“Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable. Please tell Brother Simon if you have any last-minute needs.”
When all were seated, the room’s overhead lights slowly dimmed to a gentle glow and soft, melodic music filled the room. Small, hidden lights illuminated the central part of the stage.
“Brothers and Sisters, I present to you...Father Soone.”
As Joseph stepped to the side door, Father Soone entered the stage from the opposite door.
“Welcome, my friends, welcome.”
A slender, robed man stood before them. Appearing to be in his early 40’s, his clean-shaven face was pleasant looking, but his strong, penetrating eyes expressed a sense of authority. A deep purple color, with intricate gold details, his full-length robe glistened in the stage lighting. His hair, longer than the current fashion styles, was pulled back in a neat ponytail, tied with a small silver and gold ribbon.
“Are you ready to begin your journey?” Father Soone glanced outward at the expectant faces before him. Acknowledgements filled the room.
“Before we begin, let me be clear.”
“My associates and I are not a cult or religion, no, no, no,” Father Soone chuckled. “We simply seek to help you experience your life to the fullest, through enlightenment and focused learning. We do this by immersing you in a pleasant experience, utilizing ancient learning techniques involving all of your senses.”
He smiled, “We will embark on this journey as one, supporting and helping each other along the path to fulfillment.”
“To prepare for your complete immersion into my teachings, I ask that you join me in a few moments of serene meditation. During this time, you must remain quiet, and keep your eyes covered. There is a resting mask in the pocket on the side of your seat, please place it over your eyes accordingly.”
“To help guide your meditation, I offer you a heartbeat of relaxation.” A deep sound softly filled the room...bump-pah...bump-pah...bump-pah. Soon, it was a low frequency sound that was not only heard, but felt, deep within their bodies.
“My friends, relax and let your mind drift, without fear.”
IN AN ADJACENT CONTROL room, technicians were attentive at their computer monitors, busily tracking key biometrics; temperature, heart rate, eyelid opening, eye movement, and others, from the participants.
The carpet in front of each theatre seat was slightly heated to match body temperature, making that specific area unnoticeable. When activated, thin capillary tubes within and underneath the carpet laced the top surface with a solution of propofol and propylene glycol, that was absorbed through each person’s bare feet. The transdermal absorption caused a continuous sedative effect which, in combination with the rhythmic sound of a beating heart at a specific frequency and tempo, quickly placed the person into a deep, trancelike state, not unlike hypnosis. For people highly receptive to suggestion, the trancelike state could be extreme...and not remembered.
Within the heartbeat sound, subliminal dialog put the participants into a desired frame of mind, while suggestive dialog helped focus them into an orchestrated question/answer sequence.
For monitoring, the masks tracked eye movement, utilizing embedded wireless micro-vid cameras. Infrared and contact sensors were positioned in various key locations throughout each seat, as well as microphones and directed speakers.
The opaque upper surface of the seat arms contained recording sensors that, when triggered, scanned any available fingerprints within their viewing area.
Signatures were scanned from all signed documents and, when possible, DNA obtained from hair samples, water glasses, and the like.
All data associated with identification was meticulously processed, resulting in a covert profile created for each participant.
JOSEPH GLANCED AT ONE of the monitors.
“Okay, call out. Transdermal?”
“Moisture sensors for all seats are green. Timed release protocols are good.”
“Subliminal dialog?”
“Yeah, we’re going with “No earthly possessions”, “Give all that you have”, and “Earthly treasures are unworthy”. Those seemed to work well last time, so we’re trying them again.”
“Okay. Heart rates?”
“Good and steady.”
“Eye flutter?”
“Number 8 is still a little erratic but is settling quickly. Good to go.”
“Okay.”
After reviewing a few of the other conditions, Joseph tapped his micro ear bud. “Simon. Kiemann. We’re ready.”
“Understood.”
Joseph looked over at the other technician, “Start the suggestive dialog and record all responses.”
Bump-pah...bump-pah...bump-pah...
“There can be no false disciples.”
Bump-pah...bump-pah...bump-pah...
“Bare your soul, your wealth, your identity.”
Bump-pah...bump-pah...bump-pah...
“What is your full name?”
Bump-pah...bump-pah...bump-pah...
“What is your social security number?”
Bump-pah...bump-pah...bump-pah...
“When is your birthday?”
Bump-pah...bump-pah...bump-pah...
“What bank do you use?’
Bump-pah...bump-pah...bump-pah...
“What is your bank account login name?”
Bump-pah...bump-pah...bump-pah...
“What is your bank account password?”
Bump-pah...bump-pah...bump-pah...
Joseph turned to one of the technicians, “Check Number 4’s bank information. What kind of money does she have?”
With a flutter of keyboard clicks, the technician responded, “Four hundred seventy thousand pounds in a savings account, and roughly fifty-five thousand in a checking. Jackpot, man.”
They continued retrieving information until the responses became inconsistent or unintelligible. Sometimes that happened with certain people, with prolonged exposure. Despite the technology, the overall collection process was still a fine art.
“Okay, let’s wrap it up.”
“Simon. Kiemann.Be ready. We’ve flushed the transdermal sites and we’ll soon be bringing them out with the closing salutations.”
Bump-pah...bump-pah...bump-pah...
“You remember no questions.”
Bump-pah...bump-pah...bump-pah...
“The meditation was wonderful!”
Bump-pah...bump-pah...bump-pah...
“You may wake refreshed and happy!”
Bump-pah...bump-pah...bump-pah...
“You may wake refreshed and happy!”
The heartbeat sound slowly diminished until silent as the light in the room gradually increased back to normal.
Awakened, the people stirred and removed their masks as they focused on the lone figure standing in the center of the stage. Father Soone exclaimed to them, with outreached arms.
“Wasn’t that a glorious meditation? I must commend you all for your wonderful participation!”
Nods and murmurs of approval filled the room. A sense of happiness was present amongst the group.
“Let us proceed with our first lesson. Brother Simon, please help these fine people prepare for the classrooms.”
They slowly rose from their seats and made their way to the side aisles. As they followed Simon back to the corridor, all were smiling and exchanging pleasantries, anxious to begin their journey with Father Soone.