A Future History of the United States

Tim looked confused, “That’s all very interesting, but I still don’t see what all this has to do with me.”

Stephen looked at Tim, “The Prelate’s full name at birth was Titus Gabriel Roberts.”

“So,” Tim responded, “he has the same last name as me. There are probably at least 10,000 other men in the country with the last name of Roberts. I just happen to be one of them.”

Ron took over the conversation again. “Not just one of them, Tim. You are the only one that ‘just happens to be’ the Prelate’s identical twin brother! And that is why you are the only one who can complete this mission.”

In the silence following this announcement, Tim could hear his heart beating. What Ron had just said could not be true. He was an only child. He could remember several times his father had mentioned a brother, Tim’s uncle, who lived in California, but there had been no contact between them for years. Even when his father, and later his mother, had died, this uncle had not come to the funerals. As far at Tim knew, that was his only relative. Finally, Tim spoke, his trembling voice barely audible, “That’s impossible, there is no way that can be true.”

“It is true, Tim,” Ron replied. “The man you knew as your father, and the woman you knew as your mother, were actually your uncle and aunt. Your parents were both killed in an accident when you and Titus were just a few weeks old. Your father’s two brothers each adopted one of you.

“You were actually born in Oklahoma City. Following your parents funeral, your adoptive dad brought you back here to St. Louis where he had lived for a number of years. Your uncle took Titus to California. A disagreement over the disposition of your parents’ estate resulted in hard feelings between your dad and his brother.

“The problems between the two families were never resolved. You and Titus grew up, each unaware of the existence of the other. Even today Titus does not know he has a twin. If he had known, you would not be alive today!

“We discovered this information by accident. One of our people is a bishop in Oklahoma City. While doing some research in the old public records, he found the account of your parents’ death. The name of your twin, Titus Gabriel Roberts, caught his attention since he knew that was the birth name of our Prelate.

“Unfortunately another bishop, one who is not part of our organization, was present when this information was discovered. He reported this information to Archbishop Rand. There was a race to locate you. Both sides were able to identify you at about the same time, but Rand’s people got to you before we did.

“You know the story from that point on. Fortunately, we were able to rescue you before they managed to get you to confess to something of which you were never guilty. If they had managed to get a confession out of you they would have notified Prelate Titus II of your existence. He would have had you executed.

Rand did not want to inform Titus of your existence before he secured a confession from you. He was afraid Titus would think he would try to use you to overthrow him.

“Rand and two of the current bishops were the only ones outside our organization who had access to this information. One of those is Bishop Theodore. That is part of the reason I had to take such extreme measures with the priest from St. John’s Church the other day.

“I have already brought both of these bishops to the Archbishop’s complex. They are under guard. They have been advised that they are being detained due to actions detrimental to the Church. Both of them had given their priests quotas to fill in bringing charges of heresy. The second one is Bishop Howard. He is the bishop for St. Anthony’s. Getting him here was one of the reasons I wanted to fill in at St. Anthony’s last week.

“Services at all the churches tomorrow should be back to normal. I have instructed the priests to avoid controversial topics and simply preach about the Love of God.

“The meeting with the bishops on Monday will be one of the final acts before we make our big move. Right after that meeting you, Claude, and I will be heading to Miami. After that, we will be leading a contingent to Washington, D.C.

“It’s time for your evening staff meeting. They are probably already waiting for you in your office.”

As Ron predicted Sunday was uneventful. Tim presided at the services in the Cathedral. Ron changed from his bishop’s robe to everyday clothes and sat with the congregation. He told Tim this was to judge the reaction of the people to his message. In reality, he just wanted a chance to relax with no duties for a little while.

The meeting with the bishops began promptly at 10:00 A.M. Monday with Ron presiding. There were only ten bishops present.

“Gentlemen,” Ron began, “as you know, there are twelve bishops assigned to each district. As you can see, there are only ten of you present. The other two will be brought in shortly.

“Some of you were brought here in a manner that has left you baffled and confused. You have all been isolated since your arrival, so you have had no opportunity to converse among yourselves. This has been intentional.

“Bishop Arthur, will you describe your experiences to the rest of the group?”

This bishop was seated farthest from the door. He stood and, rather hesitantly, began to speak, “Before I say anything I feel an explanation from you is in order.” Motioning toward Tim he continued, “Since the Archbishop is present, shouldn’t he be the one in control of this meeting rather than you, a mere bishop.”

Tim stood up and responded, “Since I am newly appointed to the position of Archbishop, we,” he indicated Ron, “have agreed that I will observe while Bishop Leber presides.”

Seemingly satisfied, Bishop Arthur began to talk. “I had arrived Saturday morning at a church on the outskirts of Indianapolis. I made my way to the church office to inform the priest I intended to conduct the Sunday morning services. While I was talking with the priest a man in bishop’s robes entered the office and said I was to accompany him. He presented me with a document signed by the Archbishop calling me to this meeting.

“He insisted I come with him without delay. Rather than go back out on the street as I expected, he led me to a room in the back of the priests living quarters. Once in that room, he walked directly toward the wall opposite the door. The wall suddenly disappeared and we stepped through into some kind of passage.

“As if that wasn’t shocking enough, he led me to a chamber where there was what looked like an oversize tin can and told me to get in. By this time I was beginning to think the mushrooms I had for breakfast must have been the hallucination generating kind.

“Once we were seated, my escort did something I could not see and the side of the tin can closed. He said, ‘sit back and relax,’ then it felt like about ten people sat down in my lap. That just lasted a little while, then we sat there and it didn’t seem like anything was happening. Suddenly our chairs reversed direction and I was pushed back into my seat again. This time it wasn’t nearly as bad.

“It couldn’t have been more than forty-five minutes after we got into that tin can that the door opened and my escort said, ‘We’re here, let me help you out.’ I said, ‘Where’s here?’ and he replied, ‘St. Louis.’ I was thinking either I’m crazy, or he’s crazier.

“He led me through another corridor. This time he opened a real door and we stepped out into the street right in front of this Cathedral. You could have knocked me over with a feather at that time. I still don’t believe it. I still don’t know just what happened.” With that he sat down.

Ron spoke up again, “About half of you had similar experiences. It was very important to get all twelve bishops together for this meeting and time was critical. We could not wait for several weeks for a messenger to reach you and you get here by normal means. Before I explain further, I must inform you that the next few minutes will be the most important in your life thus far.

“From the expression on some faces, I can tell you think I am exaggerating. I assure you I am not!

“I will be taking each of you individually into an adjoining room. I will ask you one question. I want, I expect, in fact I demand, an honest answer. I will be able to detect any attempt to mislead me in any way. Any such attempt will be met with immediate and decisive action.”

He motioned to the bishop who had just been speaking, “Bishop Arthur, you are first.”

Once away from the eyes and ears of the remaining bishops Ron, in a kind and gentle voice said, “I picked you first because I am almost certain of the answer you will give. I repeat what I said before. Answer me truthfully. I will know if you are lying. My question is, which is more important, the teachings of the Church or the teachings of the Bible?”

Without hesitation Arthur responded, “The teachings of the Bible! Many teachings of the Church are generated by men and men can make mistakes. The Bible makes no mistakes! If this makes me a heretic, send me to be burned at once!”

Ron smiled, “No fire for you, Arthur. But after this meeting is over you and I, and I hope most of the others, will be having a nice long conversation. Go back out now and send the next one in. Don’t say anything to anyone about what I asked you.”

As each of the remaining nine came in, Ron repeated his warning and his question. Two of the bishops responded that the Church teaching was more important than the Bible. The others answered in much the same way as Arthur.

After the last one had returned to the office, Ron turned to a small panel in one of the walls, opened it and extracted a small disk. Reaching into his robe, he brought out a small device and inserted the disk into it. As he did a display appeared on another wall of the room. He studied it for a few minutes, returned the disk to it’s location in the cubbyhole, returned the small device to his robe, and turned and walked back into the office.

He walked directly to the bishop sitting in the middle of the group. “Come with me,” then he turned and walked back to the private room. The bishop he had approached followed him, though somewhat hesitantly.

Once the door was again securely closed Ron looked at the bishop, “You lied.” He paused and waited for a reaction.

The bishop’s eyes blinked rapidly as he stuttered out, “No, no, no, I t-t-told the t-t-truth.” When Ron continued to look him in the eye and said nothing further, he continued, seeming to gain confidence as he spoke. “I really do believe the Church teaching is the most important. Really I do. Please believe me.”

After a longer pause Ron began speaking, “It would have been better for you if you had told the truth. You really believe the Bible should override the Church teachings. Some of the others had the courage to admit this is what they believe. You do not have the courage to stand up for your belief. Without that courage, you can not be a true witness for Christ.”

With that, Ron turned and walked back into the office. The bishop slowly followed him. Ron continued on to the door and opened it. Claude and Dennis were both waiting outside. Motioning them to enter he indicated the two others who had said the Church teaching was more important. “These two will be shown to their new assignments immediately. Others will follow later.”

Turning to the one he had just chastised, “Those two really did believe the Church teaching was more important. Had you really believed it when you said the Church teachings were more important you would be joining them!”

Once the office door was again securely closed, Ron motioned for Tim to take his place in the Archbishop’s chair.

After seating himself comfortably behind the desk, Tim looked at each bishop before speaking. Finally he said, “All but one of you will soon have a very important task assigned to you.” Turning to the one Ron had chastised, “You will receive additional instruction. Upon successfully completing it you, too, will receive an important position. As soon as this meeting is over, you will be transported to the location where you will receive your training.

Noting the look of terror on the man’s face Tim assured him, “Don’t be concerned. It really is additional training. We can’t afford to lose someone who believes as you really do.

“The rest of you will remain here in the Archbishop’s compound until further notice. My new secretary, Stephen, will fill you in on your assignments. Next Sunday, if all goes as planned, there will be a special meeting in the Cathedral. You will all attend that meeting, but not wearing your bishop’s outfits. You may put those back on after that meeting.

“A few of you have already had an experience like the one Arthur described. Let me assure you, it was not a hallucination. You will all have the same experience soon.”

The door opened. Tim looked over and said, “I see my two assistants have returned. We will now bring in the two missing bishops.” With that Claude and Dennis stepped aside and allowed the last two bishops to enter.

As they entered Ron, addressed them, “Bishop Howard, Bishop Theodore, we have a question for you. Which is the more important, the teachings of the Bible, or the teachings of the Church?”

Both answered so promptly it seemed as if they had only one voice, “THE CHURCH!”

Tim nodded to Claude and Dennis, “Please have them escorted to their new assignment.”

As the door closed behind them some of the remaining bishops looked around rather uncomfortably. One spoke up, “Are they going to be…” his voice trailed off.

“Don’t worry about them,” said Tim. “By this evening they will be settling in to their new assignments as monks in Elko, Nevada. Unfortunately, I am afraid they will soon have more company.”