|
The man walked into the room. He walked slowly and determinedly up the centre aisle where he had gathered people from all around. He had studied hard for this, researching past archives and he had found what he wanted. The man had a purpose which nobody knew. Why? The man knew that the purpose of his visit was hidden in ancient textbooks. The very thought of him looking through books sent shivers down his spine. The task had been worth it. He was nearing his destination, people all around him were growing nervous. Maybe thought the man I am not to late. Maybe I can stop it. People around him were growing confused. Why are we here? What does he want? What will he do? What will we get out of it? the body of people was confused collectively. Only one man knew what was needed. Only one man had consulted the books. Only one man was of clear mind, rational and most importantly determined. He reached the centre podium and stood there surveying the general scene. People sat in rows with a centre aisle working its way up the middle of the hall. He stood at the head of the hall in a raised area something similar to a pulpit but never as ornate. Almost more like a stand with which to lean on and rest notes, not that he had any. The people in the crowd looked expectantly up at him. What was he about to do? Would he speak? Would he say something which would go against everything they believed in? It did happen, there were people like that. Standing there he composed himself with several deep breaths then spoke. "Peace." The word was spoken with a cold calculated air of authority that jarred the people sitting in the front row. The wave of confusion washed over the others in the hall spreading out like a ripple in a pond. What was peace? Was this banned? Would we get into trouble? What was going to happen next? The man stood there watching the reactions on the peoples faces. What were they thinking? Would they get the message? Would he have to explain? Was he in time? Suddenly a voice from the back dammed up the confusion. A voice clearly defined as the edges of a diamond. "What is peace?" The man starred into the crowd and spoke his final words to them, "peace is the opposite of war." Instead of confusion flooding through the hall it was ideas. Ideas filled the room, pouring out of minds to be absorbed by the people around. The man stood down from the stand and once again walked in his slow determined way down the centre aisle. It was over. It was done. He may be too late to stop it, but at least this one would end soon. Maybe all the others would end. On leaving the hall the man paused and turned to the crowd which just seconds ago had been his audience. He had made a difference, they would accept his proposals and they would work to put them into practice. Satisfied the man faced the exit once again and with one stride walked out into the burning fury of the city.
|