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Jim Henson's Labyrinth 19/19 -A.C.H. Smith

14 

Jareth held a few crystals, one of them swirling in the air and flicking it away into a bubble. it drifted and the other three followed outside. The four bubbles approached Sarah, who stared at them entranced. hearing music, the first one had the dancer from her music box. Sarah swayed with the music inside the bubble, dressed in a ball gown, dancing with the others, each bubble had a dancer in it, approaching the other bubble, inside was a ballroom with Jareth waiting. Didymus and Ludo came to the edge of the forest, in the distance the walls of the castle. as Didymus turned to call Sarah she wasn't there, they didn't notice the bubble floating above their heads. 

The ballroom was full of opulence that hard worn away, (100 years of dripping wax candles making stalagmites and threadbare silk tapestries) and the thirteenth hour clock chimed. Sarah watched the bubble dancers and they watched her behind their masks moving in a ring lethargically as they did all night or they lounged against the wall or cushioned pits, (tended to by maids and footmen that had parchment skin so how long have these people been here at this fae party) smiling like knives at Sarah. “She was the picture of innocence in that setting, a picture that excited the dancers, who never took their masked eyes off her,”p.157 Sarah looked in a mirror and saw Jareth pass by dancing with a woman, as she turned he vanished and as she looked for him didn’t notice a young man leering at her. Jareth watched it all, following her in the corrupt ballroom. Sarah was self-conscious now among these strangers who acted like they knew something she didn't and she hurried looking for Jareth, not knowing what to say, just that it was important she found him. 

She saw him whispering to his partner and she looked away in embarrassment to another mirror and saw Jareth now alone (another My Immortal like description of his clothes) and he held out a hand for her. Sarah took it and her dizziness ceased as she spun around the ballroom, she knew she was the loveliest woman of all by the way Jareth smiled at her. She feels it’s like dream but she doesn't remember any dream like this. She saw in his face he was enjoying this moment with no mocking or secretiveness on the others. “And when you’ve found your way in, stay in your dream, Sarah.”-“Believe me. If you want to be truly free, wholly yourself-you do want that, don’t you?”p.159 Sarah did. “Then you will find what you want only as long as you stay in your dream. Once abandoned, and you are at the mercy of other people’s dreams.”p.160 

As she almost kissed him, she closed her eyes but the silence made open them, the music stopped and everyone else was watching, almost laughing. Sarah wrenched herself away from him as he tried to force a kiss, (he’s such a creeper I’m glad David Bowie adamantly refused to kiss the underaged Jennifer Connelly) the clock struck twelve. She ran through the crowd until she saw the membrane and hurled a chair at it bursting the bubble. (yes Sarah get out of that Weinstein Schneider Hollywood party) She was sucked through space and on the ground saw her friends looking up at her. Behind her the ballroom collapsed into junk she recognized from her room. “If this is the debris of the ballroom, she thought, then all my life must have been at that ball, in disguise.”p.161 (hmmm) The sea of junk stretched beyond the horizon spinning Sarah around with it, then it stopped and she was on the ground still holding the rotting peach, she flung it away and fainted. 

15 

Sarah woke up nowhere and could only remember being at the ball ashamed at almost falling for Jareth’s charm and feeling soiled. “Those men who pawed her, Jareth trying so rudely to force a kiss upon her-had she been truly innocent, they would not have behaved like that toward her, would they?”p.163 (Sarah Sarah normally I’d say you acted like a stupid child not thinking but this this you are a child and they are a bunch of creepy adults who took advantage of a child) She looked at the desolate landscape wondering what she was doing. “No one in sight. It was a place where you would soon forget your own name.”p.163 When she stood up the pile of rags she was on moved, the woman told her to get off her back. A little old goblin woman carried a pile of junk on her back, that’s what the other mounds of garbage were. 

Sarah doesn't know where she was going, “You can't look where you’re going if you don’t know where you’re going.”p.164 Sarah didn't argue she just knew she was looking for something, of course she was, they all are, she’s already found lots of things. She gave Sarah things to get started on her own pile, digging through she gave Sarah Lancelot bringing her childish joy like she was a little girl again. Is it what she was looking for, yes, she forgot about it and the old goblin points to her tent for Sarah to look through, inside was her room. 

Sarah woke up in her bed holding Lancelot, it was all a nightmare it was so real and she was still nervous, she opened the door and it led to the wasteland. The old woman asks if she likes the things as Sarah repeats that it’s just a dream, she opens the door again, this time the old woman barged in. She told Sarah it’s best to stay inside, nothing she wants is out there, as she looked around finding things and putting them in Sarah’s arms. She names Sarah things asking if she remembers, “something else was working at Sarah’s feelings, something grey and listless, like despair. She recognized it, but couldn't be sure of its cause.”p.167 (ah this old lady is Sarah’s depression and attachment disorder talking) 

The old woman piled things on her back as Sarah stared at herself in the mirror (she’s also smearing lipstick on her mouth) her shoulders were starting to bow. She starts to think of what she was looking for but the old woman tells her not to talk about it. “It’s all here, everything you’ve ever cared about.”p.168 Sarah stopped listening to the woman or she would have cried and looked for something to distract her off the condescension. On the dressing table was the Labyrinth book, she picked it up and recited the lines and remembered Toby then everything altered, the room was the same but Sarah looked at it with new eyes. “the whole room was a garbage heap, a dead shrine to a spirit that had fled.”p.169 (that spirit being her childhood self) She called it all junk and the woman was taken aback trying to find things and gave Sarah, the music box, (sounds like the ballroom) it’s also junk. “she knew what the grey despair had been. This room was a prison, and she was her own jailor. And so she had the key to release herself, to go and do the thing that mattered.”p.169 (yay she’s breaking out of her arrested development) She had to save Toby and heard her name being called, she stood up shrugging off the junk and the room fell apart. Two hands reached from above and Sarah grabbed on being pulled up to the ground to her friends, behind them was the castle. 

16 

They were at the gates of the Goblin City, Didymus asks if she’s sure she wants to go to the castle. she has to or she’ll lose her little brother. They move forward with Hoggle lingering behind, Didymus shouted at the sleeping goblin guard to open up (that let men in meme) until Sarah begged for him not to make so much noise. Ludo pushed the gate and it swung open (remember the beginning when Sarah was looking for the key to unlocked labyrinth) and it slammed shut as soon as they were in and another pair was open ahead of them but shut before they reached them. At each door was half a set of armor that now formed a titanic warrior called Humongous who wielded two axes. He missed his swing and it hit the wall sending sparks, they dodged his swings trying to take cover. Between a blow Didymus spotted something on the parapet, Hoggle running along toward the inner gate with a purpose. 

Hoggle jumped down on Humongous and kicked his helmet knocking it open revealing a tiny goblin working the controls. Hoggle grabbed him and tossed him out and took over the levers making Humongous go out of control and smoke as Hoggle jumped out. Humongous was on a rampage working his way back to the inner gates, swinging into the arch and breaking down as he overloaded. Sarah asks Hoggle if he’s alright, but Hoggle says he’s not asking to be forgiven. he doesn't care what she thinks, he said he was a coward and not interested in being friends. She forgives him and Didymus says what he did was courageous, Ludo calls him a friend. Sarah gives him back his jewels and Ludo opens the gates and the party heads into the Goblin City.     

The goblins watched Jareth play with Toby, wishing they could play with him, Jareth would tickle Toby and when in range, Toby would punch him in the face. Jareth laughs that he’s spirited, he’ll name him after himself, (is this just for Toby or does he rename all the stolen babies) he has his eyes, and as Toby smacks him in one says his disposition too. Goblins then came running in yelling that the girl who ate the peach is here with a monster, Sir Didymus and a gnome. (his wiki says he’s a dwarf) They got past Humongous and are on their way to the castle, Jareth commands them to stop her. He hands Toby (he calls him Jarethkin unsure if that means he’s now family or all the goblins are considered that) off to one of the goblins to take care of,  Sarah must not get him. As the goblins run off Jareth was left alone repeating she must be stopped from getting the baby. 

17 

Goblin City was a shantytown decorated in Goblin Grotesque style and rotting garbage littered the streets huddled in the shadows of the castle. In the dawn the city seemed asleep, and the party made their way through the marketplace as Sarah and Hoggle tell Didymus to keep quiet. Hoggle calls it a piece of cake as Sarah thinks they're going to make it. Hoggle should have known better the last time that phrase was said and now the danger was a bugle that sounded the goblin army they could only run back into town. (thanks a lot Hoggle you jinxed it) Jareth watched the chaos and winced as the four ran through the city as other goblins popped their heads out of windows to look. Sarah had them run into an abandoned house and bolted the door telling Didymus to guard it while she and Hoggle watched the windows and Ludo the roof. 

As a goblin smashed through a window Sarah brought a plate down on its head, one recognized Hoggle as he used to be with them, Hoggle hit him with a teapot. Sarah and Hoggle were overwhelmed and Didymus wondered if he should disobey orders when the door started to splinter by a battering ram he tried to fend them off with his staff but it wasn't in reach when the door burst open. Sarah and Hoggle were running out of crockery and the horde kept coming, they asked Hoggle what did they do to him, they stole Sarah’s brother, he knows they steal babies. Ludo was knocking down goblins on ladders when canons were called up that misfired. 

Inside Didymus heard the goblins talking about eating Sarah and he was infuriated and charged at the goblins in town, disarming the horde. Sarah saw him surrounded by goblins wielding spears and called for Ludo to summon rocks and for Hoggle to retreat up the stairs. As Ludo roared a distant rumbling followed as bits fell off the castle walls but, in the meantime, Didymus was cornered, and they were trapped on the roof. Sarah calls for Didymus to hold them back as she made a rope out of sheets for them to climb down. Didymus fought his way to the roof and while on the rope, cut it, so the goblins wouldn't follow and fell using the sheet to parachute down. Meanwhile the rocks filled the streets overtaking the army and walling them up allowing Sarah to lead her friends back to the castle and walk inside the throne room. “The chamber was deserted. In the middle of it was a cradle, empty. The clock showed three minutes to thirteen.”p.190 (gasp Jareth you cheating bastard) The vulture sitting above the throne laughed. 

18 

Toby was gone, but Sarah knew Jareth wouldn't abandoned his castle, the only other way was a set of stairs. Sarah ran for it and the others followed but she stopped them, she has to face them alone. “Because that’s the way it’s done.”p.192 All the stories do Sarah felt awful, but she was right and Didymus agreed. “But shouldst thou have need of us...”p.192 (hmm) She went up the stairs and found herself in a hall with many staircases, balconies doors and windows, inside out, backwards and upside down and went on alternating. (so an MC Esher painting Winchester Manor mix with Hogwarts physics) Sarah edged her way along when Jareth calls that he’s been expecting her, Toby is safe in his keep, he’s not keeping him because she’s here. Jareth tells her she’s answered none of the riddles and doesn't even know the questions, she understands nothing. (thank you for calling that out) “You are wrong. I have come to understand one thing very well. You are just putting on a show of confidence. It doesn’t take me in anymore. You are frightened Jareth.”p.193 (yes call his ass out too) They both are. 

They stared at each other for a few seconds then Jareth moved around the stairs calling Sarah cruel and they are evenly matched. “I need your cruelty, just as you need mine.”p.194 Sarah was losing balance watching him then she saw Toby, she had to reach him, Jareth mirroring everywhere she went, laughing. Jareth tossed a crystal ball, Toby followed it over the edge along a wall, defying laws of gravity. Sarah chased after him but he kept getting out of reach at risk of falling off a balcony or stairs. (safe in his keep my ass you don’t even have a single baby gate) Suddenly Jareth spun her around, “It has been a fine game, Sarah, and now it’s time to finish playing, because you cannot ever win.”p.195 Sarah saw Toby near a window, birds were outside, it wasn’t an illusion and she jumped to reach him, Jareth smiled triumphantly. “If he could not keep the baby, nor would she.”p.196  

Sarah opened her eyes and found herself in another part of the hall, something changed, a wing of the castle was in ruins, the stones were gone, grass in the cracks the turrets collapsed growing brambles. The sound around Jareth now had a forlorn ring to it. “Jareth stepped out from a shadowy archway, wearing a faded, threadbare cloak. His face looked older, drawn. In his blond mane was a trace of grey.”p.196 (so what does he really need baby youth to keep himself young and his kingdom running) She demanded Toby, he warns he’s been generous until now, but he can be cruel, he’s done everything she’s wanted. “You asked that the child be taken. I took him. You coward before me, I was frightening.”-”I have reordered time,”-”I have turned the world upside down.”-”And I have done it all for you,”-”I am exhausted from living up to your expectations. Isn’t that generous?”p.197 (he played the role of the villain in her story) 

Sarah starts to recite the lines from the play as Jareth yells at her to stay back and stop, offering another crystal to show her her dreams. She continues and he says he asks so little, just believe in him and she can have everything, when she fumbles the lines again. “Just fear me and love me, “-”and do as I say, and I...I will be your slave.”p.198 And Sarah finally recalled the words. “You have no power over me.”p.198 Jareth and the goblins shouted no as the clock struck, (there’s no way all that happened in three minutes) he tossed the bubble up his face distorted in it and when Sarah touched it it burst. Jareth disappeared, leaving his dusty cloak and at the twelfth chime a white owl flew out from under it, flying circles over her. 

19 

Sarah wiped her eyes saying she needs to get out of the habit of crying and going over the top, (finally some growth) then remembered she hadn't found Toby. The owl was still flying above her but she was on the staircase of her home. The owl flew out an open window and she ran up the stairs shouting for Toby, he was asleep in his crib, she woke him up cuddling him and gave him Lancelot. She watched him sleep for a long time before going back to her room, it was after midnight and her parents would be home soon. She looked around her room, at the old photographs and removed them one at a time, putting them in a drawer including the old family photo and music box. 

Downstairs, Irene called for her and Sarah held the Labyrinth book, “Wait,”-”I am closing a chapter of my life. Just wait.”p.202 And she put the playbook in the drawer and called back she’s there and welcome back, surprising Irene. Sarah thought once was enough for now and pushed the drawer shut, behind her in the window was a reflection of Ludo saying goodbye. When she spun around the room was empty then it was Sir Didymus. “And remember, sweetest damsel, shouldst thou ever have a need...” “I’ll call.”p.203 She told him goodbye and Hoggle appeared. “Yes, if you ever need us...for any reason at all...”p.203 Sarah says she needs them all then the Wise Man appeared. “Sometimes,”-”to need is...to let go.”p.203 Outside the owl watched and waited and flew away unseen. (growing up isn’t leaving childish things behind it’s carrying them with you in different ways)  

FIRST

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Jim Henson's Labyrinth 13/19 -A.C.H. Smith

9 

Behind the tree Ludo was hung from were two high doors in a stone wall, both had iron knockers that were repulsive faces, one with the iron ring in his ears and the other his mouth, which to choose. “She always found choices hard to make; if there were two kinds of cake at a birthday party, she would contrive to take a bit of each, at a decent interval, naturally, and hoping that no one noticed.”p.103 (what party serves two kinds of cake also Sarah is it really that hard to choose between chocolate and vanilla) The knocker with the ring in his ears said it’s rude to stare she tried to apologize but the second knocker tried to say something. She took out the ring so he could speak and after the knockers had a fight Sarah asked which way to go, they don't know. they're just knockers. Since she spoke to the second door, she chose it or would that be rude since they might not like their doors opened. “If she weighed the implications of every alternative, would she ever get to make a choice at all? When one door opens, so does another one.”p.105 

She tried to open the second door but it wouldnt budge and so she asked how to get through, knock on the door. (Knock On Doors That’s What The Knocker’s For~) The second knocker refused to have the ring back in his mouth, so she used the first door. Through it she heard giggling and laughter, but Ludo refused to follow so Sarah went ahead. She followed the sound of merriment in the forest and found it was the forest that was laughing, and she joined in until she felt faint, and the forest pitched in hysterics. She couldn't stop and could see Ludo at the door encouraging her to come back. As she dropped herself close enough so he could pick her up and take her back inside. (so...what was the lesson here) 

After she recovered, she went to the second knocker and when he refused to open his mouth, she held his nose until he gasped for air. After knocking the door opened to a foreboding forest but there's no other way (you could try the maze again) and she’s not turning around, and Ludo reluctantly followed her. She didn't know which way to go now, “A path ran in front of her into the forest, but how could anyone take it for granted that a path was the way you wanted to go?’p.109 Sarah was so distracted she didn't notice the ground open up swallow Ludo and close again. As she tried to climb a tree it fell over, and she saw it was made of bone and now the whole forest was collapsing into a heap of bones. “And Sarah knew it was all her fault, the destruction of this delicate balance. And Sarah knew it was all her fault,”p.110 (well it’s about time) It was too much, and she broke down crying she couldn't do anything right and after a while noticed Ludo wasn't there with her. She couldn't stay and ran anywhere, the forest getting darker the deeper, she went until a bright savage creature leaped in front of her. 

10 

Hoggle was hoggling around the hedge maze, the girl had his jewels, he tried to please her and Jareth. “and that’s what you get for trying to please everyone.”p.113 He stopped when he heard a scream and with a second scream his rudimentary conscience came to a decision, and he ran to her. Around the corner there was Jareth asking where he is going, after some time Hoggle said Sarah gave him the slip but he heard her just now and he will take her to the beginning like he told him to, while wishing Jareth would do anything but smile at him. Jareth nods and for a moment he thought he would help her, but he wouldn't after his warning, that would be stupid. Jareth points out his missing jewels, Hoggle promises he’ll find them and the girl just like they planned. 

Jareth stops him, he has a better plan and tosses Hoggle a crystal that turns into a peach, it won't hurt her will it, why the concern, just curious. Jareth says all he has to know is to give it to her and Hoggle was torn between fearful obedience and unknown affection. He won't harm her and Jareth is surprised at him losing his head over a girl, how could she ever like someone as repulsive as him, (whatever Lord Farquaad) is he her friend, Hoggle says it doesn't matter. Jareth warns to give her the peach or he’ll be put in the Bog of Eternal Stench and if Sarah kisses him, he’ll turn him into a prince of the Land of Stench and walks off laughing. (that joke sucked) 

What leaped in front of Sarah was a Fiery and they are wild, and it told her to cut out her screaming it won’t do any good. (well it’s right crying might be an emotional release but what good will it do when you're in trouble to just sit there and bawl) Four more appear, they’re just having a good time here and they hooted and jumped around lighting a bonfire with sparks from their fingers. One used tree stumps as drums and the rest broke into a dance around Sarah, she couldn't have run if she wanted to. She was horrified by their antics as they dismembered themselves and tried to persuade her to join in. “But she thought she had their number now-just crazy good-times, out of their skulls and she was no longer frightened, not even when one tried to lift her head from her shoulders.”p.118 (I’m serious this could easily be a horror story) 

Then she remembered her predicament and started to cry again (she cries so much for a fifteen-year-old) and tells them she’s trying to get to the castle, is she sure she knows what she’s doing, yes. The drums pick up and the Fierys grinned at each other it's not a problem, they’ll take her there, they’re not that wild. She can't walk around here by herself, she did have a friend with her, Hoggle, they know Hoggle, and they pull her along into the wilderness. Meanwhile in the castle Jareth was watching from a crystal and held Toby up to it who recognized Sarah and reached for her. Jareth shook his head so much trouble for such a little thing, but soon she’ll forget everything once Hoggle gives her his present. 

11 

Sarah was hauled along reluctantly, she couldn't see the castle, time was ticking and tried to think of when she could have made a different choice. “How would she know? What evidence had she been given that any of her choices were the right ones? If there were right ones; if it wasn't all a cruel hoax by which Jareth tormented her with the illusion that Toby could be rescued.”p.123 Instead of crying again she focused on what she did right, she had to to have gotten this far, but it would mean nothing if she couldn't get away and save Toby. 

The Fierys were pointing at random things asking if that’s the castle and Sarah asks to be let go but the Fierys ignore her and continue their good time. They dragged Sarah further, as they were goofing around she tried to slip away but they quickly caught up to her. Not knowing where to go, Sarah wondered what the point was of doing anything. “Maybe just havin’ yourself a good time was the best anyone could hope for.”p127 But that’s besides the point, she couldn't do anything until she got rid of the Fierys. 

She got an idea and told them they don’t even know what the castle looks like as they goofed off. One showed how wild he is by taking his head off, Sarah grabbed it and threw it as far as she could, she did the same with the others and in the pandemonium she ran. The Fierys called back that it’s fun, to take her head off too, as she climbed a rock face to escape a rope hit her in the nose. Hoggle hauled her up as the Fierys were eager to dismember her for a good time. (ok so these guys are allegory for being wary of dangerous friends who put having a good time over safety and also going off with strangers) Sarah found she was atop a turret of the Great Goblin Wall after Hoggle beat off the heads he turned to Sarah who thanked him with a kiss then the earth moved beneath them. 

12 

The paving stones they were on tipped them into a chute, having gotten this far required Sarah to be persistent and solve paradoxes. (she hasn’t solved shit) “Jareth was King of the Castle, and he would tolerate no display of emotion here, no gesture of friendship or sentimentality.”p.131 With her kiss Hoggle became Prince of the Land of Stench. “Everyone in Jareth’s realm was an island. If you did something for someone else, it was never an act of kindness but a calculation, an investment that would return a percentage when you called on it.”p.131 The words, to give, were obscene and, to love, only was desire, you stand on your own feet and only on someone else's to get higher. Your success was measured of how you could commend others, this was why Jareth was envied, and he was gong to keep it that way.  

They skidded to the edge of the Great Goblin Wall and were made sick from the smell, Sarah didn't take Hoggle’s fear seriously, she did now. (evisceral glairy mucilaginous weren't enough to convey revulsion for the noise let alone smell) Their only path was now along the narrow wall of crumbling stones, but it was the only way. As they wondered which way to go the stones beneath them broke up and Hoggle was angry at Sarah for kissing him, Sarah tells him not to pretend, he came back for her because he’s her friend, he denies it saying he only came for his property and to give her something. More stones were crumbling away and Sarah tried to grab for him but lost her balance and also fell and landed on Ludo who howled at the smell. They were on a shoal a few feet from the mire and Hoggle was angry he wasn't Sarah’s only friend and Sarah calls him impossible, he’s as possible as she is. (dayum) Sarah moved on and Ludo pointed to a bridge and beyond a forest, better chances of getting to the castle so Sarah urged them on quickly. 

The bridge stood on a pier of stones and as they neared a little fox creature in military dress stopped them, no one without his permission may cross. Sarah says they only have a little time left and Hoggle and Ludo complain of the stench, Sir Didymus can’t smell, he detects nothing calling the air fragrant. (I suppose it is smart to have someone who can’t smell guard a bridge over a putrid swamp) Ludo howled and Hoggle tried to force his way pass and Didymus warns he swore to do his duty and points his staff at him. Ludo, seeing a friend of Sarah threatened, advanced and Didymus attacked him too and Hoggle took that opportunity to run but Didymus was quicker. Didymus enjoyed the exercise, few travelers passed this way and none tested his knightly skills and would gladly fight off a hundred Hoggles and Ludos. “How might a knight prove his valor, except it be tested?”p.137 

Sarah walked up and asked to cross but Didymus forced them back with finesse while he was distracted Hoggle scuttled to the bridge. (dammit Didymus you had one job) As Sarah watched him look out for himself again, she stood by Ludo for moral support. As Hoggle trampled to the bridge bits shook and fell off, when he reached the far bank he looked back, perhaps Sarah was getting through to him. The battle was at a stalemate, Ludo was fed up enough to beat at Didymus with a log and Didymus was bouncing around, both were nearing exhaustion when Didymus leaped back to his bridge and shouted enough. He’s impressed, never before has someone met him and come to a standstill and yields his staff, let them be brothers in arms. Sarah had enough and made for the bridge, but Didymus stopped her, she brought up Ludo is his new brother, but he’s taken an oath. He swore none without his permission may pass, Sarah asks for permission and Didymus was shocked into silence until he came to a decision to allow them to cross. (see how easy things can be Sarah when you ask for permission) 

13 

The moment Sarah stepped on the bridge it sank several inches, she immediately got off of it, Didymus told her there’s nothing to fear, it stood thousands of years. (and it hasn’t been maintained since) Sarah began walking on it holding the railing as the bridge swayed and bits fell off into the bog. Didymus was glowing with the prospect of a quest certain they must have one the damsel was urgent (I kinda want to see a Labyrinth D&D campaign) and would follow them and encouraged Ludo but with his weight the bridge started collapsing and Sarah ran for it. As the planks dropped beneath her she flung onto the branches of a dead tree. Didymus stood dumbfounded, the bridge was gone and so his purpose then he remembered he dedicated himself to this group’s quest and set out to rescue Sarah. His staff was much too short then Ludo howled louder than he ever did and from the far side of the bog came a rumbling noise, a large boulder rolled right under Sarah as she fell. 

Ludo wasn't done, he summoned rocks from beneath the mire creating a causeway for Sarah to cross. (so he could do this the entire time) In the reunion Didymus called for his steed Ambrosius, an Old English Sheepdog, (oh here’s Merlin but seriously do not ride big dogs like horses they aren't strong enough and it will hurt their backs) a flawless mount except when he sees a cat. He rode Ambrosius across the causeway to join them and they told him their perilous quest. Hoggle hesitated by the bog, if he did give Sarah the peach he’d be dumped into it, he almost dropped it in. “the peach might even slip accidentally from his fingers and relieve him of the responsibility of making the choice.”p.150 But he heard Jareth’s voice warning him not to do it so Hoggle put it back in his bag and miserably rejoined the others. 

Didymus took over the leadership and they all went in silence reflecting on their situations. Didymus on future perils with his brother Ludo, Ludo on how hungry he is, Sarah with how Toby was fairing and Hoggle with his choice and consequences but decided it’s all Jareth’s fault. “I’m just obeying an order that I can’t refuse.”p.151 (Hoggle no) Didymus knows the way to Jareth’s castle they’ll be there before dawn, Sarah thought how that would be too late. When Ludo complained of being hungry Hoggle offered Sarah the peach, ripe and juicy, it appeared to be glowing, and she realized Ludo wasn’t the only one hungry and thinks Hoggle is so kind. Hoggle looked at her expectantly, so she took a bite and was so regretful to spoil such a pretty thing. “Although that was the point, wasn't it? A peach made itself lovely just so that someone would spoil it.”p.152 (why is this giving me creep vibes) If that’s the case, then it’s clever to be repulsive, then rattlesnakes would rule the earth. Sarah mentions it tastes strange then sways and understands what Hoggle did, he damns himself and Jareth as Sarah totters and forgets everyone but Jareth mentioning how everything is dancing.

NEXT  

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Jim Henson's Labyrinth 8/19 -A.C.H. Smith

5 

Her fall was slowed by things brushing against her, she landed on one that grabbed her, a hand. Hands were all around protruding from the walls of the shaft that grabbed at her as she called for help. (help help I need an adult) A finger tapped her shoulder, she looked to see fingers make a face to talk to her, they are the Helping Hands. (when you read you could see how it if leaned into it it could easily be a horror book) Which way does she want to go, up or down, and urged her to make a choice, she supposes she’ll continue down, they snicker it’s too late to change her mind and pass her down. (One Wrong Move And It’s Down Down Down~) They sing as they take her down to a manhole, drop her in it and wave goodbye as they left her in pitch blackness. 

Jareth was observing Sarah in the oubliette through a crystal, she shouldn't have gotten that far by now and gave up. A goblin says she never will and Jareth laughed, she will if she starts all over, few have gotten as far as this girl, too old to be turned into a goblin. “Too old to be a goblin, but too young to be kept by him, damn her innocent eyes.”p.65 (what do you mean by that Jareth) Before she becomes a threat to Toby she has to be sent back immediately, and he knew just the person for the job. He calls Hoggle to take her back to the outer walls, Jareth laughs and told his goblins to laugh too, directing them like a conductor. 

Sarah got dejected, wishing she had been taken up, as she adjusted to the darkness she sensed someone with her, Hoggle. How did he get here, (yeah seems suspicious) he knew she’d get in trouble, so he came to give her a hand. (that doesn’t explain how you knew exactly where she’d be) She’s in one of the many oubliettes, (Mind The Map Now And Watch Your Step Or You’ll End Up In An Oubliette~)  “It’s a place you put people to forget about them.”p.67 (literally it's just a hole in the ground barely big enough to stand in this torturous execution is psychologically horrific) Sarah realized what that meant, it wasn’t fair Jareth challenged her, she went through with it, he couldn't just dump her here. (you made the decision to go down) Hoggle lead her through pointing out a skeleton, how the Labyrinth is a dangerous place for a little girl, if she keeps going, she’ll end up like that. (And All These Skeletons You See Each Had A Dream Now Crumbling At Your Feet~) “Lots of bad memories in the Labyrinth, I can tell you.”p.68 (considering this is Sarah’s way of analyzing her own trauma he’s not wrong) 

She has to find her brother, Hoggle says to forget about him, he knows a short cut out of the Labyrinth, she won't give up now, she’s come too far, he says this is only the edge, further on is worse. Sarah picks up his tone and finds his sudden concern suspicious, (now she thinks about it) Hoggle tries to avoid answering so Sarah bribes him with her jewelry, a plastic bracelet piece (her mother wore it in while in The Winter’s Tale) not the real things her mother gave her. He’ll take her out for it, she wants a way in, after all, he got here, he must know the way. He tells her she doesn't want to go further in, she’s proven she’s a smart, brave girl, “and you don’t deserve what would become of you in here.”-”No, no, you deserve to be saved from that. I’ll say that much for you.”p.69 

She finally agrees to take her as far as he can and flips a wooden bench over revealing a door handle and Sarh thought it wasn't fair. He opened it for the broom closet’s contents to tumble out he shoved it back in (apparently there’s a broom closet joke that’s never explained) and opened the door again to a corridor of cared rock. (so we’re going with cartoon dream logic) A booming voice called to them not to go in, they went in with more cared rock faces calling out warnings. Hoggle tells her not to pay attention to the Phony-Warnings, they mean she’s on the right track. (could these be a manifestation of Sarah’s subconscious gut feelings telling her something is wrong) The passage twisted and turned, but Sarah felt encouraged, unaware that they were being followed by a crystal ball until it bounced ahead in front of a beggar and hopped onto his hat. 

The beggar rose up asking what do they have there, Hoggle sputters as the beggar’s ruse drops to reveal he’s Jareth. He accuses Hoggle of helping the girl, Hoggle denies it, he’s taking her back to the beginning he’s actually just tricking her. And the plastic trinket, he pretends not to know where it came from. Jareth warns if he betrays him he’ll suspend him headfirst in the Bog of Eternal Stench. He asks Sarah how she’s finding the Labyrinth, it’s a piece of cake, (forehead slap Sarh you just told him it was too easy) Jareth then makes it more interesting and turns the hands of the clock forward, Srah calls it unfair. “You say that so often. I wonder what your basis for compassion is.”p.74 Jareth tosses the crystal ball down the corridor and a trundling noise came closer and louder and with a mocking laugh Jareth vanished. Hoggle and Sarah ran from the Cleaners, a moving machine wall of slashing knives and brushes. “All it needed for the story to finish now was that they should come to a dead end. Around a corner, they found one. A heavily barred door closed the tunnel in front of her.”p.75 

6 

Sarah looked for an escape, there had to be a trick, Hoggle was scrabbling at the door, she couldn't trust him anyway. She saw a panel of metal plates next to the door and pressed on it, it gave away a little and she yelled for Hoggle to help her. They pushed and fell through just as the machine slashed by them, as they recovered Hoggle said Jareth must think a lot of her to throw everything her way. Hoggle has her climb up the ladder in the room and says not to look down, how can she trust him after what he did how can she believe him, she doesn't really have a choice does she. Sarah didn't listen to him and looked down, (dammit Sarah) frightened so badly she shook the ladder to Hoggle’s indignation. Sarah thought of nice things (Merlin her room evenings with her mother and multiplication) until she calmed down and started to climb again. Hoggle says to consider his position, he’s a coward and Jareth scares him. A humble position and she wouldn't be so brave if she smelled the Bog of Eternal Stench and they climbed outside. 

7 

A garden with well-trimmed hedges, it was formal with statues of the Phony-Warnings, where the two came out of was a large urn atop a table, ridiculous, but nothing was what it seems to be. “It was like a language in which all the words were the same as your own, but where they meant something quite different from what you were used to. From now on, she would take nothing as its face value.”p.83 Hoggle says he’s not going any farther and Sarah calls him a cheat, coward and a liar then resorts to name calling. Hoggle flails in anger that he did ger her out, now she’s on her own. Sarah was stunned, she’s never seen anyone so angry, now she feels guilty. “She had provoked all that with just her one word, which was clearly more hurtful than sticks or stones.”p.85   

Hoggle declares he won't came back to save her and leaves, Sarah mutters he will and snatches his treasure belt he’ll get it back when she gets to the center of the Labyrinth. (“What a bitch.”-Hank Hill) Hoggle whines it’s further than he can go and about the bog, he doesn't even know which way to go, Sarah calls him a liar. Sarah picks a direction and Hoggle follows only for them to end up where they started, several times, with different paths, leads them to the urn, (Left Right Left Then Take Five More Steps Do A Pirouette Round The Statuette~) all while Hoggle whines to give him back his belt. Hoggle points to a different way and waits for her to turn up again then mocks her for thinking she’s so clever. Sarah tells him if he won’t help, he won’t get his stuff back, but he really doesn't know the way, it’s his property, it’s not fair, no it’s not. “Nothing was fair, if you expected fairness, you would be forever dissapointed.”p.87 (so Sarah just realized life isn’t fair) 

After she realized that she saw a figure, an old man wearing a hat with a bird on it, she called out asking if he could help her. The Wise Man didn't really register her, probably pondering something important and the bird told her to go away, he’s busy thinking and don't stare. The Wise Man told him to be silent then he noticed Sarah and thinks Hoggle is her brother, (so is Hoggle an allegory of Sarah’s bratty behavior or how she sees Toby or both) no just a friend, (is this how she treats her friends no wonder she cosplays alone in the park) surprising Hoggle, it was the first time anyone called him a friend. The Wise Man asked what he can do for them, how can she get to the castle, he tells her sometimes the way forward is the way back and the bird scoffs at it. “Quite often, young lady, it seems were not getting anywhere, when in fact we are.”p.90 (it’s the baby steps of healing) Then the Wise Man drifts off again and the bird demands payment for the wisdom. (Heed My Sage Advice Better Mind The Floor~) Sarah debated Hoggle’s treasures but instead puts her mother’s costume ring in the collection box. (so she’s slowly letting go of her mother) After what the Wise Man said Sarah walks backwards and Hoggle humored her, the bird told the Wise Man they actually took his advice, but he was asleep.   

8 

After leaving the Wise Man they could walk forward and move ahead although the maze turned them around so much they weren't any closer to the castle. “Hoggle.’ she asked, ‘how did you tell when someone’s talking sense and when he’s talking rubbish?”p.93 She made him stick by her until they get there, he wouldn't abandon her while she still has his treasures. She began to wonder if the maze was a closed system, and she’d have to go back to the urn and down to the oubliette. (Pray The Map Isn’t Upside Down Or You’ll Be Stuck In The Underground In A Cage From Which There’s No Way Out~)  Her mother once told her to mind what you say to a beggar, they might be God, (this seems like out of Linda’s character) Sarah wanted to tell her it might be Jareth. How could she have respect for him, “He was dangerous and powerful, obviously but he was too aware of it-a showoff, really-and mean, a cheat. He had a certain style to him, she could conclude that much. He was not unattractive. But how could you respect, still less admire, someone like him?”p.94 (she calls him a cad so she’s seeing through his false charm) 

They turned so much they couldn't tell they weren't alone, a sea serpent along the hedge with little goblin feet under it (so it’s like those Chinese dragon costumes) and several times they missed the mounted goblin Jareth sent out to look for them. Hoggle asked why she called him a friend, he’s not much of one but the only one she has here, he’s never been someone’s friend before. (gee wonder why) Then a roar made him run away in fright, shouting out he’s no one’s friend, he only looks out for himself. (and here’s the answer) Another roar but not closer, so Sarah decided to go on the Wise Man said, things aren't what they seem. After all, back home Toby was the loudest one and he’s harmless, so she moved ahead. 

In the hedge gap she did see things weren't what they seemed, the roar came from a large beast hanging upside down and tormented by goblins. (they have sticks with those wind-up dentures on them) The goblins were so absorbed in their cruel game they didn't notice Sarah getting closer until she threw rocks at them. The goblins turned on each other in the confusion, and Sarah threw more and was surprised at how accurate her aim was. (hmm wonder why) The four goblins fought each other or ran away through the hedges. Looking at the beast now she had half a mind to leave it, but she felt more pity and went closer. The beast reacted like she was another tormentor, she told it firmly to stop it, is that any way to treat someone trying to help you, doesn't it want to get down, it says Ludo wants down. 

As she got closer, she saw his grin from his upside-down face was actually a smile. is this what Toby saw when people leaned over his crib. (so she’s starting to see things from Toby’s point of view) Ludo says friend, Sarah wasn’t taking anything for granted anymore but his eyes looked like Merlin’s, so she ruffles his shaggy red hair. As she was about to release the rope Ludo roared again, Sarah leaped back thinking she couldn’t trust anyone here until she saw him rub the tender spots the goblins caused, he was hurt. Sarah let him down and hit the ground with a thump and he got up with a groan. She tells him it’s all right now and Ludo calls Sarah friend, she is and asks for a favor, the way to the castle, but he doesn’t know it either. If no one was going to help her she could do it on her own and Ludo followed, and Sarah thought it was nice to have company. (that you don’t have to extort at that) 

NEXT

[crackspinewornpages]

Jim Henson's Labyrinth 4/19 -A.C.H. Smith

1 

While nobody saw the owl, the owl saw and heard everything as he settled in a tree and watched the girl below. She moved with deliberate purpose, concentrating as she recited her lines. “Give me the child,’ she repeated. ‘Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City, to take back the child you have stolen.”- “For my will is as strong as yours...”p.11 She fumbled her lines and checked the playbook for the next one. “You have no power over me...”p.12 (and now Chekhov's gun is cocked and loaded) She couldn't continue as a clap of thunder startled her and her sheepdog, Merlin. (I know Merlin is a sheepdog but my cat’s name is Merlin so I just keep picturing him) She repeated the last line until the pavilion clock chimed and she realized the time. She and her dog started running home with her muttering it’s not fair as an owl watched it all in, no hurry, he knew what he wanted. (Merlin doesn't like the owl thinking it was why Sarah was running) 

Sarah’s stepmother was waiting for her, “The world at large was not fair, hardly ever, but in particular, her stepmother was ruthlessly not fair to her.”p.13 She could already hear her baby brother crying, she didn't call him her half-brother since her friend Alice (like Alice in Wonderland a girl who went through a nonsensical other world I see what you’re doing book) asked what his other half is (a horse) and she couldn't answer. Sometimes she felt protective of Toby, wanting to take him away to a better place but times like this she hated him since he had twice as many parents as she did. “When she hated Toby it frightened her, because it led her into thinking about how she could hurt him.”p.14 There must be something wrong with her, she wished she had someone who could understand, her friends would think she's a witch and her father would be more frightened of it than herself. (well she’s not wrong a teenager holding onto this much hatred and dark thoughts towards a baby is concerning)  

Sarah unapologetically said sorry for being late and Irene (the Labyrinth wiki says her name is Irene but in fanon Karen is popular too) told her to come out of the rain (Sarah made sure never to touch her even on accident) but the dog has to go in the garage. (well yeah Merlin is a big shaggy sheepdog that’s now soaking wet and covered in mud) Sarah thought Irene’s style was tacky and her performance every evening was hammy, her favorite word since her mother's boyfriend Jeremy used it to put down an actor, she was determined to be an actress so she could sound sophisticated like him. (that’s not how I would describe it) Irene started scolding her for being an hour late, they only ask her to babysit if it doesn’t interfere with her plans. Sarah cuts her off, how would she know if she has plans, she doesn't ask, Irene assumes she’d tell her if she did. “I would like it if you had a date. A fifteen-year-old girl should have dates.”p.16 (it was the 80’s how many well adjusted fifteen-year-olds at that time were cosplaying by themselves in the park) Sarah thought if she did have a date, she wouldn't tell her, and she wouldn’t like who it was. (she has a whole fantasy of escaping in a limo and they’d only hear of her in magazines) 

Sarah’s father came up holding her brother and telling her they were worried, (as any good parent would be if their teenager was off by herself and an hour late coming home in a storm) Sarah says to leave her alone and runs up the stairs. They were so reasonable, convinced they were in the right, only a matter of time until she did as they wished. Why did he take that woman’s side, her own mother never had that look of tolerance. “She was a woman who could shout and laugh and hug you and slap you all within a minute or two. When she and Sarah had a quarrel, it was an explosion. Five minutes later, it was forgotten.”p.16 (this hits close to home the result of which is I haven't spoken to that woman since December 3rd) Irene lamented how she tries but Sarah is determined to make her the wicked stepmother, Robert says it’s hard to have a mother walk out on you, (this is common the child has a tumultuous relationship if at all to the one parent they want love and acceptance from and will try to mold themselves to that parent’s image or expectations all while dumping their frustrations and lashing out to the other parent because it’s safe to do so) he’s right but will she ever change, Robert goes to talk to her. 

Sarah’s only safe place was her room, and she checked it every day that everything was where it should be. Irene rarely came in, she couldn't be trusted, she tried to clean but misplaced things. “It was essential to ward off that disturbing spirit.”p.17 Shelves were filled with books, toys and dolls positioned to Sarah’s affinities, everything had to be a certain way or it would be unsafe once disordered the room wouldn't be familiar. (ah so she’s trying to stay at the time in childhood where her family was together clinging to order in her disordered world but in turn stifling her own growth) Sarah was so against disturbances she learned how to do her own repairs so even her father would hardly have a reason to come in. 

Sarah now stood in her room sniffling and looked at an old family photo, all around were photos and posters of her mother's plays. One had her mother and her boyfriend Jeremy posing together and signed by them for Sarah, there were newspaper clippings from paparazzi following the two on their romance. Sarah picked up the music box (it plays Greensleeves) her mother gave he on her fifteenth birthday, the three went to the country club to swim, (the dick pretended to drown) Jeremy gifted her a gown to wear to dinner and a musical where he gossiped about the actors. He had danced with her and after a photo flash joked, they’d be in the gossip columns the next day (presumably because it would be a scandal of him being seen with an underage girl) and he drove wildly to shake off the phantom photographers and at home Sarah’s mother gifted her the music box. 

She could easily remember poetry, so why was the line in the park difficult, how could she make it on stage if she couldn’t remember her lines. She tried to get into the part with the right props as her mother told her and costumes as Jeremy told her. “They helped you escape from your own life and find your way into the part, as Jeremy said. And after each show, you take it all off, and you wipe the slate clean. Every day was a fresh start.”p.20 She was putting on lipstick when her father came to her door wanting to talk, she wouldn't let him in. At a loss he tells her Toby’s asleep, and they’ll be back by midnight and walked away and Sarah sniffed how he used to kiss her goodbye and now didn't try to come in. (would you throw a fit if he did you made it pretty clear you don’t want anybody in there) 

 As she threw away a tissue, she noticed her bear Lancelot was missing and she was angry the order of her room was violated. (if it really mattered would this be noticed when you first came in) She blames Irene yelling out the window towards the taxi that she hates her. She knew Toby had it, he was given everything but given more than she ever was. Lancelot was on the floor of the nursery, (hmm seems more like it was placed there deliberately) Sarah picked him up and her entrance woke Toby who started to cry. Sarah bemoaned for someone to save her and take her away, among the cacophony of the storm, Toby crying and Merlin barking it stirred the goblins in the castle of the Goblin King.  

Trying to calm Toby and herself down she told him the story from her playbook, The Labyrinth, (there's the title) how the evil stepmother made the young woman stay and watch the spoiled baby. (hmm I don't think that’s in the play) “But what no one knew was this: the King of the Goblins had fallen in love with her, and given her certain powers.”p.23 Now the goblins were paying attention as Sarah went on, the woman called the goblins to help her say the words and they’ll take the baby and she’ll be free. The girl knew the king would keep the baby forever and turn him into a goblin, so she kept quiet for months until she couldn't bear it. 

Toby started wailing again and Sarah was losing her temper, and the goblins eagerly listened for her to say the words. “Goblin King! Goblin King! Wherever you may be, come and take this child of mine away from me!”p.25 The goblins call them the wrong words, she didn't even say ‘I wish’. Toby was screaming now, and exhausted, Sarah started saying ‘I wish’ until he quieted down and she put him back in his crib. Right before she left, she said the words, “I wish the goblins would come and take you away...-”...right now.”p.26 To the goblins delight, and they scattered. 

2 

The thunderstorm picked up and Sarah listened to the unnatural silence in the room, Toby was quiet, and it scared her. She called his name and flicked the lights, but nothing responded, stepping into the room there were unfamiliar shadows. In the crib, under the blanket, weird shapes were bulging and Sarah thought she saw things that weren't a part of Toby poking out,  then there was stillness. Perhaps for hours she stared at the empty crib, mind blank and frightened by a thumping on the window by an owl, she didn't notice the goblins behind her. The clock chimed from the mantle at thirteen o clock, she was distracted by it until something nudged her leg, something scaly. Something else snickered out of sight and shadows crawled across the walls cavorting goblins evading her eyes. (you could easily lean into the horror of this book like Coraline) Sarah looked for a weapon and tried to beat them away with a broom when it also slithered out of her hands. 

Lightning flashed across the room and faces hid as thunder boomed and the wind blew the window open for the owl to enter. Sarah screamed covering her eyes and peaked through them to see a human shadow. Sarah recognized the stranger as the Goblin King, (he has a My Immortal description but you can just picture David Bowie however you want) he introduced himself as Jareth, (sounds a lot like Jeremy) he saved her, “I have liberated you from those bonds that distressed you and frightened you. You’re free now, Sarah.”p.32 Sarah doesn't want to be free, she does, but she wants her brother back, she didn't mean it, please bring him back.  

“Go back to your room. Read your books. Put on your costumes, that is your real life. Forget about the baby.”p.33 Sarah can't do that, so Jareth summons a crystal ball to show her her dreams, but it’s not a gift for an ordinary girl who takes care of a screaming baby, does she want it. Sarah didn't answer as she stared at it, “To see her own dreams-what wouldn't she give for that?”p.33 Jareth tells her to forget about the baby and Sarah was torn, the gift was seductive (yeah from a grown man to a teenager) but also from someone who understood her, (how much does he really understand about you) only for her to trade a spoiled child, (there’s no such thing as a spoiled baby)  only her half-brother. She appreciated it, but she can't accept it and wants her brother back. 

Jareth lost his patience, disappeared the crystal and threatens Sarah with a snake, warning her not to defy him, as it wrapped around her neck. Sarah tore it off, finding it was a scarf, then it turned into a snake again, she dropped it and it shattered into goblins who scattered around the room, they were all around now, watching her. Jareth warns her to take his offer, she no match for him, she can't do that, she has to have her brother back. He says she won't find him, so there is a place she figures and for a moment Sarah saw fear in his eyes, it was encouraging. 

He hesitates but says there is a place and points with his cane out the window towards a castle atop a mound the Goblin City. They were now no longer in the house but on a hill. “Turn back, Sarah, turn back, before it is too late.”p.36 She can't, the castle wasn’t too far off, it depended on what she comes across in the valley, was the darkness down there perpetual. Jareth warns it’s farther than she thinks, and time is shorter, she only has thirteen hours before her brother becomes one of them forever. She’ll start, he calls it a pity before disappearing, Sarah just glimpsed a white owl flying away, and taking one step off the hill, she fell. 

3 

Sarah slid down the hillside on her bottom terrified, getting jabbed by rocks and shrubs. She couldn't see in the dark, but she was determined, there was no limit to what she could do and maybe with luck she would save Toby. A lark call made her look up and see the sunrise, Jareth’s castle on the horizon, it seemed only a few hours away. She wondered if Jareth’s land worked by the same time as home, would her father and Irene find her missing and call the police. As the sun rose, she saw what was in the valley. “From the foot of the hillside where she sat, to the castle and beyond it, and from horizon to horizon on each sides, there stretched a vast, intricate maze of walls and hedges.”p.40 

She studied the Labyrinth trying to solve it and the impossibility started to overwhelm her. She went on through the rocks and shrubs to the great wall stretching farther than she could see. As she got closer she saw a little man and called out startling him and making him cross at her for disturbing him. He tried to look fierce but couldn't, he wasn't friendly but not hostile and Sarah asked if he could show her how to get through the Labyrinth. He ignored her and continued spraying the fairies to Sarah’s dismay calling him a monster. She picked it up only for it to bite her, the man said of course what did she expect it to do, grant wishes. “Shows what you know, don’t it?’p.43 (he’s not wrong Sarah has no actual experience with real fairies imagine someone picking up a horsefly thinking it’s just a little pony or something) The man goes on spraying and gave her leaves to rub on the bite, she did and cried out that it hurt more, the man laughed at her, payback for startling him.  

Sarah calls him horrible, he says his name is Hoggle and he goes on spraying, after he already knew Sarah was her name she suspects he knows a lot about her, maybe he’s a spy for Jareth, he’s not her idea of a spy. “If all her opinions were wrong, as he’d said, then this one might be wrong, too. But in that case, she thought, supposing he is a spy, then it might be his job to persuade me that all my opinions are wrong when really they are all correct. And if they are all correct, he is not a spy.”p.44 Her thoughts run in circles, it’s just like a puzzle from home unable to tell who is the liar. (so Sarah is definitely going to encounter this problem later) 

Sarah smiled at him and his face darkened unused to people smiling at him and when asked if he knows where the door to the Labyrinth is, he gives her the run around. It’s hopeless talking to him, “It’s hopeless asking you anything.” “Not if you ask the right questions.”p.45 The right questions depend on what she wants to know, how to get into the Labyrinth then she heard the same music that hummed around the Goblin King. “You got to ask the right questions if you want to get anywhere in the Labyrinth.”p.45  

Sarah saw a huge gate, now she had to find the key, it was sticking out under the mat, too heavy for her to lift and Hoggle refused to help her. Sarah snapped and called him names like she did to another girl when she was younger, (I think it’s already been established Sarah can be a real bitch) and Hoggle got angry. (pipsqueak really gets under his skin because he's a dwarf) “You! Ha! You’re so stupid you are, you take everything for granted.”p.46 If she weren't she’d just try the gate, it wasn't locked. (this reminds me of high school first period sometimes the teachers wouldn’t be there in time to unlock the classroom door so we’d all sit in the hall until someone came by with a key once we did that and the door wasn’t even locked it was just the lights were off and no one tried the door) Sarah says it’s clever, “You think you’re so clever,’ Hoggle said. ‘You know why? Because you aint learned nothing.”p46 

Sarah didn't like what she saw on the other side, it was dark, there was intense music (well yeah this is a musical) and the smell of things rotting. Two steps in and she was in a narrow hallway that was slimy and smelled of mildew. Hoggle got quiet asking if she was really going, yes, is there any reason why she shouldn't, every reason why she shouldn't, is there a good reason why she should, she has to. Should she go left or right, they both looked the same, then she won't get far, he wouldn't go at all. Hoggle repeats what he told her of taking things for granted. “This Labyrinth, for instance, even if you get to the center, which is extremely doubtful, you’ll never get out again.”p.48 His opinion is better than hers, she thanks him for nothing, Hoggle calls back not to say he didn't warn her, a few steps in the gate closed and wouldn't open. 

4 

Sarah went on her way as lichen watched her go and gossiped disapproving of her direction. After walking for a long while it still looked the same, not a turn or corner, and she thinks maybe she’s taking it for granted to go on and on. She wondered how much time she had left, “It wasn’t fair, not knowing.”p.50 She ran until she was exhausted and collapsed crying, there were still only walls, she beat on one in frustration and a little worm answered. (well she did knock on his house) Sarah realized if a worm can talk it may give her directions, it’s just a worm it doesn't know how to get through but invites her in for tea. She can't, she has get through but it just goes on, the worm says there are ways, she just doesn't see them. “There was no logic to it. Or maybe there was nothing but logic, and that was the trouble: all logic and no reason.”p.51 There was an opening right in front of her, things aren't what they seem here, so don't take then for granted. Sarah tried it and found another passage and thanks the worm (that keeps offering tea) who warns her not to go that direction, she thanks him and goes the opposite way to the worm’s relief as the other way would have led her to that dreadful castle. (remember what Hoggle said about asking the right questions) 

In the Goblin King’s chamber (it’s a pigsty) Toby was howling (even David Bowie said Toby was adorable but a screamer) as Jareth watched amused, no one else took notice of Toby, the goblins were skittering about doing their own things. Jareth wanted something to amuse him, the goblins were boring, too stupid to find their way through the Labyrinth, no wisdom or wit. (well you did kidnap them as babies what were you expecting) “In the old days, when many babies had been offered to him, Jareth had been more tolerant, reckoning that soon he would certainly find one who could be trained as a worthy companion to the throne, one whose young blood would serve to refresh Jareth’s, whose high spirits would dispel the thoughts of aging that oppressed the king of the Goblins.”p.53 (so what the youth from the infants also gave him youth) As calls became rarer Jareth became more dejected and avoided mirrors. (he’s as worried about his wrinkles like a twenty-year-old botox and filler addict) He might be lucky with Toby and he’ll help him rule his ramshackle empire, or just with mischief, nine more hours to wait, he needs something to pass the time. 

Sarah now came upon steps, a change from walls and turns, to make sure she didn't retrace her steps and marked a brick with her lipstick unknowing that a little creature behind her would turn the bricks over. She didn't see the goblins behind her as she went up to the dead-end chamber and when she turned around her arrow was gone. (What's That Sound Coming From The Ground Someone Is Turning All Of The Tiles Around~) Knowing something was fishy she called it unfair only for a voice to repeat the words behind her. The dead-end chamber now had two guards holding shields with two more guards holding on to them upside-down. (Find The Guards Hiding Behind Cards Ignore The One Outright Cause He Always Lies~) The way she came was now blocked off in a dead-end and she calls it unfair it keeps changing, what’s she to do, they suggest to try the doors one leads to the castle one to death.  

Jim and Tim can't tell her which door to use but Alph and Ralph can, but she can only ask one, it’s the rules. (the top two are Alph and Ralph and the bottom ones Jim and Tim because she though their names should rhyme) “And I think I should warn you that one of us always tells the truth, and one of us always lies.”p.57 (how do we know they’re not both liars and the both doors lead to the same place Samurai Jack taught me that) He accuses Ralph of being the liar, Ralph says he’s the one who tells the truth and it’s Alph who lies, Alph calls that a lie, Jim and Tim laugh at Sarah’s situation. Sarah thought of the question that will get the same answer (simple kill one and ask the other if the dead one is dead) and Tim laughed at her. Sarah tells them to answer yes or no, points to Alph and says to tell her that his door leads to the castle. Ralph says yes, so Sarah concludes the other door is the way because if he told her yes then the answer is no. Ralph says he could be telling the truth, then it would be a lie, if it were yes then the answer would be no. (ok point to one guard ask him which door the other guard would say is safe and do the opposite of what they agree on) Sarah is pleased with herself for getting smarter and walked through Alph’s door calling it a piece of cake before falling straight down a shaft. (see from the start the riddle was rigged by it’s own rules)  

NEXT

[crackspinewornpages]

It Can't Happen Here 38/38 -Sinclair Lewis

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Dr. Lionel Adams was a negro journalist an American consul in Africa (BA of Yale and PHD of Chicago) and was a professor of anthropology at Harvard University during Windrip’s election. After his position was taken over by a white man severely underqualified, in the chaos Lionel took to patience in the new slavery. He went across the country preaching to people to be realistic, make a future however they could. “not in some Utopian fantasy but on the inescapable basis of the ban against them.”p.321 In Burlington a colony of slave descendants that escaped to Canada had returned to be professionals and officials, Lionel bid them to seek improvement in the soul rather than social superiority. Shad (his real name is Oscar) came to censor the lecture, the first one he heard in his life and wasn't impressed. As Lionel preached, they were just as good to inspire rebellion, Shad arrested him and sent him to Trianon. Stoyt thought to make it a joke but Doremus and Pascal liked their new cellmate, so he was put in solitary. 

November 1938 had a big shock at Trianon as Shad was also imprisoned as he put half of them there. Rumors spread that Tasbrough turned him in because of grafts he didn't share and how the prisoners were going to kill him. The Minute Men were privileged prisoners, protected until they reformed and returned to the ranks with new knowledge of how to flog. They could not get to Shad and Doremus begged the plotters to restrain themselves, he knew Shad grew up with little and had little chance at life. “But more important then that, I don't believe in individual assassination as an effective means of fighting despotism. The blood of tyrants is the seed of massacre and-”p.324 Pascal cuts him off, he wanted Shad’s blood and the other cellmates agreed. 

The exercise hour was interrupted as one prisoner stumbled knocking another near Shad’s private cell. The incident made a crowd collect at it and at the edge Doremus saw Shad’s fearful face. Someone threw a lit wad soaked with gasoline and the cell quickly caught on fire, by the time they got Shad out he was dead. Cowlick was subsequently deposed and replaced with Shad’s friend Snake Tizra, a promise that the one who turned in the murderer would be let go, a following promise from the prisoners the one who snitched wouldn't live to get out. Swan was brought in and ordered ten of the two hundred to be randomly executed, (including Victor Loveland) suspects beaten more often and two weeks in December visits and letters were forbidden and new prisoners isolated. At night they whispered if this was really Tizra’s vengeance. “or whether something was happening in the World Outside that was too disturbing for the prisoners to know.”p.326 

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When her father went to prison and more timid rebels had been scared away, Mary took control of the Fort Beulah cell with just Sissy and Perefixe, all the other agents left. All she could do was help escaping refugees and spread all the minor anti Corpo news she could get with Julian gone. She wanted to kill Shad, who she suspected did the actual shooting, and Sissy was now terrified of her. (before this she once beat a farmer with a riding crop for torturing a dog) Mary was fed up with caution, “men who rather liked a vague state called Freedom but did not over much care for being lynched. She stormed at them. Call themselves men? Why didn't they go out and do something?”p.328 (yes call them out Mary) She was irritated at her mother and the praising blasts from Swan that made her want to kill him more than Shad. “That was the sort of thinking that the Corpos were encouraging among descent home-body women by their program for revitalizing national American pride.”p.328 

Two visitors at the same time were forbidden at the concentration camps, when Mary visited Doremus and Titus she asked if anything happens to her, when they get out, will they take care of David. (well this is foreboding) She gathered some money and left David behind for Albany, the story was she needed change and was staying with her husband’s sister. Two days after her arrival she enlisted at the Corpo Women’s Flying Corps to learn aviation and bombing. When the inevitable war happened, women’s rights may have been taken from them, “but never had they had more right to die in battle.”p.329  

After ten hours of instruction Mary had her first solo flight, (only ten hours well I guess they were less complicated back then) the instructor said she had no fear, she needed a little for mastery, she was also an obedient student in bomb instruction. (was told Swan gleefully killed a woman and a baby with a hand grenade during a riot) On her sixth solo flight in November she was at the field where Swan was boarding his private plane (rumored to have a desk that belonged to Hitler) surrounded by an adoring crowd as he goes off to Washington to see Windrip. “Wouldn't if* be awful if somebody took a shot at Mr. Swan and the Chief? Might change all history,”p.331 (I’m sure Gavrilo Princip thought the same also if* yes that typo was in the book from an edition printed in 2014 editors do better) The mechanic thought she was joking, as she flew behind and above Swan he was so guarded he could only be taken while in the air. Mary dropped three grenades but they missed the plane soon to land and the guards shooting at her. In ten seconds she didn't have enough time for a parachute, wishing she spent more time with David as the plane crashed. 

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Before Julian was arrested the New Underground in Montreal found no value in his reports of MM grafts and cruelty, but he was still able to warn five suspects to escape to Canada. When he was about to be promoted to Hanover, he had a plan of going to the family friend Tasbrough (I doubt he’s really a friend of the family) to become his secretary to sneak into his private files, before he could he was arrested in September by Shad. 

 Sissy wasn't allowed to visit Julian, after Mary was buried with military honors Philip came bumbling back home. He thought Mary and Doremus had a touch of madness, must run in the family, thankfully it skipped him. (it wasn’t madness but brains and common sense that skipped you) He suggests the rest of the family to come live with him and for Sissy to join the Women’s Corpo Auxiliary, he was so damned kind about it Sissy couldn't fly into a rage. (I could) He even bought David a little MM uniform and he wore it around chanting Hail Windrip. (imagine your nephew who’s father was murdered by the Gestapo play around the house in an SS uniform saying Hail Hitler) Emma and David went with him, Sissy will to stay at Lorinda’s after she finds a renter for the house. 

Now Shad made his move, she never hated and feared him so much as he had Doremus, Julian and Titus’s lives in his hands. She wondered if it’s wise to kill him, would it be worse for her father and Julian, would being hanged hurt. Shad suggests she come with him to New York for a few weeks and they could elope. Sissy says they couldn't live on his salary, they should pay him better, (is this her way to suggests he demand his superiors give him a raise and annoy them so he’ll fall out of their favor) Shad says he’ll be a millionaire soon and told her the secret she’d been fishing for. He wasn't just taking bribes from shops for protection against MMs, (someone call the A Team) he went into a partnership and had the books in his office desk. After she got him to leave, she cried, (Mrs. Candy was ready with a butcher knife if he tried anything) the next morning she told Tasbrough and she didn't see Shad again, though felt something when he was killed. “She found no heroism but only barbaric bestiality in having to kill so that one might so far live as to be half way honest and kind and secure. But she knew that she would be willing to do it again.”p.337 The house was rented by Shad’s replacement, Isham Hubbard, Sissy left for Lorinda’s and Perefixe took over the NU. 

Sissy was too snappish to be smothered and sent to bed, Mrs. Candy gave her enough already (you know when I was reading this I just imagined Candy as white like the other characters but now I’m wondering since this is the 1930s if she’s supposed to be the Mammy archetype) and Philip gave her all the parental advice she could endure, it was a relief when Lorinda treated her like an adult. Late at night, with no guests, Lorinda asked if it was Mary’s intent to kill Swan, the Corpos didn't seem to think so, of course they don't want assassinations to be talked about lest they become a habit. Lorinda agrees with Doremus, assassinations are mistakes in tactics, also she may get him out of the concentration camp. Aras Dilley is at Trianon now, she’s bribing him to help Doreus escape, they’ll have him out around Christmas and they’ll sneak him to Canada. A few days later they received a New Underground telegram, Lee Sarason deposed Windrip and took the dictatorship. 

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“In his two years of dictatorship, Berzelius Windrip daily became more a miser of power.”p.340 He told himself his ambition was to make all the citizens healthy and pure of mind and he was brutal only towards fools who wanted the old systems. After eighteen months and the border countries refusing his notes or joining (as it was his property already by Manifest Destiny) he got angry. Daily he wanted louder Yeses from everybody for encouragement, he suspected everyone who didn't play into his ego as conspiring against him, (he really is an overgrown child given too much power) his only companion was Sarason. He felt lonely and no longer went out except to barrooms until his cabinet protested that it wasn't dignified and too dangerous to be around strangers. So, he played poker with his bodyguards who let him win, he became the opposite of himself and couldn't see it. “All the while he loved the People just as much as he feared and detested Persons, and he planned to do something historic!”p.341 He would give everyone that five thousand a year as soon as he could arrange it. 

Lee Sarason was carefully making lists (was he also checking them twice) and beguiling officials to see him as their real lord and master of Corpoism. He kept promises while Windrip forgot, his door became one of ambition. His followers were the actual government minus the megaphones. (of course from the beggining we could read between the lines that Windrip was just the figurehead and mouthpiece for Sarason) He had reports hos the officials were dissatisfied with Windrip, he made allegiances and was satisfied his national song was being played abroad. 

As a banker worried about a missing hundred million dollars, (that’s over two billion now) Windrip worried about the obedience of the American citizens and approval of Sarason. (what his wife he saw once a week thought of him was unimportant) He depended on Sarason and hung out with him (including murdering) who now seemed behind a veil he couldn't penetrate. (no joke the book says he wants to get Lee to be a good boy and play with him) To bring back Sarason Windrip replaced him with Luthorne and Haik but Sarason wasn't concerned, he also tried to ply Sarason with expensive gifts (a new thousand dollar television set how fancy would a 22k tv set be today) but only coldly thanked. As Haik made the army double efficiency Windrip wondered if he could be his new confident, he wouldn't throw Sarason in prison though. “but still, Lee was so thoughtless about hurting his feelings, when he’d gone and done so much for him and all!”p.343 (oh Windrip is Sarason senpai not noticing you) Windrip was confused and more so when Beecroft said he was tired of the bloodshed and was going home. He could have him shot for his criticisms, in his irritation had the ex-senator and twelve concentration camp prisoners executed on the charges they told bad stories about him. 

Windrip actually lived in a hotel as he was frightened by the Reds and anti Corpos who found their way into the White House to murder him. (well he’s not wrong but with his paranoia I doubt they’re actually in the White House) He spoke to Sarason with with how well Haik took over his old job and suggests Luthorne could help him. Sarason reveals Luthorne was killed ten days ago, he was popular but dangerous with all his talk of Lincoln. Windrip is shocked to hear this, he never knows what’s going on, Sarason says it’s better not to bother him with the details. Windrip understands he’s protecting him, but he liked Luthorne. (he feels as lonely as Shad) Windrip asks if he thinks of the future, how’d he like to be Duke of Georgia in the American Kingdom, just stick to him and not forget what he’s done for him. Sarason says they still need to liquidate Vice President Beecroft and if Windrip is deposed or killed he’ll be president, (I see what you’re doing Sarason) Windrip won't believe his friend could do that. (well not that friend in particular) Sarason leaves it at that and goes to his bower he shares with several handsome MM officers, savage soldiers apt at music and poetry. He’d get angry at them, whip them and caress their wounds in apology, his old editor friends said he traded green eyeshadow for a violet wreath. (violets are one of the oldest queer symbols but more associated with lesbians pansies and green carnations were for gay men and lavender was inclusive to both) 

1938 in a cabinet meeting Sarason revealed disturbing news to the heads of government, Beecroft fled to Canada and joined Trowbridge and there were bubbles of rebellion demanding their states secede. Sarason ignores Windrip’s angry outbursts and suggests plotting incidents along the Mexican border and when the public got patriotic enough declare war, (this is called a false flag operation) Haik and Macgoblin agree with him. “Once, pointed out the learned Macgoblin, governments had merely let themselves slide into a war, thanking Providence for having provided a conflict as a febrifuge against internal discontent, but of course, in this age of deliberate, planned propaganda, a really modern government like their must figure out what brand of war they had to sell and plan the selling campaign conciously.”p.347 (nothing brings the collective population together like a war against a common enemy) Windrip says they aren't ready a war now might have the opposite effect, “You put arms into the hands of too many irresponsible folks, and they might use ‘em and turn against you and start a revolution and throw the whole dern gang of us out!”p.347 (wow Windrip that’s the first intelligent thing I’ve heard you say) The MMs were Sarason’s idea, who tells him to make up his mind, of thanking the citizen soldiers or fearing them. When he leaves Windrip complains he won't stand for him and may replace him. 

That night in his hotel Windrip woke up when Sarason, Macgoblin and Haik were allowed in his room. Sarason had a bowie knife ready to stab him, when Windrip realized he was about to be killed he tried to appeal to him, reminding Sarason of all he did for him. (like giving him money to visit his sick mother) Sarason couldn't do it and decides to send Windrip off to Europe, ten days later he was on a ship to Paris where he became a minor hero of a tragedy. Windrip got a little over on them, in his two years of despotism he secretly sent four million abroad to safe accounts. (almost 90 million today) “And so Buzz Windrip passed into wobbly paragraphs in recollections by ex-diplomatic gentlemen with monocles. In what remained of Ex-President Windrip’s life, everything was ex. He was even so far forgotten that only four or five American students tried to shoot him.”p.349 (...huh...well he survived three more than Trump)  

As they once advised and flattered Windrip, his sycophants turned allegiance to Sarason, he issued a proclamation that in revelation of Windrip’s embezzlement and plotting with Mexico to avoid war, he yielded to the Cabinet and took over the presidency. He immediately began appointing his young officer friends to the most respectable offices in the State and army. It amused him to see the shock on people as he appointed a pink faced twenty five year old to Commissioner of the Federal District. In the White House of Coolidge, Harrington and Hayes, he had orgies (says it’s an old word for parties but c’mon we know that’s not what you mean) with weaving limbs and garlands and wine. (so he’s running the White House like Roman emperor Elagabalus) 

It was hard for people like Doremus to believe it and for many saw Sarason’s regime as tragic. They were the Idealists of Corpoism, while not seeing Windrip & Co as perfect, saw them as saviors of the country from Mexico and indolence of the youth. These idealists planned to correct the errors of brutality and crookedness among the officials, convinced Corpoism was Communism cleansed of foreign domination and violence of mob dictatorship. (and were you living under a rock for the last two years) “Monarchism with the chosen hero of the people for monarch; Fascism without grasping and selfish leaders; freedom with order and discipline; traditional America without its waste and provincial cockiness.”p.351 Like all religious zealots they had blindness with government propaganda, (so they believe fake news) there was no more bloody cruelty, concentration camps or restrictions and were shocked by Sarason’s coup. 

Haik scolded Sarason for how he was influencing the troops, (well think of how it will build moral and bonding) Sarason laughed and wrote a poem for him that became a popular soldier ballad. Sarason was eager for a war with Mexico, Siam or Greenland, (you know Greenland is mostly ice right) or any country that would inspire painters to portray him as heroic and at Haik’s request wrote another song theoretically friendly with Mexico. Sarason wasn't flippant in his preparation for war while Macgoblin didn't join Sarason’s midnight diversions he was amused by them and warned Sarason of Haik’s ambition, Sarason isn't worried about a military bookkeeper. (he did your job better than you and runs the military you should be worried) That night he had a party and shockingly there were girls present, the next morning Haik rebuked him, a month later he struck. He stormed the White House (huh) with some troops and shot Sarason and his companions dead (wasn’t swayed like Sarason was) and proclaimed himself president. (all I can picture is that scene from Ella Enchanted where the evil uncle puts on the crown but you know more Macbeth like) Macgoblin fled to Cuba and was last seen in Haiti living with a young girl, (how young) practicing medicine and studying voodoo. 

When Haik became president America really did begin to suffer and long for the days of Windrip. Windrip and Sarason did not mind mirth in the streets as long as they could tax it, Haik disliked such things on principle. He told the populace they would not be receiving five thousand a year but instead Discipline, he kicked out all officers that could not march and ran the nation like a plantation, the people were too tired to complain or think. Under Haik there was less flogging because to save time they just shot the slaves who refused to work.  

Unlike Windrip and Sarason he actually used the clergy, “There were the chaplains-at-heart, who, if there was no war in which they could humbly help to purify and comfort the poor brave boys who were fighting, were glad to help provide such a war.”p.354 These practical shepherds were able to steal secrets better than spies, helpful in the months after February 1939 when Haik was working for a war with Mexico and afterwards other countries. “For even with an army of slaves, it was necessary to persuade them that they were freemen and fighters for the principle of freedom, or otherwise the scoundrels might cross over and join the enemy! So reigned the good king Haik, and if there was anyone in all the land who was discontented, you never heard them speak-not twice.”p.355 

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 The ban on outside information at Trianon had been raised, Mrs. Candy had come to visit and inform him of all that happened, none of it seemed real, especially Mary’s death. That Christmas Pascal made a tree of a spruce branch (they allow shanking material inside the prison) and cigarette foil and they thought of their imprisoned comrades Pascal only cared for the Communist ones, day by day losing his tolerance and everything that made him endurable. All hours he chattered on to annoyance, but sometimes converted his cellmates. “I tell you, an honest man gets sick when he hears the word ‘Liberty’ today, after what the Republicans did to it!”p.357 A lot of the MMs are fellows who couldn't find work, thinking when Windrip said Security he meant Security. (this was the truth for a lot of SS officers the country was in a depression a lot of young men that needed to support their families and here was this charismatic man who convinced you all your problems were the cause of a single group and to join him you’d be secured and able to support your loved ones)   

After the Corpos he went on about Communism, the city of Moscow, practically worshipping it, seeing the leisure of Russia as a triumph while in America it proved degeneration. Doremus as a journalist knew the only reporters that misrepresent facts more than Capitalists were Communists. (Soviet Russia had two papers the Truth and News and it was said there was no truth in news and no news in truth) Doremus was afraid it was no longer Communism against Fascism but the tolerance against bigotry that was preached equally by both. “But he saw too that in America the struggle was befogged by the fact that the worst Fascists were they who disowned the word ‘Fascist’ and preached enslavement to Capitalism under the style of Constitutional and Traditional Native American Liberty.”p.358 (...huh) Doremus had hoped through Communism their was an escape from dictatorship, but now saw he must be alone as a Liberal as the Tolerant preserve some arts of civilization under any tyranny. Anything worthwhile has been accomplished by the free spirit and preservation of it is important under any social system. “But the men of ritual and the men of barbarism are capable of shutting up the men of science and of silence them forever.”p.359 

It turned passionate Pascals into dangerous fanatics, now Doremus feared the next warden would be like Pascal, he remembered the Bolsheviks took control and again forbade freedom. Doremus slept in a cell with a stranger Henry, Clarence, Loveland and Falck were gone and Julian in solitary. His yearning for escape drove him to near insanity and obsession and his heart nearly stopped when Aras told him he’s going to help him escape. 

Aras loosened the bars and barbed wire in the alley leading outside but Doremus could still get shot on sight so for a week Aras fed an alcoholic guard booze from Lorinda’s money. Aras handed Doremus the keys, sending him to clean and he left Pascal and Truman behind. Outside Aras gave him an old MM coat and directions to the waiting van and left him alone. When Doremus got to the van he saw a member of the New Underground, they rushed him inside and assured him they’d get him through. “I tell you, there’s nobody got friends like a revolutionist...And enemies!”p.361 He was hidden, walked secret paths, and smuggled until he turned up at a farmhouse, it seemed like a mistake before he knocked and was greeted by Lorinda and Sissy. 

The house was sparsely furnished, but Doremus was in heaven and the two angels didn't hesitate to nurse him. Sissy had brought his old clothes and shoes, but their laughter became whimpers of horror when they saw his back. The tearoom wasn't safe so they set up this farmhouse for refugees, the system was easier now with boot paths and guards to bribe and forged passports. (seems like something you should have taken into account the first time) Doremus was safe, but to make him safer they disguised him as a younger man, Doremus didn't want his beard shaved but was proud of his youthful face. As Sissy ran the tearoom, he and Lorinda spent time together talking about the last six months. (and did other things) Three days later he had to leave, “and trudging off into the new prison of exile from the America to which, already, he was looking back with the long pain of nostalgia.”p.364 

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His beard had grown out again he was no longer amazed by food or soap, “But he had not yet got over the pleasure and slight amazement at being able to talk as freely as he would, as empathetically as might please him, and in public.”p.365 He sat with his new friends, Beecroft, the ex vice president and Elphrey, (Mr. Cailey) excommunicated from the Communist Party in America for siding with other political parties. Elphrey thinks the only solution is another dictatorship, if need be, violent but not governed by Moscow, Beecroft thought they all needed to return to the political days of McKinley. Doremus no longer cared how they spoke as he no longer feared spies and the next leaders wouldn't go back to a government of profits, by profits, for profits. 

Yet he was still lonely as he was at Trianon, no one would join him in Canada, (even though Emma could she wouldn't and Philip thought he could get him pardoned) so he had to associate will fellow refugees. He thought is take would be unique but no, he was one of thousands and Canadians were sick of being more sympathetic to the friendless and penniless. “the Canadians became distinctly weary of depriving their own families on behalf of unknown refugees,”p.367 (this sounds familiar) Ex governors were glad to get menial jobs, ex editors were plowing fields, so Doremus lived on twenty dollars a week (about 450 a week’s minimum wage today would be about 290) from the NU. Many other political escapees huddled together in small rooms much like at the concentration camps and spoke of Haik, Stalin, Mussolini and Hitler, confusing facts of them together. “and Doremus became a little sick of them all and of the final brutality of fact that no normal man can very long endure another’s tragedy, and that friendly weeping will some day turn to irritated kicking.”p.368  He couldn't work as a secret agent in America as loose lips caused the headquarters to suffer and they thought he wasn’t young or strong enough. 

After being in Montreal five months newspapers were full of America’s resentment towards Mexico because of raids when the troops were away, and they burned a town while all the women and children were out of it. (hmm how suspiciously lucky) Haitian, Ethiopian, Chinese and Mexican patriots with pained consciouses confessed to MMs about Mexico’s plans to bomb major cities, and reporters were on the scene within a half an hour. (as if they were camping out in the area) “To answer this threat, America, the one country that had never lost a war and never started an unjust one, rose as one man,”p.370 (...you can really tell when something was written pre Vietnam war) As soon as refrigeration and air conditioning could be readied the invasion would happen, (can’t let the troops going to war be slightly uncomfortable or be served dry rations) within a month five million were drafted. Doremus and Elphrey discussed it, considering it as absurd as all wars, “in the baldness of the lying by both sides about the causes;”-”The only thing not absurd about wars, said Doremus and Cailey, was that along with their skittishness they did kill a good many millions of people.”p.370 (sadly you’re not wrong there) They both recanted that as both made exceptions of the people’s war against tyranny as suddenly the war with Mexico was checked by a rebellion against the Corpo regime. (well it’s about time) 

There were patches of territory that were loyal to Haik, still others joined the rebels, the parts of America that were the most radical, the land of the Popularists. “Whatever might happen, exulted Doremus, the revolt proved that belief in America and hope for America were not dead.”p.371 Before in the election most of these rebels believed in Windrip’s fifteen points, returning powers to the people and month after month of being cheated felt indigent. They were too busy with their own work until they were told to march to war and awoke to their situation. “While they had been asleep, they had been kidnapped by a small gang of criminals armed with high ideals, well-buttered words, and a lot of machine guns.”p.371 There was a comic outbreak of ill-trained, confused revolutionists, even Haik jeered at them. By August the shock came when General Coon took control of Fort Snelling and held office in place of temporary president Trowbridge until a new election. 

Not all, but enough regulars joined Coon who were fed up with the Corpos and soon they won the battle of Mankato and took control of Kansas City and planned to march on. The revolt halted for a bit, “because in America which had so warmly praised itself for its ‘widespread popular free education’, there had been so very little education; widespread, popular, free, or anything else, that most people did not know what they wanted-indeed know about so few things to want at all.”p.372 The many schools lacked literate teachers and eager pupils and school boards that saw teaching worthy of any honor or pay higher than waiting tables. (damn does this resonate now) 

In two and a half years, most electors did not learn humility besides that it was unpleasant to be arrested too often. After the revolt slowed neither the Corpos nor their opponents knew how to self-govern or fit themselves for freedom, most didn't learn, ‘Give me liberty or give me death’, was more than a slogan. The followers of Coon and Trowbridge called themselves ‘The American Cooperative Commonwealth’, held the territory they seized and drove out the Corpo agents, but their politics were as unstable as Ireland. (Ireland only has a few more months to reunify as foretold by Star Trek the Next Generation) By October Doremus was called by Trowbridge’s chairman for him to report to General Barnes to proselytize Minnesota, so Doremus went off to play spy and hero. (he was disappointed it wouldn't be as romantic as he thought) 

38 

As Doremus waited for the train to Winnipeg he hardly recognized Lorinda in disguise and kissed her, she came to say farewell and tell him the news. The concentration camps are more guarded and worse now, Julian and Pollikop are still there and Perefixe is running the NU in Fort Beulah. Emma and David are doing well (Emma is irritating her daughter in law) and Sissy is an adept agitator contriving to assault all Capitalism and planning her and Julian’s future together. Tasbrough was in repentance and let out of Corpo prison and his new housekeeper, Mrs. Candy, was sending his secrets to the NU. After telling him all that, as she ran down the train platform and waved back, he realized she didn’t know where to find him. “that no one who loved him would have any stable address for him now any more.”p.376 

William Barton Dobbs was a traveling man for farm machinery and was now in Minnesota, a state still loyal to Haik. He ate breakfast (the an embargo on sugar must say something on the state of the country and its relations to others) in the hotel and read the papers with conflicting information, The Great victory in Mexico, same as the other three in the last two weeks, shameful rebellions put down and how Trowbridge was assassinated, kidnapped and resigned. Outside the hotel an MM squad was marching with farm boys recruited for the war trying to pipe the new war song. Once the people would shout for Haik now it was jeers calling for Trowbridge, Dobbs felt sorry for them. (but the change in attitude showed his efforts were working) “as he watched the frightened toy soldiers...not too toy-like to keep them from dying.”p.378 

As he drove, he missed Fort Beulah and the mountains but was exalted by the open sky and prairies. To a farmer he introduced himself as Dobbs representing a Combine Implement Company. The farmer recognized him and takes him to seven men in the farmhouse waiting and Doremus gives them news of Coon’s rebellion and they share theirs. The agents find it difficult to convert farmers, but Doremus tells them poverty for one is poverty for all, not a new argument but useful carrots for human mules. Some saw Trowbridge as a Bolshevik or a Fascist quack, for the pro Nazis tell them Haik plans to ship anyone with German grandparents back to the Fatherland. 

As he drove to his next stop he thinks he doesn't believe that Haik story is true, so he’ll stop using it, but then again, “if you did tell the truth to a Nazi, it would still be a lie.”p.379 All the same he’ll stop using it and also order an attack on MM posts at Osaks, they’re ready. (he also wonders if that shotgun charge was meant for him) He stayed at the house of Trowbridge worshippers and dreamed he was back in Trianon, then heard the trumpets that invited out all prisoners and, in the quadrangle, stood General Emmanuel Coon saying they are free. The prisoners marched or crawled out weeping, beyond the soldiers Doremus saw women and children waiting for them and his family, then all of them fled at the sight of Shad. His host woke him up then, telling him the Corpos are after him, so he rode out to a hidden cabin were men awaited news of freedom. “And still Doremus goes on in the red sunrise, for a Doremus Jessup can never die.”p.381 (and that's how it ends with nothing solved and America practically in another civil war)

(seeing all these modern parallels is eerie and disheartening how the more things change the more they stay the same)  

FIRST

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It Can't Happen Here 31/38 -Sinclair Lewis

26 

The Informer closed at eleven Dan Wilgus stayed behind looking at posters advertising a parade, that Windrip was defying the world. Alone, he switched out the eight point type with an old ten point and ran into Doc Itchitt as he left, telling him about how Doremus should see the regime is here to stay. He stopped to watch a bar, Pete Vutong came out staggering drunk but sobered when he saw Wilgus. Pete was only a secret agent for a week and four times that week Wilgus dropped packages into his Ford that Pete would later dump in a ditch by Titus’s. (the drop off chain worked when Wilgus was searched for print type) Out walking his dogs Titus would pick it up and the next day Wilgus would on eight point type a pamphlet about Corpo crimes written by Doremus. 

The Corpos now lisenced and regulated printing and paper purchases so it was impossible to get supplies for treasanous literature. Wilgus stole the type and the three together stole an old printing press from the Informer basement, and paper was smuggled from Canada by Pollikop. (you know you can make you paper from recycled paper pulp) Wilgus was mostly moved into action by Doremus and his dislike of Itchitt. Titus offered his basement as the headquarters and the cell was composed by mid March. (long list of those that work for it) “But whoever they were, of whatever faith or station, Doremus found in all of them the religious passion he had missed in the churches; and if alters, if windows, of many-colored glass, had never been particularly holy objects to him, he understood them now as he gloated over such sacred trash as scarred type and a creaking hand press.”p.259 

Doremus was as busy as he had never been in his newspaper days, printing pamphlets and weeklies about the crimes of the MMs and Corpos from correspondents. Doremus found no other citizen knew a hundredth of what actually happened in the country. Windrip and Co found the state can be controlled via press and breaking apart associations and keeping artillery within the government, Doremus realized their lives were unimportant accidents.  Windrip was becoming more paranoid, (he shot two bodyguards for laughing) all over rise of crime and degeneracy and murders without arrests or suspects. (Einstein was also exiled from America) Pollikop said things like this happened before, they just didn’t pay attention because it was regular news, (he does have a point I have had this argument several times with my grandmother the crime was always there you just didn’t hear about it as much) he fears if Trowbridge does take Windrip’s place it will be the same. 

Doremus tried to translate a German correspondent, they praised Windrip while also saying he’s too liberal with the Jews. (it’ still the 1930s) The Communists, despite the risk, sent him reports of miners and factory workers imprisoned for their criticism, still they vilified the New Underground. News bulletins came on anything, arrived any way, all at once he heard the Battle of Waterloo, the invention of the telegraph, the Crusades. “and if it took him ten days to get the news, it would take historians ten decades to appraise it. Would they not envy him, and consider that he lived in the very crisis of history!”p.265 (as someone living through one of those interesting times in history no) All through this Doremus had to avoid behavior that would send him to a concentration camp. 

Whit Bibby was a fish monger, to suspect him of sedition was absurd, he left an order of fish wrapped in newspaper and pamphlets, the next morning they were sent to farmers. Olmstead and Julian drove out to Truman Webb’s several times for his ailing aunt under the plan to smuggle out Congressman Ingram to Canada. At Tasbrough’s quarry Titus and Pollikop pretended t have car trouble and when MMs weren’t looking, dumped seditions into the quarry. Most were gathered and destroyed but a hundred were found by quarrymen and passed on. Sissy was charming up Shad and found he Reek and Tasbrough were in a racket and Mrs. Candy had a counsin who stiole the books, Sissy took pictures and they smuggled it back. 

27 

Mary was moved more by homicidal hate, it was her tonic out of grief, just yards away from MMs she’d drop crumpled seditions where they'd catch the eye of passersby. She’d steal Reader’s Digests and magazines and return them with leaflets. Lorinda left behind the Tavern and moved into Titus’s to scandal and Doremus would sometimes stay overnight. (you cheating bastard) Lorinda the feminist was now demanding and Doremus was happy in those errands, loving more to give than receive. (and yet you don’t give to your wife) 

This would be an adventure, printing pamphlets was only the beginning of their activities, they’d infiltrate Washington, explode the Corpo state with secret information then after they’d run away together, if they were arrested they’d die together. Lorinda noticed since they began this diligence Doremus hasn’t been as passionate of the New Underground. He says her attitude is a holdover from her religious training, that she has a duty towards the human race that probably enjoys being under Windrip. (you motherfucker) Of course it is, but still Dimick wants to send her to the Canadian border to take charge of the cell there she has to leave. Doremus knows Lorinda suggested it, does she want to get away from him, yes the world’s in chains they can’t be free to love until they’re off. (or until Doremus no longer has a wife remember) 

28 

The information Sissy was able to get out of Shad was important and built the puzzle with information from Doremus and everyone else. Julian says he wants them to go camping and he’ll still kill Shad for her, but she has to do it. She says the worst that could happen is she’ll be raped, since 1914 people believe it’s no more serious than a broken ankle. (some people still believe that and it’s the woman’s fault for it) She can think of worse fates but she is curious about it, (WTF) but not by Shad, he has BO. She’d be willing to have it happen if it saves someone from him. “I’m not the playgirl of Pleasant Hill any more, I’m a frightened woman from Mount Terror!”p.276  

The whole thing was surreal to Sissy and found Emil’s date harder to tolerate than Shad who served high balls and sandwiches. (how can ice cream have six colors and only two strawberry flavors) Shad waited for the two to leave so he and Sissy can be alone and he can charm her. He nauseated her but she still made herself provocative, the same procedure from all the boys. She shivered when he touched her knee and she shied away from him and he complains she still thinks he isn’t good for anything, (well you aren't) she says she still thinks of him as a playmate. She says her father used to work on a farm for money (a lie) and Shad softens thinking Doremus isn’t so bad just stubborn and Sissy asks if he’ll protect him, he’ll see as long as he behaves and she’s nice. 

Sissy worked her charms to get information on who’s going to be arrested next but he caught on and won’t give in. Sissy says she just wants to see an arrest, it is exciting, it isn’t unwomanly to want to see it right, the real womanly thing is a little love making. (he refers to himself as papa *gags*) he feels her up and Sissy starts crying out of anger saying she needs time, he doesn’t want a hussy in his position does he. She fled into his bedroom to make rubbings of his keys but couldn’t get one or a mold in soap, losing time she hastily left the hotel room. 

She rounded the hotel corner to find Julian, (who looks ready to shoot someone) she told him nothing happened, she’s just an awful spy. Something came of this, her courage resolved Julian to join the MMs to work from within, he and Sissy just have to have a public break up. When she firsts sees him in his MM uniform in the dark she shrieked, “That blue tunic and slanting forage cap which, in the cinema and history books, had meant youth and hope, meant only death now...”p.282 She threw herself on him to protect him from his own uniform, in the uncertain love she started to grow up. 

29 

The New Underground consisted of hundreds of the most professional journalists, the Corpos also had a renowned staff. Almost daily Windrip and his cohorts addressed the General Public, congratulating them and making the new world through American solidarity. “If there ever is a Fascist dictatorship here, American humor and pioneer independence are so marked that it will be absolutely different from anything in Europe.”p.284 The year Windrip had power it seemed true, within that time scientists found whips and handcuffs hurt as bad in free American air as Prussia. (the country was abolished in 1933 but continued to exist under Nazi dictatorship until 1945) Reading hidden books Doremus found the involvement of dictatorships was the same, in this land the homicidal maniacs had the same fun as they did in Europe. 

Windrip promised to make everyone richer and then contrived to only make everyone but a few hundred poorer, (like every other politician promising help to the poor only to turn and make them poorer while finding his rich buddies tax breaks) too show an increase in wages prices rose. Even loyal Corpos wondered why the military was being increased, was Windrip that paranoid, was he planning an invasion, even so with taxation there wasn’t enough to pay them. They forced exports, increased production, stripping farmers with depreciated prices while at home prices increased, so now the farmer starved. (yeah we’re feeling that inflation now) “The hardest phenomenon of dictatorship for a Doremus to understand, even when he saw it daily in his own street was the steady diminutive of gayety among the people.”p.286 America was never a gay nation, (sometimes the jokes writes themselves) but there was false cheerfulness that lessened now day by day as Corpos milked taxes on public pleasures so all the world stayed home anxiously worried about spies. “After the bread had molded, the circuses were closed.”p.287 

Communities so isolated and conspirators so unfamiliar to each other, only by inexplicable faith could they go on. Titus and the rest were armatures against Corpo propaganda. “It seemed worse that futile, it seemed insane, to risk martyrdom in a world where fascists persecuted Communists, Communists persecuted social-Democrats, Social-Democrats persecuted everybody who would stand for it ; where “Aryans” who looked like Jews persecuted Jews who looked like Aryans and Jews persecuted their debtors; where every statesman and clergyman praised Peace and brightly asserted that the only way to get Peace was to get ready for War.”p.288 What reason would a person have to seek righteousness in an unrighteous world why do anything Doremus never found a reason he just went on. 

The New Underground ran for three months, in June Tasbrough called on Doremus, after small talk he told Doremus of upcoming government promotions and he’s being considered to take over Reek’s position. He needs to keep it secret but if he could throw in his influence, Doremus warns he’s the worst person to be favored by. That's just it, the Corpos don't like him, but they do respect him, he was important to the state for a long time, it will give him a leg up if they think he converted Doremus to Corpoism. This job will help his business, and he could get the Informer from Staubmeyer and back to him if he stops criticizing the Chief and state or he could get him a different job if he came to his senses. Doremus turns him down so Tasbrough turned cold to his family and Doremus hinted at the promotions and forgot about Tasbrough happily. (uh maybe keep an eye on Tasbrough) 

30 

Worse than having to be civil to Tasbrough a newspaper man was arrested as an editor of the New Underground paper and author to all Doremus and Lorinda wrote. As he went to a concentration camp Doremus was prevented from confessing, he explained to Emma who thought it was lucky someone else was blamed. She didn't understand fully what they were doing and was glad Lorinda was gone with all her crazy ideas of workmen and women’s rights she was a bad influence on Doremus and wondered why Titus and Sissy snorted at that. Why couldn't he associate with more lovely people like Tasbrough, Staubmeyer and Crowley, why couldn't he be a gentleman and stay out of politics. She thought the marching MMs was a fine show and while she didn't like Windrip he wasn't so bad. (Emma I’m trying so hard to defend you) 

As Tasbrough predicted the omelet makers did climb, and he was promoted to District Commissionership at Hanover and Swan was the new Provincial Commissioner. (Windrip is also worried about the growth of effeminacy in Sarason who was previously caught in a gentleman’s club) Twenty-four hours in his new position he tried an eighty year old mother of a New Underground agent and put her in a concentration camp in a disused quarry that had a foot of water. (so he plans for all the dirty water to make her sick and kill her) The New Underground sent out warnings of precaution, agents were disappearing, Titus scoffed at Doremus’s nervousness but also noticed suspicious characters.  

One evening Doremus was being followed to Titus’s by a man that looked like Shad, out of sight he bolted to Titus’s and warned him they might have to pack up and move and he called Julian to warn him in German. An hour later Wilgus came to say he saw Aras snooping around his house in disguise, they need to leave quick. Following Doremus’s orders they were on the move by three in the morning. The next day Julian invited Shad, Itchitt and Staubmeyer to Titus’s for poker and Titus’s told them they could get beer from the basement and bathrooms were upstairs. Shad and Itchitt were gone longer than normal, after they left the party broke up and Titus laughed about Shad searching the basement and finding nothing. 

On June thirtieth Doremus composed articles on the murders ordered by Sawn, the next day he noticed the suspicious man they kept seeing around. He was followed by someone they saw wearing an MM uniform in a parade, the third day he warned Truman to halt printing. At home Sissy told him she turned down Shad’s invite to an MM Fourth of July picnic. That night Doremus couldn't sleep wanting to flee, but what of the family he could hear fireworks and awoke in the morning angry nothing happened. (really Doremus really be careful what you wish for) 

The MMs got ready for the parade and the American Legion was completely suppressed, a number of the members were shot. After the Jessups went home it heavily stormed later a car skidded into their driveway and out came five Minute Men. One struck Doremus before he was arrested as they tore apart his house as Emma and Sissy watched in horror. They found an article on Swan and Doremus demanded to see Shad and Tasbrough, the lead Ensign ignored him. He was driven to the courthouse and taken to another undescriptive truck, Titus, Truman and Wilgus were already arrested. (Titus calls them something censored but one can assume – – means mother fuckers) 

They were driven three hours to Dartmouth campus, headquarters of the Corpo District Commissioner, hopefully Tasbrough would free them. They didn't see Tasbrough, instead he was locked in a room where the MMs kicked him around before he was led to the bull pen. Titus was led to the trial room after an hour Doremus heard him cry out in pain and choke gasping, Doremus was next. Instead of Tasbrough it was the Ensign that arrested him and sentenced him to twenty-five lashes and castor oil (it’s used as a laxative) but Doremus was too angry to admit anything. The doctor forbids anymore lashes, Doremus calls him out for being a doctor working with murderers. Doremus was lashed and interrogated for three days, he almost broke when told Titus already confessed but he refused to believe them or turn in others to be released. 

He was let out for half an hour’s exercise with fifty other prisoners and made eye contact with Titus, Wilgus couldn't walk and Doremus was told the next day he hung himself. (he definitely didn’t hang himself) Then Doremus was taken to another room where he met the new Provincial Commissioner, Swan. He read the article and asked if Doremus pleads guilty before calling in Tasbrough who throws him under the bus, Shad also admits Doremus tried to get him to join in a plot against him. (both are lying POS but Shad doesn’t even look him in the eyes) If it weren’t for his age and senility he’d be sentenced to a hundred lashes like all Communists that threaten the State, so he’ll have another twenty lashes and be sent to a concentration camp for seventeen years and if he tries to escape death. (Doremus is already in his sixties this is meant to be death) 

31 

The old girl’s school at Trianon was in worse shape than Dartmouth (says something about a dictatorial regime turning everything into a shithole) ran by Superintendent Cowlick (yes that’s his name) a mild man, too mild to hurt the MMs feelings and let Doremus lie for a month to recover. The doctor permitted Olmstead to come and at last Doremus had news, the women were alright, Titus is at another camp, the NU is doing what it can do and Julian was promoted to Squad Leader. “Yes, we carry on...About like an oxygen tent for a patient that’s dying of pnemonia!”p.310 

After Doremus recovered he was made to clean, better than being worked to death or isolation where you’re forced to stay awake for days. He saw the others as comrades, once a successful capitalist, he too found himself as helpless as a janitor let go by the Big Business. “Yet he still told himself stoutly that he did not believe in a dictatorship of the proletariat any more than he believed in a dictatorship of the bankers and utility owners;”p.310 He felt he was a better reporter than Itchitt and better at politics than a factory worker, now the bourgeois pride was gone. 

Scrubbing gave him a chance to hear gossip, prisoners were acquaintances, Pascal, Pridewell and Henry became inmates, having more courage and arrogance than anyone else in the prison. Doremus shared a cell with five other men (the room was 12 by 10 and eight feet high and called too small for one woman) the got used to indignity as one does cancer. “Only it left in them a murderous hatred of their oppressors so that they, men of peace all of them, would gladly have hanged every Corpo mild or vicious. Doremus understood John Brown much better.”p.312 The worst was the waiting, “It became a distinct, tangible thing, as individual and real as Bread and Water.”p.312 Another ghost haunted them the notion of Escaping, they had to be careful talking about it snitches were everywhere. Doremus didn't believe a man could betray his companions until after two months Clarence Little betrayed Henry’s plans and was released, Doremus tried to reason him suffering tuberculosis bled out his soul. 

Every two weeks they allowed one visitor but an MM stood two feet away, Doremus pompous son Philip came, hurt when told his father would rather the dog visit. (they also got useless censored letters) Pascal was now his closet friend, ferreting out scandals of the guards, they were afraid he’d start talking so brought him gifts to be in his good graces. After Aras gave Shad information on Crowley and was transferred to Trianon and saw Pascal he became kind.  

From the window Doremus saw horrors that September he saw Henry executed by firing squad. Worse, he saw Julian and his grandfather brought in as prisoners to the torture room. Two weeks later Julian told him he was caught writing on MM grafts, Sissy wasn't caught but Doremus is worried she’ll be raped by Shad. By the end of September he thought he’d make another ten years when the sadistic Ensign Stoyt dragged him out of his cell to Cowlick’s office. They know he was connected to Julian’s treachery who already confessed, if he corroborates he can have his own cell, he won't confess and he was left to Stoyt. Stoyt was initially gentle with the interrogation but then had Julian’s grandfather brought in who denied confessing, Stoyt beat him and he prayed for god to forgive them before he died.  

In Paris Guilluame Semit wrote on his fourth trip to the US in 1938, he never saw such a abounding health and good spirits. Parades, athletic conferences of Minute Men, the Corpo Youth Movement, had such contented faces and enthusiasm for the leader and hero worship Windrip. Macgoblin showed him the labor camps where the assembled were content. Unlike the false reports of concentration camps they were just reeducation schools for adults misled by prophets of Liberalism. (yeah you know they just had their own people replace the wage slaves for the ruse) France and Britain are still in the throes of Parliamentarianism and Democracy, sinking into debt and industry by men too afraid or power hungry to cast off outdated techniques unlike Germany, America and Italy. “and other really courageous peoples, and places the sane and scientific control of the all-powerful Totalitarian State in the hands of Men of Resolution!”p.320 

In October Pollikop arrived at Trianon, he and Pascal started their old arguments and Doremus felt at home again. (but he thought the dog had more economic wisdom than them all and was smart enough to pretend not to talk) 

Back in his hotel suite Shad thought he got a dirty deal, sending more to the concentration camps than anyone yet not promoted for it. He was back from an honorary dinner and felt disconnected from all the snobs showing off and paid no attention to him about arresting Julian’s grandfather in his own church. “He was lonely. The fellows he had once best known, in pool room and barber shop, seemed frightened of him, and the dirty snobs like Tasbrough still ignored him.”p.321 He was lonely for Sissy, since her dad was sent to Trianon she didn't come around to him even though he was a County Commissioner and she the daughter of a criminal. He was almost willing to marry her if it’d get her but when he hinted at it she laughed at him. “He had thought, when he was a hired man, that there was a lot more fun in being rich and famous. He didn't feel one bit different than he had then! Funny!”p.321  

NEXT

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It Can't Happen Here 25/38 -Sinclair Lewis

21 

It wasn’t just the November sleet that kept Doremus at home he felt there was no point in going to the office. “He could find no authentic news even in the papers from Boston or New York, in both of which the morning paper had been combined by the government into one sheet, rich in comic strips, in syndicated gossip from Hollywood, and, indeed, lacking only news.”p.210 (so modern news sites then) He was overhearing Emma and Mrs. Candy discussing chicken pir recipes when Sissy slammed into the room when she should be in high school. She won't go anymore and pledge to the corporate state, chief commissioners, the Mystic Wheel and troops (you know it is your American right not to stand for the pledge those soldiers fought for our right to choose not be forced like a dictatorship) and she definitely won't go to university. 

Julian shuffled in, the Corpos are closing Amherst, he was topped off they’ve been arresting students and decided to run. Doremus can't get him a job at the Informer, remember a few years ago when medics, law graduates and engineers couldn't get a job, (they mean during the Great Depression but this also hits today as for years we were pushed on go to college and get a degree in anything well now there’s a high supply and low demand and a fuck ton of debt) it’s worse now and Julian doesn't know what to do. His only options seem to be enlist with the MMs, (a classic choice of those out of school and don’t know what degree to get or how to function on their own or have little to survive on) or go to a labor camp, (where you’re basically a wage slave) he can't keep living off his grandfather. Sissy says he could get a job hauling farm beams for decorating phony old English living rooms and Pollikop will sell her an old truck. They go off to talk to Lorinda about it, she was at the Tavern making doughnuts and took them to the butler pantry. Lorinda tells them there’s no chance anymore, there’s too many middlemen and contractors that follow Windrip’s politics, “good old Windrip is so consistently American that he’s kept up all our traditional grift, even if he has thrown out all our traditional independance.”p.213 

Back in the sedan they were miserable, and Julian asked Sissy if she’ll marry him when he finds a job, Sissy says marriage seems like rot now with how they brought down all the old institutions. She’d like to have a dozen kids but now she won't have any. “But if people have gone so soft and turned the world over to stuffed shirts and dictators, they needn’t expect any decent woman to bring children into such an insane asylum! Why the more you really do love children, the more you’ll want ‘em not to be born, now!”p.214 (damn this is progressive for the 1930s) Julian says yes but they’ll still have them, Sissy supposes so. (as usual is the case) Doremus found Julian a job with Dr. Marcus Olmstead wanting to replace Greenhill, he wouldn't hire any MMs or those that half agreed with them. After a week of driving Olmstead around Julian decided to be a doctor, (after flip flopping through career choices) and from hearing him and Sissy boasting Doremus had enough resolution to go back to the Informer and not kill Staubmeyer. 

22 

December 10th was Windrip’s birthday before he realized lies could be used against you, (well you think they’d at least make a dent in your credibility as a politician) he claimed it was the 25th and his middle name was Noel Weinacht. (you really have a narcissistic messiah complex don’t you) This birthday commemorated the Order of Regulation, the government, fed up, announced anyone found to discredit the State would be executed or interned, as the prisons were full of criminals and those under protection (sure Jan) concentration camps would be opened across the country. On the eleventh one was opened to celebration and speeches, nine miles north of Forth Beulah in what had been a school for girls. Every day after that Doremus got secret correspondence from his journalist friends of Corpo terrorism and rebellions against them. Arkansas, San Francisco, Pawtucket, Scranton, Kansas, New York, the working class and malcontents rebelled and faced the MMs retribution whether they were guilty or not. 

At dinner the Jessups heard tramping outside their door, Mrs. Candy answered it and Shad barged in, they're burning books and they’re raiding Doremus’s study. Doremus already removed anything that could be deemed radical and hid them in a sofa. Shad used to work there and knows there has to be something and wants the whole house searched and destroys Doremus’s inherited set of Dickens. “Doremus could not have stayed away from the book-burning. It was like seeing for the last time the face of a dead friend.”p.222 Who owned them and why they were seized he did not know, but they burned. “to the greater glory of the Dictator and the greater enlightenment of his people.”p.223 Karl Pascal was arrested for his books and second to be sent to the Fort Beulah concentration camp, the first was Brayden, an electrician, all because an MM wanted his job and he was dead by January.  

An English glob trotter spent two weeks studying the conditions of America. His report to the BBC said the populace has never been so happy and set on making a Brave New World (this may be a subtle hint to the rest of the world that America has gone to shit because in the book Brave New World is a dystopia where emotions individuality are conditioned out of the people controlled by censorship to negate human autonomy) and a Hebrew banker was amused by the rumors of his people being oppressed.  

23 

Doremus was nervous as Staubmeyer went over his private letters, somebody already went through his office desk. Now he fears of going to a concentration camp and wary of everyone. Buck called for Doremus and his family to be home with Lorinda and Julian, he’s got an idea. Buck arrived ten minutes late with news the fire’s getting close, they arrested the editor of the Rutland Herald, Doremus must be next, he had to get out to Canada by car the governments stopped planes, they all have to go. There’s no time to go through his investments so sign them over they can trust him, and he can cash them better since the Corpos like him. He’s got everything set and can drive them tomorrow if the weather is clear. “I’m not going to flee. I’m not guilty of anything. I haven’t anything to flee for!” “Just your life, my boy, just your life!”p.227 Doremus planned to stay but everyone protests and Shad being a creep towards Sissy he agreed to go, but once they were safe he planned to return for a proper fight or at least kill Shad. 

A week before Christmas everyone acted normal as they prepared, Mrs. Candy was to stay behind and act surprised when the Jessups were reported escaped. They packed what they could fit in their coats and in a free moment Doremus and Lorinda said goodbye. Everyone and the dog piled into the car and Julian, who staying behind asked Sissy to send a postcard and Mrs. Candy hands them a coconut cake. 

Buck knew all the backroads to Canada and Doremus was sick with fear as he drove in the blizzard thinking of what ifs for hours. Before they hit the border the car got stuck in a drift, as they went out to look the headlights showed an empty cabin and Emma offered to make coffee there. When the car got unstuck, they were comfortable inside the cabin eating cake and didn’t want to leave the security behind on the road. A few more miles to the border and anxiety built when a searchlight almost made Buck swerve off the road. Two MMs asked where they were going, Buck says they’re from Montreal and going home and hands over forged papers. They don’t believe them and say they have to wait for the Battalion leader at noon and ask why they aren’t using the highway. Buck says they’ll come back at noon, but the three other border points turned them back, they had to go home. 

24 

He couldn’t decide if Staubmeyer and Shad knew of the escape attempt and he found it more infuriating to write anything about Windrip and he couldn’t bring  himself to hope. He cheered up when Philip called that he’s coming to visit and checkup, he’s proud of his son being a successful lawyer. (pride comes before the fall) He was shocked when Philip said Swan must have made a mistake with Greenhill, the judge has a wonderful reputation. Philip didn't bring it up again until midnight when he brought up his father’s troubles with the authorities. Philip’s sees he was wrong not to vote for Windrip, he sees now he has real statesmanship. Doremus points out he killed his brother-in-law and plenty of other good men, does he really condone that, no but you can't make an omelete without breaking eggs. 

At that Doremus explodes, “It’s used to justify every atrocity under every despotism, Fascist or Nazi or Communist or American labor war. Omlete! Eggs! By God, men’s souls and blood are not eggshells for tyrants to break!”p.238 Philip says he’s thinking realistically, another excuse for murder, but he knows horrible things happen you can forgive a means to an end, (history tends not to look fondly on that) Doremus will do nothing of the kind. He can never forgive evil or fanatics that excuse it then quotes Romain Rolland. “a country that tolerates evil means-evil manners, standards of ethics-for a generation, will be so poisoned that it never will have any good end.”p.238 (glances at 1930s Germany) 

Philip snapped a bit out of it, the only thing he knows of the Corpos is they saved them from an invasion of red agents, (you really believe that sounds more like fake news) forgetting his father works with newspapers. (Doremus wonders if he was wise not to lick the brat as a child) Philip says the point is Windrip and the Corpos are here to stay, and they have to base their actions on it and what they’ve already done. The Corpos have spiritual gains, revitalizing the whole country, they had gotten sordid with comforts and lost their sturdiness, so many young men were refusing to take military drills, (wonder how he’d view the antiwar protests of the 60s and 70s) but he forgot his father’s a pacifist, not anymore. He must listen to the voice of youth, he’s not youth either with his imperialistic theories.  

Philip came to make his point America needs to catch up to Europe and expand. “A nation, like a man, has to go ahead or go backward. Always!”p.240 (look up Manifest Destiny didn’t end well for those already living there) Doremus used to write those same words back in 1914, Philip goes on that they should grab Mexico, Central America and China for their own behalf, since there so misgoverned. (you mean like how we did with the Banana Wars) Doremus asks if he thinks he should run the Informer by Corpo ideology, yes since the time for selfish individualism is gone. Doremus tells him to get to the point, he came to tell him he’s going to get in serious trouble if he doesn't support the government. Think of the family instead of his selfish ideas, what’s he really after, he’s been approached in regard to a high honor of assistant military judgeship, (sorry Doremus your son willingly drank the kool aide) Doremus calls him a stuffed shirt (worse than a traitor) and ends the conversation. 

25 

“Holidays were invented by the devil, to coax people into the heresy that happiness can be won by taking thought.”p.242 What might be David’s first and last Christmas with his grandparents was interrupted by Shad questioning if Pascal ever spoke to him about Communism and Mary threatening to kill Shad and Swan. They tried to act happy and Doremus thought they’d do better being drunk and he hated the Corpos more for stealing Christmas. They invited Louis Rotenstern over because he was a lorn bachelor (I don’t know if this means he was gay or not because that’s what confirmed bachelor suggestsed at the time) and a Jew under dictatorship. Buck came over with gifts for David when Aras Dilley arrived to arrest Rotenstern for questioning. The next day he was taken to the Beulah concentration camp at Trianon along with Raymond Pridewell and Shad’s friend took over his shop, (so at this point it’s no longer just threats to the power it’s people they see in the way) Doremus decides to quit the Informer. “It can happen here," meditated Doremus. It could happen to him. How soon?”p.243 

Victor Loveland, a professor from the former Isaiah college called Doremus, he and Clarence Little were just beaten by Corpos and taken to a concentration camp. A proclamation signed by Staubmeyer announced they were going to regulate agriculture on Mount Terror, six families would be housed with Doremus’s cousin, Henry Veeder. Henry voiced his complaints and was also taken to the concentration camp. Doremus decides to empty his skirts before he’s also taken and quits the Informer and Shad laughs at their switched positions. 

Doremus drove to see Shad’s supervisor Reek and is shocked to see how pale and frightened he’s become and tells him he’s quitting the informer. Doremus wonders if he also believes this tyranny is going to blow up in a revolution or he’s afraid of being thrown out. Doremus left the Informer after thirty-seven years, now at sixty-two and more eager than ever before, he had nothing better to do than eat breakfast and entertain David. After a week he took Julian aside, it’s time for high treason, the Communists have more courage than them, so he wants to work for them can he get in touch with Pascal. Two days later he got back from Trianon, (they made a sewer of the girl’s school) he spoke to Pascal who told him who to talk to. (also Henry was so badly abused he's a scared shell of himself) 

He told his family he was going to look at an apple orchard to buy and retire on but he went to the address Pascal gave. They sent him to New Hampshire, who sends him to Connecticut, then to the Eastern headquarters of what’s left of American Communists and hands them a letter. He read the dictionary until Bill Atterbury, (list of how he’s a badass) secretary of the illegal communist party, came to see him into a backroom to meet the other two leaders. (they have fake names Bailey Cailey Ailey) Doremus tried to explain himself, is he willing to lose respect looking like a bum to distribute pamphlets, they think he’s too old to start strikes and get beaten for it. They laugh at Trowbridge’s work and dismiss Doremus, but Comrade Elphrey appreciates what he’s trying to do. Doremus thinks they’ll be arguing as Trowbridge runs out Windrip, he recounted this to Julian several days later. “Communists, intense and narrow; Yankees, coherent and shallow; no wonder a Dictator can keep us separate and all working for him!”p.252 (yeah sucks when adults won't act like adults and put aside differences to work together against a common enemy) 

In the 1930s, when magazines, movies and motorcars were believed to have ended the provinciality of American villages in communities where those that couldn't retire to Europe were still aimless. Emma was bored with him around the house all the time and asks him to visit Lorinda, doesn't she get jealous, as if anyone at his age could be a lover. (well fuck you too Emma) Day by day he waited, “So much of a revolution for so many people is nothing but waiting. That is one reason why tourists rarely see anything but contentment in a crushed population.”p.254 For several days in February he noticed an insurance man, Mr. Dimick from Albany, he was a pest he kept meeting. He was starting to get suspicious of him when he came to Doremus, Trowbridge sent him for a secret war against the Corpos. Doremus will be their representative in the area for the New Underground paper, collecting and distributing information and smuggling people out of the country, he can call Mr. Samson of the Burlington Paper Company. Doremus does and Samson says Dimick works for Walbridge (you should get a better fake name for Trowbridge) he can ride along, Doremus will. 

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It Can't Happen Here 20/38 -Sinclair Lewis

17 

Like beefsteak and potatoes stick to your ribs so does the Good Book, he hopes his ministers will quote from II Kings 18 31 and 32. (come men eat of their own vines until he comes to take them to the land of wine so they won't die) 

Despite claiming Montpelier, Shad fixated on Fort Beulah as the executive center of County B, partly because he was partners with the banker RC Crowley, who made profit on property and partly Shad wanted to show off to his old pals. He claimed the judge's chambers at the Scotland County Courthouse as his office and completely redecorated. Shad chose his assistants that had some education and manners and Doremus thought he could see what was happening in Washngton by watching him. “and understood thus that a Buzz Windrip-a Bismark-a Caesar-a Pericles was like all the rest of itching, indigesting, aspiring humanity except that each of those heroes had a higher degree of ambition and more willingness to kill.”p.151  

By June the Minute Men enrolled 562,000 and the War Department paid them up to 16,000. (about 364,000) Veterans of the Great War were given privilages and Sarason convinced Windrip college teaching the horrors of conflicts didn't weaken masculinity but made students more patriotic. “and skillful in the direction of slaughter than the average youth.”p152 Most ranks were farmers and factory workers and a large number of former criminals. (so those that don’t have much of an education and already prone to violence) One erring child called Windrip the Chief (others called him Fuhrer Imperial Wizard and Commodore) meaning anything noble and good hearted, (the exact opposite of what he is) so on July 4th 1937, five hundred thousand youths made their own chaotic parades. They were rough now without Adelaide’s hand, but nothing could be done now, and the next day came the blow. 

Someone noticed the Soviet Star was five points not six so they weren't insulting them, hectic words were sent out and thousands were quick to design a new one. Sarason (who designed the original one) came up with the ship wheel, the ship of the state and industry, motorcars and Father Coughlin’s suggestion of National Union like the emblem of the Rotary Club. Sarason drew similarities to the swastika and KKK symbol. (which are things no decent person wants to be associated with) By Loyalty Day, replacing Labor Day, they sang about the wheel. 

In August Windrip declared since all aims were being accomplished the League of Forgotten Men was now terminated and all the older parties, (the Democrats and Republicans) the only one is allowed the American Corporate State and Patriotic Party. Well, there’s two now, the party and those that don't belong and those ones are out of luck. Sarason divided occupations into six classes, agriculture, industry, commerce, transportation, communication, banking, insurance investment (this is more than six can Sarason not count) and the grab bag of sciences and education. (doesn’t surprize me science and education are last of the government’s priorities) All labor unions were supplanted by local syndicates under governmental guidance. (so there are no unions) Strikes and lockouts were forbidden under federal penalties so workmen wouldn't listen to agitators. The Corporatists were called Corpos, the ill-natured ones called Corpses, but it more fitted their enemies. (it just goes breaking down all the factors of these new systems of bureaucracy) 

While the Corpos promised 5,000 to every poor family it was undertaken by the Minute Men. Unemployment under Windrip disappeared, (did it dissapear or did they just stop reporting it) all workless men and their families assembled into labor camps under MM officers. The men were paid a dollar a day (almost $23)  and in turn had to pay a seventy (about $16) to ninety cent (about $21) a day for lodging and now there was discontentment with those who had now less but there was less rebellion. (can imagine having to support your family with only a few dollars every day and if you complained at best you’d get thrown out without a job or home at worst you’d get shot) Every evening the loudspeaker in one of the precious voices told them they were the honored foundation of a new Civilization. (as in they are literally the foundation remember the roads aren't paved with gold they aren't paved at all you are expected to pave them with your bones) They took to it and the MMs saw they hated the Jews and Negroes to look down on. “Every man is a king so long as he has someone to look down on.”p.157 (well sadly yeah that’s human nature) 

Each week the government said less about the 5,000, it was easier to respond to malcontents with Minute Men. Most of Windrip's plans were carried out, inflation rose, everyone profited except the very poor workmen, businessmen professionals and the elderly. “The workers, with opportunity tripled wages, saw the cost of everything in the shops much more than tripple.”p.157 (damn this hits close now) Agriculture suffered after foreign buying and exporting of American food ceased. The changing dollar had Big Business, confused employees did not know what to get in wages and labor unions gone, industrialists came out with doubled wealth. The other respected points were eliminating Negroes and Jews. Negroes were massacred by Minute Men in cities and Jews were charged double rates and grafts and to accept wage and price rates by Anglo Saxons. And they were told to declare how much better treatment they have in America than Europe. 

The 80,000 relief administrators were told to list every unmarried person’s finances, professional ability, military training and their opinion of the MMs and Corpos, those that protested being spies were arrested. (they’re finding out who’s loyalty useful or not) By 1937 MM officers made their own laws against Jews and Negroes. Women who complained their men had disappeared were beaten or arrested. Increasingly the bourgeois began escaping to Canada. “just at once, by the “underground railroad” the Negro slaves had escaped into the free Northern air.”p.160 In Canada and other countries those propagandists began publishing allegations against the Corpos and MMs. Due to this the guards quadrupled at every harbor and border. 

Ex Senator Walt Trowbridge was watched night and day by reading his letters and tapping his phone, they found nothing incriminating and thought he saw the light. On the Fourth of July Trowbridge invited the MMs to help set off fireworks. A Canadian airplane flew close to the rockets and turned off its lights and they couldn't tell where it landed. The guards later passed out drunk and woke finding Trowbridge had escaped with the Canadians along with four boxes with incendiary papers he published as he fled the country. Doremus and thousands like him were smuggled copies, possession of which is punishable by death. (it revealed Windrip became rich off of grifts) By winter Trowbridge had a new underground that aided thousands to escape to Canada. 

18 

“In the little towns, ah, there is the abiding peace that I love, and that can never be disturbed by even the nosiest Smart Alecks from these haughty megalopolises like Washington, New York, & ect.”p.162 

The Democratic policy of wait and see grew shaky especially when Doremus went to his college reunion, the eyes of the three Corpo commissioners held instability. Doremus looked for his friend who warned him of the ban in military criticism, his house was a mess, he was fired for being too radical and needed to move without a job. His friend Dr. King says he’s lucky to be half Jew, so cunning, (he also says Hitler is Windrip’s boyfriend) he’s also been fired but has a job lined up, just sad to leave his research behind. (he’s a chemist) The president claimed they were let go because of overstaffing and changed the subject. There’s a new Director of Education for the Vermont New Hampshire District and one of his jobs is to make sure editors publish correct corporate ideals.  

The Minute Men were less favored than in the cities, in Fort Beulah they were drilling under National Guard, officers and Shad but Doremus refused to check. He first saw them in the  public parade in August when Dan Wilgus forced him outside. “Doremus thrilled to the MM flags, the music, the violent young men, even while he hated all the marched for,”-”He understood now why the young men marched to war.”p.167 He also hated Shad at the head of the procession, sneering through it all. 

By September Doremus was hearing a lot about the Secretary of Education, now it wasn't pleasant news about Macgoblin. He made many enemies purging teachers, it culminated in him trying to out drink his bodyguards and drunkenly tried to call on his former teacher. When told he was out visiting his Rabbi friend Macgoblin and his guerillas went to him. They made assess of themselves at the Rabbi’s house and Macgoblin asked why they don't all leave and start a nation in South America. Dr. Schmidt explains that Macgoblin is the Secretary of Education and a Corpo. “I have heard of that cult, but my people have learned to ignore persecution. We have been so important as to adapt the tactics of your early Christian Martyrs!”p.170 Even if they were invited, they wouldn't attend their only Dictator is God, they don't see Windrip as a rival. 

Schmidt tells Macgoblin the reason he’s drinking like a pig is because he’s a ashamt (I think this is Hebrew for guilty) once a promising researcher, now sold out to freebooters. Macgoblin snaps that they’re stinking intellectuals, peddlers and thieves until Schmidt yells at them to get out. Egged on by the MMs Macgoblin shoots the two and the guards chased down the houseman who ran to the streets where a cop stopped them. They were all arrested and brought to trial, but it was thrown out as the Rabbi and Schmidt were Jews (even though Schmidt wasn't) trying to coax MMs into ritual murders. (yeah they’re going there) Macgoblin was congratulated by Windrip and Sarason and the cop who shot a Corpo wasn't as lucky, he was sent to a beat in the Bronx. 

Doremus got a report from a surviving guard and wasn't happy on top of Shad replacing his delivery boys with MMs to check the paper, he raged. “If they were murderous Jews, then he was a murderous Jew too, he swore, and it was time to do something for his Own People.”p.172 That night he wrote a scathing article on the Corpo administration, Macgoblin and Windrip. “Not that all of them are as vicious as Macgoblin. Some are merely incompetent-like our friends Ledue, Reek, and Haik. But their ludicrous incapability permits the homicidal cruelty of their chieftains to go on without check.”p.173 Dan Wilgus refused to print it out of fear, so Doremus does it himself with Wilgus’s help. When he showed his family the proofs they all feared for him. “It used to be you did what was right and got a nice stick of candy for it,”-”Now, it seems if whatever's right is wrong.”p.175 (sometimes doing the wrong thing is the right thing especially under a dictatorship those laws were made to be broken) 

When he left his home he didn't go to the office but Lorinda’s, but first to Greenhill’s. His daughter’s family was still up and he overheard David say he wanted to be a newspaperman like his grandfather. He stayed only ten minutes telling himself nothing bad can happen to this household but told Greenhill he’ll have a run in with the Corpos one day. (is it foreshadowing if it’s tomorrow) Shad wanted him to join he said no, Doremus warns him to be careful of Shad, Greenhill says he’ll slip him cyanide. 

Lorinda finished tending to guests before she and Doremus could talk, he has her read the article. He had to decide whether to pull it from publishing by eleven, she told him he has to run it. She taught Shad in school for a year and he was a bully then and now he wants her to serve MMs for free and they’ll pretend she doesn't sell liquor without a license, she refused and now has a court summons. Doremus tells her to get a lawyer, the Corpos are using courts as grifts for accusations of sedition. (the law isn’t on your side when those in law are against you in their kangaroo courts) 

Lorinda was afraid the Corpos will do something to them, they’ll be so desperate they’ll cling to each other or be so rebellious. “we’ll feel so terribly that we’re standing for something, that we’ll want to give up everything else for it, even give up you and me. So that no one can ever find out and criticize, we’ll have to be beyond critisism.”p.179 How could such a detached people like them get involved. It is too late to kill the article for tomorrow, she’s glad to be shot rather than crippled with fear. Lorinda went back to work but Doremus didn't sleep that night listening for phantom assassins. 

19 

“An honest propagandist for any Cause, that is, one who honesty studies and figures out the most effective way of  putting over his Message, will learn fairly early that it is not fair to ordinary folks-it just confuses them-to try to make them swallow all the true facts that would be suitable to a higher class of people.”p.181 (in essence ya’ll are dumb like those schools that dumb down the curriculum because they think it’s better so they don’t even have to try to teach the lower performing students) Also one learns the best way to win over people is if you give a speech in the evening when they are too tired to resist you. (he’s pretty much confessing how he’s manipulating them banking on them being too stupid and tired to see it) 

As his editorial was delivered Doremus looked down in the street from his office window as the MMs read the Informer and look up at the building. The people gathered into a mob, “Probably many of them cared nothing about the insults to the Corpo state, but had only the unprejudiced, impersonal pleasure in violence natural to most peope.”p.182 All it took was one MM shouting out to lynch them to start the mob but Shad called for them to stop only because the Corpos are going to take it over. (he also slaps a woman demanding her 5000) 

Doremus was escorted to the courthouse and county jail, he hasn't been there except as a reporter to interview inferior people who got arrested. (yeah Doremus here is what we call a flawed character they are a good person in the sense of everyone else around them but clearly not a perfect person) They left him in a damp cell for hours. “The tyranny of this dictatorship isn’t primarily the fault of Big Business, nor of the demagogues who do their dirty work. It’s the fault of Doremus Jessup! Of all the conscientious, respectable, lazy-minded Doremus Jessups who have let the demagogues wriggle in, without fierce enough protest.”-”Is it too late?”p.186 As it got darker he thought of Emma and Lorinda, why can’t he have both, maybe it’s getting too hot to let a man stop for bread (Emma) let alone wine. (Lorinda) 

Doremus waited until midnight when he was escorted to the judge, then he had to wait more outside the courtroom. He knew the MM and studied him in his new uniform. “I wouldn't particularly want to be a dictator over on Aras but I most particularly do not want him and his like to be dictators over me, whether they call them Fascists or Corpos or Communists or Monarchists or Free Democratic Electors or anything else!”p.188 Lorinda then came out of the courtroom and Nipper (the owner of the Tavern) looked triumphant and Aras gloated before Doremus was called in. 

Military Judge Effington Swan presided, he had ordered the MMs to invite Doremus here to get his advice as a journalist. Doremus corrects that he was dragged here because of his editorial about Windrip now Sawn remembers that minor incident. Doremus is tired and demands to know the charges, just libel, sedition, treason and homicidal incitement. Easily gotten rid of, and Swan subtlety threatens his family so he’ll play along with them in his paper and act as their spy. 

Doremus demands a lawyer, all due process has been suspended, martial law is necessary in a crisis. Shad makes a remark about Lorinda and Doremus jumps up to attack him but was thrown down by Swan who tells him Lorinda’s been sleeping other men too. Swan releases Doremus on parole to teach Dr. Staubmeyer how to do his editorial job and only write as he tells him, and it’ll start with his apology, admit he’s a liar. (oh there’s nothing journalists hate more than printing a retraction and saying they were wrong especially when they are right) 

Then Dr. Greenhill storms in (the MMs let him in because he said he was needed and he’s also treated their STDs) demanding to know what they’re doing Swan lets Greenhill go off and dig his own grave by telling them everyone’s had enough of them kidnapping honest men. He calls the three judges half-baked Hitlers, cowardly public enemies in toy soldier uniforms. Swan allows Shad to take Greenhill out to be executed by rifle squad. “From the courtyard, the sound of a rifle volley, a terrifying wail, one single empathetic shot, and nothing after.”p.196 

20 

The trouble with Jews is that they’re cruel anybody who knows history knows they tortured debtors in catacombs while the Nordic are distinguished by their kindness to all including inferior races. (damn they’re not even trying to hide how antisemitic they are and if you think nobody would be so stupid as to believe something so ridiculous similar propaganda was use to villainize the Jews in Europe preceding WWII) 

After Judge Swan’s sentence of Greenhill’s execution his house was raided and a cache of seditious books and documents were found. (how much you want to bet if they exist at all they were planted) Mary’s protests of her husband's innocence was ignored and to punish her and give warning to others, they seized all the property and money left to her. Some said Doremus could fight for her but he couldn't as he was still on parole and subject to the authorities. She moved into the attic and didn't come out for a week. “But within a week her David was playing about in the yard most joyfully...playing that he was an MM officer.”p.198 

The rest of the house waited for something, the normally cheerful meals were quiet as every time they spoke it went to murder and the Corpos. David talked the most while Doremus was fond of children, he preferred political topics. He suspected Emma was more upset by his arrest than Greenhill's murder, bad people went to jail, Jessups didn't. (lady priorities) His office was deader than home, but he was able to convince Staubmeyer to keep Dan Wilgus on the payroll. As the weeks went by not a minute did he not hate his slavery, why stay, he was too old to start again. “So he raged-and went on grinding out a paper dull and a little dishonest-but not forever. Otherwise, the history of Doremus Jessup would be too drearily common to be worth reading.”p.201 

He did the math, if he fled to Canada he could cash 20,000 (almost 456,000) if he could smuggle it and live on twenty dollars a week. (about 456 which isn’t bad but how much are monthly bills) Well the others could if they could find work, (yeah spreading less than five hundred among what five people a week would be pretty thin) but him, he didn't fancy living in poverty for honesty and freedom. (you’re not one of those journalists that think you're not a true one until your own government assassinates you are you) There were those under other dictatorships that resented tyranny and refused bribes yet weren't courageous enough to go into willing exile, particularly when they had dependents. He tried to hint to Staubmeyer to retire but they caught on and Shad reminded him of his place and Doremus figured something out. “he was equally in danger of slipping into acceptance of his serfdom and of whips and bars if he didn't slip,”p.203 

“Under a tyranny, most friends are a liability.”p.203 One quarter turn on you, one keeps quiet, one dies with you, the other keep you alive. He and Lorinda were close, but they plotted to kill Corpos. Karl Pascal asked if he was going to join the communists nervously, Doremus is interested in civilizing and protecting against enemies, but it isn’t Russia, it's America he wants to help, Pascal calls it nonsense. “Listen, Comrade Karl, Windrip and Hitler will join Stalin long before the descendants of Dan’l Webster. You see, we don't like murder as a way of argument-that's what really makes the Liberal!”p.205 Perefixe hated to give up, he’s scared and is going to Canada. Medary Cole was a surprise, already tired of the tyranny paying them to bully. “-he who had ecstatically voted for Mr. Windrip.”p.206 

In October it was declared the Corpos ended all crime in America (again it didn’t disappear they just stopped reporting it) all tried under Court Martial, one in ten shot, four in ten sent to prison, three released, two joined the MMs. Windrip announced the way to stop crime is to stop it (what is this people die when they are killed logic) and Medary praised his firm hand. Windrip then revealed the New American Education System, scores of colleges were closed (but they opened Windrip University I’m not making a joke) some absorbed into Corpo universities. (Central Park was closed to the public to be used as a playground) All universities have a set modern curriculum omitting the classics, language and religious studies, archeology and histories before 1500 because the key to civilization is Anglo Saxon purity against barbarians. (ah time for the brain drain I see time to scrap out anything that doesn’t align with the state much like what China’s Red Gaurds did during the Cultural Revolution) New textbooks were written under Macgoblin (are they written like those Texas textbooks that claim the slave trade was immigrant migration) and students told not to waste their time on literature and instead read recently printed newspapers. (so telling students not to read anything that could give them a different viewpoint than the lies the state prints) Education was also sped up, anyone could graduate in two years. (all you needed to get in is either attended a business college or a recommendation from a Corpo and have at least two years of high school so mostly people with no real fundamental education) As he read the prospects for these Barnum and Bailey universities Doremus remembered the Greek professor from Isiah was in a Corpo labor camp. 

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It Can't Happen Here 16/38 -Sinclair Lewis

13 

When he retires he’ll build a bungalow at a resort and read the classics, his tastes from his mother. “I got it from my Mother as I did everything that some people have been so good as to admire in me.”p.103  

As certain as Doremus was at the results, the passing was dreadful and for a few days avoided everyone and read his childhood favorites, maybe he wasn't so different from Windrip. (no you actually read them) "No American whose fathers have lived in the country for over two generations so utterly different from any other American.”p.104 But reading didn't work and he fell back into the habit of social duty. He found out Windrip was trying to buy, flatter or blackmail opposing Congress. “A President-Elect has unhallowed power, if he so wishes, and Windrip-no doubt with promises of abnormal fever in the way of patronage-won over a few.”p.104 Five Jeffersonian Congressman were challenged and disappeared amid embezzling rumors and with each Doremus was more anxious. (he’s starting to get rid of those that would oppose him) 

Since the Depression, Doremus felty futility at doing anything more permanent than breakfast, he couldn’t plan for himself or his family. Their lies were predicted on the privilege of planning, Depressions were storms to Capitalism and government were eternal and improved by the citizens votes. (well in theory) His grandfather and father had plans but Doremus couldn’t, in fifteen years Sissy could live as a waitress and Julian in a Concentration camp labeled a Communist and both not married with careers, now he knew nothing fundamental. Four types didn’t understand how the government is conducted, the authorities in Washington, political writers, the untouchables and himself, but now with Windrip everything is going to be simple as he runs the country as his private domain. 

Julian dropped by on Christmas break, at the gas station they ran into Pascal, (thanks to Tangled all I can picture is that lizard) a strike leader, after the election he plans to lie low and spread propaganda. Windrip will make plenty disatisfied but they can’t do anything against armed troops and he’ll whoop millions into war and revolution. What burns him up is people think before the Depression were prosperous times, 7% of families earned 500 (the inflation calculator won’t calculate that so I found a different one and it’s about 9,000) a year or less, prisons allowed more than eighteen cents a day, (about three dollars)  per person for food and that was if the man had a job, Julian agrees it would make a man extremist. (you ever see something in a hydraulic press explode that’s people when grinded down too much) 

John Pollikop calls Pascal a crazy dog of a Communist, believing violence and not legality. Pascal says it’ s too easy to blame everything on Windrip (well he’s right) and tells John to read Marx. Windrip isn’t important, just throwing up the sickness they have to cure, the growing unemployment. John asks if they think Communism will cure it, Pascal says yes and Doremus drives away as they start to argue.  

The attic study was Doremus’s refuge from president-elect supporters, where he doodles and meditates. The revolt against civilization in defending democracy, he has to change his tune if they are against Communism he has to be for it and he doesn’t want to be. They can bomb themselves back to the Dark Ages, wipe everything out and relearn good manners and tolerance. Everyone calls themselves advocates of Democracy without knowing what it means thinking everyone would be loyal and happy. He listened to their solutions and has one. “There is no Solution! There will never be a state of society anything like perfect!”p.112 There will never  be a time where people won’t feel poor no matter what they have and envy neighbors in cheap clothes. In the few hundred years people will still eat dinner and read no matter the substitutes as they must spend their time in 1930 much like they did in 1630. Men of super cunning will have more influence than slower witted worthy men. 

There’s been many with solutions in history, Doremus thinks blessed are those Patriots and Idealists (this book randomly capitalizes words) that don’t think immediately that doubters should be killed. “Good old murder, that since the slaying of Abel by Cain has always been the new device by which all oligarchies and dictators have, for all future ages to come, removed opposition!”p.114 Doremus doubted all revolutions, the War of 1776, the Civil War, “Slavery had been a cancer, and in that day was known no remedy save bloody cutting. There had been no x-rays of wisdom and tolerance.”p.115 To reject this cutting was evil, that lead to other wars for Freedom to those that didn’t want it. (do I need to list all thew wars America got involved in to give countries our version of freedom) 

He wondered if the Revolutionary War was even desirable ,it is commonly asserted without political independence the states wouldn’t have developed its own virtues. Between rabble rousers desiring their own personal power and fighters against tyranny, Doremus saw the difference between thieves and honest men defending themselves. It is possible the boldest ideas have been the worst enemies of progress. Possibly plain men minding their own are higher in heavenly hierarchy than those that claimed to be saving them.  

14 

He joined the Compbellite church as a boy now wishes he belonged to the whole brotherhood. 

Doremus was a Universalist but now afraid to enter the church, too many memories of his father and the congregation dwindling. Now he went there he’d give anything for a sermon that renewed his courage and realized that was what he’d been condemning for months. “the irrational dramatic power of the crusading leader, clerical or political.”p.119 Doremus tried a church but it was stifling, he wants a church that advanced beyond the chaplains, now he knows why Lorinda doesn’t go. 

Lorinda was at the tavern boarding house, (ok so he and Lorinda are having an affair at least an emotional one) she reflected how Windrip will put women’s struggle back to the sixteen hundreds. Doremus points out how he never mentioned freedom of speech or press in his articles, he feels he should take the family to Canada. Lorinda says he can’t, the newspaper men have to keep fighting Windrip, he agrees to stay for a while. Before he could think of the warning at his door Sissy comes in to collect her father. 

On the way home he found Shad hiding in the bushes, (he was definitely spying) he had the excuse his motorcycle broke down, Doremus offers for Sissy to get him a ride. Shad complains about her driving slow, Doremus complains about the youth being adventurous, so Shad just follows their car. In the car Sissy asks if he goes to Lorinda’s often why aren’t they lovers. (you know you aren’t very subtle when your own kid can pick up the vibes) Doremus is scandalized she’d think that and warns her not to be so forward like that, does she even know what she's talking about. (yeah it was a vey WTF moment) She just hates seeing him so wretched about Windrip and wants him to get some pep back. (by cheating on your mother) 

Doremus asks what does she know, is she a virgin, yes, but no promises for the future if the country gets worse and things come between her and Julian it won’t be modern modesty. Not Malcolm, no, he’s a pain, going to get in his proper place with Windrip’s soldiers and she likes Julian. She’s serious, it looks like the country’s heading backwards, it’ll still be war, no time for modesty, isn’t nice young ladies what men want around, maybe. As they pulled in Doremus no longer saw Sissy as a little girl but a comrade like Lorinda. Doremus had enough of Shad and fires him, he isn’t upset, he’s the new Secretary of the Second Chapter of the League of Forgotten Men. Two weeks later Shad wrote a letter demanding donations of 200, (about 4,500 which is ridiculous to think the average family has that much to throw away) Doremus refused and within a day the Informer was losing circulations. 

15 

He’s pretty mild mannered and folksy when speech writing his ambitions, live by the road, be a friend to man, (since when) but he’s the opposite when encountering a detractor (we know how you make them disappear) then calls the Sangfrey River Light Power and Fuel Corporation every name in the book, purely for the indignation on behalf of the common people. 

The day before his inauguration Windrip appointed his cabinet members, Lee Sarason became his secretary of State and High Marshall of the Minute Men (as an innocent marching club my ass) which is to be established permanently. Webster R Skittle who was to be acquitted on defrauding income tax became Secretary of the Treasury. Windrip’s friend Colonel Osceola Luthorne became Secretary of War as it was refused by Prang. The new position of Secretary of Education and Public Relations was appointed to Hector Macgoblin, all officers were filled by those that supported Windrip. Doremus suspected Windrip learned from Sarason to get rid of embarrassing friends by appointing them abroad. (Herbert Hoover is in Brazil) Adelaide was angry she was given no position higher than the customs office in Nome Alaska (a nothing title just something to shut her up) and not the domestic cabinets she invented. (domestic science child welfare anti vice) 

By the new Twentieth Amendment, Windrip’s followers wanted him inaugurated in January it started out turbulent as Roosevelt refused to be there. A thousand reporters covered it, people were sleeping on the floor of the Senator’s office and bedrooms rented for thirty dollars a night. (almost 700) He started his speech that the real New Deal starts now, then at the White House he sat in his stockings in the East Room and said to let people assassinate him. Then he had the Minute Men recognized as an army auxiliary, subject to obey him, their officers and Sarason and the Minute Men eagerly waited for their issued artillery. The next morning was a special message to Congress demanding a bill for Point Fifteen it was rejected, by January 21st Windrip declared a crisis and issued Martial Law and had his Minuet Men arrest over a hundred Congressmen. (he’s starting to clean house) 

Prang and his friends were dismayed by Windrip's actions, Prang had given up broadcasting but wanted to caution the public but when contacting the station was told access to the air was forbidden unless licensed by Sarason. (so start a pirate radio station) Prang  took a plane to Washington to reprove Windrip and was in the White House for six hours but unknown if he was actually with the President, he later left looking pale. In front of his hotel was a mob and he was taken in by the Minute Men claiming it’s for his own safety. (they are the least safe people to be with) Later millions would hear Prang is in jail for his own protection and Windrip said he was joyful to have rescued his friend he admires. (well he’s joyful to have Prang in jail but not for the reasons he gave) 

The press wasn't censored yet, only journalists who offended the government were jailed. Prang’s home town, Persepolis, heard rumors of him but were still proud of their best advertisement. A messenger in the Executive Office was a Persepolis boy and slipped to the mayor their telegrams were hauled away unanswered. A quarter of the population went to Washington, the train was curiously delayed and sidetracked. There was a mutinous company of MMs who didn't want to arrest nuns, Sarason thought a lesson needed to be learned and sent Minute Men to arrest the company and shoot every third man. (see what they’ll do to their own people who don’t blindly obey it wasn’t a lesson to the mutineers but a warning to those that had any questioning ideas) By the time they got to Washington they were informed Prang was shocked by their treason so badly they had to put him in an asylum. (how much you wanna bet they had him quietly executed) Most returned back to Persepolis, they never saw Prang again and no MM went to that town. 

Doremus and many others were upset to hear the Chief of Staff of the Regular Army was replaced by Emmanuel Coon. Windrip then extended a proclamation to the country, secret enemies of American principles, angry that he is president and there’s a crisis. He recalled previous martial law and arrests during the Civil War, how delightful things would be later. They laughed along with him and called him competent. “It had all happened within the eight days following Windrip’s inuaguration.”p.141 (see how quickly and systematic it was they had to have planned this in advance) 

16 

He has no desire to be President he’d rather support Prang and any other liberal. (bullshit) “My only longing is to Serve.”p.142 (yourself serve yourself) 

Only in the presence of Buck Titus could Doremus damn Windrip, his cronies and Tasbrough. From these hills and acquaintances, “it seems to him that the madness in the capitol was alien and distant and unimportant as an earthquake in Tibet.”p.143 The Informer carefully criticized the government, telling the readers the hysteria can't last, he couldn't believe the tyranny could endure. “It can’t happen here, said even Doremus-even now.”p.143 (if you don’t warn and deny everyone will be blind to the warnings until it is too late and they don’t know how to fight) The thing that perplexed him most was there could be dictators different than Hitlers, charming and funny, did that make Windrip more or less dangerous then remembered the cruel actions of the pirate Henry Morgan. Buck and Lorinda liked each other more than they would admit but he did approve of her relationship with Doremus, who was ten years older than him and Buck’s shack became a refuge. 

Despite strikes and riots Windrip stayed in power, four liberal members of the Supreme Court were replaced by his friends. (so nepotism hires that’ll do what he says) Those Congressmen that didn't see the light were still in jail. The Minute Men were volunteers but paid more than regular troops. Never before had the President’s adherents so satisfied assigned official and unofficial political jobs. He united the states into eight Provinces, reducing the numbers of governors and better for Windrip to concentrate his private army. Each province was numbered into a district, those into lettered counties, those into townships and cities, those old names still endangered Windrip by honorable memories and history and rumored they’d be changed. (so he’s literally breaking up the United States and renaming things to replace history so people will have no identity outside of the whole)  

Citizens who lived in a state for more than ten years resented the loss of that state’s identity more than the castration of the government. (well you have your state the larger government is probably more of an abstract concept outside of election times) They resented it almost as much as the promised 5000 and receiving no more than Washington bulletins. (it’s the government did you really expect a politician to keep his promises especially one involving a lot of money) It was interesting to read that the Southwestern Province was permitted to claim Mexican territory to protect the US agents from treacherous Mexican and Jewish plots. (I’m sure the Mexicans have something to say about this) Doremus had this to say, “Lee Sarason is even more generous than Hitler and Alfred Rosenberg in protecting the future of other countries,”p.146 (looks at the history of American involvement in foreign wars) 

Dewey Haik was the Provincial Commissioner of the Northeastern Province. John Sullivan Reek was the District Commissioner of District 3 who Doremus describes as a gas bag who turned Leaguer in Windrip’s patriotism, he had summoned all the editors for a conference. Before he left Doremus was given a poem composed by Sissy, Lorinda, Buck and Julian warning him to be careful and as he drove hundreds of billboards were Windrip propaganda. The Hanover Inn was full of Minute Men, they had just destroyed the laboratory of a science building. At the conference Reek informed them he, Windrip, Sarason and Haik, were being misrepresented and introduced them to the County Commissioners. One was Shad Ledue who not so subtlety warns Doremus to behave himself. (well Doremus is in deep shit) 

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It Can't Happen Here 12/38 -Sinclair Lewis

7 

When pulled from his family to make a speech he makes it simple and direct like baby Jesus at the Temple.   

There was a dark thunderstorm (so it was a dark and stormy night) coming down in the valley and Doremus woke up that day Windrip would probably be nominated for President. Trowbridge was the Republican candidate and now the candidates were down to four contestants, Windrip, Roosevelt, Senator Robinson and the Secretary of Labor Francis Perkins. The candidates had their own frenzy demonstrators with applause following their parades. Windrip's were of the poor and downtrodden shouting how they want justice and Windrip for president and Prang following behind, the cheers for Windrip lasted for hours. At the platform Adelaide sang her own rendition of Yankee Doodler about Windrip then it sung by nineteen prima donnas and the radio by midnight. (Doremus’s dog Foolish growls at Windrip and Adeliade which tells you all you need to know) Windrip found it amusing Sarason thought he needed an anthem more elevated befitting crusading Americans. 

After the cheering ended the delegates were again cutting throats of a savage nation and Sarason gave Adelaide a more inspirational hymn, Bring out the Old-Time Muskett. Doremus listened to it on the radio and later reworked it. “When Buzz gets in, he won't be having any parade of wounded soldiers. That’ll be bad fascist psychology. All those poor devils he’ll hide away in institutions, and just bring out the lively young human slaughter cattle in uniforms.”.55 Around ten Doremus left his home to Father Perefixe’s refractory and met his friends, that night passed they listened to the balloting. (and the storm got worse) 

They complained how their wives send them to bed except Buck Titus and the Father. When the announcement came, Colonel Dewey Haik read a letter Windrip left before he went to his hotel. All but the Jewish bankers are to be out of finance plans to make wages high and prices low for labor, but against strikes and in favor of the United States arming itself and prepare to be self-sufficient. “and maybe, if that world was so impertinent as to defy American turn, Buzz hinted, he might have to take it over and run it properly.”p.57 (foreshadowing) Just after dawn the opposition collapsed and Windrip was nominated their Democratic Candidate for President. 

RC Crowley gloated that he was a Republican but he’s voting for Windrip while Father Perefixe was a Democrat, he’s voting Republican. Just after seven in the morning Doremus went home and found Shad chopping wood early and wanted to honor his first honest toil. He tells him Windrip was nominated, Shad is going to vote for him, with the promise of four thousand bucks he can start up a chicken farm. Doremus reminds him that his last chickens died, Shad says he’ll try again with six thousand. 

8 

He won't pretend to be educated but he has read the Bible, though those authors he missed were noble to attempt to combat seditious plots of the Red Radicals who threaten American standards. (you’ll notice his book is just full of buzz word salad)  

The first week of his campaign he clarified his fifteen points of the Central Bank, owned by the government and Board appointed by the President. (so nepotism hires) The President determines which unions are qualified and the League and Party guarantee right to private property. This is a Godly country (I thought it was founded on the freedom of religion) and who do not swear allegiances to the New Testament, or the flag, cannot hold any position of power. (this is antithetical to American ideals we have the freedom of choice) Annual net income of 500,000 (about 11 million today) and no accumulation of over 3,000,000 (about 68 million) and profit being taken out of war by seizing all dividends over six percent and all military shall be enlarged but not surpass any other country. (I don’t believe that) Congress has the sole right to issue money to facilitate fluidity. 

They cannot strongly condemn unChristian attitudes of progressive notions in their discrimination of the Jews who will be considered Americans as long as they support out ideals. Negroes are forbidden from voting or holding any office, taxed 100 percent of sums over 10,000 (about 230,000) but aide will be given to all who know their proper place in society. (look up the 1 drop rule) After forty-five years of constant labor they can go to a Board of whites (so good luck) and be recommended a pension of 500 (about 11,000) for their labor. (so he’s just straight up racist) New plans for social security and women can only have feminine jobs but most must return to be home makers. (and sexist too) 

Any advocating for Communism, Socialism or Anarchism and refuse to enlist for war is subject to treason for twenty years hard labor or death. (whatever the judge finds convenient) All bonus's promised to soldiers shall be immediately paid to veterans with income less than 5,000. (about 113,000) Upon inauguration, Congress shall add amendments to the Constitution, the President shall conduct all necessary measures, Congress only serves as advisory and the power to negate the President be removed. (so he’s taking out all the checks and balances) The League of Forgotten Men and the Democratic Party shall carry out the desire of majority workers. 

Emma points out how inconsistent it all sounds and wonders if Windrip understands it himself. Doremus says of course he does, points one and five mean if they don't support him their businesses will be threatened. Two, by controlling unions he can turn labor into slavery, three breaks up Big Capitol and four turns preachers into his press agents. Six is to percent taxes, it means they’ll follow Europeans trying to rule the world. Eight, industries can buy back their bonds. Nine, all Jews who don't pay the robber baron will be punished. Ten, all black owned business will be taken over by Windrip's white trash worshipers. Eleven, Windrip will pass the buck for not solving poverty. Twelve, women lose the vote, education and jobs just to raise future dead soldiers. “Thirteen, that anybody who opposes Buzz in any way at all can be called Communist and scragged for it.”p.65 Fourteen, Windrip thinks the veterans vote important enough to use others money to pay for it. Fifteen, they realized this country has gone so flabby anyone not illegal can grab the government and have it all. (and that is happening) 

Thees gangs are usually small, there are those that’ll worry at first, but they’ll get caught in the propaganda and be convinced. They raise Windrip up as a Great Liberator then that crook, that religious fanatics with Sarason, Prang, Haik, and Macgoblin will set up a regime. Will the Americans stand for long he doesn't know, but if they try anything they’ll be shot. Father Perefixe was angry the Catholics were left out of the persecution, Sissy, Lorinda and Mrs. Candy (the housekeeper) who all had career aspirations were angrier. Doremus thinks they had it coming, if not Windrip it would be another, but it won't make them like it. “He didn't plot all this thing. With all the justification discontent there is against the smart politicians and the Plush Horses of Plutocracy-”p.67 

9 

A high-class Statesmen’s chief quality is love for all sorts of people (then what the fuck were several of those points about) and the whole land his sole guiding principles in politics. “My one ambition is to get all Americans to realize that they are, and must continue to be the greatest Race on the face of this old Earth.”p.69 That despite differences excluding racially differences are all brothers in National Unity. “And I think we ought to for this be willing to sacrifice any individual gains at all.”p.69 (foreshadowing) 

That summer and autumn there were many photos and propaganda of Windrip bewitching the audiences. Doremus couldn't explain it, he was vulgar, nearly illiterate, a public liar and his ideas were idiotic, yet he was celebrated. He’d been told while in his audience you were under his spell but at home you couldn't remember what he said. Certainly, he was a compelling actor and beneath that a natural ability to be excited with his audience and them in turn with him. He could make you see him defending the Capitol innocently while presenting the madness of antilibertarian antisemitic of Europe. He was a common man with every prejudice and aspiration of the common man and every foreigner as degenerate. “which was exactly the same as their own, they saw him towering among them, and they raised hands to him in worship.”p.72 

Sarason was a master in Publicity, building up Windrip for seven years endearing him to the simple constituents of his state. When it comes to assembling a political machine Sarason wasn't needed. In his suites he’d be on the phone barking orders the vultures flocked to Buzz Windrip to follow his commands. Even the newspaper men who disliked him still kept his name in the papers and within a year his machine was complete, giving promises to opposing parties and did nothing for either. 

He never thought of making foreign alliances but knew, one day, as President, he’d be leader of the world and Sarason insisted he look up monetary conversions and addresses for dignitaries. The actual cultivation was left to Sarason and it was Sarason who persuaded Windrip to let him write Zero Hour. Windrip had convinced them they could trust hm and finance his campaign. Windrip had been coaxing supporters since age four, he couldn't learn much from sociologists, but they could learn much from him. It was Windrip's master move by convincing people they could be rich by voting rich, denouncing fascism and Nazism. (while supporting it under different names) “so that most of the Republicans who were afraid of Democratic Fascism, and all the Democrats who were afraid of Republican Fascism, were ready to vote for him.”p.77 

10 

He hates bogging his pages with scientific technicalities (so your book has no confirmed facts in it) he’s compelled to say the Cassandras (remember mythology Cassandra was cursed to see the future but no one believed her) who miscall for fluidity of circulation like Europe, they fail to comprehend America’s different monetary status and our greater reservoir of Natural Resources. (anyone who actually knows global economics and resource depletion can tell you this is a crock of shit) 

Most people on relief wanted more relief and believed Windrip could get it for them, programs that promised prosperity without working for it. The pacifist Upton Sinclair wrote and spoke for Windrip as he did during 1917, advocating America’s prosecution of the Great War, foreseeing it exterminating the German military and ending all wars. (...people really believed it when the government said it was the War To End All Wars didn't they) Windrip was seen as one who could start the Business Recovery, and the church spoke for him favorably, unlike Trowbridge. Europe joined in expressing admiration for the advocate of peace and prosperity, even those that saw him as vulgar saw him as hope of international commerce. 

Adelaide was a considerable figure in the campaign, told women how nice it was of him to let them keep voting and sang her songs about him eleven times a day. (I hate that you have this name I love you don’t deserve it) Windrip and everyone else reached millions by radio and traveled by train to give speeches. Sarason supervised the telephone girls and stenographers to filter calls and letters and Windrip only had him hire pretty skilled girls with political relations. Colonel Dewey Haik traveled and campaigned for Windrip bringing nay sayers into the fold. Macgoblin proved to Alabama no Negro with less than 25% white blood could never rise to be a doctor, the meeting was raided, the leader a Negro corporal from the Western Front. They were only saved by a Negro clergyman, proving Prang’s words that Windrip’s message reached even heathens. (...I have no words) 

11 

As a kid, his teachers said he was a dunce, he noticed they told him this more often than telling the other kids they were smart, so he was the most talked about in town, (you are a dunce if you can’t see how that wasn’t a good thing) the Senate isn't that different. 

There was a heathen that did not listen, Trowbridge conducted his campaign like he expected to win but didn't placate the masses or make thrilling speeches. “he explained he did not advocate an enormously improved distribution of wealth, but that it must be achieved by steady digging and not by dynamite that would destroy more than it excavated.”p.84 The Communists might entice 9,000,000 votes but those excursions were nothing compared to the Jeffersonian Party and Roosevelt. Roosevelt claimed Windrip wasn't chosen by brains but by crazed emotions, he won't support him. He wouldn't vote for the Republicans either even though he appreciated Trowbridge’s intelligence and honesty. He made it clear his Jeffersonian Party would disappear as soon as honest cool thinking men took control again. “The conspicuous fault of the Jeffersonian Party, like the personal fault of Senator Trowbridge, was that it represented integrity and reason,”p.85 

Doremus wondered what he should do, he admired Roosevelt but he didn't believe the Jeffersonians had a chance. He believed Trowbridge a competent man with all his campaigning. He went after Windrip and his gang through the Informer and argued with his voters. The naturally Republican Vermont swung to Windrip, “And the preference Doremus perceived, wasn't even a pathetic trust in Windrip’s promises of Utopian bliss for everyone in general. It was a trust in increased cash for the voter himself, and for his family, very much in particular.”p.86 They only saw what they wanted in his platform, increased taxes for all the rich, condemned the Negroes. “since nothing so elevates a dispossessed farmer or a factory worker on relief as to have some race, any race, on which he can look down,”p.87 And the promise of toilers receiving 5,000 a year, everything promised by the Utopians. (those that have read Utopia can see it’s a dystopia under the gold veneer) 

Believing in the payout many already bought expensive hardware expecting to pay it off after the inauguration. (never do this never buy something expensive when you do not have that money at that moment in your hands) Shad was a crusading supporter of Windrip, a talent for argument, soapboxing, chair manning and taunting Trowbridge and Roosevelt believers. He was also a bouncer and was summoned to Windrip’s rallies and lead the final parade in Rutland. Even Doremus was amazed at this paragon but groaned inwardly at his bellowing. Julian, however, wanted to scrap against him while Malcolm thinks he’ll put an end to all this radicalism and free speech of institutions and calls Julian a comrade who’s scared of Windrip. 

12 

He won't be content until the country is self-sufficient so they can keep their money and build tourist traffic so foreigners will leave their money. They want that and not wasting their time at Geneva (the European headquarters of the UN) and Lugano. (Switzerland's 3rd most important financial center) 

Tuesday, November 3rd election day, Windrip finished his campaign on Sunday at Madison Square Garden. Doremus was able to get a ticket, Forty Second Street was covered in fog and drizzle, (he just has a terrible time) so he took a taxi. He saw the Minute Men herding crowds, they were Windrip's private troops, Doremus published about them and was both thrilled and dismayed to see they were real. He feared they’ll be more menacing than the KKK and were probably in march months before Haik officially founded them. Windrip had them wear white shirts, unlike European uniforms of tyranny, the Minute Men are Democratic knight champions, shock troopers of Freedom. 

At Madison Square Garden it was a maelstrom. “A whole nation seemed querulously to be headed the same way.”p.94 The crowd had a murderous temper with also hashish hope. The Minute Men attacked the jeerers as the police stood by. (what happened to protect and serve) Doremus walked away sick and helpless, there were more fights and arguments as he reached the auditorium. A block from it the Minute Men raided a shop labeled Communist and one pulled down the Jewish girl protesting from a wheelbarrow to join, it’s life or death. Her followers fought back Communists and Jeffersonians drove off the MMs until a police riot squad came to their defense and arrested the protesters’ leaders. 

The buildings were fille with all kinds, “Manhattan peasants. Kind people, industrious people, generous to their aged, eager to find and desperate cure for the sickness of worry over losing the job.”p.97 The opening was dull with prayer and rambling of the war and Windrip until Haik finally announced his arrival to aplomb. He was monotone in his speech of coming to New York, the voters were disappointed by his drawl and Doremus had hope he wouldn't be elected. Windrip misquoted his own figures (and people still believe him) and Doremus was bored until he was excited, the way Windrip spoke made people believe it was to them personally, with truths that were hidden from them. They say he wants money and power, it’s true he wants power but it’s for them, to smash Jew financiers who enslaved them and Moscow spies. Picture a Paradise of Democracy, every worker their own king, it sounded reasonable for a while, Windrip was a supreme actor. 

Doremus was marveled and wondered if he was right, his Minute Men were nasty but most of them are nice young men. Seeing Windrip and listening to him makes you think but an hour later Doremus couldn’t remember what he said like he came out of a trance. He was so convinced Windrip would win, Tuesday he stayed out of the office, but the evidence came to him. After midnight a drunk parade marched past his house chanting Adelaide’s rewrite of Yankee Doodle, they called disloyalists Antibuzz. Doremus and Sissy saw people they knew in the parade and thought the person in the motorcar was Tasbrough. The parade caused damage and assaults and there was a threatening letter on Doremus’s door, he burned it and didn’t tell his family. 

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It Can't Happen Here 6/38 -Sinclair Lewis

1 

The dining room of the Hotel Wessex was reserved for the Ladies' Night Dinner of the Fort Beulah Rotary Club. Not as picturesque but it had its moments of humor, but the whole affair was serious. “All of America was serious now, after the seven years of depression since 1929. It was long enough after the Great War of 1914-18 for the young people who had been born on 1917 to be ready to go to college...or another war, almost any old war that might be handy.”p.1 The Rotarians weren’t outwardly funny, Brigadier General Herbert Y. Edgeway’s topic, Peace Through Defense-Millions for Arms but Not One Cent for Tribute. Mrs. Adelaide Tarr Gimmitch who was known for her anti suffrage campaign and her effort to maintain the barring of divorced, or foreign movie directors who haven't sworn to the flag or Bible. (she sounds like that type of person but wait she’s much worse) 

They were all listening to General Edgeway’s rhapsody on nationalism, how the United States have no desire for foreign conquest their highest ambition is to be left alone. Their only relationship with Europe is to educate their masses of ignorants and we must prepare the shores against alien governments who eye America’s mines, forests, cities and fields. (flip that around) “For the first time in all history, a great nation must go on arming itself more and more, not for conquest-not for jealousy-not for war-but for peace.”p.2 (that sounds like an oxymoron) They all cheered save a few pacifists and Doremus Jessup, the editor of the Fort Beulah Daily Informer. 

The dinner culminated in Adelaide’s speech, she wanted to send every soldier in the Front a canary but was denied by the Quartermaster General, (of course it was) and claims she gave him a piece of her mind. (yeah she’s also a Karen but wait she’s worse) She called every soldier she met within two blocks her boy and her speech listing them all lasted an hour. Now she was busty purifying films, she had advocated for then fought Prohibition and daily sent President Hoover lengthy advice and despite being childless she wrote about Child Culture. (would you believe she’s even worse) Now she was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, women who boast of being descendants of seditious American colonists and attack contemporaries who believe in the principles their ancestors struggled with. They became beyond criticism, contrived to be just as ridiculous as the defunct KKK. (...insert that monkey puppet meme here) 

She went on that women did nothing with the vote, if they listened to her she could have saved them all the trouble, women must resume their place in the home. (quotes an author who thinks women should have six kids) Lorinda Pike was appalled and interrupted her, she was the village scold and crank, criticizing every interest in the county and she asked if a woman can't get a man should she have kids out of wedlock. Adelaide countered that if a woman has any charm, she won't have to hook a man, they’ll be lined up at the door. Adelaide went on that too many are selfish and won't help responsible businessmen (ha) bring back prosperity, the labor unions are money grubbers extorting their unfortunate employees. The country needs discipline, peace is a pipe dream, they need to be in a real war again to learn discipline, all this intellectuality is just a toy for grownups.  

She turns to General Edgeway to fess up that he thinks when a country goes money mad so the thrift has to pay for ne’er do wells, to get some iron in them a war might be a good thing. People clapped and cheered and Edgeway confesses that while he abhors war, there’s worse things a state, labor organizations, nations out of Russia, where professors and authors are seditious and people lacking pride of a warrior. He really wants is the country to come out to the world. “Now you boys never mind about the moral side of this. We have power, and power is its own excuse!”p.8 (no not it’s not) Italy and Germany had enough honesty to say to other nations to tend their own business, (this takes place in 1936 WWII hadn’t really ramped up yet) nobody ever loved a weakling. In 1936 there's less than seven percent of colleges that don't have military training as rigorous as the Nazis, now the youth demands it. (this sounds a lot like our modern performance activists they have no legacy or sense of purpose in life so they join whatever gives them a feeling of belonging to something) Three years ago a big percent of students were pacifists, now these meetings (calls them exhibitionist orgies) have been raided and Red students beaten so severely they won’t rise the banner of anarchism in the country. 

When he was applauded Lorinda stood up again but was interrupted by Francis Tasbrough reminding her Edgeway and Adelaide were invited to speak and she is just a guest. Then Doremus Jessup popped up that Lorinda should apologize to Edgeway. “My friend, Mrs. Pike, ought to know that freedom of speech becomes mere license when it goes too far as to criticize the Army, differ with the DAR, and advocate the rights of the mob.”p.9 (freedom is only as free as those in power allow it) They should be grateful for Edgeway explaining what the country’s ruling class really wants. He was looking at Lorinda with sternness, but Medary Cole wondered if he was actually kidding but Lorinda caroled an apology. It wasn't a bother to him and people laughed and the program ended with patriotic ditties by Louis Rotenstern. 

Rotenstern was 100 percent American and frequently stated they should keep foreigners out of the country. (slurs for everyone who’s not white bread American like Kikes Wops Hunkies and Chinks) He was convinced if ignorant politicians could keep their dirty hands off banking and labor hours, the country would profit, and everyone would be rich. (he’s like those Boomers that don’t realize those checks and associations are there for a reason then wonder why they’re sick from food after the FDA was dismantled just go read The Jungle by Upton Sinclair) After the choruses everyone said their goodbyes and gossip. Doremus’s wife Emma says he did right butting in, Lorinda always parades her Socialists ideas. As people got to their cars Frank Tasbrough invites Doremus to an after party. 

2 

After taking his wife home he went to Tasbrough’s and let the hills break up his thinking of Edgeway’s epidemic patriotism. “It was a downy town, a drowsy town, a town of security and tradition, which still believed in Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and to which May Day was not an occasion for labor parades but for distributing small baskets of flowers.”p.12 He thought about Vermont, Fort Beulah, Pleasant Hill and the people in it. “But most of the wishy-washy young people today-Going seventy miles an hour but not going anywhere-not enough imagination to want to go anyewhere!”p.13 Music by dial, phrases from comics instead of the Bible, Edgeway and Adelaide were right, maybe they do need a war. (careful what you wish for on that monkey’s paw) 

Tasbrough was the general manager and chief owner of granite quarries, rich, persuasive and had labor troubles. Now in his private barroom only Tasbrough, Medary Cole and Emil Staubmeyer were comfortable in his caped elegance. Tasbrough told Doremus to stop playing Liberal and join the family, it’s going to be ugly with the Jew Communists potting to control the country. They even tried to ruin his business and is still sore at Doremus for taking the side of the strikers. These labor racketeers and Communists are determined to ruin the country, to tell men like him how to run his business and they won't serve the country if they go to war. Doremus agrees and Senator Windrip has an excellent chance of being elected President and his buzzards will get them in some war. 

“People will think they’re electing him to create more economic security. Then watch the Terror! God knows there’s been enough indication that we can have tyranny in America-”p.16 Democracy hasn't been universal, even if it’s given industrialists too much power and money, it’s given ordinary workers more dignity. That’ll be now menaced by Buzz Windrip into a real Fascist dictatorship, Tasbrough calls it nonsense. “That couldn’t happen here in America, not possibly! Were a country of freemen.”p.17 Doremus says the hell it can't, no other country is more hysterical or obsequious, Windrip owns his state, Americans will casually accept crookedness. (just a page of examples) “Why, where in all history has there ever been a people so ripe for a dictatorship as ours!”p.17 

RC Crowley thinks it won't be so bad, why is he afraid of fascism, it’s just a word. It won’t be so bad with all the lazy bums living off his income tax, a strong man like Hitler or Mussolini and have them make the country prosperous again. Staubmeyer points out Hitler saved Germany from Marxism, he’s got cousins there, (for now) he knows, but Doremus isn’t impressed. “Lure the evils of Democracy by the evils of fascism! Funny therapeutics. I’ve heard of their curing syphilis by giving the patient malaria, but I’ve never heard of their curing malaria by giving the patient syphillis!”p.18 (this was an actual thing the doctor got a Nobel prize for it) Tasbrough thinks Crowley is right, it might be good to have a strong leader but it can't just happen here in America and Reverend Mr. Falk said the hell it can’t. 

3 

By twelve Doremus was well read and would graduate from Isaiah College where he wrote bad poetry and become a book addict and track athlete. After graduation he was a reporter, in 1901 his father died leaving him almost three grand (the inflation calculator only goes to 1913 but this is still about 96k) and his library, so Doremus moved back to Fort Beulah. Despite the Republican state he was independent in politics against injustice, considering himself the opposite of politically loose. He married Emma and had three children (Philip Mary and Sissy) and one grandchild. (David) His house he described as ugly in a nice way, he went up to his private study (two pages describing his study) and looked out over the countryside, every year he loved it even more.  

He checked his letters, one from his old college, something dangerous is rising there and they’re worried the undergrads have gone war like. “When I cautiously ask them what the dickens war they are preparing for they just scratch and indicate they don't care much, so long as they can get a chance to show what a virile proud gents they are.”p.24 The faculty was warned if they criticize any military organizations they’ll be fired and students that have proof will get extra credit. (oh they’re turning the youth against those that could speak reason) Doremus realizes Tasbrough was a trustee that voted for it and encouraged them to be Gestapo. 

4 

All week Doremus was waiting for the broadcast of Bishop Paul Peter Prang, now six weeks before the 1936 National Conventions. Senator Walt Trowbridge will be nominated for the Republican party, Senator Berzelius Windrip for the Democratic party, though it’s said his secretary Lee Sarason is the real brain. Windrip went through several colleges before settling for his home state, a boisterous speaker, willing to lend money, drank as the people did and in twenty years ruled his state. He built up the farmlands, knew America would deal with the Russians so had the state university teach the language and quadrupled the state militia, rewarding the best soldiers. The militia considered him their god so rose against the town that wanted to indite Windrip for grifting two hundred thousand in taxes. (so he has his own private army) He took the Senatorship for six years and preached of redistributing wealth and the rich given a five hundred thousand a year (about 11 million today) allowance, so everyone was happy. (I doubt the rich were actually happy) 

Reverend Dr. Egerton Schlemil once stated Windrip coming into power was like the blessed rain. “Dr Schlemil did not say anything about what happened when the blessed rain came and kept falling steadily for four tyears.”p.28 No one knew how much of Windrip’s career was really Sarason, who’s background was a mystery. (ah so it’s a puppet government pay no attention to the man behind the curtain just keep the puppet content) Officially Sarason was Windrip’s secretary, but he was more everything and most consulted in Washington and least liked by newspapers correspondents. He had done the actual writing of Windrip’s book (so it’s not really Windrip’s words then) on exhibitionist boosting economic program, Zero Hour-Over the Top. (a lot of idealistic American imagery of his childhood on a farm) The most quoted paragraph saying they have to change the system, maybe the whole constitution. (legally not by violence and if that’s not foreshadowing I don’t know what is) 

1936, the most confusing campaign, the Republicans begged for office and the Democrats were professors, city slickers and yachtsmen in wagons. Windrip’s rival was Reverend Prang, he was sentimental reviled enemies by name, told stories, he was pure Middle West. He had power over his audience, as he told them fifty thousand wrote to the congressman to vote on a bill. “Thus, by the magic of electricity, Prang made the position of any king in history look a little absurd and tinsled.”p.32 

Doremus could never forgive what political gossip he preached, nationalization of banks, mines, transportation, increase wages and strengthen unions, (these all sound great) but no one expected them to be carried out. (yeah...not surprised there) All Perang wanted was his listeners to obey him in everything (and that is dangerous in the wrong hands) and to Doremus that made him a worse fascist than Napoleon. (see even Doremus thinks so) He doesn't believe the rumors of embezzling dues to pay for his radio time. “It’s much worse than that. I’m afraid he’s an honest fanatic! That’s why he’s such a real Fascist menace-he's so confoundedly humanitarian,”p.33 So noble the majority will let him boss them in everything, a country this size it’s quite a job. All while Trowbridge, suffering from being honest, wouldn't promise miracles, they lived in America not a highway to Utopia. (even in Utopia the slaves wore chains of gold) 

5 

A quote from Windrip’s book that slanders editors, they have no interests in family or the outdoors and only plot how to put out their lies and advance their positions, preying on statesmen who give their all for the common good. (hmm sounds like he wants to discredit the press) 

Doremus’s son Philip and Mary's family popped over for the weekend, the whole family is demanding a picnic, Doremus insisted, as an editor, it was his job to listen to Prang’s broadcast. They laughed and teased him until he promised to go and snuck along a portable radio. Lorinda Pike and Buck Titus came along and the hired man, Shad Ledue, who complained because he had to carry everything. Philip tells his father he should fire him, but Doremus thinks of it as an experiment, to train him to be a gracious Neanderthal, he even reads (you’d think someone as smart as Doremus would know this kind of treatment can breed spite and resentment) and believes Windrip will be president. Philip says Windrip just shoots his mouth off but the only thing he could do is protect them from the murdering Bolsheviks and Jew spies that pose as American liberals. (this book was written in the 30s) 

They set up the picnic and have trivial conversations and admire the view. The only flare on conversation was Buck calling all these politicians new Messiahs, his favorite is Father Divine who doesn't just say he’ll feed the underprivileged in ten years, he’s already handing out food. (huh someone who actually practices what they preach) Sissy’s boyfriend Julian Falck appeared, Doremus thinks he’s nearly tolerable compared to the others. Doremus adjusted his radio and gets annoyed by the sponsors and who was singing the oldies (a male sextette called the Smoothies) he thinks the country needs Windrip, then came Prang’s broadcast. He announced he only has six more weekly petitions before the national conventions to decide the country’s fate, it’s time to act.   

He quotes the sixth chapter of Jerremiah, time to prepare for war. “Far from the leasy of them even unto the greatest, every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest, every one dealeth falsely...saying Peace, Peace, when there is no Peace!”p.41 It was spoken in the book of old and again in 1936, the League of Forgotten Men has warned there is no peace and they have demanded money be taken from private banks and soldiers be given their dues, farmers and unions be recognized and be made a part of the government. They have no problem with individual Jews but these subversive organizations which are unfortunately largely Jewish, must be driven from the earth. (also says Jewish communism anarchism and atheism be stopped from all activity) How long have the politicians and Big Business pretend to listen, there is no more time. 

The ones before died on the guillotine, perhaps they can be more merciful this time with the New Constitution and New Deal. Like Windrip said, it is the Zero Hour, after months of taking counsel they secured the Democratic nomination of Berzelius Windrip. He pledges to take their advice, and they’ll back him with their money, loyalty, votes and prayers. (so of course he’ll say he’ll listen to them) Doremus had his family listen to history, Emma calls Prang a Red Radical but does it really mean anything. “Why, nothing much except that in a couple of years now, on the ground of protecting  us, the Buzz Windrip dictatorship will be regimenting everything.”p.43 Julian has tempted to turn Communist, Buck jeers they’re out of the frying pan of Windrip into the fire of Stalin, the Five Year Plan, what do they expect his horse to foal six colts a year. Dr Fowler Greenhill says, “Why, America’s the only free nation on earth. Besides! Country’s too big for a revolution. No, no! Couldn't happen here!”p.43 (people say that because they think it’s true but only those that know it could happen are the ones preemptively stopping it) 

6 

Zero Hour quote that says people could call him a socialist all they want as long as they help him slash poverty and intolerance to pieces. 

His family believed Doremus had fickle heath, he raged at their worrying but knew they had a point, but sill snuck around staying up late and smoking. These deceptions gave him satisfaction, but his wife was sad by his aging and failing health, only happy when he was snappish before breakfast meaning he was energetic with ideas. After Prang’s announcement the summer went to words, political conventions that disturbed Emma since Doremus was silent at breakfast. 

Back in the 1920s Doremus advocated to recognize Russia and Fort Beulah thought he was turning Communist. He was milder, somewhat, Liberal and disliked pomposity and the itch for notoriety. “But for all the cruelty and intolerance, and for the contempt of the fortunate for the unfortunate, he had not mere dislike but testy hatred.”p.46 He alarmed his fellow editors with his advocacy and politicking and was called a Bolshevik losing over a hundred papers in circulation. Maybe he was a little, he stopped at a Communist camp once and thought they resembled the YMCA. He once supported a strike against Tasbrough who reviled him still eight years later even after the strike lost. If Doremus wasn't from there generations of Vernaters he’d be penniless and less detached from the Sorrows of the Dispossessed. (Return With Bombs Strapped To Their Chests~   sorry reflex) Emma complains about what people must think of him, they don't understand he’s not a Socialist.  

NEXT

[crackspinewornpages]

Superman: Miracle Monday 27/27 -Elliot S. Maggin

18 

“It was over. He was horribly embarrassed. He was mortified. A big part of him, the mortal part, was killed.”p.153 There were species on Earth whose heartbreak would cause death, now Superman felt he was going to die. News traveled the world before it really hit him, now, as he flew through the sky, he was totally alone. Now, in his Fortress, was the only privacy he had left and listened to it all, all across the world. “Superman was part of the song. He had an instrument in the orchestra of the Earth. He was not, in the overall scheme of things, an outsider.”p.156 He listened to everything work together to make Earth, maybe he bounced to the rhythm too when he came as a baby. He listened to the Oder of Life, wondered what the sound of the Universe would be if he could hear in a vacuum. Somewhere the devil possessed a girl and destroyed what made him feel like a part of the world, but now he realized he had become a part of the world and Order and the demon was disrupting it, so he dove to meet the agent of Hell.  

19 

By this time CW Saturn had already brought about chaos Superman was starting to clean up the mess. In the upside down PanAm Building (so these are Mxyzsptlk shenanigans) the people sat on light fixtures as Superman made ramps to evacuate them before flipping the building right side up. (he has a soft spot for American pop culture) He wondered what CW Saturn was up to as Kristin was in a park surrounded by fire and a crowd and told Superman to come make him unscary before disappearing in a smoke puff. Superman went to see Lena, but seeing him the sensitive woman shrieked and fainted. (well you were completely useless) When he went to Max Mavin he was expected and was told he doesn’t know much, they can’t exercise CW Saturn, he’s an arch demon. He has to defeat CW Saturn somehow, impossible but heroes thrive on that. If he loses all order is gone starting with Earth and expanding to the Universe until all four dimensions break and revert to before the Creation, it won’t be pleasant for living things. (no shit) Chaos continued for weeks and in it Superman left for Skvrsky. 

20 

It was another week before he could go back to Clark’s apartment and saw Lois collecting papers into a briefcase, people had already stripped it down to the wall phone. (they even took the elevator button) With Superman busy and seeming uninterested, (he’s wasn’t uninterested he had a crisis and priorities) Lois become his executor but all that was left was old papers, but she still looked for important things. He calls out to her but she’s cold to him for not telling her. “You’re a stranger. Do you realize that? In all the years I’ve known you, you’ve been a stranger. How do you think that makes me feel?”p.166 He apologizes, he would have told her. Where has he been, saving the Earth, not coming to his friends when he’s in a crisis or even leaving a note to the one he loves. (lady he just lost his safety net and do you not see the shit going on in the world) 

Lois asks if she was a part of his disguise to help him act normal. “Was I just somebody to have tagging along on your arm  in Time magazine so we puny mortals could think of you as a living, breathing Earthman who just happened to be an immigrant?”p.167 (you knew both personalities do you really think that little of him) Her last boyfriend was a psychologist who always talked about issues and broke up with her saying she had too many. (well he’s not wrong but I also think he was just being douchey) Superman says her ex couldn't handle a strong-willed woman, she tells him to read more psychological journals as she cleans up the mess of her life. He holds her as she cries, she asks if he’s not using some hormones to make her love him, (I’m sure there’s a Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane comic with that plot) he wouldn't do that. That’s the point, for years he’s hid this and she can’t trust him anymore, he could have been laughing at her the whole time. (you really don’t know him if you think that okay feel betrayed but don’t accuse him of being a super dick) 

There are a lot of discussions between those that are insecure in their love, the purpose is to resolve the issues. Superman wanted to tell her he was unsure he could have her without Clark to live on an equal footing. Lois would say a woman with Superman would have been uninterested in a normal man, on her footing she was born to love Superman, (honey no) if he died as an infant there would be no Lois Lane because there’d be no place for her. (you seemed to be doing well before he got hired at the Planet) They were both afraid of being alone, but unfortunately none of it was said as then the sky lit up in an emergency as CW Saturn rode a carpet of pollution over Metropolis. (so he’s Captain Pollution)  

21 

Perry (it says White looks like an older Bruce Jenner and I don’t know if this aged like milk or wine because of the irony) says everyone's comparing Kristin to Mxyzsptlk, (I called it) he has magic powers, pulling similar stunts. The current big news was Clark and the demon that possessed Kristin. Perry had trouble believing that, but Jimmy felt ready to explode and feeling the need to do something, he took Lois to a show. (well that’s something I guess) He thought if he stuck around, Perry, who spoke detached about Kristin, he’d do something even more foolish, disagree with him in public. Perry goes on that whatever it is Superman is vulnerable to it and unlike Mxyzsptlk, the girl’s intention isn't fun, (if you could describe what Mxyzsptlk does funny) she tore away his tie to humanity and kept him busy with her antics. Two reasons he hasn't stopped her yet, he wants to know her intentions or he might not know how besides killing her. Jimmy points out she hasn't killed anyone, Clark wasn't an actual murder. (take note of that) 

He’s happy he’s Superman, couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, (Jimmy they usually say that because they wanted the bad thing to have happened to the person) he doesn't know why he won't stop by for lunch anymore. He’d call him Superman as they’d have coffee and that’s the problem, if Superman is Clark, he’s among Earthmen, if they knew he’s Superman, he becomes a dangerous personality. (again you guys act like you know nothing about him) If Kristin’s plan is to discredit Superman and push him to insanity who’s to say, when asked if he’s seen him Lois ran out of the office. Perry then speculates if it is really a demon and Kristin is gone one must assume that Superman has no alternative than to destroy the body. 

The day before the third Monday in May, a cold front was moving in, Metropolis had no power and food was running low. This would be WGBS’s last broadcast to seventy-eight televisions and Superman was watching one. Four minutes after it Jimmy hated Perry for suggesting the murder of Kristin, hated the logical argument, but Jimmy was the only one that didn't perceive his sorrow. Jimmy hated him until he went into the men’s room and heard Perry throw up in the next stall. 

22 

A generation still young that grew up in the States and Soviet Union were constantly reminded of the apocalypse that rode along with civilization. “The more intricate and refined life become in the twentieth century, the close rode violence and the specter of mass death.”p.177 The nightmare came then Monday May morning as the generation always knew it would, but instead of a human it was the hand of the devil. Superman was flying for days, dreaming for minutes, (so he can dolphin sleep) the Kents, Krypton, his infant self, wanting to introduce both sets of parents as they shared dinner. Kristin woke him up that she set the holocaust, below was flames and Superman would go with it. Kristin’s distorted laugh followed him as nuclear warheads came alive, CW Saturn's goals were for Superman to allow the world to end, he could just explode every atom, but this was more dramatic.  

After CW Saturn set off the bombs Superman went to Pakistan where one of the Oppenheimer nightmares lay, no one knew how to disarm it and no one but Superman knew the reaction began. He crashed through the floors as it began to glow red, he fused the hairline cracks, and lifted it on his back as he flew it out. Forty kilometers above it went off, most of it went into space (well what about the rest of it) then Superman went to his next targets. The psychics faculty at Yale built one under false pretenses and fortunately Superman knew and flew under the campus following the trail of burning nitrogen. He picked up the football sized bomb and thrust it into the mantle. (wouldn’t that cause some seismic trouble) At Cambridge, a professor followed a dream and built a device set off by DNA, it would wipe out all life and could create new at the site of ground zero. The chemical trigger was already farming, not alive by any definition, but the bomb was when Superman threw it at Polaris, the explosion contained within his cape. He disarmed thousands more in order of how close were the targets, within an hour and forty-two minutes. Then he flew to Metropolis and met Kristin on top of the Galaxy Building. 

23 

Since CW Saturn possessed Kristin, she’s been forced to commit acts of destruction, mayhem pushing the planet near nuclear war and stealing Clark Kent. CW Saturn could not be exorcised and could not rip him from her and yet some still said there’s only one way. “There were those who claimed that the death of this pawn, this innocent child without family or past, was the only way to save the world.”p.184 Superman thought of any other alternatives, so far she has done nothing he couldn't reverse, (hmm) CW Saturn wasn't interested in destroying life but innocence. (hmm) “And if Superman killed Kristin Wells in order to stop her reign of terror, then it was Superman, along with all he stood for, that was destroyed.”p.185 (there it is) He won't kill her, he’ll do what he does to all criminals, follow her to the ends of Creation, couldn't be a nobler mission. Then Kristin’s eyes glowed red and an inhuman voice called out to Superman that he’ll answer to him now. 

24 

Two days before that Monday there was little news as broadcasting wasn't coming out of Metropolis, mass transit was impossible and people stayed home. Skvrsky walked in the abandoned subway and took off his disguise and Luthor made sure he had the hair in his coat when he entered the abandoned WWII bomb shelter. Luthor met The Shadow in there and gives him the hair for his end of the bargain, he believes he is what he says he is, just satisfied he is bound by contract. He wants to know his game though, what just stops him from destroying the city, Luthor is a powerful soul in this world, but does he remember the one he phased through, just the pain. He was in pain too, but here his power is limited, he doesn't even know where the gateway is. Luthor laughs he has the hair now, so he owes him. 

Luthor is given a book on the psychics of alternate universes, Luthor asks what he intends to do with the hair. The Shadow proposes an exchange in information, he’ll answer that question for the location of the gateway, Luthor’s not that interested just curios. Luthor is among the most curios creatures in Creation, he wants to know more, Luthor confesses it’s in New England. The Shadow says he doesn't know what he’ll do with the hair and disappears. Luthor screamed in frustration as Superman flew him back to prison, it was all an elaborate trick, (the book was a rebound copy of Catch 22) now that Superman knew the location he could close it. “Heroes, above all, are people who succeed, they sometimes fail in their immediate goals-staying alive, for example-in order to succeed in their ultimate goals-”-”Ultimately they succeed, and generally this is because they set out on purpose to succeed. They keep control.”p.190 Control of their surroundings and knew what happens next, this trick by Superman was on Saturday and explained what happened on Monday. 

25 

The demon called out that he won as Superman flew along the rising black pillar. The pillar stopped rising and the Universe stopped heading towards entropy, time froze. With the blackness CW Saturn took his original form, (you know the classic devil) Superman figured his plan was to get him to kill Kristin, but he’s in charge now. CW Saturn says when the conversation ends Kristin will die, her mortal form was overextended. Superman backhands him but he won't waste his power on anger, he tells CW Saturn to undo the damage and why was it Kristin. She was an element most susceptible because she didn't belong. In this instant Superman could do or say no wrong and he wants to know how to save Kristin, it’s at the Center of Short-Lived Phenomena in Skvrsky’s desk. Superman wants Clark Kent back, it would upset the balance to do so, so substitute the memory for Kristin. He owes CW Saturn nothing, so he wants nothing more to do with him, so leave this realm and deal with his master. Four in the afternoon on Monday there was a pause and the shriek of CW Saturn leaving Kristin’s body died in the air.  (her body fell to the roof) 

26 

“Shortly before four in the afternoon on the third Monday in the month of May, the people of the city of Metropolis learned the meaning of joy.”p.195 They had no explanation and there were gaps in their knowledge of the day like they just woke up after a long time. The first thing they saw was Superman flying across the sky, he became a symbol of their joy and felt an unexplainable miracle. The superintendent looked over Kristin’s empty apartment, inexplicably unrented for a year. The superintendent would find a renter tomorrow, right now he felt like throwing a party. 

Morgan Edge yelled for Clark who just seemed to hang up on him, but his anger was performative, to his dismay he felt mellow and centered. He found Don Reed at Clark’s desk; he didn't know why he was there either. Outside the window (Clark insisted his office have a window) they could hear people in the streets celebrating, instead of going over the evening news Edge takes Reed out for a martini. As Superman flew overhead the feeling spread in the air communicating one thing, “This day, though, the souls who had subjugated the surfaces of the small planet needed no artificial aides, the newspapers, the radios, televisions, even word of mouth, to know it was a good day.”p.197 The next time Clark would be over the air waves it would be Tuesday, this Monday the entire world population of the city took the day off. “A great miracle had happened here.”p.197 

Superman warded of the feeling until his job was done, at the Center of Short-Lived Phenomena and found the notebook in the desk. He collected the chemicals and herbs and flew to the Galaxy Building roof where he made the serum and where the girl no one remembered was. The serum was what Luthor used to cure his heart disease, now it worked on Kristin growing new and stronger tissue. (the FDA rules it unacceptable because it causes mumps and rhesus monkeys but you know I think people will deal with a vaccine for mumps and herpes if it means they no longer have cancer) Awake, Kristin answers his questions, she’s a history student of Columbia in the year 2055, she’ll get a doctorate in 59, (and become a professor) and tells him Happy Miracle Monday. This is the first one people will celebrate, she came to find out why and she remembers everything, at least this historical moment has a happy ending. (so it really is something to celebrate) 

There were historians everywhere (hiding in the bushes) to find out but now only she knows, CW Saturn picked her because she was there first a year ago, she’ll at least get some stories for her dissertation. Superman laughed having finally felt the feeling, he tells her what happened with CW Saturn and she teases the future. Jimmy will forget her, for the best, his grandson will marry her great whatever grandmother. (oh good she avoided an I’m my own grandpa situation) Lois won't be something as mundane as the president, (no that would be Luthor) but he already knows that, doesn't he, but they’re always the last to know. He told Kristin how he tricked Luthor (pretty much just his powers and smoke and mirrors) and gives her the lock of his hair, he asks if they’ll ever be friends again, someday. Before Kristin leaves, she thanks him for the wonderful time. (she does regret not meeting John Chancellor) 

27 

Kristin’s final journal entry, the lock of hair belongs to the university at display in the Superman Museum. The tests reveal it’s not human hair and has the genetic structure Superman is supposed to have, though it is a laboratory reproduction. Her story was believed and it is believed Superman thought it was his, it is not and that's the mystery, no one at the time but Luthor could produce it. Kristin has her own theory and will tell it after she’s reorientated with her period of speech. (the disco slang has to die) She’s writing the entry on her new antique typewriter, with no more discos she took it up as a hobby, who knows where she’ll get more carbon ribbons. (thought to cause cancer in secretaries but that sounds more like correlation not causation) She believes Luthor made the switch thinking the devil needed an artifact to possess Superman’s soul. Why, she cites Hamlet who let Claudius live so he wouldn't enter Heaven. Luthor discovered an afterlife and didn't want to send Superman to Hell. “Superman was then correct in assuming that even where he could not see it, there was good in all life, a good that made it important to treasure that life.”p.205 

FIRST

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Superman: Miracle Monday 17/27 -Elliot S. Maggin

12 

The dignitaries at the Grangerford-Shepherdson Galleries were a good show, an Iraqi diplomat’s cab crashed and almost got a truck driver to take him, but the police got there first. Later on, celebrity lead protesters against canned tuna dumped them as a demonstration but the seafood mogul was on vacation. After that a stray wind blew open the case of an extortion trade, Superman flew both men, laundered money and evidence against dozens of oil company officials to the police. The greatest show at Seventy-Second Street was Wainwright McAfee who wanted his brother Jeremy’s art pieces back from the eccentric billionaire Lucius Tommytown, there was an argument, but McAfee got to the auction first. At one thirty a man looking like a vampire set up speakers at the gallery and announced McAfee's arrival in a limousine. After he walked in everyone started packing up to leave but as they were an entourage came with Tommytown and he had his chorus girls dance for them. As the crowd went into chaos a woman ran up and pulled off her wig revealing he’s Tommytown before going inside. (you know one of those days where you’re like this might as well happen adult life is already so goddamn weird) 

The auction hall was more like a church the only detraction were the sculptures confounding art critics before he died in a helicopter accident. Truth is he didn't exist or his brother, or Tommytown, all were a creation of Luthor who was in the back disguised as a rent a cop. Luthor could have gotten a job in any field and used the money to study and make anything had he not gone to reform school. When he started making bigger gadgets that would have been made illegal, he hid them in plain sight as art pieces. Luthor signaled to the Tommytown and Wainwright actors to bid, neither knowing they both worked for him.  

By the time it was over and the two felt everyone had a good show and Luthor had the sculptures that were actually an illusion caster, weather controller, and other (inators) inventions to be used as needed. After Superman found out Luthor was Jeremy McAfee for the benefit of the art world, he killed him in a freak accident. (hung by a helicopter swung into a Spanish church and fell 200 feet) The sudden death would cause the market price to rise and he needed the cash. (you couldn’t do something more legal like patents or stock markets) Luthor also assumed Superman had multiple identities, so no point in finding out who he is. (see you say that but I don’t believe you) 

 His running theory is Morgan Edge, who randomly appeared in the nineteen sixties, maybe a few other people like Bruce Wayne or Pete Ross who disappeared whenever Superboy showed up, but it didn't matter. “What Luthor did not realize was that while his own aliases were tools and nothing else, Clark Kent was Superman’s fetish and preoccupation. Kent was Superman’s demon.”p.113 As he walked to a payphone a voice called out to him by name and he won't be avoided, Luthor turned to see a shrouded figure with snow white skin. (gee wonder who this mysterious figure could be) 

13 

The Shadow introduces himself, Luthor doesn't buy it, the Shadow says only he can see him and no one else on the street reacts but then again, he was in Metropolis. (how desensitized are the citizens to weird shit) Luthor has him follow him to an abandoned playground to prove it and the Shadow points flames into existence and Luthor collapses, the Shadow catching him so now he has no claim on his soul. Luthor does a lot of research in prison, Dracula traces back to him, the Shadow says they still hope Luthor will join them when his time comes, but currently he desires another soul. Luthor wanted more proof, “Luthor was very prudent indeed, for there were things Luthor wanted that other men could not possibly have. He was as prudent as he was bold.”p.117  

Years ago, Luthor wanted to be president so for a while in Smallville Lex focused on pursuing that. In the presidential primaries when the senator campaigned through Smallville Lex decided to meet him as the senator decided to be seen with the youth and looked for precocious teenagers. In the eighth grade the advance man would pick four for a Friday film interview with the senator. The advance man would decide by the questions they wrote down though impressed with Lex’s questions (the missile gap with Russians should a restaurant serve someone they don't like and should America overthrow another disagreeable country) he chose Clark, Pete, Lana and Brad Herman. Lex thought Clark’s questions were bland as cornflakes just like him. (nature conservation Russia out of Cuba and what’s he proudest of) Lex didn't understand the senator wanted wholesome questions from admiring youth (in other words uncomplicated unproblematic questions that’ll make the senator look good) and thought it was unfair. “All Lex understood was that this was unfair, just as many things turned out to be unfair when you played by rules that other people laid down for you.”p.118 

While in gym Lex asked Clark about cows and learned the less a cow was agitated the more milk it produced and it was easy to excite one. Lex’s plan was to dress up as an Indian and wave flashlights to scare farmer Herman’s cows so they couldn't be milked that day and the next morning smuggle them to his class and use a milking remote gadget to embarrass the senator. (couldn’t you just go the normal rural farm country prank route and release three pigs labeled 1 2 and 4) That morning he snuck into the barn when, by the entrance, he heard a crash and someone howl in pain startling the cows and alerting farmer Herman. Clark had followed Lex wanting to see if he was doing something neat like he always does. 

Lex ran out leaving Clark behind to be found by farmer Herman, Clark’s excuse was that he was walking around and wanted to see because he likes barns. The cows didn't have much milk that morning and Lex waited to be called to the office for his failed plan. He didn't see Clark until fifth period and he looked downcast as the teacher replaced him for the interview. Lex figured it out and thought of Clark as a self-sacrificing moron for taking the blame. After class Lex told Clark not to trust him Clark planned not to. 

Luthor asks the Shadow if he’s supposed to trust him, no, only adhere to his half of the bargain if they come to an agreement. He doesn't have to believe him, just follow the rules they set. First what would he want from him, teach him the physical laws of the Netherworld to construct a practical source of energy from the two worlds. Just harness the energy from turbines harnessing the clash between Hell and Earth just like a windmill. Now in return for that information the Shadow wants a lock of Superman’s hair. 

14 

In the twilight of sleep one can sense what kind of day it'll be, Superman did it all the time when he woke up as Clark. That April morning the phone rang, it inflicted his life just as everyone else. Morgan Edge called him, this’ll be the most important day of his career, Clark was petty and made Edge wait for him to find a pen and notepad as payback for disturbing his rare sleep. Edge tells him a helicopter is on it’s way to his apartment to pick him up, (is his apartment zoned for that) so he can cover four major stories that broke in the last hour. A collapsed brownstone, earthquake, subway derailment, Clark used his x-ray vision to check. No major injuries or immediate danger unless Superman did something and he flies out when he hears there’s a tramway car hanging over a bridge. (way to bury the lead Edge) 

As the helicopter came the cameraman considered himself lucky to catch Superman flying by and told the pilot to follow him away from Clark’s apartment. The tram car was hanging by a frayed cable and was on fire. Superman blew the smoke away and burned off the frayed wire then flew away the overheating transformer and flew back as the cable snapped into a free fall. Superman caught it and set it gently on the sidewalk as the transformer exploded above. The conscious passengers hauled the others out for the paramedics and Superman flew off. As the helicopter came back to Clark’s apartment, they found him on the roof trying to keep warm. They told him they got Superman on tape and then took Clark to the earthquake zone. Clark had already checked out the danger and had them change direction to the derailment, his nose for news says it’s a more immediate story. 

At the derailment the camera set up as Clark looked for people to interview, but the crowd ignored him over the helicopter. “Clark had assiduously cultivated the capacity to be ignored, even while pursuing the most intriguing of enterprizes.”p.128 He sprinted a slow thirty-five miles an hour to the lobby, he ducked into a faulty elevator and Superman burst through the roof fifty stories above, the cameraman just missed as he dove back down. The last two cars disconnected and locked together, seventy-three people in panic, no one seriously hurt, the only two still in terror were the conductors who understood the situation. The outer walls were charged with enough electricity to kill a person and the car rested on the electrified third rail. The conductors couldn't contact the outside and convinced the passengers they were fine and waited for them to realize or for a miracle. 

The miracle called out to them, and Superman worked the two cars apart without damaging the insulation that protected the passengers. Once free he cleared the cars of the third rail, he would have liked to get a picture of it. (isn’t it a conflict of interest to report on yourself) He had the awestruck conductor lead the passengers out of the tunnel. As he freed the other car the electricity caused him to glow and he flew that car out of the subway and set it a block away. He doubled back and was there as Clark in time to interview the conductor coming out of the subway tunnel. After sufficient interviews and footage Clark ordered the helicopter to the collapsed brownstone. 

With a better view Clark had confirmed there were no causalities, and one person was still trapped. The woman’s studio apartment was the only part untouched and the only way into it now was a window from the alley someone had to fly into. Clark was startled to see it was Kristin, (who’s just sitting there reading) within eight seconds Superman crashed through her window. She had an unnaturally vacant stare and didn't seem to understand the situation. When he asked of her state and her eyes changed and she asked if he liked her handiwork with the disasters, they’ll get to know each other better. Kristin came back to but was confused, Superman took her to the hospital, and she was released an hour later with perfect health. 

15 

CW Saturn writes in Kristin’s journal that finally he has full control of her mind, this is the final entry, one more day of her physical habits, tomorrow she’ll resign from her jobs. She is being weaned from her routine that was new to her when he began his possession, her body is adapting to his routine. Several weeks ago he created those disasters that Superman had to intervene now Kristin resides in Lois’s apartment. Now there’s been more disasters he had to foil. A nuclear reaction at the Atlantic Coast, a sea monster attacking an oil tanker, endangered seals, an endangered ship of refuges, conjoined twins, it clouded the mental and emotional judgements of world leaders, and malfunctioned nuclear warheads. “I have compromised the world’s natural balance, and the mechanisms men have raised to augment that balance.”p.134 As planned Superman averted the chaos and will continue to grow tired. After he strays from the creation he values most, he will tempt him when he can't refuse. 

16 

After the string of disasters and political upheaval led to the worldwide sense of impending doom. Now there was the Itching Sickness and Dr David Skvrsky, a well-known diagnostician, almost to a supernatural degree. (gives House a run for his money) He spent most of his time out of public eye only to turn up mysteriously when needed such as the outbreak of Itching Sickness. Superman was in Reykjavik catching a toddler falling out a window, there were three reports of the sickness and Superman began to notice the pattern of phenomena. Soon after reports came in Skvrsky was given all the federal money he needed to study for a cure. The symptoms were horrifying but no deaths yet, it started as severe eczema then the scales spread quickly over the body. If painkillers weren't given the patient would scratch their skin off, the disease went away after four days but left the patient disfigured. 

It was reported in three continents, no known virus caused it, no reason for it to go away after four days, it wasn't contagious, Skvrsky only had an idea of where it came from. He assembled a staff and gave them his report, each outbreak occurred thirty-six hours after Superman’s appearance in the area, he can only assume he’s carrying the disease in his hair. First, they need a lock of his hair for testing, and he needs their complete cooperation and access to all resources in the Center for the Study of Short-Lived Phenomena. (is this the DC version of the SCP Foundation) None of what Skvrsky said was true besides Superman being in the affected areas, there was no sickness, there wasn't even a Skvrsky, just another of Luthor’s personas. (how many false identities and backgrounds does he have how can he keep it all together even Roger Smith had trouble) Now there would be no more need of false reports after the news hysterical cases would pop up. 

17 

In early May the networks replaced their regular programs for news segments, this week there were no major events but many little ones including crimes and disasters, as Superman diffused them disease followed. After the segment ended Lana commented on all the weird stuff going on saying what millions were thinking. During the report the viewers hoped the journalists would discern some pattern to the events and were disappointed. Meanwhile, at the Center for Short-Lived Phenomena, Luthor watched and waited, he took the grant money and used a portion to make fake hair. (more like strands of titanium) He tried to ignore his boyhood friend on TV as he discussed with others trading theories about the disasters. “Luthor ignored Kent as much as he possibly could. There was something about the man that spooked him.”p.145 (again somebody has a lizard brain sensing there’s something uncanny about him) 

Years ago, Abraham Maslow (developed the theory of a person's hierarchical needs) and Noam Chomsky (famous for the invention of the formal language theory) were teaching a course on psycholinguistics. That year, nineteen-year-old Lex vanished from prison and a transfer student, Michael Hemmingway, (with two Ms) showed up at Metropolis University registered for the course. He didn't show up at the other classes but no one was suspicious that Michael was actually Lex with a record already for being on the FBIs Most Wanted List. (he’s 19 what the hell did he do) It was a very impressive class, teaching language and human interaction, Lex was fascinated. When he asked if he could do a special project Maslow asked why he laughed defensively, he had a lot to be defensive about. Lex then went to Chomsky, he wanted a dozen volunteers to study accents from across the country for five months to find changes from experiences, Chomsky suggested he also have a control group. 

 The first volunteer was someone Lex knew, Clark Kent, he had a perfect Midwest accent and remembered thinking instead of journalism he should go into broadcasting. He relished Clark talking about Smallville from his view and was surprised to learn he was adopted and felt resentment his natural parents didn't love him as much as Clark’s adopted ones (so what type of mental illness or compacted trauma do you think Luthor has) and felt a bit of regret learning the Kents passed. At the end Clark asked Lex who he thought he was fooling Lex denies it, (he got a nose job) but Clark says he’s no more Hemmingway than himself Superboy. (it’s Superman now) Why doesn't he stop this criminal stuff, it counts as something he’s never seriously endangered anyone’s life. 

Lex ended the interview and finds a letter for him in his dorm from Clark apologizing for ruining his game, he always has a good reason for doing what he does. Since he can easily make a new identity he could start over anywhere with a clean slate. “Well, it seems to me that that only thing keeping you from actually doing this is Superman. No matter where you went or how you changed yourself, Superman could probably find you sometime.”p.148 He can make it so Superman doesn't follow him and forgets his past if he wants to start over and benefit humanity instead of destroying Superman. (is this all because he doesn’t want anyone with unachievable power above him) He knows he wouldn't lie to him and he knows him well enough not to trust him blindly. If he meets him in the lobby at eight, he’ll tell him a secret.  

Lex hated having to make decisions he never thought he had to make, Clark had something to tell him, something he thinks is big. A lot of things can change in seven years, Lex changed after all and after the death of his parents and moving to Metropolis, Clark changed too. Possibly he went nuts, but he was sane enough to see through his ruse. Clark still looked like his wimpy self, but how could he get Superman off his back. He needed more information, so he decided to skip the appointment and kidnap Clark. (that went from 0 to 100 real quick I could talk to my old friend...nah I'll kidnap and interrogate him instead) Five minutes after eight Clark was regretful and relieved as he walked to his own dorm and Lex followed him with chloroform. As Lex rounded an alley his toupee was ripped off and he was lifted into the air before Superman used his chloroform against him dropped him at prison, he’d later rage at not knowing Clark’s secret. 

Now disguised as Skvrsky, Luthor heard someone be surprised and he watched the TV the rest of the day. The panel of news people seemed distracted by a noise outside the studio Kristin claimed to be the cause of the calamities. She blew Lana back with a blast of light from her fingers and everyone but Clark scattered, he checked on Lana as the cameras were on him. Kristin told him this charade won't soon be necessary, Clark didn't pay attention until she said her name is CW Saturn and will continue until she destroys the Earth. Clark stayed in character as millions were watching when Kristin blasted off his clothes revealing his Superman suit (insert dramatic chipmunk here) and Luthor threw a fit that that was his secret.  

NEXT

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Superman: Miracle Monday 11/27 -Elliot S. Maggin

6 

“Nearly everyone had a personal demon. Few people called them demons, but that was what they were.”p.53 Perry collected stamps, Luthor followed his sister’s life who didn’t know she was related to him. Einstein played the violin, in his final years banished his demon to formulate his Unified Field Theory. Lois wrote poetry she hid in a lead box, (we know about the poetry Lois we've all heard Can You Read My Mind) Jimmy took up the name Marshall McShane to secretly host a country music radio show and Superman had Clark Kent. (these aren’t demons they’re called guilty pleasures) Superman loved his alter ego as much as the Kents and the world that adopted him and he loved Lois. Even Clark had a demon, taping funny commercials that he showed friends. Superman spent more time creating Clark and Clark spent more time walking than flying. 

Something was bothering Clark since he saw Jimmy’s film of Luthor’s announcement but couldn't figure out what it was. Two minutes before airtime he had to memorize it to have ninety seconds to type out a script, most of those spent walking normal speed. He greeted the public, and those watching saw Luthor drop his lighted match on the ground. As Clark announced other world news, he kept thinking of the film knowing Luthor slipped some clue. Before the clips of local accidents due to snow Superman made a mistake, not a big one, he was supposed to cue the traffic film instead he said to play the Luthor one. As it played Clark read the prepared text then apologized for the technical difficulties, his mistake. This only reinforced the fallible Clark persona, CW Saturn lost battles but didn’t make mistakes. Meanwhile Haskell missed the news but looked up from his paper in time to see the mistaken Luthor clip and he immediately called the prison maintenance director. He kept calling until he got someone, despite his errors he knew what was wrong. 

 After the broadcast Lois invited Clark to dinner, she’s setting up a double date with Jimmy and Kristin. Lois was Clark’s idea of a remarkable woman, in her twenties and successful and she asked Clark to spend time with her because he felt safe. They ran into Steve who corralled them to be his victims of his usual pranks, Clark couldn’t outwardly get even. Lois took Clark’s hand to show Steve she wasn't interested in him, whatever she felt about holding Clark’s hand she decided not to think about or she might like it. 

Lois tells Clark about Kristin, she’s typing her book, a nice girl, a little spacey but she’s new in town and thinks Jimmy will be perfect for her. She helped her find a second job with her friend Lena Thurol, she told Clark everything so he could help set the two up. Kristin was in Lois’s office; Clark helps her with the crossword and Lois introduces them before going to fetch Jimmy. Two days later Lois complained on the phone how Clark said he was sick and left, always making excuses to leave for his weak stomach. Lois tells Lena that’s not all, Clark is actually tall, over six feet, do you really believe a guy like that who reports news everyday didn’t know they boiled lobsters alive. (ok since he can see the life color drain out of dead things was he really disturbed by it also no you don't have to boil lobsters alive just just have to split their heads in half first) Lois says it was the night Luthor escaped then apologized to Lena, she was an empath that became unusually emotional over Luthor, only Lois knew why. 

Lena calms down and tells Lois Clark’s got more going for him, she could do worse, she thinks she could do better, Lena tells her to be careful about wishing for Superman. (She’s Dancing With Strangers Falling Apart Waiting For Superman To Pick Her Up In His Arms~) Lois rather talk about Kristin anyway, she sent her over for Lena to talk sense to. She’s a smart girl, a whiz about American history but can be an air head about men. Steve crashed the date after Clark left and Kristin was mesmerized by his chest hair and they both left. (pretty rude) Lena stops the call since Kristin arrived, when she went to the door she sensed something unholy and fell wailing before fainting. Kristin picked up the phone and tells Lois what happened, Lois says she’s psychic, sometimes things come over her. Kristin says she’ll take care of it and hangs up then feeds Lena concentrated orange juice and across town Lois wondered how she knew what to do. 

7 

To a stranger highly developed technology must look like magic and what is an alien to think of modern surgery. (Well if it’s Dr. Bones McCoy he’d mutter something about the Spanish Inquisition the Dark Ages the pain of cutting and sewing people like garments) Arcane rituals followed every new discovery in civilization, now Luthor called his discovery gas-wave physics. He planned to put it off for a few days then saw the tape in the news, he would have been more alarmed if he wasn't in a trance like meditation and saw the guards and electrician checking his room. The electrician was a fan and didn't report the air currents and Luthor would not be in his cell the next day. Luthor had conflicting emotions, Clark was the good boy he never was, successful and respected, unlike him. (you don’t count all your fan boys) Whenever they talked Clark acted like they were never friends, he once threatened his life and Clark almost got him to change, in Smallville everything was different. 

At twelve no one is flawless, Jules and Irene thought they brought a saint into the world but by nine Lex proved to be something else. They decided to try with a second child and moved to Kansas to give their children a proper upbringing. In the city Lex learned how to pick locks and extort classmates for lunch money, in the country he learned to steal watermelons and from Clark how to scare cows. (just a page detailing how he’s a little shit) Lex was alarmingly honest, telling teachers not to trust him and would humiliate them given the opportunity with his intelligence. Every time he noticed a slight grin on Clark’s face knowing something, Lex decided then Clark would be his friend, his only one for a while. Lex liked him less but respected him when to took blame for his prank on the Herman farm. “Lex finally told Clark not to trust him after that. Clark had not trusted him since.”p.68 No time to think about it now, there was work to do. 

Luthor was on an organic diet and fasted for three days, no less healthy than his previous processed food diet. To harness to forces for his escape he needed to purge as much inorganic matter as possible, now he had to escape before someone noticed the film. Luthor teleported before but it involved equipment not produced on Earth and there were easier ways to break out of prison. He considered it a waste until his new discovery. “What Luthor had recently discovered, what was essentially going to make it possible for him to walk through a wall and emerge a free man, was the nature of the human soul.”p.69 He called soul matter gas-waves between matter and energy made of the same stuff could be turned into each other but not created or destroyed. 

As far as anyone but Luthor knew there was nothing but matter and energy and believed gas-waves were ectoplasm. (don’t tell the Fentons) Everything could be connected to gas-waves, there could also be devils, angels, mythological creatures and other planes of worlds and Luthor told no one. Who was there to tell and it wouldn't matter anyway. “He had realized, as a result of his discovery of gas-waves, that he would never die. There was a God. This was news to him.”p.70 He wondered where thoughts go after they are thought, produced by matter and energy but neither. Thoughts were made of gas-waves, so were intangible, meaning anything not occupied by matter was gas-waves. Luthor couldn’t publish his findings same as a woman could get a Nobel Prize for curing cancer after she posed for Playboy. Every entity with a conscious was capable of putting matter temporarily into gas-waves and transport to a destination. Nothing could stop it now, an hour after the four left his cell Luthor walked through a wall. 

8 

Superman may have been an alarmist by nature, but this infuriated him when he left the date the Tanker Monrova II had an explosion of liquid natural gas in Metropolis Harbor. One of the most volatile substances known to humanity the fumes could leak for miles just needing a spark to light the holocaust like Nagasaki and it was shipped in dense populations across the country. (thinks back to a recent train derailment in Ohio) Superman avoided voicing his judgements or endorsing politicians (he’s a reporter he knows how the media twists words) or take an active role in war and he could not stand for nuclear weapons. (looks at Superman IV) He let the roof of the Metropolis Convention Center be built shoddily then intervened when it started collapsing. “He did everything he could in order to avoid interfering in natural social and scientific mistakes of humanity, the mistakes by which the race learned. But in a case like this he did not know whether it was good or bad to rein in his better judgement.”p.74 

Superman believed if he wasn't there to bail people out industrialists and shippers wouldn't risk transporting LNG around children, fly jets with cracks in engine mounts (thinks back to the recent Boeing plane breaking apart in the air) build skyscrapers in earthquake zones, put whales near extinction. “He was sure that his presence on Earth was the reason they took those gambles, and that was why he was infuriated.”p.74 Superman flew through the metal hull, a man was trapped in the inferno and Superman had to risk the gas getting into the atmosphere. The gas was spreading through pin holes, the container was about to burst. Superman raced to the ensign but his thousandth of a second wasn’t enough, he had to decide how the man would be hurt. Superman spread his cape shielding the flames to grab the fallen ensign and checked for the gas molecules. There was a sixteen-meter tube of air below to catwalk and he shot the man through it and waved his arms to divert the flames. 

Now Superman would crash through the wall to stave off the explosion for a few seconds, the ensign would land in the water, the shock would cause the crew on deck to hold onto something as it launched into the air. Superman would pick up the ensign and give him CPR and dropped him back on deck and grab the main support beam slowing down the descent of the ship and set it in a parking lot. (well it’s better than the downtown street in the middle of rush hour) Later, as he removed the broken ship and repaired the fence, the owner would already be there livid over the mess and complain to the police to make Superman pay for parking a ship there. 

Next, he had to deal with the gas at the harbor and went around taking people out of danger (waists legs collars depending on if they were police citizen or criminal) if sixteen blocks away wasn't safe enough no one would be. He spread his cape to catch wind and pull up the fumes behind him, over and over into the stratosphere. Superman saved the city and Clark blew a date, now that he wasn't thinking of the tanker crew, he cleared his head with the joy of flying and diverting other distresses of the world. Then Jimmy’s tape of Luthor hit him, Luthor’s match spiraled to the ground, just like the gas fumes, there was an air current in Luthor’s cell. 

Hundreds of miles away Luthor gathered his strength and walked through the demon pass of the Netherworld. Luthor put his body through a space that only allowed organic matter, the residual inorganic matter deposits in his joints and muscles were ripped out (OW imagine grains of sand getting ripped through your body those that have had kidney stones know) and while collapsed he ignored the chilling breeze over his body. The demon thought the human was clever to pass this way and protect himself with meditation but was still a fool. (that’s one way of putting it) Any corporeal being to pass through makes a path for its denizens to enter the human world. The demon thought to possess him, but even in pain protected himself with remarkable moral strength, but there’ll be another more vulnerable. CW Saturn has returned to Earth, meanwhile Superman arrived too late, Luthor had escaped and the air current was gone and no trace of Luthor besides his jumpsuit. (so he’s naked again) What was also on the floor was mineral flakes cooling from human body temperature. Superman would figure it out, he had to and always did what he needed to do. 

9 

Kristin writes for the first time in seven months, she feels like she's accomplishing something, she hasn't slept in two days and her typing ability brought her in Superman's friend group and an income. (she knows Clark is Superman) She's met an interesting woman, Lena Thurol, events that lead up to Miracle Monday have occurred and for three days she’s felt well-being and belonging since she was on that double date. Lena is writing a book about her experiences as a psychic and told her there's two strong opposing forces in her mind battling for control and is causing emotional imbalances. Kristin calls it nonsense, she was chosen for this assignment because of her emotional stability and feels fulfilled. She also sensed Lena was familiar, looked her up and found her last name was an anagram of Luthor (you didn’t already know her last name) and Lena would be the same age as his sister. If she is his sister, it would explain her high-strung state when he escaped, and it would explain her fainting spell. 

Events from historical records have taken place, plagues, disasters, shortages, she's been taking record of events the media had no interest in. (what else is going on in the news that plagues and disasters get no coverage) She's been getting comfortable in her apartment, but she can't sleep and is maybe getting sick from it. She can't remember making coffee, maybe she's being watched. (here you notice how unwell she is talking to the paper forgetting this time period’s grammar and syntax keeps writing ‘the third thing’ and repeating herself) She went on a date with Jimmy Olsen, who would win four Pulitzers and be killed on Mars in 2014. (how sad Jimmy died ten years ago) He’s survived by his three kids Noel, James and Clark, (he really named his son after Clark) who found evidence of Superman's identity. Kristin doesn't remember writing that last bit, she needs to sleep but she can't remember where the coffee came from, she’s scared. She’s worried someone will find this journal and figure out she doesn't belong, she might tell Jimmy not to go to Mars, she's worried Lena was right. She hasn't felt fine since she went on that date, it feels like something inside her is tearing her apart, two forces fighting, she needs space. 

10 

Lena calls Lois wanting to talk to Superman, she got a letter for him, Clark interrupts the conversation wanting Lois to read a column and Lois gets mixed up, so Lena ends the call. As Clark left Lois’s office he noticed Kristin had a tic in her eye. Lois called Lena back and said she didn't know how to find Superman, he finds you. Lena then heard someone at the door and hangs up, it was Superman he heard she has mail. The letter is from Max Maven, a mentalist she met as a girl, he completely shielded his mind from her and he said their paths would cross again, she's his messenger. The letter to Superman says to fly to his home in California or he’ll send Lena her original birth certificate. 

Superman didn't like being coerced, he knew Lena when she lived in Smallville, as Superboy he gave Lex a strange yellow sphere he found in a cave under the woods. Lena had touched its electrical socket and it melted into sludge and Lex was angry at himself for leaving it around and at Superboy for not realizing it was an artifact from an Atlantean exploration party. After that Lena learned too quickly and showed signs of second sight, knowing things, even that her brother was alive when her mother told her he was dead and not to talk about him. In those twenty years Lena suppressed a lot and on a list of things Superman did not want to happen her seeing her birth certificate is one. (are Superman and Lois really friends to her because they’re keeping such a big secret about herself away from her) 

In Los Angeles he had another letter, he can find Max at Magic Castle, it’s unlike him. The Magic Castle was a private club, the doorman refused to let Superman in, so Superman called out to his friend Ray Bradbury. He was such a fan Superboy flew to meet him and they hung out at Disney Land and Walt had his chauffeur drive them home. (you could just name drop celebrities in books back in the day huh) Ray knows it’s him but tells the doorman he's a method actor and tells Superman they’re late for Max Maven’s show. Max had such an atmosphere no one noticed Ray Bradbury and Superman enter and watched Max get angry when someone tells him it wasn't his card. Max threw a fit that he doesn't need cards to make a living and storms out flinging the cards in the air, all landing face down except the correct card. 

Superman found him in his room reading Castaneda, he has him go in another room to talk and asks Superman if he knows who CW Saturn is. Superman recognizes it as a name for the servant of evil, (flashes back to my Vocaloid days) “Can you truly believe that in all your travels, all your exploits, you have never run across any real, solid, unimpeachable evidence of evil in the world?”-”Don't you think there is a source of pain as surely as there is a Creator?”p.94 Max really doesn’t know much about Lena besides she’s a psychic and her friends don’t want her to know of her past. (really not good friends) Superman leaves but Max keeps talking, that when Luthor escaped he opened a conduit that any magic user can use for the Netherworld to gain entry. 

Superman comes back and asks who he is, Max shows him the milk trick, (he actually uses water but it’s still the milk trick) Superman explains how the trick is done and asks Max how does he know of the conduit, from a dream by his second sight. Max has him keep watching the milk trick and track his heart rate and Krillion aura, (what is he going Super Saiyan) Superman calls it off when it gets dangerous, it’s no trick, how did he do it, magic. Max tells him CW Saturn has come to Earth, the hole has to be destroyed and CW Saturn wants to destroy him along with the rules of order, just thought he’d let him know. 

He just knows things, like how he wears glasses a lot for some reason, a lot of people probably know CW Saturn is coming, few trust their senses or the conscience to let him know or maybe it doesn't matter. Max says he doesn't perform magic on stage, it’s miracles, if anyone found out he’d have to face parapsychology studies. He warns Superman if he tells anyone he will find out Lena’s secret. (ah so he set up mutually assured destruction) He preformed the trick because he wouldn't have believed him otherwise, Superman calls him confounding, Max says he hasn't met CW Saturn yet. 

11 

 Superman calls Lois for a picnic date in a few seconds and he looked up to the skyscrapers, he was glad he lived in Metropolis. “This world was teeming with life and this city, whether the world knew it or not, for all its concrete and radiating heat and clogging or air and water ways, was the focal point of life on planet Earth.”p.100 (is that the reason it’s always the alien threat target) From eight to fourteen million humans, they grinded eight hours a day and the unused energy spreads out. If everyone in this city dropped dead the shock would drive Earth back a millennia, the city was the closest thing to a perpetual motion machine. He loved this city, he didn't know how long he’d live or if he’d ever die (well since Doomsday it’s very well-known you can die it’s just a matter of if you can stay dead) and little idea of why he was here, as he could die tonight this city was his home captor and joy. 

He flies to Lois’s apartment and tells her to grab a swimsuit, wraps her in his cape and takes her to Smallville. He points out Lana and Clark’s childhood homes, the one movie theater, the bank that was robbed when he revealed himself. His statue in the square and Stone’s poultry farm (good for him) that exists now where his cradle ship crashed, he never told anybody in case they turned it into a shrine. (in the Death of Superman a fanatic cult worships at his grave) “Oh, people shouldn't pick living people for their heroes. Somebody who’s dead can’t disappoint you anymore.”p.102 Lois finds old burned ruins, a workshop he built for a friend, he doesn't want to talk about it. He tells four boys (one is Pete Ross’s kid) to go home before it gets dark and he flies Lois to a hot spring in Utah. He heats up the picnic he made, and they talk for a while and at the end rocked her to sleep as he flew her home, secretly kissing her forehead. When she woke up in bed later, she would think it’s enough for her. (so if he thinks he’s about to die was all that sharing memories of his childhood and a secret hot spring picnic just for one last day of good memories for Lois)  

NEXT

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Superman: Miracle Monday 5/27 -Elliot S. Maggin

1 

“The boy would be ready, Jonathan Kent decided, when he was able to feel pain.”p.9 Jonathan had trouble sleeping that night, finally waking Martha when he screamed, and she shook him from his nightmare. He doesn't want to talk about it and tells her to go back to sleep. “But Jonathan had to tell himself about it. It was more than a dream, of course. It was the future-the real future-and not distant at all.”p.10 He tortured himself with it until he had a solution. 

It began that afternoon on Thanksgiving Day, they had stopped raising animals for slaughter after adopting Clark. Martha bought a turkey from Maynard Stone (James Stone’s son) who used it to support his father after his long illness. (yeah drug addiction) Martha brought the live turkey home and nine-year-old Clark snapped its neck and began plucking it in a blink. Lana and her mother joined them they all enjoyed dinner except for Jonathan. Throughout the dinner Martha bragged what a help Clark was, all through it something bothered Jonathan. Part of the dream was real, from that afternoon the rest was from the future, also real. 

Within the next few years Clark went to the basement for a package and reveal himself as Superboy. He would fly to where robbers where escaping under a lake with air tanks and would pierce holes in them and the police would watch the corpses float up. Superboy wasn’t done, in a forest a ranger was running from a timber wolf, Superboy would shatter the wolf’s bones before the ranger’s hand and fly off. He removed the tumor from a girl's brain and publicly call the nervous surgeon incompetent. He went about building roads and dropping tyrants into volcanoes (that went from 0 to 100 real quick) and suggest to the president to make him commander in Chief of all American military. he’d be in charge of everything soon anyway. (well that’s not ominous at all) 

Jonathan knew about Kryptonite, a glowing rock Clark buried in a lead tube under the barn, no one knew yet that it was a fragment of Krypton. When Clark was five there was a meteor shower over the farm and Clark flew up to catch some then felt dizzy and fell to Earth. Martha heard him fall and found him in a ten-foot crater and dragged him to the house away from the rocks and he woke up crying. The next day Clark and Jonathan looked at the rocks in the barn and the green one caused Clark to fall again. That was years ago they never spoke of it, maybe he forgot. 

Now Jonathan dreamed the boy was being worshipped, the public and Superboy should know better. “Soon he would take the power of the life and death of the planet into his hands. He was a boy- no more than a boy, with a boy’s emotions, a boy’s caprices, a boy’s lack of restraint-with the power of the gods of fable.”p.13 (this is why a child with the powers of a god is a bad thing) Jonathan didn't want to kill his son, fathers don't kill their sons, he didn't even want to punish him just talk make him listen, a boy should listen to his father. He drove out to the barn to dig up the meteorite, but a blue sleeve shot out of the dirt and grabbed his shovel. The boy dug himself out of the hole, took the shovel and before the blow hit him Jonathan woke up. (this is an interesting take were the Kents ever afraid of Clark you have an alien child with powers you can’t keep in check this could have turned into a Brightburn or Bump In The Night situation) 

Jonathan wouldn’t get back to sleep, he didn't have to wait until morning, Clark never slept more than an hour and suspected it was only that to be polite. (I think I said it before but I like the little touches where you’re reminded he’s not quite human) When he got to Clark's door the boy told him to come in. Jonathan saw him at the microscope and felt scared again and reminded himself it was only a dream. He asks what he's doing Clark shows him a cross section of a grasshopper's nerve ganglia, he dissected it himself with his nails and microscopic vision. Clark showed him the virus feeding off the nerve cell wall and tried to explain how he used his own optic nerve to enhance the magnification. Jonathan tries to tell him he could have done the study with a twig instead of using a dead thing. Clark apologizes not knowing that stuff bothered him, he just wanted to know what killed it. 

Jonathan asks if he didnt kill it, there were grasshoppers all over, no obvious reason why this one was dead, so he went to look, terrible thing to twitch to death. Jonathan calls it the best news he’s heard; Clark says it's not because the virus could spread to other grasshoppers. Jonathan explains the circle of life on the farm. “All you’ve got to remember, being a thinking kind of creature, is not to tamper with the balance as much as you might be tempted to. Understand, boy?”p.16 Clark could see his father’s eyes change from when he walked in, close to tears and more relaxed, he understands. Jonathan tells him he just wanted to tell him that, they tell each other good night. Clark would figure out his questions later and Jonathan slept. 

2 

He grew up in a universe of macrocosm and microcosm could see ant colony wars and the entire electromagnetic spectrum as he saw a truck in the street. (so he sees shrimp colors) See cosmic rays as easily as humans saw light, he could feel the sunspot activity as someone could feel rain, the world was his playground and teacher. “He was alone in all this sense and knowledge, monumentally alone; but less alone, he realized, than were those other Earthmen, glued to their world and trapped inside bodies that could do no more than touch the outsides of other bodies. The boy was alone, but he was never bored.”p.20 Jonathan sold the farm and bought a general store and house next to the Lang’s, Maynard was ow a loan officer at the bank and gave them a ten-year loan expecting Clark to pay it off, it was now Smallville did business. On the school bus Clark was watching a bee hive four miles away not paying attention as Lana talked about Clark Gable. As Clark was insisting he was listening the driver slammed on the brakes, on the left side kids were gasping, an old dog was hit. The students were quiet on the rest of the ride and seemed to forget about it later, Clark left by lunch. 

Jonathan planned to like the store, retiring from the farm was doctor's orders, late due to Clark’s arrival. “It’s just plain common sense that a little kid can't keep a big secret in a small town, and little Clark’s secret was as big as they come.”p.21 He was restocking when Martha called, Clark is home from school with a fever, but Clark’s never been sick. Martha says he’s hasn't stopped crying and won’t say what's wrong; it could be an unknown ailment they don't know about and she doesn't know if she should call the doctor. (who broke a needle on Clark’s arm) Martha would one day know Clark's origin but for now only knew as much about him as he did, and now she’s scared for him. (I had a head canon about this scenario once an alien child you can’t exactly take them to the doctor and you don’t know what hidden pathogens they carry) 

Jonathan sends Martha to make tea as he checks on Clark, he leaves his room a few minutes later explaining its growing pains. Martha doesn't buy it, Jonathan tells her he was in love with her so much he was sick for two days; Martha suspects it’s Lana. Jonathan says it’s not that, “There’s a lot of hurting a boy goes through if he wants to be a man. And when a boy wants to be a special king of man like Clark’ll be- well a lot of hurting.”p.23 Jonathan gets Martha to stop worrying as he goes to talk to Clark again. 

Clark felt sick, he did not like it, why did Pa want to talk about it, he felt like throwing up or how he thought people felt when they threw up. Clark thought about the dog again, “Living things have a kind of glow around them, like a halo. Living happy things glow in color, living sad things glow in another color. Living intelligent things still another color, living innocent things in yet another.”p.24 The colors didn't have names, Clark didn't bother too either, no one else saw them. “But dead things, especially dead things that have lately been alive, look awful. They’re all grey and empty.”p.24 (you can see what this looks like in the comic Superman Birthright) Then after a while the grey fades and disappears leaving behind a lump. Pa was there talking, asking questions and listening, before he left patted Clark’s head softly. 

Clark slept for two hours and woke up around dinner, Jonathan asks if he remembers their talk, some of it. Clark then bursts it’s not all right, no one could have helped the dog except him, Jonathan reminds him he didn't see it. Clark doesn't eat and goes for a walk, Jonathan suggests putting on the outfit they made him. That night, by the road, stood a boy in primary colors not looking like any of the boys in Smallville. That night Superboy promised himself that his life would preserve life and improve conditions of living things everywhere. “That under no circumstances would he ever be responsible for the loss of a single conscious life; that failing in any of these affirmations he would renounce his powers forever. There could be no nobler mission for a superman.”p.26 (side eyes Zack Snyder) That night he ate dinner and went to bed and Jonathan said to Martha, knowing the boy could hear, that Clark’s ready. 

3 

If you got the feeling you were being watched you most likely were, Superman was watched since his infancy, his natural parents, the Guardians, Green Lanterns, the Kents and those in the future like Kristin Wells. She was a history student from Columbia University from the year 2857 and CW Saturn, an agent of the Underworld. Superman had yet to come to terms that some beings pursued evil just to serve evil. “He was convinced that all one needs to do to persuade someone to do what is right is to educate that person to the fact that it is his interest to do what is right.”p.27 Superman was convinced no one would serve evil if they understood right and wrong, he had not met CW Saturn. 

CW Saturn stood in a place that didn't exist in space or time, the center point of Creation’s evil, the throne room of Samael. (also known as Lucifer) CW Saturn was not a human, animal, vegetable, mineral or energy and watched six hundred and sixty-six (gasp that’s the bad number) naked humans walk hunched over and suffer by his hands. CW Saturn had many exploits on Earth and never failed the same way twice, some of his pawns Tutankhamen, Daniel Webster, Hitler Pope John Paul I, Dan Hammarskjold, Socrates, Copernicus and Lincoln. Some defied him, some defied him and won, some defied him and lost, some defied him but he still found a way to turn it into a win. “Men marched to war and women-though they often knew better-cheered them on. Crowds rioted. Mobs lynched. Demagogues roared. Hordes swarmed.”p.30 

The floor of the emptiness cracked and fell in widening into the shape of a pyramid, burst into blue fire burning cold, a new being arrived, Samael. (he has horns pointed ears devil wings and snake features) Samael congratulates him on creating chaos on Earth, now to his final mission stage, the moral and physical destruction of Superman. This was CW Saturn’s origin, all this preparation to ruin the greatest symbol of goodness and order. After Superman’s fall the world will suffer and collapse, all sensibilities and laws of the continuum itself will crumble into oblivion. CW Saturn was dispatched from Hell to be an agent of Hell on Earth. 

 Kristin Wells was intense and foxy on purpose, she loved disco dancing, had her hair done like models, believed in Equal Rights, worried about election politics, indigent of women’s exploitation and concerned with astrology. (a typical 1980s modern woman) She answers the phone and tells the caller the popular name for Peter Noone is Herman, her apartment was modest but contemporary for the time. In the evening she answered the phone again and says a Krugerrand is a South African coin. She then watched Mork and Mindy (she laughed for the whole episode I doubt Robin Williams was that funny) until she had to get ready for her date hanging up on the next call.  Prismo Grandee sat in the control center in the Field Work Training Center watching four trainees practicing for their assignments. Prismo was relieved by Carleton Hampshire, his outfit was for the disco the student went on and Prismo tells him good Miracle Monday as he teleports out. Carleton calls Kristin questioning her, and she complained about her wimpy date with no chest hair not knowing it was Carleton. He continued to quiz her on pop culture and civics. It was a nice spring day in Metropolis in the year 1980 everywhere else it was 2857 on Earth, the third Monday of May, Miracle Monday. The spirit of humanity flew free, a spring wherever humanity was celebrated. (like the Armstrong City on the moon founded 2019) “It was a day for friends, family, recreation and-if it brought happiness-reflection.”p.36 Prismo felt a bit of envy for Kristin to live through the first Miracle Monday meeting Superman. All three watched him stop an unrecorded tidal wave and reconstructed probable causes. 

4 

“Always there have been heroes.”p.37 Achilles, David, John Henry, Davy Crockett, John Kennedy and Superman. “Real or imagined, the heroes lived; they lived in the world not as it was, but as it should have been.”p.37 Heroes lived under responsibility (well of course they have great power) for those that aspired for what they stood for. In a universe of right and wrong, Superman didn't make a hard decision to calm a tidal wave before it hit Metropolis. A week ago Clark reported a minor earthquake in Greenland the world quickly forgot about it, but it too almost destroyed Metropolis. Most of Greenland was covered by glaciers, the quake caused a chunk to shatter off. In New England a nuclear power plant’s reactor supplied power to Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. For years a (politically naive) group Oysterbed Alliance protested against the reactor, the governor stood against them and was defeated. In a reelection for it, as a result the plant was built on a floating platform. (seems more dangerous) 

Six months later the original town suffered an icequake caused by the iceberg shattered off the Greenland quake. The reactor wasted more heat that it directed into power, so it generated more energy across the ocean than the states, so when icebergs floated in they quickly melted into stream. (this doesn’t sound good for the ocean ecology) These rapid clashes of temperatures caused the current to rise into a two-hundred-meter wall to Metropolis, the people had no hope besides a man who could fly. He blasted thirty heat holes slowing its progress and he flew through, the sonic boom then hit the wave it couldn't support its own weight. Superman moved quickly under it circling counterclockwise flattening the wave into a cylinder. He dragged it into the stratosphere then blasted it with his heat vision so that the steam became a cloud. That February morning Metropolis would have snow sixteen inches thick; a blizzard people could deal with. “Like matter and energy, forces of nature cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed and diverted.”p.42 

That morning the bus driver didnt like the smiling man who said good morning but most people actually like the news broadcaster. The driver lurched hoping to trip the man who unnerved him, (this is interesting does Clark set off warning bells in anyone sure he looks human but there has to be something uncanny about him few can detect) but the bus was stuck. Clark waited for the driver to find another reason to be angry, few blocks behind there was another bus. Nobody would mind transferring; Clark wouldn’t mind being a few minutes late for work either. 

5 

The idea was to escape the Galaxy building before the associate producer arrived and told everyone to do something else. It was Jimmy’s idea, Eve and Jerry played along at worst an interesting day, at best a story for their grandchildren. Jimmy arrived fifteen minutes early in time to see the list of stories Clark was responsible for assigning. When he saw the name Lex Luthor, he wanted Clark to arrive late. Years ago, Jimmy’s father told him a man that knew what he wanted was halfway to getting it, by that logic Jimmy reasons Clark will be late for work. (Jimmy it doesn't work like that) Because of the snow he thought at first to wait fifteen minutes then took the freight elevator to avoid the lobby. Unfortunately, Jimmy pulled on Fifty Second Street as Clark stepped off the bus. Jimmy called out he’s going to catch Luthor’s escape at Pocanto and drove by noting to thank Superman for the snow. 

Last year Luthor escaped from Pocanto eight times, eleven the year before, once back in for something he forgot. This year he broke out once and vanished, this time he called the press for his next prison break. By being around newsmen for almost a decade he was aware of patterns of improbable events, little took him by surprise. Jimmy told Jerry to speed up, they’d be late but on time for the main show. Meanwhile Luthor was practicing his speech, three main points, he discovered an energy source. Petition to work on the development his proposals weren't unsurprisingly rejected so he’d demonstrate by escaping.  

Meanwhile, Warden Haskell was addressing the press how the prison is escape proof when Jimmy’s group interrupted by arriving late. The guard said they showed a fake pass and tried to force their way in, but Haskell knows Jimmy and allows them in apologizing the guards are on edge turns out Jimmy brought his rocket club card. (almost as bad as forgetting the camera film when the damn exploded) Jimmy followed Haskell to the other reportors who didn't complain, this is what it's like to be a star. (don’t let your head swell up too much Jimmy) The maximum-security prison had a special cell built for Luthor who for days was bragging he’d escape that week, he was not one to boast hollowly. Haskell was the ninth warden, four fired, two broke down, one had a seizure, and one was Luthor’s alter ego, the governor lost his job over that one. Haskell was eight months from retirement, but no one would blame him for Luthor. (except the commissioner the regional director the Federal Bureau of Prisons Director and the governor)  

Haskell told the press there would be no questions then there was a sound from the hall and the press was escorted to see Luthor being transferred. He was hurling verbal insults (they let him say whatever because once a fan boy cared LL on a guard for not apologizing to Luthor) as he was put in a glass cell, now the press could come near. Despite being locked up, handcuffed, surrounded by eighteen larger men, Luthor looked in charge, Haskell assured the cell was escape proof. (well now you jinxed it) On the way back Jimmy wrote the story of his escape for later that week and two weeks later Haskell would be transferred to the Kansas Juvenile Reformatory where his salary and pension was cut by twenty percent. (see people did blame him) 

NEXT

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Superman: Last Son of Krypton 36/36 -Elliot S. Maggin

30 

Luthor and Superman began the process of figuring out the time snatcher, Luthor brought out copies of the dead planet, creating chaos but avoiding disaster. Luthor was jealous of who designed it, nothing he couldn't do but done more efficiently, nothing on Oric was like it, the Master must have stolen it. There was already a fourth dead Oric and from general chaos people were scrambling. Now nine other Orics were causing tidal waves on Cyber Island and Superman stirred up the ammonia ocean but not enough to threaten a settlement, Diving back in he was caught in the current by sonic generators. (huh they have contingencies for tidal waves) 

The sixteen Orics would cause hellish quakes, but the buildings were on springs so stood still as the planet shook. (so they engineered infrastructure to avoid natural catastrophes at the one spot on the planet inhabited) Superman felt useless, their chaos was hardly an inconvenience (Ryan George would be ecstatic over this being super easy) the only thing he could do was find Luthor’s computer in the pyramid. On the way he disabled the teleport machines and as he got there found the pyramid had no point, the Master was gone and they couldn't find him. “The battle on Oric was over, and Superman and Luther had apparently won, if only be default.”p.210 (truly a victory for the forces of justice) The computer's answer for his location was the same each time, the Master went to Earth. 

31 

Luthor laughed with how funny it was, the Man of Steel bested all around him, for a moment executed a massive conquest scheme that might still be successful thanks to Superman’s lack of imagination. Superman thought it was a trap, Luthor laughs some more before telling him with everything else in the universe he could have gone conquering other planets if it weren't for what's on Earth. “I’m talking about a global culture whose scientific wealth has outstripped by a lightyear its social and political development in just one or two generations. I’m talking about a race with a population of humans that the planet manages to support far beyond its ability to do so.”p.213 Four billion (we’re pushing eight billion now) thinking creatures that can plan courses over a century, compared to Regulus-6 (that Luthor escaped to once for three weeks) with a population of 760 million that just discovered steam power. (ah yes the humans are just that unique compared to other aliens cliche) 

With Earth’s population boom (are you talking about the Baby Boomers) there’s countless people aching to do something useful. (you should see 2024) With a planet filled with radio waves the next Hitler can coordinate and have the Galaxy’s greatest living resource in his hands. All he has to do is convince the population and they’ll do the conquering for him, (why does all this sound familiar) Luthor would have done it if Superman wasn't stopping him. As Superman flew to Earth Luthor did something about the twenty-one Orics before they destroyed the planet, (well there’s some good in him I guess) besides there was something there he wanted. (oh yeah the papers that started all this) As Superman came to Earth, he heard the Wednesday news but as he landed in the Galaxy building lobby he was right, it was Thursday. (huh wonder why that is) 

32 

A news dealer told Clark his friends have been acting weird all day, Steve didn't crack a joke and Lois said good morning despite it being the afternoon, everyone said that no matter the time. He had a feeling they were all screwy except for Clark, the normal one. (imagine trying to be so normal that just how people perceive you the normal man) Clark went to the twentieth floor, it was empty, everyone at their desks blank faced saying nothing but good morning. Every TV and radio station would be like this, the Master was on Earth somewhere. 

Clark went to Steve’s office and asked him, everyone’s waiting for the address from the Master at six. Steve doesn't know much else but the plan and the Master’s appearance four arms and a mustache. (le gasp) Given this opportunity Clark calls Steve an obnoxious jerk and the bet they have is rigged (I like when writers remember Clark can be petty) and he continued as the Master prepared for his broadcast. When six rolled around the broadcast was Clark announcing the telecommunications takeover before a crack interrupted him. In front of Clark there was a swirl of colors forming a rage filled Towbee. “I m The Master,’ Towbee said, ‘and I assume you are prepared to die.’ He had no disguise to drop but his madness.”p.219 (why did he act crazy was it to avoid suspicion or something on one hand the village idiot the other master of the planet) 

33 

Before anything Clark melted the telecommunications and sucked the oxygen out of the room knocking out three technicians. Towbee offers to reason, he’s the product of nearly a thousand cultures, one of the most powerful beings in the galaxy, Clark is the most powerful being in the Milky Way, not yet suffering a significant defeat, him being foretold by Sonabend. They have a fifty fifty odds against each other, Sonnabend also foretold his own coming, a hybrid from a planet of trade, he offers Superman to join him. Superman says they’ll see how flawless his reasoning is and got two of the technicians out of the way. “Towbee had no idea that the hero’s vaunted respect for life extended so far as to hinder his own performance in the face of an enemy.”p.221 Superman decided what they had to do to defeat each other. 

The path between him and Towbee was an opening in space and time, if he went into it he’d be lost and never find his way back. He put his cape over his head as it twisted and stretched through the hole around the neck of Towbee. (he lassoed him through space time) Towbee yanked it and pulled Superman through back to Earth and Superman opened his eyes in time to see Towbee flying towards him. Towbee was still holding the cape and Superman saw the cameraman halfway to the dimensional rip. He looped his cape around the cameraman’s leg Towbee had done something to his mind and as he acted like an animal. Superman used acupuncture to temporarily paralyze him but when he turned back Towbee was gone and there was Jor-El. 

Towbee’s instrument took on the appearance of Jor-El and whatever traits he was programmed to have, seven feet tall and looking disdainly at Superman. Jor-El told his son no so of his flies around the Universe meddling and Superman heard snickers directed at him from numerous Towbees in the audience, which one was real. Jor-El tells him to go to his room and points to a swirl that became a doorway in space, Superman apologizes. (calls him daddy) Superman stood there like an embarrassed child wondering why Jor-El was angry and he snapped. “You sent me away. You never came and got me again. I was hungry the whole time. I didn't want to go. You sent me away and there was noise and it got dark and I couldn't get to sleep because I was scared and I cried. Why did you send me away?”p.225 (huh never seem DC touch on the trauma of Superman technically being abandoned before) 

Jor-El calls him an ungrateful brat, he had his reasons and to go to his room as the Towbees laughed. Superman wondered why he had to obey, little Kal-El had to listen to his father and timid Clark paid attention to authority figures. A failed hero, no, he was Superman and he realized Towbee was in front of him ordering him to his doom. “There was an evil in this place and for all he had ever been or hoped to be, Superman was going to defeat that evil.”p.225 That was the last thought he had as he sprung up on the false Jor-El and come to with his hands around Towbee’s throat. Then he heard a voice Old-Timer was there telling him to stop, he broke the prophecies, the future will be a struggle but the forces of good have a chance. Superman looked around, he had repairs to make, the cameraman’s bones to reset, the whole episode lasted one minute and twenty seconds. On the roof the Black Widow landed and Luthor went to the stairway door the Old-Timer left open for him. 

34  

“His voice was rich and authoritative; his face inspired trust, a symbol of honor and justice even to those who had made themselves his adversaries. Superman was certainly the most suitable host possible for this particular worldwide multilingual broadcast.”p.227 He will snap his fingers and they will feel fine with everything that happened and have no effects. After the broadcast Superman thanked Luthor who reconstructed Towbee’s communications network within an hour. Luthor says it's time for him to go, get the Black Widow back to the museum. What else should he be doing, Superman says the Einstein document is still probably on Oric, he’ll have to find it. Luthor says he’d like to talk but the technicians are starting to wake up and his reporter friend Kent will come up here, so he’ll just go to the roof. 

Superman takes him up to the roof and asks if he’s sure he’s not going to get the document, he’s had enough of aliens and there’s nothing Einstein could tell him he doesn't already know. Superman then stands there expecting something then vanishes as Luthor gets in, but as it starts off Superman is holding it. Superman apologizes for taking him in, the document is in the lead case under the pilot seat, the same pillow the Master had his head on trying to absorb Kryptonese. He was giving Luthor the benefit of the doubt hoping he’d give it back. Before Luthor can use his weapon Superman reminds him they’re hundreds of feet in the air, he’s holding his craft that’s evidence and still has his powers, just claimed victory over a despot with a billion year prophecy, he suggest giving up. (yeah Luthor your chances aren’t too good here) Luthor was a creature of reason, Superman had hope while in prison he’d wait for his testimony at trial and reduce the charge to a crime of passion, but Luthor wouldn't wait in prison, familiar behavior would find him. 

35 

Clark looked ill at ease and his colleagues asked about the broadcast yesterday, Superman was unavailable and Luthor was in solitary by request. Clark says it’s in his contract to take a vacation with 24 hours notice, he’d be gone for two weeks after taping the interview. A reporter from Newark points out he was only gone for a week and a half and seemingly by luck pick up the biggest stories. A London Times Correspondent wanted to know why Superman chose him to preempt the alien's broadcast. He was the only one in the building that could since he wasn't there to be hypnotized, he just slipped through the alien’s guard and Superman found him before Towbee otherwise Earth would be conquering Alpha Centauri now. “My role in the whole thing was just that of Superman’s tool to take the would-be conqueror off gaurd.”p.233 

Lois tells him Edge wants to see him he wants to tape the statement for the previous event he and Lois just need to get past Steve. Steve catches them, the bet is still on and asks Lois out who rebuffs him. In the elevator Clark felt for the vial of spice he brought, added to even mop water it would taste irresistible. Clark was busy with statements and reports since the madness, Superman could fly away from it, he couldn't. He refused to go home with so much work so Edge gave him a cot for his office. Now alone and hidden from the world he got a lead case hidden in his desk holding the few pages written in Kryptonese. 

It was addressed to Kal-El and congradulates him reading this it means he grew up and thanks his father for the gift of this language even though it’ll only last a few days. Jor-El wanted him raised in a virtuous environment and he knew of his arrival a few hours before he landed. The letter written in Kryptonese before everyone on Earth knew of the planet or alien life at all and here Einstein wrote about it. Jor-El had the best of intentions picking him to raise his son, he would have liked to, but it was for the best he was taken in by the Kents. The greatest virtue for a Kryptonian is intelligence, Earth’s ethics put kindness and honesty above all achievements, (it really should be) his life would be a great achievement. To be the best among us it was better for him to be raised in kindness, honesty and goodness. (Superman is truly the best of both worlds) 

Superman read how Einstein went to Smallville and found the Kents, “the Man of Steel refused to recognize the existence of some moisture around his eyes. That was a trait he had picked up on Earth.”p.236 Events in his life came to this and now knew the story of his whole life, how much his father did for him, (wait it wasn’t like he was ignorant he has a whole Fortress and could see the remains of the exploded planet) gave the universe a superman. Einstein read orphans are plagued with self-doubt, wondering if their parents would approve of their lives and occasionally resent them for not being there and hopes this not assuages that.  

For himself he is contented knowing there are miraculous things in the universe still to be discovered. “I thank you for joining us on Earth, Kal-El, and I will always regard you as an almost son.”p.237 Sometimes Superman wondered why he was attached to this planet in those moments he understood. “Nowhere had he seen greater valor than in these four billion humans who cried as easily as they laughed, who cheated as they were cheated, who seemed bound unbreakably to a tiny clump of water and dirt careening endlessly around a dwarf star, yet dared to dream of God.”p.237 

EPILOGUE 

The scribe wrote the words of Sonnabend to be preserved by the Guardians to guide the righteous. Not for billions of Earth years would the versus apply and prove true. 

“Star Child will leave a death world 

For the system of the Rings; 

Where the child will grow to legend 

As his life the singer sings. 

When the conqueror wants his secret 

With the Star Child he’ll contend; 

As the Legend Strains all glory. 

And arm’s freedom he’ll defend.”p.238 

FIRST

[crackspinewornpages]

Superman: Last Son of Krypton 29/36 -Elliot S. Maggin

20 

Clark had experienced this phenomenon before, Robert Redford was filming a movie in the Galaxy building, as he was distracted reading a paper the lobby filled with people watching him. Superman then decided not to stand still at all while on Oric in public. The world was a wasteland, ammonia seas, glaciers, only one region could support life, the Archipelago. The largest island, Cyber, held lots of salesmen, engineers and inventors, all land was paved to provide housing and industry. (so like all of Earth populated on Japan) Superman had only seen one other society driven by rituals and traditions, Earth. “The tradition and ritual here were a kind of artificial bond holding together an artificial society of desperate forms of life.”p.154 (oh gee Superman tell us how you really feel) The ritual was trade, Superman offers coal, the merchant was unimpressed until it was turned into a diamond and exchanged it for spices. Superman ended the transaction too soon and the merchant was offended and he saved himself by saying it was for a friend and gave it back and got one mixed with water. (trading here is a whole song and dance) As Superman wandered around waiting for Luthor, Luthor landed on the Master’s island. 

21 

As soon as Luthor landed he was knocked unconscious and taken to a room with twelve walls with a disc showing a different alien, the thirteenth one was blank. When they saw he was awake the room was engulfed in a blue light, they ask if he’s Luthor the Earthling (Luthor prefers being called Terran) technician. What is the nature of his craft, he explains the solar cruiser and they ask how a technologically underdeveloped planet could create a more efficient craft than Oric, it’s just using solar energy. Why come to Oric, it was because of Towbee and his song, the line of ships using starlight made him think of his craft. Luthor fell unconscious again and the thirteenth screen showed the Master and he spoke to his twelve slaves. When Luthor awoke again he was told the Master wants him in his service but doubts his sincerity and wants a gift in return, Luthor offers Superman they just need to listen to him. He won't be doing it just for the Master, it’s to even a score, the twelve screens were blank for a long time. “Solitary confinement on Earth was nothing like being alone even for moments trillions of miles from home.”p.162 Luthor’s tormentors and companions came back the Master has directed them to follow Luthor. (who has been naked this whole time) 

22 

The closest to a hotel on Cyber was a referral agency, temporary habitation for appropriate gifts, a recent tenant of the hotel was under the name Abraham Lincoln. Now Superman was checking in by the Rigel-9 clerk, Superman asks if they've seen Luthor, they haven't seen him and reads over the guest listed. Superman catches the name Abraham Lincoln, too much of a coincidence for a random alien to have it. Superman would go to Luthor and they’ll go through their game, Superman would pretend to get caught by his new gadget and get taken to the Master’s complex as a captive. Superman traded a diamond for the information but as he started to fly away he got caught in a red light ray and his powers slipped away. He called himself stupid as he fell to the ground and was captured by Luthor and four other aliens.  23 

Luthor paid off the Tripedal at the decontamination chamber with the diamonds he found on Superman. (he also wonders what the glasses and small plastic squares which are actually Clark’s folded clothes are for) Right now Luthor was horrified, and Superman was the only solution, for the last three days were great, he wouldn't mind Superman's mind being homogenized by the Master as he could do science. The Master said he trusted him but Luthor hasn't seen his face, it was his slaves that provided Luthor what he needed. The Master gave him a math problem to solve, calculating the gravitational data of black holes meanwhile he kept n eye out for the Einstein documents. 

All matter is relatively the same, half of it holding the galaxy together the other half provided by black holes. (yeah stop the story for a science lesson on black holes and matter) As Luthor examined them Towbee’s song played in his head, he had the computer (he named it McDuff after the dead pilot) calculate how many species were on Oric, it was nine hundred and ninety seven, from that he figured the Master’s biggest concern was real estate. (well you could help him there Luthor) Superman could probably explain the alien symbols but finding him or the Einstein document was proving difficult. Luthor wondered why the Master was interested in black holes, politicians and bureaucrats he knew, but the faceless Master was all of them, so he was dismissed as another false Messiah chasing a prophecy. As he read a printout he found mass shipments of materials through time, what was the Master planning, Luthor gets a projection of the planet system of the Delphinus star before it went nova. 

Luthor remembered he heard somewhere the Guardians didn’t consider wandering stars in their jurisdiction they didn't orbit the central cluster; the Master has a practical concern for the black holes. He ordered his computer to instead search for Superman and the documents, compared to the Earth security investigation institutions the Master was new to the religion of secrecy. After hours he found both, he got a psychological profile of the guard and found Superman was heavily drugged. Luthor made an antidote and on the fifth day he walked into Superman's interrogation room. “If Michelangelo were here to see the massive alien lying helpless and motionless as a statue, he would drool with envy at the work of a superior hand.”p.174 (so Luthor has a hate boner) The pillow shocks him so Luthor pried his jaw open and forced the liquid down, it could either bring him to around or kill him. 

24 

Superman was dreaming things somebody wanted him to dream, it was the day he met God. it was a dream of a language he knew since infancy, “Dreams about his mother Lara and his father Jor-El. He rarely dreamed about them anymore.”p.175 Dreams about questions by Sonnabend, of a star child leaving a death world to grow into a legend, when the conquerors want his secret, after the battle is over, the legend will be dead. Star Child, was his name, Kal-El, it made somebody happy, Superman usually liked to make people happy. He dreamed words in Kryptonese (so is that what the pillow is doing extracting the knowledge of this dead language) until a liquid was poured down his throat, when it hit his system it made him high, and it did something he couldn't control, he was dying. 

With these dreams gone he was somewhere new, traveling in time and space seeing colors he never saw before, (so he’s seeing shrimp colors) and saw a grid that trillions of beings hit and vanished into. As Superman came to it it called his name, they had a lot to do, he has a decision to make. The Earthman talking to him said they didn't have time for protocol, he’s supposed to guide him from one plane to the next but there's extenuating circumstances. He’s supposed to meet God, Superman says in every religion those that see him die. “We have all seen the face of God, as well as that of His Adversary whom he created. We are born with both in our hearts because they live in our souls forever.”p.178 Superman thanks him for answering those questions that have always perplexed mortals, the old man (I’m going to tell you now this is Einstein) tells him not to assume he is among those mortals yet. 

Superman was getting used to the idea of meeting God, in religious stories no one wasted time but here he was filled with questions. He asks if he's met the old man before, he's met Officer Parker the Kents and Jor-El, then tells Superman it's time to meet his creator. Superman felt everything grow into light then heard the Lord speak with the face of Jor-El. He tells Superman he has a destiny to choose. “...a man may decide when to sleep and eat, but not when to be born or die, or when the star sun goes nova...only you have such a choice.-”p.180 If he chooses to die the Universe will follow its course that he showed Sonnabend. If he chooses to defeat the plans or fails to act, his fate will be the same. He is a wild card in the scheme of Creation, few with such a powerful destiny, the last one was Sonnabend. 

A voice asked Superman if he was coming around Luthor was slapping his face (he had to do something with his hands) and tells him he’s imprisoned in a pyramid. Superman says daddy (really) before he comes around again, slowly coming back. Luthor started celebrating that he saved him and Superman doubts that saying he might have finally managed to kill him. 

25 

Luthor tells him he knows the Master’s reprehensible plan (and that’s coming from a guy that held 33 thousand kids ransom because he was going broke) the Guardians can’t interfere with the rogue stars unless they jeopardize a planet or galaxy, Luthor breaks down Towbee’s prophecy, the parts are coming true. The Master made a killing at real estate, (like Luthor almost did) he cheated, he’s got a time snatcher that can pull out matter from the past or future and is powerful enough to grab planets. He reaches into the future to steal a planet, sells the real estate, a hundred years later the planet disappears leaving the inhabitants to die in space. (that is actually horrifying and the people won’t know until the instant it happens) His plan is to take the black holes in the Galactic Arm, the Guardians can't stop, in a billion years it won’t be a part of the Galaxy. “In a billion years it’ll be spinning off, a mini-Galaxy of it’s own, but before that all Hell will break lose with The Master playing Satan.”p.185 (funny you should mention Satan but it’ll have to wait until the next book) 

26 

On the eighth floor of the Galaxy building was a machine leased by the Xerox Corporation, it was a copy machine that recorded the information. From time to time these machines disappeared from the buildings and despite the Xerox company investigating nothing came of it. It never occurred to them that if they sold the machines instead of renting them the thefts would stop. No other machine in the galaxy did business with pirates of Alpha Centauri, the Master owned six copiers including a duplicate of the one in the Galaxy building. 

Superman was currently acting much like the Xerox machine (we really read all that just to know what the copy machine does) pouring over the data sheets Luthor gave him the difference is Superman wouldn't forget it. The time snatcher is in orbit around Vega around forty million kilometers from the star. Luthor can sabotage it, no worries about the Master finding out, the computer forgets the last command. “You’re a good man, Lex Luthor. Ever thought of going into the hero business?” “Nah, you never get a chance to sleep late.”p.189 Superman now has a plan to escape, Luthor just needs to mug the guard for his clothes. 

27 

The Tripedal was only a guard but rising fast, Algren Eighteen knew there’d be a windfall and the Master would be on top of it. The Chief Speaker of the temple was going on about a new age, Sonnabend’s prophecy, big wigs, mutterings about the future, if they were planning to move up so was he. He tried to teach himself how to fly the crafts but when he did there was some new transportation, now he planned to fly Luthor’s Black Widow. Currently he was collecting data on the traffic into the daily log when Luthor and one of the Master’s attendants came to him. Luthor was taking the Black Widow, Algren tried to stop him as he doesn't have the right authorization, but Luthor tells him Superman is on his way to get the Guardians. Algren takes him to the Black Widow and authorizes Luthor and his aide, Abraham Lincoln, to leave as the alarm sirens which Luthor tells him is proof Superman escaped. Right before Luthor lifts off he tells the computer to scramble to erase the evidence and Superman compliments his escape plan and Luthor says it’s cute when he smiles (are we sure Luthor doesn’t have a crush on Superman) and to move so he can pilot. 

28 

Luthor had an employee to read and come up with new ideas, he could read thirty thousand words a minute. (bullshit) He reads from science fiction and Luthor makes it, Luthor also had ideas he found impossible. Once Luthor was allowed to teach a horticulture class in prison, growing bored, he sprayed the greenhouse in fertilizer he invented that caused the plants to grow large enough to bust through the walls. He had an idea for an environmental recycling system in the Black Widow, now moss coated the inside of the bubble producing oxygen. (“That’s a hell of a mystery no one thought was a mystery and didn’t even really need solving.” -Dave Strider) 

After getting into orbit Superman didn’t respond at first before telling Luthor they had trouble, the pyramid is in chaos and is scanning for them. Superman suggests they start more chaos down there, it’s one of Luthor’s specialties, his idea is to turn the teleport gadgets to deep space, all their air will rush in so they have to seal off the ramp. It’s no use trying up here, same problem with linking all the computers and feed them nonsense. Superman used his super ventriloquism to tell Luthor the Little Lamb nursery rhyme then asks about the Master’s operatives in the real estate offices, they link up. Crazy foam, (automatic fire extinguishers) the atmosphere is more suspectable to fire, Luthor planned to implement it on Earth. Superman found over a dozen offices and ignited sparks in each crazy foam device, now they can go after the time snatcher. 

29 

“Earth humanoids kept each other prisoner all the time. They were constantly fighting and revolting and repressing each other effectively and enthusiastically.”-”The Kryptonian was raised among the wolves and so took in their talents.”p.202 They were more practiced in it than the Master was he supposed when the alarm sounded after Superman’s escape. The Master was at the tip of the pyramid, unseen behind lead sheeting. He ordered all the satellites operational, and the guards began to search. Six Cerulean (so these aliens aren’t given real names just ones after their attribute Tripedals have three legs Ceruleans are blue) searchers had no time to hear Algern’s explanation of Lex Luthor and Abraham Lincoln already searching. The Master watched as they were transported to the launch deck that then had to be delayed due to high winds. 

The Master ordered all offices of his real estate operation to go through with the Master Plan early. After he ended the message his own terminal flashed red, but he didn’t think about it as eighteen real estate terminals did the same. The terminals repeated the Little Lamb nursery rhyme before the crazy foam was activated. (ah so that’s what Superman was doing but how could he get sound to travel in space) The Master did not know what happened, it didn't matter as the pyramid was hit by a tidal wave. The Master looked up to see two moons Oric didn't have. Superman was prodding the Master to fulfil Sonnabend’s prophecy, it was time for him to go. The Master launched the tip of the pyramid, the spacecraft went past Oric’s atmosphere as a husk duplicate of Oric appeared, he left it for dead as the pyramid flew disguised as an infrared wave. “Oric could die today for all The Master cared, and it well might.”p.205 

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