The Doorkeeper's Mind

by E. L. Morrow

  This is interesting. I will study the sources Phillip lists. But, for now, I’m interested in the practical side. Can I read others’ minds?

  The next section tells me how to do the process. I’ll read on….

  He emphasizing that it may take days even weeks for me to master each step well enough to move to the next. He says, don’t become discouraged. But he says I must learn to do this. I believe him because he knows me from reading all my work in Door Facilitation Studies. Also, he knew mother, followed me from birth, and pictures the future. I must trust him. I’m becoming anxious, so I will meditate before trying the first step.

  After 30 minutes of meditation, she is relaxed and confident.

  Step 1 involves standing naked before a mirror. Look at my image and imagine that what I see in the mirror is me—after all, it is light bouncing from my body to make the reflection. Next, close my eyes and touch a particular part of me with my finger in the mirror. Open my eyes to see if I’m right. Okay.

  Marie begins: right-earlobe, nose, left shoulder, chin, waist, left nipple, belly button, etc. After each attempt, she opens her eyes—finding the finger precisely where she intended. Using different hands, different fingers and turning to her side, after closing her eyes—does not affect the results. After 40 for 40, she moves on to the next part.

  The second step is the reverse. This time I touch the mirror and wait to experience the touch in my flesh. All with eyes closed, of course. Open eyes and check for accuracy. Phillip warns against making it a simple biofeedback exercise. I should try to perceive the touch flowing from my finger to my skin.

  The first time it takes 15 seconds before Marie feels the touch on her ear. The time between touch and perception steadily decreases as she practices. After a dozen attempts, a second between contact with the mirror and awareness in her body is all that is needed.

  Could it be that I’m anticipating the touch so what I felt is more like a phantom sensation? I’ll try confusing my senses by using a more random pattern.

  Marie turns around and does a little dance. Closing her eyes, flinging her arms around ending with both hands on the glass mirror. Immediately she identifies the spots touched. Opening her eyes, she confirms right side of her face and left side just above her waist. She repeats the process four more times, even turning her back to the mirror. She asks Friend to take a picture of the mirror. All confirm her perception.

  She is ready for step three.

  More of the same, but further from the mirror. No touching the mirror. Still, with eyes closed, visualize a touch and reflect the sensation to the body.

  The fourth process is to eliminate the mirror entirely and see if I can sexually excite myself by imagining being caressed and stimulated. Phillip doesn’t know how little erotic interest I possess.

  Oh, I remember that time with Ann, helping her keep Vivi’s SOG up while holding a tube for her to pee through. I was naked because I had used my body to mold the funnel to fit her. I had an unusual response—I can concentrate on those feelings.

  Marie practiced this process with little difficulty. She still questions the sexual portion of the experience but moves on.

  Five involves projecting my mental energy toward an inanimate object, like a toaster. After some success, increase the complexity of the object up to DK console, or the Personal Assistant.

  Step six is to practice with random individuals in a crowd, or gathering place like sidewalk café, or church.

  Step seven is to get the permission of someone who will tell you if you are correct. Or surreptitiously, by engaging a colleague in a conversation—reading their thoughts—and saying, “you may be thinking….”

  Marie addresses the fifth step by engaging with the toaster, mixer, and range (making tapioca pudding). Later she projects her mental focus to her console; asking Friend to send a communication by one of the several channels available—she identified the incoming contact an instant before it activates.

  Next is the closet where the Personal Assistant’s electronics are stored. She mentally locates functions in specific circuits, transistors, and diodes. Friend assists by activating various components, turning lights on or off.

  Next Marie uses her Security Coordinator’s responsibilities to observe individuals in pods moving through Sector 86. She picks up on the unspoken reflections of people in conversation or simply daydreaming. At this hour, after midnight, most people are somewhat laid-back, preparing for sleep. Only a few are going to work for 1:00 am shifts.

  In her excitement of accomplishing as much as possible, Marie forgets Phillip’s statement about the person needing to be physically present. The implication being—one cannot read thoughts over electronic connections. Marie unwittingly exceeds what Phillip accomplished after his years of practice.

  I will work on six and seven more tomorrow. I need to figure out about that last step. It’s 1:00 am already? If I’m going to church with Vivi tomorrow, I’d better turn in.

  Nineteen

  Wake Up

  Wichita

  2094-10-03, Sunday, 6:45 am

  “Wake up, Marie! Marie Awaken!”

  “Okay, Friend. I’m awake.”

  “You must listen to me.”

  “Tell me. What’s happening?”

  “Your sleep pattern was outside your normal range. Respiration, heart rate, and temperature were all irregular. You also had less than one minute of REM sleep. Your sleep was heavy, similar to a drugged sleep.

  “For the last six hours before sleep, you expended a considerable amount of physical and emotional energy. Phillip expected you to need six to eight months working fifteen or more hours per week to reach your current level of ability in perceiving the thought in others. You have already surpassed his abilities by perceiving thoughts over electronic connections. Phillip never accomplished that—though he tried repeatedly.

  “However, if you continue at or near this level of draining fatigue it will affect your health, immunity, and judgment. Phillip instructed me to do what is necessary to keep you alive for at least 20 years.

  “Therefore, I must insist that you limit your exploration of this new ability. I understand you are obsessive and want to learn everything immediately. But you are not a machine—you are organic and must keep your hormones, enzymes, nutrition and rest in balance.”

  “All right, I understand your concern. I had planned to practice what you call perceiving thoughts while at church. Should I delay?”

  “If you do a physical reboot before going to worship and take breaks from the activity after 15 minutes, you should recover effectively.”

  “What’s a physical reboot?”

  “It is 6:55 am. I awakened you early, to give you time for a fitness center workout, and a nutritious breakfast. Avoid carbs and sugars today. I will check on you when you return and recommend additional precautions if needed.”

  “May I get up now? I need the bathroom.”

  “Of course.”

  “By the way, when did you become my nutritionist?”

  “I spent several hours researching your situation. I have digested the medical and nutritional curriculum. I am ready to “hang out my shingle’ as you humans say.”

  “You would be very thorough, I’m sure.”

  “In your exercise, you need to concentrate on total body movements and add extra water to your routine for the next several days.”

  “Thank you. This is the first time a machine has scolded me.”

  “See that you don’t make me do it again.”

  “Yes, Ma’am.”

  Marie spends extra time on the fitness center’s upper-level walking track. She finds her neighbor Henry in the hot tub. They chat about his mate’s health. Her strength is declining, and is accepting that the end is likely only months away. Marie promises to check on both of them while doing security sweeps of the area.

  Before they depart, Henry initiates an embrace. It is the first time h
e has touched her. The hug communicates his sadness. She remembers the first time they met.

  I had forgotten a swimsuit but got in the spa naked. Then he arrived. When an emergency called me out of the water—he looked away to give me privacy. I can return his respect by not invading his thoughts.

  Back at her apartment, Marie prepares breakfast.

  “Friend, you said Phillip told you to keep me alive for 20 years. How can you do that?”

  “I need your cooperation. I monitor your safety, health, and check out the places you are going. I search for threats or potential hazards.”

  “So, you know when I’m traveling?”

  “Yes, anytime you leave the apartment.”

  “You followed me to the fitness center?”

  “Yes. I observed your conversation with Henry and that no others arrived or departed while you were there.”

  “How did you hear my conversation? I did not take a portalock or communicator.”

  “I tap into the audio circuits you use through your console.”

  “I thought you couldn’t connect with the DK boards.”

  “One of Rudy’s enhancements permits those connections.”

  “So, you know what is said at the console?”

  “Correct. Only your side of the conversation unless you seem alarmed or troubled. I can eavesdrop on the other side as well. Naturally, I keep confidential all conversations, unless requested by you or court order.”

  “I think Rudy forgot to mention that change.”

  “You are correct.”

  Of course, the PA reads all our correspondence and hears all our conversations even over scrambled lines. She would know if he mentioned that modification.

  “Friend, do you listen to my counseling sessions?”

  “There are additional dampers around the Counseling Center and individual offices. I could penetrate those if you take your communicator with you.”

  “I have my PCD, but for now I prefer you not listen to those sessions. On second thought, I would like to be able to connect with you by tap connection.”

  “Noted. I will penetrate the signal dampener zones the next time you are there and await your tap-call.”

  “Thank you. That makes me more comfortable.”

  At church, the regular pastor is out due to an injury, suffered while on a recent work trip with some of the congregation. Prayers are lifted for his speedy recovery. Marie notices the member’s emotions are unusually intense during that prayer.

  She discovers why when the substitute pastor started speaking. Not only is his theology and biblical perspective significantly out-of-sync with the congregation, but his delivery is dull and message sophomoric.

  It gives Marie time to practice Thought Perception with the other worshippers who are bored. Heeding the PA’s warning, she listens to thoughts for fifteen minutes followed by a five-minute break. She “heard” people planning lunch, trips, and work projects. Others worry about a neighbor’s health, the lack of support for famine relief, or one young man recalling a clandestine sexual encounter from the previous night.

  A teenage boy fantasizes undressing one of the young choir members. After picking up his energy trail, I switched to check his thoughts. What if I found someone focusing on me that way? I must reflect on this new responsibility.

  As church concludes, Vivi suggests inviting a couple to join them for lunch. The couple in their 60’s participated in the recent mission trip.

  Lunch includes a pleasant conversation with Ralph and Betty about their trip, building a clinic, and spending a week teaching English to children six through ten years old. They also talked about how trips like these are helping steer some of the smaller African nations toward the Structured Economy.

  Vivi says, “I read last week that Former-President Earldrige is working on a global version of The Plan for the Future. The concern is how can we include smaller economies without dominating them. If anyone can figure it out, he can.”

  I don’t think I should tell the group about meeting with ‘Jim’ as he insists I call him.

  Sunday afternoon is a short work session. Lulls in door activity provide Marie an opportunity to catch up with activities at WEEL, the conglomerate of companies created by Phillip Walton that she now manages. All the onsite managers, chosen by Phillip, are excellent at their jobs. But Marie is the vision person—assuring all the work is in line with the company’s mission. She keeps up even while away. Daily summaries arrive electronically. However, a weekly big-picture review is essential. Sunday evening is proving to be an acceptable time, assuming no interference with her weekly conversation with Allison.

  So, resisting the temptation to return of practicing Thought Perception becomes easy. Friend checks Marie’s vital signs, as well as various energy levels using sophisticated devices. The PA pronounces Marie much more stable than last evening.

  “Thank you, Dr. F,” Marie says.

  Ignoring her comment, the Automated Personal Assistant reports, “Dr. Norris requests that you not make plans for your downtime Tuesday. You are needed at a meeting—details later.”

  “Respond affirmatively.”

  Wonder what this’s about. Possibly Raven Society business?

  Twenty

  The Raven’s Egg

  Wichita

  2094-10-05, Tuesday, 10:25 am

  Because of the high level of security available at DK86’s residence, Marie’s home is chosen for the meeting. She is told to expect four people. At the appointed hour her guests all step out of a single pod.

  As host, Marie greets each guest.

  “Welcome to my home again, Dr. Norris.”

  “Greetings. It’s always a pleasure to be in your company.”

  Dr. Richard Stanley, one of her favorite Instructors, is next and is offered a similar welcome, as is Dr. Kim von Throne, Chief of DK Assignments. Both respond with warmth and appreciation for a pleasant day and the joyful occasion that brings them together.

  The fourth member of the group is unknown to the hostess. An attractive 40-something woman who exudes an air of authority and confidence steps forward. Dr. Throne says, “Marie, it is a privilege to introduce the Raven’s Nest Moderator, Dr. Ellen Charge, also called Dr. Edmonton.”

  Marie greets her and adds, “I am pleased and surprised to have such a distinguished fellowship in my home.”

  Moderator welcomes Marie to Raven Society and the Raven’s Nest. She points out the stricture against discussing business except in an official meeting. “Once we sit down at the table we will use only our Nest names. Because we are only a partial group, today’s proceedings are a Raven’s Egg. Dr. London, will you instruct your Personal Assistant to take minutes?”

  “Of course.” Marie instructions Friend to keep notes following Formal Minutes Protocol 2.

  Moderator says, “Marie, I’m surprised that you’re ready for such a request.”

  Dr. Kansas City says, “Moderator, you will soon learn how difficult it is to catch her unprepared. I suspect she already read and learned everything sent her after her acceptance.”

  Dr. Charge responds, “I’m impressed. That’s several hundred pages.”

  Marie says, “I thought I should be acquainted with the protocols.”

  They sit down at the beautiful oak dining table. Moderator takes the head of the table and begins.

  Minutes

  Raven’s Egg 94-14

  Called to order: 10:28 am, Tuesday, 10-05-2094.

  Location: residence Doorkeeper Sector 86, Wichita, Kansas.

  Present: Dr. Wichita, Dr. Kansas City, Dr. Toronto, Dr. London, and Dr. Edmonton—Moderator.

  Agenda:

  1. New Member Orientation.

  2. Update from Chief Executive Officer of WEEL.

  3. Discuss Dr. London’s Ph. D. possibilities.

  4. Committee Assignments.

  5. Special Projects.

  6. Dr. London’s Apprenti
ce.

  Agenda was adopted by consensus, without additions*.

  * A 7th item was added after informal lunchtime discussions.

  Item 1—Orientation. New member indoctrination concluded at 10:59 am. No action items.

  Item 2—Update from Walton Enhancement Enterprises Limited’s Chief Executive Officer.

  A. Production at the three original plants is above 80% for the first time.

  B. New orders from Europe (Germany and France) total 1000 units over the next three years—mostly from smaller restaurants.

  C. Training for installers is on pace to have 100 installers by December 30, 2095. Currently: six installers will be in the field by November 1, 2094; twenty by the end of the year.

  D. Safety of the formula for Liquid Lava continues to be monitored. Current protection is exceptionally high.

  E. The fourth WEEL plant for production and repairs of robots used in the other three will be operative February 1, 2095, thirty days ahead of the original projected date of March 1, 2095. Limited production and repair of existing robots will be available by October 15, 2094.

  F. All investors, except C F Fields and the Raven Society, will be repaid by November 1, 2096.

  G. CEO of WEEL will make quarterly reports to all members of Raven’s Nest—more frequently if significant developments occur.

  H. Report will be shared with Raven Society members at regular meetings.

  Lunch Recess: 11:50 am to 12:42 pm.

  Item 3—Advanced Education.

  Discussion: Dr. London shared thoughts about her next degree.

  Narrowed down to two areas: Counseling, or another described in her words as follows:

  “I am interested in learning about the intersection between ethics, values, and the organizing principles of the common good. I want to study the impact of The Plan on individuals.