a New York night

My first day in the States and I’ve already been shot at by God only knows who, I’ve met up with two angels who send their regards to good ole daddy, I’ve just walked away from a sinister group of people who just happened to be blocking the way into a God-given Sanctuary, and I still haven’t a flat to lay down my tired head. At least my leg is healing; that’s one good thing I can say about my genetic heritage.

Edgar continued down the street, walking in the drizzle and hoping a hotel wouldn’t be too far away. He passed a well-lit establishment, the Frank Herbert Bar & Grill, but decided food wasn’t a priority right then and there, he needed a place to stay.

Along the steps of the Victoria Presbyterian Church the ‘sinister-looking’ crowd began to disperse. There were some guarded whispers and muted murmurs, an exchange of cell phone numbers and calibration of digital watches. Then the cabal went their different ways, their work accomplished for the night. But a stone’s throw from that church two very different men were scurrying down an alley. They were trying to be sneaky, but the silhouette of their umbrellas made that near to impossible.

"I swear I saw something come down here," whispered one to the other.

"Yah, pretty soon you’ll be telling me ya saw ‘par-mah-fey’."

"I know what I saw, and f.y.i. that was one helluva good Night Stalker episode."

"Yah, yah, by the way d’ja here ‘bout the mess at the airport? Some bozo went postal on a plane, messed things up good."

"Yah, I caught the ‘Breaking News’ that cut off NYPD Blue. Ticked me off bad."

"The shooting?"

"Nah, the fact that they preempted Jimmy Smitts."

Back at the Frank Herbert Bar & Grill a Buddhist monk was eating a vegetarian burger. The angel and the devil had already left, and the monk was in conversation with a newcomer, an electrician who really was an electrician. His name was Tom, he had an ex-wife and two teenage daughters. He worked diligently for the city of New York and paid his taxes. If he had known with what kind of inhuman creature he was conversing he probably would’ve pissed his pants and run to the nearest synagogue. As it was, though, all he saw was a monk.

"…every experience, dilemma can be mathematically stripped bare to the basic philosophical question: WHY?"

"I see your point," responded the monk. "However, this is not the Age of Sumatran princes or Neo-Zoroastrian kings. This is the 21st century, my friend. Every religious, business and governmental question has but one single derivative: ‘Who will exercise power?’ Alliances, good man, are the key in this chaotic existence. Alliances, fellowships, complexes, they all must seek the power, or they will fall within the meaningless chase after an empty mirage. Power is central and all else is nonsense; and as time unfolds most thinking beings will come to realize it." With that the inhuman who looked human took another bite of his burger and smiled.

And at that very moment Edgar hailed a cab. He told the Iranian-looking driver all he wanted was a nice hotel and with a "you got it, boss" the driver took off while Edgar sat back and enjoyed the feel of the polyester seat.

1. after a short ride Edgar saw the driver stop in front of a small yet decent place with a neon sign that said: "Motel, Hello"
2. After a good night's sleep Edgar took a shower, dressed and thought about his next step.

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