Mama was a Preacher Chapter Fifteen. An Apple in the Garden. Copyright 1996 AUTHOR22@aol.com All rights reserved. Ruth was standing along side our Avis car while the others had returned to Crabtree. Judge Jackson would be waiting for us in Clinton. Warren had agreed to drive into town and pick her up, thus we could continue directly to Little Rock and our flight back to Los Angeles. The hearse had proceeded us all the way down the mountain; a dusty reminder of Warren's departing words, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." There were just the three of us, Ruth, Jerry, and myself. Todd had decided to stay in Arkansas for a while. Todd was nearly thirty one. The Osbornes were concerned about his settling down. All of the boys that he had grown up with were married. Privately I wondered how they rationalized Jerry and my partnership. I suppose when one is in the business of religion laymen accept that as the will of God, and do not look beyond for a more rational explanation. Or, as in the case of mama, sex was a subject that never entered her mind. Yet, can people really be that blind to reality? At first, Judge Jackson was not happy about transferring control of the Revival Hour funds in Little Rock to me. Ruth convinced him that the use of the money would be closer to the purpose for which it had been donated. Eventually he gave into Ruth's request, but only if he received a copy of the new ministries filing with the State of California under which we were granted a tax exempt status, and further agreed to keep the account at the Arkansas Bank. A checking account would be established, but transfers from the interest bearing account to checking would have to be approved by him. He would need details of each expenditure. Clinton, Crabtree, and Crowel Mountain had been our childhood home. We had known Ruth since we were 12. Yet, departing that rural community was a great relief. The drive to Little Rock was done in silence. For the first time in thirteen years Jerry and I had our own paths of thought, much but not all we had shared. We were closer to one another than we were to any of the people we had just been with. Nonetheless there were earlier relationships whose roots commenced in the womb of family. We had promised Peter that we would visit his family. We hadn't seen them in years. Even little Jimbo was now a man of 26. After the Revival Hour ministry had closed down Steven had moved to Atlanta, Georgia. He was working with an electronics firm as a research technician. The work was related to the new space program. On the way into Little Rock we tuned into KLRA. Harry Wiser Jr. was on the air. So we thought we'd stop by and say hello. As we approached the Cottondale address we were surprised to see that there was no tower and the building was empty and dark. A small sign on the door of the abandoned building directed seekers to their new address. It was where the Revival Ministry had been located. Fifteen minutes later we pulled into the compound and parked in a designated parking spot for visitors. Jerry was already at the entrance as I closed the car door. The passage was locked. A door bell signaled the control room that there were visitors. "Yeah. Hold on a second." Moments later the voice returned to the intercom. "The office is closed until tomorrow morning." I hollered over Jerry's shoulder "Even to old California friends?" "My god, is that you Johnny?" As I confirmed that it was me, and that Jerry was here as well, a buzzer sounded and the voice continued, "Come on in. You know where the control room is." As we approached the control room the door opened. I was on the verge of saying, "Hi Mr. Wiser, where is Junior?" When I realized that this was Junior. Harry, now in his thirties looked exactly like his dad when we had last seem him. We reminisced for a short while. KLRA had changed. They had purchased the Revival Hour site, complete with equipment for less than $200,000. They had been off the air for a week while moving the transmitter and tower to the new location. The transmitter had been installed in the mobile home that had been occupied by the Gregorys. Business was good. They had hired a staff outside of the family. They had been granted a construction permit for a UHF Television Station. They expected to have that on the air within the year. Like spin the bottle, the subject eventually came around to the Hay family. Harry hadn't seen much of them since Steven had moved to the east coast. However he had seen him last Christmas when Steve visited his family. Steven's work in Atlanta had been involved with something called geo-stationary satellites. The government wanted to place microwave transmitters thousands of miles above the earth, and positioned so that they would not drift. The idea was to be able to replace surface communications with this new idea. A company in Atlanta, aptly named Scientific Atlanta was where Steven was employed. Harry began to get excited as he delved into this new frontier. Our flight to Los Angeles was scheduled for departure at 1:30 that night. Harry had just begun his shift, so our visit was limited. We telephoned the Hay's farm and found only Mrs. Hay at home. "But you MUST drop by and tell me how Peter is doing. He never writes. Joshua will be home soon. But, Jimbo has gone up to Branson with his girl friend, and I don't expect they'll be back until tomorrow." Jerry and I didn't want to drive over to the Hays if Jimbo and Steven weren't there. But we had promised Peter. We bid Harry good-bye and drove the short distance to the Hay farm. The place didn't appear to have changed at all, except that the house no longer echoed with the high spirits of teenagers. Mrs. Hay offered dinner, but she obviously had either already eaten, or was skipping it so we declined. After an hour of visiting and telling her how well Peter was doing we felt we had said all there was to be said. Mr. Hay had not returned. We fibbed and said we needed to go out to the airport. It was nine o'clock as we drove toward the Avis check-in building. It was four and a half hours before flight time. Without explaining I pulled a U-turn, and headed back down the highway away from the airport. I parked in front of "The Inn" where Jackie had taken me that time when I wasn't quite fourteen. I wondered if the Italian restaurant was still open. After parking we went inside. Everything was as it had been. We were seated at a table which overlooked the swimming pool. We had ordered, and then I excused myself and left the table. I went to the front desk and booked a room for just a few hours. I explained that after dinner we would like to swim, take a nap, and then catch our 1:30 flight. The girl at the desk gave me a very good rate, and also loaned us a couple pair of swimming trunks from "lost and found." After giving me the key she said she'd have the swim suits placed in our room. On returning to the table I found that Jerry had ordered two glasses of Chianti. His was half gone. While we were eating I told him about the room. The food was better than I had remembered, and we lingered over the wine. It was close to ten thirty when we entered our room. Even though it was late we both wanted the swim. Both sets of trunks were large and baggy. For the sake of modesty we wore our Jockey shorts under them. We were alone in the pool. There were still a few people dining above us. We started to romp as we usually did. But odd glances from strangers made us realize we were no longer kids. What was suitable behavior for teenagers was not suitable for two men of twenty six. We took several strides across the length of the long pool, and resisted further temptations to have physical contact. However, once we were in the privacy of our room suits were discarded. We again assumed the roll of teenagers and showered together. We lingered under the hot water, embracing in a tender romantic mood. Knowing that we had a long flight ahead of us, we simply lay, embraced in one another's arms, lip to lips, toes to toes, and rested in the security of the other's love. At midnight the telephone rang to remind us that we yet needed to turn in the car and check in at American Airlines. The flight had multiple stop overs: Albuquerque, San Diego, then Los Angeles. Philip had agreed to pick us up in the ranch's station wagon and drive us home. Arrival was scheduled for eight thirty in the morning. We were on time. I spotted him first as we exited into the airport lobby. "Hey look, there's Sunshine too. I'm surprised the twins aren't with them." "You forget? It's Monday they should be in school," Was cowboy's response. While we waited for our suitcase to arrive at luggage pickup we told them the details of our two day trip to Arkansas. But they were astonished when we told them about the three million dollars that were now part of the New Day Ministry. Sunshine said that Claus Lansberg had telephoned wanting me to contact him immediately upon my return. Later, an attempt to reach Claus at ten o'clock resulted in my telephoning him again at one thirty. It seemed that his day didn't start till around noon. After a short delay I was connected. "Hey John. Glad you are back." He paused almost as an afterthought and added, "Sorry to hear about your mama. Were you close?" Without waiting for my reply he continued, "Do you have anyone in your group who is mechanically inclined? I would like one of your people in the control room from now on when we are taping your programs." "Yeah, sure do." I was thinking of Sunshine. "Well can both of you be here this afternoon around four thirty? I would like for you to see the mechanics of a live production. You'll be sitting in on the six o'clock news. Then tomorrow evening I would also like for you to watch the weekly wrestling remote we do from the Olympic Auditorium. It'll give you a better idea of the problems we face when doing telecasts." Both Sunshine and I were excited about this opportunity. Television was far more complicated than radio. Jerry was disappointed in not being invited, but he had already made plans with Jackie and Philip to work on a new piece of music. I added that he could join us for the wrestling remote on Tuesday. The Paramount gate security must have already recognized me as we were passed right through without challenge. We told the girl at the front office that we had an appointment with Mr. Lansberg. After trying to ring his office, she spoke into an intercom advising Claus that he had visitors at the front desk. Her phone rang, "Yes sir." Then speaking to me she told me we should go into the small studio at the end of the hall. I recognized the sets from KTLA's six o'clock news. On the left wall of the studio was a long glass window, just beyond that was a doorway. People were moving cameras, sets, and lights. A chubby little guy wearing a telephone headset came over. "You the guy's Claus is expecting?" We nodded "Yes." Then he spoke into his mouthpiece. "Sure is Claus." Then to us. "Just sit over there he'll be out in a moment." From somewhere to our right, Claus emerged from behind a movable wall. "John. You guys come along with me." We followed him through the door at the end of the glass panel. "Be careful of the steps." We found ourselves in a long room with a view of the stage from the glass windows. Control boards stretched the length; Audio, then Video. They were equipped with sliding controls and push buttons. Above the window were a series of television screens, each labeled differently: Tape 1, Tape 2, Tape 3, Cam 1, Cam 2, Cam 3, Film, Preview, and Air. An access pathway separated those positions from a single position at the back. A desk sat a foot higher than the control boards. Behind that desk was another long glass window, and beyond that were two motion picture projectors, a slide projector, and three video tape recorders. Claus introduced us to Mike, the TD or Technical Director. He sat at the video switcher. David, the Audio Man was to his left. An Oriental man was loading film and tape in the room behind us. Claus said his name was Jack, and that he was "Utility." A very young, blonde man, certainly not older than 23 entered the control room and sat at the elevated desk. "Mark Turley is the director. Once the News is on the air, it's his show." Mark acknowledged the introduction, but immediately went on with his work. He had put on his head set. "Utility, where do you have the film clips. OK. How about the National News tape. Then tape one and two are for everything else, right?" Mark wrote something on the first page of a sheaf of papers. "Camera 3 get into position on the weather set." The picture on the monitor screen labeled CAM 3 changed. "That doesn't look right. Seems to be keystoning to the left. Mike work with him on that. Camera 1 set up for a two shot on the anchor desk. Good. Looks good. Camera 2 give me a one shot on the anchor." The clock on the control room wall showed 5:55. "Marvin, where's the talent. Damn it, go get Stew and Dick." The little chubby guy who had greeted us moved to the right rear of the stage, but just as he did the two news men met him. As they climbed into their seats behind the desk Marvin handed them their lapel microphones. "OK! Standby we are on in 30. Jack is the opening on one or two. Standby on Tape two. In 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, roll tape two, 3, 2, 1. Upon on tape two." The familiar opening to the news now appeared on the "Air" monitor. "I want to wipe to Camera 1. Standby one." The Camera 1 monitor began to wave back and forth. The TD said, "We haven't got a lock on Tape Two." Mark said something under his breath, then, "Take everything to Black, and standby to fade up on Camera 1. Cue Stew." I could hear the newscaster start his piece, but louder was Mark talking to Utility, "Jack check all tape machines make sure they are locked to the sync generator. And if you have time try and check out new material to make sure it'll lock. If it won't let me know; wipes look better than coming from Black. Camera 2 give me that two shot. Standby two. Take two." Stew had handed the next piece to Dick who was reading the lead-in into the next story from the TelePrompTer. "Standby on Film one. Roll film one in 5, 4, 3, 2, ... Take Film one. This is only 30 seconds. Marvin help Stew with his collar it looks crooked. Standby to cue Dick we are coming out of this piece on Camera 3. Shit, make that Camera 2. Sorry, in 5, 4, 3, 2, ... Take 2. "Marvin, I want to move Camera 3 across for a profile of Dick from the left side. Can we do it without tangling the cables? OK, forget it. Camera 3 get into position for the weather." Stew was coming to the end of his piece. Mark continued. "OK we are going to commercial standby to roll Tape One. Jack make sure she's locked as we have to super from film. Roll tape one, in 5, 4, 3, 2, Take Tape One." A pretty girl was driving a sharp looking Ford convertible towards the camera, and came to a stop, her smile was sexy and inviting. "Wouldn't you really rather be driving a Ford." The director said, "Where's that Ford slide." The TD pushed a button and the words on the film monitor read "Long Beach Ford". "Super film over Tape one. Great. Standby Camera One. Cue Stew and out on tape and film and up on camera one in 5, 4, 3, 2, Take camera one. One go in a little tighter. Careful you're live." Both Sunshine and I were soaking wet from the pressure of the work that we had only observed. These people were used to working together everyday, yet the tension during the show was incredible. But the burden of both the work and the pressure was on one man, Mark Turley the director. All of the monitors were now black. Everyone had left the control room. The stage lights had been extinguished. Claus entered, "Look like fun?" We had to admit to ourselves that indeed, it did look fun. Claus was looking at Sunshine, "Do you think you would like to learn to be a director?" That was a startling question, and an even more startling suggestion. But it was I that spoke next. "What do you have in mind?" "Well, I propose that I hire this young man to train as a Utility Technician starting Wednesday. Jack will show him the ropes, and within a week he'll be able to do the work. I can get a 90 day waver from the technicians union. This will give him exposure to everything that a director needs to know. This Friday he will work with Mark Turley in directing your next program, then the following Fridays he'll be on his own." He started to leave, then turned and added, "You two be here tomorrow at three, you can ride out to the Olympic Auditorium with our remote crew." On the way out of the building we encountered the News Director. "Mark is there anyway that I can have a copy of the script you worked with during the News." "Yeah, help yourself it's in the waste basket in the control room." I thought both Sunshine and I could learn something from the script in light of what we had seen during the telecast. Of particular interest to me was the fact that the Newscast could not have been nailed down and labeled as finished much before it went on the air. Turley had to create his product with no rehearsal, and under changing conditions. I could see a good deal of similarity between what he produced and what we needed to create. It wasn't quite eight thirty when we arrived home. Sunshine had already planned dinner and had a roast thawing out in the kitchen sink. No one else had arrived even though we usually ate our evening meal at seven thirty. I was tempted to drive to the church and see how the rehearsal was coming along, but Sunshine and I got into a discussion of this new project and his temporary employment at KTLA. We both had seen the televised wrestling events and were eager to see the show as it was produced by the remote crew. By ten o'clock we abandoned the idea of fixing dinner and put the roast back in the freezer. No one else had yet returned so we settled for an egg salad sandwich and a bowl of Campbell's Cream of Tomato Soup. Sunshine decided to drive down to the church. And even though it was getting late I decided to prepare the sermon for Friday's taping. At first I simply sat in my chair, eyes closed, trying to find a point of inspiration. I have found that choosing your goal for a project is always the most difficult task. One attempts to be more lofty in stating the purpose of an endeavor. Unlike all previous purposes, this one was to attract as many people as possible. Thus, strict adherence to accepted Christian doctrine must be the framework around which this house was to be built. Yet, the goal must entice listeners to join with us in our journey to seek God. To me, "Faith" was still a dirty word. There was enough physical evidence to support my beliefs enabling me to prove my points. Then my goal suddenly appeared as quickly, and as clean as a new day's sunrise. I would dwell upon one of the strongest and most provable traits of nature: Resonance. My fingers could not write fast enough as my outline was fleshed out into a script. I needed several props to demonstrate some of the physical laws and made notes to ask Ho to try and locate them. I heard the distinctive sound of Robbie's Healey drive into our driveway. I wanted to take a break, so I climbed the stairs in anticipation of greeting him. The clock read twelve midnight. My visitor came through the back door, through the kitchen, and intercepted me at the head of the stairs. I was surprised to see that it was one of the twins. "Hey Johnny, I thought I might find you here. Everyone else is still at the church and I need to talk to you." I motioned for the boy to follow me back downstairs to my office. "How long have you been driving?" "Just a couple of months. Dad's going to buy us a car for our next birthday. In the meantime Robbie is being generous." I started to laugh as I sat down, observing the youngster. "What's funny?" The boy seated himself in the guest chair. "You are. Why are you wearing the wig?" "One of us always wears it. You and Timmy are the only ones that know about it. And that's just a tiny part of what I need to talk to you about. You know, I think, that I've been hosing Lois... Mrs. Johansen." I nodded that I did, "Not just you, both you and Timmy have been getting it on with her. How does she feel about the disguise?" "She doesn't know. She hasn't caught on to the fact that Timmy is humping away half the time. She thinks I'm the greatest stud on the west coast. For the first time in her life she's got someone who she can't keep up with." "So what's the problem?" I asked. "Well we can't keep it a secret forever, and I'm afraid... No we are afraid that we are both going to loose the best piece of tail a growing boy could hope for." Tommy was slouching down in the chair, his Levi's stretching tightly over his body. His hands moved from his knees upward, passing over the bulge coming to rest on his abdomen. His finger tips were at the edge of his waist. "We need some advice." "About what? How to not get caught in your deception? Or what to do about it if you do? To be frank with you, I think you ought to be honest with the lady. You might be surprised, she might accept both of you. The mystery of how you do it would disappear, but if she likes all the screwing you kids are giving her, she'll probably just continue with the way things are. More importantly it can and should be her decision." His eyes were staring at his waist line as his fingers traced the edge back and forth. Then his eyes lifted and met mine. "There is something else. It has to do with monogamous relationships. Timmy and I both enjoy being with Lois, and we know that we would enjoy it even more as a threesome. But a lot of people say that a threesome is wrong. I know that you and Cowboy sleep together and probably have lots of sex. But I've heard that you two also got it on with Philip." "Well, Tommy, the relationship that Jerry and I have is unique. We have been together for most of our lives. It's almost like we have one mind that share two bodies. When we enjoy sex with each other it comes close to being masturbation." "You mean you jerk each other off?" "No, we enjoy each other to the fullest. Here, let me give you an idea of what I mean. If Jerry sees someone who turns him on I know it. Not only do I know it, but I feel the same way as does he. So for us, we have merged into being a single human being who are forced to share two bodies. So for us to find someone interesting is an extension of our combined self. "The homosexual lifestyle is radically different from that of the hetero. Both start with that pre-pubescent interest in sex. As they develop to the point of real ejaculation, the hunt begins. I suspect that this is where you boys are in your developing maturity. It is usually at this point where the development of the homosexual freezes for all time, while his hetero brother, goes beyond seeking to stabilize, seeking to spend less time on the prowl, more time in the less demanding pursuits. "The gay is more hedonistic, more adventuresome, always seeking new and exciting adventures. Being male, he understands the male physiology, and the male psychology. As with the experienced big game hunter, he continually expands his knowledge, his intuition, his appreciation of his prey." Tommy interrupted me, "I'm not so sure about the adventure part being strictly in the gay world. I think most teenagers experience that." I thought for a moment and realized he was right. "Well, you won't find, within the straight world, the exotic establishments, where leather, display of form, and revealing figure strike at the foundation of the soul. You will find few gays who adhere to the straight philosophy: 'Put a flag over her head and fuck for old glory.' "At the heart of the gay's appreciation of life, is the glorification of beauty. The world of the gay is the world of forever adventure, spanning the time between that early suspension of maturity to the final adventure, death: Where youth is the forever treasure at the end of every rainbow." Tommy had pulled himself up in his chair, then said, "I'm not sure, but I guess I understand." Then he kind of chuckled and added, "Got still another problem. I think I may have caught something. I itch. Especially if I've been horseback riding." His fingers slipped below his waist, as he scratched his pubic hair. I chuckled, "Probably just a case of crabs." "Of What? What are crabs? How can I tell?" "Crabs are a form of Lice. Don't worry about it, they are easy to get rid of." "So how can I tell? Could you see if I have them?" I nodded my head "yes." Immediately the tall lanky teenager unsnapped his jeans and kicked them free of his body. He walked over to my chair. His balls were hanging loosely below his penis. His black pubic hair formed a contrasting background for his genitals. The size of the equipment surprised me. His efforts with Mrs. Johansen must have promoted a growth spurt. "So do I have em?" I turned the desk lamp to spot his groin. I moved very close. Then I lifted his testicles to inspect the scrotum. "I'm not sure, but I think so. Turn around and bend over I need to look at your butt." The boy promptly followed my instructions. His small wrinkled hole was reddish and clean. I moved my finger along the length of the exposed crack checking to see if a freckle was a freckle or a guest. I had him straighten up and turn back toward me. His penis had grown to full erection, the head struck the side of my cheek. The warmth, and the teen hornyness was intriguing. I looked up at him. His eyes met mine, and he said, "Go ahead if you want to." Even though I was greatly tempted to take the proffered tool, I exercised will power and refrained from doing so. Once the boy realized I was not going to accept the offering, he added, "Please go ahead. If you don't I'm gonna have to jerk off." I smiled at him, and motioned for him to return to his chair. "Go ahead if you want to. It's nothing that I don't do myself." "Don't you like me? Or is it the crabs?" I explained, "The only way that what you want could happen would be if it were with Jerry here, and part of it." "How come you guy's never wanted to get it on with Timmy or me?" "Want to is not the key word. Considering the fact that Jerry and I are almost twice your age, it would be wrong for us to tempt you. You would need to make the first move." "Well, Fuck, I just did, and you still won't." "You keep forgetting Jerry." The boy, now seated naked from the waist down, started stroking his erect member. "I want ya to watch." He made a fist around his dick and started the motion that I knew would lead him down the road of gratification. He started out slow like I did, getting his dick used to the feeling which would slowly start to build. The boy's chest moved faster. As his speed built, I moved my own hand to grasp my own member hidden by the desk. I was getting excited watching the boy jerking his tool, while watching my eyes. Knowingly, he muttered, "You better stop that or you're going to make a big mess." I continued to jack off. He didn't say any more, just continued to breathe hard and twitch a little. He clenched his fists and then unclenched them. His hips were jumping a little bit every once in a while. In response I sped up even more while fumbling to release my rod from my trousers. Those good feelings were jumping all over my dick and inside my stomach. I knew that soon I would be making a mess on my slacks if I didn't give the game away and reach for a Kleenex. I wanted to wait and see what Tommy's dick was going to do first, so I alternated between resting and then stroking it faster and faster, willing the good feelings into his dick too. He was twitching even more now with his legs tensing and relaxing, and he'd grab his shirt tail and then release it, pulling it to his chin. Then suddenly he grabbed real tight clearing his chest of shirt as his whole body went rigid. A big white stream of cum shot from the tip of his dick. Simultaneously I began filling the napkin as I watched his dick shoot jet after jet of white stuff onto his body. "It looks like it's still working," I commented. He looked up at me and giggled then scowled as he surveyed the white mess covering him. As I started laughing he couldn't help but join me. In a boyish camaraderie we had a good time cleaning up. "So what do I do about the Crabs?" he asked. I jotted the name of a product on a piece of note paper and handed it to him. "Any drug store will have it. Just follow the directions." He took the paper, then bent over and kissed me. "Thanks for everything. And I do mean everything." And then he was gone. The echoing sound of the back door closing had hardly diminished when I heard Jerry and the others return. Moments later the door to the basement open, and Jerry yelled, "We're home. Wasn't that Robbie's Healey that just drove away?" He came down the stairs with a curious look on his face. I explained the visit, in full detail. He laughed, sat down, and commented. "I think the twins may become a problem. Do you think Robbie or Sid could handle it if they found out?" I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. "I don't know. But that's not what I am concerned about. If the boys are curious, they will satisfy that curiosity, and I'd sure feel better about it if I knew it would be with someone that would not take advantage of them." "Considering the amount of time they spend out at the ranch, I'm surprised they haven't tried it with Phil." Of course he was correct, but, "It just might be that Phil being closer to their own age is too much like an older brother." I stopped talking for a moment, reflecting on what I had just said. "Well it's not a problem at the moment, but I think you and I need to talk about this a little more. Tonight's mutual masturbation exercise has removed any barrier the boy may have felt. I'm sure he will try again." Earlier, I had expected our bed time conversation to be about tomorrow's wrestling remote at the Olympic Auditorium, and while it was mentioned, mostly we continued our discussion of the twins. The three of us, Sunshine, Cowboy, and me crowded into the MG, and drove the short distance to the Paramount studios arriving there just before three o'clock. The receptionist asked us to go directly to a parking area at the rear of the Paramount lot. All of their people were in the remote production vehicle awaiting our arrival. We were surprised at the size of the van. It was much smaller than we expected. Cramped within this 20 foot truck was a Video Tape Recorder, two television cameras complete with wheeled pedestals, video switcher, and an audio board. Once the cameras and pedestals were unloaded there would be room for the production staff, but in the mean time we, the guests, were jammed into the back sitting where ever we could find a small amount of horizontal space. Fortunately the distance was short; mostly south to Olympic Blvd. We started to help the crew unload the equipment, but Jeff the director asked us not to; might create problems with the technicians union. At least for today, we were to restrict our efforts to those of an observer. If we had questions, we were to make notes, and ask them once the show was over. Two small balcony platforms were perched high and in the center of both the west, and the north walls. Access was via ladders attached to the walls. Projecting overhead beams supported a block and tackle which was used to hoist the pedestals, and cameras. The production van was parked at the north west corner of the building. The cable runs between the platforms and the van would be less than one hundred feet. Once everything was in place and tested the crew broke for dinner. The event would commence at seven thirty. The Olympic Garden Restaurant was just two blocks away. Even though the name suggested otherwise, it was in fact, just another greasy spoon diner. There were few customers, so eating was sociable, and not hurried. The team consisted of Jeff, two camera men, and the driver who also functioned as audio man. Both Sunshine and I kept looking at our watches. The clock was drawing close to seven o'clock, and we were eager to return to the auditorium. However the KTLA crew rather nonchalantly paid their check and strolled leisurely along the boulevard. Everyone was finally in position. The men on camera were the only two of the crew that would actually be in the auditorium during the taping. I had seen the wrestling matches a number of times. Dick Lane had always been the sports caster. He was a wiry little guy with a dynamic personality. I asked Jeff where he was. "Oh. Dick does it as a voice over. This tape will be aired on Saturday, so he'll probably do his bit either Friday or Saturday morning. I think we are scheduled to tape car commercials on Friday morning, so he'll probably do it Saturday." Sunshine asked, "What audio do you record here?" "Just crowd reaction. We do it this way because the tapes are circulated around the country. Local talent in each area do their own voice overs. There are seven cities, each contribute matches for voice over, and each use the tapes from the other members. Ed Francis does one from Honolulu, Jerry Weinstein is the promoter in San Diego. We use only one tape for each event, and it circulates from here to San Francisco, then Portland, Detroit, Chicago, New York, Honolulu, and San Diego before being returned here. "You should listen in on our headsets." He handed us three headsets, and pointed to jacks where we should plug in. "One give me a full shot of the ring. Two give me a wide shot of the entrance from the locker rooms. Good, OK Roll tape. " A figure entered the ring, reached up to a over hanging microphone. Pulled it down in front of him and started to speak. "Take one." The monitor labeled two showed activity at the entrance to the arena. The figure in the ring described the bout and the participants. "Two zoom in. I want a full body shot if we can get it. Here they come. Take Two. One swing around so you can get the next guy. Good. We'll call the one in the dark costume Blue, and the light one White. Two follow Blue to the ring. One stay on White." Camera Two followed the wrestler all the way to the ring, then zoomed in tighter as he ducked under the ropes. White had lingered in the background awaiting his entrance. "Take One. Two give me a full ring shot." Camera one followed the same path as had two. Both cameras were on the action in the ring, alternating between two person shots and full ring shots. "I think Blue is going to do a flying mare. Two try and find me a kid that's really into the action." Camera one continued capturing the action, while the Monitor for Camera two began scanning the audience. It stopped then went in tight on a boy of about thirteen or fourteen. The kid's face was full of excitement. "Two, I'm going to use that so hold it. Stay tight but he might jump up and down, if he does loosen the shot." In the ring Blue had White loaded across his shoulders and was spinning him around. "I'm going to try a split shot. But first we'll switch to Two and then split it. Steady. Take Two, Take One. Put one and two into effects. Give me a vertical split. One we are going to feed you the composite on your preview monitor. Switch over to it. Take effects." The boy's facial expression was full of emotion as he saw his hero being hurled across the ring. "One, we are coming back to you. Take One. Two get back on the ring in a medium shot." The rest of the taping was a variation of the first 15 minutes. Jeff used a lot of audience reaction shots to enhance this production. I realized that this technique would add greatly to our programs. I called a general meeting early Thursday morning. Friday's taping would be as organized as I could arrange it. I distributed copies of the script that I had patterned after the one Mark has used for the news, complete with proposed camera positions, and shots. On Friday morning we would do a quick run through at KTLA, rehearsing music, and camera shots. Everything went smoothly. But without an audience it proceeded without inspiration. As happened last Friday the audience began arriving at six thirty. The KTLA staff had located enough folding chairs to fill the area beyond the stage doors. Lighting was better organized, and our morning run through had debugged several potential production problems. At seven Sunshine resumed his seat in the control room. Jackie, Cowboy, Ho, Robbie, and Philip were warming up at the piano. As seven thirty approached I moved behind the podium. I could see myself in the studio monitor as the "On the air" sign lit. The picture dissolved into a wide shot of the audience, then again dissolved into a wide shot of Jackie with our singers circling the piano. The song was 'Little Church in the Wildwood'. The Floor Director moved along side of the camera pointing at me. He was counting down on his fingers: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. The red camera light went on. The choral scene switched to a tight shot of me. At first the shot flared on my white suit, but as the shot loosened up the lighting averaged out to a good picture. A boom mike had been moved overhead, low enough that I was concerned about it being in the shot. My gaze simply swept past the monitor, and into the lens of the camera. "Someone recently asked me why I study other religions... If I am truly a Christian, why do I search into the thinking behind others? I do so, hoping that I may gain greater insight into my own feelings." Camera two was moving across the sound stage and positioned along side of one. Three was aimed at the audience. Marvin moved next to Two, signaling me that they were going to switch cameras. I had been warned not to abruptly change where I was looking. The camera lights switched, and the monitor displayed a wider shot at a slightly different angle. "We've all heard of and read about religious wars.., wars where each side believes they are in concert with God... At least, in concert with the God they believe in. Does this mean there could really be more than one God? Can both of these sides be right? Or is it possible for them both to be wrong? I pondered about this a great deal... finally realizing it would be easier to decide such issues for myself if I were truly familiar with varied religions' precepts and ways. And so I have been studying the ways and doctrines of many religious beliefs." The camera movements were distracting me. I need to ignore them. Camera one came back on in a very tight shot. "What have I learned, you may wonder.. I have found pretty much what I'd expected to find. That all religions, somewhere in their preaching, embrace a policy of live and let live. They teach that fear of the unknown evaporates through knowledge." The monitor displayed a close up of someone in the audience. Without breaking my pace I attempted to signal someone to move the monitor out of my view. This more organized approach to "Producing" a television show was throwing me into a panic. I wasn't tuning into the audience. "Could it be possible that the simple teachings of God everywhere; that we live in peace with each other, that we love our neighbor..., though universally taught, are obfuscated by the will of a group who will create rules for everyone to follow? Rules, not handed down to them personally by God, but rules that the humans in charge believe necessary? "Suppose our creator in all his wisdom and with his unlimited powers gave each group of creatures he created the right to decide right from wrong. Not just mankind. In what we call lower life forms on our planet, does not nearly every parent have a feeling of responsibility to its offspring? A parent will instinctively KNOW what it must do to nourish and preserve its continuation as a species. In nature this instinct will engender a flourishing ecology, that is.. until man enters the picture." The heat from the lights combined with my increasing stage fright, made me feel like I was in a sauna. I thought I needed to mop my brow, but not being able to see the shot that was being aired, forced me to refrain from that effort. Neither Camera one or two lights were on. I glanced at three, Sunshine was using a shot of the audience. Rapidly I moved my hand across my forehead to clear away any perspiration. Marvin was back at camera one. He flicked his hand in warning, then One was back on. "We cannot know Jehovah. The Torah teaches that his name is secret and unknown. We cannot understand our creator's reasons for what is done. Perhaps God gives every species / group / tribe the right to think for themselves as a test to see where it leads. Maybe, if a species chooses the righteous paths of peaceful coexistence; of helping others instead of trying to destroy them; of living in harmony with their surroundings and with their neighbors, God will reward them." Ignore the FUCKING cameras. "This isn't any different than any one of a hundred services you've conducted." Gradually I got myself calmed down. My job was to preach. It was Turley and Sunshine's job to make this a television production. "It is a known scientific fact that the Porpoise has a brain several times larger than that of man. This wondrous creature of the sea seems to have no known natural enemies; is even able to defend itself against sharks. Over a thousand years, we humans have come to realize the desire of this creature to be accepted as a friend to man. There are many tales of men rescued from drowning by these noble animals that date back to Biblical times. These intelligent and wonderfully playful creatures are now even used as a form of therapy for people with a variety of problems. It has been shown that close proximity to dolphins may even have something of a healing effect on the sick. "The many cultures, races, tribes, and religious groups of mankind may be at varied stages of development. Man alone has the super ego to claim being fashioned in God's image. This conceit may be allowed by God but it is not necessarily the truth. We may very well be a lower order of species in God's eyes than the Dolphin. If we once had Paradise, to us it is now Paradise Lost. On the other hand does it not seem odd that, on a planet where four fifths of the surface is covered in water; where man cannot survive without his ingenuity... the porpoise flourishes in peace, while man cannot? "I do not have all the answers, or even very many, some would say. But I suggest that only when man decided to learn about the ways of other creatures, such as the Dolphin, did his understanding grow to realize just what a wonder and a blessing these creatures are. So too, in my studies of other faiths, I have learned that yes... it is possible for all of us to live in harmony and peace on earth... as soon as we learn to separate the rules of man from the actual and uncomplicated wishes of God. "But now we come to one of our greatest short comings. We find it impossible to described anything outside of human terms. We insist on describing God as having been created in man's image. Could that be because the God that we have created has been conceived wholly within man's mind. "Just because we humans created a fictionalized deity, does not mean that there is no God. "There exists, in the universe, certain demonstrateable facts. They are not philosophical, they are physical, yet I believe they can be demonstrated to be true of both worlds. Human behavior is not insulated from the rest of the universe. "In past discussions I have used the term resonance, the noun pendulum, and the verb oscillate. I believe they are all fundamental characteristics of the world around us. "Jackie, would you play 'Give me that old time religion'? And Jerry would you, Danny, and the others join me for the first verse and the chorus." Purposefully, I tapped my foot and let my body flow along with the rhythm. As I looked toward the audience I could see that most of them had joined in this experience. I took a deep drink from a glass of water on the podium and said, "Thank you Jackie. We just demonstrated the fact that resonance extends into the world of human behavior. Why should that be? "For the moment, let's side step that question, and address another matter. "The Bible states that God created the heavens and the earth. If we then define God as the source of that creation, we must then define the Universe as being God, and the laws that govern the Universe as being the laws of God." I picked up a hymnal, and let it fall from my hand. It hit the floor with a resounding thump. "What you just heard was a sound produced by one of God's laws." I moved the microphone close to the glass that I had drunk from and flicked it with my finger tip. The tone was pure and loud. It took seconds to diminish, yet its purity was sustained to the very end. "That pure tone which was initiated by my simply tapping that glass demonstrated the laws of resonance just as surely as did your responding to the music and the rhythm of that uplifting hymn. "Everything in the universe has a frequency, a rhythm, a time period where at just the right moment added energy will cause and sustain resonance. It is one of God's most fundamental laws. You saw the occurrence when I struck that glass. You experienced that event when we sang that hymn. You feel that condition when you become excited by some speech or other event. "I do not want to give credence to the methodology of astrology, other than to point out that it should come as no surprise that in the millennia of astronomical events that some events exhibit the same time periods as those of human behavior. I do not imply that one causes the other. However, it would seem logical to me that if two events exhibit the same characteristics, they do so because they exist through the same laws of nature. "This obvious fact opens a window to a vast horizon of investigation. "Of far greater concern is our accord with the universe. How can knowledge of the way the universe functions enhance our lives? What can we learn by synchronizing ourselves with the universe? "Life is forever changing. The past cannot be changed. The future is inevitable, but unknown. Yet we can examine the past to learn about how now works. We may then apply knowledge to the now, in an effort to affect the future. "Yesterday morning when I awoke I did so in the arms of my chosen life partner. I felt secure. I did not want to advance to the future as I felt invulnerable to the rest of the world. But, that feeling was not a characteristic of life. Then what is the opposite of life? Death? No! not even death stops change. As the Bible says 'In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.' "If I were to select any one of God's laws to examine more closely it would be that of resonance. It is the one law that exhibits the affects of change. It may well be the one law from which all else evolves. "If we take a tuning fork whose frequency is Middle C, place it in the vicinity of a piano, and strike Middle C, the tuning fork will begin to vibrate in total synchronism with the sound of the piano. "Now let's change the experiment a little. Let's add a second tuning fork whose frequency is the musical note D. Let's excite the C tuning fork by striking. The note rings pure. Seconds later its energy diminishes and we cease to hear it. Let us repeat the experiment by first exciting the C fork, and immediately afterward exciting the D Fork and placing the two in close proximity. Both C and D forks rapidly loose their energy. Neither is excited by the other, neither contributes to the harmonious vibration of the other. In fact one dampens the other. "So it is with people. A gathering of people with similar tastes and goals can enter into a resonant event. Resonance cannot occur if the constituents do not have the same purpose. Example: Let's have a jam session. Everyone in this audience loves Rock and Roll. A few numbers down the line and everyone is rocking the place. Pure resonance. It extends beyond the performer and encompasses the listeners. But it doesn't even stop there as you can feel the resonance within the people, within the chairs, within the walls of the building, within everything exposed to that concert. "Let us change one simple ingredient. Through an accident the audience that arrived hated Rock and Roll and instead loved classical music. The very beginnings of the event would never sustain the first stages of resonance. "There is a great deal that we can learn from this. I believe this is the reason for the great gap that exists between people. I believe this is the reason certain religious groups become so outraged at the sexual behavior of others. "To expect one can live in harmony with ones neighbor whose characteristics are different is an exercise in futility. "Then how can people coexist in today's world. I'm afraid there are only two ways. The first is to make certain that one lives in a neighborhood of like values. The second is to respect the beliefs of others and not expect resonance within your area. "The first way of course would be the best. In fact that is the Biblical promise made to mankind. "The second way allows coexistence without expecting harmony. "Sometime in the distant future we may find people of similar characteristics drawing together and establishing their own geographic political societies. "We know of several countries where this has occurred; specifically the Netherlands, and Thailand. "But you must remember that life is change. It seems to be a characteristic of the universe to draw everything into resonance. We do know that if a pool of resonance is powerful enough, it will cause lesser pools to disintegrate to their basic elements. Once at the elemental level those elements will fall into resonance with the whole. "But of even greater interest is something else we are just beginning to learn about our universe, and that is the natural course of resonance which after reaching a certain limit, then reverses itself, collapsing in on itself, only to start the process all over again. Astronomers tell us that that is what is happening to our universe. Entire solar systems, having reached the limits of their expansion outward, begin a reversed path which leads to total collapse into what they call a black hole, from which a big bang explosion again expands outward, forever repeating the same process. "And you will note that that process is exactly the same as that of a pendulum, or a tornado, or any other event in nature or in human behavior." The clock on the studio wall showed three minutes to closing. Thankfully, both Camera one and Camera two moved to focus on the choral group. The only thing I needed yet to do was ask for financial support for an expanding ministry, and that would be a voice over. The audience had left. The camera lighting had been turned off. Everyone was getting ready to leave. Emotionally I was "Up." Jerry came over and suggested that all of our group unwind at a nearby restaurant. We could hash over what had happened during the show. Ho had recommend a new mom and pop eatery called "The White Elephant," located on Vermont, a short distance east of KTLA. It was inexpensive. Janet White was the cook. Her husband Bill did everything else. They were preparing to close as the nine of us entered. Nevertheless we were welcomed as only an owner who needs the trade will do. Four tables were pulled together. Jackie sat at one end, and I at the other. Tommy had immediately placed himself on my right, with Timmy across the table on my left. Next, in a clockwise direction were Jerry, Danny, Jackie, Charlie, Philip, and then Robbie seated next to Tommy. The menu was inexpensive, yet exotic. They specialized in Curry, Rice, and lentil dishes, as well as a variety of hot teas. "John, we need to give KTLA two hundred dollars if we are going to hold on to tonight's tape. Can we pay that out of the Little Rock account?" Jackie asked. "I don't see why not. But we have to clear it with Judge Jackson in Clinton." "We have received enough contributions from last weeks program to pay for the tape, but if we do that we can't expand to another city. It's a choice, tape or air time." I turned to Robbie, "When were you planning to go to San Diego?" "First thing Monday morning if we've got the money." "OK. I'll call the judge at his home the first thing tomorrow. Robbie you use the local money, and we'll pay KTLA out of Little Rock." Jackie added, "Claus suggested that we buy the video tape directly from Memorex. If we buy a large enough quantity we can obtain a substantial discount. If we commit to a year's supply we can probably get it for half price, but only need to accept delivery and pay for it a month at a time." Robbie asked, "Is that what the wrestling confederation does? If it is why don't I talk to them about consolidating our orders and negotiating an even better price." Both Bill White and Janet brought bowls of a thick lentil soup from the kitchen. "There is more in the kitchen if you want seconds." As I was eating my soup I felt Tommy's leg press against mine. It didn't bump into my leg, the position and pressure were intentional. I glanced at him and he winked. Then Timmy's leg took up a similar position on my left side. I didn't know what to do, so I did nothing. In the middle of the Lamb Curry I felt a hand on my left knee. Almost immediately it was followed by a hand on my right knee. Then both hands moved upward toward my fly. I glanced at the twins, and they had a conspiratorial gleam in their eyes. I said nothing, letting them play out their youthful prank. However, when one hand began to unzip my pants and the other began massaging my dick I felt I needed to put an end to this practical joke. I reached under the table, grasping each hand, and instead of moving them back to their owners, pulled them together into a hand shake. Simultaneously both youngster laughed and put their hands back on the table. It wasn't until then that I glanced further towards Jerry. The expression on his face was a combination of both passion and humor. Timmy was pulling the same gag on him. We caught each others eye, pretty much confirming what we both suspected. Just before we finished our meal Tommy asked Robbie if they could spend the weekend at the ranch. Before Robbie could answer Timmy asked Philip if it would be "OK?" However, Robbie told them "No." They needed Sid's permission. Later, at home, Jerry and I discussed the matter of the twins. Neither of us thought the boys were gay, they were just being teenagers; exploring the wonderful world around them; testing the limits of what others would permit them to do. Regardless of their intent, or maybe because of it, we needed to give much more thought to our inclusion in their experiments. Even before I ate breakfast I had telephoned Judge Jackson, seeking permission to purchase $5,200 worth of video tape, explaining that we would be withdrawing the money in twelve installments spread out over a year. While granting permission, his inference was that we shouldn't plan any grand expansion based on the Little Rock money. I had hardly set the phone down when it rang again, "Uncle Johnny," a youthful exuberant voice greeted me. "Dad gave Tommy and me permission to stay at the ranch, but we don't have anyway out there. Will you or Uncle Jerry take us?" I explained that I couldn't, but promised to ask Jerry. After hanging up, I climbed the stairs to the kitchen, where Jerry and Cowboy were preparing breakfast. "Hey Uncle Jerry, the twins have thrown out their net. They want us to transport them out to Decker Canyon. I explained that I couldn't, but promised I'd pass on their request." "When did they start calling me Uncle?" "Us Uncle. Probably when they decide to try getting their way with us." Sunshine came to our rescue and volunteered to play cab driver. ------------- Jerry, Jackie, and I needed to discuss the future of the New Day Ministry. Its formation had been caused by a 13 week gift of Television time. But afterward we would need to continue the work on our own. Claus had gone out of his way to be helpful, but we realized that we should not expect to continue the production work at Paramount. They were not geared for it, and the cost would be prohibitive. He had allowed Sunshine to use the station's facilities after hours to duplicate video tape. If the New Day Ministry grew, our needs would exceed what KTLA could reasonably be expected to provide. Claus had suggested we might consider building our own studio. At first that sounded like a radical idea far beyond our means, until he explained that we could purchase used equipment from brokers specializing in TV Station bankruptcy sales. He gave us a name and telephone number in Garden Grove, and suggested we have a talk with them. As for a building, there were a number of abandoned grocery stores in both Los Angeles and Orange Counties that could be used. And as far as funds were concerned, most of the owners of these properties, both equipment and real estate, were in bankruptcy with some bank holding the bag. A shrewd negotiator should be able to arrange a lease purchase plan within our means. We had just finished taping our fourth program when we decided to investigate the possibility of our own studio. KTLA had been quite direct in telling us that they could not fit our production requirements into their schedule beyond the present contract. While we had not been able to double our station outlets as each week went by, we were able to have a linear increase. So, as of that date we were broadcasting in four markets: Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and Portland. We had targeted San Francisco but their rates were too high. Contributions had been received pretty much as anticipated. That means there was enough income to pay for double air time and the cost of tape. The cost of production had not as yet been figured into our needs, but it soon would have to be. Jackie had telephoned the contact Claus had given us and arranged an appointment for the following Tuesday. Jackie insisted that Robbie join us. During the drive to Garden Grove we talked about what we expected to see; a warehouse full of Television production equipment: Cameras, Switcher, Control Boards, Lights. When we finally located the place we were disappointed, it was a small office. The equipment that they sold was still in the possession of the owners in locations spread across the entire United States. Mostly these were UHF Television Stations that couldn't make the grade. We needed to inspect the equipment, then make an offer through the Garden Grove broker. Any financing that need to be done would be arranged through them. In general, we were looking at costs of about twenty five cents on the dollar. But even that discount rate was steep when you consider that the new price of a Video Tape Recorder was around sixty thousand dollars, and we would need two of them. Cameras ranged in price from thirty five thousand to close to one hundred thousand, and again we needed a minimum of two. Even at twenty five cents on the dollar we were looking at a price tag close to one hundred thousand dollars. Even on a straight ten percent lease we were looking at a monthly commitment in excess of eight hundred dollars a month; and that was just equipment rental. The trip back to Los Angeles was depressing. It looked to me like the New Day Ministry would come to an end after the thirteenth show. Later that night Sunshine told me Sid was on the phone. "High Sid. What can I do for you?" "Johnny, Johnny, Johnny. Robbie told me that you were considering closing down your new television ministry because of the cost. If you feel strongly about the ministry then forget the cost. Get Robbie to negotiate the best terms he can, but regardless of the cost, go for it. You'll find that regardless of the overhead, you'll make it. It just means you'll have to hustle a little harder, but you will make it. Believe me I'm right. That's advice my dad gave me, and it's always worked." Jackie agreed with Sid, "So what do we have to lose? The thirteen weeks was a gift. If we close the ministry we gain nothing. If we continue and fail we'll still will have gained nothing, nor will we have lost anything beyond our effort. But if we continue and succeed the ministry can become a powerful world wide organization dedicated to help all human beings relate to God." Robbie telephoned Bob Anderson at Broadcast Services in Garden Grove and arranged for an inspection of equipment at a defunked TV Station in the Imperial Valley. Everyone wanted to inspect the equipment: Jerry, Philip, Danny, Jackie, Charlie, Robbie, and the twins. So Philip drove the station wagon in from the ranch and we departed West Hollywood just a little after 8 AM in an adventuresome, almost party like mood. El Centro was about 200 miles from West Hollywood, with at least half of the trip being along the same route over which we had traveled to Palm Springs. Our destination was further south, almost to Mexico, and a little east. We were to meet a representative of the Bank that held the paper on the TV Station at his office as soon as we arrived. El Centro had only one business street, Main Street, and all business were located somewhere along its length. At the bank we inquired for Herb Rosen. A somewhat plump man, in his late fifties came out of a tiny office at the rear. "Are you the folks that want to look at the TV Station?" Robbie took command, acknowledged that we were, and made the introductions. "You passed the building about a half mile back if you came in from the north. You can follow me out." Rosen said something to his secretary then walked out the front door. He climbed into a black Buick of recent vintage, as we loaded into the station wagon. The half mile wasn't far enough to have driven. It would have been a pleasant walk even in these inland valley temperatures. From the outside the building didn't look large enough to be a Television Station. I doubt if the entire structure was as large as the sound stage we used at KTLA. Just beyond the front door was a small office with desks, chairs, and even a typewriter. The entrance became a hallway which extended another few feet before coming to a dead end. To the left was a doorway which opened on to a small sound stage. It couldn't have been more than twenty feet in length or width. Beyond that was the control room. There were many lights suspended from ceiling runners. Two Cameras on pedestals were tilted down toward the floor. Rosen flipped on a switch which illuminated the room with a single bare bulb hanging lonely and out of place amongst the massive lighting devices used in Television. "The main power has been turned off. Follow me into the control room." The equipment was elemental. Minimum required for any telecast. The Video Switcher was a special effects generator with the "Grass Valley" logo still bright and clear as though it had never been used. The Audio Board was larger than the video switcher. It also looked almost new. The film chain was as simple as could be. Only one movie projector optically multiplexed with a slide projector. The Video Tape Recorders were much larger than the ones at KTLA. There were two of them, both by Ampex. Equipment beyond the control room was visible through a small glass window. Rosen pointed to it and said "That's the Transmitter. So what do you think?" Robbie asked how long they had been off the air. Rosen looked sad, and explained, "Five years ago three of us joined in a partnership to build this station. One of my partners was the chief engineer. He designed and built the whole thing. The other partner was the general manager and salesman. I handled money matters. I put up a good deal of the capital, and the rest came from my bank. The first six months went very well. We were not making enough to even pay operating expenses, but sales were increasing. Then on New Years Eve, two years ago, both of my partners were driving back from San Diego when they were sideswiped by a an 18 wheeler that had lost control. They died instantly. "I tried to hire a chief engineer and a time salesman, but we couldn't afford it, so I pulled the plug. The FAA made us take the tower down since there was no one on the premises. So everything has been just sitting here for almost two years. The real estate has become more valuable than the equipment so we need to do something soon. "I think it was over a year ago that I contacted Anderson over at Broadcast Services, but you are the first folks to come out and take a look. If you are interested and are willing to take everything we'll make a deal that you can live with. Guaranteed." Robbie assuming the role of negotiator explained who we were and what we needed the equipment for. The transmitter did not fit into our plans. Rosen was adamant on that one point, everything in the building except the toilet fixtures and the Air Conditioning. Robbie then told him that Five Hundred a month on a lease purchase was the best we could do, and with two reservations: First, if the equipment doesn't work the deal is off. Second, we haven't as yet found a building. So if we can't find one, then we want out. Rosen seemed disappointed as to the amount of money. Robbie countered with a help point. Since we were a tax exempt religious organization we could, and would give Rosen a contribution receipt for the difference between the money price and the actual value. Rosen liked the idea but needed to talk to his tax attorney first. Then he suggested that we test the equipment the next day. He would have the electric company turn on the power. Then, if we were willing to sign a contract with a ten day cancellation clause, we could go forward with the deal. The rapid fashion which this deal had come together came as a surprise. We hadn't planned on staying over night, but driving the 400 mile round trip to and from West Hollywood seemed foolish. Sunshine had noticed a small motel on the way to the station. He asked Rosen if it was good. Rosen said that it was clean and comfortable, and the rates were quite low. Then he added that he owned it. There were nine of us. Three to a room would be satisfactory for just one night. Jerry and I decided there would be less temptation if we slept in separate rooms. But it was the twins that proposed the actual allocations. Jerry, Philip and Tommy would share. Jackie would share with Robbie and Danny. Timmy and Charlie would be with me. Even at the time I thought it a little odd that none of the Cohen's shared with a sibling. After having checked in to our three rooms we walked a short distance to a nearby taco joint one of the twins had spotted. None of us had eaten since breakfast and it was now close to sunset. I told Cowboy what I wanted and pushed two tables together and sat down. The others stood in line with Jackie at the end. A pretty Mexican girl in her mid teens was behind the counter taking orders. Her hair was long and as black was Timmy's. She scribbled things on a single sheet of note paper after confirming each request. The twins were in front of Jackie, next to the end of the line. As Tommy became the next the girl paused, and examined the boy from head to toe as though he were the first thing to make that day worthwhile. Timmy pinched his brother's butt making him jump. The girl recovered her poise and continued writing on the pad. When it was Timmy's turn the girl remarked on his long black hair, and how well he kept it brushed. One by one each came back to the table after having placed their order. Jackie paid the bill and also returned to the table. "We are number 37." Tommy reached for the receipt, "I'll get it when it's ready." Tommy and the girl kept trading looks every few seconds until she called "37." When Tommy returned the girl was with him. Our order was distributed across two trays. The boy kept finding excuses to return to the counter. First he needed a spicier Taco Sauce. Then his Coke needed a refill. Next he decided he'd like a slice of lemon in his Coke. He was still munching on his Taco when the rest of us were ready to return to the Motel. "You guy's go ahead without me. I'm gonna try one of their enchiladas." I laughed at the boy prodding him, "I think you should try one hot tamale." The joke seemed to have gone over his head. Back at the Motel we each went into our separate rooms. But there was nothing there to attract us. Sunshine popped his head in the door and suggested we "check out the town." Timmy thought that that was a good idea and joined the others. Jerry said he would like to go back to the TV station to see what we were in for in moving the dismantled tower. I sided with Jerry, so as the others walked south along Main street, we walked the short distance north to the station. The tower had been dismantled into fifty foot sections of steel struts and girders. Laying there stacked one on top of another presented an intimidating obstacle. The actual antenna bay had been crated and protected from the weather, but the rest was loose. Moving the tower would require a special kind of truck, and a specialized kind of handling. As we started to leave Jerry suggested we see if the building was still unlocked, if so we could make a preliminary inventory of what we were getting for our money. I twisted the door knob, it didn't turn. However, I had pushed in at the same time and the door opened. They had locked it, but not pulled it closed. After entering we unlocked the door, but pushed it closed. Cowboy (Jerry) found the light switch and turned on the single bare bulb. The dim illumination became brighter as our eyes adjusted. There were cobwebs stringing down from the cameras to the floor. I moved a cable leaving a clean path where it had laid. In the middle of the sound stage was a large over stuffed leather upholstered chair. Someone had sat in it recently as unlike everything else it held no dust. We entered the control room, taking a closer look at the equipment and the way cables interconnected. At the far end was another door connecting to what had been a film cutting room. The closed door had prevented dust from entering, so that everything was immaculately clean; even the floor. We exited another door and entered the transmitter room. The single dim lamp from the sound stage provided very little light. Nevertheless we could see the equipment was housed in two separate cabinets. We peered into a small storage closet and discovered reels and reels of video tape; most of it unopened. Cowboy grasped my arm, putting his finger to his lips. "Shhh. I think someone just came into the sound stage." We quietly reentered the control room. Tommy and the Mexican girl were standing just below the bare bulb. His arms encircled her. She put her hands at the back of his head pulling the tall lanky youth to her level where their mouths met. This was not so much a kiss as it was a devouring of one another. Her hands moved down his back grasping each cheek of his buttocks, pulling his sex against hers. In my own mind I could feel the heat of her vagina as it must have felt to the boy as his cock was enveloped in her feminine passion. While their lips were still joined, she pushed the boy away from her hurriedly unbuttoning his shirt, almost ripping it from his body. Once the shirt was flung upon the floor she pulled open his jeans in a single tearing rip. Her foot came up until her toes engaged his falling trousers, and forced them to his ankles. Tommy stepped out of his jeans, and pulled the girl against him. His long hard cock was radiating an insistence of coupling. The girl's hand disappeared between the pressed bodies, and judging from his increased movements she was massaging his throbbing probe. She moved both of her hands to his shoulder and pushed the boy backward and into the over stuffed chair. The boy now laid out, slouched down, legs wide apart, hard cock projecting toward the heavens signaling his need. The girl sank to her knees supplicating before her alter of desire. Her lips began kissing the boy's inner thighs. Her fingers lifted his testicles, while her tongue slipped along the crevice of where leg joined torso. Quite suddenly she placed her hand at the base of his turgid member and sank her mouth fully over his cock. Tommy groaned so loud that I was surprised. I looked at Cowboy, he had his hand on his cock unconsciously squeezing it. It was then that I realized I was doing the same thing. The boy's hands moved to the front of the girl's head, pushing her off of his cock. But his action hadn't been soon enough as he ejaculated great streams of cum onto his stomach and chest. He lay there recuperating. The girl had not been satisfied. She wanted more. He said something, then pulled on his clothes, leaving the girl still on her knees. Moments later the boy returned. Immediately he removed his clothes reseating himself in the chair, his rigid member still pointing upward as though it had not just spun forth its seed. The girl immediately continued where she had left off. I looked at Jerry and whispered, "I'll bet you that's Timmy." The boy slouched further down, and pulled the girl around to the side where she could bend over the arm rest, sinking his rod down her throat. Her breathing changed to accommodate this piston moving in and out of her throat. Quite suddenly Timmy stiffened and pulled her head solidly down till her nose was buried in his scrotum. His abdomen was pulsing. Load after load must have been entering the girl's stomach. Finally he removed his hands and she rocketed up off of the buried shaft gasping for air. The girl still had not been satisfied. Her concentration had been on satisfying the boy. Timmy's cock was still rigid and sparkled with the wetness of her mouth and his sperm. She stepped out of her panties, and straddled the boy, sinking his still rigid member into her pussy. The boy whispered something in her ear. Reluctantly she rose off of the lad. He dressed, kissed her, and then left. I looked at my watch. She had spent a half hour with each. Less than 5 minutes elapsed before Tommy entered the room. Immediately he stripped naked. His hard cock was projecting outward as he walked to the waiting girl. He took his brother's place in the chair and she immediately straddled and sank his cock into pussy. She jumped up and down on the boy's member. Then he pushed her off, placed her face down over the arm rest and mounted her from behind. He exercised control and discipline. The girl was no longer in command. Every time he was on the edge he would pull out, move the girl into a different position, and then continue the adventure. All of this action was getting the best of both Jerry and me. But we were trapped. There was no way we could leave without being discovered. Without even thinking about it my hand replaced his as we strove to satisfy the passions that this display had resurrected within us. Finally, the boy, slammed in hard, and stayed there, his buttocks clinched together in testimony to the seed he was delivering deep within the girl. As Tommy began to dress our lust had gone beyond control. Cowboy and I crept into the film room. We were naked within moments. My mouth found his, our tongues tasted each other. Our arms hugged the other tightly. We sank to the floor. The vision of Tommy's dance with the Mexican girl had pushed a different button in both of us. We sank to the floor with Jerry's legs wrapping around my body. "Johnny, fuck me. Please." I lifted his legs and rested his knees on my shoulders. His waist curled upward exposing his anus. His finger grasped my shaft and guided me into him. The only lubrication was my dripping cock. The entrance was easy as he pulled me deeply into him. He groaned, and we began to satisfy the other's need. "Don't come too soon." Jerry moaned. His breath was deep and laced with stimulation. In concert we drove the other up the long path of mutual and total satisfaction. My lips were pressed against his, my tongue prodding within his mouth as my cock was prodding his butt. Suddenly, I felt a gush of warm fluid strike my cheek, flowing down to our mouths intermingling with the other flavors of our oral coupling. We both looked to the side. There was Timmy standing in the door way, totally naked, huge cock masturbating, ejaculating massive loads of cum onto our faces. The shock of his presence drove us over the edge as we spent ourselves totally and completely. I didn't know what to say. But the boy filled in the gap. "It's only fair, you guys were watching us, so turn about is fair play." He walked away. Nakedly we entered the control room looking out toward the sound stage. Timmy was the only one there. He dressed and left. In the wake of our passion we began to realize the twins were becoming an issue that need to be addressed. We left the building, securing the front door. The twins were walking side by side about a hundred feet ahead of us. The Mexican girl was nowhere in sight. Something had changed about the boys as they had grown older. They both exhibited a strong sexual magnetism. But when they were together the magnetism was greatly magnified. It was almost as though they embodied a transmitter which broadcast the depth of their sexuality. As they walked ahead of us, I could feel that radiation just as surely as if it was a bright light. My mind took me back to the early teen years when I was on the road with mama and the Gregorys. That time when I used pictures of naked girls to get me turned on before going on stage, and the effect that that had had on the audience. An idea suddenly appeared which I shared with Cowboy. I asked him about the twins ability to sing. He told me they were OK. Nothing particular noteworthy, but they could carry a tune. They had a sense of rhythm. Back at the motel I sought out Sunshine and suggested that we produce a short music video featuring the twins as the test of the equipment. The idea was a surprise to the boys. Sunshine asked what we would do for music as there was no piano and a duet without accompaniment would take too much rehearsal. Tommy interrupted our discussion telling us that the Mexican girl, Carmen, had an older brother who played guitar. "Would that do?" I suggested that Sunshine and the twins seek out Carmen and her older brother to see if they might be interested in helping us. Tommy seemed a little disappointed that Sunshine was going to make the proposal, but the three disappeared down the street in the direction of the Taco store. They returned with a dark complexioned youth in his late teens or early twenties, carrying an acoustic guitar. I sent Timmy to call a meeting in our room. After talking with Carmen's brother, Alfredo, we discovered that despite being an amateur he had been playing guitar most of his life. His interest was a blend of Mexican and western music. I asked him to play a few things while we were waiting for the others. He stood, a foot on a chair, bending over his instrument, listening to the sounds as his fingers plucked strings, and then adjusted the tension. His black hair was neither short nor long, and while shaggy showed the signs of constant and careful attention. He wore loose fitting black trousers that were pegged at the ankle. His light blue sport shirt was open to the first button above his narrow waist. His build was that of a young man who spent hours in the agricultural fields of the surrounding farm land. As with most men of Indian ancestry his chest was hairless. His eyes were a deep brown which projected a feeling of fiery emotion. Once he was satisfied with the tension on the strings he continued single string plucking not telegraphing his transition from tuning to playing. Each deft movement of his fingers brought forth a pure tone of a familiar western melody. It was quite beautiful. Abruptly he changed keys, and technique rapidly strumming a complex mixture of chords and single notes in a style that could best be described as pure Mexican. His body followed the rhythm; or was it the other way around? The instrument was an extension of his soul and as such was part of the whole. Without disturbing the concert the others arrived and quietly seated themselves where ever they could. In an abrupt cacophony of harmonic sounds he brought his playing to an end as his hand slammed against the strings dampening the instrument into total silence. The contrasting complete lack of sound made my ears feel like they suddenly had been placed in a vacuum. Tommy broke the appreciative silence displaying his lack of feeling for the moment and asked Alfredo if he knew "Dream on Dream on Teenage Queen." Alfredo sat down in the chair. Then with little fanfare picked through the melody. The twins apparently knew the lyrics as they sang the entire song. Jackie asked them to do it again, but this time he stopped them several times suggesting changes which would enhance their rendition. Sunshine said he saw the number as being performed in a farm or ranch setting, with the boys singing to Carmen. A couple of bales of hay would be the only prop. I suggested that Timmy get his hair cut for the video. By making the suggestion in front of the others it gave them an opportunity to evade discovery of their lengthy deception. As we fleshed out the video we assigned tasks to our people. Danny would operate camera one, and Philip on camera two. Jackie could handle audio. Jerry would man the only stage lights. Alfredo continued to play a random selection of songs unless responding to a specific request. Philip was sitting opposite the musician, watching him carefully. The attention began to make Alfredo uncomfortable. He would occasionally look up from his strings catching Phil's eye. Several times there were signs of the start of a smile on his lips but then his eyes would escape to the safety of the strings. It was past ten o'clock when the evening came to a close. Our guest prepared to return to his home; we would all meet at the TV station at nine the next morning. As everyone filed out of the doorway I heard Philip offer to walk Alfredo home with the excuse that he wanted to know more about his musical experience. Thoughtlessly the twins said they would join them. With Philip and the twins gone, it left Jerry alone, and Charlie and me in our room. I started to go next door, and bumped into Jerry as he got ready to knock on our door. "Lets go for a walk." he said. Then realizing he was ignoring Charlie's presence he add in a louder voice, "Sunshine you want to join us?" Without looking up from the paper on which he was making notes he declined the offer, and we departed. "We need to talk about the twins. They are taking too much for granted." I nodded my head in agreement. "They are at that age where sex is an all consuming appetite. You combine that with the natural desire of kids to test their limits, and you have an explosive mixture. That little bit Timmy pulled beating off while we were making love shows a lack of understanding of the emotional side of sex." Jerry had stopped talking for a moment, so I added my own thoughts. "You are right. But there is something which concerns me ever more and that's the twins collusion in deceiving people, especially those with whom they want an intimate relationship. They are pulling the same stunt on Carmen that they did with Mrs. Johansen. From a distance it is funny and cute. Close up it is dishonest and deceitful." "Yeah, I know you are right," Jerry continued, "but they are so fucking sexy, it's hard to say no. The vision of Timmy's hard dick and naked body standing over us pumping his cum took both of us over the edge." He paused, reached down and felt my crotch. "Like me, the thought of it gives you a super rod." "But we must do what is best for the twins. When they get back let's have a talk with them." Philip and the twins had not returned before we did. Cowboy and I went to our separate rooms. Sunshine was already asleep in the other bed. I took a shower, put on my briefs, and crawled into the empty bed with the intention of talking to Timmy when he came in. But the day had been a long one and I fell asleep. As I slept I dreamed of Cowboy, reliving that scene on the floor of the film room. In a montage of disconnected pictures I found myself snuggled into his arms, his always hard cock resting between my legs. I moved my buttocks against his protruding member, and felt the instrument slide beneath the leg of my underwear. His arms were pulling me closer. There was a persistent rhythm which lulled me out of my slumber. Suddenly I was awake. The dream had been assisted by reality. Timmy was trying to fuck me. It was his long hard cock that was really inside of my underwear. His hand was on my cock keeping time with his hip movements. The feeling was good, the clandestine adventure intriguing. If I feigned sleep he would continue the adventure bringing satisfaction to us both. I could, and should simply grab his hand, and put a stop it. Or, while pretending to be asleep I could roll over on my back. As much as I wanted Timmy to continue down that amazing road, I elected to avoid confrontation, and turned on my back. His hard dick slipped from under my shorts. His hand was still grasping my shaft, however the motion had ceased. He lay very quiet trying to determine if I was asleep. Once convinced he rolled away from me and went into the bathroom, presumably to complete his exercise. I slipped on my trousers, and went next door. Tommy was cuddled up against Jerry, and even though there were no signs of movement the boy was in the same position as had been his brother. My intent had been to send the boy next door to sleep; but that would cause questions. I retreated to my own bed. Timmy was under the covers already asleep. I slipped back under the covers discovering the boy was naked. His once rigid member had become a flaccid reminder of his avaricious sexual appetite. I did not sleep well as I responded to every movement of my bed mates body. The next morning I was the first to wake. Timmy was still sound asleep on his back. A tent in the covers told me his dick was hard again. Sunshine was on his side facing the wall. I dressed and went next door and discovered Tommy had switched beds and was now wrapped around Philip. I was tempted to peek under the sheet but resisted. I shook Jerry's arm, and motioned for him to dress and join me. We walked along the highway toward the station. I told him about what had happened with Timmy. Then he told me that the same thing had happened when Tommy had slipped into bed with him, except that he had been awake, so the effort had been more of an attempted seduction. When he told the boy that the only way it could happen would be with me in the picture the boy whispered in his ear, "What do you think is going on in the other room?" Jerry didn't accept the argument, so Tommy had moved into Philip's bed. Judging from the sounds during the night Tommy had been more successful than had his brother. The need to have that talk with the boys was becoming more evident. However when to do it was another matter. The morning would be spent in finding 3 bales of hay, setting up the stage, and getting the equipment running. Hopefully we would be finished by early afternoon, then back to West Hollywood. It was doubtful that we would reach home before midnight. Robbie and the twins would then return to their home. So, despite the urgency it seemed doubtful that that talk could take place within the next 48 hours. A truck from the electric company was parked in front of the station as we arrived. We walked through the open front door. A man wearing a company shirt told us that he had restored the main power, but had left the circuit breakers feeding the transmitter turned off. He walked us back to the main panel and showed us which circuits were controlled by which breakers. It was a redundant effort as each breaker was clearly labeled. We heard a pickup truck pull into the back of the building. Then heard Alfredo's voice, "I've got three bales of hay. How can I get them into the studio." We examined the garage type door located along the sound stage rear wall and found it pad locked. We found a furniture type dolly propped up in the corner, and used it to move the bales through the front door, down the hall, and on to the stage. Sunshine arrived accompanied by the rest of our party. He, Danny, and Philip went immediately to the control room, and began throwing switches. After a couple of round trips between control room and the main power panel he announced that everything seemed to be powered up. Carmen sat in the overstuffed chair over which she had been so royally fucked, quietly surveying the activity around her. Jerry was attempting to move some of the over head spot and flood lights. After much effort he decided it would be easier to move the bales of hay than to move the lights. I entered the control room. There were pictures on the camera monitors. The twins arrived without the wig announcing that Timmy had cut his hair. Carmen glanced their way in surprise discovering for the first time how alike the two boys looked. Sunshine was threading a small reel of video tape on to machine labeled Tape One. Then he pushed a button. A high pitched whine filled the room as the tape moved slowly across the video heads rotating at 12,000 RPM. A picture filled the monitor screen. There were four massive horizontal streaks. Sunshine grabbed a squeeze bottle labeled Freon, and squirted the liquid on the rotating heads. The streaks disappeared, and the picture became clear and stable. He stopped the tape, rewound it, and moved it to the other video recorder and repeated the test. Then he extracted one of the boxes of video tape we had found in the transmitter room and threaded it through the machine labeled Tape One. Sunshine moved to the video switcher, pushed a button. He spoke into a microphone which carried his voice out on to the stage. "Danny, Philip, would you man your cameras. Jerry give me all the lights you've set up for the scene. "Timmy, you, Carmen, and Tommy sit on that center bale of hay. Alfredo bring your guitar and stand just slightly behind them, and a bit to the right. "Jerry, I want two spots, and a flood. Spot Timmy, Carmen, and Tommy. Then spot Alfredo. And I want a general flood covering the entire set. "Camera one give me a tight three shot. Two go in very tight on Carmen. "Jackie how have you set up sound?" "I'm using only one microphone on a boom. Once you've got the visual set up I'll check out the audio." Alfredo's guitar could be seen in the background. "OK, I'm happy with the visual. Let's do a few lines of the song so that Jackie can set audio levels." The twins voices were too soft, the guitar was too loud. Jackie went to the stage and repositioned the boom mike. The new position created a shadow across Carmen's face. Jerry had to move the flood. "OK let's go for it. Standby." Camera two was tight on Carmen in an extreme close up. Sunshine rolled tape. "Take one." The twins were seated on each side of the girl. Alfredo strummed a four bar intro. The boys were looking at the girl. "Dream on Dream on teenage queen, prettiest gal we've ever seen. "There's a story in our town, of the prettiest girl around." Sunshine said, "Take two," to no one in particular and pushed the camera two button. The girl's face filled the screen. "Golden hair and eyes of blue, how those eyes can flash at you." The girl moved her eyes and in doing so they caught the light from one of the spots sparkling at the camera. "Standby one, I'm coming back to you." Sunshine pulled a lever and the pictures cross faded. "Boys formed round her by the score, but she loved the boy next door, who worked in the candy store." "One push in to a one shot on Timmy. Two let me have a one shot on Carmen. "He was tops in all he said, it never once went to her head." "Take Two." The girl's eyes moved from Tommy on her left, to Timmy on her right. Suddenly they froze, then flashed back to Tommy. Sunshine said, "what the hell is going on. Take one." I looked at the close up of Timmy, there was a love bite on the boy's neck. Sunshine said, "Take Two. One move over to Tommy, I want the same shot." As camera one moved across from Timmy to Tommy the picture on the camera monitor showed that both boys had a love bite in the same spot. Everyone in the control room broke up. We howled in laughter so loud that we could be heard on the stage. Sunshine spoke into the intercom. "Cut. We are going to have to do it again. Take 10 minutes. Timmy you and Tommy get your butts in here." Carmen was livid. Her Mexican anger caused her already dark complexion to darken even more. Alfredo moved over to her while the twins came into the control room. The mike was still open, "Carmen, what's wrong?" The girl wouldn't reply. In fact her discovery was so personal she could not confide her intimacy with the twins, so she had to absorb her anger within herself. I spoke to Sunshine, "Charlie, rewind the tape, and let the boys see the problem for themselves." The two boys stood looking at the monitors as the tape played back. The picture of Timmy on the monitor pushed in to a close profile. From the speakers we could hear the boys voices "He was tops in all he said, it never once went to her head." Again the boys joined in synchronism, "Oh Shit!" The tape continued to play as the screen switched to Carmen, her eyes suddenly frozen, her gaze flashing between the two boys. "Uncle Johnny what are we going to do?" The boys looked at me in desperation as though I could produce some miracle to get them off of the hook of their own making. Carmen and Alfredo had gone outside. But Alfredo returned looking very frustrated. He still didn't know what had caused the disruption. I didn't want him to see the tape, so I told him that something had gone wrong with the recorder. While the problem was minor it couldn't be fixed for several days. The Mexican youth didn't look convinced and was clearly confused by the events of the last few minutes. We told him that the purpose of the production was to test the equipment. We were going to buy it. He asked if we needed help in moving everything to Los Angeles. Philip answered before anyone else, accepting his offer. Alfredo looked surprised when it was Phil who had replied. Then in a surprising shift of mood Phil and Alfredo left together. As they left the control room I heard Phil suggest that Alfredo visit the ranch. Timmy and Tommy were still in an emotional turmoil as to what to do about Carmen. I advised they do nothing. Confronting the girl with their duplicity would only make her more angry. After she cooled down, she might appreciate the results of the two boys acting in concert. They had not seduced her into a threesome. Now that she had already experienced it, she might see the advantages ... especially since there would be no guilt connected with her decision in the matter.