Chapter 46: Competition

The bus ride was long and boring. Looking out the window, Mary had time to be alone with her thoughts. "How is this possible? All of Mom's 'friends' and nothing -- and now -- nothing -- no man -- and yet I'm pregnant ... My dreams -- could it happen in a dream? Could it have happened when I was asleep? That funny old man -- always warning me. 'Watch out for him; protect him; they seek his life.' What about me? Who's going to protect me? What must Joe think? He knows he's not the father; not his concern. He must think I've been with another man. He will forget about me. It's best for him. He's got his future to think of."
   Brother Holloway/Glubwart immediately snapped to attention. ["Funny old man warning her --" The tart was getting special help from the Enemy. That's why no demon could get close to her, of course. Glubwart intensified his brain browsing, but ran into the same morass as before. The child. She's pregnant! Something up with the child. Some input, interest from our side -- why haven't I been informed?] The possibilities were unsettling for Glubwart. [Someone on our side is interested in the baby -- but I am left out of the loop. She's in my territory. Who is behind this? Snakefoot? Screwtape? Even lower? Got to find out -- but have to be careful -- very careful.]
   At the next bus stop, some dusty town in Mississippi, Glubwart searched for a place where he could make a phone call without being overheard. He decided it was safest to be outside, so he could be sure no one was close enough to overhear his conversation. He had a bad connection. It took several long minutes to get through. A tired, blase voice answered the phone.
   "Mr. Screwtape's office."
   "Hello, Desiree. May I speak with the boss, please?"
   Desiree Caliente was taken aback. She was not accustomed to such politeness from low-ranking demons. "Just a moment." She pushed a switch, calling Screwtape. "Glubwart on the line. He sounds odd."
   "Well, put him through," Screwtape answered. "-- after the customary wait." Screwtape had a precise schedule of waiting times for demons to be put on hold, depending on their rank. Minutes passed. Suddenly Glubwart heard -- "Well, what is it now?"
   "Working the girl problem, chief."
   "We've got Snakefoot on that."
   "Yes, I heard. He's getting nowhere. Zilch. Nada. Thought I better take this one myself."
   "You're not a field agent. Get back in your office."
   "I've uncovered some new information." Glubwart paused for effect.
   "Well?" Screwtape finally demanded.
   "She's getting help from the Enemy."
   Silence showed Glubwart had hit his mark. Screwtape was surprised and considering the impact of this new problem.
   "How do you know this?" Screwtape finally asked, immediately regretting having to beg his subordinate for information.
   Glubwart smiled inwardly, but kept his tone respectful. "The usual. A bit of BB (brain-browsing)."
   Screwtape snorted.
   "It wasn't all that easy," Glubwart hastened to add. "She's being protected. A swamp of mush surrounding her thoughts. Not just the usual female human meanderings. I had to use everything I have to get inside, and then I was shut off again. But I got enough to know she's getting special assistance."
   Screwtape considered ordering Glubwart to back off and let Snakefoot take over. He didn't want Glubwart to get any credit, if he succeeded where Snakefoot failed. Sending in Snakefoot was Screwtape's idea. But it could backfire. Glubwart would of course know why he was being pulled back, and could make trouble later. Better to play along, see if Glubwart could make any real progress.
   "Coordinate with Snakefoot," Screwtape finally said. "Keep me apprised of any change."
   "Of course there's the matter of the baby," Glubwart said.
   Now Screwtape was really stunned. He stuttered, "B-baby?"
   "Yes, of course. I assumed you knew about it; arranged for it?"

   Screwtape struggled to recover. "Of course. Classified; need-to-know basis."
   "But she's my territory," Glubwart said. "I should have been informed."
"YOU'RE QUESTIONING MY AUTHORITY? YOU ARE INFORMED WHEN I ALLOW IT!" Screwtape screamed. Glubwart's insubordinate insolence woke him out of his dazed, puzzled thoughts.
   Glubwart smiled. He knew he had the advantage over Screwtape and had gotten under his boss's scales. He also knew that Screwtape had no idea Mary was pregnant. That strengthened Glubwart's position. It also meant that someone even lower than Screwtape was managing the affair for the Underworld. -- And there was only One lower.

Chapter 45: Project Sugarloaf

Bonnie Lawson was excited. A tall, handsome, muscular young teen-ager several years her senior, whom she had been hopelessly admiring, had asked her to come with him to a "rave." She didn't know exactly what that meant, but she knew it involved the popular crowd -- and more importantly, the handsome young man she was crazy about. All the girls were. Bonnie's mother at first forbade her to go, but she cried and pleaded unceasingly until her mom finally relented. Now Bonnie was trying her best to look beautiful -- and a few years older. She spent hours fixing her hair just right -- the way older girls wear it. Her mother frowned when she saw the lip gloss and mascara, but Bonnie won her way.
   Bonnie stuffed handkerchiefs into her bra and put on a low-cut top and short shorts. Mom yelled and complained, but it did no good. She was weak. She couldn't bear to see her daughter's tears. She gave in to her beloved daughter.
   She was so excited she even could ignore her little brother's rude comments. Her prince arrived late, but that didn't matter.
   "Don't stay out too late," her mother said. It was more of a plea than a command.
   "Sure Mom."
   When they were out of hearing, Bonnie sighed. "Parents!" she said.
Bonnie's date was silent during the half-hour drive. They arrived at a large, modern house in a wealthy neighborhood. There were many cars out front. Bonnie's date got out first, then opened her door and made a low sweeping bow. "Madam..."
   The house was full of loud music and teen-agers. The girls all stopped to stare at Bonnie, making her feel out of place. "Just ignore them," her date said. He shoved a drink in Bonnie's hand. She hesitated, then drank when she saw his face on hers. They danced. He drank, then gave Bonnie another. She was feeling bad, but took it. Her date handed her a pill, ignoring her questioning glance. "Take this," he said. "It's great!"
   Bonnie took the pill. At once she started feeling better -- light, airy. "This is -- wonderful!" she exclaimed. She was floating, swirling; she never wanted this to end. She saw multicolored lights, strange visions. Suddenly she began to feel dizzy, faint. Perspiration popped out on her brow. She collapsed into the arms of her young man, who lowered her to the floor. He and his friends jerked off her clothes, while the young women watched, amused. After they were through, one of them noticed -- "Hey, she's not moving -- she's not even breathing!"
-----
   Screwtape read the latest reports with some satisfaction. Project Sugarloaf was making strides.

Chapter 44: Leaving

Mary went straight to the bus station. She didn't know where she wanted to go -- just away. Get free. Find open space. She bought a ticket on a bus bound for Dallas.
   The waiting room was not crowded. Mary sat down next to an old black woman huddled over her bag. There were a couple of teenagers in the bench opposite, engrossed in their electronic devices. A gangly man with a cane and protruding Adam's apple sat in the corner reading a magazine. Mary looked down. A pair of shiny black boots stopped in front of her eyes. She looked up, surprised to see a tall, handsome man in a white suit and huge hat. He had a tanned, leathery face that could have belonged to a cowboy, but he did not look like he was accustomed to hard work outdoors.

   "Good morning, child," he boomed. "May I sit?"
   Mary said nothing. The man sat down anyway. "Going to Dallas?" he asked. After a short pause, when Mary remained silent, he continued, "That's where I'm going. Lovely, G--fearing--" Glubwart choked. "Excuse me. ...Lovely city, fine, church-going people. I have a wonderful congregation -- best folks you could meet. It's a pleasure and a privilege to minister to them. I thank G--- every day -- I mean, I'm very thankful to be their pastor. They raise my spirits, I can tell you, yes Ma'am." Glubwart swallowed hard. He had forgotten how painful it was to mention the Enemy's name. He would have to be very careful. He looked at Mary sharply. He could not tell if she had noticed how he stumbled over it. He decided on a new tactic.
   "My name is Holloway, Ruben Holloway. Just call me Brother Holloway. I'm just a servant. -- Do my best to block the enemy. 'Cause that devil, that Satan, that Evil One, he's a deceiver, doncha know? Yes, Ma'am, I fight that demon every day; just a soldier in the cause.
   "I'm born again, miss, yes -- renewed in His name! I had sunk low -- so low you can't imagine. I don't want to offend your tender ears. I was lost, yes I -- my father left us when I was young. My mother became an alcoholic. She and her paramours abused me in the most horrific ways. Excuse me -- I don't want to offend. I don't want to shock. I know a sweet, innocent thing like you cannot comprehend the abuse I suffered. But I descended to their depths and beyond. It was my own fault! Yes! I have no excuse to make. I could not choose the conditions of my youth, but I could choose my response. -- I chose wrongly, time and again. My own fault. I chose alcohol. I chose drugs. I chose bad friends, loose women. Forgive me, my dear. I just want you to know that I am a sinner, yes, a terrible sinner. Believe me! I was lost, utterly lost. But then, like the great hymn, out of my deepest despair, He saved me! Yes! Even me! Dearheart, I can assure you, whatever your condition might be -- forgive me, I don't mean to presume, but you seem to be troubled. I say again, whatever your condition might be, He can give you strength. He can give you forgiveness. He can give you the power to persevere against all your trials. Will you let Him in?"
   Brother Holloway/Glubwart paused expectantly. Mary said nothing. She sat with her head down.
   "Excuse me for preaching -- but after all, it's what I do. I'm so grateful, my heart so full of thanks for His goodness. And as the good book says, 'The mouth runs over with the contents of the heart.' Some in my congregation say I run over at the mouth all the time. He saved a wretch like me, even me. He can save you, too. Forgive me for running on. I'll leave you in peace now. Please think over what I said. I hope we can talk again. It's a long trip."
   Brother Holloway/Glubwart opened up his battered black book and pretended to study it, all the while carefully observing Mary. Suddenly the waiting room door burst open. Joe rushed in. He immediately saw Mary and rushed to her side.
   "Polly told me," Joe said. "Why are you leaving? Where are you going?"
   "Go away," Mary mumbled. "Leave me alone."
   "But how -- who?" Joe stumbled over his words. Nothing would come out right.
   "I don't know. I don't know," Mary said. "Just leave me alone."
   "But we never... I mean..." Joe stammered.
   "I told you. -- I don't know!" Mary snapped. Her face went hard. "Don't worry about it. You're not involved. You have nothing to worry about. Go away. Leave me alone!"
   "I didn't mean that," Joe said. He hung his head. "Is there anything I can do to help? Do you have to go?"
   Mary's face softened. She shook her head slowly. "No. Just go. Please."
Joe made a stumbling attempt to embrace her. Mary shrank away. Joe slowly got up and left.
   Brother Holloway/Glubwart had studiously avoided looking as if he were eavesdropping, which of course he was. "Forgive me, my dear -- I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with that young man. You seem to be troubled; is there anything I can do to help?"
   Mary shook her head.
   "Don't be shy. There are many facilities, many agencies, that can help a young girl in need. Don't hesitate to reach out." When Mary still remained silent, he said, "Well, we'll leave it for now. Please think about it. We'll talk later."
   The announcement for the bus departure came over the loudspeaker. The passengers began making their way out the door and onto the bus. Brother Holloway/Glubwart decided not to crowd Mary. He took a seat on the opposite side, a few rows behind her. He started brain browsing, intentionally avoiding Mary at first. He started with the bus driver: [Anxious to get started. Get on the bus! Let's get going. My ex is killing me with alimony -- may have to return the damned favor! If we don't get this bus moving I might end up living here; can't make the payments on the house; seems like I'm living on this goddamn bus already]
   Glubwart started picking brains at random. He listened in on an old hunched-over, corpulent black woman. She was worried about a young nephew who was mixed up in a gang. She was afraid he was dealing drugs. Glubwart passed over a teenager who was engrossed in a computer game. He knew there wouldn't be any interesting thoughts there. A dapper, graying gentleman seemed out of place among the obviously lower income people who made up the majority of the passengers. Glubwart was intrigued and checked him out. [I'm ruined. It's all gone. Nothing left. Nothing left for me to do.] Another victim of the economic turndown, coupled with heavy gambling losses. His wife had left him, taken the kids. The man was obviously contemplating suicide. Glubwart chuckled inwardly. Sometimes, a demon gets lucky. Sweets just jump into your pocket without your having to do anything at all. Well, he could still claim credit -- after all, didn't he promote gambling in the first place? Didn't he sow the seeds? Why shouldn't he reap the harvest?
   Brother Holloway/Glubwart steeled himself. He was ready to take on Mary. He knew from Snakefoot's failures that she must have an inordinate amount of the Enemy's power. When he finally screwed up his courage enough to tune into Mary's brain, he was surprised. He didn't feel the slightest twinge of pain; no blinding white light. What was going on? Is this some kind of trap? How was she concealing the Enemy's power? -- or was Snakefoot merely a hopeless idiot? Glubwart increased his focus. The usual: Mary sorrowing over the loss of Joe; still plagued by thoughts of her mother and her former life of hell; all old news to Glubwart. Nothing out of the ordinary. So why was this experienced demon having so much difficulty turning her? There were no hard edges to her psyche; just a soft, confusing miasma. Glubwart felt himself getting lost. Maybe that was her trick; her shield; no direct confrontation -- power against power -- just a gentle never-never land; a vast forest where you lose your way, forget your purpose. Glubwart felt himself disappearing, being swallowed up. He switched off brain browsing, confused and scared. He had been preparing himself for a fight and found himself being lulled to sleep. Oh, this was too devious. The Enemy wasn't playing by the rules.
   With a sudden lurch, the bus pulled out of the bay and onto the street.