Into the Light

Chapter 21

Chapter: 21

"When men are full of envy they disparage everything, whether it be good or bad."

Tacitus

"Thank you Altoona for being such a warm audience. I plan to come back to this lovely setting as soon as possible after my next book. I'm pleased to see so many people are interested in the international civil rights battle. We must continue the fight and not let them be taken away by slight of hand policies and the new global robber barons. Watch the news with an intelligent and educated mind, beware the propaganda and lies. God be with you and good night."

The cheers of the small auditorium are abrupt and come to a halt after a minute. The speaker puts on his blue blazer that was hooked inside the podium. The students forced to be there because of an assignment leave down the aisle first.

The frail Professor Gideon, brandy riddled, in a black roll neck sweater and bright purple scarf comes up to the guest lecturer sipping from a tall glass.

"Professor Haddad that was brilliant. I really think you got through to the students and an even more impressive feat, some of my faculty. I'm having a dinner tomorrow and I would be honored if you would come."

"Certainly, I will be here for another day. Please call my hotel and leave the directions. I must go out now and see if anyone wishes to have my, their books signed. And thank you so much for this opportunity." He smiles and goes out to the waiting crowd of a dozen people.

Darius Haddad, a man with a Wikipedia mind who has traveled the world collecting information and large bar tabs, slides under the fold out table in the lobby. His knees knock into a guide rail for a second transforming the calm professor's face into a growl. The wide face of an elderly women wrapped in a wool shawl stacked on a copy of his book flicks his angry expression away. He fixes his shaggy hair black, smooth as lines of fresh ink, and takes the books with a smile. The flash of his pen signs the inside cover with a large looping D.

The auditorium's thirty-foot vaulted ceilings makes even the most feeble voices echo and the rumbling of conversation have created a wall that won't let Darius over hear the conversation of his collegiate peers standing in clutch just a few feet away. Above Darius, an octagonal skylight peers out to the deep dark blue of the Pennsylvania night and he takes a quick look up to the rising stars shining through the facets. He thinks of his last visit to the Pantheon in Rome. The signing is routine and as always there are a few names he cannot spell. His olive skinned right hand begins to cramp from writing his own name.

The last two in line are young white men, rugged and flat footed. One about five foot five, a chin scratched with stubble, wears a nice shiny black jacket that reflects like mercury mixed with powdered coal. The other about six-foot four, eyes like ripe blackberries, wears an Ecko sweatshirt over tight jeans that coat his thin legs. The small one puts both of his hand flat on the table. Professor Haddad wipes the tip of his tapered nose.

"I really liked the lecture," says the smaller man.

"Thank you, I try my best but I'm more of a philosopher than an orator," Darius says.

The smaller man shoots a sideways nod towards the door.

"Would you like to get some beers with us? On us of course, and we could discuss America's global influences. Get a perspective from the young perhaps?" the smaller one asks.

"Sure, I always like to get comments concerning my lectures. Let me say my goodbyes and we can go have a drink. I have a rental car in the back."

"No that's all right, we'll drive. Like I said, on us. We'll get you back in no time."

The parking lot is filled with cars for the adjoining theatre and town events. They stroll to the far end where a blue Range Rover is waiting. The tall one lights a cigarette and puts forth his pack to Professor Haddad. He shakes his head quickly, "I quit long ago after I came back from sabbatical in Algiers and France."