Just after closing time on the Monday of the third week, Fidel was checking the car park monitors to make sure Arnold’s car was in the correct place and attracting no attention, when an indiscreetly large black Mercedes pulled in, followed by two armoured vehicles that parked on either side of it.
‘We’ve visitors,’ he said, ‘come and look.’
The others gathered around the screens and watched as six armed security guards leaped out and checked the surroundings, then three of them escorted a tall, black-suited individual up to the new coffee bar. The other three consulted a plan, then took the stairs leading to the office.
‘I don’t like the look of this.’ Arnold said with a frown.
‘Don’t worry. We’ll record it as planned. They still need us so it can’t be terminal. Just remember if you have to go with them, take this microphone,’ Robert said, placing a dull brown cylinder the size of an aspirin on the workbench. ‘It’s linked to a phone that’ll record everything. Just stick it somewhere it won’t be noticed then sit back and relax. We’ll be listening.’
The door was flung roughly open to admit three armour-plated guards who stomped in and glowered at the five naked men.
‘Bart and Arnold?’
‘That’s us.’
‘The Administrator wants to talk to you. Follow.’
‘I’ll just put this ledger back,’ Bart said with a cheerful smile, picking up a file and placing it on a shelf next to the tiny microphone, which he palmed.
The two captives were taken to one of the first floor suites that Tom Dick and Harry hoped would earn big bucks from JECHIS officials demanding privacy as well as luxury when satisfying their carnal desires. After a discreet knock on the door they were ushered into the presence of an impressive, middle-aged man with a thick curly beard, full lips, hooked nose, bags under slightly bloodshot eyes, and greying hair. He revealed a set of mismatched teeth in a smile presumably of welcome, introduced himself as Administrator of the Brisbane Arm of JECHIS, then leaned back in his comfortable chair; flanked by three armed guards in studded leather jumpsuits with flexible joints that made them resemble predatory insects. In silence he peered at his guests, like an anthropologist studying a recently discovered hominid.
‘This is the first time I have interviewed naked men. Don’t you feel vulnerable and exposed?’
‘No, we feel comfortable and at ease, thank you.’
‘No shame?’
Bart and Arnold looked down at themselves in feigned confusion. ‘Of what should we be ashamed, sir?’ Arnold asked. ‘These are the bodies god provided us with, that we keep in good order.’
‘Don’t blame god for your exhibitionism,’ he snapped. ‘Turn around slowly. Bend over and touch your toes. Pull your cheeks apart. Stand up. Place your hands on your heads and turn to face me.’
They did as he asked, remaining calm and serene.
The Administrator nodded sagely but said nothing, merely waving dismissively at the other two comfortable chairs.
‘Sit down.’
They sat, wondering how to behave. Although calm, the man appeared mentally unstable. While pretending to adjust his chair, Bart pressed the sticky underside of the microphone against the wooden chair frame.
‘You must be wondering why you're here?’
‘Yes, sir.’
The Administrator frowned as if searching for words. ‘You have a philosophical bent, Bart. Tom gave me your interesting ideas to read, and they provoke a few questions. Do you believe in god?’
Guessing he meant the one invented by the inhabitants of Judea several thousand years previously, Bart salved his conscience by mentally agreeing with the Jews’ neighbours, the Bedouins, who believe Nature is god and Thought is Prayer. ‘Yes,’ he replied with a clear conscience.
‘Do you participate in organised religion?’
‘No.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because they're stuck in the past, irrelevant and ridiculous.’
‘Example?’
‘Sexual activity between men is now known to be a naturally occurring variation of sexual behaviour in most higher animals, yet the three monotheistic Judaic religions want to kill men who behave in this natural way. At the same time they insist we are made in god’s image. That means god got it wrong! If that's not a grievous insult to god, I don’t know what is.’
‘Another example?’
‘The planet is dangerously overpopulated, yet organised religions declare contraception, abortion and homosexual activity—all excellent, natural and ancient means of controlling the population, to be sins.’
‘Anything else?’
‘With the power of machines we’re destroying the natural world in which we evolved and which is essential for survival. Yet god’s messengers are not demanding a halt to life-destroying exploitation and pollution.’
The Administrator nodded sagely, so Bart continued.
‘God’s message is simple and direct; live naturally and simply—naked without shame. But no religions preach that. None argue against consumerism and waste and the accumulation of pointless wealth at the expense of the planet.’
‘Are you suggesting I should do my work naked, walk everywhere, grow and prepare my own food…?’ The Administrator’s smile was strained.
‘No, sir. Wisely, you are aware that in the present world such actions would be misunderstood.’ He gazed at his feet to indicate subservience.
‘What is the place of women in society?’
‘The physical differences between men and women are obvious. Intellectually they're equal, but they think and react differently to common situations. Whereas a man will respond rationally to danger, a woman will respond emotionally. Men need women to incubate their progeny, and prove to their peers that they are virile. At the same time, they must make sure the woman is faithful to ensure all the children born in their house carry their genes.’
The Administrator laughed loudly. ‘Oh very good, and very true. According to surveys, at least twenty percent of all children in modern societies are not related to the man who supports them. Continue.’
‘Female prestige is measured by the wealth and generosity of the male they capture. Women only need men for their sperm, and protection. They test their husband’s value to them by inciting jealousy and fights between men and constantly demanding gifts. If a stronger, wealthier man comes along, they will dump the father, and frequently their children, for the new man.’
‘What about the education of children?’
‘When a boy is weaned and can walk and do simple things for himself, he must be removed from the mother and taken care of by the father and other males deemed suitable. Girls should remain with the mother and live exclusively with females until independent. I won’t go into the reasons now, but I'm writing a paper and will send you a copy if you like.’
‘What are the causes of family violence?’
‘When a child is born, the female’s affection/attention is diverted to the child, and the husband feels rejected. The female’s demand for gifts never ceases, even after the children are off their hands, so to keep her, the male must keep on giving, receiving very little in return. She is possessive about the house; the husband barely tolerated inside. Her family and friends are the only visitors. He must meet his mates elsewhere. Many mothers deliberately make their husbands look ridiculous in front of the children so he loses their respect, then feels confused and upset. If a man annoys a woman, she slings insults and barbs that cut to the quick; from imputations of impotence and uselessness in bed to being a poor provider. Temperamentally unable to return the insults, which would have no effect anyway as women feed on them, the man becomes angry. If he argues she will increase the vitriol. If he continues she will cry…because she knows men are primed to care for females in distress…but not primed to recognise crocodile tears. So he apologises and she smiles and thinks she’s won. If tears fail she becomes as violent as any male.
‘What about rape?
‘Why should women who demand what they call their natural right to dress as they please, expect men to be less than natural when they encounter a woman advertising her sexual availability in clothes that exaggerate her breasts and expose cleavages, shoulders, legs and often much more? Most men will have the self-control not to respond, but if one does it is not rape, it is nature asserting itself. If women want to mix with men on an equal footing they must dress as modestly as men in public with no elaborate makeup, jewellery or other sexually enhancing tricks. A woman’s natural appearance will not lead a normal man to desire her enough to commit rape. Only prostitutes should be allowed to advertise themselves and deliberately titillate through sexually explicit dressing and face painting.
‘Do you agree with Bart, Arnold?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Last question. What sort of government could institute such changes peacefully—democracy, dictatorship, or theocracy?’
‘None of them. A democracy only lasts until the first politician speaks, then it becomes a demagoguery where nothing controversial will be done because people elected in a popularity poll always scramble to satisfy the whims of the majority to ensure re-election. As for dictators, benevolent ones are a fantasy because dictators always succumb to Lord Acton’s dictum…Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.’
‘What about a theocracy.’
‘If the dogma is based on known facts, is relevant and there are strong safeguards against corruption, then it might work because most humans have a desire to believe in something greater than themselves—not self-serving politicians or dictators. But currently no religion ticks those three boxes. Unless yours does?’
‘It could do. I’m listening to many people. But the inescapable fact is that even the best ruler with the noblest ideas will at times encounter opposition. How should rulers make unwelcome, but necessary changes? Through force, guilt or education?’
Bart laughed softly. ‘The eternal conundrum. None of the above; they’ve all been tried. People ruled by force, rebel. The absurdity of making men feel guilty about satisfying their most powerful natural instincts by demonising behaviours such as sex, nudity, and victimless activities like masturbation, makes religion both ridiculous and irrelevant. The only education that changes a man, is practical, personal experience, not abstract discussions of ideas in a classroom. Few people can translate ideas into actions.’
‘You are suggesting that if religions restricted their laws to purely practical matters they would have a better chance of succeeding?’
‘Obviously. But they’d still have to back them up with force or fear.’
‘Which would be better, the fear of force alone, or the fear of force and god?’
‘Force alone. Keep god friendly and pleasant, then believers won’t want to disappoint him. If he’s a vengeful fellow he’ll generate antagonism.’
‘Most interesting.’ He turned Arnold. ‘You haven't said much. As an ex-policeman, what’s your opinion on enforcement?’
‘Although leaders may be well intentioned, the people charged with enforcement quickly become desensitised and cruel and susceptible to corruption, causing governments to lose credibility. All punishment must be public, to avoid secret torture chambers and the like. And only people who pose a real physical danger to others should be locked up. The rest should be electronically tagged and made to look after themselves while paying reparation.’
‘Thank you both. Have you any questions?’
‘Do you want to convert everyone to your religion?’
‘No. That’s what the Christians tried and it led to endless splinter groups fighting among themselves. We are content with a core of true believers governing a compliant population who can think and believe whatever they like, but know they will be killed if they speak or work against us.’
‘Ruthless, but I can understand your reasons. Where did you find so many security officers ready to do your bidding?’
‘Unemployment in the under thirties was running at sixty percent. We employed them and they are grateful.’
‘What about the sexual abuse of young boys? Surely that’s an abuse of power? I know it’s been common practise for centuries to use and abuse boys, but must it continue?’
‘I was one of those boys. I didn’t like it much, but wasn’t traumatised because I was well prepared by the priest; and I liked him because he was a good man and gentle. I'm sure it didn’t damage me mentally. In some ways I felt honoured. Now, if you will excuse me I have several more people to interview. Please be patient and wait in the office in case I need to speak to you again. ’
‘Certainly, sir.’