There
is no such thing as disorder, each incident may seem random yet any
mathematician will tell you everything is connected, leading to a
precise conclusion. A statement not of religion or man made beliefs
created to avoid the truth, but the words of truth. The words that
decide how we live. How we act with one another, and even how we must
sacrifice ourselves when the time comes. For this is the philosophy
of the Party. Brought to power by the revolution of the people,.
Democratically elected by mass onslaught against the parasites that
laboured whilst workers toiled and were exploited, until they finally
rose up and took what was there's.
“The
Party knows what's best for us all, muttered Father Pinotti, the
Party has, and always will guide us and makes decisions about how we
must live; Yet looking out the window I am confused For people have
gathered in the Market Square and they have tied ropes around the
Statue of our living founder. Not the first, for the Party has
reigned for over two hundred years, merely another incantation, one
of many from the same bloodline, though all influenced “For lack of
a better word” by the philosophy of their ancestry. And they have
gripped the many lassos in their hands, and are puling. There is
shouting, there are fires and explosions, and the soldiers whom we
once knew as Confidents are fleeing. Some fire shots, and protestors
fall, yet with confiscated weapons many retaliate and soldiers fall.
Bodies lay in the streets, yet the Party is in control, and we cannot
believe this is random. Can we?
He
turned to his colleague, a somewhat younger religious man known as
Father Driosken. The two men dressed in clerical clothes were in a
state church, one where the illusion of free speech reigned, where
Confidents dressed as the Public and reported back any untoward
activities.
“We
can never be certain; began Father Driosken, although I cannot see
any other solution to explain the event that is now occurring. As a
man of faith, I know that faith is hopefulness, it is never blind
acceptance.
“And
what of loyalty, did God not test Abraham by telling him to sacrifice
his Son Isaac before revealing his true intentions?
“The
God we trust, even when the Confidents came and removed people in the
night, took them from their families and-, Some of course were never
seen again. Others were abused, raped, sodomised, both men and women,
beaten, tortured, until they were finally-'
“Converted;
Yes I know interrupted Father Pinotti, watching as the statue
crashed, it's blackened iron structure smashing open like a demonic
eggshell, to show there was nothing to fear from the threats of
Satan, for God was, and always is in control.
“Have
you been, converted?” Inquired Father Driosken, I mean do you still
doubt this is God's work, that finally after many years of standing
by our faith God has finally answered our prayers and given us what
we want;
“And
what is that?”
“A
world free of false idols;
Father
Pinotti gave a quizzical look of doubt.“Well, one less at least.”
he confirmed.
“Shall
I tell you a story? A man is given a wooden idol as a present by his
Father, but it brings only unfortunate results, everything seems to
be going wrong, till finally the man can stand it no more, and
smashes the wooden idol with a sword, only to find Gold coins fall
from a secret compartment; Stated Father Driosken.
“Something
to ponder whilst we talk with our guest; General Sauridon.” Replied
Father Pinotti.
“Yes,
General Sauridon, whose image now lays in broken ruins. The loyal and
indoctrinated members of the party, for we are all one. Now dance and
scorn, instead of praise, and yet I feel this mass scene is like many
the result of conformity. Are you coming? Inquired Father Driosken, I
mean will they let us through?”
“Oh
of course. After all it was us whom shall we say, were chosen to set
things in motion'
The
two men were not only allowed to leave, they were given a rousing
reception of cheers and physical greetings of the amiable kind. In
fact they had to politely thank the masses whilst continuously moving
towards the State prison known as the Correction Facility, where
many had confessed to whatever they were accused of, whether guilty
or innocent, and those whom refused were murdered. Sometimes they
were murdered even after confessing, for the State had gotten what it
wanted, and this piece was deemed random without structure.
“Was
General Sauridon random without structure?” thought Father Pinnoti
to himself, did he know what was truly occurring? Or was he like us,
a man of irremovable faith? Even against all evidence, did he still
cling on to the fact he was right? And is Father Driosken also a man
of Irremovable faith, does he still hold out hope of seeing the woman
he loves, the woman he was destined to marry? The one whom
disappeared ten years ago, taken along with two other men from the
local area for distributing offensive literature. The Bible.”
The
two men had keys. Father Pinotti seemed to rush as he turned the lock
that entwined the two oak doors, making it look like a Town hall
meeting place, Only the barbed wire on the walls, and security
cameras and now empty guard posts, contradicted the assumption.
Inside was a black and white octagonal patterned floor, a desk and a
huge staircase with a shining oak brown coloured bannister. The
illusion of comfort. Yet unlike a celestial retreat. Upon entering
the top, and walking down a darkened corridor, all became of despair.
The walls were old and filled with the stench of decay. The jails in
each row smelt of urine and excrement, some had bloodstains on the
walls caused by beatings, rapes and in some cases. Eventual suicides.
Only one jail was without odours, only one had been given a coating
of white, though not enough to deny the facts, for that was never the
intention.”
“Good
Evening General.” muttered Father Driosken, opening the door and
entering. In all prisons, there was, or rather should be, a guard on
duty. Though the one whom stood within the General's cell, was not
one of his own. He was a man, dressed in peasant clothes and proud no
doubt of his true heritage, he had once been a Confident, but he had
been converted, and the test of faith in whom we must trust had been
given to Father Driosken. God had told him to accept this man, to
prove they had nothing to fear, for God is in control. So he did, and
God was indeed right.
“How
long do you think you can keep me here? Inquired General Sauridon in
an heavy structured accent, the kind that was easy to impersonate.
Even as we speak my loyal members are rising up to crush your
rebellion, they are preparing to execute you all, soon we will regain
our rightful place as the voice of the people.”
General
Sauridon was an obese, rounded man, with greasy black hair and a
short stature making him look like a ball, as if he could be thrown
down a flight of stairs and bounce off the wall. a thought many whom
had suffered under his regime had no doubt contemplated. Father
Driosken being no different, despite being a man of God,, he was
still human and therefore not yet divine.
“Have
you looked out the window General? Inquired Father Driosken, yet
looking at the guard for an answer.
The
guard shook his head as if an interpreter.
Father
Driosken contemplated this statement of faith before telling the
guard, “Leave us please'; If we need you we will call, Go and get
yourself something to eat you've earned it.”
“Yes,
go and enjoy your ill gotten gains while you still can; retorted
General Sauridon, We know how to deal with traitors, that collaborate
with our enemies! Then smiling added, Of course if you was to confess
to me, I shall be lenient.”
The
guard was about to give a hostile reply, however Father Pinotti
beckoned him not to respond, and he left upon obedience.
The
sound of his footsteps echoed until they could no longer be heard,
and Father Drioseken sat on a chair, opposite the bed General
Sauridon was sitting up on. He tried to devoid himself of any hostile
feelings he might have for this man, as a Christian he believed it
was only God whom truly judged, humans merely played a part in the
structure of things, the random decisions we all made had been
thought out by God, or so he liked to convince himself.
“Where
are they General? He began, a time old question that still the
General refused to comply with. The people, those whom disappeared,
where are they? Where is the woman I love whom you took from me,
where is Amalya. Tell me, please?”
“You
dare to order me? What do I care about some whore? If she is truly
the woman you claim her to be why has she not appeared? You say I am
finished, you say the people in your own words are truly free; Yet
she does not appear; Why is that? have you asked yourself? It is
because she is not free as you put it, only true freedom comes with
the party!”
“Tell
me, inquired Father Driosken, raising his voice in true, yet
unintentional harassment, where is Amalya.”
“And
what will you do if I do not tell you? Mmm,” Inquired the General,
his face turning into the smile of a grotesque schoolboy, that
reminded everyone who saw it of the photo of him in his military
uniform at the age of seven with his Mother beside him, kneeling
besotted in a picture of pride, that would lead to the worst outcome.
At that moment Father Pinotti placed a hand on his Colleague's
shoulder, noticing his fingers beginning to clench and confirmed, “We
will merely ask you again when the time comes! Now if you will excuse
us we have matters to discuss.”
Before
any reply could be uttered Father Pinotti propelled his colleague out
of the cell, locking the door with his own set of keys as if to deny
the facts. He then continued to propel his colleague to another part
of the area, this one an office on the same floor and stated upon
entering.
“Sit
down, we need to talk?”
“About
what?” Inquired Father Driosken, taking the seat in front of the
desk, while Father Pinotti took the official residence as if
conducting an interview.
“The
Geneva Convention. Father Pinotti replied, We need to do this the way
we have been taught, I know how you feel, and I understand the true
feelings you have for this man; Feelings that are in us all, and yet
we must show we are truly children of our Lord Jesus Christ. For his
is the true Kingdom, one that has continued to reign despite attempts
at repression by so many Dystopias, from the Roman Empire that
eventually crumbled, to Stalin and Hitler, and all those others whom
sort the value of fear over love, a value destined to fail;
“Except
in Orwell's 1984 have you read it? It is banned by the State, along
with many other books such as Huxley's Brave New World, and
Zamyatin's We. and many others I could mention, including the Bible.”
“I
believe Orwell wrote it as a warning; If he had given it a nice
ending it would not have been heeded.” Stated Father Pinotti.
“Though
in the book the majority were ignorant of the facts, only the Party
knew what was going on, and of course Winston Smith. Where as here,
we all know, Guards walk openly, barbed wire fences and dogs are
visible, Cameras watch and record our every move. Why'd you think he
made his hero an Atheist? “
“Because
he was one.”
“I
have a different theory, would you care to hear it.” Inquired
Father Driosken.
“Please.”
“Supposing,
began Father Driosken, Winston Smith had not given into the Party.?
Supposing he had not given into his fear, the rats? Supposing like
Paul he had not denied his God under torture, or like Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego had allowed himself to be thrown in the furnace,
or rather the metaphorical equivalent? Well he might have won the
battle, but not the war, for the Party would still be in power, and
because of ignorance of the truth not enough would have risen up. In
fact far from denying religious freedom or anti-Government protests
by the Prolertarian, the Party encouraged it. No the reason he was
not someone whom believed in God is because only when the masses
understand the truth can all be truly free!”
“And
are we truly free? Does it not say in 1984, Freedom Is Slavery? And
is it not our desire to belong, to be loved and secure, as
Christians? An Atheist would say The Roman Empire collapsed because
of economics, they could not maintain authority and the people
overthrew them. There are those in other parts of the World whom
believe the Party was destroyed by it's own greed, by the corruption
induced on Animal Farm, that the sanctions were implied; That this
caused the people to rise up, and it was the inner Party Leaders and
their stubbornness that caused these random acts to occur?!”
“And
what do you believe?” Inquired Father Pinotti
“That
God moves in mysterious ways.” Smiled Father Driosken.
“And
therefore we still have work to do. The search for those taken by the
State is still continuing;
“Yet,
no sign of Amalya.” Interrupted Father Driosken
“No,
and still you persist in asking him.”
“Because
he knows; It is only his false belief that stops him from telling the
truth, once that is gone, like all criminals he will learn to
confess.”
“And
if he doesn't? So far we have search parties out with people, helping
them to find their loved ones. Everywhere you look there are placards
with the faces of those arrested by the State. Photos are being shown
to anyone whom might have information. And sometimes the results are
not what they wanted. We have discovered bodies drowned, illegally
buried and in some cases dumps filled with the burned remains of
those the State had sort to dispose of!”
“Like
Nazi Germany with the holocaust; Are you saying I should just give up
on finding her? Because I don't think anyone else would, and nor am I
going too.”
“I'm
not telling you to give up finding her, I'm merely saying if he does
not cooperate, you cannot let your emotions stray you from the path
you chose as a Christian, the path we all took; As you will know we
have sent representatives to try and obtain recognition from The
Geneva Convention, and the United Nations in the attempt to get
ourselves recognised as the rightful Government.”
“And
you believe my actions could reverse the decision.”
“I'm
saying we cannot become like them.” At that pointed he patted his
colleague on the shoulder and Confirmed, If she is alive we will find
her. In the meantime we have to continue to convert, there are many
who have gone over to our side to coin a phrase, however the Party
still has loyal supporters, some as stubborn as General Sauridon
himself. I have asked all those who knew Amalya and I know you have
done the same.”
The
once loyal people of the State, or so it was believed. Now marched
against the very authority they had entrusted. Father Pinotti and
Father Driosken marched with them, amidst a sea of memories as each
photo of a family member, or loved one was held high. Some Confidents
fearing for their safety had confessed to whatever information they
felt would protect them from the vengeance of the masses. Others whom
stood by the party were arrested like General Sauridon, though unlike
General Sauridon some were beaten. Tortured and killed. Father
Pinotti had spoken out against all violence, quoting Nietzsche whom
had stated, When you fight a Dragon be careful less you become one
yourself. Yet, thought Father Pinotti as he watched the helpless look
of despair on his friend's face as they marched with the crowd. “How
do you retain control, is it a matter of faith, or mere conformity?
Was the crowd marching for justice against a now deposed regime, or
were they merely following orders, like those they condemned?
The
crowd stopped at a field, complete with leafless autumn trees that
held out there branches like the dying arms and malnourished bodies
of those that had first risen up against the State, When the
Aristocracy had oppressed the poor. Stealing land, using them as
cheap labour and even murdering those whom sort equality. Many
peasants marched and the army opened fire, killing all whom dared to
oppose the Aristocracy. So perhaps with faith and determination the
protests continued, until enough was done to overthrow those that had
misused their power, and the revolution was formed.
In
time however it became corrupted, and those that had once opposed the
Aristocracy had indeed become part of it. “That, concluded Father
Pinotti to himself, must never be allowed to happen again' All
through history economic revolutions or those of similar ilk had
brought dreadful repercussions; The Russian Revolution had lead to
Stalin, The collapse of the German economy after the First World
War, had lead to Hitler being elected because the Germans had to pay
compensation to the allies. And although some would say the French
Revolution had not turned out so bad, there were many Middle Eastern
coups where Civil unrest still preceded and no overall person was in
charge, And things had indeed become worse.
“That
is why we must keep to our faith. Yet some, are more capable than
others, and we must continue to assist.
The
crowd slowly began to make there way into the deserted area, some
holding the photos of those missing, as if to give them the
determination to continue. There were caves amidst the grass scorned
paths, combined with mud and some growing petals. The crowd arrived
at one of the caves and a few armed with electric torches lighted a
path for the rest to follow. Even then it was clear that the mounds
of buried earth on the ground and whitened objects, were those of
their dead friends and relatives killed by The State, their flesh
having decayed or been eaten partly by wild animals that scavenged
for food. It was then amidst a shining light as if illuminating the
truth in fact, rather than comfort that Father Driosken saw a
familiar dress on a decayed rotted corpse It was Amalya, she had
been killed by The State.
“What
is it?” Inquired Father Pinotti, noticing as well as sensing, the
subtle changes of his friend and colleague. The way he arched his
shoulders and tensed his fists, as if torn between the need to
express his desires, and rationalise the situation for what was
deemed a greater cause.”
“Amalya,
he muttered, they killed her,”
Whether
the crowd heard him or not was at that moment, immaterial, for at
that moment, they all sort answers even when the results were in
front of them. And the desire to continue in faith or strike out in
vengeance was dividing them in thought, if not yet in physical
strategy.
Outside
in the far distance the cheering of free people and sounding of cars
hooting, could be heard. The fires were still burning and Father
Pinotti wondered how long this would last. Sensing that he needed to
encourage his friend, he clenched his elbow as if leading a blind
person into the light and whispered gently. “God is with us, we
will face this together. We will all face this together, we will not
let this evil divide us. Whatever Satan is prepared to throw at us,
God is always with us!”
“Is
he? Is this part of some plan, or are all events a series of combined
outcomes? Is that not how both dystopias and utopias are formed. And
like Winston Smith in 1984, is it not merely a case of choosing what
to accept as well as what to believe?
“It
is faith, replied Father Pinotti watching the crowd now express their
emotions in cries and scorns, We must continue with our faith, we
cannot be divided. Look at it, she is not what you see, she is free,
she is with God.”
“I
wanted her here with me.” he shouted, so loud that people heard
him. Yet they were caught up in their own revelations,. However
Father Pinotti knew it had registered, if only at the moment
subliminal, and soon it would rise to the surfaces of their minds,
and he knew the possibility of another dystopia was a threat to what
they had fought for and continued to believe in.
“I
want to return to the prison, Stated Father Driosken, I need to speak
with General Sauridon.”
“We
cannot leave at this moment, we need to stay with these people, show
them our faith is strong.”
“Or
they will think differently, are we not then suppressing thought? Oh
perhaps negative thought, yet thought all the same without debate or
reason. I will remain with you, yet when we return I have many
questions for General Sauridon, and I want them answered before he
attends The Geneva Convention for War Crimes.
In
silence the two men made their way back. Whilst all around the
revolution, as it was now known continued. And, thought Father
Pinnoti, “Just as in 1984, the prolls have no idea what is really
occurring. The threat of going from one extreme to the other was
becoming more real. For when those that disappeared are found to be
dead, there are those whom will sort to exploit other peoples
despairs for their own purposes, replacing God's will with that of
man's,? Yet this cannot be allowed, we must stand firm, and show we
believe in a higher form of judgement, than simple revenge against
those that have wronged us.
Father
Pinotti stopped his colleague a few steps from the cell, he looked at
him as if expecting an answer to a silent question.
“I'm
not going to harm him; replied Father Driosken, I just need to know
why?”
“And
will that change the outcome? For you I mean.”
“Dystopias
remove choices, they take away free will. As a Christian I need to
look for the good in all, and find out how to bring them to faith.”
“And
if they do not? He is going to stand trial at The Geneva convention
when the time comes, how will that be explained to him?”
“We
must act within the law, conformity is part of rehabilitation; This
is not the same as the tactics used by The State. Or in dystopian
novels such as 1984.”
“Winston
and Julia, me and Amalya, two people in love, one driven apart by
man, the other kept together by faith in one God; I need to speak
with General Sauridon now.”
“Very
well, stated Father Pinotti I will be at the Reception desk if you
need any assistance.”
Father
Driosken watched his colleague leave then entered the cell with his
key, locking the door behind him, and standing as if in observation
of something he did not yet fully understand.
General
Sauridon beamed his usual triumphant smile, yet this time it seemed
questionable, like the State in We, a novel that was considered a
predecessor to 1984, working along similar lines, one Orwell
allegedly took inspiration from. Though unlike 1984, one with hope.
“You
have come to question me? Inquired the General. I will tell you only
what I, want you to know. My family are of noble blood, my Mother
installed in me a sense of worth and obedience, you would do well to
learn it.”
“I
have a teacher, his name is Christ.”
“You
believe your religion will save you? If you are all powerful why keep
me here? Why not give me the freedom to debate, isn't that what you
Christians believe in, the truth?”
“I
am not all powerful, I am weak, like you, like everyone in times of
need, that is why I seek answers;
“I
am not weak, protested General Sauridon, in a somewhat frightened
voice, yet smiling inanely as he half rose to his feet, before
sitting down again. Father Driosken remained calm, before stating:
“I
need to know about Amalya, we found her remains, do you know who
killed her, and why?”
“And
if I say yes, what will you do? What will your God allow you to do?
You are still not free, do you realise that you will never be free,
soon my loyal followers will come, they will rescue me;
At
that point General Sauridon got up, more it seemed to avoid reality
than retain it. He went to the window, peered through the bars and
seemed to see a different scene than what was occurring. One
according to Father Driosken, etched in the old ways of the past, the
old ways that had failed and therefore needed to change.
“And
where are they General? Inquired Father Driosken, his voice sounding
deliberately sardonic, or is this all part of an elaborate plan? Is
the pastoral scene going to change to show the party still rules? Or
will you face the truth?”
At
that moment General Sauridon turned away from the window, listened it
seemed to the continuous noise of the crowd for a moment before
solemnly stating:
“I
have been brought up to trust in the Party, my Mother enrolled me as
a child in the youth movement, and from there I learned all about the
history of our glorious struggle, a struggle which you now endevour
to destroy, yet you will not succeed, soon my loyal subjects will
come and free me, for I have been chosen as the leader of the people,
indoctrinated from birth as is my right!|
Father
Driosken could see the glassy eyed look upon General Sauridon's face,
a look of misused faith as well as childhood memories. He thought of
Lenin's quote about being given a child of seven and having him for
life. And he remembered the part in 1984 when Winston Smith dismissed
the memories of his Mother because of his loyalty to the Party. And
he wondered if General Sauridon's Mother had an an entirely negative
effect on him. And although he despised this man for what he had
done, he still believed in forgiveness of all whom had fallen and
therefore inquired:
“And
what about your Father?|
“He
was weak, admitted General Sauridion, he wanted to water down what we
had achieved, he would have preferred an outcome more to your
liking.”
“And
what happened to him?”
“He
died of natural causes at 86. “There was a pause then General
Sauridon shouted as if in need of repentance, We did not kill him, I
know what you think of me, but I am loyal to those I love, I am loyal
also to the Party.”
Father
Driosken knew that General Sauridon was aware of being analysed, yet
in truth he had no sympathy for this man, despite his Christian
values, all he could think of was that Amalya had been murdered, and
the outcome would be questioned the way events were questioned in We,
and not accepted as they were in 1984; He told himself he would not
dismiss her memory as easily as Winston Smith had dismissed the
memory of Julia, he would hold onto it for as long as he could, no
matter how much it pained him.
“Do
you want to tell me anything, General?”
There
was a silence, as if of mistrust, yet each side needed to analyse the
other in order to convert by persuasion when force did not work, so
General Sauridon stated:
My
earliest memory was as a child playing with a little girl. We were
both three and she came from the other side. If you go to where the
Town hall is and walk from your right, past the dusty road you will
find it. It is where the workers marched against the imperialists in
respect of freedom. She was dressed in rags. We had improved
conditions, yet there was still a long way to go. I remember one
evening, we were playing near some rubble, I believe it used to be an
old building the imperialists used. I was running all over the
remains, and helping her as if she was a princess being escorted over
a puddle. We were laughing and enjoying ourselves, until I heard my
Mother call me from a far, I'm not certain where she was, but I could
tell from the sound of her voice that she was angry. I pretended I
did not hear, and besides I would only be a few minutes. All seemed
quiet at first, then my Father showed up. He was always sent to fetch
me, he told me it was not civilised to act the way I was doing, and
that it was my duty to lead by example. I wanted to stay with my
friend, but my Father just smiled at her and said, perhaps some other
time?! For a few days I was kept busy with educational work,
concerning the role of the party. My Mother appointed a tutor and he
would watch me all the time, or so it seemed? When I asked if I
could play with my friend because I missed her, he would reply
perhaps someday? I never saw her or her family again, I visited the
house one day and saw men boarding it up; I had managed to give my
tutor the slip, I did however see three wooden boxes, two large and
one small, the size of a child.
Father
Driosken remained mutual without reply, knowing how much he hated
this man for what he had done, and yet trying to empathise in ways of
Christian understanding, whilst demanding his own form of justice
that went beyond that of God and the Geneva convention.
“Did
you ask your Mother what they were?”
“She
said they were old stuff being taken to the dump;
“The
one near the caves, thought Father Driosken to himself, allowing
General Sauridon to continue as any good interrogator would.
“In
time, because I was so busy, what with my tutoring and my Mother
enrolling me in the Party's youth section, I forgot about Liania, I
would have liked to have been there.
At
that moment General Sauridon shot up, as if rejecting a form of
reality that did not comply with his training, the way Father
Driosken remembered Winston Smith had rejected the memory of his
Mother after being tortured into submission by The Party, yet this
for General Sauridon was more personal.
“I
have to lead, I must do what his right for the people.”
Outside
he could see the empty stand where his statue once stood., the crowds
anarchic and his men failing in their attempt to maintain control. He
looked upward, and stated:
“Both
my parents are gone, I don't believe I will see them again, I do not
accept your faith, your reality, “Then smiling tearfully yet
triumphant” I accept The Party, if we are strong, if we are united,
then they will listen to us, if we can maintain our strength then
this set back will not prevail.
Father
Driosken remained silent, his thoughts turning now to Winston Smith's
analysis of the Proles and how they had real; power, to work
together, to understand and show compassion the way Christ had taught
us. And yet how difficult was it, to put away personal hatred and
bitterness in exchange for a working solution, to think rationally,
yet not in the way of Dystopian novels that sort to control through
torture and intimidation, but through logic and the ways of higher
determination that as a Christian he should have achieved. Yet he
could not stop thinking of Amalya, she was his Julia and he was not
prepared to desert her, he would hold onto her memory for as long as
he could because although he believed she was in Heaven, he missed
her, and wanted her with him forever.
“And
it did not matter what caused these memories to exist, he told
himself, staring occasionally at the General's back, wanting to
strike him down, love, hate, desire, all were part of her and all
brought him closer to some one he believed he had lost.
“Did
you have many friends after Liania and her Parents, “Left”
Inquired Father Driosken, trying to make the last word seem
sarcastic.
“The
Party is my Family, we are one, replied General Sauridon, I am their
Father, and their leader.”
Father
Driosken knew that General Sauridon had probably been told that by
his Mother, he now began to see that General Sauridon was never
really in control, like in all true Dystopias there was more than one
level of power play. In 1984 he remembered how no one person had full
control, everyone watched everyone else, except for the Proles whom
were occupied with the media.
“Was
God watching this, he was the one in control, and yet freewill could
bring about the wrong outcome; concluded Father Driosken in thought.
He remembered a story about a group of people on an island who
created a Utopia by following the teachings of the Bible as a
blueprint, yet religion like politics had always been corrupted. “Was
there any reason, he thought, that our society's outcome would be any
different? He thought of Amalya as he left the cell, locking the door
behind him.
The
crowds were still chanting slogans, yet he merely stood at the closed
entrance, immersed in his thoughts and beliefs. He knew General
Sauridon was the same, holding onto the memories of his Mother, no
matter how manipulative she was, yet he had the ability to escape
from his past and be free of any guilt. “There was two ways, he
told himself, one was to kill General Sauridon, “It would be quite
easy; he confirmed; After all this sort of thing happened when
Dictators were overthrown. Yet he knew there was another way. He
opened the door and stepped out into the street. The crowd did not
seem to notice him as he walked through them, oblivious like an
individual, and that was what he wanted, to be alone with his
thoughts, to rationalise independently and to be able to think for
himself., to be free of the masses, just like Winston Smith had
wanted. To question The State like D-503 in WE, whilst remaining
faithful to his beliefs, that had determined for him the outcome he
and those like him had put their trust in. Yet just as D-503
questioned the State, so he questioned his beliefs.
For
though he knew there was a God, he questioned what had happened to
Amalya, the way characters in the Bible had questioned God's will.
And he wondered, as he ignored the crowds and made his way to the
church, if God was really listening to him now?
They
had never bothered to tear down the building. Even though Religion
like all opposition had been State controlled ,and probably kept to
give the false impression of a democracy! He wondered if somehow his
doubt was doing the same?
“I
will continue in my faith, he told himself, looking upward, Amalya, I
know you are watching over me, and I know that in time we will be
reunited! For you are my Julia, and yet, I cannot remove this
bitterness I feel towards them for what did to you, in taking you
from me.”
The
building was empty, yet he was convinced there was a presence.
Whether of thought or faith he did not dwell. He studied the empty
seats, people had come, and so had the Government's Officers, in
plain clothes, watching all the people who attended, and if they so
much as were suspected of offenses against the State, they
disappeared.
“Just
like Amalya, he told himself, they kill them, just like they killed
Amalya, I love you Amalya” he told himself. I will not erase you
the way people are erased in Dystopias; For this Dystopia no longer
exists, except in me, and yet when I think of the rats in the cage
ready to rip into Winston's face, and his cry of, “Do it to Julia.”
I now know I must give my pain, my hatred, even my unforgiveness to
the God who died on the cross, I give it to Christ, I free myself, so
unlike Winston and Julia, we can be together.
Father
Driosken prayed at his church, he cleansed himself of all bitterness,
and when he arose he turned to see Father Pinotti was smiling,
“You
have made the right choice, he stated, yet it is not the last. The
Geneva Convention will be preparing for General sauridon to go to
trial. We cannot interfere, yet we must bare him no malice, for a
World built on hate will destroy itself; Come, he stated holding out
his hand in a greeting of empathy, we have much work to do.
The
End.
