Solomon's Private File #23
These stories about Stephen and Solomon take place starting in
1950's. Stephen wrote about his life in letters to a penpal, and then
in a secure blog, in case he lost his memory again, in the master
computer in his school for gifted students, which he started attending
in 2016 in a new incarnation, until his death. Now his son Solomon is
attending the same school, and is writing in his own secure blog for
his future incarnations.
All characters are fictitious, even if some of them might have names
that belong to some actual people, or act like people we know.
Solomon is 13 in this story, in the Fall of 2039.
Solomon's Private File #23 "Life After Death"
START Page
I said to Len, the producer on the scene for CNN, during a quiet time
on our TV studio in Tibet, after they had been reporting for some time
after Dad died, "When you want to go back to Atlanta, let me know. If
you want to rest before then, we've got really nice bedrooms. With very
comfortable, easy to sleep on, beds. Nice quiet rooms..." He held up
his hand to stop me before I started singing a lullaby, and said, "I
get it. Thanks. I AM tired. I should get some rest. I'm not as young as
I almost remember I used to be." I gave him a smile, and said, "Your
assistant can handle it." He nodded and left. Don noticed. I said to
him, "Any time." He said, "A little longer." I said, "Then I should
report that somebody did test if Mom would continue with the IED and
suicide bomb interdiction. They are VERY unhappy now." He grinned
fiercely, and said, "I'm sorry for the victims, but not at all sorry
for the terrorists." I gave him the details, and he reported them as
pending conformation, on air. Then I said, "Another one. They were
waiting for Dad's death, and had them ready in different countries." I
gave him the info.
A few minutes later, I said, "Oh, oh. I was watching for this. Three
teams in Gaza were preparing to launch some explosive missiles into
Israel. The last person who touched the things has discovered he can't
let go. In all cases, some cohorts tried to help them get loose. Now
they're also stuck. The leaders there have been informed, by papers. It
remains to be seen what they will do about it, if anything." Don said,
"Alright to report it, and with you as the source?" I said, "Yes. Here
are the names and locations. Phone numbers, too, to make it more
interesting." He said, "Will you tell me who's doing the sticky hands
consequence, and let me report that?" I said, "No, and that should tell
you unofficially who's doing it, who just thought of it." He grinned in
appreciation, and said, "Right. Got it. Thanks!" I nodded, and said, "I
really dislike loud noises." He nodded in understanding what I wasn't
saying.
Mom, Pete, and Ichi had been duty monitoring me. They all praised me
for what I was doing, and how I handled the media. I said to Don, "One
of the men with the missiles, Asim, has just done something of a liquid
nature, involuntarily, that is usually reserved for a very small room
in private." The crew laughed. I said, "Hmm, he doesn't need to shake
it. He's doing that all over." More laughter. I said, "His friends are
feeling a little less friendly. Cuss words don't translate well." They
laughed again. Don had trouble reporting that without laughing. During
a commercial, Don said to me, "I love your humor." I said "Thanks.
Probably a little too much, though." He grinned, and said, "I don't
care." I said, "My sister complains I make her laugh too much." She
said in the air, "True. Somehow I've neglected to tell him to stop,
though." I said to Don's grin, "You KNOW Uncle Hawk isn't complaining."
He laughed. I said, "Right!" More laughter.
I told Mom what was happening in Israel, and said, "Better you say
that, than me, a Rabbi." She agreed, and said in the air in a few
places in that country, "I will not allow you to break the peace in any
way connected to my husband. Stand down your attack, or you will see
that Stephen isn't the only one who can do what he did in China. I will
not allow another country to make war on you for a month. If you want
to invite other countries to destroy you after that, you may." They
REALLY didn't want to do what she said, but they did, and with a lot of
grumbling. We didn't make any of that news. Somebody else did. I said
to Don, "Hurry. Tell them Israel is NOT going to do that. If they need
a reason, it's out of respect for my father." He told that to the
producer in Atlanta, and that went out on air. I checked, and said,
"Worked. Could have really upset some orange carts." He said, "Don't
you mean apple carts?" I said, "Apples don't grow there." He grinned
and nodded. In a quiet time, I said to Don, "They absolutely LOVE
apples in Thailand. Few ever have any. Wrong climate. By the way,
apples, as we know them, didn't exist in early Biblical times. They are
a man made breed, modified from very bitter crab apple trees." He said,
"I didn't know that. Interesting." I said, "You can learn a lot from a
fruitful education." He almost groaned.
Don said, "Shouldn't you be getting some sleep?" I said, "No. I don't
need much, and I can go a week without it. I'll be here and awake as
long as you're here. Duty. Not that it isn't interesting. I have a
captive audience, too." He grinned acknowledgement. He said, "Was your
mother watching for trouble?" I said, "I don't know. I am, and told
her. She's off Earth, but still maintaining a connection to me. Some
people were set to test the drug interdiction. Thanks to my father,
they have a severe shortage of the er, product for that. Very annoyed
over that, too. I'm not!" He grinned. Then he yawned. I said, "Don't
expect me to copy that. I'm immune." He said, "I should get some sleep,
while I can still make it to a bed." I said "Why are you still here?"
He said, "To get man in the street interviews in the morning." I said,
"Alright. If anything interesting happens, I'll tell your people in
Atlanta. Any bedroom that's open is available. Anything you need, just
ask." He said, "Thanks." He said to the crew that one should stay, and
the others can trade off times with him. They set up a schedule. I
talked with the man remaining, but nothing that would be newsworthy. No
unusual events happened that I should report.
When Len showed up in the morning, I told him all that, and he said
with a grin, "As expected." I said, "Here's a crystal of what you
missed." He took it with thanks. Don came in while we were having
breakfast. I gave him the update. That included what some world leaders
had said about Dad and his death. Some were crying. I said, "Isn't it
interesting that people often feel better about the dead, even of great
people, than when they were alive?" Don said, "One of your research
projects? We've heard about them." I said, "Wasn't. Is now." Grins.
I said, "Let me know when you want an update on the missile people in
Gaza." They went into the studio to check in, and then asked me. I
said, "They are still attached. All of them. Neighbors have peeked in
the doors, but didn't stick around. Left in a hurry, actually. NO
official action. Not even a visit by the local police. Want videos?"
Len shouted "YES!" I grinned at his embarrassment. I gave him a memory
card. It included text translations. They ran it, and were amazed. I
said, "How long do you think they should remain like that? They can't
even drink or eat without a LOT of work. No, not forever, although when
they're released, there WILL be the usual mental consequences of not
being able to lie, and so on." The consensus was two more days, or
until the leaders asked for their release. The videos went on air, and
there was a lot of comment, and some of that was about who might have
done it. Some appreciated the cleverness of it. The crew really noticed
my constant grin. Some gave me some of their own.
Don asked me, "Do you know if the love and healing broadcasts will
continue?" I said, "The love broadcasts will continue as scheduled. My
sister, the Dalai Lama, will do them. We will all find out together if
healing will be involved." He said, "Do you think it will?" I said, "I
don't presume to predict the future, but with my Dad on the other
I said, "But he likes problems." Chuckles.
I said, "Hmm, there is a little problem in the houses of the missile
people. They are having trouble answering their phones. I think I'll
help them out a little." I did answer them, and let them hear my side
of it. An example went like this, translated, "Hello. Yes he's here,
but he is having a problem answering his phone. A sticky situation. I
mean his hands are stuck to a missile he was going to fire across the
border. Oh, so you heard about it. Yes, it's true. Me? I'm a concerned
person who is looking into the situation. I don't know how long their
er, condition will last. I hope somebody in authority comes to their
aid soon. Thank you for your concern. I'll pass that along." I did. I
said to the crew, "I did that as a disembodied voice that is not my
real one. They knew somebody answered their phones for them, because
they could hear it, and have some severely mixed intense feelings about
that." Laughter.
Len said to me, "Do you know how the other worlds are taking the
news?" I said, "Yes. Not well. I don't know if you can understand how
well they think of Stephen. There is a whole star empire that knows him
as Attin, their greatest hero who they only had legends of, who gave
them her entire life history. And he saved their lives, stopping a war,
and stopping an invasion that would have ruined them. Another star
empire he has saved from themselves. All those people, and the major
planets of the GC, love him for all of that, but love him even more for
who he was. There are hundreds of billions of people who view my father
as the greatest and most worthy person who ever lived, even if he
looked really ugly to them. Earth isn't the only planet he's given his
love to. There are oceans of tears out there, from those who express
grief and sadness that way. I wish I could help them to feel better,
but I can't." Len said, "Can we use your statement?" I gave him a
paper. Don read it on air, when there was time available for it. Mom
gave me a shot of love and approval.
They went out to do some interviews. I went with them as a
projection. I said why; "They would know who I am, even in disguise.
Auras don't lie. My physical presence with you would distract them and
interfere with what you're doing. As a projection, they will only know
that an Adept is doing it." There were no problems, but they didn't get
much. People just didn't feel like talking. I knew that would happen,
but even if the crew had known, they would still have had to try. They
came back in time for lunch. Don asked me, "Other cities here like
this?" I said "Yes. Sorry. Want to go home?" They looked conflicted. I
said, trying to hide my amusement, "The only thing left for you here,
is me." Don and Len looked really embarrassed. I said, "That really set
Uncle Hawk off." They had to chuckle. I said with love for them, "This
hasn't been easy for you. A rest in indicated. And maybe something
else. I'm a Rabbi, and with full knowledge of the other religions, I'm
qualified as an interfaith Chaplain. I'll be in the den for anybody who
would like to see me alone in confidence."
Len was the first. We hugged with love. He cried. We recited the
prayers together. Then I surprised him with, "Any help you need for
your book, ask." He said, "How?" I said, "Obvious." He had to smile,
and said, "I see what you mean. We always underestimated his
intelligence, too." I said, "Using a term that would make him turn in
his grave if he had one, par for the course." He had to smile at that.
He said, "Parting the water hazard! I'll never forget that!" I said,
"That's what the ball gets for lying." We laughed together. He left,
and Don came in. We said some prayers together. I said, "He does hear
them. I should tell you something. He was watching us, monitoring me,
actually, up until his er, departure. He said he loved what I was doing
with you. I could tell he was very amused. We all like to watch each
other work. Entertaining. But we all liked to watch YOU work, too." He
said, "Entertaining?" I said, "Absolutely! He said it best. You are the
most human of CNN reporters. You feel what you report, and your honesty
shows all over you. It's not a job to you, but a calling. We all
appreciate that, because we feel like that ourselves. You understand us
like no other journalist can. We have a special love for you. Thank
you." He cried in my hug. He left, and the sound man came in. We said
some prayers. I said, "A lot of people try to dodge your big fuzzy
monster, usually unconsciously." He nodded, and said, "But your father
never did. He was aware of all we were doing, and always did the little
things that made our jobs easier. It was a privilege to be in the crew
with him, and we were the envy of all CNN and beyond." I said, "Got in
a few fights over that?" He said, "How did you know?" I said, "Didn't.
Just a guess you nicely confirmed." We chuckled together. He went out.
A cameraman came in. We sat for a while. He said, "I don't have a
religion." I said, "Some people think that's a religion." He said
"Think?" I said, "Right. They think they're doing that." He nodded. He
said, "Why did you become Jewish?" I said "I wanted a religion of my
own. That one had the least strange rituals, and the best food." We
grinned together. I said, "You don't need a religion to know there is
more to existence than just this one life." He said, "Yes. Your father
proved that. Probably his greatest service." I said, "The future will
decide that, but it could be true." He said, "I've never worked with a
guest who was so aware of the camera, yet so comfortable with it. He
always helped us to have the best angles. He cared about all of us in
the crew, and tried to make our work as easy and as good as it could
be." I said, "I'll tell you something. He was doing more. He learned
from you. What you see in his movies, well, some of that wouldn't be
there, if it hadn't been for you." He cried into my hug. He said,
"You're different, but like your father in all the best ways. I'm glad.
I wish you well." We hugged again, and he left. There were no more. I
stayed in the den a few minutes more so they could talk about me if
they wanted to. Then I took off my Kippah and Tallit, and went out and
into the studio.
I said, "So, going home?" Len said, "Yes. Where's yours?" I grinned,
and said, "You just HAD to try it, didn't you." He grinned and said,
"Yes, I admit it." I said, "I live in a lot of places. Here's one of
them." He said, "You're staying here after we leave?" I said, "No. I
don't do the alone thing. I'll be with my sister for a while. Then
other relatives and friends. I'll be working, though. Might be more
missile attempts, or some such mayhem. Don't worry, I'll share." He
said, "Good. Thanks. Thank you for everything." I said, "You're
welcome." I ported them back to Atlanta, and took off their
environmental pendants they were really hoping to keep, and took the
aura filters from their cameras. I asked to see their boss. He wasn't
in, but the one at the next level up was.
I said, "Hi. I'm Solomon, Sol to my friends. I'm using an image, and
it's not how I really look. I just ported your crew back from Tibet.
They worked hard, and it was a difficult time for them physically, and
emotionally. If they need some time off, I hope you can be generous
with that." He said, "Don won't want that." I said, "I know. Up to you.
Force Len if you have to." He said, "Right. I agree. You'll keep in
touch?" I said, "Until things started in this event are resolved, yes.
After that, my mother will probably handle things with you. Well, I
can't be on camera." He said, "Why not?" I said, "Would you want a
child of yours to go through what would happen to me, if I were known,
and went out in public?" He said, "I understand. I'll support that." I
said, "And not just because my mother might have a temper?" My grin
took the sting off of that. He grinned back, and said, "Does she?" I
said, "None of us are able to lose control. But, she just might desire
to look and act that way, when she feels so inclined." He said with
interest, "Has that ever happened?" I said, "Oh yes! Enough to cause a
big macho Congressman to wet his pants." He laughed well. We said our
farewells, and I vanished my projection.
Kam was alone. I ported to her room. We undressed and kissed and
hugged. She said, "I have to wear clothes here!" I said, "I'm really
sorry about that. At least it looks comfortable, if you don't trip on
anything." She said, "True." I said, "You could think of your robes as
a small room you're natural in." She said, "Interesting. I'll try that.
Later." We grinned.
Eventually, I did release the missile people, with the usual be nice
compulsions. I removed the guts of the missiles, and stuck them to the
ceilings of the main rooms in the houses. With 4th controls, they would
have to remove part of the ceiling to get rid of them. I gave CNN
videos of that. Uncle hawk laughed. I know, because I was hugging him,
and along for the ride his laughter caused. I told him it was like
riding a horse, not specifically to get him to do it some more. I
think.
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Grant
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