JC: Ed Biggers
Part 6: Doyen
Chapter 17
By
Lazlo Zalezac
Copyright (C) Lazlo Zalezac, 2004

Ed walked to the podium and looked out across the audience who 
filled the auditorium of the administration building. Nearly four 
hundred people waited to hear what he had to say to the very first 
graduating class of the Druid College. Oliver had given him the 
honor of addressing the graduating class since he had been present 
at the initial conception of the idea for the school. The tension in 
the room rose as he looked from one graduate to the next. 

Once he had composed himself, he said, "Most colleges aim to 
produce individuals who can contribute to society. A few schools 
aim to produce leaders capable of taking the country to a better 
future. When John Carter decided to create this school, he wanted 
to produce the visionaries who would select the future for our 
leaders.

"We started with ninety-eight students. The entrance requirements 
were the hardest in the country. Prospective students had to pass 
intelligence and psychological tests. Prospective students had to 
agree to present themselves to the Gods and Goddesses for service. 
Only ninety-eight students rose to the challenges presented them. 
Today, we are graduating ninety-five of the initial ninety-eight. 
Five of them have been accepted into the service of the Gods and 
Goddesses.

"The initial days of school were a little rough for our students. I'm 
sure that all of our graduates will agree with that. I'm confident that 
every one of them considered leaving the school during those first 
few days. Despite that rough beginning, we managed to have a 
retention rate of almost ninety-seven percent. That is an unheard of 
retention rate for a college or university.

"Over the past few days, I have asked our graduates about their 
plans for the future. Sixty of them are planning on going after 
advanced degrees in their areas of study. Thirty of them have 
accepted positions in key industries across the country. Such 
beginnings are impressive and bodes well for the future of this 
school."

Ed paused and took a sip of water to clear his throat. After 
swallowing, he said, "I talked to a man who retired not too long 
ago. He told me that when he graduated college, he knew he faced 
an uncertain future. He wondered where he would work, whom he 
would marry, and what kind of world he would live in. 

"As he worked through his life, he only saw the daily grind. One 
project lead to the next. Everyday was much like the one before. 
He didn't think that he was accomplishing anything great. 

"He told me that on the day of his retirement, he looked back over 
his career as many men are want to do. He realized that he had 
been part of many historic events in the course of his life. They 
weren't the big events that often made the newspapers, but minor 
ones that changed daily life. The projects he had worked upon 
produced things that people used to make their lives better. He had 
worked on many revolutionary devices. 

"I mention this because I want you, our graduates, to leave here 
knowing that you will be inventing the future. The things you work 
on will become part of history. You are part of history. Never 
forget that. From this day forth, you are establishing your legacy 
by which future generations will know you.

"If it harms none, then do it. Protect the weak from the strong. 
Follow those two rules and mankind will cherish you even while 
you live. Follow those two rules and history will remember you 
well."

Ed paused and looked around the room at the people gathered 
there. He couldn't help remembering how John and he had talked 
about starting the college one starry night atop the house in 
Arizona. The memory nearly drove him to tears. With emotion in 
his voice, he said, "John Carter would be proud of you. I know that 
I'm proud of each and every one of you. May the Gods and 
Goddesses bless you and protect you on your journey through life."

As the applause rose in volume, Ed returned to his chair on the 
stage of the auditorium. As much as he hated giving speeches, this 
was a speech he wouldn't have missed giving for the world. He 
watched as Oliver went to the podium. 

Oliver said, "It is traditional in universities to have a 
commencement speaker of some national or international 
significance. We are breaking with that tradition. Instead, we asked 
our own Happy Harry to create a film with comments by 
individuals of national and international insignificance."

A screen lowered on the stage and a film started. The image of 
Happy Harry's face filled the screen. His twisted smile, the scar 
across his forehead, and unkempt hair gave him a slightly wild, but 
friendly appearance. The image slowly zoomed out so that it 
showed him leaning against his staff and wearing his green robes 
in front of an inner city backdrop that a well traveled person would 
recognize as part of Chicago. 

A look of surprise crossed his face and then he said, "Oh, it's on. 
Okay. Ah… Congratulations to the first graduating class of the 
Druid College. I'm sure that you've learned all that you need to 
know, but there may be a few gaps in your education. A few of my 
friends here have a little advice to fill in on some of the lessons 
that you may have missed."

The image suddenly changed to a young man of about twenty 
years of age sitting on a cinder block in front of a fire. He said, 
"You say they're graduating college? What in the hell would they 
want to hear from us?"

The face of an old black man filled the screen as he answered, 
"Probably want to hear how to avoid becoming one of us."

"That's stupid, I didn't even graduate high school," answered the 
young man.

A woman's voice from off-screen said, "Introduce yourself, idiot. 
They got no idea who's talking."

The young man shrugged and said, "I'm the California Kid. Don't 
know why you'd want to know that. Black George says that you 
want me to tell you how to avoid becoming one of us. I figure you 
already know that -- you're graduating college. Probably got pretty 
good jobs lined up and all. Of course, some of the folk on the street 
graduated college and had good jobs at one time before life kicked 
them down. I guess my advice is don't let life kick you down."

The camera shifted to Black George who frowned and shook his 
head. He said, "I'm Black George and I guess it is up to me to 
introduce ourselves to you. We are the folks who Happy Harry 
calls the invisible people. We're bums, winos, and crazy folk with 
no other place to live except out on the street. He says we're 
invisible 'cause people choose not to see us. Of course, when 
something happens everyone sees us, so his description ain't 
exactly correct."

Pointing over at the California Kid, Black George continued, "The 
California Kid has been living on the street for close to six years. It 
might not look like it to ya'll, but the kid has done all right for his-
self. He hasn't had to sell his body to get by, like so many of the 
others. As far as I know, he hasn't held up a liquor store or 
committed any other crime."

"Damn straight."

Black George chuckled at the interruption and said, "He doesn't 
have much book learnin', but he's smart except when he does 
something dumb. Of course, the same could be said of most 
people. They're all pretty smart except when they do something 
dumb. Everyone does something dumb from time to time."

The California Kid interrupted and said, "I guess one way to keep 
from ending up like us is to keep from doing the kinds of dumb 
things that got us here."

A woman's voice from off camera asked, "So what dumb thing did 
you do to get here?"

"I got beat up by my step-father and ran away from home," 
answered the young man. He was silent for a while as he 
considered the answer he had just given. The camera captured the 
introspective look on his face. He added, "I guess that wasn't so 
much dumb as bad luck."

The image on the screen changed to a street where a woman 
dressed in scanty clothes was leaning against a light post. She 
looked about thirty-five years old. Turning to face the camera, she 
asked, "He wants advice from a whore?"

Another woman, clearly a prostitute, entered the scene. She was 
Hispanic and wore a skirt that was so high that her underwear was 
showing. In a heavy accent, she said, "What Harry wants, Harry 
gets. He wants advice, you give him advice."

The first woman shrugged and, in a voice dripping with bitterness, 
said, "The only advice that I have is that if you want something 
from me, you're going to have to pay for it."

"Ain't that the truth. You got money and you can get anything. Of 
course, ya gotta use a rubber. No one, except my old man, gets me 
without a rubber."

The first woman frowned and said, "Giving it away. That's not for 
me."

The Hispanic woman looked at the other and asked, "It feels 
good."

"Good doesn't pay the rent."

"So how do you feel when someone pays you?"

The woman was silent for a moment as her eyes misted up. Some 
of the hardness dropped from her as she answered, "I lose a little 
bit of me each time. One of these days, I'm gonna sell the last little 
part of me and there will be nothing left."

"Yeah," agreed the Hispanic woman, "each time you sell yourself 
for money, you lose a bit of yourself."

The scene changed to a rural area. Centered in the image was a 
ramshackle building that was almost falling down. The entire 
building listed to the left as though caught in mid collapse. A 
grizzled old man stood on the porch waving an arm towards the 
camera. The focus wasn't very good and it wasn't possible to make 
out the details of the man on the porch. He shouted, "Get away 
from here, damn ya."

Happy Harry's voice called out, "It's me."

The old man shouted, "Oh, it's you. You're one meddlesome 
bastard. All I want is to be left alone."

"Why would you want to be left alone?" asked Harry.

"Screwing around with people hurts. Now get away from here 
before I sic my dogs on you."

"You know they won't hurt me," countered Harry.

"I know. Dogs can sense things about folks. You care about too 
many people. They'll rip your heart out one day and you'll end up 
just like me. Take my advice and find a good spot to squat where 
you can keep away from everyone before you get hurt. Now get 
gone!" The old man sat down on an old wood chair and rubbed the 
head of a flee-bitten dog that had seen too many days. It was clear 
that the man had a strong affection for the old animal.

The scene returned to Black George and the California Kid sitting 
around the fire. The California Kid had a stick that he was using to 
poke the fire. Looking over at the older man, he asked, "So why do 
you think there are so many of us?"

The light of the fire barely lit Black George's face. Fine beads of 
sweat on his shaved head picked up the light. The black man said, 
"Lots of reasons folks become invisible, kid. I'm not sure that 
anyone can know them all. Every one of us got our own demons 
that drive us. For some, it's the booze. For others, it's the family 
that beats 'em. I even heard of one guy who was so ugly he just hid 
from everyone."

"Bad luck?"

The black man's white teeth flashed in the dark as he snorted at the 
question. He answered, "Bad luck can be part of it. Mostly, I think 
it's because people are basically weak. Most folks don't realize that 
because they ain't never been pushed to their limit. A successful 
doctor makes one mistake and turns to the bottle. One day he ends 
up here because he wasn't able to turn away from his mistake or 
the bottle."

"So you're saying we're all weak," asked the California Kid. He 
tossed the stick into the fire with a negligent flip. Sparks flew from 
the fire and into the night sky.

"Yep. Happy Harry says we have to protect the weak from the 
strong. It makes you wonder what it means when everyone is 
weak."

The camera backed off so that a third man was visible. His nose 
was red from blood vessels that had broken as a result of years of 
drinking. He was shaking his head and said, "You're missing the 
point."

"What point is that, Red Nosed George?" asked Black George.

"We've all got our weaknesses and strengths. Doesn't matter who 
you are, you got weaknesses and you got strengths. We're the ones 
who let our weaknesses undermine all of our strengths. Others use 
their strengths to control their weaknesses."

The California Kid asked, "So what's with protecting the weak 
from the strong?"

"Some folks use their strengths to prey upon the weaknesses of the 
others. That's what you got to stop."

Black George shook his head and said, "It sounds too simple to me 
to be right, but I can't argue with you on it."

The film ended and Happy Harry approached the podium. In a 
quiet voice, he said, "I hope you've enjoyed meeting some of my 
friends. They aren't sophisticated, but they're good people who get 
by with a little less than most. They think about the same kinds of 
things as those who live in mansions. While sitting around the fire, 
selling their bodies on a street corner, or hiding on a porch, they 
ponder the great questions of life. Who am I? Why am I? What is 
the meaning of my life?

"I hope you remember them. The decisions you make could easily 
create more of the invisible folk. You shut down a construction 
project and one of the men let go reaches the point where he can't 
go on. It's a common story out there on the streets. Yes, please 
remember them all. The California Kid, Black George, Ginger, 
Maria, Kirk, and Red Nosed George are just representatives of 
those thousands who call our streets home.

"I wish to congratulate you on your great achievement. It is a 
remarkable feat and this world needs men and women of vision 
like you. My friends need your vision far more than they will ever 
admit.

"I would like to thank you in advance for the minutes, hours, days, 
months, and years that some of you will spend to improve life for 
my friends. May the Gods and Goddesses bless you and watch 
over you on your journey through life," Harry said with a half bow 
upon finishing.

As he returned to his seat, the graduating class stood to give him a 
standing ovation. Ed's speech had charged them with the need to 
adopt a vision. Harry's film had given them material to use in 
shaping that vision. The staff clapped and smiled while nodding 
their heads in approval of the presentation. More than half of the 
guests in attendance looked around confused by reaction of the 
graduates to the film. 

One of the students walked to the stage and then over to the 
podium. She paused for a moment and then said, "In my first 
twelve years of education, I was taught to read, write, and do 
arithmetic. Oh, there was some other politically correct material 
thrown in, but basically I was taught to read, write, and do 
arithmetic. I graduated high school, confident that I knew as much 
as I needed to go forth in life. In my graduation ceremony, the 
principal of our high school went so far as to tell us that. I am 
ashamed to say that he was wrong.

"On the first day of college, I was asked to strip and put my clothes 
into a box. Standing in the hallway that connects the first year 
dorm and the administration building, I was sure that I had entered 
an insane asylum. I stripped off my clothes and put them into a 
box. Little did I realize at the time, that I was also removing my 
pretensions and prejudices.

"Over the course of that first year, we reviewed material I had been 
taught in the twelve previous years of school. It might sound like a 
waste of time, but I assure you that it wasn't. Reading became 
comprehension, writing became communication, and arithmetic 
became a logical framework that I could apply to the world around 
me. Looking back, I have to question why it had taken twelve 
years to achieve such a superficial understanding of the material I 
had been taught.

"I came to realize that in high school, popularity and social 
standing were more important than education. The effort expended 
to become popular and to achieve a significant social standing was 
tremendous. You would think that with such significance that it 
would have prepared me to interact with people. That supposition 
was proven false during that first year of college. 

"In high school, every interaction with others was competitive and 
failure was rewarded by pain without pity. It was brutal and turned 
us into shallow hard individuals. Such an approach harms all that 
participate. It took a long time to scrub away the brutality, 
shallowness, and hardness that had been instilled within me. 

"In the first year here, I learned about co-operation and 
collaboration. I was amazed to learn the power of a simple thank 
you. I learned that adopting a global perspective over a self-
oriented view of interaction was far more enriching and rewarding 
for everyone involved, including myself. What an amazing 
revelation that had been.

"You would think that after having learned so much in the first 
year of college there would be little left to learn in the remaining 
five years. Such a thought would be wrong. Over the next four 
years, I learned to distinguish among fact, fallacy, and wishful 
thinking. Those were far harder lessons than I can convey in a 
simple speech. It is not easy to separate what is true from what 
people believe is true. It is even harder to resist the lure of that 
which we wish was true.

"The last year of study was the most challenging of them all. Until 
then, I was a gem in the rough. The last year was spent shaping and 
polishing by practicing my chosen field in a real environment. I 
was not a little intern doing a made-up project as is commonly the 
case. That is not how things work in this school. I was put in 
charge of a real project to develop a real product in an actual 
business. I took an idea from conception, to design, and on to 
manufacture."

The speaker paused to consult her notes. She continued, "So here I 
stand, a member of the first graduating class of the Druid College 
with the honor of speaking on behalf of my classmates. And on 
their behalf, I have to say what an honor it has been to go through a 
program led by such talented individuals as our Druid instructors. 

"There is not enough that I can say about our instructors. Each of 
them desires that every student achieve greater success than 
achieved by them. They challenged us to master the material and 
make it our own. They challenged us to think beyond fact to 
achieve true knowledge. They pushed us to understand the 
principles on which facts were based.

"You may have noticed that I have not introduced myself. You 
may have noticed that my name is not listed in the program. The 
reason is that I talk on behalf of the graduating class and not for 
myself. I was not selected on the basis of any great 
accomplishments that distinguishes me from my classmates. I am 
proud to say that there is nothing that distinguishes me from them.

"You may wonder how it was that I came to be the student who 
addressed you on behalf of the graduating class. I was selected 
because I got a Bingo," the young woman said with a smile. The 
other graduates laughed knowingly. 
 
"You heard me correctly. My fellow students and I got together 
and played a game of Bingo. I won, so I was elected to give this 
address. We chose this method of selecting a speaker because there 
is nothing special about any one of us. We are each unique, neither 
better nor worse than any other of our classmates. Any student here 
is capable of making this speech. In fact, a dozen of us worked on 
it together and it does represent the feelings and experiences of the 
graduating class.

"So on behalf of the first graduating class of the Druid College, I 
want to thank the Gods and Goddesses for the gift they have given 
us by providing John Carter with the vision to establish this place 
of learning. We have truly been blessed. Thank you," said the 
young woman as she gave a half bow to the audience. The students 
clapped wildly in support of their colleague. 

Oliver walked to the podium as the heads of the three branches of 
the Druids formed a line to the side. Oliver announced, "Will the 
graduates please present themselves on the stage for the conferral 
of their diploma?"

In a very orderly manner, despite the fact that there had been no 
explicit instructions or rehearsal, the students rose and made their 
way to the stage. Rather than the typical black cap and gown, the 
graduates not chosen for service to a God or Goddess wore their 
blue robes with white sleeves. 

As each student stepped onto the stage, Oliver announced his or 
her name. Proceeding across the stage, they were handed their 
diploma by the head of those who served the Goddess. They were 
then handed a small case containing a pen inscribed with the 
famous inscription, 'The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword,' by the 
head of those who served the God. Ed handed out a small case 
containing a class ring. The ring was a simple band with a broad 
flat top that held a piece of onyx. The top was inscribed with, 
'Visionary,' above the stone and with, 'Druid College,' below the 
stone. 

It was a moving ceremony for faculty, graduates, and guests. The 
stately pace and confidence exuded by the graduates gave it a 
solemn feel that was impossible to ignore. Ed was saddened when 
it was over and had to return to his seat. 

He waited for Oliver to close the ceremony when, to his surprise, 
the Grand Druid said, "This year we also had an unusual set of 
circumstances. Three very young individuals managed to graduate 
high school by attending our first year courses. We would like to 
acknowledge their accomplishment as well."

Ed looked out into the audience and saw the children sitting 
together. None of them looked as surprised as he felt. They stood 
when Oliver said, "Would you please present yourselves on stage 
to receive the honors you have earned?"

The three children made their way to the stage in order of their age. 
Ed watched with eyes misting as they each accepted a high school 
diploma. Looking out at his family, he could see his three wives 
were crying. At first he thought it might be pride, but then he 
realized that they were being forced to acknowledge that the 
children would be leaving soon. It was a bittersweet moment.

When the children had left the stage, Oliver declared that the 
ceremony was over. It had lasted less than forty-five minutes, but 
the graduates were clearly satisfied.  Ed was sure that a few parents 
had been expecting a word or two about their contributions, but as 
far as Ed was concerned it was the graduates who needed to deliver 
that message. 

Ed joined his family and, as a group, they headed to the sixth year 
dining room where food and drink were being served to all 
attendees. As they walked, Ed put a hand on Little John's shoulder 
and slowed to a halt before reaching the dining room. Once the rest 
of the family was out of earshot, Ed asked, "Whose idea was the 
high school graduation ceremony?"

"It was Oliver's idea."

"Why?" asked Ed believing that he knew that answer. 

"Celebrating your successes is important. It was important for us, 
but it was also important for my mothers. They need to see and 
understand that we have passed a major milestone in our 
development as people," answered Little John looking over at his 
father. 

Little John's words reinforced what Ed had thought. He nodded his 
head and replied, "I thought so. I guess we had better get in there 
and enjoy the celebration."

"It's an important day for you as well. You need to celebrate your 
success," commented Little John.

"What success?" Ed asked surprised at the assertion that he had a 
success.

"You saw Daddy John's idea through to completion."

"Go on in and enjoy yourself. I'll be in there in a minute," said Ed 
with a sudden tightness in his throat. He turned and headed 
towards the administration building. Upon reaching the building, 
he went down the hallway that would lead him to the entrance. 

Ed stopped in front of the picture of John Carter that hung at the 
entrance of the administration building and looked over the image 
of his husband. Tears in his eyes, he reached out and touched the 
glass that protected the picture from the elements. In a soft voice, 
he said, "Well John, the first class has graduated. You'd be proud 
of them. They're all smarter than … I don't know. I've never seen a 
group of such smart kids gathered in one place. I wish you were 
here to see this day."

He could swear that he heard John say, "I saw." Aloud, Ed said, 
"I'm sure you did."

Standing alone in the lobby, Ed thought back to the night on the 
roof of the house where John and he had talked about starting the 
college almost nine years earlier. They had been watching the stars 
and John was searching for some way to use his money to further 
improve life for people. He'd been stuck until Ed had suggested 
opening a college for Druids.

Once John had embraced the idea of the college, he'd worked hard 
to see it become a reality. Ed recalled the trips out here to look at 
the building site with John and the architect. The buildings had 
risen slowly from the ground. The last one had been completed 
only three years ago. In the mean time, he had welcome six groups 
of freshman and watched as they had matured. Six years seemed 
like such a long time spent away from his beloved desert. 

The school was important in the history of the family. Two 
children had been born in the infirmary of the school. Linda had 
struggled through a hard pregnancy with William. Ling had given 
birth to Betsy. John had died here creating a holy glade that would 
last for a millennium or longer. Two births and a death at this site 
made it a place of history for the Carter Clan. Shaking his head, he 
found it hard to believe that so much had happened here.

A chuckle slowly boiled up from his gut as he realized something 
important. He was actually going to miss being here. Grinning, he 
looked at the picture and said, "You old fox, you managed to make 
this humid green place a home for me too. I guess I'm now a wood 
rat as well as a desert rat."

He reached out and brushed the glass with his fingertips. Sighing, 
he said, "I guess I should get back to the party before I'm missed."

"Too late," Kelly said as she walked over to where he was 
standing. She looked at Ed and then at the picture. She put an arm 
around his and hugged it tightly. 

Of the original four in the marriage, they were the only ones 
remaining. Ed said, "We need to add another picture to our wall of 
family members."

"What do you mean?" Kelly asked looking over at Ed.

"I'm starting to feel a little old. It's time we start looking for 
another husband. If this family is to live forever, we need to 
replenish it," Ed answered turning to look at Kelly.

She smiled and shook her head, once again amazed at the strength 
of her husband. Curious, she asked, "Any one in specific that you 
would like to add?"

"No one," answered Ed, "I know that we can't really replace 
someone like John, but I'm sure there is a good gentle person out 
there who we can all love."

"What about Dan?"

"He's getting married to Claire," answered Ed as if that prevented 
the young engineer from being considered. 

"So, we add three more people to the family. Dan, Claire, and 
someone who we haven't met yet," countered Kelly. There were 
still rooms that stood empty in the house and accommodating three 
more wouldn't be a problem.

"We'll talk about it later. For now, I think it best to return to the 
party and send our first group of graduates out into the world in 
style," Ed replied.

Returning to the sixth year dining room, Ed was immediately 
surrounded by graduates. Among them was one woman who stood 
back, keeping her distance while watching everyone with 
amusement in her eyes. Of all the first years, she felt that she had 
grown and changed the most. She had entered the school 
aggressive and discontent with life, wanting and demanding more 
than what her life had held for her. Now she understood the 
message John Carter had tried to give her on that first day of 
school

The crowd slowly dissipated around Ed and she walked up to him. 
Smiling, she said, "I don't know if you remember me."

"Of course, I remember you, Carla. I'm pleased to see that you 
made it through the program."

"Well, I cashed the check John gave me on the first day of school," 
she announced. On the first day, John had given her a check for ten 
million dollars while asking if she would be satisfied with that 
much money. With that single act, he had taken away the single 
focus of her life and she had been cast adrift to find a new meaning 
for her life. 

"Let me guess. You've given all of your classmates a portion of it 
and have set up some sort of fund for future graduates," said Ed.

"How did you know?" Carla asked him in shock.

"That's what John would have done," answered Ed with a grin. 
This was proof to him that John's vision had been realized. 
Curious, he asked, "How much did you put in the fund?"

"I gave everyone fifteen thousand dollars and put the rest in the 
fund for future classes," she answered. It was her intention to have 
him put in charge of managing the trust fund on behalf of future 
graduates.

Ed pulled out his checkbook and after taking a moment to calculate 
the amount in the fund, wrote a check for the same amount. 
Handing it over to her, he said, "Add this to the fund. It's a fine 
thing that you've done and it would be a shame if your thoughtful 
action did not survive because it wasn't funded enough."

Carla accepted the check with hands that trembled and looked up 
at Ed in shock. All thoughts of asking him to administrate the fund 
disappeared as she stared at the amount written on the chock. 
Biting her lower lip, she said, "Thank you. I'm sure that all future 
graduates will appreciate having startup capital upon graduating."

"It was your idea. I'm just pleased to contribute a little to it. I'm 
sure that other graduates will contribute to it when they make their 
fortunes," replied Ed. He bent down and kissed her on the 
forehead. In a soft voice, he said, "Thank you."

"For what?" she asked confused by his actions.

"For letting John and me know that the experience here has 
produced such fine people as you," answered Ed. Overcome by the 
emotion that accompanied that thought, he walked away feeling 
satisfied his sacrifices over the past six years had been worth it.




