Page 55 - Just Deserts

Revelation Research

sides. If we lose Mary but gain ground in the final battles of Gog and
Magog, then so be it. She cannot be seen as more than a weapon in
our arsenal, to be aimed and fired as we see fit.”
Reverend Widdershins shrugged. “And how do we see fit?”
Bellwether flipped through the report to one of the last pages.
“Karp has an excellent plan. It’s amazing how many good ideas
that man has come up with lately; he used to be rather dull. Given
the fact that Liberty Lobby has limited exposure to the public at
large, he suggests that we cut a deal with one of the more popular
televangelists, say fifty percent of the gross. We will have to finance
the promotion, but it’s worth it. Mary, following a big advertising
build-up, can be presented on a nationwide TV crusade before an
audience of millions of home viewers, all ready to donate to the
cause. To minimize her own lack of stage presence, we can use
teleprompters and rehearse her for as long as is necessary. She insists
on doing it live, but we’ll be ready to cut her off if she has any
problems following the script, and go right back to the fund drive.
Karp has crunched the numbers, and it looks like we can net about
three or four million—as well as alert the God-fearing populace to
this terrible crime that has been perpetrated by one group of sinners
against another. Shall we approve Karp’s recommendations?”
“Well, it seems like the best course of action, given these unique
circumstances.” Widdershins was lukewarm, but the others had
learned to recognize assent when uttered by the cleric.
“And I say, let’s pull out all the stops and attack the bastards!”
General Newcombe pounded the table with finality.
Honus Bellwether stood up. “Then we’re agreed. I’ll call Karp and
get the ball rolling.”

* * * * *

Fifteen minutes before air time of Reverend Jack McCracken’s
“Mighty Ministry of Righteousness” the control room crew in Studio
B at WORP were getting nervous. The program’s director, usually a
model of punctuality, had not yet arrived. Cameras were in place,
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