Chapter 17

17
MONASTERY OF ST. ENGULPIUS, SAO PAULO, BRAZIL

In was far more exciting than a usual day for Cardinal Guerros. He held the cachet in his lap as he waited patiently to arrive at his destination. This was the cachet handed to him for personal delivery by the Papal Nuncio in Rio De Janiero. It held the crest of Pope Paul Jacob I and was sealed with the wax signet of the Vatican. He was instructed to open the cachet and follow the instructions, contained within it once he was in the Monastery of St. Engulpius.

Up ahead he could see the startling white of the monastery's main building, set among vineyards and tilled fields in the lush green of the mountains. St. Engulpius was uniquely equipped to accept the servants of the Church for all types of causes, alcoholism, pedophilia and other undesirable traits which could develop in the career of a priest or bishop or, for that matter a Cardinal. It was a refuge for these weak souls, offering isolation along with spiritual and psychiatric rehabilitation even though few of its wards ever walked the streets again.

Within its closed confines a priest lay dying. At the end of his life he had demanded to be freed of a certain confession he had taken upon himself from a wealthy patron of the Church in Brazil. Just now, this Father Riaz had begged for and received the Dispensation he sought so urgently, a rare Papal Dispensation, lifting the vow of secrecy the Father had taken in preparation for his ministry.

The Monastery had sent a friendly and respectful delegation of monks to meet the helicopter. It had not sent a car. Cardinal Guerros and his aide were hot and thirsty by the time they had walked up to the main building.

Once inside, the head of the monastery greeted them. "Thank you for coming so quickly, Cardinal. Time now is very short for Father Riaz, and I believe that we must go to him immediately." The man headed off down a hallway with several other monks. "Please. This way, if you please Cardinal."

"Father Riaz has been an unusual resident during his stay here, Cardinal. He seems to be so oppressed by the content of this particular confession that he can no longer bear to hold it in his heart. At first he was simply quiet and solitary, but as the years passed he fell into uncontrolled episodes of crying and wailing. His complaint was always the same. He was tormented by this knowledge within him. I have to say that I myself cannot avoid my own curiosity." The Master Brother rattled on as they turned into yet another hallway.

"Then His Emminence has granted the Dispensation simply to soothe the man's mind before his death, is this what has happened? Am I here on an errand of grand Papal compassion?" The Cardinal asked.

"Perhaps that is all there is to it, but several factors suggest otherwise. For one, the confession was given to Father Riaz by none other than Senor Robeles on his death bed. Here we are." The monk opened the door to a hospital type room. The Cardinal noted a sturdy lock as he entered the room.

The man on the bed was sick indeed, yet he still carried a surprising wildness in his eyes and expression. He knew without being told that his deliverance had arrived. He stared at the Papal Cachet, and spoke with a trembling voice. "Open it, Senor Cardinal. Open it quickly."

The Cardinal slid his thumb under the wax seal and lifted the flap of the packet. He withdrew the official letter from the Vatican and handed it to the old Priest. Riaz held it close to his face long enough to see the signature of the Holy Father. The instructions to the Cardinal were written on a slip of paper only two or three inches long. He sent his aide out of the room and pulled the door closed.

"I, Cardinal Guerros, hereby swear on my own salvation through Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Eternal Church not to reveal any part of what I am now to hear until I receive instructions from the Holy Father." Turning to the senior monk at his left, he asked him "Do you also swear this?"

"I do so willingly. Please, let us bring the final comfort to this tortured man of the Church." The monk helped Riaz take a little water as he spoke.

The two of them pulled up chairs and prepared themselves to listen to Father Riaz's last confession.

He spoke in an uncertain voice, but his words were clear and his train of thought was strong. "Robeles caused the discovery of the tomb. He found the scrolls. He was saddened because he had no son, but he had a bold plan and lots of money. I won't disclose his sins of murder and other crimes. Time is too short. But what he has done is far more the sacrilege." Riaz hesitated here, coughing for a moment.

"The truth must be given to the world. The Church must be warned for Her own safety. Robeles cloned the Savior from a bit of the Body. His own laboratory did the work, then a peasant woman was impregnated with the Embryo they made. The Child was born and lives even today in hiding on a secret island off Amapa, on the island of Paraneho. More than this I can only guess, but the Man they created is Jesus Christ. He is in His twenties, healthy and quite human. He lives on that island as we speak."

"Father Riaz! Is the Man aware of Himself? Do you know what He intends to do?" The Cardinal asked. The Monk was unable to speak at all.

Father Riaz looked up at the two of them from his bed. His face was calm and he knew peace at last. He died gently and received his Extreme Unction from a trembling Cardinal. The Father had ended his lifetime with twenty minutes of wordless rest, the silent haven of a dying man with a peaceful soul.

Chapter 18

18
ISLAND OF PARANEHO, AMAPA STATE, BRAZIL

Juan came running up the path from the beach, calling breathlessly, "Jesus! Jesus! Come quick!"

The other youth was standing patiently in the bright sun, untangling rocks and debris from the family's fishing net, hung to dry. He glanced toward His friend, laughing, "What can possibly be so important to run on a hot day, Juan?"

"You must come and sit in the shade. I have something incredible to tell You." Juan yelled, still out of breath.

The two of them were almost copies of each other. Jesus was shorter and darker. Juan was a little older and more fully developed, but both were unmistakably healthy and well made young men. Even a few years younger, Jesus had a larger chest and a narrower waist than his friend. Juan, on the other hand, was a slender well proportioned Brazilian youth with fiery eyes and a smile full of blinding white teeth that betrayed his strong native blood.. Neither had ever worn anything but shorts. There was no noticeable winter in the Amapa latitudes.

Now Juan's eyes were really full of fire. "I have something really important to tell You, and I have to be cautious so I can get it done right."

"Jesus, You know I would never do anything to hurt You. Right now, I have to tell You something really important. When I taught You to be a carpenter, it was because I wanted You to help build our boat. When I taught You to read the books, it was because I wanted to do that, too." Juan began patiently.

"Yes, I enjoyed reading 'Extension Service Manual of Edible Flora in the Northern States of Brazil.' very much. I still read it often. But why are you troubled, Juan? Are you getting ready to hurt Me now?" The young Man looked puzzled.

"Maybe. Things are happening which involve You. Many powerful things that You probably won't understand easily. I had a great deal of trouble understanding them myself." Juan was beginning to falter on his mission. He was also beginning to show his excitement.

"Just tell Me everything as if I could understand it, then after that we can spend as long as we want while you explain it all." Jesus answered in His imperturbable calm. "And, Juan, if this hurts me, I forgive you. Besides, no hurt can be too great with you, My lifetime companion, at My side."

"I'll start with what happened to me. Early this morning a strange man approached me. He came to the island in an incredible motor boat. When I saw him on the beach I waved, and he answered by calling out my name. He told me that he was the overseer, watching the affairs on this island, and that an emergency situation had come up. It turns out that the situation has a great deal to do with You, Jesus."

"At first I thought he was from the mainland, You know, like the postal delivery man, Oscar. He asked me to go with him on his motor boat. It was not like anything I have ever seen, fast and smooth, cutting through the waves as if it were flying. He took the boat to the far side of the second rock on the windward side of our island. At first it looked as though we were going to crash into the rocks, then at the last minute a kind of door opened and the boat was suddenly inside the rock, sitting easily in calm water by a dock.

"He led to me to another room with electric lights. It had a kind of windows that showed this island, the houses, our families, even you working on the nets. There were many of these windows showing all kinds of different places on our island. He explained that he was responsible for watching us. He was responsible for making sure nothing happened to us. I asked him why he allowed my father to die. He answered very kindly, and told me that not even he could have done anything to prevent that." Juan's account stumbled on. The young man clearly was overwhelmed with the complexity of his task.

"Is this man God?" Jesus asked.

"No, this man is a servant of another man who is dead. The dead man's name was Senor Robeles. He was very rich and he left money to pay his servant to continue this job after his death. The servant's name is Jorge. Other men work with him to do this job. Jesus, some of them have guns which they are to use to protect us and our island." Juan continued.

"Why have we never seen these windows? Why have we never seen these men, coming and going to the rock?" Jesus asked incredulously.

"The boats only come and go when the watchers can see us in the windows. If there was a chance that we might see the boats, they would wait until they could be certain they could pass out of our sight. The windows I told You about are really machines which watch at one place and show what they see at another place -- down in the rock. They make it possible for Jorge to do his work, to watch us without being seen."

"This is important now because these men with guns will be out around our island in plain sight after today. You will be able to see them on their boats, racing back and forth in the ocean."

"But we must not spend too much

"Just one more question, Juan." Jesus paused, then asked, "Did you know about all of this before? Did you keep it secret from Me?"

"No Jesus. Not in my wildest dreams could I imagine this was happening. Jorge, however, did tell me one thing about all of this. He told me that our parents all knew some of the truth. They also work for the dead man, Senor Robeles. It was their job to be our parents, and to lead the lives they have led on the island. Everything that has happened here since You were born has been part of a plan. Just now, though, the plan cannot be followed. Some things have gone wrong." Juan explained quietly.

"But, ..." Jesus began with another question.

"No, not now. You must listen. Jorge has asked me to explain this to You the way he explained it to me. He hoped that You would be better able to understand everything if the words came from Your friend. Please give me a chance to do what I promised him I would do. Jorge is a good man. He is kind and honest. He is trying to do his best with the work Senor Robeles gave him, but things are becoming very difficult for him. We must try very hard not to add to his burden."

"Jesus, do you know whom you were named after?" Juan asked, looking into the eyes of his lifelong friend.

Jesus looked puzzled, but answered with the same facts his mother had told him. "Yes, I am named after a very Saintly Holy Man who lived long ago. My mother and my father gave me this name in the hope that I would try to lead a saintly life myself."

"I need to tell you just a little about the Holy Man. In the story of His life, one part has a great deal to do with you, Jesus. The story of His death says that after He died, He came back from death, was a Holy Man a little longer, then went up into the sky when God called Him and that He is still high up in the sky with God now."

"Years ago, Senor Robeles found out that this part of the story of Jesus' life was not quite right, and that actually, He died and was buried just as other men, just as my father. Senor Robeles paid for people to look for Jesus' tomb, and they found it. Among all the people who had been taught that Jesus had gone up into the sky, a great disappointment and anger rose up. Many of them became discouraged and began to fight among themselves, some of them believing this new story and some certain that it could not be true."

"Senor Robeles was a good man and very devout. He had a dream of helping Jesus come back to the earth. He wanted this because Jesus did so much good for the world when He was here before. In fact part of the story of Jesus' life tells about His coming again. Senor Robeles was afraid that many people would not agree with his plan, so he was determined to accomplish it very secretly."

"Senor Robeles took a tiny part of the body of Jesus that his men found in the tomb and sent it to a very special hospital which he had built just for this purpose. Special doctors there helped to change the tiny bit of the dead Jesus into a tiny person -- do You remember when my mother became pregnant with my sister Victoria?" Juan asked.

"Yes, your mother grew a great belly while Victoria was inside her." Jesus answered innocently.

"That's right. But mother had the baby in her long before she began to grow like that. It was just that Victoria was so small that she didn't show for several months. Senor Robeles made a similar tiny baby from the material he took from the ancient body of Jesus. This material was exactly similar in every way to the tiny baby carried by Jesus' mother which turned into and was born as Jesus so long ago."

"Well, Senor Robeles had that tiny baby placed in your mother, Maria. It grew and developed into a little baby boy, and it was for the sake of that very baby boy that all this island was created. This island was made to be a place where that boy could grow up in healthy innocence and secrecy from the world."

"Juan, do you mean that I have a brother? Where is he?" Jesus asked incredulously.

"No, Jesus, You are that boy now grown to a man. You are both who You now know Yourself to be and You are just as much who that ancient and Very Holy Man was. He said He was the Son of God and that He was sent to this world to help make things work better. When Jorge told me about all of this, many things started to become clear to me. The most important of them was that this explains how I feel about You, the special feelings we all have toward You, the special love we have for You. Even Jorge, who has had very little to do with You save watching over You as You lived on this island has special feelings for You."

"Do you mean that I am a Holy Man, Juan? I can't recall that I have done anything holy." Jesus queried the older youth.

"No, well actually, yes, You are a Holy Man. Jorge explained it this way. You are born in such a way that You and the ancient Jesus are exactly the same person. Jesus said He was the Son of God, and Jorge explained that if the first Jesus was the Son of God, then You are also the Son of God."

"What's the matter, Jesus? Are you alright?" Juan could see the color draining from the face of his friend.

"Juan, wait a minute before you go on with the story. Something strange is starting to happen to Me. I can't say what it is. I feel very, well, happy. I am starting to have memories. Memories of things that never happened to Me. Beautiful memories about a lifetime lived somewhere else, except it is My life. The memories are about My life, My family, My brothers and sisters, but not on our island. I am starting to receive a new understanding about Myself. I , ah, it seems that at one minute I have a question, but then I know the answer. One minute everything is confused, but then I understand everything perfectly." Jesus was still too surprised to be able to carry on a reasonable conversation. He was still looking at his friend, Juan, for more explanation, but He realized he already knew more than his friend could tell Him.

True to these words, Jesus' face seemed to move wordlessly from agitation to a beautiful and abiding calm. Juan saw the clear, fair skin on His cheeks become almost transparent as though it had been catapulted from the robust health of the Jesus he had known into a state of a glowing blush, revealing suddenly the force of a supernatural internal energy. Jesus held up His hand, asking Juan to relate no more of the tale for a moment or two.

From no where a cloud cast the two into shadow, then broke only enough to allow a narrow beam of sun light to illuminate Jesus. None fell on Juan, and the cloud did not move. The whole earth seemed to take in a long breath, and then a great wind came up over the ocean. The wind seemed gentle enough, but both of them could see that it had pressed the surf into a limpid pool. The Atlantic looked as if it were a lake lapping at the coastline of the island of Paraneho.

A mist seemed to rise up over the sea, drifting inland even though it was in the height of the day. The wind subsided as quickly as it had come, but the mist lingered. It was a cool wet cloud that hung on the ground where Jesus and Juan were sitting.

Juan's mother, Juanita, poked her head out the door, sensing something unusual. She looked at the boys, clasping her hands in a gesture of surprise and concern.

Jesus spoke again. "Does this mean that I am something special? Something different than what I always thought I was? How can they do this to Me?"

Juan pulled his net knife from its holster at his waist. Jesus looked on, puzzled. Juan took the knife and cut a long slice into his forearm. Jesus winced.

"Jesus, place your hand over this wound and heal it." he said softly. "I don't pretend to know how that is done, but it will be a sign that what Jorge said is true."

"Juan, for some reason I now know that there is a far greater truth within Me than what came from the mouth of Jorge. But this, I don't seem to know, or remember, anything about doing this. Hold up your arm." He commanded of his friend.

Jesus looked at the wound and at his friend. He gently took Juan's arm and was preparing to place His hand over the wound, but the wound was healed before He could touch it. Only  the dripping blood was left. A moment later, only the drying blood from the deep slash which had been there just a moment before remained.

Juanita and Juan's sister, Victoria approached them now, almost reverently. Knowingly, Juan's mother asked no one in particular. "Finally, is it over?"

Juan answered, "Yes, mother. Jorge from the rock has told us everything. I have been explaining it to Jesus, but He seems to be understanding faster than I am explaining. Victoria, look at my arm! I cut myself only a few minutes ago. Jesus healed me!"

"What do you mean, Juan? Don't fool an old woman." Juanita said crossly.

"That is what we have been doing here all these years. Jesus really is Jesus -- in body and soul. Jorge told us, and I couldn't believe him. But look. Look at Him!" Juan motioned to his mother, pointing at the still surprised face of his friend.

"Maria! Maria! Call Jose! Come quick!" Juanita Gemarro needed no further convincing. In a moment she now understood all the secret plans of Robeles. In this moment she saw an unmistakable revelation of the old man's dreams. In this moment she saw the halo around the head of the son of her neighbor.

The old woman dropped to her knees and crossed herself, something that had been forbidden by her agreement with Senor Robeles. "Praise God. It is Him!"

Jesus seemed to be lost in His thoughts. Finally, He spoke to all of them. "Senor Robeles did the right thing. His decision to have all of us on the island gave Me a chance to grow up, to have a normal life. I had a chance to live with My family and My friends that would have been impossible had I known who I was."

"I'm glad you see it that way. I am very glad you see it that way, Jesus." Jorge's voice boomed from behind them. Jorge and Jose were approaching along the path to the shore.

Jose kept calling, "Maria! Maria! Come quick!"

Finally she appeared in her apron coming from the garden. A uniformed man with a carbine over his shoulder was at her side. The group collected where Juan and Jesus had been sitting.

"As time goes on, I can remember more and more. I can understand more and more. I have a great sadness that I don't know what I am to do." Jesus confided mostly to Juan, but in general to everyone.

"Things seem to be moving too fast for Me to keep up with them. There is no means to explain what has happened to Me in the last few minutes. I understand everything now, but I must pay attention lest I become confused between this day and another one twenty centuries ago. The world is suddenly different to Me." Jesus seemed to have trouble standing at first, then He steadied Himself, looking in turn to each face of the people He had lived with for a lifetime.

"Maria and Jose, I love you just as if I were your Son. You have given so much of your lives for the plan of Senor Robeles and for Me. You could never have known what child you would raise, but likewise, you could not have given a greater love than you have. We have always been a family poor in things, but we have been the richest of all in love. I knew that before this tumultuous day, and I am saddened that I haven't told you of My great appreciation for that love more often."

Turning to Juan, Jesus continued. "You, My friend, are blessed among all men not because of anything I can do, but because you have been a blessing to Me as My companion and brother, always by My side as the days passed in My life."

"Juanita and sweet Victoria, you have always been My family. Since it turns out that I am not related to those I thought, it makes little difference that I am not related to you. I will always remember the hours of kindness you and brave Prospero spent with us boys."

The man with the carbine approached and bowed deeply. "I am Matteo, Your Highness. Please bless me and my family!"

Jesus answered sternly. "I am no Highness. I am Jesus and I am the Son of God. Dear Matteo, I can add no greater blessing to you and your family than the lives you already have. They are the gift to you from my Father." Jesus hesitated, then approached the man, giving him a long hug. Thinking for a moment, He proceeded to give everyone present a similar hug.

Jose was, perhaps, the first among them to come to his senses. "How long do we have before they arrive, Jorge?"

Chapter 19

19
ESCORT SQUADRON, AMAZON DISTRICT, NAVY OF BRAZIL

Jorge's visit itself, if not the startling revelation of Jesus' origin, had brought the unchanging nature of daily life on the island to an abrupt stop. Everything, even the tiniest detail, which had represented the unquestioned order on this quiet, slow paced home for all the years of their lives now seemed upside down. As the afternoon turned to evening Jesus seemed to stand, looking out over the ocean. Moment by moment the sheer scale of the revelation made to Him seemed to become more and more real. There were the memories of His first life, still flooding into His mind. There were some other things, special things, which also came into Him.

Jorge had told them of their impending visit from the Brazilian Navy, but later he had reappeared with some more definite -- and disturbing -- news. News made all the more credible by the seemingly incessant helicopter flights overhead. The ships would arrive in the night. The men aboard them would probably wait for dawn before landing.

For years the skies over Paraneho had been filled with the echoing grunts of coastal birds punctuated by the fiery arguments and courtships of parrots high up in the trees. Now these noisy machines seem to coat the whole island with a rude shade. Jesus and Juan agreed that they could smell the engines a thousand feet above them.

Jorge said that the Navy would have already landed had it not been for the security force. He had spoken with the Commander of the squadron, agreeing to surrender the island and its inhabitants once face to face with a landing party, not marines rappelling down a rope armed to the teeth. Robeles must have known how to make something secure. A look at the men of the security group, now all around the clearing, suggested that they could be more than a passing adversary for a too eager naval commander.

He spent time with the people He loved. Whatever His organic relation with Jose and Maria, He had been raised by them in a family filled with love and caring far beyond any kind of contract made with Senor Robeles. Now that the charade was over, His mother cried and worried and fretted about Him. His father, Jose, seemed intent to give Him some sort of fatherly advice that had been missed in twenty-three years of fatherly advice.

Jose looked at Him with all the love possible between a good father and a good Son. "Always keep clean. I don't think You will be working very much, but even so, keep clean. Bathe everyday. And remember to be kind and polite to everyone."

Jesus felt the excitement of the events to come. He also felt the warm affection for His father of all these years mixed with the growing realization that the man had simply been performing a contract. The same held true with His mother. On the one hand, He could not have asked for better parents, caring, wise and warm. On the other He was gathering a growing understanding that they were not His parents at all. They were the equivalent of actors in a long play, unfolding over the two decades of this, His own life and the twenty centuries which had passed since His first life.

Resting in His hammock outside the hut during this long night, Jesus caught sight of movement at the edge of the clearing. It was Juan, motioning to Him. He rolled out of His swinging bed to land in practiced silence and moved without a sound across the clearing to His friend. 

"I'm too hot and too excited to sleep at all. Let's go swimming!" Juan whispered. Seeing the agreement in Jesus' eyes, he added, "I'll race You to the beach!"

Without answering Jesus bolted to the trail at maximum speed. Juan was right behind Him, trying not to laugh out loud until they were clear of the camp. The moonlight glistened on the sweaty backs of the muscular young men. Jesus would have won if the older youth hadn't tackled Him a few yards from the beach. Juan knocked Him down hard only to be tripped himself by Jesus' leg swinging forward. Without losing his pace, Juan pulled off his shorts, threw them in Jesus' face and rolled fast somersaults into the surf. Standing with his arms outstretched in mock victory, he cried, "See! Nothing is changed!" Juan wished with all his heart that it were true.

Jesus threw His own shorts back onto the beach and yelled, charging His friend who was now feigning an attempt to escape into deeper water. Juan wasn't fast enough and the younger Jesus plowed into his waist. The two naked youths both went into the ocean, gurgling laughter. Both swam far out into the ocean before turning back to the island.

Juan threw himself down on the sand. Jesus was on His knees catching His breath. "Juan, come with Me. I am not sure where I will go from here, but I would feel a lot better about it if you were with Me. I'm not afraid of what lies ahead, but having a friend nearby would mean a lot."

Juan stood up and then lifted Jesus by the arms. "Everyone is leaving the island as if it were something unpleasant. My mother and sister are going to Bellum

"I don't know how much money I have, but it will be plenty for two of us. We're both going into a strange land. Everything has changed for Me. Even important things inside My person, my memories, things I can do now. I feel like someone else. Having you around would help Me remember Who I have been. Maybe that can help Me remember Who I am." Jesus turned to embrace his friend.

The two of them stood naked in each other's arms on the deserted beach in the moonlight for a long time. It was the inevitable moment which it seems must always occur when young men face the prospect of parting company. The beach seemed silent even with the surf breaking just before them. Suddenly the night's solitude was broken by the scream of a lone parrot high above them. Almost as an answer to the bird's cry, Juan spoke. "I am going to Rio with You, Jesus. I feel like I belong at Your side and I know I want You at mine. How could I think of leaving You?"

The words drew up the past and rejoined the young men. Both felt the energy of each other as if they were twelve again, teasing Victoria or outwitting the sand crabs. Everything was better, yet it was still a moment when they both knew the impossible future would arrive at dawn. They spent the night together on the beach, looking out over the horizon, waiting for the navy.

And as it is the habit with navies even from times of old, it arrived. Jesus looked up with the first light and saw three huge gray ships at anchor. By international standards the Brazilian navy was little more than a coastal force. By Juan's and Jesus' standards the ships were incredible. Still unaccustomed to hurrying, they dressed after a last romp in the surf and headed back to the camp.

Jorge was waiting for them. He smiled. "Jesus, You must get ready to go with them. They will be here in a few minutes. I must go to the beach and surrender the island. It wouldn't do to have a gunfight."

A glance around the camp revealed Maria and Jose along with Juan's mother, Juanita. Juan's younger sister, Victoria, was just emerging from the house. Senor Robele's security men were everywhere, still protecting the island's inhabitants. Jesus and Juan stood virtually silent, with the group. All three women were crying. Juanita comforted Maria, holding her in the tight embrace that women know, an embrace stronger than war, famine or sickness.

Jesus kissed Maria tenderly. His affection for her and her husband -- her husband? -- could not have been greater, yet while just as passionate, it was changing. He already had begun to think of Maria and Jose as people other than His parents. He seemed unable to stop the sensation of the growing distance. He was filled with a new understanding of what effect new knowledge could have on Him. His thoughts drifted to the uncertain future, one undoubtedly filled with ever more new knowledge.

"Jesus, Jose and I are going to meet someone named Mr. Santos when we get to Bellum. He is going to take us along with Victoria and Juanita to Sao Paulo. Our work is finished here, and we are anxious to get on with our lives. You are going to be in the spotlight from now on. We are looking forward to a much quieter life. Jose said he will buy a ranch." Maria spoke with wet eyes.

Jose followed his wife in making goodbyes. "Jesus, we are very rich now and so are you -- so is Juan. This part of our lives is over. In fact I plan to buy a brand new truck, won't that be something? If You want to come live with us sometime in the future, we can surely work that out, but right now we would prefer that no one even knew about our relationship with You. I expect You to help us with that. We love You as a Son. We never knew what we were doing on this island any more than You did. Your mother and I are honored by You as our son, whatever You are, but it is time for You to find Your own way. We are glad that Juan has decided to go with You." Jose held Jesus by the shoulder as he spoke his good byes.

In only a moment Jorge walked back into the camp with a Brazilian naval officer and two soldiers. He motioned for his people to lay down their rifles. The officer approached Juan, "Are you Jesus?"

Juan did not answer, but looked over his shoulder at Jesus. The officer approached Him and asked again "Sir. Are You Jesus?"

Jesus looked into the man's eyes and answered calmly. "I am Jesus. I am ready to go with you."

Suddenly, Juan looked up, too. "I will accompany my friend. I am also ready to leave."

The officer was perplexed. "My orders are for only the one man. The other residents of the island will put out for Bellum on a second ship. We will take You directly to Rio De Janiero."

Jesus answered his uncertainty. "Surely there is room enough for one more on those great ships. I suspect I already have enough influence to make this request of you."

After a final round of hugs and tears, the two accompanied the officer down the path to the beach. A waiting launch carried them to the destroyer. They were shown to the officer quarters which they would share. The ship was underway immediately. The pair watched the island fade. It would be empty of everyone by now.

The other two ships remained on station at the north end of Paraneho. One had loaded Maria and Joseph along with Juanita and her daughter. The two dogs had finally been included, but the Brazilian captain drew the line at the chickens. Robele's security force had already left the island on their own launch to disappear back into the ranks of the Robele's business empire. Juan and Jesus could hear the big naval guns open fire on the island and the rock. There were to be no mementos, no relics. In a season there would be nothing but jungle.

An ensign knocked at the door of their quarters. He was holding two Brazilian navy uniforms, camouflage fatigues and combat boots. "Please wear these when you join the Captain at officer's mess this evening. I will call for you at 19:00."

Chapter 20

20
GLOBAL IUP NEWS SERVICE

RIO DE JANIERO, BRAZIL Acting under a government order, elements of the Brazilian Navy have taken the man alleged to be cloned from Jesus Christ into "protective hospitality". Reports of events on the tiny island off the coat of Amapa Province indicate that the action was peaceful even though a number of armed employees of the Robeles estate were present. The identity of other persons evacuated from the island remains confused. Accompanied by his lifelong friend, Jesus was placed in a government site southwest of the city where government specialists will examine his claim to divinity.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL A spokesman for the Brazilian Interior Ministry responded angrily today to increasing pressure from Neo-Apostolic groups in the United States that Jesus be allowed to come to that country. "Jesus is considered a national treasure by the people of Brazil. The United States has historically looted everything of a national or cultural value from the people of Brazil. If U.S. citizens want to be close to this man, let them come here to see him. Norte Americanos need to get over their habit of ordering everyone around from their military culture in the north

WASHINGTON, D.C A State Department spokesman said in a brief statement today that there was no evidence whatsoever that the Brazilian Government had any plan, present or future, for the dissection of the man Jesus as an attempt to determine his divine nature. Sources on Capitol Hill suggested that the rumor had been started by the Christians for Christ organization through television news media under its control.

LONDON, U.K. The infamous tabloid, London Examiner, today posted the headline "NAKED JESUS CAUGHT IN BACK STROKE" over a fuzzy photo taken by the US Vestal Seven class High Eye satellite on station over Rio. Brazilian Interior Ministry protested the orbital eavesdropping, calling it an obvious provocation and a prelude to a US invasion. Neither CIA nor State Department sources would speculate how the tabloid acquired the photo.

Chapter 21

21
GLOBAL IUP NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. Speaking at a news conference here today, U.S. Attorney General Abigail Crock denounced the wide spread civil unrest which has begun in several major U.S. cities. Ms. Crock openly advocated the use of Federal troops to restore calm, while also saying that neither she nor the Haskill administration had any desire to limit the lawful expression of religious freedom.

Ms. Crock went on to say that there would be no repetition of the widespread rioting which marked the discovery of the Tomb of Christ and its subsequent destruction almost thirty years ago. According to Ms. Crock it is the administration's hope that all involved will find peaceful means to accommodate differences in their religious views. The Attorney General was careful not to associate the Haskill administration with one side or the other of the conflict.

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO. Christians for Christ spokeswoman, Ruth Yemmer, called for calm in the growing conflict between sides of the 'Christ Question.' "Why are they already attacking us? Why are they already so violent? We have only known this joyous news for a week. No one is this country has heard so much as one word from the mouth of Jesus, yet the same Fundamentalists who went crazy after the tomb discovery are already in the streets with guns. The membership of Christians for Christ wants to hear the message of the Savior. We are not an army of street fighters and we don't want to become one. We do insist on our legal right to assemble and prepare ourselves spiritually for the Second Coming of our Lord!"

During a question and answer session after the press conference, Ms. Yemmer did affirm rumors that the Christians for Christ regional center in Colorado Springs was being fortified, primarily against car bombs and other terrorist threats.

WASHINGTON, D.C. Secretary of State Fentner today confirmed that high level inquiries had been made to the Brazilian Government concerning plans for Jesus Robeles, the Brazilian Jesus. Fentner denied that the Haskill administration had any plans to bring Robeles to this country. "As far as we know, Jesus Robeles is well cared for and happy in the hospitality of the Brazilian Government. The United States considers this to be an internal matter of Brazil, historically a strong ally and close friend of the United States."

"The world has known of the existence of Jesus Robeles for less than a week. Already the United States is facing violent confrontations between His followers and His nay sayers. Why would he want to leave the relative peace and quiet of Brazil to come here?"

Chapter 22

22
 AM RADIO, SAN DIEGO

"My brothers and sisters, this is Buck Stratton reachin' you tonight on the airwaves of Buck Stratton Radio Ministries. I hope my voice finds you and your loved ones safe and well in these very dangerous times. Why am I down here in California talkin' about dangerous times? Well, I'll tell you why. Right here is th' reason in one line, and that reason is this. Somethin's wrong. Somethin's real wrong.

Jes in case you ain't been listenin' to ole Pastor Buck lately, I'm gonna fill ya' in on jes what I'm talking about. And right here it is.

They's people runnin' around right now tellin' everybody that Our Lord Jesus Christ has come again! Yessirree! They's sayin' that He is alive, and that He's come back to preach more then He did already in the Bible!

Now you may be chokin' and chortelin' when you hear me tellin' you this, but I ain't wolfin' ya! Down to Brazil some half-wit done cloned the mummy what was in the so-called tomb. See we already know that mummy weren't no Jesus Christ, right? But whatever poor fool was in there didn't deserve to get his remains meddled with by some mad scientist! Nosirree! No one's goin' deserve that kind of treatment! That right there is one of them sacrileges called not honorin' the dead! That's right! It's already a damned sacrilege no matter who it is in that tomb. And it ain't Jesus!

You hear me tellin' ya that I'm positive it ain't Jesus in there. Well maybe you're wondering, 'How's ole Pastor Buck so damned sure about this stuff?' Well, I'll tell ya. Ole Pastor Buck is a PASTOR, dummie! Pastors knows stuff like that. For example did ya ever hear of the Gospel accordin' to Saint Mark? Well, right in there ole Saint Mark talks about Jesus -- and this here's after He's already been dead -- getting lifted right up into heaven. So, if that right there is what SAINT Mark says, who we gonna believe? Some Brazil guy who's sayin' that right here we got Jesus, alive and kickin' or SAINT Mark who's sayin' he seen the very same Jesus go right up into the sky to be with God Almighty?

See, my beloved, somethin' here smells awful fishy to me! And, may I mention that I'm an ole' fisherman from way back! I don't know about you, but I got a real hard time believin' much outta' anybody lives south of San Antonio and that there includes Brazil. How in God Almighty's name does this Brazil guy get off callin' Saint Mark a liar and my Holy Bible some kind 'a misprint?

Who in the hell does he think he is? See this here's California, the land of scripture, the land of truth! Ain't no way I can jes stand here with my thumb up my butt an' let this snake lead the followers o' my ministry astray. An' see, that ain't goin' happen! Nosirree! That ain't gonna happen 't all!

This here's a SATANIC attack if I ever seen one! Ole Satan's a comin' to call me out! That's what. Coming to call me out! Well, Mr. Satan, you jes better watch out for yerself 'cause ole Pastor Buck ain't goin' down easy! Nosiree! Ole Pastor Buck ain't gonna let you get ahold of one single one of my flock neither, Mr. Satan! And you can jes put that in yer pipe and smoke it, Mr. Satan!

This here radio ministry may be one of the last places left where you can get the facts about this here fake Jesus! And I plan to keep on puttin' them facts out over the airwaves, too, beloved!

Now, if you are one of the chosen right here in this battle against Satan, I sure could use yer help. Please pray for me on this crusade to save our faith, and jes as important, please look in your hearts to send us a love offering to continue this here fight. Buck Stratton Ministries ain't supported by no big church or nothing. We get the money to keep ourselves on the air from folks jes like you. It comes, Praise the Lord, in letters from the faithful right to our mail box, Box 17, Purdy Places Mobile Home Estates, San Diego 92118.

Please help us fight Satan! Please, please remember us in your prayers and with your very best love offering. Until next time, beloved, may God keep you safe!"

Chapter 23

23
SAN DIEGO

"Buck, honey, try not to be angry. I'm late 'cause I walked back from the market so's I could save bus fare. I just don't know where those people get off chargin' near two dollars to carry me from here to the grocery 'n back! No matter, I bought you a nice little beef roast for your dinner, and since that's goin' take a little while I also brought you your favorite. That's right, a nice bag of Cheese Flavored Piggers. Maybe you can have a nice drink and watch some tv while I get your dinner ready." Martha Stratton always tried to put things in the best possible light when this happened. It was Buck's idea that the Bible said a wife should be home when the man arrived.

"Gimme them Piggers! I'm starvin' 'cause I ain't had nothin' to eat since breakfast. Did'ja get the mail?" He said, striding into the living room and the television.

"No, honey, I been at the market. We just about didn't have any food at all. There wasn't nothin' to make for your supper, honey." Martha continued a narrative of positivism as she took the groceries from a single bag.

"Well, how in the hell am I gonna read the mail and take care of this ministry o' mine if I ain't got the mail, woman? Why don't you jes get your big ass over there an' get it?" Buck was on full automatic, crude, vulgar and hateful.

"Let me flour this roast and get it in the oven, then I'll go for the mail." Martha Stratton got the roast as far as a shallow bowl on the counter of the cramped little kitchen.

"Now dammit! Ma' godamned dinner's already late on account o' you messin' around all afternoon. That ain't goin' get no better. Now yer tellin' me I ain't gonna have no mail on account o' you wastin' time all afternoon, gettin' back from the grocery late then wantin' to fiddle around in there while I'm sittin' here near starvin' to death!" These words seemed to come from the back of Buck Stratton's head -- the only part of him visible over the back of his chair in front of the television. To end any possible further discussion he thumbed the remote volume up to high. The sounds of the endless football game edged out any possible communication.

Martha took time to put on her boots. The road to the mail station in the center of the trailer park was still muddy a day after the last hard rain. Taking her coat, she hurried outside putting it on as she went. She met her neighbor, Betty, on the same mission. As is the case with trailer parks everywhere, there were no secrets here.

"I heard what that son-of-a-bitch said to you, Martha. He's dumpin' that Bible crap on you just like he could read it! Don't he know he couldn't even preach as good as he does if it weren't for you readin' him stuff for his sermons?" Betty, older than Martha, took her arm to steady herself on the uneven driveway. "I'll tell you what the Bible says! Says when you're married to a bastard like that, that's why God made ten inch skillets! Ever man got to sleep sometime! If you ain't got one, I'll loan you mine -- that'd give my Andy a couple of days' breather!"

"Now, Betty, you don't mean that. Buck's a good man, just got a temper sometimes. I know that its the Lord talkin' when he hurts my feelings like that. Jesus was real direct when He said how things were supposed to be in a marriage." Martha liked Betty, but the woman didn't understand Bible things very well. "Buck's taught me about that. I'm supposed to submit to him. Buck is the spiritual leader in our home. What he says goes."

"Honey, I heard that crack about your fat ass clear outside when I was walkin' by. You aren't supposed to have to be taking abuse like that!" The revelation of her eavesdropping seemed to open up even more topics for Betty.

The pair reached the mailbox station at the side of the road. Due the regulations of federal requirements, it was an exception to the generally run down state of the rest of Purdy Places. Martha placed her key in the box. "I've lost almost ten pounds on my secret diet. I'm hoping that Buck'll get a little more interested -- if you know what I mean. Oh, Praise the Lord! Look at all these letters! This'll make Buck happy. Maybe there's some donations to the ministry, that'll be good." Martha smiled as she organized the envelopes.

Betty collected her own mail. She looked into Martha's face with the warm concern only one woman could feel for another. "Martha, don't you ever have the feelin' that you 'n Buck are living' on charity. I hope you see the light someday and go out there and find you a man who's gettin' a paycheck every Friday! You take care. I'm goin' by Judy's on the way home." The two hugged each other standing there in the darkness and the mud.

Martha had no more than entered her home when Buck spun around in his lazy boy to face her. "I seen you out there gossipin' with Betty while I'm sittin' here near to pass out from not eatin'! See that's the problem, Martha. You're here to be taking care of me, an' I'm sittin' here with no godamned dinner! Its already near on six thirty! How long you figger I can last like this? Till tomorrow morning? Well, woman?"

"Honey, there was thirty-one letters in the mailbox! That last sermon was a real zinger, filled with the Spirit! Just think! Thirty-one letters!" She handed him the envelopes.

"See? There you go again! Why wouldn't there be thirty-one letters? All that crap is just your way of sayin' I cain't preach! Now, shut up and get my dinner! I'm busy with the business of my ministry! I gotta run that right or else you'll ruin it like everythin' else around here!" Buck began to rip open the mail as he spun around to face the television.

Looking down silently as she once again began to prepare the meat, Martha noticed as a single tear fell into the flour on the pot roast. It made a perfect circle on impact, raising a tiny cloud of white above it. But then she thought, "This just won't do. Despair isn't very spiritual."

Chapter 24

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GLOBAL IUP NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN Pope Leo XXIV today denounced the widespread turmoil over the Brazilian Jesus as "an evil thing", admonishing Catholics everywhere to hold to Church teachings and to remain calm. In the form of a Papal Letter he called for the faithful to honor the historic truth of the Church in their lives and beliefs.

CLEVELAND, Ohio Pastor Horace Fowler, founder and spokesperson for Moral America Televangelical Ministries, today told an audience at an emergency prayer conference that the man calling himself Jesus was. in fact, the long awaited anti-Christ. Moral America Ministries is urging all members to stockpile food and fire arms in preparation for the world's entry into the Years of Anguish and Tribulation.

BRASILIA, Brazil The Brazilian Government today criticized US government efforts to increase pressure for the release of the Brazilian Jesus. Brasilia repeated its position that the man remains free to travel and speak publicly at all times. Sources on the scene however report that Jesus and his assistant Juan Gemarro remain as "guests" on a government estate at a secret location outside Rio.

RIOTING WORSE IN MANY CITIES

BALTIMORE, Maryland What had been described as "street scuffles" in most metropolitan cities for the past few days are now acknowledged to be wide spread rioting. Large spontaneous demonstrations by groups believing the Brazilian Jesus to be authentic sparked violence after they were met in the streets by opposing groups who consider the man to be the anti-Christ. Maryland National Guard units sent to restore order broke ranks to join the demonstrators on both sides. The introduction of armed men into the melee led to several deaths and a number of wounded in both groups. Governor George Hill has placed the city under martial law and expects quick approval to his request for U. S. Marines from Camp Scarborough.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado "We're fine and we're definitely still on the air telling the truth about the wonderful thing that is happening. We're telling a frightened world that Jesus Christ has returned, just as the scripture said he would." said Ruth Yemmer, acting spokesperson for Christians for Christ Ministries in Colorado Springs after a violent bomb destroyed much of the group's downtown headquarters.

"The explosion killed Pastor Michaels and two other men, but the damage was contained in the lobby area. The broadcast facilities are in the back, so we can continue to let our light shine in the world."

"The Fundies have held the Bible in a death grip for too long. Christians for Christ Ministries will not cower before their lies and threats about our Savior. They are afraid their domination of all Christian Doctrine is losing its strangle hold, that modern Christians are beginning to think again. We intend to restore the joy. It's time."

LOS ANGELES, California A loose coalition of Fundamentalists and Catholics have apparently overwhelmed an opposing group believing that the Brazilian Jesus is, in fact, the Savior. Violent house to house fighting throughout South Los Angeles left many homes on fire, power and phone lines destroyed and, in some areas, street pavement broken up to form barricades. The sound of gunfire was steady until dawn this morning. Police and National Guard units have been unable to enter the area., and order has not been restored.

LOS ANGELES, California In a brief interview shouted across a barricaded street in Southeast Los Angeles at midnight last night, a member of the prevailing group called the area an "anti-Christ-Free Zone". The pavement had been torn up to form a barrier. The cool night air was filled with smoke and gunfire.

Chapter 25

25
THE WHITE HOUSE

Tom Hanneman almost jogged to the Oval Office. President Robert Haskill had called in all the troops including the Joint Chiefs. Hanneman hoped for a chance to at least talk to the President before the rest of them arrived. He could tell from the voice on the intercom that the President was not in an overly confident frame of mind. It could be war. As President Haskill's main political advisor, Hanneman had an almost psychiatric level of confidentiality in all of the government's business including being privy to National Security Affairs. From the sound of Haskill's voice it was clear that something had him scared.

It wasn't nice to scare the leader of the Free World.

The Oval Office was half full when he arrived. President Haskill, a youngish looking man of fifty was parked behind his desk, shirt sleeves rolled up tapping a pencil nervously. His eyes had that dangerous look of steel gray marbles fit loosely in their sockets. His brow was furled.

"Tom. I am glad you are here. We're in the soup. Deep in the soup thanks to a complete breakdown of intelligence. Christ! How can these things creep up on us like this? We know its dangerous, but does anyone tell me? Does anyone bother to find out what the hell is happening? Hell no they don't! Why bother to tell old President Haskill, huh? Some lunchpail from the State Department picks up the goddamned phone and fills me in! Oh yeah! The word finally gets here." Looking up from his private complaint, the President noticed that room had filled.

"Well, if anyone here has bothered to read any American History, you might have noticed that this is the first Republican Administration in six terms. See, I don't like to have to think about that. Especially since I am pouring my blood into getting re-elected. Anybody? Anybody? Re-elected means that you all have jobs here next term!"

"Well, the reason that this is the first Republican Administration in six terms is because of Kyle Bancroft -- remember him? He was the LAST Republican President, and he got taken out by the damned tomb thing. All he had to do was not be ready for one press conference and the vultures got him. Half the country thought he was Satan, and the other half thought he was kissing butterflies for the New Age!"

"Ol' Kyle just had a streak of bad luck, right? Well, all he had to handle was the damned tomb and even that got blown to hell. He could have sat it out, yep, sat it out. But he didn't! He opened his mouth."

"Now, see, why am I so damned testy all of a sudden? Here's why. Ain't the damned tomb, that's long gone. Now its the Savior Himself. That billionaire weirdo in Brazil cloned the damned body and raised himself up a copy of Jesus Christ!"

"If the tomb and a mummy could bring down Kyle Bancroft, and mind you old Kyle was no slouch, then what is a living, walking, talking Jesus Christ clone going to do to this administration? I know this thing broke fast. but I'm sitting here while some thirty year old Brazilian patrol boat rattles up the coast for four days at twelve knots to fetch this boy! Come on! Try to convince me that events are happening too fast!"

"Now the Papal Nuncio is calling me. I need answers. Everybody just assume that I know nothing. Surprise me with some intelligence! This meeting is over. Out! Out!"

"Hanneman! You stay here." As the room cleared, the President regained his calm. It was obvious that his emotional state of a few minutes ago had been contrived for the benefit of the high mucks and brass in his office.

It was a joke around the White House that Hanneman could never be seen without his headset and microphone. No one ever knew for certain to whom he spoke on the thing. Haskill didn't care. Tom Hanneman had a way of finding out everything. Still, speaking to the man could be distracting as he both held conversation with you and, interspersed between questions and answers, held another conversation with the mysterious someone else on the other end of his electronics. It attested to Hanneman's skill that no one had ever traced these calls or intercepted any of his conversations.

"Mr. President, we are calling 70-30 favorable that this news will precipitate something like the tomb riots. The odds are strong that the riots will be worse. Stratton is already back on the topic."

"Who? Stratton who?" the President asked.

"Buck Stratton, the radio minister in southern California. He was the one who led the charge when they found the tomb." Hanneman replied.

"A radio minister? What do we know about him?" Robert Haskill's eyes were becoming beady.

"Stratton was the guy with a twice a week AM radio ministry going nowhere. When the tomb thing hit, his audience expanded just about nation wide. He's some kind of mixture of old time religion and a hick from Kentucky, although his whole history isn't clear. He was able to hit the market really square. He prospered for a while, but when the tomb became old hat, he slipped back into the mud."



President Haskill wrote himself a note. "I'll get a complete profile on him. There's got to be a weak link. In fact, let's order a complete intelligence work up. I don't need this guy making trouble right now."

Hanneman looked up in the disconcerting way he always did when he was listening both to the President and the headset. "That was just something about Algeria. Back to this conversation, Stratton was probably the single cause of the destruction of the Bancroft administration. I doubt that he had it as a direct ambition, but he was the one that kept things stirred up until Kyle Bancroft couldn't run it anymore. You bet we're keeping an eye on him."

"The other side is starting up, too. Something called Christians for Christ. They are the ones claiming that it's the dawn of a new day. They are competing for first place among about a dozen different groups, but my people say they will be the one. There isn't much to know about them. They are still just starting. Tampa I think."

He continued, "My people have spoken, unofficially, with the Nuncio. The Vatican wants this Jesus to remain in Brazil. They damned sure don't want Him anywhere near Rome. They consider everything about His affairs to be strictly Church business with the Brazilian government tagging along to provide on the ground resources. I don't know this for a fact, but I think the Church is putting the pressure on Brazil to do more than they signed on for. We will have to wait and see about where that goes."

The President rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "That means the Church probably expects Brazil to support Him financially. Any chance we can buy some of that? I can get the Congress to be pretty generous with a development grant or something."

Hanneman continued his blank stare, listening to his headset as the President spoke. "That's not going to be an issue. The old man who cloned Him left Him a trust fund, multi-billions. This Jesus is not walking in the divine poverty of the last One."

"We know that He is in a Brazilian diplomatic residence west of Rio right now. The word is 'protective hospitality' but that just tells me the Brazilians are having a hard time finding the right policy. We'll know more later."

President Haskill moved the microphone away from Hanneman's mouth. "Tom, last question. What are we dealing with here? Is this some sort of half-witted clone stumbling around on a leash? Is He a functional man? Can He be anything like what people are saying? I mean, is that possible?"

Tom Hanneman, still expressionless, moved the mouthpiece back into place. Rising to leave, he said "I'll just have to get back to you on that one."

Chapter 26

26
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, RIO DE JANEIRO

Jesus and Juan were both grateful for the time they spent on the ship. Even in that controlled environment the number of things they encountered for the first time was overwhelming. Their treatment in the hands of the Brazilian Navy ranged from being respected as V.I.P.'s to being watched over as children. For example, after observing crewmen routinely heat snacks in a small microwave, Juan destroyed the device as he heated a foil wrapped biscuit, burning himself in the process. 

Before breakfast on the second day at sea the boys, very much imitating things they had heard from others around the ship, were preparing themselves to be presentable at the Captain's mess. Not understanding its function, the two of them were found standing fully clothed in the cramped shower in their compartment by a concerned steward. It was he who demonstrated that the cramped convenience was best used naked, and most comfortably with hot water, rather than cold. This diplomatic sailor even suggested using the shower one at a time. "Navy regs" he chortled.

This conscientious steward departed for his other duties with a sense of satisfaction at having assisted these unusual passengers. His satisfaction proved to be a fleeting one when five minutes later he found them both naked outside their cabin on the stack deck waiting for their newly acquired fatigues, soaked from the earlier shower, to dry in the breeze.

The rapidity with which the young men from the island accommodated themselves to the protocol of the Navy ship attested to their native intelligence and their anxious willingness to learn. Both of them had the sensation of the constant thrill of being off the island.

Juan sat perplexed, almost afraid to touch anything. "I can't get accustomed to how easily everyone here uses all these things. I want to say that it seems that they have used them all their lives, then I catch myself. They have used them all their lives."

"What keeps Me off balance is how much there is to do. 'Don't take Your clothes off. Take a shower. but take it with Your clothes off. Don't stand in the sunshine naked to get dry.' And these shoes. Maria told Me about shoes when I was young, but I never thought they would be like these. I can put them on, but I can't really walk in them." Jesus spoke absentmindedly as He looked over at small collection of worn books in their cabin. "Even these. We had three books on the island, and we had time to read them over and over. They were the world to Me, Juan. I remember how incredibly honored I felt when you taught Me to read those books."

"Oh Jesus, it made me feel honored, too. But now just look at these." Juan muttered as he selected one. "Here we have 'Blazing Swords and Caribbean Nights, a Tale of Passion, Intrigue and Deception'. Just looking at the title makes me feel like we've already met some girls."

"I have a feeling that we'll know for sure when that happens, Juan." Jesus looked back at His friend with a wisdom beyond His years.

The Navy ship docked at a deserted pier. Brazilian Shore Patrol were strolling lazy rounds, tapping boxes and looking in windows. Quite a number of them were standing in formation, waiting for the ship's arrival. Jesus and Juan were escorted to the gang plank and given a snappy salute from the Captain and the First Officer. Both wished them well, and motioned them to the small group of men waiting on the dock below near a truck, a troop transport.

"Welcome to Rio De Janeiro, Sir. I am Mayor Filbreto Janez and this is Admiral Treratse who directed Your removal from Paraneho. I hope that everything has gone smoothly. The government has arranged quarters for You at a secluded place on the western side of the city."

"We'll leave at once Sir, if that suits You." Noticing Jesus' glance at the soldiers, he added, "The truck and the soldiers are for Your protection. They will be in the motorcade." The Admiral had a certain distance in his voice. He had instructed the lone Navy photographer to shoot only a photo of Jesus and Juan. Neither he nor the Mayor had any interest in appearing with the two until political realities had an opportunity to clarify themselves.

Jesus and Juan looked at each other, especially with respect to the word 'secluded'. That they assumed meant that they would not be meeting any girls any time soon. Juan broke the silence as he turned to the Admiral. "Of course. We are ready to leave when you are."

A staff car of a luxurious model, yet made quite unseemly with its coat of Navy paint roared up to the group. Jesus and Juan, confronted with their first encounter with an automobile both jumped visibly. At a motion from the Admiral's hand, the soldiers broke their formation and began boarding the troop transport.

Jesus and Juan, filled with wonder, immediately jumped up into the truck with them.

Mayor Janez chuckled. The Admiral looked at his shoes, shaking his head. Admiral Treratse later received an official reprimand from his superiors for not affording Jesus and His party a limousine from the Interior Ministry.

Jesus and Juan stared in awe at the sights whirling by the window of the sedan as it made its way, generally by back streets and little used roads, to the Government House a largish mansion normally used for the families of visiting dignitaries. The place, although quite modern, painted itself with a sort of colonial dignity. Long rows of poplars stood watch

The Mayor leaned forward to speak to Jesus. "See, there is a nice pool outside over to the right. I'm told that the house has a bowling alley in the basement. You two should be quite comfortable here until . . ." The fat little politician hesitated. The silence, although momentary, seemed to embarrass him.

Admiral Treratse quickly interjected just as the car was stopping at the main entrance. "I'm sure that what Mayor Janez meant was that You will be very comfortable here until You move on to Your next residence. The Government House is meant as a temporary residence. But, here we are. I'm sure You both will wish to rest. During the next week I believe, You will be having guests from the Church. A day or two after that the Interior Minister will call. He will have some business affairs to discuss with You."

Jesus and Juan were now in the third new world of their adventure. First the Navy ship, then the drive through the city and now this. Having never seen a normal house, they found themselves in a substantial mansion, filled with amenities and services beyond their comprehension.

Already twilight, each enjoyed his first taste of beef, along with many other things. That night Juan arose, unable to sleep, and went off to find his Friend. After an hour of lost wandering, he fell asleep on the carpet in the State Dining Room. Naked. Next morning, both of them received a frank but courteous tour along with a stern, matronly lecture about civilized living from a seasoned woman, Beatrice, who served as a sort of house mother.

The pair made remarkable progress under her tutelage. By the morning of the second day at the mansion, she was pleased to note that at least the pair were usually clothed at appropriate times, albeit only in camouflage fatigues and barefoot. Usually in charge of selecting silver for afternoon luncheons, Beatrice's duties generally ran along the organization of the very finest points of protocol and etiquette. But she was a resourceful woman, flexible and filled with common sense. She found the civilizing of Juan and Jesus both fruitful and gratifying.

Given this overall positive tone in her efforts, after a morning of working with the boys she still found herself less than completely confident of their uncertain modesty. They were attractive and likable enough, but Jesus was, without speaking directly to the matter, influencing her toward an unusual mixture of motherly concern and a strange devotional attraction. She took to sitting outside their suite on the second floor, knitting. She noticed in herself that she seemed peaceful and strangely happy.

Chapter 27

27
THE WHITE HOUSE

Tom Hanneman was waiting when the President arrived in the back office. Robert Haskill was anything but the calculating yet genteel image he always tried to present to the American people, his television constituency. With no power tie and no make up, the man looked worried and tired.

"Tom, can you please tell me what the hell is going on? How can these people be fighting already? Doesn't it occur to them that they both might be satisfied with whatever this Guy is?" The President dropped heavily into a chair across the table from his leading political advisor. He stood again abruptly, motioning to an aide to close the door.

"Okay, Mr. President. I hope you are ready for a tale of truth stranger than fiction. First, the most important question. Is Jesus Robeles anything more than a freak patched together in Robeles' gene clinic? In other words is He similar in any way to His namesake? Word on the street in Rio De Janeiro is that the Guy can do miracles without breaking a sweat. No one has seen anything like raising the dead, but the general opinion in Brazil is that He could do it if He wanted to. My privileged opinion is that He is closer to what the Christians for Christ say He is than what Stratton and his bunch say. No one in or out of the Brazilian Government has a clue as to what He wants, where He wants to go, why He is here, nothin'."

"Meanwhile all your friends, the voters, are already more agitated over Him than they ever were over the Tomb discovery. We've interviewed them across the country. Most of them think of this as the sequel to Tomb, the movie. Everyone has an opinion, an ox to gore or an axe to grind. It is hard to find anyone to talk to about this who doesn't either get pretty damned mad or start to sob in joy. No one seems to be neutral. The Fundamentalists are totally paranoid about the other side and about going to Hell. The problem they are starting is that they are officially declaring the onset of the Seven Years of Tribulation, the End Times, the End of the World. They are on this not because they think Jesus has come again, but because they think Jesus is the anti-Christ and, hence, a signal of the end of time. Yes, they are stockpiling food. Yes, they are buying guns." Hanneman spoke as he continued to listen to his headset.

"If I thought we could get away with it, I'd recommend that we suspend all weapon sales for ninety days. We are predicting a thirty point approval drop on that action. That, of course, would be suicide with the election arriving in ten months." Hanneman was famous for providing a complete history of anything in a few minutes. Haskill counted on him even though most of the rest of the staff thought he was too much the spook. An asset like Hanneman had to be kept out of the public light. A human interest story on the guy could drop approval ratings by four or five points.

"So what are the Brazilians going to do with Him? What do I need from the Brazilian Government?" President Haskill asked.

"You probably need more than you can expect to get. We have next to no influence with President Falau. It's a bad deal because you didn't even do it -- Congress screwed Brazil on the Hemisphere Trade Exemptions Act a year ago. You signed it because it amended a highway appropriations bill. That's water under the bridge. We still have plenty of operatives in Brazil, and we're starting to get some good intelligence from them." Hanneman apparently had 'good' operatives everywhere. He could get today's lunch menu from Antarctica in an hour.

"Number one. Always think of Jesus in company with His friend, Juan. They are inseparable. They grew up together on the island, and it's pretty clear that they intend to stick together. Here's a satellite photo of the government facility where they are staying. You can see them swimming. Before you even ask, no I don't think they are lovers. Just lifelong friends." Hanneman hesitated a moment, then continued. "Number two. Both of them are in way over their heads. They have never lived anywhere but the jungle. They have never had to deal with the bad actors from high political circles who are beginning to show up. Jesus and His friend are going to wind up dealing with the Brazilian Interior Ministry or worse. The State Security force might get involved if Interior can't manage them."

"On the other side, Jesus Robeles apparently has some kind of organization of His own. As of right now we can't seem to penetrate much further than a post office box, but we are on it. The thing is headed by a lawyer named Santos in Rio. It's full of money, and its designed to be invisible." Tom Hanneman turned to face the President, "It looks like Santos is having trouble getting through the Interior Ministry at the mansion. It's a good guess that the government is trying to gain the upper hand before Jesus can get to His attorney. Brazilian courts have plenty of clout, but they tend to only hear cases from the elite. The Brazilians want to stop that before Jesus hooks up with His money and becomes elite."

"What's your advice on the violence here? How can this administration pull the plug on all these demonstrations? That's rapidly turning into an election problem." The President had donned his face of sincere concern.

 asked any of them to do anything! He's never said a word to fire up the Fundamentalists or to encourage the other side, the Christians for Christ and the others. All Jesus has done is get rescued from His island and put into a government mansion in Rio. If He were guilty of inciting riots, there would be plenty to do, but He hasn't said so much as a single word in public. The rioting problem is not in Brazil -- it's all right here. We're working on a comprehensive solution, but we're not going to present it to you until it will work. That is as much as I want to say right now."

The President's face turned ghostly. "Hanneman, you're not going to kill Jesus on my watch. I can't go there, election or no election. There's not a way my soul can dodge that kind of stink, I mean, just in case, you know, if that is what you are thinking."

"We considered and rejected surgical elimination. That plan was discarded because we believe that this crisis presents an opportunity for both your administration's campaign and possibly for the country." Hanneman rose from the table offering his hand to the President.

"I knew I would be able to count on you to take care of me. Thanks, Tom." The President was helpless to offer anything but another phony smile, but Hanneman understood. The man's face had long ago become a possession of teleprompters and cue cards punctuated with words such as "sincere", "earnest" or "jovial".

Chapter 28

28
 GLOBAL IUP WIRE SERVICE

VATICAN CITY The Vatican today announced that it had entered into an agreement with the Government of Brazil to assist in the examination of the Brazilian Jesus, now living under what has been described as "protective hospitality" in Rio De Janeiro. Details of the proposed examination were not given by Antioni Cardinal Piccioli, Dean of the Institutes of Antiquities for the Church. Both the process of the examination and the Church's role in it will be established by the Institutes of Antiquities in the Vatican College. Past activities of the Institutes of Antiquities have dealt with verifying physical relics and written material from ancient times. The goal of the examination is to attempt to determine if the Brazilian Jesus is Divine in the sense of The Second Coming.

VATICAN CITY The Vatican announced the leader of the examination team to be sent to Brazil. The head of the Vatican's Institutes of Antiquities, Cardinal Piccioli, will lead the team which will visit the Brazilian Jesus in Rio De Janiero. At a press conference at the Vatican, Piccioli today explained that the Church had developed both the philosophy and techniques required for such a determination through its long history. He suggested that Catholics everywhere can be confident in the impartial findings. The team leaves for Brazil this week.

RIO DE JANEIRO Anonymous sources within the Brazilian Government report that preliminary DNA tests conducted on the Brazilian Jesus are consistent with the cloning process claimed to be his origin. The same sources indicate that Jesus' DNA presents a mother-son relationship with DNA taken from the hair of The Madonna provided from the Holy Reliquary in the Vatican Institute of Antiquities.

NEW YORK, NY Christians for Christ leadership today increased criticism of Vatican plans to employ "its philosophy and techniques developed over the centuries" to interrogate the Blessed Savior. The group claims that the Catholic Church had already conducted savage inquisitions for three hundred years while it was developing its techniques for such examinations. The CFC called again for the rescue of the Brazilian Jesus and His transportation to the United States. Sources for Christians for Christ still holds the opinion that "We'll be able to tell if He's the Savior as long as they don't dissect Him before He gets here!"

Chapter 29

29
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, RIO DE JANEIRO

On the morning of the fifth day at the mansion, Jesus and Juan were awakened by the ringing of the call bell. A servant deposited a morning paper and a pot of coffee in Juan's room. There was a tendency of the help to avoid being in the presence of Jesus if at all possible. An early edition of a regional rather than a city paper was Jesus and Juan's first exposure to the press.

The headlines, although less sensational than some, inflicted themselves pointedly on the two innocents standing in the sunshine of the balcony. There was a large photograph of them as they walked down the gang plank from the Navy ship.

"How did they know where we were to send this to us, Juan?" Jesus asked.

"I don't know. Maybe they send one to everyone."

"Every time something happens?" Jesus responded.

"Watch out! Don't get it wet. They may want it back." Juan pulled the paper up away from the table.

Jesus folded the newspaper in half, looking for the first time at the headline story. "This is why the Admiral wanted the troops with us yesterday. Look. There are 'disturbances' right here in Rio de Janeiro, and it says here that there are riots in some cities in the United States. Look at this picture -- it shows how angry and frightened everyone seems to be."

Beatrice appeared at the open doors leading to the balcony. "I hope everyone got a good night's rest. You are scheduled to meet with a Cardinal Piccioli this morning. He has come all the way from the Vatican."

"Is that near here?" asked Jesus.

"Oh no, Sir. The Vatican is a very long ways away, in Rome. The Vatican is where the Pope lives. Cardinal Piccioli is what you would called a Papal Emissary. The Pope sent him here to see You, to talk with You."

"Quite frankly Beatrice, I have very clear memories of having dealt with Romans in My first life. They tend to be very difficult people who resort to violent military means for almost any reason whatever." Jesus felt obliged to explain His hesitancy about the meeting. "In early times they were led by Caesar. I suppose they have changed that name into this 'Pope.' However they are organized now, all these years later, I imagine that they still wish to control the entire world."

"No, Jesus. The Pope is a religious figure. He runs the Catholic Church, a very large organization which draws its heritage from Your own ministry in Judea and Galilee. Brazil is not a Catholic state, but many of the citizens of Brazil are Catholics." Beatrice tried to explain, "That is why Your conversation the the Cardinal is so important. I know You will do Your best."

"Are they thinking of asking Me to join their Catholic Church? Perhaps Juan might wish to join also." Jesus was clearly more relaxed after her explanation.

"I'm not sure it will be exactly like that, Jesus. More likely I think that they just want to know what to think about You. I'm sure they'll tell You what they want to know when they get here."

"What if I don't know what they want to know?" asked Jesus.

"Hmmm, they might find even that pretty interesting. Oh, they are arriving right now. Perhaps we shall go and meet them."

A strange, dusty little car approached them as they walked out on the portico at the front of the house. Unlike the luxurious sedan which had brought them from the dock, this car seemed to be making several kinds of squeaking and bumping noises. It stopped right by the steps.

Both doors opened at once. The Cardinal had some difficulty in extricating himself, but recovered his composure quickly, aside from a slight cough or two -- no doubt inflicted at the hands of the dust. He bore the smile of a man who wished he were somewhere else, a smile tainted by a timid wish to put the best possible face on things however uncertain might be his optimism.

"Hello. Welcome to our temporary home. This is my friend Juan." Jesus was on His best behavior. The Cardinal looked uneasy. The two Bishops were trying to look like the Cardinal looked. "Please come this way. We can talk in the state reception room right through here. It has been prepared for our meeting."

The Cardinal, who had purposefully brought a Portuguese speaking Bishop to translate, was exerting great self-control not to be taken back by the fact that he understood Jesus in perfect Italian. "What other things were we not warned of? I will act as if this sort of phenomenon means nothing. In fact I will act as if it is quite common, just as common as these two impostors." he thought to himself. "The arrogance of daring to meet a Cardinal barefoot!"

The officers of the Church followed the two barefoot men into a spacious and well furnished room with floor to ceiling windows along the north wall. The house staff, being overwhelmed with a visit from the Vatican itself, had filled the room with fresh flowers in vases everywhere. It looked deceptively like a wedding reception. No one in the room believed this could be anything like a wedding.

The house steward himself appeared when everyone had been seated. "Perhaps I can bring some refreshments, coffee or maybe a glass of port?"

The Cardinal smiled in towering condescension. "Thank you, but we'll all wait for a little."

Juan spoke up quickly.  "Senor Terez. They can wait if they want, I'm thirsty now."

"As you please, Senor." The steward grumbled as he departed.

"We have been told about the purpose of your visit. I am not completely certain that I will be able to help you make a final conclusion." Jesus comfortably opened the subject of the visit. "Did you want Me to speak or would you prefer to simply ask Me questions?"

"I should think questions would. . ." the short, fat Bishop began, only to be cut short by the Cardinal.

"It will indeed be questions which I shall ask. Can You understand Italian?" Cardinal Piccioli began quickly.

"Of course, your Imminence, Italian will be well suited for our talk. You won't object if I translate everything into Portuguese to allow my friend, Juan, to also join in our conversation?" Jesus smiled broadly, then repeated what had been said to His friend sitting across from Him in a suspiciously long narrative in Portuguese.

The Cardinal, unnerved by so many languages and the lightening speed of Jesus' translation found himself in the awkward position of odd man out. He had hoped to dominate the whole affair. Speaking softly, he turned to Bishop Dura on his left, "What is He saying for so long?"

The Bishop began to translate, then paused. "He is saying what you said, Imminence."

The Cardinal becoming irritated, stood, addressing the Bishops he had in tow. "We must begin with the questions. That is our Holy mission here."

"My apologies, Cardinal Piccioli. You haven't had an opportunity to ask any questions. Perhaps I have misunderstood your urgency to do so. Are the three of you in hurry to leave? If that is the only task which brings you to this visit, please tell Me what your questions might be." Jesus entreated the man in a disinterested way. "I am concerned that you have brought your own witnesses to hear your questions and My answers. I have a good idea how that will turn out, not that it particularly matters to Me."

"It was my intention that this interview be conducted in Portuguese. That way Your 'friend' will be able to understand. We can use my translator, Bishop Dura, and, in so doing, avoid this confusion. I grow weary of Your interference. All this pandemonium of switching languages and Your mental projection of one when another is spoken suggests that perhaps You delay as a result of Your concern about what truths may be revealed." the Cardinal blustered threateningly.

Smiling broadly, Jesus addressed Cardinal Piccioli's growing attitude in the way that everyone could understand. "I will remind you, Sir, that you are in My home as My guest. I will suggest further that you recall that I have had nothing to do with your religion in either this life or My last life. Neither Juan nor Myself has had the interest nor the time to study Roman Catholicism, although I believe we are beginning to get a fairly well rounded picture just now. There is so little truth in this world that it would be a wondrous occasion if your visit might reveal some of it, although, I have only the most meager expectations of such a thing. What are your questions, please."

"The Vatican and the Government of Brazil have sent me to ask You certain specific questions which will allow the Holy See to determine if You are the Divine Second Coming of Our Savior or if you are a mere fluke of science created by the machinations of a rich old man for whatever perverse purpose. I caution You to answer very carefully. The claims which have been made about You in this troubled world have already caused great harm and violence. There is a final limit to the amount of this turmoil which will be tolerated."

"This is not the haphazard world of twenty centuries ago where Our Lord Jesus traveled more or less freely across the countryside, delivering His sermons. If, in fact, You are what has been claimed, Your acceptance of both the guidance and cooperation of the Church will be essential for Your ministry." Cardinal Piciolli was still trying to get the upper hand. "Your rescue from Paraneho was at the insistence of the Church. It was the Church which first learned of Your existence. Only later did we seek the logistic assistance of the Brazilian Government. We see to all of the provisions for Your stay here, Your position generally in the existing structure of religion and the final disposition of any claim You might make in the future to religious office -- we see all of these things as Church matters."

"What assistance would I need for my present ministry? What guidance would I require from the Catholic Church? Mind you, Cardinal, I can easily acquaint Myself with just exactly what this church founded by Paul has done in My name while I have been, let us say, away." Jesus stared directly at the Catholic when He spoke these menacing words.

"You will need a passport, for one thing. That can be issued by the Vatican. You will find that a Vatican passport is quite different than a Brazilian one. The Church can administer the funds You will inevitably attract during Your travels and ministry, thus avoiding any hint of wrong doing. The Church has already established many relief agencies to assist the poor around the world. Those can become channels for money You may raise in Your ministry to reach those who need the most. There are pitfalls into which one may inadvertently stumble. The Church is experienced. Vatican advisors can direct You away from such things. There are many advantages." Now the Cardinal tried the carrot, hoping that Jesus would see the sense of having the resources of the Vatican behind Him.

Juan suddenly spoke up to his friend. "You should probably do the questions before You decide what percentage their take would be." The comment was entirely innocent, but the Cardinal flushed.

"Yes, yes, indeed. We should do the questions now. Cardinal?" Jesus was actually almost impatient in an innocent sort of way.

"There are three questions, Sir. I will tell You what they are, then allow You to respond to them individually at Your convenience."

"First, please tell us of Your memories of the Immaculate Conception and the Virgin Birth. The whole Church is understandably curious, and desires very much to be educated about this miraculous thing."

"Second, as You may know, the Christ was crucified. As the reincarnate embodiment of Christ, we wish to see the stigmata of that crucifixion. We wish to touch them with our own hands that we might be assured that You are He."

"And third, we desire to know fully the mystery of the Holy Trinity, God, The Father, Jesus, The Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. As the reincarnate Christ, You will be able to tell us of these things, answers we have sought from the beginning of the Church." All three of them made the sign of the cross on themselves as the Cardinal asked this last question.

Jesus rose and crossed the room, sitting comfortably on the edge of a table near the Bishops, His bare feet dangling.

"No honest man would say He has a memory of His conception. Do you, Cardinal? If this question is really important to your deliberations, the answer is 'no'. I don't remember My conception any more than you remember yours. This idea is one of the foundations of the Catholic Religion? I have no understanding whatsoever of the idea that my mother, who was also the mother of my brothers and sisters, was a virgin at the time of my birth. I don't know how much you want to know about this, but we were poor. We lived in a small house. My older brothers could not avoid hearing my parents when they were together in the night. Being quite normal young boys, they were interested in what they heard. If what they said was true, the virginity of my mother ended, at the very latest, with the conception of the first of My two older brothers by My father. I have absolute confidence that her husband, Joseph, was My father. I have read the fantastical account of all this in your New Testament. My mother was a chaste and godly woman with a good heart, and she does not deserve to be accounted as some sort of unnatural phenomenon capable of conceiving and birthing children by herself."

"I have no intention to interfere with any part of the religion, not the myths nor the practices nor the people, nothing. But I have a personal interest in the correction of just this one part of the account of My life. I can coexist quite comfortably with all the rest of it. Do you", He said, looking at the Cardinal, "have the authority to change this part of the story to an accurate account? That would mean a great deal to Me."

"We are not here to determine if the Holy Scriptures of our religion will suit you, Sir. We are here to determine if You are what You claim to be or otherwise. Next, I wish to ask You about the reincarnate nature of your relationship to Jesus Christ, Our Savior of the scriptures, and the nature of Your relationship to God." Cardinal Piciolli was hardly satisfied with the first answer.

At this moment Jesus arose and approached the Cardinal. Cardinal Piciolli glanced at the Bishops who had suddenly begun an animated conversation with Juan in Portuguese. He attempted to speak to them, to direct them to pay attention, but found that he could not speak. Jesus was now directly before him, His eyes were like flames. This was not comfortable.

Slowly, Jesus raised His hands to show the Cardinal His palms. Horrible scars had appeared just above His wrists on both forearms, the true position of stigmata. Drops of incredibly red blood fell to the carpet in slow motion. The Cardinal was paralyzed in pain and horror, His own body was experiencing the full impact of being crucified. Tears streamed from his eyes, but still he could not speak. Only he and Jesus were locked in this tableau. The others in the room seemed to be unable to notice.

Jesus leaned over close to his face. "Now for the third question. Your Church created the Trinity for its own needs, so I will not endeavor to explain something like that, but would you care to see the face of God?"

Still unable to answer, all pain was suddenly relieved from the old Cardinal. From the chest of Jesus a light grew brighter and brighter. No one else in the room noticed anything, but the cassock of the Cardinal began to singe, not from heat but simply from light. Suddenly Jesus turned away. The sunburned face of the Cardinal could now speak, but remained silent. He stood up and kneeled toward Jesus, still walking away. "Thank you, Jesus. Thank you so very much. This makes my life everything I could have ever dreamed."

The Bishops suddenly turned, dumbfounded to see the Cardinal in this posture. They helped him back to his chair. Bishop Dura asked "Imminence, are you alright? What's happened in just a moment?"

The Cardinal simply waved him away, wishing only to sit comfortably in silence for a moment.

Jesus looked at the Bishop, puzzled, as he sat down again. "Now the Cardinal can be the holy man he has always sought to be."

Turning to His friend, Jesus suggested "Juan, see if you can round up the help. I think the Cardinal is ready for a glass of port. And, I know I'm ready for a Pepsi."

After his experience, it seemed to be a little easier for the Cardinal, now mysteriously calm and relaxed, to reenter the old limousine. Bishop Dura's skepticism over the visible results of unseen events spoke boldly in his eyes and expression, but his concern for his own career coupled with his respect for the Cardinal's influence and authority curbed his words. Even within the Church, power remained a permanent trapping of ecclesiastical station.

"Thank you very much for talking with us. The Cardinal seems to be a bit confused just now, but I'm certain I can also extend his appreciation of Your hospitality." the nervous Bishop spoke while standing as close to the automobile as possible. It seemed as if he wished to assure a means of escape if the phenomenon which had befallen the Cardinal should start to manifest itself again.

Jesus and Juan heard nothing more from the Church. It seemed to them that all of the Pope's concerns had been allayed by the visit. As usual, practically nothing was as it seemed. Distant events had begin to focus more than ever on the guests of the rural residence, interests both in Brazil and far away.

Affairs around the Government House slipped back toward routine after the Vatican visit. Juan and Jesus applied themselves diligently to their most pressing duties -- sleeping, eating, exploring, swimming and sunbathing. Beatrice had taken on the role of both teacher and guide. The good natured woman seemed to appear just as another faux pas was set to unfold, leading the two back to the path of civilization. The remainder of the extensive staff at the place willingly let her take the lead. The superstitious phobia first exhibited by only a handful of them seemed to have become much more widespread. Exceptions to this state of mind demonstrated their own attitude with an open lack of respect, outright fear or visible disgust.

At high levels of government an alliance was being forged. The Church could accept Jesus only as a phenomenon, a apparition which might touch the hem of God Almighty, but only on infrequent occasions. Jesus, cast as the out of control evangelist, roaming across Brazil in a storm cloud of heresy could never be tolerated. Needless to say, the voice of Bishop Dura was heard much more strongly than that of Cardinal Piccioli who remained joyously confused.

For the government's part, the religious turmoil could be acceptable as collateral confusion so long as it did not jeopardize peace and order. Doctrinal purity with respect the Catholic Church held a lower priority. Brazil was a country hungry for prestige, hungry for a standing among other nations, especially European nations. Managed properly, Jesus would become a Christian Mecca with pilgrims from around the world arriving daily to see Him.

As a walking, breathing saint, He would require a fabulous shrine. The government already owned just such a place at Brasilia. That unfortunate capitol had been constructed by short-sighted idealists in the middle of the jungle. Now, it was a nightmare assignment held over the head of every nervous bureaucrat. The prospects of turning it into a cash mill, isolating this trouble maker deep in the wilderness and cashing in on exorbitant prices for transportation to and fro for millions of willing pilgrimages was simply narcotic to the leadership of the country.

There remained, of course, the matter of tying the bell on the cat. The bell arrived mid-morning two weeks later.