big, overstated frown. “Are we still upset?”
Courtney answered sarcastically. “You’re kidding, right?”
Eugene opened his arms in a welcoming gesture. “Let me make it up to you. Come! I promise you’re going to see something spectacular.”
“What if we don’t want to go with you?” Courtney asked.
“Then you’ll be missing out on what could be the most important moment of your lives” was Eugene’s answer. “And these gentlemen would really like you to join me.”
The four goons stared at Mark and Courtney, still with no expression.
Courtney looked at Mark and shrugged. Mark nodded. Courtney turned to Eugene and said, “Does this have anything to do with golf?”
Eugene gave her a puzzled look.
Courtney started walking. “Never mind. Let’s go.”
Mark followed Courtney and the whole group was on their way. They followed Eugene across the underground garage and through a steel door that led into a long, narrow corridor of painted cinderblock walls.
“I hope those rude people outside didn’t bother you,” Eugene said. “They just don’t understand.”
“Understand what?” Mark asked.
“They don’t understand that it’s not their fault. People must accept the fate they’ve been given. Jealousy won’t change that; it only makes them more upset.”
Mark and Courtney exchanged looks.
Eugene stopped short and turned to them. “You understand that, I’m sure.”
Courtney answered, “I don’t understand a word of it.”
Eugene gave her a simple, happy smile. “You will.”
He led them into an elevator. When Mark and Courtney entered and turned around, they saw the door close before the other four boarded.
“There will be other security men when we reach our floor,” Eugene cautioned, as if reading their minds.
The elevator rose a few floors, then opened onto a corridor that was much more plush than the first. It had thick carpeting and large black-and-white photos spaced along both walls. Every twenty feet or so was a closed door with a number next to it.
“This way,” Eugene said, and hurried out.
The two followed, looking at the photos. They were enlargements from all different eras. Mark recognized some of them. There was a shot of Muhammad Ali in the ring against Joe Frazier; circus elephants performing in the center ring; and concert shots from such stars as the Rolling Stones, Madonna, and even Justin Timberlake. Courtney focused more on the sports action shots from many eras that featured the New York Knicks and Rangers.
“I know where we are,” Courtney said softly to Mark.
“Me too,” Mark answered. “I guess we shouldn’t be surprised.”
“Of course not!” Eugene said happily. “You are exactly where you should be!” He stopped at one door and knocked. A moment later the door was opened from inside by another of the security people.
“You’ve got the best seat in the house,” Eugene said warmly.
Mark and Courtney stepped into what looked like a small living room. To the right was a sitting area with comfortable couches and chairs. To the left was a small kitchen that had a full spread of sandwiches and drinks as if set for a party. They both knew this wasn’t the main event. They walked through, headed for the far side, which ended at a glass wall. A glass door opened out to a sitting area where there were a dozen stadium-type seats. Mark and Courtney had only heard about places like this. Neither expected to actually enter one. They both walked past the stadium seats to a safety railing. Spread before them was the vast indoor arena that was Madison Square Garden. Courtney had been there before, for Knicks games. Mark had been there for the circus. Neither had ever been inside one of the luxury suites. The view was perfect, but dizzying. They were up very high.
The Garden was packed. A full house. An elevated stage was erected in the dead center of the arena, where the tip-off of a basketball game would take place. It was surrounded by a solid pack of eager people. There wasn’t a square inch of space available.
Mark nudged Courtney and pointed to a series of large red flags that hung from every level. They ringed the huge arena, creating a circle of bright, fluttering red.
“I think I’m going to faint,” Mark whispered.
Each of the red flags had a single, large symbol. The star symbol. A single, huge white star was painted on the floor of the black stage.
“It’s okay,” Courtney whispered back, her voice quivering. “This is what we wanted, right? We need to know what this is about.”
Four huge photos covered each side of the square scoreboard that hung over the center of the arena. They were different close-ups of the man from the television commercial. He looked like a kindly old grandfather, with perfect hair and a warm smile. To Mark and Courtney, it seemed he was staring right at them.
“He personally wanted you to be here,” Eugene said, motioning to the photos. He had suddenly appeared behind Mark and Courtney.
“Who did?” Mark asked.
Eugene looked surprised. “Why, Naymeer of course.”
“Nay-who?” Courtney asked.
Eugene chuckled as if Courtney had made a joke. She hadn’t.
“Why would he want us to be here?” Mark asked.
“I believe he’s been wanting to meet you since you paid a visit to his home last night. You left in such a hurry, he never got the chance to chat. Enjoy!”
Eugene backed away, leaving Mark and Courtney alone. Mark sat down in a front-row seat. Hard. His legs wouldn’t hold him anymore. Courtney held on to the railing, because she feared she might go over the edge.
“No” was all Mark could get out.
“Yes,” Courtney countered. “It’s the guy from the window of the Sherwood house. With the dog.”
“Then the guys who grabbed us from your parents’ house-,” Mark continued.
“Yeah,” Courtney interrupted again. “They were the ones shooting at us.”
“That means the man who’s running this whole show-”
“Lives on top of the flume.”
The lights in the arena went dark. The crowd didn’t cheer the way they would at a concert. Instead they grew quiet. Eerily quiet. Grand music swelled. A single spotlight hit the stage, illuminating the star.
The show was about to begin.
SECOND EARTH
(CONTINUED)
The star on the floor began tosparkle, sending out pinpoints of light that danced over the thousands of mesmerized faces. People raised their hands with their palms open, swaying to the music.
Mark and Courtney sat close to each other. Watching. Wide eyed.
The music continued, building in energy. The people moved rhythmically, their eyes closed to allow themselves to be swept away by the sound.
A booming voice echoed throughout the arena. It was a man’s voice with a hint of a British accent. The voice was calm, but spoke with the authority that came from total confidence.
“Convergence,” the voice began. “All that ever was. All that will be.”
Mark held Courtney tighter. “Is this it?” he whispered. “Is this the Convergence?
Courtney stared straight ahead.
“Embrace it,” the voice continued. “It is for you. The chosen. The visionaries. The elite.”
The crowd let out a gasp of excitement, as if loving the words.
