid?Thereisnoexcusewhateverforyouras.Ifyousproutanymoresusense,Iwillputyhtsout.Seeifyoudaretoentonwhiaifundwhichisugly…”

“Don’t,don’tbelikethat,please…”whihefatmantinuingtobegpitifullyfiveness.“Yourarepullingoffmyears…Evenifyoupluckmyeyesout,IstillknowyouarethemostbeautifulgoddessIhaveeverseen…Whesomemoney,Iwillehereandlookforyouagain.Please,pleasedon’ttakemetoseeyourboss,ok?Ifhereallycastratesmeandcutsoffthatthiweehatwillnotonlybealossforme,butitwillbeagreatlosstoyouaswell,amInht?So,please,please…Ibegofyou.WhesomemoneyIwillpayyouahundredfold…”Bythewoofthemhadcrossedthestreetandreachedtheotherside.Thered-hairedwomanraisedherheadandsawthegreatbruteofamanintheredjacketstandingrightbeforeher.Ifrightshebeganstuttering,

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“Boss…Boss…Faingyouhere…Iwaslooking…”Imagination,whowashidingintheairsonoonecouldseeher,benddownandtwistedtheswitthered-hairedwoman’sbraihatofthefatmanstandingbesideher.Themaninredsawthatthered-hairedwomanwastwistiman’searandcouldsurmisewhathadhappened.Heimmediatelyputbackthefierceexpressiononhisfadgavehisarydhideousugh,

“What?Yougotanotherjohnthatrefusedtopay?Letmeseewhohasthegutstodothatonmyturf!”Thered-hairedwomansteppedhurriedlyinfrontofthefatman,likeahenprotegheryoung.Shesmiledatthemaninredfawninglyandsaid,

“Ohno,no,boss.Thisjohnisaridgenerous.Hedidnotrefusetopay…eh,nooneinhisrightmindwoulddothatonyourturf,boss…”Themaninredresumedhisgenialexpressionaontosay,

“Sinceyouarehere,IwanttotellyouthatIamquittingmysexbusiness.Iherebyreleaseyoufromyourtractwithme.Youarenolongerboomeandarefreetodowhateveryoulike.”Thered-hairedwomancouldnotfullyuandtheimportoftheman’swordsbutthefatmandidandjumpedouthappily.HebowedagainandagaintothemanshecalledBossandsaid,

“Thankyou.Thankyou.Itseemsthatyouarenotgoingtocutoffthatthiweehankyou.Thankyousomuch.”Themaninredgredathimthreateninglysaying,

“What?Soyouhadheranddidnotpay?”Thefatmanrealizedtootethathehadgothimselfintohotwatersandquicklyexpined,

“Yessir…Yessir…That’strue…ButIdidnotdoitonpurpose…MywalletwasstolenbysomeoIdidnotrealizeitatthetime.IpromisedherIwouldpaybackthedebtdouble,tripleorahuimesover.PleaseIsaidIwouldpaybackthedebt.ItiswhatIoweher.Iwillreimburseher…”

“That’sright”saidthethinmiddle-agedman,givieen-ageraknowinggnce.“Ipickedthatman’spocketandstolehiswallet.Sinceweagreedtoreturnit,let’sgiveitbaow.Theteen-agernoddedandcalledtothefatman,

“Heyyou!Lookahisisyours.Ifitis,takeitback.”Sayingso,hetossedthewalletovertohim.Thefatmancaughtitinhishandsandshoutedexcitedly,

“Yes.Yes.It’sminealright!”Exuberanttohavehislostpropertyreturohim,thefatmanopenedhiswallet,tookoutathickstackofcashandstuffeditintothered-hairedwoman’shandstogetherwithhisemptywalletwithouteventing,saying,“ItoldyouIwouldgivethemoneybacktoyoutentimes,ahuimesover,didn’tI?Ididnotlietoyht?”Thered-hairedulledhimovertothesideandasked,

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“YoujustsaidthatIamthemostbeautifulgoddessinyourdreams,didyoumeanit?”Thefatmanhelduphisrighthandasiftakinganoathandreplied,

“ImealywhatIsaid.Horovemyselftoyouandshowyouwhat’si….Justnow,yousteppedinfrontofmetoprotectme.Youwereafraidthatyourbosswhowassmilingsocruellywouldhurtme.Youarereallyagoodwoman.Whatbetterwomanisthereinthewholeofthisworldforme?Totellyouthetruth,Iwanttomarryyou…”Thered-hairedwomannoddedemphaticallyandstuffedthewalletandthecashbatothefatman’spocketsaying,

“Youdon’thavetoswearanyoathtome.Ibelieveyou…Siobemarried,whydoIhemoney?Youkeepit…”Thefatman’ssmilegrewbiggerandbigger.Heughedheartilyandsaid,“Thisiswonderful.Thisisfantastic.ThewalletthatIlosthasbeeurned.Notonlythat,Igotagreatbeautyformywife!Thisiscalled…eh…it’scalleddoublegoodfortune.HowluckyIam!!!”Thered-hairedwoman,however,frownedandhungherhead.Shegncedworriedlyatthefatmanandaskedinapensiveandanxiousvoice,

“But…but…willyoubmemeformypast…?Ihavebeenaprostitute…awomanofthestreets…Willyoulookdowhefatman’sfaceturnedseriousandsaid,

“NowordsIsaynowwilleveralyyourfears.LetmesingyouasongthatImadeupmyselfandthat,Ithink,shouldmakeyouuandwhatkindofmanIam.”Heclearedhisthroatandsangoutinaloudtenorvoice,

“BeforetodayIwasnotinyourlifeandyouwerenotinmine.

NowyouwillbeinmylifeandIwillbeinthine.

Benotedwithpenedbeforeweeve.

Folyoureahepastfet.”

Thered-hairedwomanburstintohappytearsandtightlyhuggedthemanwhowassoshortandfatthathecouldalmostbesaidtobeobese.Thissongwasothefatmanmadeuphimselfaosinginhisshower.Itactuallydidrepresenthissesandbeingsincereafeltwasthereforequitemoving.Afterawhilewhenshecalmeddownabit,thefatmansaidtothosestandingaroundhim,

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“Heyguys,tellyouthegoodnews.IamgettingmarriedtodayandI’vegotmoneyinmypocket.WhatdoyousaythatIinviteyoualltoagoodmeandgoodwhiskeytocelebratemymarriage?”Everyoneyaedandgratutedthetwoofthem.Themaninredsaid,

“Wewerepnningtogoaogetheranyway,solet’sgo!”ThenturningtoDimitriwhowasstandingnotfarfromthemhesaid,“Heyyou,eonover.Aren’tyouanoldfriendofRichardandJamaz?Theyaremygoodfriends,sotheirfriendisalsomyfriend.ejoinusandcelebratethemarriageofthesetwo.”Dimitriwalkedoverwithasmileandsaid,

“Thankyouforinvitiojoininyourcelebration,butI’mafraidIwouldnotbeabletomakeitbecauseIhaveanotherweddingthatImustattend.”

Missionhavingbeenpleted,CreativityflewbatheGreyhoundBusTerminafewblocksawaywherecrowdsofpeoplegregated.Imaginationquicklywenttomeetherasking,

“You’vebeenawayforquitesometime,wheredidyougo?”

“KingDimitriseonanerrand”repliedherpartnersmilingbroadly.“Ihavebeenreallybusy.Iuoodwhathewaoprove.Hethoughtthatiogeaman’sthoughts,youwisttheswithisbrainandhewillturnaroundandmakea180degreesge.IusedthebusyGreyhoundbusterminastheterandthenpushedoutwards.Isithosesly-lookingonesorbruteswholookedlikebadelementsofsocietyandtwistedtheswitchesintheirbrain.IthinkIturnedonaboutacoupleofhuhem.TheproofofwhetherKingDimitri’stheoryiscorredwhetherhistactidstrategyworkwillsoonbeavaible…”Imagination’ssilverybell-likeughterrangoutassheanswered,

“owaitfortheproof.KingDimitri’stheory,tactidstrategyare100%fool-proof.Ijusttrieditseveraltimes.“

“Really?”marveledCreativity.SoImaginationtoldhimiailthedramatiesthatjusthappehestreeterafewminutesago.Whatcouldonlyhappeniniccartoonsactuallytookpreallife.TheylookedovertotheotherendofthestreetandsawDimitristandialkingwithseveralpeople:themahemaninbck,thethinmiddle-agedmanaeen-agerwhowasstandingbesidehimtogetherwiththeshortfatmanwithhisarmsaroundthestilydressedred-hairedwoman.Themaninredandthemaninbck,bothfriendsofRichardandJamaz,foundmuontotalkaboutnon-stopfortheadvehatRichardandJamazhadbeenthroughandtheedyoferrorsthatseemedtofollowthemwereinnumerableDimitriwasinahurrytocrossovertotheothersideoftheBayandattendanotherwedding,sohebowedtothefatmanandthered-hairedwomansaying,

“IamsosorryIetoyourweddingmeal,butIaminahurrytoattendanotherweddingattheothersideoftheBay.Iamsurewewillmeetagainandtherewillbelotsofopportuogettogether…So,goodbyeandgoodluck.Iamsurewewillmeetagainandtalk…”Dimitrisenthishappygroupofnewfriendsontheirwaytodinnerandturnedarouhathiswell-built,talndhandsomeservaivitywasback,talkingtohisbeautifulparthesvelteandcurvaagination.Theywerebothnaked,buthiddeniheywereinvisibletohumaneyes.Dimitrisaidtothem,

“Let’ssetoutquicklytotheothersideoftheBayorwewillbetoote…”

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ImaginationaivityfollowedbehindDimitri,liketwocloseattendants.Theyhadcreatedthesenseofsightfortheirmaster,butDimitriwaoretainhisindepespiritandnotrelysolelyonthisnew,partiallyrecoveredsenseofsight.Hestillwalkedwiththewhiteeinhishand,unwillingtogiveuphispersonalfreedomandhistriedandtruemobilityteiques.Tappinghiswaycarefullyon,hesawatalndstalolipushingashoppingcartabouthalfablockaway.Theofficer’sattentioobeteredonthegroundbeforehimandeverynowandthenhewouldbenddown,pickupsomethingandthrowitintohisshoppingcart.Hetooksometissuesfromhispocketandwipedattheperspirationonhisface.Heactallypusheduphispolicehataskewandsawahomelesspersonwearingoldanddipidatedclothing,lookingathimwithasmile.ThepolismiledbadDimitriinafriendlymannerinquiringpolitely,

“Howareyoudoing,sir?”Dimitritippedhisoldanddirtysafarihatinpolitesalute,andwalkedoversaying,

“Go,officer.It’sbeenalongtimesisaoliaroundhere.It’sgoodtoseeyouguyspatrollingagain.”Thepoliwipedhisfaceagainandstoppedtochatwiththisfriendlyhobowhilehetookashortbreak.

“It’sreallystrangeandalmostlikeamiracle.Theseusedtobethemostdangerousandchaoticpartsofthecity,butsuddenlyeverythinggedht.Earlythismwheedtoduty,oursuperiorstoldusthattherewerelotsofdiscardedgunsanddrugsscatteredaroureets.Iandotherofficersweresentouttopickuptheseforbiddenitemsa.s.a.p.sotheycouldbesafelydisposedof.I’vebeenbusysinceearlythismandlookatmyhaul!Prettyimpressive,eh?Theotherofficersinmyprectarealloutcollectedthesedeadlytoys….”Dimitrighepoli’sshoppingcartandsawthatitiledhighwithallkindsofgunsbigandsmall,longandshort.Therewerealsosealedpsticbagsfullofakindofwhitepowderandboxesofcolorfulpillsandcapsules.Dimitrishookhishead,sighedandsaid,

“Wow!Ineverdreamedthatthereweresomanyillegalfirearmsscatteredinallersofsociety.Andsomuchdrugs!Iftheyweredisperseduncheckedamongthepoputionandnotcollectedaroyed,theywouldbeeasceaefatalsocialproblems…”

ImaginationslookedatCreativity,raisedhereyebrowsandsaid,“WhatdidItellyou?KingDimitri’stheoryandtacticswerecorrect.Ofcourseyoualsospentalotoftimewtowardsthis,soyouhaveearnedpartofthecredit.Seetheresultnow?Togesociety,wemustfirstgetheirmiwistingthemagicalswittheirbrains.”

“Yht”repliedCreativity.“Butjustrelyingowoofusisnotenough.Wemustmobilizemorepeopletodoit.Onlythencouldweexpandanddeepenourinfluendattaindurablesustainability.”

“Ofcourse.Ofcourse”saidImagination,noddinginagreement.

“Whatisthisfinepowderfor?”askedCreativitycuriouslyashepickedupabagofwhitepowder.Itwaseithercoeorheroin.

“Youmeanthispowder?Haveyotten?”askedImaginatiowodeepdimplesdangasshesmiledmorebrilliantlythanever.“AtthattimeyouandIwerelivinginGod’sGardenofEden.Icouldnotwithstaemptationoftastingtheredapple,whicurredGod’swrathaediwoofusbeingdrivenoutoftheGardeepowderinyourhandishundredsandthousandsoftimesmoretemptingtohumansthantheredapplewastome.Iheardthataasteditwouldbetransportedtoapcewheretheyfoteverythihemselves.TheywouldfeesiftheywereinHeaven,inanewworldwhereeverythingwasbright,sereneaernal.Butoheeffectsofthedrugworeoff,theywouldfallfromtheloftyheightsdowothedepthsofadeepabyssofpainandsuffering.Actuallyabright,sereneaernalnewworldisnotunattainableandcouldbewithinhumanreachwithouttheaids.Historyhasprovedagainandagainthatimmersingoneselfinthespiritualillusihtaboutbythesekindsofwhitepowderisnoinspiratireatliteraryepicsorstificdiscoveries.Orary,itcreatesroadblocksthatcausehumancivilizatiress.Fromthisweseethathumanbeingsarenotalogicalbreed…Whatdoyouthink?”Creativitywhopickedupanintricatelymadegunandyingwithit,noddedhisheadsaying,

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“Yht.SometimesIthinkthatifhumansweremadetotheimageandlikenessofGod,thenGodmaynotreallyuandtheinnerwsofthehumanmindortheirbehaviorandmotives.Ifmaniscleverenoughtocreatethebrilliantcivilizationthateventheircreatoradmires,whythendotheyatthesametimeisustrumentsthatcoulddestroytheirdazzlingcivilization?Sotheclusionmustbe,asyousaid,thathumanbeingsarenotveryrationanimals,butareastrangebinationofsemi-rationandsemi-mad.”

ThegenialpoliwipedhisfadsaidtoDimitri,“Youknow,inthisworldtherearesomeadultswhosemindneverfullymatured.Theyareverychildishinmanyways.Iftheadultsintheworldwerealllikethatandhadgunsintheirhandswhichtheythinkofastoys,agiamadworldthatwouldbe?Satheringupthesegunsbeforetheworldbeesquitemadaroythemall”.Dimitriughedandpattedthepoliontheshouldersaying,“That’sexactlywhatIwasthinking,bro.Guayoflifewhichweotlivewithoutandshouldbeusedonlyforselfdefeherewerenobadelementsinsociety,whydoweneedgunsatall?Yes,wereallydoogatherthemalltogetheraroythem…”

Dimitrirevertedbacktohisnormal,incurableoptimisticoutlook,withachildlikeéandsaid,“AhMr.Poli,it’sbeensoiingtalkingtoyouthatIhavefottenwhatIsetouttodo.IocrossovertotheothersideoftheBay.CouldyoutellmeifthereisaBARTstationaroundhere?”

“Ohyes.Thereisoafewblocksaway…”repliedthepoli.ThennotigthatDimitrihadawhiteeinhishandheimmediatelyofferedhisservicessaying,“Oh,youaredisabledsir.WouldyoulikemetohelpyoutotheBARTstation?”

“Ohno.Nothankyou”saidDimitri.“Youarebusy.Ifindmyownwaytherealright.”Hesaidgoodbyeandtogetherwithhistwoloyalservants,Imaginationaivity,wentonhiswaytotheBARTstation.Theimageofthebrightredflowerswayinginthebreezekeptpoppingupinhismind.Ifthatsingleflowerwasabletogeandquerthegarbagepile,thenperhapstwistingthemagicalswitpeople’sbraincouldcurethatpoisonousandmalignanthumansociety?

Walkingdowntheflightofstairs,DimitricametotheBARTstationandsawseveralpeoplelininguptobuyticketsfromtheticketvendor.Hesuddenlyrememberedthathehadnomoallonhim,sohowwashetopurchaseaticket?Turningtohistwoloyalservants,hesaid,

“IhavebeeutetoolongtorememberIneedcash.Doyouguyshaveanymoneyonyoutobuymeaticket?”Creativityshruggedandreplied,

“Howcouldwehaveanymoneyonus?Wehideintheairanddon’tevenwearclothes.”

“Whatwedo?”saidDimitriinaquandaryandpacedaroundnotknowingwhattodo.

“Don’tworry,KingDimitri”saidCreativity.“Thisisnobigdeal,I’llthinkofsomething.”Justthenayoungmanwearingrimlessgsseswalkedover.Hewaswelldressedandlookedlikeawhite-colrworkerfromsomebank.Creativityreachedintotheyoungman’spocketforhiswallet,opeandtookoutaBARTticket,whichhequicklyhaoDimitri.DimitriswipeditororyslotandsuccessfullygotintothestatiohenhaheusedtickettoCreativity,whorepceditinthewalletandslippeditbatotheman’spocket.Butwhentheyoungmaoswipetheticketagain,nothinghappehemaewouldnotraisethebartogranthimentry.Theyoungmantookhistickettothestatio’ssaying,

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“Sir,thisisabraicketIjustbought.Whywon’tthemaeletmein?”Thestatiolookedcarelesslyattheticketandsawthatitwasindeedavalidohalotofmoonit.Knowingthattheoldmaesoftenactedupfornoreason,hewavedtheyoungmahedoorohim,gavehimbackhisticketahiminmanually.DimitrisawallthishappenandsaidtoCreativity.

“Ihaveoftehetwoofyoutotwistthemagicalswitpeople’sheadtoseethattheyleadanormandw-abidinglife.YethereIambreakingthewmyselfbyallowingyoutostealBARTticketsforme.That’sreallyamaiurningtoImagination,hesaid,

“Iotjustmakeuseofthisyoungman’sticketwithoutsomehowpayinghimback.Pleasegoandtaphimontheshoulder.Iwillveymyblessingtohiminthisway…”Imaginationwalkedoverasandedandtappedtheyoungmansoftlyontheshoulder.Themanautomaticallyturnedhishead,butwassurprisedtoseenoonebehindhim.Heuzzledattheastonishingthingsthatwerehappeningtohim.FirsthisbrandnewBARTticketsomehowwouldn’twork.Theappedhimontheshoulder,butwheurnedhisheadtherewashereatall.Perplexedbyallthis,herepeatedlymadethesignofthecrossonhimselfashetooktheescatordowntotheptformtowaitforhistrain.

“Hey,KingDimitri”saidCreativity.“Whatkindofblessingdidyougivethatyoungman?youtellus?”

“Igavehimtheblessingthatinthenearfuturegoodfortunewilletohim”saidDimitriwithasmile.“ButIdon’tknowinadvathegoodfortunewillbe.ItcouldbeasmajorasbeingthesolewihePowerballLotteryorasminoraspigupadolroreet.Ihavenowayofknowingthesizeofthegoodfortucouldbebigorsmall,butit’ssomethinggood,that’sforsure…”

“Hopehewiojackpot”saidImagination.“ThatwouldbeamplerewardforhavingthegoodfortuohavehelpedKingDimitri!”

“Wow!Thatwouldsurebegettingitbadredsandmillionstimesover!ABARTticketforamulti-milliondolrjackpot.That’sawesome…..Too,tooawesome…Well,Iamsurethattherewillsooheadditionofanothermulti-milliohisworld.”Thetriochattedamiably,butnoonearoundthemheardanyoftheirversation,forthethreeofthemhadtheirownspecialwayofunigandcoulddirectlyexgethoughtsandideaswithouttheburdensomeneedofwords.Sooooarrivedatthetrainptform.Theirtrainarrivedahreeofthemboarded.SeveralpassengersseeingDimitri’sdarkgssesandwhitee,knewhewasblindandpolitelystooduptoofferhimtheirseats.Dimitrithahemall,choseonehedoorandsatdowrainwasnotcrowdedaivityandImaginationwereablethtohimonhisrightahedoorclosedarainstartedtomove.Afterafewmicameoutfromuhetunnelsandmovedtolevelgroundagainandthesunshhtlyintothetrain.

“Ireallyenvythetwoofyouunencumberedwithafleshbody”saidDimitri.“Youdon’thavetobuyticketsontrainsandhideintheairwithoutanyclotheson.That’swonderful!”

“Nosofastmaster”protestedCreativity.“Youenvyusnothavingafleshbody.We,oherhand,envyyourhavingone.Forexample,takethatyoungmanwhomyoublessedjustnowandsaidhemaywiojackpot.Howcouldheenjoyhisimmehwithoutafleshbody?Howcouldheexperiehemarvelousluxuriesthatwealthcouldgivethefleshbody?Soweenvythefactthatyouhaveone,KingDimitri…”

“Don’tfetthefactthatnoteveryonewio”saidDimitri.“Theremaybemanymulti-millionairesandbilliohisworld,buttherearemany,manymorepeoplelivinguhepovertylirugglingalltheirlivesjusttosurvive.Tothem,thefleshbodyisthecauseofsufferingsandworries.Also,havingafleshbodymeansthatyouwilliablyhavetofaceaging,siessandultimatelydeath.Sotomehavingafleshbodyismoretroublethanit’sworthbecauseallitreallybringsissufferingsandworries.ButthensinceIalreadyhaveone,Imustfacerealityandtakegoodcareofit.Itcouldbesaidthathowtotreatyourfleshbodyisavastscethatrequiresyourwholelifetostudy.Allhumanbeings,richorpoor,mustfaceaging,illnessah,soitcouldbesaidthatthoughhumanbeingsmayhavedifferentfates,butinthefaceofdeathallmenareequal.”Creativitysankintoadeepreverieandmurmured,

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“Yht.helesswemustfindajustandfairequilibriumbetweenrichesandpoverty.”

“Thatwouldbehardtodo”ughedDimitri.“Sihebeginningoftimeshistoryhasrecordedthatmanycleverpeople,philosophersandsuchallwaosolvethesameproblem,butintheendnonesucceededbecauserichesandpovertyareonlycepts.Iythereisnojustandfairwaytomeasurerichesandpoverty.Thetwoceptsaretradictory.Takemeforinstahecitiesofthemundaneworld,Iamapennilesshoboandapitifulblindman.Iamonthelowestdderofsocietywithnorecourseavaibletobettermylot.Thankstothehelpfromthetwoofyou,Imaginationaivity,mybestandmostloyalfriends,IfoundmywaytotheKingdomofDreams.Thereyoubuiltmeamagnifitpace,broughtmaiestotheKingdomtokeepmepanyandevenbuiltmeasolidgoldpace.Yougavemesubjectwholovedmeandmademeahighandmightykingrespectedaeemedbyall.Idoogointodreamndtohaveallthis,evennowwhenIamwideawake;Ifeelthatmyinnermostheartisfullofereasures,whichmakesmyheartfulltooverflowing.Soinmycase,whereistheboundarybetweenrichesandpoverty?”Dimitri’swaveCreativitymorefoodforthought.Heagainfellintoabrownstudyanddidnotspeakagain.

ItwasthenthatDimitrirealizedthathisotherloyalpanionImaginationhadbeeforquitesometime.Sohesaid,

“HeyImagination,whathaveyoubeenthinkingabout?Whyhaven’tyousaidanythingallthistime?”

“Iamnotatalliedinwhatthetwoofyouhadbeentalkingabout.Ifeelthatthetopicsofriches,poverty,fleshbodyandsuchhavenothingtodowithmeasIdon’thaveanyofthevyyourhavingafleshbodybecauseifIhadone,Icouldwearbeautifulclothesandattracttheattentionofeveryonewhoseesme.Won’tthatbewonderful?Lookatthatbeautifulwomansittingtowardstheleftinfrontofyou.Isn’tsheanexampleofwhatIwant?”DimitrilookedtowhereImaginationindicatedandsarettyyoungwomanwearingawhiteshort-sleevedshirt,applegreenkhskirtandwhitesemi-highheeledshoeswhowasimmersedinreadingabookinherhand.

“Lookatthatyoungwoman”saidDimitri.“Thematerialoftheclothessheiswearingisnotexpebecauseoodtasteinputtifittogetheritemphasizesheryouthandvitality.Mostimportantofallisthevibesshegivesout.Anyonewhoesintactwithherothelpbutbeaffectedbyherpeacefulserenity.Itissuchvibesthatinfluehewholeseofthetrain,makingpeoplefeelpeadserehat’swhyIthinkeveryonehashisorherownwayofdressing,butthevibestheygiveoutaredifferentacctotheindividual.Don’tyouthinkso?”Imaginationnodded,buthereyeskeptgoingtothatbeautifulyoungwoman.

“SomehowIhavetheintuitionthatthisyoungwomanwillbestoppingoffatthesamestationaswedo.IiodowhatCreativitydid.IwilltaketheBARTcardfromherwalletayouuseit.Thenafteryousuccessfullygh,Iwillrepceitinherwalletandputitbaherpurse…Hey,KingDimitri,youotusethisyoungdy’shelpwithoutrepensingher,right?Youwillgiveheryourblessingtht?Whatblessingwillyougiveher?...Idon’tthinkmoneyandricheswouldbehighonherlist…Ithinkshewouldliketoretainheryouthandgoodlooksforeveraernallybeautiful…yougivehersuchablessing?”

“OfcourseI”repliedDimitrismiling.“ButIotguarasuchablessingwouldetrue.”ThetrainsuddenlygrewdarkasitwentundergroundthroughthetuhebottomoftheSanFranciscoBaythatwilltakeitdirectlytotheoppositeshore.ThecloudfromtheKingdomofDreamswaftedfreelywiththewindintheairabovetheBay.Heedlessofairanddistafloatedblithelyonuedbythegesinterrain,topography,nationalboundariesorborders…

Afterleavistation,Dimitriwasagainplungedamidstabustlingcrowdofpeople.Thiscitywasbiggerandmoreprosperousthantheo,sothefootstepsofthepeopleherewereevenmorehurriedandrushed.Dimitripaidstattentiontotheprofessionallydecoratedstorewindowswhiedthestreets,forthebellsinhisheartwerechimingloudly,callingonhimtohurrytohisdestination-thegrandoldmajesticchurch,ahistoridmarkofthecity,whereonememberoftheKingdomofDreamswouldbemarryingthemanofherchoid16otherbeautieswouldbecelebratingagroupweddingtohim,DimitriJa!Theoccasionwasbeingcelebratedwithsup,publicityandsplendorthathisabsencewoulddeeplyembarrassandshamethe16brides;forwithoutagroomtheywouldbesideredjiltedatthealtar.Dimitri’sdeepsenseofresponsibilitywouldnotallowsuchathingtohappen,butherwasheeagertotakepartintheceremonyforitwouldnotaplishanypurpose.Thoughhewaswalkingquicklyforward,Dimitriwasinatizzybecausehisfeelingswerefusedandtroversial.Uptothemomenthehadstillnotdecidedonwhatheshoulddoorhowtoresolvethisdilemma.Ashewalked,hewasthinkingtohimself,

“QueenAishaisabrilliantandcleverwomanandIloveherdearly.SheshouldknowthatthereasonIhavestayedawayallthistimewastogivethebeautiesoftheKingdomofDreamssuffittimeandspacetodecideonwhattheywaodowiththeirlivesaaboutdoingit.WhywouldQueenAishagoalongwiththepnofagroupwedding?ThatmovewouldonlyforcemyhandandmakemeappearbeforeIwasreadytodoso…Ifherpurposewastoseemeforthefinaltimeandsaygoodbye,whychoosesuchapublicoccasion?Itwouldservenopurposeandonlycausesadnessandtroubleforalled.”

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Dimitriwalkedquicklyahead,butthemorehehurried,themoreroadblocksappeared.Asthesayinggoes,“Morehaste,lessspeed”!Ashegotwithinafewblockstohisdestination,hefoundthattheareahadbeenpletelycordonedoffandallcarsarianshadtodetour.Poliwereoreeterandhelicoptershoveredoverheadbecausethiswasanultraextravagantweddingwithmembersofroyalfamiliesandmanyofthecelebritiesaeofpolitidfinancialpersoending.Inthisdayaerroristattacks,thewenfortagenciesandthemilitarywentalloutonfullerttoehesafetyofthesedomestidiionalVIPweddis;foranyactsthattookpcecouldeasilybeelevatedtoiionalis.

Thesidewalksonbothsidesofthestreetwerefullofcrowdsofpeoplegawkingattheweddisdresseduptothehetestfashions.Butmanymorewereattractedbythename-brandluxurycarsfromdifferenttriesveyingtheseridfamoustothechureultrafastsportscarwouldarrivesinglyandwhizzpastlikethewind.Twoorthreecarswouldesedatelyasagroupallowingthespectatorstohaveaneye-full.Tokeepuptheirstatus,theseultraexpensivenamebrandluxurycarswereoflimitededition;rareenoughtocauseasensationwheheyappeared.Howeveratthisweddingofthetury,allbrandsoftheselimitededitioncarsarrivedenmassegivingthecrowdararetreatthatkeptthemoh-ingandah-inginrapture.Thoughtooexpeheordinarypersontoown,theaudiencewassatisfiedjusttoseesomanyoftheminmotion.Itcouldbesaidthatholdingararecarshowforthespectatorsbeforetheweddingbeganwasanunintereatfromtheweddingpreparatoryittee!

Fiveorsixformallyattiredyoungmen,brother,cousinsandgoodfriendsofthegroom,stoodattheentrahechurch,agasusherstoleadweddiotheirallottedseatsihechurch.Iftheguestdrovetotheweddinghimself,avaletwascalledtoparkthe.Iftheguestwasdrivenbyhischaufferandbroughtalonghissecretary,bodyguardetc.,thechaufferwouldbetoldwheretoparkaherswouldbetakentoanotherlocatioheywouldbeseentoaertainedbyotherattendants.Thespecialpreparatoryitteetookawholeyeartoprepareforthisweddinganddidanexcellentjob,seeingtoeverypossibletingency,sothateverythingwouldgoverysmoothly.Aftertheweddingceremonywasoverandthebrideandgroomhadleft,thepreparatoryitteeaohavespeciattendantscallouttheheguestswhosevehicleswerereadyfortheminfrontofthechurch.Thislistwasmadeacctothetimeoftheguests’arrivandnotthenobilityoftheirstatus.Agroupofexperiencedvaletswerestatioheparkinglottoexecutethelistgiventothemahecarsoutintheorderoftheirarrival.Justthen,amiddle-agedusherwhoseemedtobetheoneintrol,lookedatthesofhishand-heldputerandmurmured,

“Alltheguestshavearrivedwiththeexceptionofaprinceofoheminortries.Hehadalreadyabdicated.Whyishestillsobusy?Buthealwayshadateobete,sowillhebetetoday,too?Weotdeytheweddingbecauseofhim…”Justthenthepurringofastrongenginewasheardandasuper-luxurysportscarwhooshedhastilyintosightstoppingcrookedlybeforethechurch.Amiddle-agedmanofaboutfortytofiftyyearsoldjumpedoutassoonasthecarstopped,andwithoutclosingthecardoorwehepassengersideofthecartohelphisfemalepasseawoofthemwalkedquicklyupthestepstothechurtrance.

“Sorry.Sorry.I’mafraidwearete”saidtheprinceashewalkedtowardsthemiddle-agedusherwhocamefreetthem.

“Oh,no,no.Youareontime,yhness,”repliedtheusher.“Buttheceremonywillbestartinginjusttwominutes.Youareinfactthestguesttoarrive.”Thenhewavedoveraoshowthemihechurchtotheirassigs.Lookingattheothershesaid,“Good.Alltheguestshavearrived.Theweddingceremonieswillbeginoellthepeopleupinthebelltowertostartringingthebelhemusicbegin.”Soonthechurchbellswasringingmerrily,announgthebeginningoftheceremonies.Hethentalkedbywalkie-talkietothegroupofcarswaitingashortdistanceawayandtoldthemthatitwastimetodriveover.

Thereressivefleetoftwelvebcksuperluxurysedanswaitingattheentrahehoteshortdistanceaway.Thegroomsatihandbrideihcarwiththeirattendants,whiletheirentewasscatterediofthecars.ThisarrawasmadebecausetheO’Brianfamilywaomakeagreatshowoftheirwealthandairofgrandeuraswelstoexpresshowimportantthisweddingwastothem.Thefleetoftwelvecarsmadetheirwayslowlytowardsthechurchwithhornsbringasamarkofcelebration,insortwiththeloudlyringingchurchbells.Asthebride’scarslowlydroveby,ImaginationsaidtoDimitri,

“Isn’tthatbrideNovel?Look!Sheisturningherheadtolooktowardsus!ButIdon’tthinksheseeveryclearlybehindherveil,soshemaynotdiscoveritisusstandingbytheroadside…Weusedtobecloseassister,now…Ifeelwearesodistantwefeellikestrangers…”WatgthefleetofcarsdriveslowlyawaycarryiywhousedtobepartofhisKingdomofDreamsonherwaytowedanother,Dimitrifeltanindescribablefeelingeoverhim.Hecouldnottellwhetheritinessorsorrowbutfeltadissotesenseoflossinhisheart.

Theironbackdoorofthechurchopenedwidewithalouddworkersrolledoutaredcarpetfromihebuildingrighttothebatrance.Asecurityguardwasstatioheretomakesurethatnooutsiderswereallowedtoethesametimehewastoldthatwhenthemainweddingthatwasgoingonwasfiherewouldbeanroupweddingscheduledtotakepce,wheresixteenbridesweretobemarriedandthatthebackdoorofthechurchwasreservedfortheirexclusiveuse.Thatwasallthesecurityguardknewandhewasnottoldofanyoftheparticurs.Earlyinthem,fetrailerssimirtothoseusedonmoviesetwereparkedbythebatrahechurch,whichpracticallytookupthewholelengthofthestreet.Nearbyresidentsthoughtsomestudiowasgoingtofilmsesthere.Assuchthingshadhappenedbeforetheydidnotthinkmuchofit,soadultswenttoworkandchildreoschoostheynormallydid.Theareahadbeenpletelycordonedoffforsecurityreasonsandallcarsarianshadtodetour,sostreetsseemedextremelycalmandquiet.Inthebeginningaboutadozenyoungwomencouldbeseemgoinginandoutofthefetrailers,talkingandughing.Butafterawhiletheyseemedtosettledownfourtoeaeanddidnotappearanymore.Theseair-ditionedvehicleswereactuallythesizeofalittlehouse,equippedwithtoilet,showersandevenasmallkitette.Onmoviesets,theywereusedasthepoviestarstoputonmakeup,geesabetweeheywerethesixteeifulbrideswhoallinteomarryKingDimitri.Ofcoursesometrailersheldmorethanfourpersons,forAmalia,MarkandlittledogMaureenalsocamewiththem.

ThenobleanddecorousQueenAishasatirailer,ilyreadingthebookinherhand.Shewasallreadyfortheceremonyhavingalreadyputonherwhiteweddinggownandthepricelessjewelryfitforaqueen.TogetherirailerwithherwereMegginn,SamanthaandDorna,theappleofhereyewhowerealldressedintheirformalweddinggowns.Megginnwasreadingandansweringhere-mails.ThoughshehadresignedherpositionasCEOofWorldBank,therewereinnumerabledetailsectedtoKingDimitri’srgefinancialempireshehadtodealwithonadailybasisthatnooneelsecouldhelpherwith.SamanthawashelpingDetready.Atfirstthenaughtygirlrefusedtoputonanymake-upbecauseshehadneverdonesobeforeanddidnotknowhowtodoit.Samanthacoaxedhersaying,

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“Allgirlsoputonmake-uponspecialoccasions.It’saformofrespedpoliteoherselfandtoothers.Itisawayofexpressingherhighregardfortheimportaheceremoakingpartin…Youarestillyounganddonotwanttoputonmake-up.Justwait!Afewyearster,noonecouldpersuadeyounotto!eon,I’lljusttouchupyourfaceverylightlyokay?”SupermodelSamanthaertatthis.Afewsimplelighttouchesandshewasdone.LookingatDornaadmiringlyinthemirror,shesaid,“OhlittleDorna,youaresobeautiful!Lookatyourself,justafewsimpletouchesandyouhavebeorebeautifulthanever!YouhaveanaturalbeautythatIreallyenvy.”SuplimentarywordsfromasophisticatedwomanlikeSamanthagaveDornaawarmfeeling.Thoughshewasjustieens,thoselightexperttouchesofeticsaddedafemininecharmandlovelinesswhichmadeherfeelspedproud.DornalookedatAishaandasked,

“HiAisha,doyoureallythinkKingDimitriwille?Whatifhedoesn’t?Howwillourweddinggoonifhedoesn’tshowup?Howtherebeaweddingwithoutagroom?”Aisha’seyesleftherbookandsaid,

“Youhaveaskedmethisquestioimesalreadytoday.ItoldyouthatmyintuitionisKingDimitriwillshowupbecauseheisourbelovedking.Hewillneverleaveusallinalurchlikethis.Iamquitefidentthatmyintuitioniscorrect,sodonotaskmethisquestionagain.”Sayingso,Aisha’seyesagainlookeddownonherbook.MegginnlookedupfromherworkandgaveDornaameaningfulgnce,cautionioleavethatquestionalonesoasnottoannoyQueenAisha.Dornauoodandspokenomore.Hereyeswenttotheputerswhichshowedthatthechurchwasfulltocapacityandmurmuredunderherbreath,

“Alltheguestsshouldhavearrivedbynow.Whyhasn’ttheweddingbegu?”Beforeshefinishedspeaking,thechurchbellsbeganringingloudlyandmerrily,mixedwiththebringofhornsfromthefleetofbridalcarswhichearerandiltheyreachedtheentrahechurthesshesawtheyoungandhandsomeMr.O’Brian,apaniedbyhistwobestmen,walkquicklydowntheredcarpettowardsthealtarandthemuchrespectedwhite-hairedpastorquietlyemergefromthevestrydoortostandbeforethealtar.SuddenlystrainsoftheWeddingMarchpyedbytheansoundedandtheveiledfigureofthebridewalkedslowlyandsolemnlydowntheredcarpetintothechurthearmse,plumpman.Dornacriedoutinsurprise,

“Howeheishere…?Wheredidheefrom…?Hey,youguyseandsee.Markiswalkingdowntheredcarpetwiththebride.Howeheistheonegivingthebrideaway?”AishaputdownherbookandcameginnandSamanthaalsocrowdedaround.Alleyeswereontheputersshowingtheseoftheweddinginthechurch.

“That’sstrange!”saidAisha.“HowdidMarkappearhere?Acctoourpn,MarkposedtosubstitutefDimitriandghtheweddinginhispceifDimitrididnotshowup.Howdidheendupgivingawaythebride?Butetothinkofit,Markwasquiteagoodchoiceforthatjob.Novel’sparentsarenolongerlivingandshehasnosiblings,sothereisogiveherawayattheceremony.InAmalia’seyes,Markislikeherownson.KingDimitrilikeshimtooandhehasalwaysgottenalongverywellwithmembersoftheKingdomofDreamsasifeveryonewasabighappyfamily.HeisasuitablechoicetotakethepceofabriveNovelawaytroom.Whydidhinkofthatourselves…?Butwhatwedidnotthinkof,Goddid.Ithinkthisisaverygoodomen.IfeelintuitivelythatKingDimitriwillshowupandtakepartinourwedding,whichisalsohiswedding.Myintuitionisstrohanever…”

Earlythatmbeforetheareawascordonedoff,fourtrailersarrivedandparkedoreetatthebatrahechurch.Thedriversandtheirassistantsgotoutaakentoarestareawheretheycouldrestandenjoysomerefreshments.OhetrailerswasoccupiedbyAmalia,Yoko,Shei,Laverne,MarkandlittledogMaureen.SheiandYokohadalreadydressedAmaliainherredManchugownandtheyhadalsoputontheirownweddinggowns.LittleMaureeobeawarethattodayecialdayandwasextremelywell-behaved,lyingdocilelybyAmalia’sfeetinthelivihetrailer.Amaliasaidshewashungry,soSheiandYokowentandgothersomefood.RetlyAmalia’seatinghabitsbecamedisorderly.Shestantlypinedofhunger,butwhenfoodwasbroughttohershesaidshewasnothungryandcouldnotpartakeofanything.Sheateonlysoftangelcakeandmilk,refusingallotherfood.SheicarefullybrokeoffapieceofcakeandcoaxedhertoeatandYokomadeherdrinksomemilk.AmaliawasaffixedontheideathatMarkwasherownsonandwasstantlyaskingforhim,soheutirailer.Lavernehaddressedhiminhisbrandnewsuitandtiedhistieforhim,afterwhichshewenttothedressingroomareatogetherselfreadyfortheceremony.Markfollowedherandsawhersittingbeforethedressingtableputtingonmakeup.herface.Hesatoherwithonehandproppinguphisandwatchedherinfasation.

“Haveyousomethingyouwanttosaytome?”askedLavernesmilingly.Markhesitatedforamomentasifuainofhowtoaskhisquestionandtheontosay,

“Areyouallgettingmarriedtoday?EveryoneofyouwillbemarryingKingDimitri?Includingyht?Butdidn’tyoualreadymarrymeinthatphoto…?Howcouldyoumarrysomeoneelse…?”LavernehadoakenapicturewithMarkinabridalgown,whichMark’ssimplemindtooktobeaweddingseeBook2.

“Yes”sherepliedpattinghimlovinglyonhischubbycheeks“Don’tworry.WearealreadymarriedooandIwillnotmarryanyoneelse…ButIamamemberoftheKingdomofDreamsandalltheotherbeautiesseemtothinkitisofgreatimportanttoholdthisgroupweddingandmarryKingDimitriasasortofclosure.QueenAishadidnotobject,either.SoasamemberoftheKingdomofDreamsIamgoingalongwithit.Butdon’tworry,whenthisisoverwewillghasimplecivilservidbelegallymarried.Wewillbeearealfamilyandhavechildreher…”

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“wonderfulthatwillbe!”excimedMark,eyesbrightwithexcitement.“Wearegoingtohaveababy!Ohheavens,wearegoingtohaveababy…”

“Ireallydon’tuandtheirwayofthought”murmuredLaverne.“Why’ttherestofthebeautiesuandthatKingDimitriisstayingaurposesothatwecouldfindourowiny,ourownfuturehappiness?Hedoesn’twantustoputallsinonebasketandtrateallourhopesandattentiononhimalohatisthecorrectattitude,butwhydoesQueenAisha,whoisnormallysowise,insistonthislope-sidedinfatuation…?Ireallydon’tuand.PerhapsbecauseIhavelongdecidedwhatIwoulddowithmylifeinpursuitofmyoiness,Iotuandtheirpointofview…”LaverneimpulsivelykissedMarkonhischeekatthethought,thehedistinctmarkofredlipsshelefttherecriedout,“Ohno,IfotIhadalreadyputonlipstick!”andproceededtowipeitoffhisroundcheekswithatissue.Justthenchurchbellsbeganringing,mixedwiththebringofhornsfromthefleetofcarsthatearerandhechurygosh!Theceremonyisabouttobegin.Ihadbetterhurryandputonmyweddinggownsoasnottobete…”

“HeyLaverne”saidMark.“MayIgooutsideandtakeashortwalk?I’llberightback.Iamsoexcited.We’regoingtohaveababy!Letmegoforawalk,okay?”

“Sure.Butdon’twaoofar.RememberyouaresupposedtosubstitutefDimitriifhedoesn’tshowupfortheceremony…Sotakeyourwalkandebacksoon…”

Thesecurityguardsawatall,chubbymanwalkdownfromthetrailerdressedinanexpe,withshoesthatwereshioperfe.Asthemanearer,thesecurityguardsawthathisfacehadthechildishandnaiveexpressioardedman.Sincehecamedownfromthetrailer,thesecurityguardfiguredhemustbeectedtothegrandweddingthatwasgoingonandsomadeasigntotheguardatthebatraitwasalrighttolethimin.SoMarkehegrandoldhistoricalchurthebatrance.HediderthechurchproperatolookedinthroughthewindowandfounditfilledtocapacitywithVIPguests.Themenwereallformallyclothedinexpesandthediesweredressedtotheheheightoffashiomosphereyandgenial,butasitwasinachurchtheversationwaslowandhushedwithnoloudughterorboisteroussalutations.Markfeltilteaseinhighcsssociactivitiesashefoundthemrestrainingarictive,sohewalkedaroundthegardenstowardsthefrorance.Aprofusionofflowerswerebloominginthegardensuhebrightsunshiheirrootsquietlyabsthenutrientsofthesoilwhiletheirblossomsehewarmthofthesunahedinthefreshair.Theimpressivefleetoftwelvebcksuperluxurysedanshadarrivedatthechurchbuthadstoppedbringtheirhornsoutofrespectforthesanctityofthepceofworship.MarksawElinahelpofthesedan.Thebridewaswearingaveildecoratedwithallkindsofgemsatthefourersandherweddingdresshadanine-foottrainwhieededsomeoohelphermaneuversoitwouldangledup.Elina,thebridesmaid,waswearinganespeciallywellcut,floor-lengthpinkfownwhiplementedhergentlefeminiy.Shelookedup,sawMarkwatgtheirarrivalfromadistandwavedhimoversaying,

“Howeyouarestandingalohere?Don’tyouhaveanythingyoushouldbedoing?Aretheotherbeautiesallhere?”

“Allthebeautiesareheregettingreadyfortheceremonyirailers”repliedMark.“Ifeltcoopedupthere,soIcameoutforawalk.”ElinalookedatMarkandthoughttoherselfthatitwassosadthatNovel’sparentshaddiedalongtimeagoandshehadnosiblings,sotherewasogiveherawayatthewedding.ThatwaswhytheydecidedthataflirlbearingrosesandaboycarryirayoftheweddingringsshouldstarttheprocessionandNovelwouldwalkaloowardsthealtarwhereMr.O’Brianwouldbewaiting.She,Elena,asNovel’sonlyliviive,wouldbethebrides-maidwalkingbehindhercarryingthelongtrain.LookingatMark,Elenathoughthewouldbeagooddidatetogiveawaythebride.Soshesaidtohim,

“HeyMark,sinceyouhavenothingtodoaloafingaround,IhaveajobforyoubutI’mnotsurewhetheryouareuptoitornot.”

“What?Youhaveajobforme?I’msureIamuptoit.Whatdoyouwaodo?”saidMarkexcitedly.

“youwalkthebridedowntheredcarpetofthechurchasherbriveherawaytothegroom?It’sverysimplyreally.Doyouthinkyoudoit?”MarklookedatElenaseriously,hisnormallychildishexpressiongonefromhisface,toberepcedbyalookofintelligendcapability.

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“Noproblem,Elena.Leaveittome.”

“It’snotabigjobandtakesonlyafewminutes,butit’sthebeginningoftheweddingandaveryseriousbusiness.Doup!”Markpattedhischestandsaidfidently,

“Itoldyounoproblem.Pleasebelieveme,Elena.Idoit.Leaveittome.”Elenanodded,smiledathimandholdingthehandsoftheflirndtheringbearerwalkedthemtowardsthehallwayofthechurchtowaitforthesignalfromthemasterofceremoobegintheirwalkdowntheredcarpettowardsthealtar.Shethenquicklywalkedbacktohercousiakecareofthelong,nine-footlongtrain.

Thelittlegirl,carefullyscatteringflowerpetalsthtaofherontheredcarpetandtheboysolemnlybearingthesmalltrayswerethefirsttowalkintothechurchaglowwithdlelightandperfumedwithvishbouquetsofwhiterosestiedwithwhitesatinribbons.TheanmusicswelledtoacresdoandarteddowntheaisleonthearmsofMarkinadriftingswirlofwhitesilkandhernine-footlongtraintrailinglikeacloudbehindherbeingatteobyherlovelybridesmaid,Elena.MarkhappeobestandihegardensatthefrorahechurdickedbyElenaonthespurofthemomenttogivethebrideaway.HewalkedslowlyandcarefullyontheredcarpetwithNovelonhisarms,hisexpressionmostlyseriousandsolemnbutbrightehaslightsmilepyingtoperfethepartofalovingbrivingawayhissistertoperfe.Whentheyreachedthealtar,oppedandtheanmusietoahalt.Inthesilehemuchrespectedwhite-hairedpastanbyaskinginadeep,resonantandsonorousvoice,

“Whogivesthiswomantobemarriedtothisman?”

“Ido”repliedMarkclearly.Thenhepovel’shandintoMr.O’Brian’s,hemandsteppedback.Withasighofreliefthathehaddonehispartwithoutaglitch,Markwalkedbackdowntheaisleandwhileeveryotentionwasteredonthebrideandgroom,heslippedunobtrusivelyawayfromthechurch.MakinghiswayaroundthegardentothebatraintoLaverrailer.

Theattentionofthesixteeiesscatteredinthefourtrailersoutsidethebatrahechurchwereallilytratedonthergestransmittingtheweddingoftheturyasittookpce.Whichyoungwomawishtohaveasolemnbutvishwedding?Whichyoungwomanisnotedwithherfuturehappiness?Amongthosesixteeies,Aisha’sfeelingsweredeeplystirredahemostonhermind.She,thequeenoftheKingdomofDreams,wasnowptheembarrassingpositionoflookingforandsideringchoosinganewspouse.Howcouldshebearthatandwhiinthismundaneworldcouldbeparabletoherpositionandtalent…?

Theceremonyonthesroceedingacctoprotocol.Theofficiatingpastorwassaying,

“Dearlybeloved,wearegatheredheretodayinthesightofGod,andinthefaceofthisgregation,tojoiherthismanandthiswomaninholymatrimony.Ifanypersonshowjustcausewhytheymaynotbejoiogether,letthemspeaknoworforeverholdtheirpeace.”Hestoppedforamomentandlookedaround.Aseppedforwardtostoptheweddiurohebrideandasked,

“DoyouNovelSilkestakeRobertO’Briantobeyourwfullyweddedhusband,tohaveandtoholdfromthisdayforward,forbetterorforworse,forricherorforpoorer,insiessandih,toloveandcherishtilldeathyoudopart?”

2

“Ido”repliedhenturningtoMr.O’Brian,heasked,

“DoyouRobertO’BriantakeNovelSilkestobeyourwfullyweddedwife,tohaveandtoholdfromthisdayforward,forbetterorforworse,forricherorforpoorer,insiessandih,toloveandcherishtilldeathyoudopart?”

“Ido”repliedMr.O’Briaakingtheringfromhisbestmanwhohadtakenitfromtheringbearer,Mr.O’BriantookNovel’slefthandacarefullyohirdfinger,saying,“WiththisringItheewed.WithmybodyItheeworship.WithmyworldlygoodsItheeendow.Inthehefather,andofthesonandoftheHolySpirit.”Withthatthepastorblessedthebrideandthegroomandannounced,

“Bythepowersiedinme,Inowpronounanandwife.”HesmiledatMr.O’Brianandsaid,“Youmaynowkissthebride.”Mr.O’BrianturoNovel,carefullytookherveilbythehemandturowardsthebackofherhead.Whenthebridewasunveiledandfacedtheguestswithherbeautifundgeousfeaturesinfullview,murmursofpraiseandexcmationsofsurpriseroseandfellinthechurch,turningtoughterandhandgwhenthegroombenthisheadtokisshisblushingbride.MusicstruckupagainasMr.O’Brian,withNovelonhisarm,walkedbackdowntheaisletowardstheentrahechurchamidwhistles,gofhandsandtossingofrice,fetti,rosepetalsandweddingpoppers.Theybeganrunningdowepsofthechurchasthetossingbecamemorous,quicklygotintothefleetofcarswaitingatthefroranddroveaway…Theguestsmingledforawhileandtheinanorderlymannerwhentheirnameswerecalledastheircarsweresentoverfromtheparkinglotacctothetimeoftheirarrival.Elenadidnotleavewiththebridalparty.MakingherwayaroundthegardenasMarkdid,shereachedthebatrandenteredherassigrailer.

Outofrespectfodandthesanctityofthechurovel’sfleetofcarsdroveawayslowlyandsolemnlyinpletesilenceforquiteadistancebeforelettinglooseandalltwelvecarsbredtheirhorhusiasticallyinjoyfubandoinganoisybuthappy,fiesta-likeatmosphere,muchlikethewaytheesepeoplecelebratetheirLunarNewYearbylightingupalongstringoffirecrackers.Thebridalfleetdrovebackthewaytheycame,followedcloselybythecarsoftheVIPguests.Thecrowdsofonlookerswereagaiedtoafreecarshowandhadaneye-fulloftheparadeofname-brandluxurycarsfromdifferenttries,rareenoughtocauseasensationwheheyappeared.DimitrikhenthatNovel‘sweddingceremonyhadendedandtheguestswereallleavingthechurch.Stuacrowdofgawkingonlookersbehindstrictlyenforcedpolicesecuritylines,hewasrestlessasaahottinroof,knowingthatasedceremonywasabouttobegin.Thiswasthestrangeandunheardofweddingwheresixteeiesweremarryihesamegroom.Ifhedidnotappearintimeforit,thebeautieswouldbeextremelydisappointedanddeeplyembarrassedbybeingjiltedatthealtar,whichwassomethinghedidnotwanttohappehinking,“Inmylifetime,Ihavebrokenthroughmanyphysidpsychologicalboundaries,suchasdreamsay,richesandpoverty,blindnessandsight...Ithoughttherewasnothinginthisworldthatcouldbindmyfleshbody.ButnowIamstoppedbyawhiteropesetbythepolicethatIotleapover…”