IT WAS A QUIET NIGHT SO THE ANCIENT ONE decided to forego his usual
hunting and visit one of his associates involved in other work. He flew
far to the west where it was yet early evening, and lighted in the yard
of a modest-looking home, outside a great city.
The porch door slid open and an attractive woman came out. She gave a
startled gasp when she saw The Ancient One. The Ancient One shook his
head.
"Will you never get used to me, Catherine, dear?" he asked.
The woman smiled. "Well, considering how we first met," she answered,
"it's a wonder I don't scream every time you appear. By the way, did I
ever
thank you for being so kind?"
"Many times!" The Ancient One answered. "How are those two lovely
children?"
"As full of mischief as ever!" the woman answered. "Do go in. John's
pondering next year's storyboards. He'd love your comments and
suggestions."
"Rarely needed!" The Ancient One remarked.
He made his way through the house to a large studio in the back. A man
sat in a recliner looking at fourteen storyboards that covered the
wall.
The Ancient One changed forms, nestled into another recliner, and went
through each storyboard carefully.
"Excellent, John!" he finally muttered. "You took ALL the ideas I gave
you and used them, and added several others. I don't like the middle
part of episode six, though. I don't think the Major would be quite so
obliging if someone thought of him in that way. We need to put in a
little stronger rejection."
The man in the other chair nodded his head, took up a clipboard and
made some notes.
"Want to look at some preliminary scripts?" he asked.
The Ancient One nodded, looked through several scripts and was very
pleased. "You're marvelous, John!" he remarked. "Only Jean and I had
such a good rapport."
"I wonder what people would think," the other man mused, "if they
knew?"
"Probably very bad things!" The Ancient One answered. "Well, I could
stay all night, but I've got to get going. Anything you need?"
"Nigeria," the man muttered. "Lost two good friends there."
"It will be dealt with," The Ancient One assured, "not quite as easily
as we deal with problems on these storyboards, but it will be dealt
with. Sooner or later they'll make a mistake. They always do. We're
infinitely patient!"
"God help them whey they slip!" the man answered.
"I hope not!" The Ancient One put in.
Both men laughed.
"You look tired," his friend commented, "more than I've ever seen you."
"Things are bad, John," The Ancient One answered. "Treasure what you've
got."
"Treasure what you've given me!" the man answered.
The Ancient One smiled, took on his true form, and walked back through
the house. The woman was waiting in the yard.
"I was wondering," she asked, "if it would be alright if we could...."
The Ancient One put his finger on her lips. "That, dear lady," he said,
"is up to you and your husband. You can have a dozen, as far as I'm
concerned!"
"Just a couple of more!" the woman answered.
The Ancient One winged skyward. It was good, it was VERY good to use
great talent in a constructive way. He got tired of destroying. He
enjoyed creating once and a while....he enjoyed it very, very much.
***These magazines are provided free of charge, but any donations to keep our work going would be gratefully appreciated! See our mailing address on the main page of this web site!***