The Teacher

The Teacher: Part II Testament, Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27

MY TO-DO LIST GREW RAPIDLY as the day of Holden's return drew near. I still hadn't heard from him, so I continued carrying out his wishes to get us moved in and ready for the first day of freshman classes. We'd applied online, submitting the usual high school transcripts along with ACT and SAT scores. To cover tuition I simply setup a bank-to-bank transfer from our First Federal of Manistique checking account. Again, with money not being an issue, I picked up all the hard cover books and supplies we'd be needing, as well as getting the DVD and online licensing for the digital versions. I wasn't sure why, but Holden also left instructions for me to arrange to have the latest high-tech toys delivered and set up in each of the student apartments.

That included large 3D flat screen TV's mounted on the walls, iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks would also be provided for each student who ended up living at Delta Gamma. I called Best Buy, ordered the gizmos and arranged for the Geek Squad guys to come and set everything up, including high-speed 4G wireless WI-FI throughout the building. They also set up a Direct TV satellite dish to provide free cable with DVR service for the students.

As if that wasn't enough, Holden told me to order 20 Paggio Vespa's, and 20 BMW SCT hybrid scooters, as well as 20 TREK bicycles. The plan was for anyone staying at the dorm to use any vehicle at any time. Making sure he had their full attention and loyalty at all times also meant keeping their insatiable stomachs full.

There was a large commons area on the first floor with an attached kitchen and dining rooms. I googled chef, Madison, Wisconsin and arranged to staff the kitchen three shifts a day, seven days a week, as well as setting up maid service to clean on a regular basis.

I knew these were extraordinary perks even for the most well-financed frat and sorority houses on campus, but Holden always knew what he was doing so I just made the calls and wrote the checks without trying to figure out the details of what he was planning. Finally, the day before classes were to begin, Holden sent me a text.

HoldenH: Just landed in LA from Hong Kong taking off soon on a direct Delta flight to Madison can you pick me up at the airport around 9 PM?

FalloniousFord22: Sure...can't wait to see you!

HoldenH: Were you able to get everything ready at the frat house?

FalloniousFord22: It's been a hectic past few days but yes and did you remember classes start tomorrow?

HoldenH: I sure did why do you think Im headed home!? Looking forward to it being a student and all but theres a lot more to do you know we'll talk when I see you bye

FalloniousFord22: Bye

I'd been so busy that I hadn't given much thought to the overriding reason why we'd relocated to Madison. Suddenly the purpose for Holden setting up the frat house like some Playboy penthouse became apparent. It was all bait to lure in the prospects, the prized Blue Fin tuna destined to be caught in the Guardian's net of false promises that I worried couldn't be kept one day. Last-minute preparations taken care of, it was soon time to leave for the airport.

CHECKING ONLINE, I LEARNED HOLDEN'S flight was benefiting from a headwind, so I left a little early. I decided to park and meet him at the Delta gate inside the terminal. I was nervous—no, more like confused about our relationship, if that's what you could call it, and conflicted about turning the whole world into a den of Disciples.

Just thinking selfishly, what would happen to the advantages I was now enjoying as a predator among merely human prey when I began coming up against other Disciples? I know Holden hasn't thought that far ahead, so why should I. At least for the time being I was holding the aces and I was going to continue to ride my streak of unbelievable luck.

I was seated with a clear view of the walkway Holden would be coming down, but because my mind was wandering I didn't see him until he was just a few feet from me.

"Hey, it's you...sorry, I must have been..."

"Yeah...where were you just now?"

"Thinking...about you...things," I replied, not really wanting to get into my worries about not having any control over the uncertain future that was unfolding.

"I missed you...and it's good to be home...that is it will be good to get settled into our new home! So, your text said everything was go at the frat house, right?"

"Yep, it's amazing what you can get done with a lot of money to spread around! Are you ready?"

"Yeah, the guys in the band are coming in on another flight and they've got all the luggage and band equipment. They'll be joining us in a few days so, absolutely, let's get going...there's so much to do...so much I have to tell you."

"Right...we'll talk more in the car."

IN A HOPEFUL SIGN THAT HOLDEN still cared, he grabbed my hand as we walked out of the terminal and held on till we got to the Hummer.

"Would you mind driving?" he asked.

"Sure, no problem."

Turning onto East Washington Holden could see the impressive dome.

"So, this is Mad City, and that must be the Capitol?"

"Yes it is."

"Fallon, take a good close look...some day soon that will be the regional headquarters for our movement," Holden said with cold, calculating certainty.

I paused to take in the incredible implications of what he'd just declared as if it were fact, not speculation. I tried to imagine our community, our state, our society being run and populated by Disciples. I couldn't see democracy surviving, and what would become of the mortals who didn't convert?

"What do you mean...what makes you think anything like that could happen, even in our lifetime, much less in the near future?"

Holden paused to reflect on my skeptical challenging remark before snapping a cool, confident, satirical comeback.

"Oh ye of little faith..."