Ambrosia Is Waiting

Chapter 4

One sticky, sultry Mississippi night at Red Dungeon 1 Research Facility, Dr. Elise Weinthrob held her breath as she thought about all the sweeping changes they had made in the last 23 months. A bit of a panic attack engulfed her for a brief moment. Five of Ambrosia’s gifts had been unleashed into the world and things were changing literally too fast for her comfort. From time to time, she also wondered if these were gifts, or were they waiting curses. Frankly, she wondered if humans could handle their new found destiny.

“Hello sugar panties,” smiled a greedy Bill Melville. “Did you get the gift I left for you?”

“Yes, you psycho sex monster, I got them,” grimaced Elise unsure of herself this time. “Have you gone totally insane? “

“Don’t you like them?” asked Bill.

“Well, its just that no one has even bought me candy flavored panties before.”

“Yeah, I figured,” smiled Bill pleased with himself. “Take off that damn robe so I can eat them!”

“Not right now,” said Elise almost ruining the mood. “I want to talk to you about our project.”

“What now?” asked Bill. “Are you still thinking about work at a time like this?”

“Da!” half smiled Elise. “Look where we are.”

“Exactly,” laughed Bill. “We have been with this damn project for five years and what have we got to show for it? Hell! We are practically prisoners here. And for what? So we can watch the gifts go to assholes?”

“What do you mean, assholes?” inquired Elise sure Bill was being unnecessarily malicious. “You know the Unified World Council has selected wonderful recipients of the gifts. Even Pa Pearl approves.”

“Pa Pa Pa,” frowned Bill. “Do you know how tired I am of hearing about Pa?”

“I never knew you felt this way Bill.”

“Well, now you know!” snapped Bill again. “Hail! Pa Pearl was as dumb as a damn door knob when he a found da little ole space pod!”

“Bill? Where is all this angst and jealousy coming from?”

“Why hasn’t the World Council selected one of us as a recipient of one of these gifts?” asked Bill angrily. “Don’t they think we are qualified?”

“Its not that Bill,” suggested Elise. “It is political just like everything else. They have to make sure all the countries of the world are represented. That way there will be unity.”

“Nonsense!” pounced Bill. “You know as well as I that there will never be true world unity in our life times. We can’t even get unity in one country for Christ’s sake.”

“All that will change,” promised Elise.

“Why don‘t we just go in there and take a gift for ourselves? What are they going to do if we do? Kill us?”

“They might!” snapped Elise serious as death. “Now come get your nightly snack … you sweet britches thang!”

As Elise cast aside her thick fluffy pink robe, she revealed that she was wearing Bill’s gift - rainbow-colored (and flavored) cotton candy Victoria‘s Secret Catalogue panties and bra. Bill’s eyes widened with much joy and anticipation. Truth be told, he loved this woman more than any of his ex-wives, and besides, cotton candy was his favorite desert.

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That same night in another corner of Red Dungeon 1, Dr. Yuki Tanaka of Japan, Dr. Klaus Von Hellinburg of Austria, Dr. James Edward Chilton of Phoenix Arizona, Dr. David Nelson of Australia, Dr. Karla Smith of MIT, and Kim Sung Park of Korea played Texas Hold ‘Em. Dr. Renee was away in Luxembourg visiting his sick mother. Their special one-time prize would be one hour of joyful bliss which was to be given by Mowamba, recipient of Ambrosia’s gift of Joyful Bliss.

Mowamba was a 31 year old bushman from the Kalahari Desert in Africa. No one could believe it, but the world Council had actually made another informed and eloquent choice. Mowamba was the youngest spiritual leader ever chosen by the bushmen to become tribal leader.

A fierce warrior, Mowamba had proven his courage at age 11 when he killed a rogue lion that was terrorizing their village. When everyone ran to a near-by cactus patch, Mowamba simply grabbed his poisoned darts and walked straight for the charging lion. As the lion lunged at him, Mowamba sidestepped him and stuck him with his spear. When the bewildered lion stared at this insane little boy-man, Mowamba threw five poisoned darts into him and put him to sleep. While he was sleep, Mowamba did his solemn duty and cut the fear-provoking lion’s throat.

As the fierce lion died, the old chief of the bushmen asked why Mowamba’s eyes were filled with tears and Mowamba replied: “I hated killing such a beautiful and fearless creature. “

“That’s not that surprising, is it?” asked Kim Sung Park of Korea. “Don’t the bushmen only kill that which they need to survive?”

“True, my learned friend,” said Karla Smith. “But, you are missing the point! When Mowamba was 11, he stood only 4‘ 9“ and weighed only eighty pounds.”

“How long will Mowamba be here?” asked Yuki Tanaka.

“Tomorrow, he will be here for one hour,” replied Klaus. “That’s highly classified. Evidently, he needed to see the urn for some reason. Elise says it has something to do with renewing his energy.”

“We have the day off tomorrow,” whined Yuki. “Only the guards and maybe Elise will be here.”

“Exactly!” smiled Klaus.

“Do the other gift recipients have to renew their energy too?” asked Edward Chilton.

“Yes, they all come here from time to time,” said Klaus Von Hellinburg.

“Has Elise Weinthrob ever seen him?” asked Karla.

“No,” answered Klaus immediately. “The powers-that-be don’t want any single person to know too much.”

“Has anyone ever seen Mowamba?” asked Yuki.

“Yes, I initially led him to the urns!” revealed Klaus Won Hellinburg.

“Did he give you joyful bliss?” asked Yuki.

“Yes!” said Klaus. “Upon exiting the chamber, he touched my forehead and said, ‘For three days, you will be happy.’”

“What does he look like?” asked David Nelson of Australia.

“That’s just it, I can’t remember,” answered Klaus. “When ever I try to remember, I draw a complete blank. It is as if something is blocking my thought process. It is like total mental exhaustion. I am sure you all know about that.”

“What does Mowamba do with the gift, help big shots and very rich people?” ask Kim Sung Park.

“Why yes, in a manner of speaking,” laughed Klaus. “As you know, the gifts are heavy for their recipients. Mowamba keeps people like Will Pearl, Dr. Josef Bernard, Yuri Kozowoski, Simon Bell, the Dalai Lama, and several other key personnel from well, literally going insane.”

“Awesome!” laughed David Nelson. “By the way, who are Simon Bell and Yuri Kozowoski? And what do they have to do with the Dalai Lama?“

“Well, I guess you’ll find out sooner or later,” said Klaus, cautious about his revelation. “Yuri Kozowoski was given the gift of Technical Eye shortly after Will pearl’s identity was revealed.”

“So he is a Russian that leads the world’s new technical council?” asked David Nelson. “And who is Simon Bell?”

“Simon Bell is a 47 year old Canadian who received Ambrosia’s fifth gift - Aquatic Life!” continued Klaus. “He received it about 17 months after the Americans found Will Pearl.”

“You still haven’t answered his second question,” suggested Karla.

“They work for the Dalai Lama just like we do and everyone else on Planet Earth!” said Klaus shocking everyone.

“You don’t mean the Dalai Lama was selected as united planet ruler, do you?” asked Edward Chilton. “No way! I never thought they’d pick a religious man. Hail! Soon we‘ll all be up to our asses in Buddhism!”

“Now why do you have to call this great and wise religious man a ruler and why do you have to be so negative?” asked Yuki. “It is not like he is a dictator or czar. For the most part, the secret World Council decides how earthlings will develop and live. He is just someone who can bring everyone together without a lot of jealousy and mistrust. He‘s an excellent choice.”

“True, but he is The Man,” laughed Edward Chilton.

“The Man,” responded Klaus angry now. “Why do you Americans have to put things in such obtuse and vulgar ways? Son, what da gosh darn hail does dat a mean anyways? Boy, ain‘t you got no common sense?”

Everyone laughed at Klaus’s excellent attempt at a southern accent.

“Funny Klaus!” smirked Edward Chilton. “How long is the World Council going to remain secret? I mean, will the Dalai Lama tell the world about the new order at the end of Pa Pearl’s three years of unification?”

“What?” offered Klaus. “Are you kidding? You’ve lived in Mississippi for a few years now. Do you really think these people can handle a new world order.”

“I see your point,” said Edward Chilton.

Karla was growing restless and starting to scrim in her chair.

“I wonder what it is like to receive blissful joy?” pondered Karla aloud - needing some euphoria about now.

“Have you ever tried LSD, ecstasy, angel dust, and crack cocaine all combined together?” asked Klaus. “Well, it is 1000 times more potent than that! I will never be the same since Mowamba laid hands on me! Its like nothing in the world can touch me now.”

“I’d like to try that just once,” smiled Karla smith, the youngest PhD in the room.

“No chance of that,” laughed Yuki. “Not the way you play poker!”

Everyone burst out in uncontrollable laughter.

“I’ve read every poker book on planet earth and watched video recordings of every poker tournament ever taped. I plan to win tonight!” informed Karla.

“Anything is possible,” laughed Yuki.

“Not anything!” smiled Klaus.

More laughter.

Life had improve significantly for all the scientists at Red Dungeon 1 over the last five years. All had been given a home in Ambrosia, Mississippi, the new government built city. Everything, well everything except their old friends and old lives was provided for them. They were allowed to take many trips to their old stomping grounds to keep in constant touch with all their comrades.

Their children were pampered also and treated like little princes and princesses. If they had a problem or concern, Ambrosia’s city staff made it go way instantly. If one of them were having relationship problems, their roads were paved with rose pedal and diamonds. In a sense, they were treated like spoiled celebrity children, maybe much better. If one of them was old enough to live alone in their home countries, they were given their own apartment or home by the secret world government.

Mississippi days continued to be hot and suffocating. There was often no wind blowing and it was as sticky as glue. When Mowamba’s helicopter arrived, Klaus met it on Red Dungeon’s rooftop helipad. Yuki had invited Karla, her poker runner-up winner to share her blissful joy prize. To Klaus, that was OK with him. Both ladies watched as Klaus welcomed Mowamba. Elise was not allowed to be around Mowamba as part of the security protocol.

“Good to see you again old friend,” smiled Klaus suddenly remembering Mowamba’s face.

“Hell-o!” smile Mowamba.

“Mowamba, these are the two ladies that will be receiving the hour of blissful joy,” laughed Klaus, happy he would have two people near who he could discuss Blissful Joy with.

“Ladies,” said Mowamba extending his right hand.

Yuki touched Mowamba’s hand first. The instant she did so, she fainted. Klaus just laughed. Timidly, Karla edged closer to Mowamba. As she did so, two guards took Yuki to her Red Dungeon quarters.

“Will I pass out if I touch you Mowamba?” she asked.

“I do not know,” quietly informed Mowamba. “That was the first time any one has fainted. Usually, the reaction is quite different. Most people just hump up and down shaking their fingers like they have bees in their trousers …”

As Mowamba extended his ebony hand again, Karla inhaled deeply. Here goes she thought. And she was right. Immediately, she was overcome with joy unimaginable. All of her years of toiling in academic prisons was worth the sacrifice. All of her years of missing out on a normal life were worth the sacrifice. Everything was worth it.

“Hallelujah,” joked Klaus.

“Double hallelujah,” insisted Karla fit to be tied. How long will this last?”

“All day!” said Mowamba. “All day!”

That night, Bill Melville met with a mysterious man known to him only as Elijah. Elijah was the point man for a secret world society of mystery men and women who some people believe, runs the world economy. They call themselves and their society: The Den. Bill believed they were the world’s richest businessmen, ex-spies, and an assortment of other freaks.

“The Den wants more specific information,” said Elijah point blank. “They want to know who Mowamba is and where to find him, and they want to know now.”

“That’s just it,” replied Bill. “When folks meet Mowamba, they never seem to remember what he looks like. When he travels, he wears a hood and when people actually do see him, they can’t describe his features. It is as if they have been programmed to forget.”

“Yes, The Den figured as much, but you have access to Red Dungeon’s security cameras and video tapes through your girlfriend. The Den wants you to use her to gain access to the tapes.”

“Can’t,” lied Bill immediately.

“Yes, we think you can,” said Elijah authoritatively.

“No, I can’t,” insisted Bill wondering what he had gotten himself into and how he would get himself out of it. “All the facility tapes have been sanitized.”

“Are you sure?” quizzed Elijah. “The Den will not be happy to hear that.”

“Sorry,” said Bill sensing, incorrectly, his escape.

“If Mowamba returns, The Den will provide you with a miniaturized camera system as well as instructions on when and where to use it,” said Elijah. “They insist that you come through for them. They are paying you millions for your services and they want their money’s worth. Do you completely understand?”

“Yes absolutely,” answered Bill feeling sick now. “I understand completely.”

To Bill, he justified his greediness by convincing himself that no one would get hurt. After all, he was only providing trivial and useless information. The Den would discover these things eventually anyway. Besides, he needed the money with two ex-wives and seven children - four of which were still in expensive colleges.