Glenn Kleier by The Last Day

Author:The Last Day [Day, The Last]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Thrillers, science fiction, FIC031000, Fiction
ISBN: 9780446930284
Publisher: Bt Bound
Published: 1997-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

72

Salt Lake City Airport, Utah 6:19 P.M., Sunday, March 5, 2000

Feldman saw the reserved, pensive prophetess safely to her cabin in the jetliner where she retired for the rest of the day. Then, donning his trusted sunglasses and a ball cap pulled low to conceal himself, he retreated with Hunter and Cissy to a concourse cocktail lounge to reflect. The mood of the patrons around them was gloomy. Ordering a round of beers, the three newspeople listened quietly to the TV telecasts as a tale of global distress unfolded before them.

From dozens of cities across the world, the reports were rolling in—all uncannily alike. There was a great religious schizophrenia in evidence. Despite Jeza's dictates, many people were flocking to churches, synagogues and temples desperately seeking solace, direction, hope. As often as not, they were met by angered ecclesiasts who were vigorously discrediting the Messiah and disputing her claims and prophecies.

Nevertheless, sizable numbers of clergy were submitting heart and soul to Jeza's commands, forsaking their churches. Particularly the Catholic Church, which had been most notably embarrassed at the convocation. Many congregations and former congregations shared a common despair and assumption that the end of the world was rapidly approaching. Incidents of panic attacks, nervous breakdowns, suicides and mass hysteria were common, particularly in the West. The level of these incidents exceeded even those that occurred during the infamous Black Eve of the millennium. Outbreaks of violence, however, were relatively few.

The world was in a Great Depression certainly more definitive than any previously experienced. In those parts of the globe where Monday morning had already arrived, absences from private- and public-sector jobs were widespread, effectively shutting down many important industries and government services, throwing everyday life into turmoil.

Although WNN would actually return Jeza to Cairo, as she had requested, hundreds of thousands of people were planning pilgrimages to the Holy Land in anticipation of the Messiah returning to Jerusalem for Judgment Day, as the Bible predicted. Their arrangements, however, were frustrated by the shortage of booking agents and travel personnel, who had deserted their posts.

The deteriorating situation was a serious concern to governments everywhere. It was particularly uncomfortable for U.S. President Allen Moore, who was now desperately seeking to distance himself from his recent house guest. On the TV above the bar, Feldman and his associates viewed Moore delivering a statement from the White House press room.

The president was reading from an index card: “… this administration had no forewarning regarding the content of this alleged prophet's message to the religious convention,” he said, his upper lip moist, his eyes having difficulty meeting the camera. “Furthermore, we wish to stress that, in keeping with typical biblical stories, the colorful comments heard earlier today are most certainly meant to be allegorical and are not, I repeat, not to be taken literally …”

“Not very convincing, is he,” Hunter smirked.

“How can he be?” Cissy sympathized. “There's no questioning what Jeza said in that hall. And if you happen to believe in her, you're quaking on your knees right now, ticking off the minutes till the Cataclysm.

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