The Intruder by Charles Beaumont

Author:Charles Beaumont
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Valancourt Books
Published: 2015-06-13T16:00:00+00:00

15

Dear Max:

I said I’d keep you posted, and so I shall. I am, as you know, a man of my word—when it’s convenient.

As explained in previous letters, the phone calls worked very well indeed—and Mr. Shipman turned out to be a prize catch! We have more than enough for the work at hand, for I’d forgotten the “crackers” and “red-necks” who didn’t have telephones, also the outside fringe element, all of whom have joined up—

But don’t let me get ahead of myself!

The plan is still fairly vague, but it’s beginning to take on form; and pretty unique form, at that. One thing is certain, I have submerged the Adam Cramer you and I knew and loved (!)—Requiescat in Pace! A charming lad he was, full of wit and intelligence, but he don’t go so good here. His replacement would nauseate you: a gentle, courteous, polite young feller that talks the people’s talk, yes sir. Now I am like a bar mirror, in a way. The folks look at me and see themselves (and all their prejudices) in a soft, flattering light. I’m their idea of a smart, civilized, educated man. Since I think exactly the same way they do, they regain respect for themselves. And they love me for it!

I know this isn’t entirely original. The Trattato di Sociologia Generale proved useful, oddly, if only in what I rejected from it; and Sorel’s syndicalism provides a nice little first-­attack theme—you know what I mean. (Syndicalism in the old sense is far from what I have taking shape, but ideas exist from which one can select. There is “peace” here, but I discovered a San-Andreas-fault of violence lying below. Recently a “scab” coal miner from a nearby town was buried alive when he refused to kowtow; and there have been other incidents. They take their groups seriously.)

Anyway, belief is important: that, I think, is my first job—to believe deeply everything I say. At all costs, I must avoid intellectuality; except of the kind we discussed. I will not think of my “system”; later on, when it’s successful, I can, like Benito, order a philosophy to be delivered within two weeks, or else.

Do you recall when we used to discuss the importance of public-speaking abilities? Well, we were wrong. I never excelled particularly at this sort of thing, yet my speeches have been enormously successful. You would not believe it. The first one whipped the crowd into a wonderful fury, and afterwards they shuffled about like Pavlovian dogs who have heard the dinner bell. A good many were roughnecks and hooligans and there were, of course, several impressionable children; but several of Caxton’s so-called “good people” were there, too, and their reactions were exceedingly gratifying. All were frustrated. Their blood was hot, and they wanted to do something—right now. When a car full of Negroes passed—I heard about this later: I was with my “sponsor,” Shipman, at the time—they stopped it, and the local sheriff had to be called!

There are a few

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