Chapter 4
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The Doc’s passion for gemstones was more infectious than a virus, and he was ready to infect his guests with it. His words dripped with enthusiasm as he spoke about the value of each glittering treasure. He held court like a king on his throne, and his guests were his eager subjects, hanging on his every word.
“Stones, gentlemen! These are the sparkling treasures that make the world go round. Diamonds, emeralds, and amethysts – they’re worth more than gold, more than serenity and peace of mind combined. And one single gemstone can provide you with enough wealth to live a life of luxury!” the Doc continued.
The Doc’s speech was like a wildfire, and his guests were engulfed by its heat. But when the boy poured a pile of sparkling emeralds onto the Doc’s desk, the room went from a simmer to a boil.
The Doc’s eyes widened with amazement, and he wiped away the sweat from his brow with a trembling hand pushing up his glasses that were slipping down the bridge of his nose. He picked up one of the emeralds and scrutinized it intently, his expert eye taking in its grand size, expertly crafted facets, and breathtaking clarity.
The good doctor’s head shook and his brow furrowed in disbelief as he spoke to the two young men. “I’m sorry, gentlemen, but I cannot help you. The value of these gems is simply too great,” he said, his tone dripping with disappointment. But suddenly, he changed, his voice becoming more dramatic and urgent. “These are worth a small kingdom!” he exclaimed, excitement bursting forth like a flurry of fireworks. “You must go to Geneva! I have connections with the Jews – excellent people, indeed. They will offer you a fair price, but do not sell everything at once. If you need to sell more, I know some other Jews in Belgium, but be prepared to bargain with them.”
He paused, lost in thought as he flipped through his Filofax. The vast sums of money that could be made from such a find weighed heavily on his mind. Eventually, he found the number he was searching for and dialed it, speaking in hushed whispers into the receiver.
The conversation was brief, but the sly smirk on Doc’s face spoke volumes. He had found a buyer for the glittering emeralds. “Gentlemen,” he purred, turning to them with a wide grin. “We have ourselves a deal.”
As excitement and anticipation filled the room, the two young men couldn’t help but feel uneasy. They had stumbled into a world far beyond their understanding. And as they stepped out into the humid air, the words of Matthew 7:16 echoed in their minds: “You will recognize them by their fruits.”
As he recalled that story, sleep finally beckoned, his eyelids heavy as they drifted off.
Four endless weeks had passed since he embarked on his quest for truth. His beard grew wild and unkempt, a symbol of his detachment from civilization. But his spirit remained unbroken, a testament to the resilience of the human soul or perhaps a cruel trick of his mind. The events of that fateful day, January 6, still buzzed in his head like a swarm of wasps. He wondered how he could have been so blindsided. Being no stranger to betrayal and in his seasoned years, he had thought he was a better judge of character. How did he miscalculate, he pondered.
It was 11:06 AM, and an ice storm had descended upon the land, pounding his efforts to restore his home. But in this moment of stillness, he found a chance to ponder and seek answers from a higher power.
He listened closely, waiting for any sign, any whisper to guide him on his journey. As he pondered, memories of his youth flooded back, reminding him of the events surrounding the emeralds.
The Doc, a man of honor and compassion, had taken it upon himself to educate the young men about the ways of the world. “The Greek,” he said, “is a man of great renown. You see, he and I have conducted our affairs as trusted associates for years.” He imparted the address and directions to the meeting with the mysterious figure known only as “The Greek.”
The sun blazed down from its perch in the sky as two young men set out from the sprawling ranch of the good doctor. Their mission was vital, and they had to reach the designated rendezvous within a matter of hours. Tension and excitement crackled in the air around them as they climbed into their motorcar and set off on their journey.
The road was eerily still, the only sound the growl of the engine as they drove. The boys were mere babes in the woods, inexperienced in the ways of the world. They had no notion of the import of the task that lay before them. Each was lost in thought, grappling with the reality of the situation and the unknown future that lay ahead. But there was no turning back now. They had come too far and invested too much to back down.
The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit interior. The smell of cigarette smoke and Mosi, the local beer filled their nostrils, and they could hear the faint sound of a jazz band playing in the background. The place was packed with shady characters, huddled around tables, whispering in hushed tones.
The boys scanned the room, looking for The Greek. But there was no sign of him. They approached the bar, hoping to find some information.
“What can I get you?” asked the bartender, a grizzled old man with a face like a bulldog.
“We’re looking for The Greek,” said one of the boys.
The bartender looked them up and down, then nodded his head toward the back of the room. “He’s back there,” he said.
They made their way through the crowd, their hearts pounding in their chests. They had heard stories about The Greek, tales of his ruthless nature and his legendary wealth. They didn’t know what to expect.
When they finally reached him, they were surprised to find a small, unassuming man sitting alone at a table in the corner. He looked up as they approached, and a sly grin spread across his face.
“I’ve been expecting you,” he said, his voice soft and smooth as honey. “Take a seat.”
The boys sat down, and The Greek leaned forward, his eyes fixed on them. “I hear you have something I want,” he said.
The boys nodded, and one of them reached into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet pouch. He handed it to The Greek, who opened it and peered inside.
The room descended into a shroud of silence as The Greek scrutinized the contents of the pouch with a razor-sharp focus. His piercing gaze slowly lifted, smoldering with an intensity that sent chills down the boys’ spines. “These are worth a king’s ransom,” he declared in a voice that echoed with excitement. “But what are you asking for in return?”
The boys were caught off guard. They hadn’t considered the details of the value while they were in the company of the Doc.
“What’s your offer?” one of the boys replied, struggling to exude a facade of confidence.
The Greek instantly noticed the naivety and desperation that oozed from their every pore.
A cunning grin spread across The Greek’s face, as if he had already won the game before it even began. “My offer?” he repeated, his eyes sparkling with a sinister gleam. “Let’s just say it’s something you boys won’t be able to refuse.”
The boys exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what they were getting themselves into. But the prospect of a fortune was too tempting to resist.
The Greek leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a low, menacing whisper. “I need a favor,” he said, his words dripping with malice. “And if you do it for me, I’ll make sure you get what you deserve.”
The boys swallowed hard, their hearts racing with both excitement and fear. They knew that dealing with someone like The Greek was risky business, but they were already in too deep to turn back now.
“What kind of favor?” one of them asked, his voice shaking slightly.
The Greek’s grin widened, revealing a row of yellowed teeth. “Oh, just a little something to help me settle a score,” he replied cryptically. “But don’t worry, it won’t be too difficult. And when it’s done, you’ll be rich beyond your wildest dreams.”
With that, The Greek leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving the boys’ faces. They knew that they had a decision to make – and that whatever they chose, there would be consequences.
The boys exchanged one final glance, silently agreeing to take the risk. They knew they had just signed up for something dangerous, but the thought of finally making it big was too enticing to resist.
“Alright,” one of them said, his voice barely above a whisper. “We’ll do it.”
The Greek’s grin widened even further, and he reached for a pen and paper. “Good,” he said. “Here’s what I need you to do…”
As The Greek spelled out the details of their task, the boys listened intently, their hearts pounding with adrenaline. They had just 24 hours to complete the favor – a fact that only added to the urgency of their situation. They had until Monday to deliver the $5000 to the Bishop.
When The Greek was finished, he handed them an envelope filled with cash. “Consider it a down payment,” he said, his voice cold and calculating. “You’ll get the rest when the job is done.”
With that, the boys left The Greek’s hideout, their minds racing with thoughts of what was to come. They knew that they were in over their heads, but they were determined to see it through to the end.
The task was a blip in the grand scheme of things – a mere drop in the bucket of the underworld’s endless machinations. But for the boys, it was a turning point, a moment that would forever alter the course of their lives.
They set about their mission with a fierce determination, their eyes locked on the prize. It was a dangerous game they played, threading the line between life and death, always one false move away from oblivion.
But they were resourceful, these boys, and they navigated the treacherous waters of The Greek’s criminal empire with a deftness that belied their youth. And when they finally emerged victorious, their mission completed, they found themselves richer than they ever could have imagined.
It wasn’t just the money, although that was certainly a part of it. It was the power, the sense of control that came with knowing they could play with the big boys and come out on top. They were players now, and they knew it.
The Greek honored his end of the bargain, paying them a sum that would have been inconceivable just weeks earlier. And as the boys counted their winnings, they couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride – and a nagging sense of unease.
As he lay sprawled on the floor, staring up at the ceiling, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy for those who had never known the weight of knowledge. The burden of truth pressed down on him, heavier with each passing day.
But there was no turning back, no unseeing the things he had seen, no un-experiencing the horrors he had faced. He had crossed the Rubicon, and the only way forward was through the darkness.
The cracks in the ceiling seemed to widen, threatening to swallow him whole, and he shuddered. It was as if reality itself was tearing apart at the seams, and he was powerless to stop it.
He thought of all the others who had dared to challenge the powers that be, to speak truth to power, only to be crushed under the weight of the system. But he refused to be silenced. He would continue to fight, to push back against the darkness, no matter what the cost.
Memories flooded his mind, of a time full of hope and promise, before the realities of the world had set in. But the road to success was never straight, and the allure of wealth was a seductive mistress. Nowadays, it seemed that success could only be attained by selling one’s soul to the swine.
Yet, he took solace in knowing that he had never lost his integrity, despite the financial struggles. In a world where quick, dirty money reigns supreme, the glittering lure of wealth can be impossible to resist. But it only leaves one feeling empty and hollow.
The truth is a slippery beast, hiding in the shadows and evading capture. To uncover it demands sacrifice, perhaps even life itself. Most are content to ignore the truth, burying it deep within themselves, choosing to turn a blind eye to the exploitation and oppression that sustains their supposed utopia.
These so-called “enlightened” individuals fancy themselves as worldly, but they are nothing more than tourists in a human zoo, gawking and pawing at the inhabitants like they’re exotic specimens. It was the same fate that befell Icarus, who flew too close to the sun with wings made of feathers and wax. The thrill of the sky was too great to resist, and his wings melted, sending him hurtling to his death.
Sometimes, the things that seem too good to be true often are, and when one ventures too close to the truth, the risk of a fatal fall is ever-present.
