The Final Reckoning

Stone

Chapter 1: The Old Man (Saturday)

Behold, I am coming soon. I bring with me the recompense I will give to each according to his deeds. (Rev. 22:12)

More fighting broke out in South Africa today, where News One journalist Becky Timmons reports that upwards of 8,000 soldiers and perhaps double that number of civilians, were killed during a night-long, fierce firefight. The uprising there is now being categorized as a full- fledged civil war. This marks the third such disturbance in as many countries, this year alone. Dennis Singleton took his hand off of the steering wheel and pressed the radio power button with a sharp stab of his finger.

He used both hands to rub the sides of his aching head. The interstate was at a deadlock once again as the mass of humanity and machines fought to gain the inches of progress that seemed all but impossible to obtain. His mind drifted slowly off to a point of idle neutrality. He sat there in a kind of numb, thoughtless daze. The sudden burst of a loud horn jarred him back to the moment. Dennis eased the 5-year old, weather-beaten sedan forward a ways before stopping behind the bright yellow compact once again. He vaguely heard an angry voice in the car behind him that issued forth a muffled string of profanity.

More and more, he wished that he could just crawl under a rock somewhere and go to sleep, never to be bothered again. He was not a bad man in the classical sense of the term; it’s just that things in his life seem to have lost their shine long ago.

To him, nothing seemed to be fulfilling anymore, with the one exception of his family. He could still feel joy when he was with his wife and daughter. He thought to himself that somehow, when he apparently was not paying attention, several years had gotten behind him.

Had life always been this way? Was the world in such a bad state of affairs his entire life? Were things getting worse? he thought to himself, as he inched the car along. Answers did not come easily to questions such as these in his jumbled mind. These days, the modus operandi was to tune everything out, and simply exist and survive.

He wasn’t a bad looking man by any standard. In fact Dennis Singleton still possessed a youthful appearance. He had what one might call called rugged good looks. His physique had suffered a few obvious set-backs, but it wasn’t at all bad for his age. He was about 15 lbs overweight but well over 6ft tall. He still held on to a fading hint of his athletic shape from his youth. His hair was brown and full, and it never seemed to quite fall into perfect place for him. He had distant, hazel-colored eyes with a dullness that gave the impression that his mind had long ago given up on all but the most necessary functions needed for the given moment. He ran a shaky hand through his hair, as he did so many times a day without realizing it.

Suddenly, a siren blared in the distance behind him. It quickly became louder, developing into a scream that hurt his ears. A police car materialized in his driver’s side mirror. His car was pelted with a cloud of dust and small stones as the cruiser raced past him on the shoulder. He eased off of the brake, letting the car roll forward to catch up to the other cars. He pressed the power knob on the radio, turning it on once again.

…Of the International Monetary Fund, says that the major countries of the world have all now implemented their most drastic contingency plans in an attempt to quell their spiraling economies .The President of The United States has ordered an emergency meeting of all top advisors to discuss a rapid deployment strategy of his Cashless Society Commerce Policy. Dennis ran his hand through his hair nervously, and shut the radio off again. Ahead, he could see a large group of flashing lights that glared off of his windshield causing little, dancing flashes of light at regular recurring intervals. He leaned forward and squinted, peering ahead toward the setting sun. As he moved forward, alternating between the accelerator and brake pedal, shapes in the distance began to form, becoming slowly recognizable. There was a twisted mass of metal along with broken glass partially blocking the lanes ahead. Emergency vehicles were parked at odd angles forming an arc around the disabled cars. He could now clearly see the scene. There was a large sport utility vehicle overturned on its roof.

In front of it was a delivery van that had a mangled front end. The cars ahead and around Dennis, were all moving very slowly along the right shoulder of the road. Some had come to a complete stop, just to get a look or a glimpse inside the wrecked automobiles. He could see the faces of men, women and children smashed against the side windows of their respective cars, wide-eyed and pointing, trying to get a glimpse of some morbid or tragic scene. It seemed that’s all that people wanted to see these days. A sense of curiosity began to build inside Dennis as well.

Strangely, he was not at all afraid to look. He wasn’t feeling anything at all, he noticed. Was he supposed to feel bad? Or sad? Oddly, he wasn’t sure anymore.

He did finally look, however, as he rolled slowly passed the twisted metal skeletons. What he saw was not good news.Two firemen and several paramedics were wrestling the loud pneumatic jaws of a rescue device into the driver’s side window of the upturned S.U.V. They wrenched and twisted in an attempt to pry open a space large enough to provide access to the unconscious woman who was hanging upside down from her seat belt.

There was a pool of blood on the road next to the SUV, and, as he crept along, Dennis saw the twisted arm of a small child hanging out of the window directly behind the woman. A doll with the head detached lay on the road beneath the small girl’s mangled and outstretched arm. No one was moving inside the vehicle. There was a strange, fleshy splatter on the inside of the broken windshield of the overturned car. A sudden quiet began to envelop the inside cabin of his car. It was like someone had suddenly turned the volume slowly down on the rest of the world. His own breathing became loud in his ears. He could sense the rhythm of his pounding heart. He had no idea why, but he felt extremely anxious, almost to a point of panic.

Everything outside moved in slow motion. He sensed a presence to his right, just as it materialized. As he willed his head to turn toward the passenger side, a loud thump shook his car. At this very moment, a human body slammed against the side window. A grimy, toothless face appeared, smashed against the glass. Two hands that were partially spread out wearing fingerless brown jersey gloves were splayed flat against the glass of the window. Dennis jumped up so hard that he hit his right knee on the bottom of the steering wheel with enough force to cause a shooting pain that went straight up his leg.

His heart skipped a beat in his chest. Still, he could hear no other sound outside.

He rubbed his knee and stared at the figure that was now smashed against his window but not moving. The old man outside cocked his greasy head to the side once, and then switched to the other side like a dog does when it hears a high-pitched sound. It was as if he was being evaluated by this stranger. Now, the man spoke. In a calm, almost sleepy, voice he said: Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophesy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.

The sound was somehow inside the car. It was as if no glass separated them. It sounded no different than if this strange man were somehow inside sitting next to Dennis.

Dennis stared, as if he had been hypnotized. Hey Buddy! Move it along will ya? The sudden voice startled Dennis back into the moment. Ain’t you ever seen a crash before? The new voice said. Dennis struggled to process the moment. He winced as a flashlight blasted blinding white light into his eyes. What the…? is all Dennis could muster at the moment. I said move it along or get a ticket. It’s your choice, pal. The voice of the policeman grew louder by the word. Policeman? How the hell? Where’d the other guy go? Dennis struggled to make sense of the illogical developments of the last few seconds. There was no luck there.

Somehow, the old bum was gone and a policeman was standing exactly in his place. He wrapped hard on the window, almost shattering it. Dennis shook his head to clear his mind and eased his foot off of the brake pedal. His calf burned from the pressure that he had unconsciously been applying to it. After about a mile of open road, he started to feel himself calming down a little. C’mon Dennis old boy. You’ll be just fine now. You’re just overtired that’s all, got a touch of the flu, that must be it. There was something about that old man though. What time was he referring to? Was he even real?

Dennis, my man, you’ve really cracked up this time. He managed a nervous chuckle as the reality around him became familiar again.

He took a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair. Where the hell did that guy come from? And where did he go to! He shook his head side-to-side quickly, as if to shake out anything that didn’t belong in there. Just some crazy old man, he reasoned, as he adjusted himself in his seat. He pressed a button on the dashboard and said the word: Home out loud. There followed a series of beeps and then the sound of a phone dialing. Lo? A tiny female voice filled the cabin of his sedan. Dennis smiled. Hi, Sweetheart. He felt himself instantly getting much calmer. Have you decided to run the house now? I see that you’re answering the phone these days, huh? he teased. Daddy!" the tiny voice exclaimed with surprising exuberance.

Do you think you could get your mother for me, Pumpkin? Daddy, guess what? The small voice said, completely ignoring the request. Dennis sighed, playing along. What is it, Honey? Mommy got me a dolly! This was said with such gusto that Dennis couldn’t help but smile. That’s awesome Hope. It really is. But I kind of need to talk to Mommy right now. I promise, I’ll see it as soon as I get there ok? He tried to sound as truthful as he could. Please give the phone to your mother now. He heard a short scuffling, then: But Mom! fading into the background. Hello. Hi Aim. How’s everything? Dennis brought the car to a stop as a traffic light in front of him as it turned red. Where are you Dennis? We’re holding dinner here for you. She cupped a hand over the phone mouthpiece and turned to her daughter.

Honey, go play with your new dolly in the living room please. Mommy’s trying to talk to Daddy. Dennis heard a muffled reply in the background.

She took her hand off of the mouthpiece again. Sorry. Where are you? I’m ok Amy. There was an accident on the freeway, I just got past it. Listen, is everything ok there? He tried to sound casual but it came out more like forced casual. Yes, why wouldn’t it be? She said. Nothing, no reason. He replied. Just checking, that’s all. He added, trying to cover up the fact that he was worrying. I’ll be home soon, Honey."

Dennis, are you ok? She said, sounding truly worried. Yes, yes I’m fine. I’ll see you in 15 minutes. He began to feel ridiculous for ever worrying about them. All right? he added. We’ll be here, sweetheart. Be careful ok? Amy added her own bit of worry to the conversation. Love you. Love you too Amy. Say bye to the squirt for me. He could hear his daughter singing in the background. He thought to himself: I must be the luckiest man on this earth. Without them…his thoughts trailed off as he tried to extinguish the thought of the last part of the scenario.

He pressed the hands-free button on his dash, ending the connection. He’d be fine once he was home. He pictured his five year old daughter with her new doll. A smile came to his face. Slowly he allowed his mind to coast off again, but this time his feeling was a warm, comfortable reassurance that there was, in fact, still something good in his life.

Chapter 2: Dennis Singleton

…Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand. (Romans. 15:21)

Dennis Singleton pulled his car into the driveway of his suburban home. His house was a ranch style home with just a single floor of living space. He hit a button on the visor above him, and the garage door began its squeaky journey upward. He inched the car inside, coming to a stop in the familiar spot. He pressed the button again and the door went back down, squeaking even worse this time. He took his briefcase from the passenger seat and grabbed an empty Styrofoam coffee cup from the cup holder with his right hand. As the car door closed, he caught a glimpse of the door that connected the garage to the house beginning to open.

Before he could fully prepare himself for the onslaught that he knew would follow, she came running up to him. The door banged hard against the wall after being flung open. Dennis winced at the loud bang that it made. Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! Look! A not-so-tiny five year old voice said, as his daughter ran up to him and thrust the doll in the general direction of his face. Her momentum carried her into his legs but she was forced to a stop by his larger bulk. He grabbed her arms to balance her.

Whoa there, Kiddo, easy does it. She smiled up at him and he felt his heart leap, as he always did with her. She shook the red-haired doll in her fully outstretched hand. Her name is Dweezel! Hope said, displaying a missing tooth in the front of her mouth.

Dennis set his briefcase down on the top of the car and scooped her up into his arms. He transferred her to his hip and dropped the empty coffee cup that was in his other hand. He tweaked her nose. Daddy! She shrieked, as she rubbed it vigorously. Look! she said loudly as she pressed the doll into his face.

He jerked his head back to avoid a sudden blow. He raised his other hand to help fend off the action. Hope giggled, trying to out-maneuver him with the doll. I see, I see already. He said. She’s very nice, Sweetheart. He grabbed the briefcase and headed into the house with Hope steadily talking and following along. Mommy said she’d buy a new dress for Dweezel, and that you would buy a boy doll for her, Daddy. She needs a boy I think. Hope was a beautiful little girl. She had her mother’s pale blue eyes and ringlets of curly, flaxen blond hair. Occasionally, her mother arranged it in pigtails or braids. She loved life and was always full of bubbly energy.

I heard you, Pumpkin, he said, as he entered the house. Daddy you did not! Hope exclaimed, flashing a pout. He put her down and bent down to her level. I did hear you. You said that your nose turned purple and your leg fell off. He kissed her forehead. She erupted in giggles. No I didn’t!" She said, still giggling. She ran away toward the living room but stopped abruptly, looking down at one leg and then the other to make sure that they were both still there.

Dennis took his coat off and hung it in on the coat rack. He walked into the main part of the house which was designed with an open floor plan such that the living room, dining area, and kitchen were all one large open space. There were no walls between the rooms, with the one exception being a half partition that separated the kitchen from the dining area. Four barstools sat in front of this barrier on the living room side, and a countertop of granite capped it off. Amy was drying her hands on a dishtowel as he approached.

She came out of the kitchen to greet him. Hi, Honey, she said as she put her arms around his neck and kissed him on the mouth. Hi, Baby, he replied. Amy was almost as beautiful as Hope. Her eyes were a soft, pale blue that had always captivated him. She had shiny, straight blond hair that never seemed a strand out of place. Her classic high cheek bones ran in her family on her mother’s side. Dennis was still crazy about her. She always had a kind word to say, and it never failed to reassure him and to make him feel loved and wanted. His family was the one thing in his life that kept him going.

It was the one reason that he didn’t just give it all up. Amy held her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes. You Ok? She asked. I’m good. Really Aim, just a little busy at work. Anything I can do? She offered. He held a hand to her cheek and stroked his thumb lightly across her smooth skin. Sweetheart, you do everything perfect already. He kissed her again. They came apart and she walked back into the kitchen while he sat down on one of the barstools. Over her shoulder she said: Got lasagna, that ok with you? Perfect," He said, unclipping his I.D. card from his shirt pocket. He dropped it onto the counter in front of him.

The card had a picture in the upper right corner and the words: Biomark Enterprises Dennis Singleton-Line Supervisor, printed on it. There was a bright yellow dot on the top and a magnetic strip on the backside. What’s all this about an accident? She asked, stirring a pot of red sauce. Huh? Oh, nothing. Some car flipped over on the freeway. He took off his tie. Hope came charging out of the living room and stopped at the barstool next to Dennis.

She put her doll down on the counter and stretched to her tip toes wrestling with the stool. She managed to pull it out away so that she could climb on top of it. Daddy, me and Dweezel are gonna eat here, She announced matter-of-factly. No toys on the counter, Amy quickly cautioned. Moaaam! Hope whined.

Here, Dennis said, playing the part of the mediator. The weasel can sit on my lap. D-U-H Weezel dad. Not weasel! She said, hitting his arm. What’s a Dweezel anyway? he asked, teasing her. It’s a she, and she’s called Dweezel! she added. All right, if you say so. Dennis ruffled her hair. Salad and garlic bread ok? Amy asked as Dennis hoisted Hope off of her stool and onto his lap. Fine by me. He began bouncing her on his knee as he had done so many times in the past few years.Daddy, you’re making me hiccup! Hope said. Hiccup ping’s not so bad. he teased. She squirmed, trying to get away from him.

He placed her back on her stool again and gave her the doll. Amy kicked the door of the refrigerator closed and placed a large bowl of salad on the snack bar. She placed the dish of lasagna and a basket of garlic bread next to it. Dennis brought a stool around to the kitchen side of the counter, knowing that Amy would eat on that side as she always did. Ok everybody; we’re eatin’ cowboy style tonight. Dennis announced. What’s a cowboy, Daddy? Hope asked with a mouthful of bread. Like at the saloon, you know. He pointed to their stools. Hope chewed for a minute. What’s a sloon? she finally returned, mispronouncing the word. Never mind, just eat you Rascal! Dennis said, smiling. I’m not a Rascal! Hope proclaimed emphatically. She dropped a large piece of lasagna on the counter as she tried to navigate it to her mouth.

They ate silently for awhile, each in their own thought. Amy was the first to speak next. What’s going on at the plant, Dennis? I mean, why are you so busy these days? Dennis finished chewing and said: Something about a large order of some small, implantable, high-tech thing. All I know is that we’ve been making nothing but these things for two months now. Hope cleared her throat loudly. Oh, Honey, I forgot your milk. Amy got up quickly to get the milk. Sorry Sweetie, she said as she put a small glass of milk down in front of Hope. It’s ok, Mommy, Hope said sweetly.

What kind of implants? Amy looked concerned. Well, it’s a very small chip of some sort. I guess it holds a lot of information though. I don’t know much about it Amy. All I know is that someone wants a whole lot of these things. What do you suppose they’re going to do with them? I haven’t the slightest clue. They’re fairly complex, though. We have to use magnifiers to make the circuitry. They’re made to be embedded into something for tracking purposes I guess. He swallowed a bite of lasagna. What, like pets or something? Amy said. I don’t know Aim. All I know is that we gotta make millions of these things in a very short time. Well, I hope you’ll stop working these Saturdays, soon. You do have a family too, you know. Amy never pressed the issue of him working too hard, but she always reminded him that his family was important also.

When the dinner was over, Amy cleaned up the dishes and Dennis went to change his clothes. When Amy was finished cleaning, she went into the family room with Hope. She