by Kei Urahama
Yet perhaps it was this very quality that allowed such a man to be a chameleon in this unusual environment.
“Wouldn’t it defile the sacred church if heretics like us were to enter your flock?” Fukazawa said this in his usual tone but the guru didn’t look offended. “You must be joking,” Mazaki chuckled.
“At the rally today, I speak to everyone regardless of whether they have faith or not. I’ll speak of facts that pertain to all living inside this dome. If possible, I would prefer everyone to participate. The facts that I will speak of will renew the spirits of all the people living here. In the true sense of the word ‘gospel’ I will give good news. This isn’t hyperbole, or merely religious double-talk.”
“Merely religious double-talk?” Ishida was struck by Mazaki’s use of the expression. Should an avid believer ever use such words as ‘merely’ to express his religion’s specific vernacular?
“Why don’t you tell us the important facts here, now?” Ohizumi asked, perhaps intrigued by the word ‘fact’.
“Unfortunately, no. Today I will relate facts to all the residents together regarding how to live and survive from now on. I can’t give priority to you three here only.”
“Don’t be pompous, Guru,” Fukuzawa sneered rudely perhaps trying to goad the man. If Mazaki would get angry then maybe he’d slip and show his true colors. But he was completely unperturbed. If he was acting then he was a very talented actor indeed.
“Apparently you’re misunderstanding me. You seem to think of me as a fanatical cult guru or something. But I’m simply not.”
The guru spoke with a smile. But Fukazawa wouldn’t give up so easily either.
“How are you different, Guru? Or rather, so as not to doubt yourself, why does a fanatic become a fanatic?”
Fukazawa grinned as he said this. Yet Mazaki’s casual smile only grew broader.
“Does it make it wrong to be absolutely certain of something if others, including psychologists, label it delusional? Apparently you seem well versed in cults and psychology. But I would still say you misunderstand me.
First of all, I am not a guru.
Second, I am not even a fundamentalist. Although I believe the key to solving the mystery of this situation lies in the Bible, I’m not foolish enough to interpret each world in the text literally. After all, I only have the Bible as its been translated into Japanese and English. I know that nowhere in the world remains a version of the text as it was first transcribed or translated.
How could I realistically contest that this Bible is the Word of God or the interpreted Word of God via the Prophet and is accurately transcribed and translated as such?”
Apparently this man was a debater one step above even Fukuzawa. The director’s usual tactic of debate was to anticipate the reaction of his opponent quickly, deny it in advance and hence leave the opponent disarmed and speechless. But Mazaki was beyond this, and Fukuzawa was the one reduced to at least a moment’s silence this time.
“Yet there remains a key to solving the mystery of this unusual world in the Bible, right? Is that what you’re going to say?” Ohizumi took his turn at challenging Mazaki. Is an old fashioned religion versus science debate going to happen now? Ishida worried, ever the bystander. “I want you to tell us what that key is then. Or is it a secret too precious to tell us here?”
“No, I will happily tell you. But before that, I’d like to hear your hypothesis Mr. Ohizumi. I heard from some of the believers that you have some idea as to what’s happening here. For some time now I’ve wanted to hear with my own ears the informed opinion of the famous sci-fi author with a scientific education. So please, this is your chance…”
The guru bowed his head.
Of course, Ohizumi happily embarked on a lecture of his theory. The hypothesis of aliens with highly evolved intellects with advanced nanotechnology that Ishida had heard so many times.
Mazaki listened with a grim look and asked incisive questions from time to time, revealing his erudite mind. Apparently this man also had some scientific knowledge. Bell’s theorem, the tunnel effect of the macro as it applies to the uncertainty principle and all the accompanying esoteric terminology they casually tossed between them was so much gibberish to Ishida. Ohizumi was more animated than ever as he probably imagined he’d finally found a cohort who could comprehend his theory.
Lost from the discussion, Ishida began to feel an odd sense of anxiety about all the believers who were eagerly awaiting their gospel at the Parkville movie theaters. But Mazaki didn’t appear to mind keeping them on hold as the discussion continued at length.
“Interesting. It really is a fascinating hypothesis,” Mazaki said, offering an exaggerated sigh of admiration. “Although there is a semantic difference between the religious rhetoric and the scientific jargon, conceptually your theory very closely resembles the one I’ve been preaching to my followers. On the other hand, the identity of the perpetrator who kidnapped us and its intention… well I’d say we’re pretty diametrically opposed on that point.”
“So you still maintain this is an act of God?” Ohizumi blurted, sorely disappointed. So quickly he would revert to his habit of branding fools of the people around him.
“So you still maintain this is an act of God?” Ohizumi blurted, sorely disappointed. So quickly he would revert to his habit of branding fools of the people around him.
“No, to that point I don’t mind compromising the identity of the Lord to a phrase such as an ‘alien highly evolved to a point indistinguishable from God’. On the other hand, I am certain it is the God portrayed in the Bible. That is the difference between us.”
“See!” Fukuzawa who had no chance to speak for quite a while spat out, “It’s that whole Jesus-was-an-alien garbage all over again! You are a fundamentalist!”
“Certainly.” Mazaki once again disarmed Fukazawa though unanticipated agreement. “If the definition of a fundamentalist is as you say, a person who believes God in the Bible is actually a highly evolved alien intelligence, then I am most certainly a fundamentalist. I don’t take the whole Bible literally. But I do believe there is truth to be found, or aspects of truth in the holy book. I only believe three literal principles from the Bible though.
First is that mankind was expulsed from paradise. In other words, this earth is a prison for us where we were exiled to a kind of captivity. Hence we are the aliens.
The second is Christ’s gospel in the New Testament. In short, the good news is that mankind has been forgiven for some past sin, whatever transgression got us exiled here in the first place that we call ‘original sin’, and will be returned to the paradise of the former home. I believe Jesus was merely a messenger to convey this good news. For example, in the Gospel of John…” At this point Mazaki took out the small Bible with a red cover from his pocket. “…Oh, here it is. Section 44, Chapter 12:
‘He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me…For I have not spoken of myself, but the Father which sent me, He gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.’
Well, the Gospel of John was written after Christ’s death, nearly a century later it is said, so even if a man named Jesus really existed, I don’t think he actually said these precise words. However, the last words of this mystery, in the Gospel of Mark which was written even earlier, supposedly just after the crucifixion of Jesus. ‘Eli, Eli, Lema, Sabachthani’. In other words, ‘My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” support the theory for me that he was just a messenger.
He was one among many messengers at that time that appeared in various places. However the fact is important that Jesus was killed by the hands of an ignorant government at that time. Around that time, many other prophets sent by God or aliens were killed. Jesus is not actually a symbol of one who was sacrificed to atone for the sins of mankind. He is instead a symbol of what becomes of the messenger who brought the good news that sins were already forgiven and hence were murdered at the hands of humanity for their e
ffort. In this manner, at that period of time, the second original sin was effectively committed.”
“That’s quite a heretical idea,” Fukazawa said with renewed interest. “I take back my previous statement. If the real Christian Fundamentalists were to hear you spout a theory like this they would not just crucify you but roast you on a spit.”
“In fact, over the past two thousand years Christians have been notoriously likely to do so.” Mazaki shook his head sadly.
“Then you’re saying this. That the Armageddon is coming soon, after being delayed for two thousand years because Rome killed the alien messengers sent to Earth to pass the message of the full pardon?”
“Yes, but it is just a guess really. It doesn’t mean I have complete certitude.”
“Well then, of what are you certain? Didn’t you mention three principles a while ago? So what’s the third one?”
“The third is ‘the Gospel is also the Apocalypse at the same time’. The Lord has promised to return mankind home but never said that this would mean ‘all’ of humanity. The only ones allowed to return home are the ‘chosen ones’ of the Lord. All the rest of humankind who are imprisoned on the Earth will be destroyed by the Lord with the Earth itself. Well, that part has already happened by now.”
Mazaki’s mouth twisted into a smirk as he said this last part. Yes, this is a guru of a fanatical cult. He’s a nasty one without a doubt. Ishida confirmed this by observing his pleased smile.
But eventually Ishida would participate in Mazaki’s rally along with Ohizumi and Fukazawa. He was curious about what sort of gospel this madman was going to bring to the Dome. Also it had been such a long time since he’d ventured out of the apartments for fear of a zombie attack.
As soon as the three of them came out front of the condominium along with Mazaki, Fukazawa halted. “I’m going to get my camera,” he said and turned back to the front hall in a rush.
Then just as abruptly he stopped. “When does your speech start?” he called back to Mazaki.
Mazaki glanced at his watch. “It’s scheduled to begin around 3 o’clock this afternoon.”
“Really? Then please go on ahead. I’ll catch up. You want to keep a record of your big moment don’t you, Guru?” With those words Fukazawa disappeared into the building. Ishida remained distracted by the luxury watch that Mazaki wore. He remembered that none of his followers even had watches. Only Mazaki was allowed. Was this the privilege of a guru?
Ishida also didn’t have a watch, and he asked Ohizumi next to him what time it was. Ohizumi, changed the snake-head grip of the antique cane, which he didn’t necessarily need anymore, to his other hand. The cane had been given to him by Eriko Endo, Chikama’s lover, who had come across it in an empty room.
“December 1st, Saturday, 2:49 and twenty seconds on Earth, Japan time. It’s been just forty days since we became trapped in this Dome,” he replied as he consulted the timepiece.
Only forty days then, but we’ve already given up hope of a rescue from outside and we are concluding without any real evidence that the Earth is destroyed or lies in some distant universe now.
We’re all crazy, Ishida thought.
Ishida had no idea, but this date would be special and long remembered by the survivors in the Dome.
On that day, less than twenty minutes after Ohizumi informed him of the time, the world inside the Dome would turn into hell.
Chapter 26
When the policeman Nagaoka showed up, about four days had passed in Yuji’s new life as a ‘Neverlander’. This was the name the Parkville residents chose for themselves, inspired by Peter Pan.
Surprisingly, Nagaoka visited not as the head of security for Sirius Palace, but as a member of the cult now referred to by Mazaki as the Disciples of John. He came to ask permission to use the cinema in Parkville as a church.
Saying he asked ‘permission’ was not exactly accurate. There was no manner of trade negotiations to speak of. He just showed up and said bluntly, “We are going to use one of the theaters here as a church.”
The Neverlanders couldn’t really defy him; not only did he have a gun but he also looked quite clearly insane.
When Nagaoka first entered the amusement park there was very nearly a murder. The American, John Weinberg, was now fully healed from his injuries sustained a few days earlier, and upon seeing Nagoaoka rushed at him with fists raised in anger. Yang moved to restrain John at the same moment Nagaoka un-holstered his weapon. If Yang had been a little slower, John would have become another zombie to confine in the condominium garden.
John was convinced that he’d lost his three friends in the truck due to Nagaoka’s poor aim and the resulting explosion. It was true that Nagaoka’s bullet had ignited the truck, but he hadn’t done it deliberately. He actually was trying to help Yuji who was under attack from the woman zombie. If Nagaoka was truly responsible for the deaths of those in the truck then so was Yuji. Yuji thus watched the confrontation with mixed feelings. He wanted to flee the scene, but that wasn’t possible.
John, who was restrained by the smaller Yang, continued to spit curses in English at Nagaoka over the Korean’s head. Nagaoka remained as expressionless as a zombie, extending his arm and the gun barrel directly at John’s face, muttering something unclear.
John noticed the muttering. “What’s he saying?!” he bellowed to Yang.
Nagaoka didn’t shift the barrel even a fraction away from John’s face.
“You must be a Jew.” Nagaoka said in a loud whisper. Fortunately Yang was not so foolish as to interpret.
“And you two guys are homos to top it off.”
Yang flinched, about to turn around but kept his pressure against John.
“I don’t need to waste my time shooting him.” Nagaoka abruptly lowered his arm and re-holstered the weapon. His eyes roamed across the hall, paying particular attention the Egyptian god statues standing in rows. “You will all be judged soon.” Then he began reciting what seemed to be a passage of Revelations.
’And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, if any man worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead, or on his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.’
Yuji heard this and he thought that if this was a correct quote from the Bible, then he was actually impressed. He also wondered when Nagaoka had become such an enthusiastic Christian. He realized for the first time that Nagaoka had become a follower of Mazaki. When Yuji had last seen him, there wasn’t even a hint of such devotion.
Nagaoka looked back at John.
“Hey, Jew. Did you get the seal on your hand? I can see it there. You’ve been carved up by the beast. Oh, you can’t understand Japanese? Hey you, Chinese guy. Can you translate for your lover to show me what’s hidden under his bandage?” When the Korean gave no indication of doing so, Nagaoka attempted English. “Show me left hand.”
Surprisingly, John winced at these words and shielded the bandaged left arm with his other hand and shifted away from Nagaoka.
“I thought so.” An eerie, satisfied smile appeared on Nagaoka’s face. “Remember. I know everything. Be seeing you soon.” Saying this, he turned away from the Neverlanders. They later came up with a nickname for him: Mad Cop.
Since then, Mad Cop often came to Parkville, going to the cinema chosen as the church for the Disciples; the largest hall in the fourth floor complex. Yuji saw him a few times, walking on his own up to the fourth floor, lugging large cardboard boxes with unknown contents. Although it looked heavy, no one offered to help. Not even those who were curious as to the contents. Perhaps it was something for use in rituals or some decoration for the church
. Yuji thought this but soon forgot about it.
Eventually the interests of the Neverlanders moved elsewhere and the Mad Cop was forgotten. The zombie hunt had begun.
They lost interest in their games and got into watching the real-life hunt from the window of the building facing the square. If they did occasionally play a regular game it was just to determine who would get to use the limited number of binoculars.
After seeing the followers of the Disciples, who with good leadership succeeded in rounding up all the Dome’s zombies in three short days, Yoshida spoke with regret to Yuji.
“Shit! They took our only source of amusement away.”
If it was true, shouldn’t he have volunteered to do the zombie hunting himself? Yuji thought this but didn’t say it out loud. Yoshida was a coward, but Yuji knew from personal experience that he could be thoroughly cruel to those weaker than him.
And that day being Decemer 1st, Mazaki’s believers began to arrive one after another at Parkville. They ascended the stairs on the east side of the building in a long column. “It’s like a new ‘Star Wars’ movie is about to be screened,” observed one of the Neverlanders watching from the side of the staircase. All the Neverlanders decided to remain in the amusement park and wait for the fanatics to finish their sermon or whatever on the floor above.
This was decided by Todo. There had been many efforts on the part of the Disciples to invite the Neverlanders but Todo always flatly refused. Perhaps he was afraid to lose his own clan to Mazaki.
When all the believers seemed to have moved on upstairs, Mad Cop finally showed up again after a long hiatus from the amusement park.
“The ceremony begins at 3:00 pm. Do not even set one foot out of this room until the end. If anyone shows their face I’ll shoot without warning, I promise.”
