The Broadcast

by Liam Fialkov

  Jonathan stepped out of the building and breathed a sigh of relief. He recognized that he had been under a lot of pressure and that he had put to the test not only his creative and technical ability, but also his mental strength. He was glad that he wasn’t deterred, and didn’t let his fears overtake him. Jonathan told Sarah that he’d put his capabilities to the test, and he felt that he did quite well.

  Two days later, the human resources manager called him and officially told him that he was accepted to work at Anim-Art, and with a salary of more than double than what he had ever made.

  Chapter 49

  The Broadcast

  Three programs were left until the end of the season when Susan Riley resigned her anchor position. She entered Lindsey’s office with tears in her eyes and said she couldn’t continue. “I love this program more than any project I’ve worked on in the past,” she said, “but I can’t do it anymore. Recently I’ve been getting more and more nasty phone calls and letters.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Lindsey expressed sympathy, “I’ve also received such correspondence, but I didn’t let it get to me.”

  “I’ve been able to handle it when people that I don’t know cursed me,” Susan Riley said, “and friends in my church turned their back and refused to talk to me. But lately, the flow of threats has increased; they come at all hours of the day and night, and they are blatantly and explicitly threatening my family as well. I can’t risk my children; they are the most important thing in the world to me.”

  “Do you know who is behind the calls and the letters?” Lindsey asked.

  “My impression is that most of them come from Christians who fear that we’ll show Jesus in a light that’s not compatible with the Bible,” Susan Riley answered. “I think that these are not spontaneous calls, but they are organized by a vocal minority of the religious establishment.”

  “I’ve made it clear to the church representative,” Lindsey said, “that I’m very doubtful we’ll get to see Jesus. And I know from letters that I receive, that there are many Christians who would actually love to see their Savior, and are looking forward to the possibility.”

  “A minority of the letters and phone calls come from Islamic factors,” Susan Riley said. “They fear that we will show the Jewish temple. Their correspondence tends to be more radical and threatening.”

  Walter Lindsey had no choice but to accept the resignation of his senior host. To replace her, he appointed Nancy Whitefield, a beautiful young broadcaster who was considered to be TXB’s rising star, and media critics had predicted a bright future for her.

  The first program hosted by Nancy Whitfield focused on the third century. The guest in the studio was Professor Liang Shunyuan from the University of Fudan in Shanghai. The Chinese professor appeared relaxed, while the host seemed somewhat nervous, and it was apparent she was trying hard to step into Susan Riley’s big shoes.

  “Good evening, Professor,” the young host welcomed her guest, “What was the Battle of Red Cliff?”

  “Good evening to you and our viewers at home,” the professor nodded. “It was a famous battle that took place at the end of the Han Dynasty, and before the Three Kingdoms era. The northern warlord, Cao Cao, tried to invade the territories south of the Yangtze River, leading his large army; but his efforts were blocked by the alliance of the warlords who ruled the area south of the Yangtze.”

  “What are we going to see in the film?” the host inquired.

  “We shall see the decisive naval battle,” the professor answered, “which resulted in a conclusive victory for the allies.”

  The showing started, accompanied by the professor’s explanations. In the film, which like all The Broadcast’s films showed the combat from above, viewers could see Cao Cao’s ships anchored on the northern side of the Yangtze River. The northern army was significantly larger than its opponents. “A divisional commander of the southern forces had sent Cao Cao a letter, feigning surrender.” Professor Shunyuan said. “Then that commander sent a squadron of ships as an indication of his defection and acceptance of the authority of Cao Cao—which turned out to be a calculated strategic deception.”

  In the film, the squadron was making its way northbound from its southern harbor, and that was also the direction of the wind. When the ships of the south approached the midpoint of the river, their sailors set them on fire, before abandoning them in small boats. The unmanned fire ships, which were filled with burning materials, were seen carried by the strong wind at high speed. Their impact on the northern navy was lethal. Most of the fleet was set on fire and was destroyed, and many soldiers and horses burned to death or drowned. The northern army was overcome by confusion and was defeated, and its commander, Cao Cao, ordered an overall retreat.

  “You see,” the professor said, “the wars in the East were not different in ferociousness and cruelty than the wars in the West.”

  “We in the West,” the young host said, “have a hard time understanding who fought against whom and for what.”

  “When we observe your wars,” the professor replied, “sometimes we too have difficulty in understanding what people fought for; like in the First World War. It is my opinion that many times, people fought, killed, and died for their leaders’ greed and hunger for power.

  Walter Lindsey sat in front of the computer screen in his office. He was busy corresponding with one of the advertising agents, who expressed concerns over the growing protests by the Christians and the Muslims.

  It seemed that withdrawal of one of the sponsors of the show was only a matter of time, and Lindsey did his best to delay that probability. He hoped he’d be able to navigate The Broadcast’s ship until the end of the current season. If he’d manage to cross the barrier that the first century posed, with the religious issues, the temple, and the crucifixion, next season he’d be free from the fanatics’ disputes, which he didn’t really understand.

  Lindsey, who was an experienced businessman, knew that all he had to do to deflect the storm was to announce that the program would completely skip over the events of the first century, and pass directly to the first century BC. But despite the logic and assurance of such an approach, which the CEO stood behind and urged him to perform, Lindsey decided that this time, he was not yielding.

  At major intersections in his life, Lindsey had chosen the way of compromise, rather than fighting and sticking by his wishes; and most of the times it turned out that the concessions had proven beneficial for him. For instance, when he had given up his ambition to become a film director, or when he abandoned his plan to travel the world when he was young, and instead focused on acquiring a profession.

  His most significant capitulation had happened when he was nine years old, when he didn’t resist the social worker’s plan to separate him from his younger brother. The social worker claimed that they couldn’t find a family for the two of them, leaving no other choice but to send them to different foster homes. For years, he carried the guilt feeling with him; he wondered whether his abandonment of Jonathan, happened because he harbored a subconscious resentment against his brother, following the accident.

  So now he wasn’t going to give up. As long as he got the green light from the CEO, he would continue with The Broadcast, despite obstacles and threats.

  “Good evening,” the host, Nancy Whitfield, opened the broadcast that focused on the second century. “This evening we have with us Professor Giora Dagan, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Good evening, Professor Dagan.”

  “Good evening, Nancy,” the Israeli professor responded. He was a world-renowned researcher and archeologist.

  “Professor, what were the reasons for the Bar Kokhba rebellion?”

  “The main factors of the Jewish revolt against the Roman Empire,” Professor Dagan said, “were the establishment of a pagan city named Aelia Capitolina over the ruins of Jerusalem, the building of a temple to Jupiter on the Temple Mount, and the prohibition of performing a circumcision.”

 
; “How was the rebellion managed?” Nancy Whitfield asked.

  “In the first stage, the Jews used guerrilla warfare, using hideout caves that were prepared in advance. The Romans sent reinforcements from nearby provinces, and their forces amounted to about eighty thousand soldiers, but Bar Kokhba’s fighters had the upper hand. Following the successes, Bar Kokhba took control of wide areas and declared the independence of Judea. The three years of Bar Kokhba’s ruling in Judea were the last years of Jewish independence in their country until the foundation of the state of Israel in 1948.”

  “What happened next?” the host asked.

  “The Roman emperor mobilized a large army and sent twelve legions to the campaign. He appointed Julius Severus as commander of the forces. Severus, who was considered to be a skilled tactical commander, served as the governor of Britain, and he was brought specifically to suppress the uprising. Severus adopted a wise strategy. He isolated areas that were under rebel control and defeated them one after another. That way he destroyed Bar Kokhba’s forces without running the risk of an all-out war. Bar Kochba’s people withdrew to the fortified city of Betar, near Jerusalem. The Romans cast a blockade of Betar and built a dike of about four kilometers, completely cutting off the city from its surroundings. After a prolonged siege, the Romans succeeded in breaking into the city, where they committed a horrendous massacre, killing everyone including women and children.

  In the film that was aired, the fighting was seen from above, somewhat distant, but there was no doubt as to the Roman soldiers’ cruelty, in which they didn’t have mercy on anybody.

  “And what were the results of the rebellion?” the host asked.

  “An absolute devastation for my people,” Professor Dagan somberly replied. “According to several sources, more than half a million Jews were killed by the Romans, and that doesn’t include those who died of disease and starvation. Most of the Jewish towns and villages in Judea were razed to the ground; most of the Jews were expelled from their land, and more than a hundred thousand Jews were sold into slavery. Emperor Hadrian wanted to erase the Jewish existence in Judea, and he even changed the name of the province from Judea to Syria-Palestina, a name that’s still in use today by the Palestinian Arab movements.

  “Moreover, the Romans issued decrees prohibiting the Jews from practicing their religion. Following the great devastation, leading rabbis banned the Jews from using force as a means of attaining national liberty, and they forbade attempting to bring the redemption before its time. So, without a doubt, the shock of the destruction following Bar Kokhba’s rebellion, affected the mentality of my people during two thousand years of living in exile.”

  Early in the morning, Walter Lindsey was at his office talking to one of the editors of his show, when the CEO’s secretary called him. “Colin is asking you to come for a meeting at his office at ten-thirty,” she said, and Lindsey had an ominous feeling about the upcoming event.

  The CEO’s office was well-designed, with solid wood interior walls and large cabinets with glass doors. When Lindsey entered, Colin uncharacteristically got up from his chair and cordially shook his hand.

  “Walter,” Colin Ingram said, “I’m glad you came.”

  Lindsey had the impression that the CEO was distressed and feeling uncomfortable.

  The CEO introduced Lindsey to the guest already seated in his room: Donald Russell, a representative of the FBI. Russell was a short and slim man who wore glasses, and he looked more like an accountant than an intelligence agent.

  “Walter,” Ingram said, “we’d better listen together to what Mr. Russell has to say.”

  Lindsey turned his look toward the guest with disfavor and wondered at the purpose of the visit.

  “Look,” the FBI man opened, “we never involve ourselves in the contents that are broadcast in our country’s free television.” He spoke slowly, meticulously choosing his words. “And it is not our concern what programs you elect to air, unless in an exceptional situation, and I’m afraid such is the case at hand.” Donald Russell paused and examined the two men, who didn’t say anything and waited for him to continue.

  The bureau’s representative said, “It’s not a secret that recently there have been many protests by religious people, in our country and overseas, against the program The Broadcast. As you probably know, most of the protests come from vocal and influential Christian groups that are worried your program might show Jesus in a light that is not compatible with their Scriptures. We at the FBI are not particularly concerned with the Christians, and we view them as a small and loud minority who don’t reflect the majority of the Christians in this country. We are much more worried about the Muslims, who up until now, have kept a low profile.”

  “What are you getting at?” the CEO impatiently asked.

  “We would want to avoid a situation in which your program may anger and cause disturbances in the Muslim world,” the FBI responded patiently. “You probably remember the demonstrations following the book The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie or the riots that followed the publications of the caricatures of the prophet Muhamad.

  “We at the FBI assess that radical Islamists are likely to view a broadcast showing the Jewish temple as an American and Zionist conspiracy, which would lead to harming our people and our interests in Muslim countries.”

  “So what is your stand on the issue?” asked the CEO, who looked irate.

  “Of course, we are not going to tell you what to do,” Donald Russell answered. “But we ask that you show sensitivity and understanding, and avoid airing materials that might upset religious people, Muslims or Christians.”

  “We value your opinion,” Colin Ingram said. “We will certainly consider your plea, and thank you for coming to TXB.”

  The guest got up and made his way toward the door, and Ingram signaled Lindsey to stay.

  “Walter, my friend,” the CEO said after the door closed, “we have no choice. Just before the meeting, I received an email that notified me that Ford is withdrawing their sponsorship of the program, and I do not doubt that other companies will follow. We must be attentive to our advertisers; after all, they are the ones who pay the bills. Moreover, I can’t ignore the FBI’s arguments, as we wouldn’t want to have it on our conscience that an American would get hurt by some fanatic in a Muslim country.

  “So I have to conclude that we must suspend The Broadcast.”

  Lindsey examined at his boss’s facial expression. He had the impression that Ingram appeared genuinely regretful having to come to his decision. “I understand,” Walter responded while trying not to show his feelings. “And I agree with you that at this point we don’t have a lot of choices. Anyway, it has been a wonderful time for me.”

  “I’m not saying that The Broadcast wouldn’t be able to come back for another season after the storm calms down,” the CEO said. “You know I personally like the show, which has been very lucrative for TXB.”

  “Thank you for your support along the way.” Walter kept a noble attitude. He was deeply saddened, and he worried that tears would disclose his feelings.

  TXB released a short statement, which said that The Broadcast was going off the air, and the season’s closing episode wouldn’t be broadcast. TXB didn’t provide any explanation for the move, or indications regarding plans for the next season.

  Chapter 50

  Michael

  “Would you like to spend Easter in California?” Michael asked Melanie. The two were sitting around their small kitchen table having an evening meal.

  She curiously examined him. “You mean at your parents’ house?”

  “Yes,” he answered, “I would like you to meet them.”

  “I’m a bit worried,” she said, “I hope they like me.”

  “You have no reason to fear,” he said. “Actually, I’m the one who is worried.”

  “Of what?”

  “Because in addition to the meeting between you and them, which is important by itself,” Michael talked slowly, as
if weighing his words, “I think that I’m ready for a conversation with my parents.”

  She curiously examined him. “You intend to ask them about your biological parents?”

  “I think it’s time,” he replied.

  Melanie looked at his eyes, to see if he’d truly decided on the question that he’d debated for years. “I know that the issue has been on your mind for a very long time,” she responded, “and I agree that you are ready to deal with it. But won’t my presence burden you?”

  “I would like you to meet them,” he said. “And I need you to be there to support me.”

  “I want to meet them as well,” she said, “but it seems to me that if you feel ready to bring up the subject of your biological parents, then it is better that I not come with you this time. It is your journey, and you have to do it by yourself. I will always be available, and just a phone call away.

  He pondered her words, “You are right,” he said, and knew that she was gifted with wisdom and common sense.

  “Next time we’ll go together,” she promised.

  Michael wanted his sister to come to the family meeting. But Lily apologized and said she was still recovering from the crisis she’d undergone, and she didn’t feel she had the strength to face her parents and deal with their questions. She wished him luck in the fateful meeting.

  He boarded the long flight from New York to San Diego to spend three days with his parents. It had been a long time since his last visit; he missed his father and mother, and also his old friends and the neighborhood where he grew up, and he hoped that the meeting would go well.

  During many years, the yearning to find his biological parents had kept him restless; and still, he worried about bringing up the subject to his adoptive parents. He feared that the idea of him looking for his mother and father would hurt the wonderful people who raised him, loved him with all their hearts, and he loved them.