LUCKY PIERRE'S

The not too distant future . . .

The meeting had been a complete surprise to The Committee.  Unscheduled get togethers were almost unheard of.  Such rare events were hardly necessary for a group that met biweekly according to charter, and had done so since the late 1940’s.

So something very big must be afloat . . .

Apprehension filled the air in ever thickening swirls.  When the meeting failed to start on time, it did nothing to calm nerves.  When the Leader did not emerge during the next hour, you could have cut the fear with the blunt edge of a child’s plastic play knife, and it would have sliced like a stiletto.

The only calm soul cooling heels around the large conference table was Lucilee.  Nothing ever ruffled her feathers.  More than once, she’d say that any time you give in to fear and trepidation, you might as well simply record a defeat.  To win in life, she claimed, you have to refuse to focus on anything negative.  Some said she would be next in line as Leader. Frankly, she couldn’t care less.  Being the head of The Committee had never been a priority for Lucilee.  If she were ever named to the post, she would gladly accept, because she would consider it her duty.

Most of the time, she just wanted to make you laugh.  Keep things on a light, easy footing.  After all, in life, she argued, the only true worry was death; all else was just inconvenience.

And Lucilee, as well as the rest seated at the table would never die . . .

Finally, the Leader emerged from a back entryway.

His face was grim.

He strode to the fancy lectern.  Hand-carved teakwood. He cleared his throat. “I am glad you all could make it.”

“What’s up?” asked an older, portly gentleman.

The Leader of The Committee held up a hand for silence.  He half expected Lucilee to make some kind of crack, but she didn’t.

“I am sure that curiosity is boiling in your veins,” said The Leader.

The group seemed to agree.

A most irregular meeting. . .

“We have the latest Readings . . .” The Leader paused.  “It is not encouraging.  As you know, it is our job, as Stewards, to keep things as peaceful and stable as human nature will allow.  We have known we could not do that forever.  Nor would we want to. History must do. . .what history must do.  Recently we have all been aware that we’ve been living through times of crisis; one hair-raising even after another. There is nothing new in that.  We have been at the brink many times throughout mankind’s existence.  Before our watch, there was worldwide crisis in the year 2348 B.C. when mankind was very nearly destroyed by the Great Flood.  Then the world saw . . .”

Lucilee interrupted.  “Are you going to tell us that it’s going to get windy out there?”

The Leader allowed a small smile to play across his lips.  “A colorful way to put it.  Yes.  We can no longer hold back the four winds with the same degree of assurance.  Because you see, throughout history there have been terrible calamities always precipitated by mankind’s intransigence.  As an example, in the year 1095, when the concept of the Crusades first began to be fanned by Pope Urban II. . .” 

“So . . .” interjected Lucilee, “we have entered another period of turmoil. . .”

“Which will take drastic measures to control. . .” said the older gentleman.

“Yes.  Turmoil.  But control is out of the question. That is no longer . . . possible. There is no longer workable machinery for diplomatic recourse.  Devastating wars will now break out at a moment’s notice, and go unchecked, with no possibility of peace talks.  Crime even within governed society will now be virtually unstoppable.

 “It will be necessary to dramatically upgrade our system of Individual Interdiction, lest all be destroyed by the gnashing teeth of evil.  As you know, when Historical Imperatives finally overwhelm the integrity of human governance; and that governance fails...civilization will fall to the onrushing powers of destruction. . .”

“Get to the point,” snapped a lacquered blonde of indeterminate age.  She had enjoyed No Name Status since before anyone could remember.

“We will have in the days to come a very specific role to fill.  We must make the adjustments necessary to safeguard the safety of selected individuals. Human infrastructure can no longer guarantee societal safety.”

“The End Times Resolution . . .” said the older gentleman.

“Yes,” said The Leader.  “The beginnings of the Time of Trouble.  We must now choose a Resident Agent from amongst the Earth’s population.”

“We have many Servers,” said the immaculately coifed blonde.

“But no one on Earth as the designated