[Matt absent, thus, no Isaac]
Sunday, 28 May: Fueled
and flight-check complete, Cliff welcomes the team aboard, “Settle in. It’ll be
a long flight but at least you’ll have access to a full bar. First stop:
Springfield, Illinois. Then on to Oklahoma City tomorrow.” It was a wet
flight…in that every time Mikael lifted his vodka, air turbulence caused him to
spill his drink. Till he figured out to just drink straight from the bottle.
29 May: Per arrangement
there was a Hertz rental car waiting for them at the Oklahoma City airport.
“Before driving on to Bingham, let’s check the radio station where those
religious broadcasts came from.” WFOC run by Katherine Mackle, “Why yes, a
15-minute nightly program. Every Saturday Reverend Kornfield drives down
delivering five 75rpm records; one per weekday. The reverend? In his 40s, full
head of black hair. Tall forehead; nice fella. Did ya wanna listen to some of
his records?” As expected, a Pentecostal sermon. A lot of “Halleluiahs”, and
promises of spiritual healing. And now that they knew what to listen for, the
background Nacaal tongue speaking of Yig. Timed to match the spoken name of God
in the English sermon.
It was a 2-hour drive northwest to the lumbermill town of
Bingham; maybe 700 folk. A hot, dry drive with the perpetual rooster-tail of a
dust-cloud trailing the car. Evidence of the dust storms noted in this bleak
region. Windows closed but still the fine dust covered everyone and everything
in the car. Stop at the railroad station for a city map, then one block south
to the hotel. “Welcome sirs. Mams. You be staying the night? Separate rooms for
the ladies; unless ya got marriage certificates to show. Names Dilbert. Church?
Well yes, we got the First Church of…just the First Church. Never mind
that map; no longer of Christ the Redeemer. We renamed it. Course the
congregation has shrunk; not all townfolk are believers of the reverend.”
And that’s went the doorbell chimed once more as a father
and son walked in, “Oh my, I hope they didn’t rent the last room. Me and my boy
come all this way to see Reverend Kornfield. You too? Mortimer and my son Lloyd; bible salesmen. Mind if we tag along?” A good 20-minute walk west on
Fosse then south on Liberty; enough time to shake out the dust. If the church
was painted, it now bare wood. Dust storms surely ground the paint away. A lone
sign proclaiming ‘The First Church’. Closer look revealing nail holes below
where more signage used to be.
Inside, children pictures decorate the walls. Crayons and
water-colors of religious themes. Jenny puzzling over one picture of a man in a
cave. Mikael suggesting, “Jesus in tomb after his crucifixion. You come to
church, I teach you.” Mikael going forward to place his figurine beside a
statue. [he’s learned his coiled-watcher snake figurine is really a video
recorder.] And that’s when the door beside the altar opens, “Ah, new
worshipers?
Reverend Kornfield at your service.” Lloyd the first to
excitedly speak up, “Yes pastor. Me and my boy come all this way to witness
your healing. We ain’t seen snake handling before.” The pastor proud to admit,
“The Book of Mark speaks of snakes. Come see tonight at our 6pm service
followed by a potluck dinner. I’ve healed many. Those I’m allowed to see. The
blacksmith’s wife for one, with a skin condition.”
And that’s when Mira speaks up, “Faith healing. Do you
think you can cure this?” She raises her blouse to show her snake scaled
stomach. [Maybe she was going for a reaction to her scales but the preacher is
emotionless.] He steps forward to lay hands. Mira can feel a warmth. And just
like that the scales turn hard. Mira bushes them; they flake away. Wide-eyed
with surprise at her baby-soft skin. Cliff noticing something else; with a
whisper, “You might want to wear these sunglasses.” No further explanation.
They depart the church going separate ways. Cliff to the
library to research when the church changed its name (3 months ago). In
reference to his questions about the church, the librarian Augusta offers,
“That was about the time he came out of the desert after his 40 day/night
pilgrimage. He cured our barber Harry Matthewson who was almost blind.”
Meanwhile, Jen and Mikael cross the tracks to enter the
Deerhead saloon, “Vodka. No 3.2% beer; vodka ok. You pour; I call it water, OK?
No?” Jen introduces herself, “Just came to town to see the reverend.” Which
draws distain and a spit from the barkeep, “Unholy man; the devil I say. Old
George Hensen got his legs crushed in a lumbermill accident. Pastor healed him.
Now runs like the wind, but he don’t sleep beside his wife. She says he crawls
under the floor slats at night.” Mikael can’t help but notice a gristly patron
scowling at him.
“Don’t mind Hillard. He ain’t pleased with the pastor
neither.”
Meanwhile, Mira and Porter walk north to the Blacksmith
shop. Bill hammering away till he sees Mira standing before the anvil, “Howdy
pretty lady; what can I do for you.” Disdain when she mentions the pastor,
“Don’t mention that devil in MY presence. He’s why I gotta lock Pearl away in
her room. Now you get.” Mira pleading as she lifts her blouse, “I used to have
scales but he healed me too. Are there other effects? What happened to your
wife?” Bill lays down his hammer leading them into the house, “It was just
troubling itching from eczema was all. No one gets cured for free. Baby-soft
skin now, but look.” He pulls out a skin suit; human skin reminiscent of a shed
snake skin.
Bill now crying as he leads them upstairs to her room,
“He robbed me of my wife. She molts like this monthly. Like the snake from the
Garden of Eden; I can’t lay beside the devil’s offspring.” He knocks at the
door, “Pearl, you got visitors.” A distant voice, “I’m not decent right now.
I’m sunbathing on the roof.” They enter to indeed find Pearl scaling down the
outside wall into the bedroom window. Mira removing her glasses to be more
personable as she explains her prior snake scale, now baby skin. Pearl asking,
“Is that how you got your snake-eyes?” Mira looking in a mirror and now
hyperventilating, “No, no, no! What did he do?” Pearl suggesting, “If those are
true snake-eyes, you should be able to see in the dark. Let me close the
shades.” Now Mira panicking more, “I can see! Are there other symptoms? Do you
crave human flesh or eat rodents?” Pearl laughs, “Nothing of the sort. A small
price to pay for such beautiful skin. It’s a blessing. The pastor’s a wonderful
man. If only Bill would let me go to services.”
While the curtains were being closed, Porter notices a
teen girl running from the house. He quietly exits the house to follow, seeing
her join up with a boy. Who notices Porter and quickly covers his left hand, “Leave
us alone old man.” But Porter the more intimidating, “What are you hiding
there? Don’t make me get the sheriff.” The kids dart down an alley and are
quickly gone.
They all rejoin at the hotel, where Cliff decides, “We’re
an hour ahead of New York. It’s only 5:30 but we best call in to Meadham now if
we’re to make the 6pm church service.” The phone call explanation of the
reverend’s “healings” with snake side-effects. Human shadows per Porter’s
report. “Mira can show you evidence of side-effects.”
Minutes till 6pm as they approach the church; the
reverend on the steps to welcome the congregation. Movement in the alley; two
teens running away. Suddenly, “KaBLAM!” Fire billows out the windows, now void
of their stain-glass. The steeple collapses to the side. “Quick, form a fire
brigade.” The arrival of the volunteer firemen. A bucket line. Takes an hour to
extinguish. Enough time to notice the extremely fast fireman relaying buckets all
by himself. Finally, smoldering ashes. Mikael using the lack of lighting as his
opportunity to retrieve his figurine recorder from the ruins. Replay to see two
teens dousing gasoline inside the church before tossing a match.
Outside, the pastor thanks all for putting the fire out,
“Fear not. We’ll still hold service. Just give me time to setup a tent and
chairs.” Jen takes the opportunity to speak with the fast man, “You were like a
one-man show. Fast.” George Hensen replying, “Yes, yes, freaky fast. Fun, fun.
You wanna have fun? Like games? Come join me at the tracks. We’ll slip under
the wheels of the 9pm train. I do it all the time. Fun.” “Uh, no thanks.”
A decent congregation fills the tent where the pastor
opens a crate of snakes. People dancing and speaking in tongues (Yes, some
Nacaal). Kornfield proceeds to call members forward. “Come, let our guest be
first.” Against his religion, Mikael turns to leave, “Don’t be afraid stranger.
Faith will protect you.” Mikael gives the single-digit salute as he leaves.
Enough distraction for Jen to slip away. Mira steps forward out of curiosity;
the snakes harmlessly slither around her arms and neck. “You are purified.”
Paulo sees no harm so he too steps forward. “Ouch! Damn thing bit me!” He can
already feel the poison seeping into his blood stream. The pastor touches the
bite; Paulo can see the poison being drawn out. “Fear not; you’ve been
purified.” Despite witnessing the bite, Porter steps forward to handle the
snakes without incident. Cliff wise enough to decline.
Paulo leaves the tent and runs into Mikael, “I should
have followed your lead and left too.” Mikael staring, “No sheet, white man. I
read cowboy books.” Paulo puzzled, “What are you talking about?” Mikael
directing, “Stick out tongue. See? Forked tongue.”
The service finally ending and the potluck brought
forward. Opportunity for questions. Mira removing her sunglasses to ask the
pastor, “How long will my eyes be like this? Till I die?!” Paulo asking about
the snakes [with closed lips, trying to hide his tongue]. “Thankfully I hadn’t
brought them in the church yet. They were in the sheriff’s car since I keep
them at my house in town. He drives me around when needed.” Porter asking how
he got the ‘gift’, “During my wander in the desert. Near death when his
servants came and carried me to his cave. You can join us Wednesday when I take
Mortimer and his son there. In the meantime, do me a favor. Find out where the
non-believers meet. I’d like to try to change their mind; become followers.”
As they retire to the hotel, Mikael speaks up, “I find
evidence; kids blow up church. Yes, teens – boy and girl.” Porter explains his
prior encounter with them, “Susie and Greg.”
Tuesday, 30 May:
Another hot, dry day with dust swirling more. Again, they go separate
directions. Jen to the telegraph office where the clerk, Nathaniel, approves of
the pastor, “He’s OK. Helped poor Peggy Shaw who was having trouble birthing.
Pastor touched her belly and now she has a beautiful child she says. And
pregnant again.” Meanwhile, Paulo secretly heads to the pastor’s house west on
Fosse, past the church. Just in time to see him leave. Minutes delay before
Paulo walks up the steps, knocks, and enters as if invited. Typical Midwest
trust; an unlocked door. No bible as hoped. But discarded sermon drafts in the
trash. Subtle alterations to bible verses. And glue mouse-traps under the bed. Strange
no food in the pantry or frig; just canned goods. And empty mouse-traps in the
trash. Realization the pastor eats the catch-of-the-day!
Meanwhile, the others stop at the Journal. Single-page
newsletter recounts the church fire. Past newsletters, 3 months old, show
pastor Kornfield before his pilgrimage. “Wouldn’t you say he looks 10-years
older in this picture?! Article says he traveled south for his pilgrimage. Says
most folks thought him dead, when out of the desert, he returns with an armful
of snakes. And thus, his new sermons with snake-handling.” They continue on to
the blacksmith’s house. Cliff warning Bill, “The pastor knows about your secret
church meetings. He wanted us to pry out the location, but we’re here to help.
Do you mind if we speak to your daughter?”
Answering her fathers’ call, Susie comes downstairs but
quickly lowers her eyes when she recognizes Porter. Who asks, “Care to tell us
who the young boy was?” Which prompts Bill, “You’re NOT running around with
that married-man Greg!?” His stern, condemning glare hushing her. “Greg’s wife
was pregnant and having problems. Till she let the pastor touch her. Yes, Shaw;
Greg and Peggy Shaw. Little Jonathan barely four weeks old and the little witch
is delivering more babies every other week! Now ya see why I hate the pastor.
Devil he is! Everything he touches, now evil. Like I heard how he touched you,
little floozy. [referencing Mira then Paulo] And that spic.”
They rejoin at the hotel before heading to the Shaw
house. A small 2-bedroom with blinds closed. A meek voice answers their knock
before the 17-year-old opens the door, “May I help you?” Flimsy story to get
inside. The pregnant Peggy going to the stove to make tea. [Spot
Hidden-extreme] Paulo noticing her foot pushing a nest of eggs under the stove.
As the others idly chat, Paulo stoops to touch the eggs, “Cooche, cooche, coo.”
Playful banter to let her know he saw them. Except he sees 2 of the 4 eggs
pulsing, as if about to open. A tail brushes against the shell. Then a small
human hand trying to push thru. Realization they are human fetus with tails! [Sanity-
fumble, 00: Bout of Madness] Paulo stumbles to his feet and bolts for the door.
The screen door knocked off its top hinge.
“What’s wrong with him? Anyway, would you like to see my
son Jonathan? Beautiful boy.” Mira the motherly type. Till she sees the human
child, with lizard scales, a forked tongue, and no genitalia.!! [Sanity –
failure] Mira insanely grabs a burning log from the stove and tries to strike
Peggy. But Mikael grabs her arm to prevent the attack. Which gives Porter time
to grab an egg and bolt out the door. Behind Jen who has already seen enough.
Distraction that allows Mira to aim her flame-pistol torching the eggs. “NO! My
babies!” Peggy grabs knitting needles and stabs Mira. Mikael intervenes…both
restrained.
Paulo walks thru the door finding a nest of snakes at his
feet, crawling on human hands and knees. A familiar voice, “Look kids, daddy’s
home.” Paulo looks up to see Tyranissh. Paulo bolts up finding himself on the
pastor’s steps. A dream; only a dream. “God I hope only a dream!” And that’s
when he sees Mikael and the others coming south from the Shaw house. And the
pastor coming home from the church. “BLAM.” A rifle shot coincident with the
pastor’s head exploding. Mikael recognizing the bar patron on the far rooftop,
“Hillard.”
Paulo already at the pastor’s side, scooping up his bible
and hiding inside his coat. The others rushing forward in disbelief. Cliff
taking control, “We need to call New York and have Caduceus extract mom and the
child. Evidence. Where’s Porter?” Police sirens encourage their hasty drive
west out of town. A phone call then hours awaiting the arranged pickup. Paulo
letting Mikael read the bible – notes in the margins: “Met in cave…prepare
central US for Yig.”
Finally, a car approaches from Bingham blinking its
headlights per arranged signal. Jen recognizing the courier, “Oded? What have
you been up to?” Oded confiding, “On the shit list for unauthorized bombing of
a tower.” Paulo speaking up, “I gave you the orders. Your handler absent. Your
folder say ‘with discretion’. I discrete.”
Its 6pm and dusk as they drive back into town. Where they
see a naked man walking down the street. Mira squealing, “It can’t be. The
pastor! Pull over so we can talk to him.” Paulo stomping on the gas and
steering at him, “I saw him die. Unholy!” Mikael fighting with the wheel,
steers the car back on the road, “Stop. We need him alive to question.” But
Paulo continuing toward the hotel; his madness back. Mira jumping out the
moving car. Mikael slamming an elbow into Paulo’s jaw. Concussion has Paulo
continuing on his last thought to escape. More elbows have no effect, other
than to bloody his nose.
Meanwhile, Mira tucks and rolls. Then brushes herself off
before confronting the pastor, “I’ve seen the devil and his dick but no more.”
She aims her flame-pistol but misses. “My child, calm down. All will be right.
Walk with me to my house.” The pastor retreating to his bedroom and cloths
before coming down with 2 full mouse-traps. Mira can only stare as he pops the
mice into his mouth and crunches, “I’ve been reborn. My 3rd
resurrection. Your eyes? It’s up to him. Come with me to the cave.” Mira
watches as he fumbles at his writing desk, “Where is it? My bible; I’ve lost my
bible. Child, have you seen it?” Mira answering, “I’ve seen enough. I need a
shower to wash away this sin.”
Meanwhile, Paulo pulls up to the hotel curb and parks.
Mikael sliding behind the wheel, driving off as Paulo stumbles up the steps. Concussion
from those elbows. The others long gone. Except Porter in his room. Bundling
the egg under the radiator for heat. Incubation. A gleeful grim across his
face. “Maybe THIS will convince Meadham to promote me. How much cocaine would
this buy from the mafia?
Mikael, Jen, and Cliff return to the corner but Mira and the
pastor no where in sight. So, they continue to the blacksmith’s house. As
expected, church services. Recognizable prayers. Bill leading the service with
other townfolk in attendance. The bartender, Dilbert the hotel clerk. And young
Greg. Mikael sitting beside the boy then whispering, “Why you blow up church?”
Greg already crying and asking for forgiveness, “He cursed my wife. Poor Peggy.
What was I to do? How could I save her?! I HAD to save others. I’ve heard him
speak of the caves he entered. Not caves; there’s old mines out there. Only he
and the sheriff have been out there. And returned.”
Meanwhile, Paulo awakes in his bed. His concussion
subsiding. His vision clearing. He sees snake patterns in the curtains, “No. No
more snakes!” Then he remembers his forked tongue, “NNNNOOOOOOO!!”
Why'd it have to be snakes!
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