Motley Tales

By J P Lawrence

The following five stories are totaly unrelated. Probably the work of a scattered mind, but we will let the reader decide.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J P Lawrence
• Release date: Aug 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201802059

J P Lawrence

The author, J P Lawrence, currently resides with his wife and several cats in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He is a retired electrical and process controls designer. Now, he enjoys reading, writing, bird watching and working on miniatures. He is working on a collection of short stories, four in all, for now. The fourth one titled, Mystery at Pelican Roost is in progress. All four stories are fiction. Also, in the works is a novel titled Partridge Mills about a dying mill town.

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Reviews for J P Lawrence’s Motley Tales

Finally, he is writing shorter stories so we won’t have to suffer as long.  ‘Nasty’ Bill Bruser of Critical Editing LLLC

There may be some out there who like these haphazard stories, but they are just not my ‘cup of tea’. If you understand my meaning.  G. Leaf owner and brewer of ‘Teatotalers’

Why he keeps sending us books to read, I’ll never know. We haven’t reviewed any so far. So, we figured if we did this one, he would leave us alone. Well, he was partially correct in describing these as short. However, some are longer than short and one is shorter then long. That’s basically all we have to say about the book.  Faux News. ‘When news gets messy, we’re there to clean it up!’

We were absolutely appalled by the religious content of these short stories. Obviously, the writer has no idea of propriety. His outright statements and inuendoes by his various characters are an insult to decent people. Sadly, there are some who will publish this rubbish. Signed: ‘Dedicated Evangelists for Religious Rights International and Ethical Righteous Enterprises’ (DERRIERE)

I dedicate these, as I do all my writings, to my best friend, helpmate and lifelong loving companion, my wife and to our daughter and her family.

Motley

Tales

J. P. Lawrence

Table Of Stories:

Story One – The Animist

Story Two – The Will

Story Three – The Brothel in Summerville

Story Four – Earth Beyond Our Time

Story Five – Mystery at Pelican Roost

The Animist

Jonathan Partridge poured a morning cup of joe and sat down to check his email before leaving for work. He couldn’t resist taking a quick look at the news on his home page. There right in front of him was the headline, The Holiest Person Found! He had to check that out. Opening the article, he began to read:

‘We think we have located the holiest, most upright, God fearing person on earth. Yes, that’s right; on earth! This comes after an exhaustive worldwide search by hundreds of volunteers. As it turns out, SHE lives in central Africa and professes to be an Animist. She also is relatively wealthy and for all you bachelors out there, also single. Among her many accomplishments are .......

What’s going on? Damn! Jonathan was, all of a sudden, looking at a screen that told him the page he was looking at could not be found.

Again, he spoke out loud, I was just looking at it, what do you mean you can’t find it? Of course, his computer didn’t talk back. That may be coming in the future.

Jonathan spent too much time trying to locate the article, anywhere. He would be late for work. It had simply vanished. Was it some kind of joke? Had they picked up a wrong story and took it off? It was strange that it totally disappeared. He couldn’t even Google it.

On his way to work he listened to the news on the radio, and no mention of this woman. It was as if the news never happened or rather that it should never have happened. He figured that there would be an apology posted on the web before the morning was up. So, he spent the morning trying to listen to what his co-workers were saying and checking news items, even though he was never any good at picking up on conversations.

It wasn’t long before he did catch wind of one. Fred Astor, no relation to anyone with money, started talking with Chanel. That wasn’t her real name, she just wore a lot of perfume, so all in the office called her Chanel.

Did you see any news this morning? Fred asked.

You must be referring to that woman in Africa.

That’s the one. I didn’t get to read the whole article. It disappeared on my screen, but it must’ve been wrong or some kind of joke.

Why is that, Fred? Because it couldn’t turn out to be a woman, let alone a black woman?

Jonathan was amused at that come back. He knew Fred was a bit of a chauvinist and prejudice.

"That’s not it at all Chanel. The article said she was an Animist.

I don’t even know what an Animist is.

Someone who thinks there are a bunch of spirits around separate from people or something like that. I just know it isn’t Christian. Of course, some here might not be bothered by that. Fred made sure he said that loud enough for Jonathan to hear.

‘So, I wasn’t the only one who saw that’, Jonathan thought as he checked the net again for the news item. Still nothing. He tried a few sites that checked on hoaxes and nothing there.

His phone rang. It was Gary, the only other person on the floor who he could talk to freely.

Hey Jonathan, where do you want to go for lunch? I’m hungry after that long meeting I got caught up in.

How about Sally’s?

Perfect. I’ll be over in a half hour.

Once at Sally’s, while waiting for their lunch, Jonathan told Gary about the news item and how it just disappeared.  Gary started laughing. That’s too much. I bet that put a knot in the righteous right’s knickers.

Well, I don’t think Fred liked it, he said smiling. And told Gary about the conversation he overheard.

Let’s head back right after lunch. I have an idea how we can find the news item. Did you try looking at foreign news agencies?

Yup, I looked at BBC, Reuters, and even a German agency. But I couldn’t understand a word of that.

"Well, that could be the problem. All the sites you looked at are predominantly Christian. Let’s see if we can find an underground news group. I just happen to have a couple in my favorites list.

As they were leaving Sally’s, they overheard a couple talking favorably about the Holiest Person article. So, they stopped and talked for a moment. Jonathan told them how the news site just disappeared. They mentioned the same, but said they went to an underground site in the UK called Ugly Earth, which can’t be found with search engines. That did nothing except make them more suspicious. They thanked the couple and headed back to the office eager to check this out.

There it was, in black and white, the Holiest Person. They read the whole article. Apparently, she was considered a prophetess and people would walk for days to see and hear her. She was responsible for supplying medical aid, education, food and farming equipment to all in her area and surrounding locations regardless of their situation in life. At the end of the article the editor said they may not be able to keep it on the air much longer and to copy it out. This they did without delay and sent it to their home computers.

That evening at home Jonathan called up the email he sent with the article to show his wife. Hey Bet, this is the article I was telling you about. Take a look, see what you think.

Fascinating! Do you think it was a real news item?

I don’t know for sure. There’s a phone number here for the group that did the research. I’m going to try it. I’ll put it on the speaker

The phone rang and a recorded voice answered, We’re an NGO associated with the United Nations. Our purpose for forming has been realized with the completion of the ‘Holiest Person’ research project. Our findings will be published as soon as possible. Thank you for your interest.

They looked at each other a little stunned. This is real, said Bet

It sure seems like it. I’ll bet the news won’t be able to ignore it very long. I’m going to check the web and see if anything is happening. Looks quiet here.

Wait, said Bet, check this site out. There it is. Scroll down. Look at all the people who have commented. Let’s put in our two cents.

This they did. Before they finished there were several more posts. Unbeknown to them hundreds were flooding the news channels with petitions to air the story while at the same time the main news channels were being warned to be cautious in handling the story. Some in the news rooms suspected that the sponsors of the networks who favored the righteous right were behind the warnings. Regardless, news of the Animist only appeared in a few local papers and on just one cable news channel. On this same channel the next evening Ron Job interviewed a pastor who was being very vocal about his opinion of the holiest person. It went something like this;

We are here today talking with Pastor Peter Johnson of the Church of the Glory of The Risen Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit Baptist Church. Pastor Peter, you have been pretty outspoken against this survey done to determine the holiest person. Can you tell us a little of your reasons?

I certainly can Rob. As you may have seen I’m giving a sermon on this very subject tomorrow night. I want to reassure my parishioners that the bible is still the ultimate authority on issues of holiness. Why right there in black and white it calls the disciples of Jesus Christ the holy ones of God. I might add it doesn’t mention anything about some tribal religion such as Animism. If one is to be holy, they must be a Christian. Praise the Lord! I don’t make this stuff up; it’s all there in God’s Word. All sorts of people are calling themselves holy today, just like all those gays. When, in God’s name, were they ever holy, now I ask you? Everything seems to be out of order these days. Pagans thinking they’re holy, gays thinking they should have rights like us normal folks. What will be next? For God’s sake, we need to get back to the bible. I’ll tell you one thing; we don’t allow gays in this church. Where did they all come from, anyway? Well, I’m going to clear this up in my sermon, Bob. He seemed to get louder the longer he talked.

Thank you, Pastor Peter, but we have run out of time.

As Ron was walking back to the news van with his cameraman, Stan, he asked, Why do I get all the crackpots to interview? This he said just out loud, but Stan picked up on it.

You know as well as I do that these loud-mouthed nuts are the ones who make news. The louder they talk the more ignorant they are. But that’s what sells. Let’s get this stuff loaded in the van Ron, ah Rob or Bob. Whatever your name is.

They both laughed.

On the way back to the station, Ron started to feel uneasy, even unsettled.

Stan asked, Are you ok?

I don’t know. That pastor had distain in the tone of his voice for that holy person and for gays. That’s not what I would have expected from a man of God. I’m starting to get worried for that woman. What if people dislike her enough to cause harm?

Ron, that may be the least of it. They may want her dead. The world doesn’t like really good people.

They sat in silence after that on their ride. Neither one wanting to really acknowledge the truthfulness of Stan’s statement.

Jonathan turned to his wife, Can you believe that guy? And Fred at work wonders why I’m not religious.

The news could not be suppressed any longer. Mainly due to the reactions from fundamental members of many different religions. Pastor Peter’s words were echoed in different languages and forms, but basically all the same idea by the religious fanatics. Al-Qaeda had vowed to kill her along with some other radical groups. The KKK wasn’t too happy about the news, along with other similar groups. It was like a hornet’s nest had been poked and all the evil was coming out. Confrontations were erupting in scattered areas. In all fairness there were many who called for restraint and patience.  

A popular news anchorman, Joe Mather put together some special guests for his Friday show ‘Mather’s Matters’.

Bet mentioned tonight’s show to Jon when he got home from work.

He said, It has been one hell of a week. This news has shown a lot of people for what they really are, but it also showed some good.

Bet said, The only problem is that the bigots are so loud and obnoxious that they drown out the rational voices.

Maybe Joe Mather can change that tonight.

When it was almost time for the show. Jon and Bet got a martini and settled down to watch ‘Mather’s Matters’.

The show starts; Good evening folks, tonight we have three distinguished guests to interview and get insight into the news relating to the holiest person. Our first guest is Archbishop Thaxter who presides over our local metropolitan diocese. Archbishop Thaxter, what are your thoughts on the recent news item of the ‘Holiest Person’?

Thank you for inviting me to your show for comments, Mr. Mather. I would like to address the topic of holy. Catholics have honored many people through the ages for their generosity, selflessness and many varied good deeds. However, we don’t define these as holy before God. Many who have been called ‘Holy’ have been poor and unable to offer material help, but have been considered ‘Holy’ none-the-less. If any good comes from this survey, we hope it is to show how people can be compassionate to one another. That being said, we Catholics have always known who’s the holiest. That would be the head of our church, right now that’s Pope Pius XIII.

Thank you, Archbishop Thaxter. I had a feeling that would be your answer. And I agree, I hope it will create a more compassionate response from people. Our next distinguished guest is also a bishop. He is a district overseer for the United Methodist Church right here in our city. His name is Bishop Montgomery. He also has a new book out detailing the last few days of Jesus life on earth. Bishop Montgomery, how do you view the news of the ‘Holiest Person’?

"First, it is an honor to be here tonight. Thank you for inviting me. I, too, would hope that this survey encourages fellow feelings among people. On the surface it looks as though this survey was designed by individuals who had some ideas of what a very good person would be like. No room for criticism there. However, I think it would be difficult to single out just one person from the thousands and perhaps millions of people who are leading self-sacrificing lives and benefiting their fellow man, as we speak. Perhaps, a better term for these people would be the most helpful or something along that line. But to use the term holy, it would be better to use the bible’s definition. One is from Ephesians chapter one, verse four which says: ‘For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.’ It appears that it’s not just one person but all the true followers of him or Jesus Christ that would be holy. An Animist isn’t a follower of Christ. While she may be an excellent example for us to follow as far as helping our fellow man, I don’t see how we could call her holy, especially the holiest." This he said with an air of finality.

Thank you, Bishop Montgomery. Now for our last guest, but certainly not least; Rabbi Sarah Becker from a local Synagogue in the south end of town. Rabbi Becker is also a bible scholar and has published several books. Rabbi Becker, how have you viewed the news of an Animist being holy?

"Thank you, Mr. Mather. Bishop Montgomery mentioned that there was a difference between our view of what a good person is and God’s view of a holy person. Although in their book of the bible at Colossians chapter three, verse twelve it defines a holy person as one who has clothed themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. I do agree that it’s up to God to say who he considers holy, such as his statement to the Israelites in Exodus chapter twenty-two where he says, ‘You are my holy people.’ Also, in the book of Leviticus chapter twenty where