Green Dreams

by Gary W Ritter

  “I guess I can understand that,” Jason said. “What’s your position or task within this so-called movement?”

  Another grin, wider this time. “I was assigned, among other things, to keep tabs on you. I’m the one who’s been reporting back to my superiors about your inquiries and activities.”

  A huff of air escaped Jason’s mouth. “What does that mean?”

  “What does it mean when the CID launches a full-scale investigation of someone who’s run afoul of U.S. tax law and the full weight and power of the IRS—funneled through the Criminal Investigation Division—is launched against him?”

  Jason’s eyes widened. “I’m that kind of a target?”

  “’Fraid so.

  “Is it your job to stop me?”

  “My superiors could reach the conclusion very soon that something along those lines should be done.”

  “I’m guessing that because of the change in your life, that doesn’t sit well with you?”

  “You could say that. In fact, believe it or not, I’m rooting for you to expose what you can of the plans and purposes of my masters. To that end, I want to give you another lead. Coming here has given you understanding of the ultimate objective. When you read these ten commandments, I urge you to go down the very worst and darkest road you can imagine. The place it ends up accomplishes every one of these items in a rapid timeframe.

  “Did you notice the inscription at the bottom of the explanatory tablet, the one mentioning the astronomic features, the author of the guidelines, and the sponsors?”

  Jason pictured it in his mind’s eye. “That’s the one that mentioned the time capsule—right?”

  “Um-hmm. You’ll recall there was no date inscribed on when the capsule is to be opened.”

  With a shrug, Jason said, “Curious.”

  “More than curious, my friend. Ominous. I’ve been led to believe that soon a date will appear there. When the capsule is opened on that date, that will mark the beginning of the end.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “From my position in the organization, I don’t fully know. Unfortunately, I’m not privy to all the details, although I’ve learned that terrible, dark forces are behind it. What I can tell you is that you should believe everything written on the Guidestones and follow the implications. If something seems too big and ludicrous, it’s probably not. In the meantime, check out the Global Religions Initiative—the GRI—at the United Nations. You won’t be disappointed.”

  “You got a name for me?”

  “Ted Wordlaw.”

  “Fine, but how do I know I can really trust you, that this change that caused you to effectively undermine all you’ve worked for all your life is true and lasting?”

  There was a small patch of dirt in front of where the man sat. He took his walking stick and with two quick strokes drew a simple figure that looked like a fish.

  Once Jason had seen it well, the man thoroughly erased the symbol in the dirt. He got to his feet and began to walk away. With a seeming afterthought, he turned and cryptically said, “There are many of us. When you find true followers of the Way, like Ted Wordlaw, you can trust them.”

  Chapter 43

  Cheshire Cat blog - June 26

  Do you believe in coincidences? I don’t. When things happen where it seems something is behind them, my experience has been that there probably is. Truly random events no doubt happen. But too much goes on in this world that argues against the randomness so many promote. Take, for instance, the Darwinian belief that nothing created everything. Somehow, by some chance event, the universe began from a void in which there was nothing. No gases, no rocks, no energy forces. Complete and utter nothingness. Yet, in some manner molecules, or whatever, that didn’t previously exist, began moving, shaking, and growing so that a Big Bang occurred. It takes a lot of faith to think that.

  Or, once we come to the place that there’s an earth that has nothing living on it, in some way, shape, or form, life sprang up out of the muck. It grew. It multiplied. It became diverse. Life evolved. Intelligent DNA came forth. All from an inert, dumb rock. Some may say I’m as dumb as a rock, but this theory says I’m related to one. Amazing. Nothing created everything.

  No, I don’t think so. The hand of creative intelligence hovers over all this. Now you who read this blog know that I’ve thrown some questions out lately relating to God. I guess I’d have to say that I’m agnostic as to who or what He is and how He operates, but I can’t contest that He is. As I write this I can’t help but think of the Biblical story of Moses and the burning bush, where he speaks with the angel of the Lord. What does God say when Moses asks who He is—the One sending him? God says: “Tell them I AM sent you.”

  All this to say that I had a couple of coincidences recently that feel planned in a weird sort of way. I spoke with someone I work with—a person you’d probably not think this way about them at first glance. We had a conversation that turned to God and how this person had become a follower of Jesus Christ.

  Okay, one instance doesn’t mean anything. However, within days I ran across someone else. Again, though communicated cryptically, there’s no doubt in my mind that this person is also a committed Christian.

  How does that work? I can’t remember ever in my life anyone speaking to me plainly about Jesus. Then in the course of a couple days, I’ve got two of them.

  Sure, we can stretch things a little and put a coincidence label on it, but I have to wonder. Is this God? Is He trying to tell me something? I wish I knew what, but at this point I’m clueless.

  Posted by Smiley at 10:39 PM.Comments [2]

  #1 Here we go again. If I wanted to subscribe to a Christian blog, I would. God-schmod. What does it matter? There’s nothing after this life anyway.

  - Mark

  #2 You make some really good points, Smiley. Thanks for making me think. It’s all too easy to dismiss anything about God in this sound-bite culture. I appreciate your giving us something to chew on. Keep seeking.

  - Emily

  Chapter 44

  Jason looked up at Nancy Evans from his computer where he’d plunged into the bureaucratic nightmare of the United Nations. “Are you up for a quick trip to New York?”

  Evans raised her eyebrows. “Remind me again what case we’re working on that warrants our going there?”

  “You mean a case that we’re allowed to pursue?” Jason ran his fingers through his hair and rubbed his face. “How about the Steiner investigation? He’s got a lot of connections to New York. Don’t we have to interrogate a couple of them in person?”

  A smile crossed Evans face. “I’m not sure what you really have in mind, but if you can convince Norris...”

  Lately, their direct boss, Norris Malony, had been agreeable to most of their requests. Ever since Steve Drennan had squeezed Malony out of the loop in the Gaiatic Charities case, it felt like he’d become a silent partner in Jason’s clandestine efforts to continue working on it, even though he had no idea what Jason was doing.

  “I’ll let you know.”

  ***

  The next day, warily blessed by Malony, Nancy Evans and Jason took the first flight out of O’Hare for LaGuardia. The plane was packed and because of their last-minute tickets, they sat apart, both near the rear.

  Jason had briefed Evans after gaining the okay by Malony to travel. Upon hearing of the Christian connection, she had raised her eyebrows and smiled. Her next statement perplexed Jason. “Looks like God may be using you for something.”

  He’d replied, “Not sure about that, but we certainly have an intriguing door that’s opened.”

  At the UN building, Jason asked for Ted Wordlaw at the front desk. The officious-looking receptionist with dramatic, sparkly-green glasses, said after punching in the name at her computer, “Three such people work here. What department?”

  “Global Religions Initiative.”

  Her fingers flew over the keyboard.

  “That’s a secure area. You can’t go
up there unescorted.” She picked up the phone. “I’ll have to see if he’s here and can come get you. Do you have an appointment?”

  After mumbling something under her breath at his negative response, she spoke to a series of people, her lips tightening with each phone transfer.

  “Very good.” She placed the handset in its cradle and sighed dramatically. “He’ll be down shortly. Wait over there.”

  “We appreciate it.”

  She ignored Jason’s remark, frowned, and said to the next person waiting, “Yes?”

  Ten minutes later a well-groomed man with salt-and-pepper hair and a slight paunch approached them from the bank of private elevators.

  “I’m Ted Wordlaw. Are you Mr. Ruger and Ms. Evans?” As they shook hands, he asked, “What can I do for you?”

  Jason decided to take a chance. Although he didn’t fully understand the implications, he reached for his briefcase and in the softness of the leather imitated the two curved lines the man at the Guidestones had drawn.

  Wordlaw looked over the simple fish symbol and nodded. “Let’s take a little walk. It’s a nice day outside.”

  They headed away from the UN complex and walked in silence until they were several blocks away. Wordlaw pointed to a nearby park bench, and they all sat.

  “Thanks for humoring me. Nothing can safely be said in or around that place. There are bugs everywhere and parabolic listening devices set up in the outside courtyards. Now, who are you?”

  There seemed no point to Jason that he mislead this man. “I was given your name by someone who drew that same fish symbol. He said to speak with you to learn more about GRI. We’re with the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS.”

  “You’re not Christians?”

  Jason pointed at Evans. “Nancy is.” They each showed Wordlaw their IDs.

  “But you’re following a lead from a Christian to a Christian?” Wordlaw cocked his head and considered for a moment. “Okay, what do you want to know?”

  “How does the GRI relate to the Georgia Guidestones? Is there any connection with Gaiatic Charities or Green Liberation? How does Senator Franklin Toomey fit into the puzzle?”

  Wordlaw barked, “Ha! You don’t want much, do you?” He closed his eyes against the sun and leaned back.

  A couple of older boys on skateboards zoomed by, handily juggling three colored balls each and even passing the balls to each other while maintaining their balance. Jason and the others watched appreciatively. When the sound of their wheels on the concrete had passed, Wordlaw said, “I presume you saw the Guidestones. Any thoughts on them?”

  Nancy Evans replied, “I didn’t see them, but after Jason told me about them I researched online. They’re a pretty radical prescription for our planet.”

  “Yes, they are. I presume you came across various statements by a host of well-known personages and organizations in your search?”

  “Sure did,” Evans replied. “The late David Brower, if I’m remembering his name correctly, founder of the Sierra Club, stated that society should punish anyone for having children unless they have a government license.” She shook her head and continued, “The Club of Rome in their Goals for Mankind agrees with the five hundred million maximum population inscribed on the Guidestones. Even the famous oceanographer, Jacques Cousteau, got into the act with the rather radical declaration that for the world population to be stabilized, three hundred fifty thousand people per day should be eliminated. These are just the tip of the iceberg.”

  Wordlaw gave a wan smile. “The belief is wide-spread. The commandments from the Georgia Guidestones are at the core of the work that GRI is implementing.”

  “What do you mean implementing?”

  “Just that, Jason—may I call you Jason—and Nancy?”

  The skateboarders came back along the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street, still maintaining their juggling act, crossed back over and disappeared around a corner.

  “I presume you’ve searched the Internet to find out what you can. Let me recap our mission.”

  “Our?” Jason said.

  “Correct. I’m the number two man. That gender definition isn’t in vogue so much right now, but it’s the truth.

  “The aim of GRI is to bring all religions and philosophies together in a single global effort to save Mother Earth. Our initiative is comprised of diverse belief systems, political entities, and NGOs. The majority of these non-governmental organizations are Green groups, a good many of which are extremely radical and highly influential. Because we’re under the auspices of the UN, we are worldwide in scope and powerful in ways you can’t begin to imagine.

  “You saw the very first statement on the Guidestones: Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature. That is indeed our number one priority. Number two is to bring every religious system in the world together in support of this goal by merging them under a common umbrella. Oneness. Unity. No distinction. This can only happen if everything is one: god, humans, the earth. Mankind is god is the earth is mankind. All are of the same essence and being as is every creature.

  Nancy Evans leaned forward and gesticulated. “How as a Christian can you begin to support any of this?”

  Wordlaw rubbed his chin. “I never said I do. They don’t know my beliefs. I’ve kept them hidden. That’s allowed me to infiltrate to the level I have and initiate prayer against this wicked agenda.”

  “Are there others like you inside?” Evans asked.

  “Just one. My secretary. She, my wife, several others in a small cell group, and I are the only ones I know who are aware of all this and are taking the only action we can. Prayer. GRI is too big, too widespread, and too dangerous for anyone to come against it in any way other than through spiritual means.”

  Jason said, “Why dangerous?”

  “They’ll stop at nothing to accomplish their goal. They’re very serious about reducing the earth’s population. They’ll use anyone and any means necessary. GRI is both quite open and immensely secretive because of the forces behind it.”

  A chilling thought came to Jason. “They use children to move this forward.”

  His quick nod brought a tightness to Jason’s gut.

  “Any means necessary.”

  “You’re combatting this with prayer,” Nancy Evans said. “You said there are forces involved—presumably dark forces? What’s your take on the spiritual aspect behind it?”

  “That’s the crux of the matter, isn’t it? As high as I am in the organization, I’ve only been able to glean bits and pieces about the demonic powers at work among many in the GRI community.”

  Having no basis for understanding where this aspect of the conversation was going, Jason said, “You’re losing me. Spiritual forces? Demonic powers? What are you talking about?”

  Nancy Evans glanced at Ted Wordlaw and responded, “The only way to truly understand this is from a Christian worldview. Without having been born again by the blood of Jesus Christ—you as an unbeliever—there’s a veil masking your mind and perceptions to the truth behind various spiritual concepts.”

  The statement made Jason uncomfortable and defensive. “How does that work? You mean I’m ignorant in some way?”

  Evans held up her hands. “No, no, hold on. I’m simply telling you a truth that is impossible for you to grasp. Look at how you react to it.”

  “Huh. Fine, we’ll talk about that later.” To Wordlaw, Jason said, “From your perspective, Satan and his minions are behind what’s happening?”

  “Exactly. And Nancy’s right about apprehending what this is really all about.” Wordlaw glanced at his watch. “We have to wrap this up for now. I have a meeting in twenty minutes.”

  “We need to know more,” Jason said. “Can we get together later?”

  “Perhaps you should come to our prayer meeting tonight. I—”

  The two skateboarders reappeared, coming quickly down the sidewalk toward them, this time not juggling. Jason noticed each held a single red ball
. In the next second, he also realized the boys were older than he’d first thought. His senses tingled in early warning.

  He sat in the middle of the bench beside Wordlaw, Evans to his left. As the young men whizzed closer, Jason began to rise to warn his companions. He wasn’t quick enough.

  The skateboarders rocketed past them. Each with deadly aim tossed his ball at Ted Wordlaw. The balls burst open and red goo spattered Wordlaw’s face. He clawed at the thick liquid and immediately stiffened.

  Jason’s action in standing kept the fluid from touching him. He watched in shock as acid immediately ate at Wordlaw’s eyes and mouth revealing cartilage and bone. His fingers disappeared in the same moment.

  Ted Wordlaw crumpled forward and hit the ground. Jason heard an awful laugh of glee that echoed from the skateboarders, who vanished into the back of a waiting white utility van too far away to see the license number.

  At the feet of Nancy Evans and Jason Ruger, the man who’d been attacked dissolved before their horrified eyes.

  Chapter 45

  It took hours for Nancy Evans and Jason Ruger to extricate themselves from the police investigation. The only good thing that came of it was the opportunity Jason had to briefly interact with Ted Wordlaw’s distraught secretary and to slip her his number.

  Shelly Mason called him at 5:11 once she’d left the office. He could hear the heartbreak in her voice.

  “You were with Mr. Wordlaw. What can I do for you?”

  “Can my partner and I meet with you?

  She hesitated only a moment. “I’m on my way to the subway at 42nd and Lexington. Any chance you can catch me there?”

  They weren’t far away. “Ten minutes. Which train?”

  Mason told him. He and Evans hustled through the rush hour crowds, into the depths of the subway station, and found the secretary within the allotted time.

  By now, Jason had become extremely paranoid and Evans wasn’t far behind in that feeling. They looked around and greeted Mason, asking if they could join her on the train. On the short walk to their car on the platform, Jason said, “Thanks for trusting us. We don’t want to talk either on the phone or in public on the train. Let’s wait until we exit at your stop.”