Jamison Logan vs. The One

[TheOne]

JUDGES: Chapter One

After disposing of the man who had once called himself by my title, it was finally time for me to begin to see everything he saw, and in a lot of cases, right many wrongs he had created.  When I first was granted access to all of that guy's stuff, I found remnants of blackmail that he had been holding over almost everyone at The Compound, including The Prophets themselves.  The man had taken the idea of The Prophets, of a retreat and safe haven for sexual swingers, and made it his own personal bank account, most notably when The Oracle had made her first prophecy.  He had done so by hearing The Prophets talk about what The Oracle had said, and realizing that what she had referenced were none other than lottery numbers.  It was then he ran out and threw caution to the wind and bought the ticket with money he had taken from The Prophets "admission fees,"" and low and behold, hit the jackpot.

This is when The Prophets came under his thumb as well.

Because he knew it was their money, but his idea, he began to extort them for his "fair share" of the profits.  He would argue that without him, they would have never been able to claim the money or even won.  But with him out of the picture, the extortion ended because had he gone to authorities, who were already under the payroll of The Prophets by this point, he would have been arrested on the spot.  But also with him out of the picture, The Prophets now had much more expendable income to reinvest into The Compound itself.  And this was where I convinced them to begin to protect themselves and patrons more so than they already were, especially from someone who tried to play them like this selfish thug had done in the past.  I convinced them to begin upgrading security campus wide, more cameras, more lights, less secrecy and more of a friendly and open atmosphere.  I also convinced them to begin construction on a new "welcome center" for The Compound, that would ultimately act as a false-front for the centralized security center for the entire facility.

It would be my office, the information center, the security center, the ultimate protection facility leading in and out of The Compound, once completed.

But I also honored my word,  I began to return everyone's money that had been taken from them in the scheme by my predecessor.  This role, was not for my own power and financial gain.  It was for the protection of everyone inside.  It was a promise I made at the start that I wanted people to see I would follow through with and not back down from when I saw the amount of money I could have kept for myself, and continued to exploit people for.

There was one loose end I needed to tie up, however.  And in my mind it was a major one to me solidifying my role as The One, and whether I wanted to admit it or not, the ultimate authority on the campus.  And once I had the ball rolling in many of the other directions, it was time to address this one last fray in my rope.

A couple of weeks after The One had taken the helm as the head of security for The Compound, things are looking far more positive than under her predecessor.  Patrons, both old and new, were reporting a much more enjoyable time and experience when on site, and The Prophets have seen an uptick in memberships and revenue, from both couples and singles alike.  Even with the positivity, there is one thing in the back of The One's mind that has been bothering her since she was officially announced as The One.  She feels like things are to a point where this is now one of the more important issues she needs to face.

She goes and out and hops on her Gator, and begins driving toward the kids portion of The Compound, which she has also worked on having renovated with all of the amenities it once had, and then some, wanting to also focus on rebuilding the reputation of The One with the kids as well.

As she reaches the kids facility, she comes to a stop outside the front door, and takes a deep breath.  She hops off the the utility vehicle and heads inside.  As per the normal reaction for when The One enters, everyone in the kids building goes silent.  Everyone freezes in places and stares back, afraid of why The One is there in person, usually seeing someone come as a representative of The One.  She sees this reply, remembering it as one she experienced herself, and smirks.

The One: Guys... Nothing's wrong.  I'm not here for any major announcements or problems.  Go back to doing whatever you were doing and pretend I'm not here.  Seriously.

There is an audible sigh from many, who then go back to what they were doing, and begin to ignore The One's presence.  Her actions since taking charge have shown them that she is actually worthy of being believed.

While everyone goes back to their own business, The One begins to walk toward one specific person who, like others, had gone back to doing what he was doing.  She finally reaches the individual, and reaches out and taps him on the shoulder.

The One: Hey... Mind if I talk to you for a bit?

The teenager turns around and the boy's eyes widen as The One stares at him.  It is none other than the kid who had tried to befriend her in middle school all of those years ago, and subsequently turned into the person who snitched on her to her predecessor.  There is a look of horror on his face, and The One, again reiterates her intentions.

The One: C'mon... I think you and I need to talk...

The teenager slowly stands up, keeping an eye on The One, and feeling more and more uncomfortable.  Some who knew the role the teenager played watch, as the two exit out the same back door of the building that led to the confrontation between her predecessor and her now new title and role.  As the two get outside, one of The One's biggest improvements of The Compound is recognized as there is more lighting in the areas where she would reside in the darkness, assuming she was alone.  So whereas she fought a tree in almost pitch blackness, only illuminated by the moonlight, the two now stand fully illuminated, and with a fair bit of distance between them.  The One doesn't want to come across in a menacing manner, so she makes sure to keep her posture and demeanor relaxed because her goal isn't intimidation, it's resolution.

The One: Why?

The teenager's voice in his response ilicits a tone of confusion as to the simplicity of the question.

Teenager: Why?

The One: Yes... Why?  Why did you sell me out?  Why did you try and befriend me in middle school, make me feel comfortable when I got here, and then turn on me with no hesitation?

The teenager looks down at the ground, realizing the line of questioning.

The One: ... Listen... I'm not here to make your life hard.  I'm not here to threaten you.  I'm not here to "teach you a lesson."  I'm not "him."  I am here to get answers because the biggest elephant in this room is what you did to me.  It's the fact that you sold me out to a guy who focused solely on himself and his own wants and desires.  And we both know you're almost of the age to be done here in the kid's area.  We both know you're going to have the option to stay or go.  And regardless of what you decide, I want the hatchet buried, especially if you decide to stay.  But if you decide to go, I want it to be something you don't worry about, I don't worry about, and we each move on with our lives...

The teenager takes a deep breath and looks up at The One.

Teenager: You for real?  Like... Are you serious about all of that BS?

The One: It's not BS... We both have lives to live... We both have families tied to this place... Do you think I want us to be in a tug of war over who can make who's life more shitty?  We know I'd win, but I wouldn't enjoy it...

The teenager realizes she's being as blunt as she can be regarding the situation.

Teenager: He promised me the fucking world.  He promised me power... He promised me money... And honestly, he promised me a role to be closely associated with The One, to ensure his power never went away.  Basically I'd get to be The One, and enforce everything, while he reaped the benefits and shared them with me.  All i had to do was watch everyone.  Well... Watch you, especially.  After your friend pulled her stunt, he knew you'd be next.  As years went by, he became more and more paranoid, so he enlisted me to watch you more and more.  So the minute you'd walk in, I'd have to follow you, and try to remain as stealthy as possible.  Just like you.  And I would see you leave, but I wouldn't know what was happening at first.  That's when I reported back and he gave me a pass to leave and roam more freely.  I got to sneak around the building and see you still working out.  He promised me that if I could prove what I saw was true, he would make it worth more than I could ever imagine... And let's be real, we're kids... He flashed money around... I wanted some, and at times, he'd throw it my way... So I would keep doing my job...

And then that night came, and I got word to him.  He saw you out and about, and got everyone organized inside to simply wait on you.  He wanted you embarrassed.  He wanted you to feel stupid.  He saw women as inferior.  So he wanted you to feel as dumb and caught as he could.  So he made everyone wait until you came back in.  And then you challenged him... And then you returned as The One...

Honestly... I never thought that would happen...

The One begins to nod.  She is impressed that the kid she met in middle school was as blunt as he was about the situation, and entrusted her enough to speak the truth about not believing she would emerge as The One.

The One: You know... I appreciate the honesty.  Really.  It takes a lot of balls to admit all of that to me, knowing what The One can do to anyone here because you've seen it through the eyes of someone who abused the power.  So, for that, thank you for being honest...

The teenager nods.

The One: My appreciation, however, doesn't come with trust.  And honestly, I can openly say I will probably never trust you because you tried to make me feel like I was someone equal to that of everyone else.  Then you were quick to take bribes, let power consume you, and sell me out.

The teenager takes a deep breath and blows the air out, obviously very concerned.

The One: ... But I'm also not that guy.  I'm not him.  I am not someone who is going to hold a grudge over your head so I can get you to be my little puppet.  I'm willing to do something that takes an adult to do, and that is forgive and forget, while moving on in my new role as The One.  But... You have to do something for me.  And it's not be a snitch.  It's not do my chores or by grunt work.  Like I said... I'm not him... But if you want to make amends, you start acting like a role model to those kids in there while you're still around.  You know I've upped security and more is being put in place as we speak.  That means I can see and hear EVERYTHING at any moment and ANY time.  So you show me you're growing as a human being, instead of some power-hungry, dickhead, I will pretend everything you did to stab me in the back never happened, and simply remember you as the kid from middle school who stepped up to show me a helping hand.  But the fact of the matter is... It is YOUR choice... I am not making it for you.  And more importantly, I don't want you to give me a verbal response, either.  I want to see actions speak louder than anything you could run your snake tongue at me right now with.

Prove me wrong...

Because if I don't see it, if I see the same sleazy guy who turned on me on a time, I can show you the power of The One.  More importantly, I can show you why there is a phrase that says, "Hell hath no fury, like a woman's scorn."  You get me?

The teenager pauses, looking directly into the eyes of The One, before nodding.

The One: ... Good.  Now go back inside...

The teen begins to turn before he is interrupted.

The One: Wait... Before you walk in, don't expect to do this all tonight.  Don't try and be a hero.  Tonight may not be the night you feel is the night for you to begin this "job."  But I will be watching.  I will be listening.  It is up to you to decide what your future will be...

The teen looks back and takes another deep breath, before nodding.  The One motions, with her head, for him to go inside, while she makes her way back around the building to her Gator, which is awaiting her return.  She looks at the kid's compound area and nods to herself, before turning the handlebars and speeding off, back to her post and new security compound where she will call home for the foreseeable future.

Driving away, I felt a sense of completion.  WWhether or not that kid would actually honor his word or not, I didn't know, but what I did know was that I had stepped up, and given the opportunity to right the wrongs, and not do so in a manner that was more becoming of the person who I was succeeding, and more the person I felt I was deep down.  At that moment, I felt like I was replenishing the legacy of The One.  I felt like I was doing the right thing.  I wasn't ruling by fear or aggression.  I wasn't ruling with an iron fist.  I was ruling by earning the respect the position deserved.

Going forward, I knew it was another story.  I was still new.  I was still fresh.  I was still someone who had not truly felt he overwhelming urge to succumb to power.  I knew one day I would face that challenge, but it wouldn't be this night.  This night I would remember why I fought an inanimate object, and scarred myself.  I would remember why I wanted to defend the honor of a mentor who, truly, I barely knew, but felt so deeply about.  That night I truly allowed myself to take the idea, the mentality, the position, and the power of The One and use in a way that it had not been used before, or at least in my tenure of seeing the role filled.  This moment, even more so than what I had done with previous actions with patrons and Prophets alike, was me putting The One on a pedestal that could earn and ultimately DESERVE respect.

Now my challenge is simple... Do I hold onto this idea?  Or do I fall victim as well?

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven.  Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?"