Humorlost (Humorlost Book I of III)

by Carol J. Donahue

“Yes and no, I’m not too crazy about being a genie pig, but on the other hand I’d love to find some answers. She reassured me it would only involve gene therapy no drugs.” “And?”

  “ It’s such a long drive. I’m thinking about it.” “You could always relocate.”

  “Yes, I could but Palm Beach is very expensive.”

  “You should really think about it, we could look around for a reasonable place for you to live. I’ll help if you like. You would be closer to my place.”

  “Slow down Richard, you’re moving much to fast for me. I said I would think about it. Can we just leave it at that for now? Just thinking about it is stressing me out. I need some time, like I said, I’ll think about it.”

  “Kari, I didn’t mean to be pushy. I just thought it sounded like a great opportunity.”

  “As I said, Richard I’ll think about it. Ok?”

  “Ok!”

  They drove the rest of the way in silence.

  Burden

  Rian woke with a splitting headache. He hadn’t had pain like this since the day he woke form his coma. He didn’t want to remember that day. He never stopped beating himself up for her death. He never shared this with his father. His Father wouldn’t understand or his sister for that matter. Magan took after her father. Both were cold hearted. He had confided in his Mum about the deep guilt he felt. She had comforted him and told him it wasn’t his fault. There was nothing he could have done to change what had happened. But he knew that wasn’t true. He had matured a lot in the last three years and knew that if he had it to do again he would have handled the whole situation differently. But what did he know then. He hadn’t lived; he hadn’t had the tools to make proper decisions then.

  He had learned a lot and he intended to use his knowledge to conquer all. He was on his way and nothing would stop him. He would use his deep felt pain to fuel his desire to succeed, and succeed he would.

  He no longer cared about pleasing his father as he once did. Now it was about pleasing himself and making the best world that he could for his daughter and his Mum. He wanted to do all he could to contribute to what ever venue he found that would launch him forward to a leadership role. He really had a deep desire to help mankind in any way he could.

  He would meet with his father in three days in London and more of the plan would be revealed. His father had always told him that he would lead one day. He had faith in himself in that regard. He was a born leader. But the final map was to be laid out when he went to Scotland in three weeks.

  But for now he had to get himself out of this bed and get rid of this head ache. The phone rang. “Hi Charles, yes I’m fine. A bit of a head ache” he lied. “Yes a jog on the beach sounds great. “Yes, I’ll be fine as soon as I get a little oxygen to the brain. A half hour sounds great, see you than.”

  Rian went down stair and Maria had his cup of coffee ready. After a couple of sips his head started to feel a little better. He dressed in his sweats and headed out.

  Maria looked at him and asked. “Are you ok?” “Yes Maria it was just a twelve hour bug. I’m fine.” As Rian exited his front door Charles was waiting in the drive. They drove to the Doctor's estate and picked up Rian’s car. Rian followed Charles to his house. They parked and started down the side walk to the beach.

  “You’re sure you’re up to this Rian?” “Aye, just have to get that oxygen moving then I’ll be great.”

  Rian was sounding more like himself, and Charles relaxed. “So what do you think was wrong with you last night? Do you really think it was some kind of a bug?”

  “I don’t know, it may have been an inner ear problem. I couldn’t get my balance, and I was nauseous. It went away as fast as it came. Who knows with all the viruses mutating the way they do these days, it could have been anything.”

  “Well I’m glad your back amongst the living. I won’t lie, you had me worried.”

  As they jogged south along the beach they were surrounded by the loud roar of the tide as it turned, and the squawking of seagulls in the distance. The smell of the moist salt air and the warm morning breeze was invigorating.

  “So you’ll be heading back home tomorrow?”

  “Aye, we have a meeting in London before the swearing in ceremony in Scotland. It’s supposed to be a big deal.”

  “Sounds big, you don’t sound too excited about it.”

  “Not really, at one time it was all I could think about. It was my dream to become a member, but over the past three years I’ve done a lot of soul searching and I’ve found that it’s not as important to me as it once was. I guess I’ve matured quite a bit.” They slowed to a walk.

  “Your daughter wouldn’t have anything to do with that would it?”

  “Of course she has everything to do with it, and the loss of her mother. The whole tragedy gave me a whole different perspective on life. I made some really bad decisions when I didn’t stand up to my father, and I’ll pay for it the rest of my life. But I’ll go and be sworn in, and I’ll give my all in service to my country. Only in that way can I try to make a better world for my daughter. I’ve dedicated my life to her and the memory of her mother.

  You know Charles, if it wasn’t for my daughter, I don’t think I would have cared enough to even stay in this world. I think I would have been on a fast path of self destruction.”

  “Well, thank God for children, they sure put a whole different spin on life, don’t they? It makes you understand what life is really all about. I’m really sorry for your loss Rian. I know its bitter sweet. And it only makes me realize how lucky I really am to have my family in tact and with me every day.”

  “Thanks for your concern Charles. I haven’t opened up to anyone except Mum about all of this before now. It feels good to get it out.”

  “It doesn’t do anyone any good to hold these things in. I’m glad I could be here for you. Just remember where the phone is if you ever feel the need to talk about anything, you got that?

  “Aye, thanks Charles, it means a lot to me.”

  They had come about two miles, turned and started the jog back north to Charles’s house. Barbara was waiting with a big breakfast of eggs sausage, bacon, and pancakes. The kids had already eaten and were out on the beach playing. Both Charles and Rian dove in, they were famished.

  Briefing

  Rian arrived in London at seven ten pm. A car had been sent for him. He was dropped at the St James Hotel. After he freshened up and changed, Rian headed down stairs to the dining room to meet his father. Sean was seated in a secluded corner of the restaurant. He stood as Rian approached. He wore a black suit well tailored, expensive. Rian was dressed in a Navy blue suit. The clothes had been left in his hotel room closet, a note pinned to the lapel. “Ware me”. Rian hated this kind of game. It was strictly a power play on his father’s part. He understood this kind of thinking, it had its place in business, but he hated that his father thought he had Rian under his total control. Rian went along with this only to keep his father at bay. He was biding his time, making all the right moves up the ladder. If nothing else he was learning a lot of self control, and he wanted his father to believe that he was one hundred percent in his corner.

  “Rian.”

  “Da.” They embraced

  “Sit, I’ve ordered a bottle of Dom Pérignon. I hope you

  don’t mind.”

  “Not at all.” Rian sat down and picked up the menu. The

  waiter brought the champagne, uncorked it and pored. Sean lifted the glass, swirled, and looked through the

  glass for clarity and legs, smelled the bouquet, then tasted. He

  nodded to the waiter and set his glass back on the table. The

  waiter filled both glasses half full and placed the bottle in the

  Bronze Ice Bucket on the stand next to the table. Turned and

  walked away.

  “How was your trip?”

  “It was fine, I slept most of the way. How are little Cassie,

  Mum and Magan?”

/>   “They’re well.” Sean didn’t elaborate.

  “I really wanted to see them before the trip to Scotland.” “You’ll have plenty of time for that after the ceremony.

  We’ve been working hard and we will be able to take a couple of

  weeks after Scotland. We’ll then be able to spend some quality

  time with the family.

  Rian ordered fillet mignon and Sean ordered prime rib. “Tell me, how was your visit in Palm Beach?” “It was fine, I saw Charles for a spell.”

  “Were the two of you able to relax and have some fun?” ”Aye, we caught up on old times.” Rian didn’t want to talk

  to his father about the spell he’d had at Nakoma’s party. He

  never talked to him about his health. It only opened up old

  wounds, so he said nothing about the incident. The food arrived,

  Rian dug in. They finished up their meal passed on desert and just

  ordered coffee.

  “So I’m going to give you a run down on just what is going

  to happen in Scotland. There will be seven factions attending:

  The Americas, United Kingdom and European Interests, The

  Moslem World leaders, Israeli Representatives, the Asian Faction

  and African Leaders. They will be seated in order of rank. Lastly

  the new members will be seated. The Prayer will be read, and our

  leader will read the Doctrine.

  Our Doctrine as I’ve explained are our laws. The laws we

  live by, and the laws we are willing to die by. I want that to be

  very clear to you Rian. I want to make sure you understand the

  seriousness of the initiation.”

  “Yes Da, I understand, you’ve been explaining that to me

  for the past three years.”

  “Yes, but I want you to understand that when you take

  the oath, and accept the Doctrine, you will be bound to uphold

  the laws and to live and die by them. It’s very serious.” “I know that, I’m taking all of this very seriously, you

  don’t’ have to worry. I’ve told you this before.”

  “After the swearing in ceremonies, we will move on to the

  business of the day and discuss future plans.” Sean stood,

  extended his hand to his son with a strong solid grasp and shook

  Rian's hand. Rian returned the gesture with equal strength. “I’m proud of you son.”

  “Thanks Da, that means a lot to me.”

  They walked to the lift and rode up in silence and walked

  to their rooms.

  “Sleep well son.”

  “Thanks, Da, you too..”

  Plot

  Nakoma picked up the phone and dialed. Richard answered. “Hello”

  “Oh, good I caught you. Are you alone?”

  "Yes, you can talk.”

  “What did she say?”

  “She said a lot, she really loves your house and she was fascinated with the lab, and she got a real kick out of your sense of humor.”

  “Oayk,…..Okay that’s all well and good, lets get to the good stuff. What did she say about coming to work for me?”

  “She said she would have to think about it.”

  You had a long drive. Did you mention the move?”

  “Yes I did, but we’re going to have to back off a bit. She got a little hostile when I was pushing her to take you up on your offer. If you want this to seem like it was indeed her decision, your going to have to be patient Niki. I don’t’ think you want to push her to the point of scaring her off. She’ll only run in the other direction if we’re not careful.”

  “Ok Richard, your right, I’ll bide my time even though it’s killing me. Remember you’re not to lay a hand on her or the deal is off.”

  “I know Nakoma don’t’ worry. I’m being a good boy. Although I have to say she is very tempting. I don’t know how long it will be before she gets suspicious, or begins to wonder if I’m gay.”

  “Well if that’s what it takes go with that, but don’t you dare lay a hand on her…or there will be hell to pay. Understand?”

  “Yes Nakoma, I understand.”

  “Ok then, keep me up to date on any new developments. Good night.”

  Richard had captained the Doctor and Nikoma’s fifty food yacht several times. They had taken an Eastern Caribbean journey around the islands on a month long cruise and again on several over night excursions to the Bahamas.

  He was a strapping young man in his late twenties, tall, tan, muscular and very handsome in a rugged kind of way. Nakoma had called him in regards to a special favor she had in mind. He hesitated at first because he had never done anything of this nature before. She convinced him with an offer that would leave him set for life. He wasn’t sure of the motives behind Nakoma’s request, but he was sure it was not of malicious intent, or he never would have accepted the job.

  All he had to do was become acquainted with a young women named Kareena Karlson that worked at the Luxury Resort in Hollywood, FL. She wanted him to ask her out and date her for a time. He could wine and dine her and do what ever it took to earn her friendship and trust. Nakoma would foot the bill. There was only one stipulation. He wasn’t to lay a hand on her romantically. A good night kiss was all that Nakoma would allow, he was to go no further. But it was becoming more and more difficult to stop at just a kiss.

  Once he had gotten her to the party he would keep up the facade until she agreed to come to work for Nakoma. After that he was allowed to take his leave.

  Ok…easy enough, accept that he was really starting to care about Kareena. He had been the perfect gentlemen. She was very unassuming. There was no phoniness about her. She had a vulnerable side and was very sweet. She had no pretenses as with so many of the other women he had dated. He liked that she was independent, and had a great sense of humor. Even when she revealed her illness, she tried to make it seem like it was not a big deal and it was something she would overcome. ‘Yes.’ he thought ‘She is defiantly growing on me.’

  Initiation

  A car had been sent to pick them up at the Perth Airport in Scotland. It would take another hour to drive to the Castle. It was dusk; they would arrive, freshen up and take dinner with some of the others. The ceremonies would be held in two days. During the two days leading up to the ceremony they entertained themselves with the many activities provided by the Castle. Skeet Shooting, Archery, Chess Matches, and even a Fox hunt had been arranged. Rian took great pleasure in the hunt. It had been some time since he had seated a horse and it left him feeling exhilarated. He was ready for this next important step in his life.

  The proceedings began at six thirty on the evening of the twenty first. The opening prayer was read by Father Ferguson. Rabi Levi followed, and then Moslem Claret Mohammad Arahshara.

  They sat at the head table. Rian and his father were seated in front and to the right of the podium. He recognized the other new inductees. To his right sat Razi and his father, then Dario with his father. On the other side of the room was Halle and Karachi with their fathers. ‘Well they really planned well didn’t they?’ Rian thought. ‘All of the fraternity brothers are here, except James. It’s really amazing how long the planning must have been going on. It’s undoubtedly taken many- many years. I had no idea how closely knit the new inductee’s would be, until the past couple of days when we became reacquainted…bravo!’ Sitting to the left of them was a man he did not recognize, but from what he gathered it must be Khalid’s brother Abdullah and his father. Just the thought brought that disastrous night back to Rian. He quickly put it out of his mind.

  After all prayers were finished, Father Ferguson stood again and said “Now it is with great respect and honor that I present our High Priest Sean Murphy O’Connor.”

  Rian felt his face flush as he watched his father stand and proceed to the podium. He had noticed the subtle differences in the robes that were worn, but now was fully aware
of the significance of his father’s robe. ‘Why didn’t he tell me?’ Rian thought. He didn’t know weather to be angry or proud.

  After the applause died down Sean began. “As we know our membership is heavily crossed with the Council of Foreign Relations, the Pilgrim Society, The Trilateral Commission, the famous Round Table and the Masters of the Steering Committee, we welcome all of you here tonight for the swearing in of our newest members. I want to thank the Rhodes Milner Group for their scholarship program, which is fundamental in recruiting new members.

  We are also grateful to the Washington Post, New York Times and Time Magazine among others whose directors attended our meetings and respected their promises of discretion for almost forty five years. It would have been impossible for us to develop our plan for the world if we had been subject to the lights of publicity during those years, but now the world is more sophisticated and prepared to march toward a new-world government. The super national sovereignty of an intellectual elite and world bankers is surely preferable to the national determination practiced in the past centuries.

  “I’ll now turn the meeting over to our respected

  Secretary for the reading of the doctrine.” Mustafa Dijahni performed the official reading, and the swearing in was handled ceremoniously by Sean O’Connor. All of the inductees were called to the podium, one by one. They kneeled before the altar, recited their pledge, bowed their head and were touched on either shoulder with the ceremonial double edge sword, then stood and a ribbon holding the metal of the Society Crest was placed over their head. Each Crest was gold and in the shape of a shield with a cross through the center. A castle was at the bottom, the book of laws in the center and a holly leave at the top. Their names were engraved on the top two arms of the cross.

  After the swearing in Sean took his place at the podium again. “In the next three years our new members will take their places in their respective countries. With the help of the media they will be catapulted into the spotlight and the populous will welcome them as our new leaders. Although all of them are young, the world will embrace them as the new thinkers with new ideas and answers to the major world problems. This will enable us to move forward with our plan of a One-World Government. We will prevail!”