When Zeke arrived at the front desk, Julie introduced him. “Mr. Jones, this is Zeke Jackson.”
“Joseph Black, alias Zeke Jackson?” asked the FBI investigator. Julie frowned.
“I’ll explain later,” said Zeke, glancing at Julie.
“This is my assistant, Abby Sorensen,” said Mr. Jones.”
“Julie, can we use this conference room?” Zeke asked.
“Sure, I’ll mark it as in use in Outlook. You won’t be disturbed,” said Julie. Zeke led them to the conference room.
“So, Mr. Jones, how can I help you?”
“Zeke, why did you change your name?” asked Mr. Jones. “I warn you, son, be careful what you say. Be truthful with us. You have not been entirely candid so far.”
“OK, back in high school I called in a fictitious bomb scare to avoid taking a test. The school found out that I did it and expelled me for two weeks.”
“Were you charged with the commission of a crime?” asked the FBI investigator.
“Yes,” replied Zeke, “but since I was a minor and nothing like this ever happened before, my record was expunged, and everything was forgiven and forgotten. The people of Lincoln County, Nebraska, are very gracious, generous, forgiving people. They were extremely merciful and gracious to me. My lawyer told me that I’d never have to report it to an employer or on a credit check.”
“That may be so, but you still have to report it to us,” said Agent Jones. “The SF-86 is different. You have to list it. You might want to talk to a lawyer in the DMV. They’re much more knowledgeable about clearance stuff than those Nebraska Cornhuskers. I think they’re called Security Clearance Attorneys. Clearances are the life blood of the DMV. They can plead your case. You were given bad counsel.”
Abby pulled Zeke’s file out of her bag. “Zeke,” said Abby, “I see you were in the military.”
“Yes,” said Zeke. “I did two years in the Marines after high school.”
“Did you have a clearance in the Marines?” asked Abby.
“No,” replied Zeke. “I didn’t need one. I mostly did public relations work for the Marines. When I got out, I went to University of Nebraska for four years majoring in journalism.”
“So you’re twenty-five, right?” asked Abby.
“Yes,” replied Zeke.
“Still a kid in my book,” said Harry. “Look, kid, the agency has suspended your clearance for now. You’re very lucky, kid. They could have charged you with a felony. Title Eighteen, lying to the FBI in a security investigation. I’m going to take this back to them, and see what they say. I know you’re new here at the station and need the White House press pass and the clearance to do your job. You’re also very young and stupid, if you ask me. So, keep your nose clean, and stay out of trouble.”
“Do you think they will unsuspend my clearance? asked Zeke.
“It doesn’t’ look good, kid,” said Harry. “The agency doesn’t like it when you hide stuff from them.”
“By the way, how did you find out my real name?” asked Zeke.
“That’s a no brainer, kid. It was on your SF-86 but we didn’t know why until yesterday,” said Harry.
“What do you mean?” asked Zeke.
“We don’t care that you changed your name, but we do care if you changed your name to cover up a past crime. We got a tip,” said Harry. “Someone, here, from this station called in on the whistleblower line. You must’ve stepped on somebody’s toes here, pretty bad. Take care, kid, and watch your back. This ain’t Nebraska.”
Zeke walked the FBI investigators to the front door. As they were leaving, Abby looked back at Zeke and smiled.
“Well, Zeke, she’s pretty cute. Did you see the way she looked at you?” asked Julie.
“No, not really,” replied Zeke.
“Well, I better go up and see Harvey.” As Zeke walked up the stairs, he thought about the advice Agent Jones had given him. He decided he should take the advice and get an appointment with a Security Clearance Attorney.
As the two FBI investigators walked toward their vehicle, Harry commented, “That kid is a bit of a country bumpkin.”
Abby responded, “He may be from Nebraska but he’s no country bumpkin. Did you see that interview he did with Fernando Dollar?”
“No, I didn’t see it,” replied Harry.”
“That kid is a pro,” said Abby. “He took that guy down with three questions. Reporters with twenty years of experience have been trying to do that for years.”
Meanwhile, Zeke went back upstairs to talk to Harvey. When Zeke arrived at Harvey’s office, he saw Sly talking to him. Zeke knocked softly on the door.
“Come in,” said Harvey. Zeke entered.
“So, I hear you had a talk with the FBI. Did you get your clearance straightened out?” asked Sly.
Zeke gave Sly a stern look.
“Sly, I need to talk to Zeke alone. Close the door behind you. So, Zeke, what’s going on?” asked Harvey.
“The FBI suspended my clearance.”
“Why?” asked Harvey.
“They found out about a crime I committed in high school.” Zeke filled Harvey in on what happened.
“And, you didn’t tell the FBI this on the original SF 86?” asked Harvey.
“No, my lawyer back in Lincoln told me I didn’t have to disclose it, but I guess it’s different when it comes to the FBI.”
“That’s kind of stupid,” said Harvey. “Stupid Cornhusker lawyers.”
“Yeah, that’s what the FBI investigator said.”
“Is the FBI gonna unsuspend your clearance and press pass?” asked Harvey.
“I don’t know,” said Zeke. “It doesn’t look good.”
“Well, I guess I can keep you on for the time being, but it’s going to be really hard for you to report news in DC without a press pass,” said Harvey. “I guess I can have you editing copy, writing feature stories, and helping the social media group with stories.”
Zeke shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t believe this is happening,” he said.
“Look, kid, don’t worry about that for now. I’ve got something else for you,” said Harvey. “The network has decided to go ahead with that special on prosperity preachers, and they want you to be part of it. After watching your interview of Fernando Dollar and becoming aware of your familiarity with televangelists and faith healers, they thought you’d be a good addition to the special.”
“How did they know about my exposure to faith healers and televangelists?” asked Zeke.
“Well, kid, I told them. I’ve been known to brag about my staff from time to time. It’s called tooting your horn.”
“Well, thanks, I guess,” said Zeke.
“They’re going to do it on the Jack Cong show,” said Harvey. “As you probably know, it’s the most watched nightly talk show in the country with over two million nightly viewers. Jack has interviewed some of the most prominent people in the world. This is a wonderful opportunity for you. It’ll put you on the world stage. Whatever you say or do on the show will be remembered and can be replayed years from now. So, be careful, but be bold. Just follow Jack’s lead. He’s been at this several years. He knows what he’s doing. The show airs tomorrow night at eight pm. I’ll have Julie make airline reservations from National to JFK and a hotel reservation for you. You’ll need to be on set by three pm for makeup and preparations. They’ll have dinner brought in and catered. So, have fun. Enjoy.”
“Thanks. I’ll try,” said Zeke.
Zeke left Harvey’s office and slowly walked back to his cubicle pondering a couple of things. He was worried about his clearance. He was also worried about this gift or supernatural ability that he had. Would it last forever or was it temporary, and was it really a gift from God? He just didn’t understand it. It was really weird. He decided to call his aunt to talk to her about it. She had always been interested in his spiritual well-being and had a deep abiding faith in God.
Zeke called his Aunt Becky, and
she answered. “Joseph, it’s wonderful to hear from you,” said Aunt Becky. “So, how are you doing?”
“Well, I’m not stuttering anymore,” said Zeke. “Did you see the interview I did with Fernando Dollar?”
“Yes, I saw it,” said Aunt Becky. “Your mom and dad called me complaining of how disappointed they are in you.”
“Yeah, they’re so worried about what their friends think. They don’t stop to question what’s really going on. I just can’t blindly accept everything on face value like they do.”
“Look, Joseph, you may be right about Fernando Dollar. Not every shepherd is a true shepherd. The Bible tells us to test the spirits to see if they be in the faith. There are many wolves out there preying on the sheep. You may very well have discovered one. But the real question is, what is going on with you?”
“Well, Aunt Becky, that’s what I called you to talk about. I don’t know. I mean, I don’t understand. This Fernando Dollar hypnotizes me to get rid of the stuttering, and the stuttering goes away but I’m left with this seemingly supernatural ability which I can’t even believe I have. But I do have it and I can prove it. It’s so weird. But I don’t even want it. I don’t know how to get rid of it. Is it a gift from God? Is it a plague for something I’ve done wrong? Why do I have this thing? And, besides that, someone in my office is out to get me, and I just lost my security clearance.”
“What do you mean?” asked Aunt Becky.
“The FBI found out about the bomb scare in high school.
“Didn’t you tell them when you filled out the security application?” asked Aunt Becky.
“No, the lawyer said I didn’t have to put it on applications. I think my coworker reported it to the FBI on the whistleblower line. It feels like my life is careening down the highway at one hundred miles per hour.”
“You know, Joseph, when you were a baby, we had you dedicated to the Lord at the Holiness Pentecostal Church. A man came up to your mother, father, and me and told us that God was going to use you in a very special way. I think he was a prophet. We call these type of people prophets at our church because we believe they have the gift of prophecy. The man did not elaborate, but this could be the fulfillment of his prophecy. Joseph, have you thought about committing your life to the Lord?”
“I’m not ready for all of that,” Zeke replied.
“Joseph, life is too complicated and comes at you too fast to rely on your own instincts. Not to mention being able to tell the wolves from the sheep. You need the Lord to guide you. Promise me you’ll think about it?”
“OK, Aunt Becky, I’ll definitely think about what you said. Oh, by the way, I’ll be on the Jack Cong show tomorrow night. He’s doing a special on prosperity preachers and the network wants me on it because of the Fernando Dollar interview.”
“I’ll watch and I’ll be praying for you,” said Aunt Becky. “All my love.”
“Me too, and thanks. You’ve always been someone I can talk to, “said Zeke.
After getting off the phone with Aunt Becky, Julie called Zeke with his itinerary for the trip to New York.
“Zeke, I’ve got you on a redeye out of Reagan National on Southwest tomorrow morning. It was the best I could do on short notice. You’ll be going to JFK. From there just take a cab to the CBS Studio in New York City. We’d rather you not be driving in New York. I booked you at the Roosevelt Hotel which is walkable from the studio. I’ll send you the itinerary. Also, since you’ll be there early, I scheduled you a tour of the set of News This Morning. I also scheduled you a brief meeting with the news director.
“Thanks, Julie. I think I’ll head home now. I’ll need to get to bed early to get to Reagan National for a six am flight. Plus, tomorrow is going to be a long day,” said Zeke.
“Good luck, Zeke. I’m rooting for you,” said Julie.
The next morning, Zeke drove to Reagan National Airport and parked his car in long-term parking.
This place is really busy, he thought. It took him twenty minutes to find a parking spot. He boarded the shuttle bus to the airport terminal and noticed several people staring at him.
Maybe it’s my imagination, he thought.
After arriving at the Southwest terminal, he made his way to security and proceeded through the check-in line with everyone else. He showed the TSA officer his driver’s license and boarding pass.
“Didn’t I see you on TV recently?” asked the TSA officer.
“You probably did,” said Zeke. “I work for WJOP.”
“Fernando Dollar interview, right?”
“That’s right,” said Zeke.
“Have a nice flight,” said the TSA officer.
This place is like a small town, Zeke thought. Everybody knows me.
As Zeke made his way through the airport to his gate, again he noticed several people staring at him. One rather stately gentleman even motioned to him with what seemed like a halfhearted two finger salute. Zeke boarded the plane for a rather uneventful forty-five-minute flight to JFK, except for the occasional stare. After the plane landed, Zeke got a cab to CBS headquarters in Midtown New York. During the thirty-minute drive the cabbie engaged Zeke in conversation.
“Didn’t I just see you on TV?” asked the cabbie.
“I work for WJOP, a CBS affiliate in DC,” Zeke replied. “Seems like a lot of people recognize me. I did an interview with the televangelist Fernando Dollar.”
“Right. That was good,” said the Cabbie. “You really took that guy down.”
“Well, I’m going to be on the Jack Cong show tonight. Jack’s doing a special on prosperity preachers.”
“Well, if you think people recognize you now, wait until tomorrow. Well, here you are kid, CBS headquarters. Good luck.”
“Thanks,” said Zeke.
Zeke approached the tall black marble building, commonly called BlackRock, and walked into the lobby. He approached the reception desk. “Hello, I’m Zeke Jackson from CBS affiliate WJOP in DC.”
“Welcome to New York,” said the receptionist. “We were expecting you. Why don’t you sign in and get a temp badge, and you can go upstairs and get settled in, and your page can show you around the facility.”
“Sounds good,” replied Zeke. “Can’t wait to see the home of David Letterman.” After Zeke checked in, a page came over to accompany him.
“I think my assistant scheduled me for a tour of the News This Morning set,” said Zeke.
“Yes,” said the page. “I have your schedule. It’s time for your tour of that set. I’ll take you right up. Within minutes, Zeke was on the set of News This Morning, which was live on the air. After the show cut to a commercial break, co-host Anthony Lakeland spotted Zeke and motioned for him to come over.
“Zeke Jackson, right?”
“Yes, that’s right, but how do you know my name?”
“Are you kidding me?” asked Mr. Lakeland. “You’re famous around here. Everyone loves that interview you did with Fernando Dollar. I hear you’re making an appearance today on Jack Cong. Look, I’ve got to go, but I’ll be sure to watch you tonight. Nice to have met you. Good luck.”
“Thanks,” replied Zeke.
After talking with Anthony Lakeland, the page escorted Zeke to the cafeteria for lunch. Zeke stayed in the cafeteria for a few hours, alone with his thoughts.
Where was all this leading? he thought. After all, all he really wanted to do was report the news. Somehow, he felt he was starting to become it. After lunch his page showed up with his itinerary.
“Mr. Jackson, I have you scheduled for a meeting with the news division president, Jamie Gerrard,” said the page. “Let’s head upstairs.”
The page escorted Zeke upstairs to the news director’s floor. When they arrived, the page told the receptionist that Mr. Zeke Jackson was here for his appointment with Miss Gerrard. The page introduced Zeke Jackson as the news reporter from CBS affiliate WJOP in DC who interviewed Fernando Dollar. “I’ll check to see if she’s ready to see you,” replied the receptionist.
The receptionist paged Miss Gerrard.
“Yes, Judy?” Miss Gerrard replied.
“Are you ready for your appointment with Zeke Jackson? He’s the news reporter from CBS affiliate WJOP in DC.”
“Yes, send him in.”
“Zeke, just knock on the door and go ahead in,” said the receptionist. Zeke hesitated. It seemed like an apartment, not an office.
“Hi, Zeke,” said Miss Gerrard. “Thank you for agreeing to go on the Jack Cong show.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Miss Gerrard. Harvey Schmidt sends his regards.”
“Harvey and I go way back to journalism school at Columbia University,” said Miss Gerrard.
“Harvey hired me at WJOP.”
“He certainly has a knack for hiring good people,” said Miss Gerrard. “You’ve really taken that station by storm so far. Congratulations and keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing you on the Jack Cong show when it airs tonight. Now, Zeke, if you’ll excuse me, I must get back to it. By the way it’s about time for you to be on set.”
“Very nice to have met you, Miss Gerrard.”
After leaving her office, Zeke and the page thanked the receptionist. “It’s about that time,” said the page “I need to get you up to the set of the Jack Cong show.”
As Zeke walked on to the set of the show, he was greeted by the floor manager.
“Zeke Jackson?” asked the floor manager.
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Oh, good. I was hoping you would arrive a little early. Jack wants to talk to you. I’ll introduce you.” They walked over to Jack’s dressing room. “Jack, this is Zeke Jackson.”
“Zeke, pleasure to meet you. It’s going to be a great show tonight. Look, I saw your interview with Fernando Dollar, and I was very impressed. You seem to have quite a bit of knowledge about faith healers and the whole prosperity preacher thing. Don’t worry about a thing. Just follow my lead, and we’ll give them a great show. I’m going to want to demonstrate your special ability by having you perform it on me. I don’t want to discuss it beforehand because I don’t want it to come off rehearsed. But I just wanted to give you a heads up.”
Soul Reader Series: Book1: Touch Enabled Page 4
