I ask, "Joe, where do they get power to run everything?"
Joe breaks in mid-sentence from whatever he was talking about and says, "Fusion dude! The Society discovered a safe way to sustain fusion reactions in 1953. They decided after seeing how governments used fission not to offer fusion technology to the world".
Amazed, I ask, "What other Sci-Fi stuff have they made available for practical use?"
Joe says, "Dude, it's best you not worry too much about it, but if the mind can think it these guys can make it happen. When mankind loses his focus on warfare and superstitions and throws himself entirely at tackling a scientific issue, there really isn't too much we can't do".
Life touches the flat screen monitor but nothing happens.
Joe says, "Just think it on. Once the monitor comes up just talk to it or think what you want to know and you will be guided through a directory of options."
The monitor comes on suddenly and a young lady on the screen asks,
"What sword smith would you prefer as the maker of the Katana in question? We have three Amakuni Yasutsuna swords.
Here is a map to property disposition.
You are welcome".
Joe and I look over at my wife and she flashes a broad smile.
I look at my wife and say, "I'm glad someone out there can read your mind!"
I notice we are approaching a series of statues and wall plaques. Statues of Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, John Adams, Socrates, and many other thinkers and philosophers guard the hallway. I read some of the inscriptions.
He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself. -Thomas Paine.
The majority, oppressing an individual, is guilty of a crime, abuses its strength, and by acting on the law of the strongest breaks up the foundations of society. -Thomas Jefferson
There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty. - John Adams
Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. Therefore do not take lightly the perils of war.
- Thucydides
He who is the author of a war lets loose the whole contagion of hell and opens a vein that bleeds a nation to death. -Thomas Paine
If there is one principle more deeply rooted in the mind of every American, it is that we should have nothing to do with conquest -Thomas Jefferson
As I read the words of these wise men, I wonder how we ever got to the place where we banned all of these men as heretics and subversives. Then I remember I could have been arrested and sent to Gitmo just for voicing that statement. Life says, "How could we have forgotten these men. America died a long time ago."
Joe says, "We are about to enter the assembly. Please, if you won't wear the bracelets they gave you, at least appear visible to them so they know who they are talking to. The assembly is specially designed to make it easier for ghosts and the living to communicate. You will have no problem being heard."
We enter the assembly and our jaws are clearly hanging open in amazement. The chamber is shaped in the form of a perfect circle. There are many tiers of seats, all are made of highly polished obsidian. I would guess that 50,000 people could attend the assembly. A gold statue of Thomas Paine is prominently displayed in the central speaker's circle. Also in the speaker's circle is a very old looking American flag with the thirteen stars and stripes of the original flag, but inside the circle of the thirteen stars in the center is the symbol of The Society.
Joe notices our gaze and says "That is the very first American flag. Betsy Ross was a member of The Society. When The Society fell out of favor the flag was moved to the secret archives at the Smithsonian. Someone from the Society retrieved it from the archives. The chapters of The Society share it. Currently we have the honors of protecting it."
We notices that the assembly is filled with members of the Michigan militia movement. Fast Eddie, Mrs. Ivanova, Franky and all the others are present, all looking healthier, better fed and well dressed. Even Fast Eddie's brother Rodney is here and is sitting next to his brother. While many of the Men in Black figures are present (although apparently unarmed), many other men, women and children of all ages and ethnicities are also present. There is a sudden gasp from the crowd and it is obvious to us that we have been noticed. I cue my wife and together we perform our favorite cheesy entrance, flexing our ghostly muscles, pretending to stoke the crowd to cheers, and then taking a deep bow. The silence that follows rates the success of our actions.
As if embarrassed, our friend Joe introduces us, "These are my friends Mr. and Mrs. Archer. They seek an audience with The Society and have pledged themselves to the cause of equality and peace." We look at Joe with the discomfort one shows when one doesn't like others put words in one's mouth.
A very old woman has appeared in the central speaking circle. A golden light shines on her withered form from above. Monitors throughout the assembly light up and display her image around the chamber. "I have been elected by you all to speak on the behalf of The Society. Anyone who does not wish to participate in this discussion is free to leave. You will be armed, provided with supplies and released in a zone that is not known to be inhabited by government troops". The choice is yours. If you stay you have agreed to suffer the burden associated with membership in The Society. Our secrets must be protected to the death and beyond."