Hand of God, Hand of Fate

Hand of God, Hand of Fate

James R. Weiss

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 James R. Weiss

CHAPTER I: SETTING THE STAGE

Enough was enough. Having to live among small minded and mean spirited people who thought only of their own comfort amidst a tyranny that they had allowed to be imposed upon them, Adrienne Stumph, Horace Bumph, Harold Brisbee and Ignatius Holtzkopf decided to end it once and for all. On a slightly chilly, misty and breezy late spring evening, these four teens, comprising the Satanic Gospel Four, met on the edge of the woods north of the town of Praise Godsville and proceeded to a clandestine cave. As they made their way through the sylvan darkness, each wondered if they were venturing into hostile territory. How odd it seemed that a hermitage by day could transform into a cathedral of horrors by night. Visibility was almost nil and who knew what lurked behind the brush and trees of this forest. Before the entrance, the group stopped and discussed what exactly they were about to do and to ensure that everyone understood.

It’s him, not the town that I hate. By God, I would love to storm the church and take him out. said Harold Brisbee. No offense, Ignatius.

None taken, my friend, but you don’t want to make a martyr of him. If we deal violently with The Reverend then that would be the end of our respective futures and these people could very easily erect a statue to him in the town square. I agree that he has to be brought down, yet it has to appear that his end resulted from either his actions or natural consequences. None of our fingerprints can be on this design.

Why not pray to God for deliverance or guidance at least? asked Adrienne. Surely our cause is just and He would intercede in our behalf. Don’t you think that we should play by the rules?

What rules? said Ignatius. My father is the quintessential hypocrite and has abused his holy commission, yet God has not taken him out. From what I’ve seen, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of fair brokering here. Does the Almighty have something in mind? I don’t know; I don’t have infinite patience and I can’t wait any longer for that event to come to pass if indeed there is an event in the works. I agree with Harold; the only way to deal with a cobra is with a mongoose, but where can we find the mongoose to suit our needs?

There’s always Satan. Why not? It’s not as though we haven’t talked about it. Tap the competition and see if we don’t gain the Lord’s favor. I imagine that the Devil doesn’t get many requests and our project is right up his alley. said Horace.

Come again? asked Adrienne. Appeal to Satan? The Lord of the Flies? The guy with the pitchfork who lives in a sea of tar, pitch and brimstone?

Calm down and cut it out, Adrienne. Sunday School’s out. Also, where have you been? So smart and yet so blunt. You’ve known damn well that this whole plan was to have an audience with the Devil. Horace has merely put the fine point on the matter. We’ve gotta act, though with caution. There’s a lot of merit to our intentions. God might be inspired to assist us in this matter if we consult his opposite number. On Satan’s side, he might relish the challenge and assent to it. What does he have to lose? Question is; are we willing to meet his price? Don’t delude yourselves; both God and Satan will want something in return, and you can bet that whoever takes us on as a client is going to impose an onerous debt. Now, right now, at this moment, I want to know absolutely. Do all of you really want to go down this road?

Well, Ignatius, given what has been said, I don’t see any alternatives. We four are the only four in whom we can trust and who see the pervasive evil in our town for what it is. Fight evil with evil. Okay, I say we go with Satan since our intentions do bear dark shades which God will not like. At least, let’s ask his conditions and hear his terms and then decide from there. Frankly, I would sooner boil in pitch myself than give The Reverend any concession. said Adrienne.

Considering what my father did to you, I empathize. said Ignatius. What have you to say Harold? Horace?

It may be a risk—no, it’s a risk, hands down, a big risk, but we have to take it. If this is a mistake, I hope that we will find a venue in which we can explain ourselves and gain some leniency. Damnation doesn’t scare me because we’re damned already in this place.

Horace, I have to admit that I’m both surprised and pleased to see such passion in you.

Look, Ignats, we all gotta put our shoulders to the wheel. I’ve been too passive for too long. It’s high time that I pulled my weight.

Count me in. I’m committed to the end.

Harold, about you I have no doubt. Thank you. Everyone on the same wavelength?

Yeah. said Harold.

Fine. said Adrienne.

I’m fully committed. said Horace.

Once inside the cave, there was little improvement. The stone passageway leading to the central cavern was slick and cold. No bears, bobcats or wolverines were to be encountered, a realization which provided some comfort though with little ardor since confronting a rattlesnake or copperhead in this gloom was a possibility. More immediate, the jagged protrusions from the walls, in conjunction with the hanging stalactites from above acting as daggers from on high and emerging stalagmites from the floor, reminiscent of the Devil’s pitchfork, conspired to harry them on their journey. Mentally, each chuckled that they had not even reached Hell’s front porch and yet this cave made one believe that they were receiving a foretaste of its torments. Of course, other thoughts intruded.

‘I had not counted on this cave being so cold and damp. Is that dripping water ever gonna cease? My head is pounding and my feet are aching, the walls are slimy and the air stale. Furthermore, I gotta be at my best tomorrow. Why did I ever agree to go on this venture? No, I will not lose my resolve. I promised.’ So thought Harold Brisbee whose trepidation and preoccupation with the low batteries in his flashlight increased with every step.

Ow, my foot! snapped Adrienne with some irritation. This madness could have come with some comforts. All I have to say is that it had better be worth it. That jolted Harold out of his trance.

Hey Ignats! My hamstrings are knottin’ up. How’m I gonna play golf on Monday?

To this, Ignatius replied, We don’t have much further to go. Have a little patience.

Look. It’s only a few feet further. said Horace. You can see the green light from the oculus up ahead and to the left. Just keep on the path. Uh, by the way Ignats, did you come here earlier with the robes and cowls?

I certainly did.

I just hope that the damp has not ruined them. Do you think that he really will appear to us?

I don’t know his mind, Horace. I am not yet his intimate. Regarding Lucifer’s actual appearance tonight, I make no guarantees. Let’s just get his attention and see what unfolds.

These four had no idea of the role that they were about to play. They could not have known that their actions that night and in the days to come would be dictated by a sleight of hand arising from a hand of poker between the Almighty and the Devil five hundred years before. In 1498 the city of Florence put to death Girolamo Savonarola, the hectoring Dominican preacher who became the bane of the city, the Roman Curia, the Papacy and the Medici family. A contentious and disagreeable soul, his demise presented a conundrum of celestial proportions since neither God, a.k.a Adoshem, nor Lord Lucifer wanted him. Even so, in accordance with the mutually-binding Celestial Compact, one of them had to take him. Ultimately, both agreed to settle the matter over one hand of poker with Adoshem shuffling, cutting the deck and dealing. The winner would claim Savonarola. Not without trepidation did Lucifer accept; the prize was undesirable and promised to inspire misery wherever he reposed. Even so, he, the former Light Bearer of Heaven, satisfied himself with the knowledge that Adoshem was the architect of fair play and justice which all but guaranteed that irregularities would not arise. Centuries thereafter, the Father of Lies wondered how he could have been so naïve because that was the very day God chose to cheat. Lucifer was dealt an inside straight to Adoshem’s two pair. A quick glance at the cards confirmed that he had been trumped. Arising deliberately from the table, he eyed Adoshem with a wry smile and, measuring his thoughts as he stroked his red goatee and moustache, stared through Him and left Him with something to ponder.

Today, you have dealt me a fine and lordly hand. In declaring this, I am neither castigating nor blaming you, yet know well that this matter is not at an end. You may indeed be the Sovereign Grand Architect of the Universe and master of nearly all contained therein, save for time and circumstance. To those twins, both of us are beholden, to their curious workings we are subject, and from them final settlement shall issue. I bid you good day.

Within a few minutes, the four reached a nearly-circular enclosure in the center of which was a low-burning stack of incense beneath an oculus. The greenish-silver light which came through the opening mingled with the mist exuding from the walls to cast an otherworldly pall throughout the chamber. It gave the party a moment’s pause. Collecting himself and then gesturing to his companions, Ignatius directed them to don the brown sackcloth robes and form a circle around the smoldering pile in the center which exhaled the scent of sandalwood and cloves. Once everyone was in position, he made his declaration.

Neophytes of the Satanic Gospel Four, I greet thee in our hallowed tabernacle where all will be made clear; the mists of superstition and fear shall disperse, our eyes opened and a true knowledge of Nature shall be ours. We need only consult the Grand Keeper of this intelligence; our dear Abysmal Father below, and it will be given unto us. A new age comes to us, and we will be in the vanguard of its reception. We will be empowered. Stand up and …and…Adrienne, what is the matter?

I can’t go through with this, Ignatius.

What?! What possible reservations could you have at this point?

What are we doing here? What's the point?

Casting his eyes upwards towards the oculus, Ignatius declared And she belongs to Mensa? Then, leveling his gaze, he said Adrienne, for the umpteenth time, we are inaugurating The Satanic Gospel Four as a means of bringing about in Praise Godsville a modified version of what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah. Turning The Reverend into a pillar of salt notwithstanding, I, that is, we want to transform this town into a habitation fit for humanity.

If we’re caught, can’t they jail us?

For what? You sound like one of the townies. Always feeling guilty and waiting to be punished, but for what? For living? For thinking? For having a sense of dignity? Truly, what crime are we committing? We are merely expressing our religious beliefs.

God help us if Reverend Hoot gets wind of this. said Horace.

There’s enough wind up his ass to occupy him for years. As for the Almighty’s help, that’s still to be determined. My God, Horace, you too? Man, this is not the time to have cold feet. This is the threshold, people. There’s no turning back from here. Do you understand? For the last time, who’s in and who’s out?

There was a prolonged silence. Confusion seemed to seize the moment and Ignatius sensed the mounting uneasiness. Taking a deep breath and formulating his thoughts, he again addressed his friends.

That sanctimonious son of a bitch has got you scurrying like rats. You forget that our enemy is my father, and though he may not like me very much, he does depend upon me for various services. That’s our advantage. I’m smarter than he is and he knows it, but I am also a damn good actor. In the role of the quintessential humble servant, I can play to his emotions with the skill of a virtuoso violinist. I can turn his attention to other matters and away from us and our doings. Another boon is that our actions could not turn a profit for him; there is no capital gain to be derived from a Satanic coven unless we open a gift shop and a mail order business, but let’s not be silly. As long as we don’t form a following beyond the four of us, he will not see us as competition, hell, he won’t see us at all, and leave us alone. Have I made myself clear?

Satan as in the Devil? asked Adrienne. "Here, I am conflicted. I thought we were using satan in terms of it being the Hebrew word for adversary. Satan as imagined as the spiritual prosecutor who tries human souls in front of God, the judge. In other words, since Satan is a part of the