The Power of Twelve (10 page)

Jim sent a beautiful BMW sedan to pick up Eve and Abigail/ Barbara when they touched down in Prague. The castle was an hour's drive from the airport, and once the hotel employees sent to pick them up had gathered their luggage, Eve and Abigail/Barbara were driven through a beautiful forest on their way to meeting the handpicked power brokers who were to join them for dinner later that evening.

No sooner had the BMW arrived when smartly uniformed hotel employees appeared to help them with their bags. Eve and Abigail/ Barbara were ushered into the main drawing room, where bottles of champagne were being chilled and plates of caviar were waiting for
them. Inéz introduced them to several of the other guests, including Arnold Wheeler, who, with champagne glass in hand, greeted them warmly. “I have heard so much about you, Barbara, and your good works. Please join me in a glass of champagne so I can toast your vision and commitment to creating a better world.”

Pleased, Abigail/Barbara smiled, and she and Eve turned toward a waiter holding a tray of freshly poured flutes of champagne. Yet even before his toast to goodness in the world was complete, Barbara sensed a lack of sincerity in Arnold's words. Abigail concurred. Telepathically she told Barbara, “We should watch out for that one.”

Eve had never attended such an elegant reception and could not restrain herself from having third and fourth helpings of the caviar. She beamed to Barbara. “This must be what it is like to be royalty!”

“Yes, it is nice to have the resources for the finer things in life,” Abigail/Barbara responded as she took in not just the table settings but the elegant chairs, drapes, and art on the walls of the drawing room.

“Indeed it is,” confirmed Eve as she sipped her champagne. She was quite bubbly herself as she remarked, “Who would have ever imagined that little Eve from Des Moines would experience such luxury amid such noble and powerful people? Thank you so much, Barbara, for letting me be your assistant.”

Seeing that Eve was being seduced by the luxury of her surroundings, Abigail/ Barbara cautioned, “Yes, luxury is wonderful in proper balance, but let us not forget why we are here.”

“Of course not, Barbara,” Eve said, recovering. “It is just that all this elegance was so unexpected.”

“If we are successful, I imagine that there will be many such receptions. Those with power are often addicted to luxury and wealth. There is nothing wrong, mind you, with enjoying the finest elements of life, but on some level this very enjoyment of the high life is related to the underlying problems we are trying to correct.”

As Barbara took another sip of champagne, Abigail joined in her sentiment. “Yes, and for all this supposed luxury, they are not even serving chocolate.”

CHAPTER TEN

A MOST ELEGANT MEAL

E
UGENE ONCE AGAIN CHOSE to eat with the staff in the kitchen prior to the banquet being served in the main dining room. Eugene was enjoying these trips to Mcely. He was given a guest room like any invited or paying guest, and he was treated with the same level of respect and care. He had often stayed in elegant hotels while with the Secret Service, and as Arnold Wheeler's personal bodyguard all the hotels were luxury hotels, but somehow Chateau Mcely was special. Eugene could not put his finger on why it was different. The elegant bedsheets, the flowers, and the exquisite food were common at other luxury hotels, but the people at the Chateau had a dedication to service that was unique. They made you feel that they truly cared about you and that you were the most important person on the planet.

During Eugene's dinner, the chef's eight-year-old son showed up in the kitchen with the chef's wife. “Maurice, I am so sorry to bother you, but your sister is in labor and I must go immediately to the hospital. Can you or someone on the staff watch Stefan until I return?” she asked her husband.

“I thought she was not due for another week,” the chef responded, more pleased than bothered by the unexpected news. “You go ahead.
Stefan will be fine with us here in the kitchen.” Then, turning to his son, the chef asked, “Stefan, have you had dinner yet?”

Delighted to be getting a chance to spend time with his dad during the dinner hour, Stefan ran to his dad's side and shouted, “No, I have not eaten yet. Does that mean I get to eat with you this evening?”

“Yes, you will be eating at this table, though we must eat right away.” With a simple motion the chef directed that a place at the large kitchen table be set for Stefan next to Eugene. Looking at him, the chef asked, “I hope you don't mind if my son Stefan sits next to you for dinner?”

“Not at all,” Eugene replied with a smile.

“Splendid,” exclaimed the chef as he returned to the kitchen, and Stefan took his seat next to Eugene. Stefan had come from soccer practice and was still wearing his uniform, prompting Eugene to ask, “What position do you play?”

“I play goalie and also right wing. I love to run around, but my coach says the team needs me in goalie.”

“I used to coach my daughter's soccer team. Goalie is the most important position on the field. You must be very good to have been chosen to play goalie,” Eugene commented.

“I am not sure about that,” Stefan responded while a plate of beef stroganoff was placed before him, “but scoring goals is more fun than stopping them. I am glad I get to play both positions.”

“Yes, scoring goals is fun, but defense is actually the key to winning soccer games. You will understand this when you get older.”

The boy sized up this new hotel guest. “Do you think after dinner we could practice? They have a soccer net in the park in front of the Chateau.”

“If we finish early enough, we may be able to kick a ball or two. I would enjoy that, Stefan.”

Stefan beamed at this idea. “So, can I take shots on you?”

EVE WAS BESIDE HERSELF. She could not believe the aromas, the tastes, and the sheer beauty of the preparation of the food that
she was being served. She had never seen so many waiters for a single table: six waiters for twelve diners. Whenever her wine glass was even partially emptied, it was immediately filled, and when a course ended, a new vintage would be served and a fresh glass poured. During the meat dish, which was venison stuffed with quail, Arnold Wheeler stood up and addressed Jim and Inéz. “I hope you are not offended, but I took the liberty of bringing four bottles of this 1945 Mouton Rothschild to share with you this evening. I think it will go well with the venison and quail, and if these bottles are as good as the ones we sampled in our cellar last week, I am sure you will all be pleased.”

“What a rare treat,” Jim responded. “You really are too generous. I know my wines, and such a bottle would make a collector beam with delight. Thank you so much.”

Under her breath Gayle whispered to Randall, “I know my wines too, and each of these bottles is worth almost ten thousand dollars. Think of the number of children we could feed with just the money from a single bottle.” Randall nodded at this charitable thought. “This Arnold Wheeler is really over the top,” she went on. “A single bottle would have been more than sufficient as a gesture of respect for tomorrow's meeting.”

“You know I agree with you, but let's give him a chance,” Randall whispered back, as Gayle's glass was being filled. “And please do taste this wine. I have had it only once before and it is truly exquisite.”

As the waiters removed the dessert plates, which had held the individually baked chocolate soufflés—Abigail/Barbara had had seconds—Jim stood and addressed the diners. “As you know, we are meeting all day tomorrow to discuss Project Wake Up. In Santa Barbara we developed an overview of the project, but tomorrow we will start delving into the details. Barbara has been working on related initiatives for years and brings her breadth of knowledge to our planning session. I know that Arnold has other plans and cannot join tomorrow's meeting, but I am grateful that he was able to join us this evening and hope that he will be able to return at a future date and become a true partner in our endeavor.”

“Yes, regrettably duty calls,” Arnold confirmed. “I must be in Africa early in the morning, so I will actually be leaving in about
twenty minutes. I did want to at least meet Barbara, and of course it was great to reconnect with Randall and Gayle and to meet so many dedicated individuals working for the betterment of the planet.”

“What a pity you are leaving so soon,” Gayle interjected. “I was hoping to explain to you why Project Wake Up is so important. I fear that you did not take seriously my comments when you were last here that the masculine cycle of the last 26,000 years has come to an end and that this new 26,000-year cycle will be dominated by feminine energy.”

Arnold posted his standard smile. “I am sure we will have another occasion to discuss those beliefs.” Yet he could not help adding, “I really am not certain that you should identify your own views too closely with Project Wake Up. I, and those with whom I have influence, are only likely to support an organization or movement that is grounded in reality.” He was slightly slurring his words, and the amount he had already drunk fueled what he said next. “I confess, I find it pure speculation when you start talking about cycles and a change from masculine to feminine energy. I am not sure of your sources, but if you think the Mayans were the ones bearing this message, then all I can comment is: Where are the Mayans today? They were not very good at preserving their own civilization, beyond a few relics and oddball shamans performing rituals that don't have any real impact on the world.”

Barely containing her indignation, Gayle responded, “I do appreciate that you never hold back, Arnold. Those Mayan shamans may be much more effective and relevant than you realize. You are a powerful man, but you may be much more limited in what you can do to make a difference than you think. If you ask me, Project Wake Up could make good use of your money, but I doubt we will even want to have you assist us until you show some empathy for those who are not multimillionaires. To change the world requires efforts from everyone, not just those with material resources.”

Arnold rose, holding onto a tight smile. “Regardless of our differences, Gayle, I do wish you well with your project. You are quite the embodiment of the feminine force yourself, and I always appreciate
a strong voice whether in agreement with me or opposed. After all,” he ended, chuckling, “without opposition, what pleasure can I take in triumphing?”

Arnold turned to Jim and Inéz and bowed slightly. “It has been a true pleasure. I look forward to my next visit to Mcely.” Smoothly he moved toward the door, where he was handed his coat. Through the doorway all could see him as he walked toward the BMW that was waiting to take him to his private plane.

Gayle's verbal skirmish with Arnold had clearly made Jim and some of the other guests uncomfortable, so after Arnold had left, Randall turned to Gayle and admonished her, “You know, Arnold has access to billions of dollars, possibly hundreds of billions. I do not think it a good strategy to bite the hand that might be able to feed Project Wake Up all the resources necessary to ensure success.”

Gayle was still smarting from Arnold's final remark. Of course he would assume he would triumph over a mere woman. “The whole idea of compromise is so last century. Project Wake Up is doomed unless all who participate are equally awake and aware.” She was keeping her voice low, but it vibrated with intensity. “How can we wake up anyone if some of the core members are themselves asleep? Project Wake Up is about raising the consciousness of everyone on our planet. Anything less will not work. Full feminine energy requires absolute commitment and the willingness to take risks to achieve the ultimate goal.” She saw that she was drawing more attention, and she continued with more fervor. “We must always bring nurturance and understanding to all that we do. We must not condone violence of any kind even if that violence comes wrapped in gold and furs. We must question people like Arnold Wheeler who give lip service to wanting to help the less privileged, but only if they can retain their luxuries and positions of power. That is just another form of condoning violence, don't you see? It is time for real change, and as a mother and grandmother I will settle for nothing less.”

“Do you really think Arnold represents such negative energy?” Eve asked.

“I do not know him well enough to say,” Gayle replied, tempering her remarks, “but my instincts are that we must be careful.”

“I certainly agree that we must be careful,” Randall added, “but let us also be fair. As you have stated, we need everyone to participate in Project Wake Up to ensure success. Everyone includes the wealthy and perhaps even the misguided. Let's give Arnold a chance and see if he can become part of the team.”

“I think Randall has a point,” Jim joined in. “Arnold's foundation has given millions of dollars to worthy causes.” He noticed the storm gathering in Gayle's eyes, and he allowed, “Arnold's personal lifestyle is somewhat over the top, but you have to remember that he grew up affluent and has added to his family fortune ten times over. Arnold is a hardworking man and, as Randall has stated earlier, could singlehandedly fund Project Wake Up.”

Softening her expression, Gayle relented. With her eyes sparkling with good cheer she remarked, “Of course we will give Arnold a chance. I only want what is best for Project Wake Up. I can, however, read energy, and I know that with Arnold there will be challenges. I hope he will come around and see that not everything that matters can be measured and documented to his satisfaction. There are unseen forces that will come to assist us, and if Arnold is meant to be part of our endeavor I am sure that there will be signs confirming what we are to do.”

“Yes, let's end this dinner on a positive note,” smiled Abigail/ Barbara. “I am so grateful to everyone who is attending and helping. I recognize what Gayle is saying and believe we should take her caution very seriously. At the same time, I have in the last fifty years never felt that my vision of realizing the universal human was so close at hand. I believe that Project Wake Up will be the final catalyst to achieve this goal. Thank you all so much, and especially you and Inéz for hosting this remarkable dinner.”