by Gary Starta
“No matter who you are, you’re going to want to cooperate with me; unless you want to spend your summer in a six–by-eight cell.”
“You have nothing on me.”
“I have pictures of you entering someone’s house with a bag.”
“I was assisted. It wasn’t my idea. It was the other bitch’s idea. She threatened me to help her.”
“Oh, and what did she threaten you with?”
“My freaking life, that’s what.” Sarah chomped on her gum hoping Hayes would buy her desperation act.
“I’d be interested in knowing the other girl’s name.”
“I don’t rat out people. Besides, I just told you she already threatened me. She’d kill me if I told you.”
Sarah bought a moment by blowing her nose. “Allergy on top of everything else; how’s that for crap luck?” She already knew this man was aware of Lori’s name. Why she wasn’t here was anybody’s guess. But Sarah believed he was playing them against each other.
“I can change your ‘crap’ luck. You don’t have to live in a cell. What if I told you I could get you an education?” Hayes paused. “Sounds pretty good, huh?” He paused again but Sarah kept her poker face. He tapped a hand on the table. “All you have to do is something along the lines of what you were already prepared to do.”
“You mean a crime? Isn’t that breaking the law?”
Hayes held hands out, palms up. “Am I the police?”
“No. But you said you would have me incarcerated.”
“I could and I would.” Hayes was staring at her. “But I don’t want to. What you will be doing is simple surveillance. I want you to glue yourself to your new professor. She teaches astronomy and I bet ‘Sheri Scott’ would be very interested to be her new student. You’ll be paid, of course. It’s an offer neither of your personas can refuse.”
Sarah scowled and tapped her heel against the leg of her chair. When she returned home she was so going to cancel her Lifestream account.
*
“For the purpose of my study, it’s important you answer all questions honestly.” Chao-Zing waited for Kevin Pierce to say ‘yes’.
His nod seemed to confuse her. “You are saying yes by nodding, correct?”
“I am, Ma’am. I mean, Professor Zheng, that’s more appropriate. Don’t worry I will answer all questions truthfully. I never lie to a beautiful lady.”
Kevin felt his face flush. It had been a long time since a woman had evoked such a response. In fact, he couldn’t recall if it had ever happened. He certainly could recall blurting out embarrassing statements to women before but it hadn’t bothered him like it did now. These women weren’t on Chao-Zing’s intellectual level and most certainly not on any kind of spiritual one. Kevin took a sip of his drink, hoping to take cover for a few seconds behind his glass. It was no use for Kevin to conceal his feelings about her because Timothy already spilled the beans about that. In kind, he had already shown his hand to Timothy as well. When Kevin found she wasn’t in a relationship anymore he beamed a dopey ear-to-ear smile which Timothy would never let him forget.
“Were you ever open minded about the metaphysical or any other topics about consciousness and reality prior to Organized Dissonance, Kevin?”
Kevin nodded. “Oops. I mean yes.”
“Did you ever feel embarrassed about your thoughts in anyway?”
“No. I mean, I know these topics are still dismissed as pseudo-science and are often ridiculed. But I march to my own beat.” He scratched at his temple. “You know it’s funny. I think I was the catalyst to Timothy’s awakening.”
“In what manner do you mean?” Chao-Zing tapped a finger against her chin. Kevin scolded himself for staring at her. He gazed downward.
“I mean I always teased him about his rigid approach to life. He made conclusions without seeing the bigger picture. The universe, I mean.” He stretched his arms toward the ceiling and dared to meet her eyes again. A few patrons at Alisha’s gave him questioning glances. “Hey, I hope this place meets your needs, Professor Zheng.” She stared at him. “What I mean to say is I hope it has an ambience, one with a whole lot of positive vibes.”
“Thank you for your answer. You may call me Chao-Zing.”
“You can call me, Kevin.”
“I thought I already did.”
“Something smells really nice in here.” Kevin attempted a rebound but only made it worse when he said, “Ah, it’s your vanilla-scented perfume. So, intoxicating…”
“We can move to another place that isn’t so intoxicating or distracting.”
“We could. I mean, no. No, no need. This place has those positive vibes going for it. I just can’t live without them.”
“I can see how attuned you are to your surroundings.” She typed a note.
“It’s like I was saying. I tried to tune Timothy into this long ago but he was resistant before his solar experience. He would complain about his job, money and failing romance. He would blame the universe for it, literally. He couldn’t see he was responsible for creating his reality. The universe was only shaping it for him.”
Chao-Zing laughed. “Sounds like a cosmic baking course.”
Kevin laughed, relieved that the professor was lightening up with him.
“But seriously,” Kevin said, “I wished we were all on the same cosmic page. It would make things a whole lot more peaceful.”
“I do to, Kevin. But I am stifled.” She paused. Kevin assumed she was mad at her ex-lover. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“It’s my work. I cannot influence my students with my Eastern beliefs. The board doesn’t believe in cosmic consciousness and how it impacts us because it isn’t written in the science books.”
“I find sometimes science and science fiction blur.” He sipped at his drink unable to suppress a grin. “Just saying…” Inside Kevin was overjoyed that Chao-Zing hadn’t even allowed her ex to enter the conversation.
“I find it fascinating.” Chao-Zing repositioned her eyeglasses.
“What? Science…Fiction?”
She shook her head confusing Kevin.
“It’s Timothy. He’s gone from a non-believer to a believer almost overnight. Beyond that, he claims he feels the sun’s positive impact 24/7. I don’t know how science or anything else for that matter can explain it.”
“So, you need proof?”
“I do. I couldn’t pass off teaching ‘pseudo-science’ to my students without a basis. I don’t know why the school board can’t see this. I only teach what is probable.”
“Sounds like you need a friend.”
Chao-Zing smiled. “I am happy I found the group, you’re all new friends to me.”
It wasn’t exactly the kind of endorsement Kevin was hoping for. He continued the conversation. “I know we are impacted by the sun and the planets. But when it comes down to it, we as humans make our choices and act the way we do. I think Timothy is choosing his path. It seems like a good one. But you sound worried for him.”
“I am. It almost sounds too good to be true. I bet the school board would love to hear me say that on record. Anyway, as his friend, I am sure you are concerned for him as well.”
“That goes without saying. Although, I just said it, didn’t I?”
“We all have different bio-fields, Kevin. They impact how we react.”
“You’re talking about our own specific energy fields, I assume.”
“Yes. It could be an answer regarding Timothy. His might be really unique. But I don’t want you to feel neglected. I am studying the group as a whole.”
“You should know that Timothy described the spot in the woods as strange. It may impact your study. But I don’t know how. It’s hard to explain.”
Chao-Zing rested her hand on Kevin’s. “Don’t be apprehensive. Even if it sounds like pseudo-science I am prepared to consider it.”
“Okay. You’ve seen the spot. It’s practically a bare batch in the middle of summer. I can’t explain why it’s barren
.”
“I see. But it’s circle-like. Almost perfect…”
They said in unison: “As if someone created it that way.” Chao-Zing removed her hand and used it to cover her mouth.
Then they shared a laugh and gazed into each other’s eyes for a long moment.
“Timothy also told me he heard voices the first time he visited the site. It was as if they were calling him like sirens. I thought it sounded crazy. But what if the voices were inside his head?”
“I can only posit that those voices were part of a bigger consciousness and perhaps they did indeed lead him to his enlightenment.”
“Well, there you go. I had thought that but was afraid to verbalize it, from a scientific standpoint.” Kevin raised a hand for a waitress. “Your study won’t be affected by my drinking, will it?”
“I only care about honest answers, Kevin.”
“I just worried you might think it would make me crazy. Like the pull of a full moon.”
“Good analogy. I’ll give you points for that.”
“I always preferred being the teacher’s pet.”
“Everything affects each other, Kevin. We are affected by the planets but we also affect them. The ancients interpreted celestial bodies and their positions as symbols of human power. Today’s astrologists are more focused on studying the human psyche. Astrologer Bruce Scofield once said the sun, life and magnetism might be concrete evidence for the validity of the field. We do communicate with electromagnetic fields as did the ancients.”
“It’s probably why we’re on the same wavelength right now.” Kevin cleared his throat. “At least from my perspective, we are.” He hoped with all his might she had forgotten his comment about being the teacher’s pet like she pretended to.
“I agree. I can feel your vibe. It’s nice.”
Kevin felt a blush. “I think I can feel yours too. It’s also nice.”
Chao-Zing cleared her throat. “If humans are on the same resonance as our planet, their collective consciousness can affect the Earth’s energy system. It’s only natural I can feel you.”
Kevin caught Chao-Zing fiddling with her glasses. He supposed she was feeling uncomfortable about her feelings as well. Did she rest her hand on everyone’s or was she attracted to him? Her voice snapped him back to the moment.
“Timothy’s work could transform the planet if he gets a unified following, Kevin. It could bring about a positive change for all. We can choose to be in harmony with our solar system, or not. And if we’re not, our disturbances can adversely affect the sun.”
“Sounds pretty hopeful or pretty scary, depending on our feelings, I guess.” While Kevin waited for the waitress to set down his drink, he wondered what world leaders would think of their populace having the power to influence the universe.
*
Chao-Zing filed away her notes and thanked Kevin for his time. The man was her type at least intellectually. She hadn’t been focusing on his looks but they weren’t bad. Maybe he wasn’t in league with her ex but his personality was certainly better. Sometimes that could make all the difference in the universe.
She chuckled at her joke as she hurried to her class. She thumbed through emails on her phone as she scurried, a message notified her she would be getting a transfer student. Just what I need…
Chao-Zing found her new student milling around her desk wearing an apprehensive look. Maybe the student was just as antsy about meeting her. Or maybe Chao-Zing was just paranoid because of the way the school board monitored her.
“Nice to meet you,” Chao-Zing extended her hand.
“I hope I’m not intruding, I’m Sheri Scott.” Chao-Zing nearly flinched at the student’s rough handshake.
“I was expecting you and you’re never intruding. We’re here to learn together. Besides, we still have a few moments before class, by the good graces of the universe.”
“I want you to know I transferred specifically to Washington U because of you. I want to become an astrology professor, like you.”
Chao-Zing weighed the woman’s words for a moment. Where in this universe did she have a good reputation, or for that matter, any reputation at all? She dismissed her suspicions as paranoia and handed the student a syllabus.
“You’ll have to play catch up. I assume you can handle that.”
Sheri crossed a hand over her heart. “Cross my heart and hope to die.”
“That might not be necessary.” Chao-Zing flashed an awkward smile. What a thing to say to a student. The school board had no sense of humour for such remarks. She could only hope her students would never repeat such slip ups. She also realized whatever she sent into the universe had consequences. At least most of these consequences were positive when it came to Organized Dissonance. If only more of her students would be open to Eastern teachings she might change the board’s opinion of her approach. She placed her hand on her new student’s shoulder. “Why don’t you take a seat, we’re beginning soon.”
“Every beginning has an end, Professor Zheng.”
The words evoked a chill in Chao-Zing.
Chapter Ten
Chao-Zing wasn’t five minutes into her lecture when her new student, Sheri, began to make her skin crawl – again. The girl’s body language was somehow off. She sat in her seat, crooked, almost leering. Chao-Zing imagined a big cat about to pounce. But why would this new student aim to be a disruptive element when she had just told her how much she admired her?
“The torus is the oldest structure in the universe and its shape is circular, almost donut like.” Chao-Zing turned her back to scrawl a diagram on the chalkboard. It was so old school. Everyone always snickered when she did it. Why not show a diagram via laptop? She heard the words in her head, both from the school board and her favourite student, George Rainey. It seemed she was born to resist.
When she turned to face the class, she eyed George attempting to take a nonchalant glance at the new student. Chao-Zing nearly laughed out loud but restrained herself by connecting her index finger with her thumb and exhaling. Maybe she didn’t have anything to worry about. Maybe this new student was a normal twenty-something, more interested in after class partying than carrying out a covert agenda.
She had almost dismissed the concern from her mind when Sheri’s hand shot up. “I usually field questions after my lecture, Ms. Scott but you may speak.”
Sheri smiled. “I have a question about the torus. You said energy flows in one end and exits another. Is this a field?” Some members of the class laughed.
“Yes. It is an electromagnetic field and I was just getting to that. We are all surrounded by our unique version. It is as true for humans as it is for planets, hurricanes and the entire cosmos.”
“So that would work for the sun as well?” Sheri smile demurely.
“Sure. It is all encompassing.”
“I was wondering.” Sheri tapped a finger on her laptop. “Did you ever hear about that guy on the Internet who worships the sun?” Some of the students murmured.
Chao-Zing’s hand reached to adjust her glasses. “I suppose almost everyone has.”
“Is he onto something scientific? I mean regarding your lecture. Can we feel something that’s so far away?”
“I believe you’re referring to non-locality. It has been posited.”
“But it’s just a theory, Professor Zheng, isn’t it?” I mean it sounds pretty controversial for an astronomy class.” Sheri began to glance around the auditorium. Chao-Zing imagined the girl was seeking sympathizers.
“I don’t intend to lecture on how one might feel about these fields, only that they exist.”
Chao-Zing felt a terrible knot form in her stomach and she looked down at her computer for a moment, hoping to wake from a bad dream. It did seem this student had an agenda after all. What if this girl found she attended the sun worshipper’s meetings? Maybe someone was trying to confirm that she had. But would the school board go so far as to plant a spy?
*
Chao-Zing
avoided any after class talk and shuffled down the hallway. Normally, she would spend the afternoon preparing her next lecture or grading but this afternoon she planned to resume her study of Organized Dissonance. Her next subject was Lori, a dark-haired pensive girl. Perhaps she was withdrawn and quiet like her at one time in her life; possibly before she found astronomy to be her calling. What made this woman tick? Specifically, why was this young woman drawn to such a group? Was it because it was on the fringe? If so, maybe Lori would attend anything considered outside the realm of normal, or was there more? It was this fascination that allowed Chao-Zing to temporarily shelve her worries about Sheri Scott. This interview would take place in the park on a bench where there were many unfamiliar people milling about and many unfamiliar eyes. Chao-Zing removed her glasses so she couldn’t see the faces around her or more specifically, the motives they might have for being there. It felt like everyone was working for the school board’s intelligence division these days.
Chao-Zing peered into the summer sky. “We are nearest the sun.”
“I know. It’s pretty relentless.” Lori shielded her eyes and fumbled in her bag for a pair of sunglasses. “There. That’s better.” Now Lori’s eyes were invisible to Chao-Zing. It wasn’t very comforting. She hoped to bond with this quiet girl with a story or a joke. Maybe that was the wrong approach. Maybe she should try to learn something personal about Lori. “So, I’m glad you could make it this afternoon. If you rearranged your schedule, I really appreciate it.”
Lori snickered. “I have a very flexible schedule right now.”
The comment either reflected a very lean job market or maybe more. Chao-Zing chose not to press and began the interview.
The first five questions were direct and Lori answered without hesitation. But now Chao-Zing wanted to tread upon the girl’s comfort zone. “What made you join the group? Did you have a similar experience with an object beforehand?”
Lori brushed bangs away from her forehead. “I had seen something you might say I couldn’t explain.”
“Oh. Would you care to share?”
Lori described something bright with different coloured lights. It had no relative shape to anything which might be a craft or something in the night sky.”