Google Images... Artist: Ian Joyner
The devil himself couldn't have picked a more fitting night for Denning's a affirmation into his new circle of friends.Rain poured down in sheets, the wind howled, thunder boomed and the lightning flashed so bright it illuminated the entire city in an eerie blue-white luminescence. Denning's chauffeur tried in vain to hold an umbrella over his boss on the short run from the limo to the front door of the posh hotel. Even the attempted assistance of the doorman was equally futile... there was no escaping the deluge.
The banquet hall looked rather ordinary to Denning when he entered... it was nothing like he expected. He had envisioned some dark and obscure location emblazoned with occult symbolism- pentagrams, upside-down crosses, an altar... Lockhart saw him come in and walked over.
"Looking for the altar where we sacrifice the babies?" He asked jovially.
"Not much like I expected," Denning returned looking around.
"What did you think this was going to be, a bunch of guys in black robes summoning up dark spirits... naked women painted with blood?" Lockhart was having fun with Denning's bewilderment. "We're businessmen- this is business... a business meeting, nothing more, nothing less. This isn't a religion. Religion is to control superstitious piss-ants. All that black robe, goat head worshipping shit is fine for Hollywood and television- the idiots eat it up... to the tune of billions I might add... but this is real life. we're far more practical- that's why we're going to win. Hungry?"
"Starved."
"Good, there's someone I want you to meet first. Then we'll eat. They put on a good spread here... we might even have babies for dessert," Lockhart said laughing.
Denning took another look around and shook his head. It looked like any other gathering of powerful men. He followed Lockhart who was heading toward the bar. These guys looked more like a meeting of Who's Who in American Business than a bunch of Satanists. For some reason Denning couldn't shake the whole occult aspect he had come to expect. There was one man that particularly stood out... not because he looked like one of the rich and powerful- but because he didn't.
He was about average height but stocky, his tuxedo looked almost although it had been painted onto his powerful frame. His shoulders were broad and his neck thick, close-cropped black hair with piercing pale blue eyes... so pale as to be almost transparent- but there was nothing transparent in them at all. Ham-like hands with thick fingers completed the ensemble. His physical presence was imposing- he looked like he could snap your neck almost effortlessly, Denning thought. What was this guy doing among America's most rich and powerful men?
Lockhart noticed Denning staring. "Let me introduce you," he said. "This is Przybysz."
"Is that a first or last name?" Denning asked trying to be humorous.
"It's a name," said Przybysz.
"Przybysz is a very dear friend and close associate of mine," said Lockhart. "He'll be working closely with you. You'll find him a very useful man. Very useful, if you know what I mean. It would be imprudent for you and I to meet in person after tonight. It might look like collusion, or at the very least, a conflict of interest."
Denning got the message very clearly... Lockhart was placing a mole in his camp. That was ok with Denning. This Przybysz looked like he could prove useful. So this was it... ok then. These guys had their plan, Denning had his. Like King Solomon who enlisted demons to help in the building his temple, so too would Denning employ these demons to help build his political empire. In the end... we'll see who winds up serving whom, thought Denning. He smiled and offered his hand.
"I'm very happy to make your acquaintance, Mr. Przybysz," he said cordially.
"Just Przybysz, is fine," said the oaf.
"Well then," Lockhart said rubbing his hands together, "let's eat."
The dinner was delicious, rouladen of beef served in a demi-glace, new potatoes, asparagus tips and a very good Chateauneuf de Pape '63. After dinner and a few more brief introductions, Lockhart moved to the podium.
"We're not here to give speeches tonight, but to welcome the next President of the United States." There was a polite applause. Lockhart held up his hand. "I'd like to formally introduce Mr. Alan Denning who has assured me that his vision for a new America is very much in tune with ours." Denning stood briefly and there was more applause. It was Denning this time who raised his hand. Lockhart went on... "Mr. Denning understands, as do the rest of us that an environment conducive to business is in America's best interest and he has assured me that he will do whatever is necessary as president to see that it's maintained." After some more applause, Denning arose and went to the podium.
"I'll be very brief," he began. "I just want all of you fine gentlemen to know that from this day forward, your cause is my cause. I promise that I will do everything in my power and everything the office of president can do to make absolutely certain that our agenda becomes America's agenda."
Lockhart stood and raised Denning's hand to uproarious applause. It was done- the die was cast and the Night Gods were pleased.
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