Interview with Jake
The People just need the truth. Told where we are, how we got here, and why that causes the desire to implement a balanced budget Constitutional Amendment at this point in time. The People need to be explained where We are going, why we are going that way, and what is expected from them (be good, take care of each other – government doesn’t do that).
“When you want to help people, you tell them the truth. When you want to help yourself, you tell them what they want to hear.” – Thomas Sowell
“Driving around Washington DC these days can be a Bear,” began the Colonel, waving prominently from the lobby chair.
“I walked,” Josh replied hurriedly, certain the Colonel couldn’t hear him from this distance. How did he know who I was? Agent Stephens could feel his face reddening. The Colonel’s booming voice and wave reminded him of a scene from the movie Jurassic Park – “Dotson, We got Dotson HERE!” Was it that obvious he was the FBI agent? Badge was intentionally inconspicuous at beltline, sportscoat covering it for the most part, firearm concealed. After all he did to ensure his being here was kept quiet, Josh now suspected he and the Colonel were the only people remembered in the hotel lobby that day. Again, he tried to slow time… or something was telling him to… or was it telling the Agent that this is what was happening?
Time needed to slow, the thought pressed harder. He needed to RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE of this moment. THE SIGNIFICANCE of THIS DAY! It was LOUD in his mind, but not a word audible. Although the sense was palpable in the air, all looked the same about him. A passage of Scripture bolted into his mind, as if being provided for him by something outside of the world. “’I tell you the Truth, if those voices didn’t tell you, the stones themselves would cry out.’ What you are about to do?? Phwew, thank you Sir.”
In stride and on mission, Josh took one last glance to his cell phone before powering down. As he secured it in its silent bag, his forearm brushed his holstered weapon, and a calm again came to him. Check. Deep breath. Whatever had been going on these past few months at work… then at home as he began working from there… then hearing The Call and feeling his world collapsing about him… Joshua Stephens took another deep breath as he arrived next to the marine, sitting in a hotel lobby chair. Slow Time – it’s not a race to do it fast, but a chance to do it right.
He felt like he was in a movie, a Super-Hero that Venom had latched itself onto, all for the good of the world, and the plot critical moment starred – now! Reflecting on his life up to this point, Josh now calmed enough to take in the Colonel. A lot had been put into this day, a lot was at risk, and the Agent could feel his blood pressure rising. Slow is fine, just remain aware.
A lot had to happen for Josh to get here, and it felt delightfully devilish to see the contact, and not have to relay anything to anyone… This was on his own time, the Agent had begun to rationalize. He had called an author, why shouldn’t he? In Life, Joshua Stephens performed in school, thought Eagle Scouts was damn cool, and applied to the FBI. At least, that’s how he saw it. To him it was a chance to do good in the world, and it seemed one of the few logical choices at that time in his life. Why was he hurried?
“Colonel Middleton?” he confirmed, keeping his voice low in hopes the Colonel would talk quieter.
The rank always got ‘em, reminded him again WHY we were here, what Jake was doing, and his intended purpose. “What’s that?” he managed, looking up from his phone. “Have a seat.”
“Josh Stevens, I spoke to you on the phone. I’ve seen your pictures and I recognize you Sir. I would like to start by saying this is off the record as you requested. My given name is Joshua L. Stephens, I work for the FBI under Special Agent Gabriel Michaels. Well, we have a team.” Reflecting on his choice, Josh took a deep breath. “And to the best of my knowledge, none of them, no one has any idea I’m here.”
Josh’s mind again reviewed the checklists: Work cell was fully charged but silent, ringer OFF, Vibration OFF, location ON, sitting in a work desk drawer in a file named Signed Contracts. No one would find it, no one would hear it, yet it would reveal that Josh had been at his desk during this time. Although his personal cell was with him, Josh disconnected all wifi and bluetooth, put it in airplane mode, in silent – then turned it off and placed the cell into a Silent Bag. If anyone knew were he was, they no longer knew where he was going… Yet. There is NO HURRY – it reminded him strongly.
“I’m Agent Stephens, the one who called you,” Josh tried, extending his right hand. From the Colonel’s blank stare, Josh felt he was in another world entirely. Now opening the paper shriveled in his left, the FBI Agent read the words aloud. “Did you find the Hotel Ok?”
“Driving around Washington DC these days can be a Bear,” Jake replied, even louder now. He hated the fact that there was never anywhere to park. Now looking the young Agent Joshua Stephens up and down, the Colonel truly had no idea what to do…
“But when they hand you over, do not worry about what to say or hoHe w to say it. At that hour you will be given what to say.” – Matthew 10:19
“I’ve never been to the National Spy Museum,” Jake excited boldly, rising from his lobby chair with a wide grin. Cringing, Josh felt as a soldier searching for cover. Although he had once read that the Colonel’s disability was a severed hearing nerve and surgical removal of his inner ear, the Federal Agent’s vision of this day did not include the marine’s booming voice. It felt as if he were on a movie set, and the spotlight had been brought on him. If there was a camera in the hotel lobby, Josh suspected that the Eye of Sauron was centered right on him. Silent phone and VA form-fitted hearing aids or not, the Colonel’s voice volume boomed such that it reminded him starkly of SNL’s Will Ferrell. In any case, The InterContinental’s entire hotel lobby now knew where the two were going…
Sheepdog-ish grin disarming, the Colonel’s eyes now beamed a pleading smile. “Seriously, I haven’t been. Spy Museum sounds awesome. Can we go??” Eyes widening, Jake rose with a smile and a shrug. “I’ll walk with ya, it’ll be fitting,” he decided, reaching out to shake the young agent’s hand. “And, on the way, you can tell me why Joshua Stephens from the FBI called me. But first we pray.”
The marine stopped abruptly, grabbing Joshua by his shoulder, the two forming a small huddle just outside The InterContinental’s glass doors. CVS store and man on a mountain bike their only witnesses, they prayed the Lord would guide them as they set out boldly to the Spy Museum.
And that’s when all Hell broke loose! shouted Venom. Although the Colonel’s odd behavior made Josh a little uncomfortable, the truth was he was little thankful for it. One of the reasons he phoned the author was because he sensed he was supposed to… like he’d never be able to hear His Mission unless he asked to… and thus he closed his eyes and asked Jesus to join him…
“Father Lord,” Colonel Middleton began, “I pray for Joshua and I. We know, Lord Jesus Christ, that when 2 or more are gathered in your name, you are right there with them. And we pray now that you will hear us, watch over us, and lead us in the direction you have set out for us. I pray that, as you reveal Your Promised Land – explain to Agent Josh,” he stumbled, “what it looks like, what it is you want from us down here, and how a righteous man can best walk in faith with you… that you’d provide us with the courage and strength to accomplish your holy will.”
“You Ready?”
Joshua Stephens opened his eyes, but the world he now viewed had already been forever changed…
“If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny; consume you it will, as it did Obi-Wan’s apprentice.” – Yoda
“You gettin’ ready?” the marine smiled, pushing the young Agent now, “Or?” Whether Agent Josh Stephens committed treason when he phoned the author of a manuscript determined by his team to be SCI still remains under speculation, but this scene in his life he remembers vividly and will NEVER FORGET. The Colonel eyes were wet, as though perhaps he was tearing? Was he in pain? Contemplating something? Or did his eyes water because he was THAT EXCITED about going to the Spy Museum? Josh could feel the Inspection taking place, the marine in front of him shaking his hand. Colonel Middleton smiled at him now. “Or are you gettin’ ready to get ready?”
*****