The Interview

Short Story by Chris Bunton

“Good Evening I’m Mara Goodwyn and this is The Global News Network’s program “The World Changes”. We are stream casting to you globally through every medium. We hope you’ll share the news with your friends because today we have what is possibly the most important person in the world with us.”

The dark-haired beautiful woman whose face filled the screen turned to look at the person seated before her, as the camera panned to take in the 30-year-old healthy well-dressed man sitting before her.

“Antiochus Ptolemy” She said.

The man smiled with perfect teeth through perfect lips on a perfect face.

“Thank you, Mara. I am so happy to be here with you on this lovely day. And might I say that you are glowing with your recent engagement.” He said.

She laughed and blushed.

“Oh my gosh. Thank you. Who told you that?”

“It’s obvious that you have found the one who makes your heart sing. You will have a wonderful life together.” He said.

“Thank you.”

She fixed her hair and tried to get back on track, while wiggling in her seat.

“Ok!” She laughed. “So, tell us about yourself.”

“Mara, you know I really do not like to speak of myself. I want to just live and do what I feel I’ve been called to do, and let others speak of me as they please”

“That is a very honest and humble answer.” She said.

He bowed slightly.

“You were born in Ethiopia and your father was Jewish, but your mother was Muslim.”

“Yes, I always say I was born to make peace between these two great faiths.”

“How witty!” She gushed; her British accent poking through. “Especially considering all you’ve done. It almost seems like something divine, or designed. Like it’s all too perfect.”

“I can’t really speak on that.” He said smiling.

“Of course not. Was your early home life turbulent?”

“No, my parents were wonderful people, highly educated and motivated for greatness.”

“Well, of course. Your father was an Ethiopian Ambassador correct?” She asked.

“Yes, we traveled all over the world in service to Ethiopia.”

“Let’s go back, because I’m wondering if your family being split between Jewish and Muslim was a problem? Did you learn to make peace through this situation?’

“There was no conflict. My parents found what was lovely and glorious in both their faiths and in each other and in me. They let the parts that created strife die out and focused on the good. They overcame the evil with good.”

“Would you say that’s what you do?’

“Yes, of course. Raise up a child and they will not depart from it. So, I grew up in the knowledge of hope. I come from a line of people seeking hope and a better day. My father’s lineage goes back to Jewish heroes who snuck the Ark of the Covenant out of Jerusalem and hid it in Ethiopia. My mothers line comes from Muslim’s driven from Jerusalem during the Crusades.”

‘What a rich heritage. So, do you know where the Ark is?” She laughed.

He smiled.

“Yes, but it’s a secret. I could tell you but then I’d have to have you killed.” He smiled.

She laughed at the joke, but felt a slight hint of seriousness in the tone.

“You’re royalty?” She asked.

“Oh you are embarrassing me Mara.” He laughed.

“I can tell! You are blushing.” She laughed.

“It’s an old family tale.” He said. “Allegedly, according some of my Jewish aunts, our family comes from an affair of the heart between King Solomon and The Queen of Sheba, told in legend.”

“So, you’re in the line of King David. But, that’s not all” She said with a smirk.

“Mara please…” He said.

“Oh…you have become one of the most important, if not the most important person in human history, Millions want to know about you. They want to know you! They worship you!” She said, leaning forward to playfully slap at his knee.

“Ok…Well, according to even more legend. My ancestor was the Holy Grail.” He said.

“Explain.”

“Well, according the stories, Jesus the son of Joseph had an affair with Mary of Magdala and they got married and had children. These children are the holy vessel, which was the cup of the blood of Jesus Son of Joseph. This was the Holy Grail quest that King Arthur and his knights went on.” He said.

“But, is it true!” She asked excitedly

“It’s a tale. You must decide in your heart whether it’s true or only true in spirit.” He said.

“Interesting. So, are you Jewish or Muslim?” She asked.

“I’m neither. My parents let me make my own decisions on such things, and I became a Christian.”

“You’re a Christian?”

“I was a Christian. I became a part of the faith that began in Ethiopia from the Ethiopian Eunuch whom Phillip baptized, spoken of in the scriptures. I grew up learning this Coptic Christian faith. But I came to see some major flaws, and grew into something more than that.”

“There seems to be many connections between Israel and Ethiopia?”

“Yes, did you know that Moses had an Ethiopian wife? She is barely mentioned in the scriptures. She was before his Midianite wife. Josephus the scholar speaks of her. She was given to Moses as a gift when he defeated the Ethiopians in battle.”

“I’ve never heard such things.” She said.

‘Well no. In Ethiopia we have a joke, that we are Israel’s Dirty Secret.” He said with a smile and burning glint in his eye.

‘Let’s get back on track.”

“Yes, I could talk about history and genealogy all day long. It’s almost like I’ve been there through it all, I get so passionate about it.” He said.

“So, you said you found flaws in Christianity?”

‘No. I did not make myself understood. I found flaws in what the extremists were teaching.”

“The extremism you battle today?”

“Yes, extremism is a flaw in humanity. It has led to death and destruction everywhere through out history. There are people who become so extreme in religion, philosophy, political doctrines, and patriotism, that they would commit genocide over some ideal they cannot even prove!” He said

“Like the Nazis”

“Well, not just like the nazis. Like a thousand different groups all over the world throughout history. The communists were so extreme they killed millions in China, and Russia, and Cambodia. The Freedom loving Americans were so extreme they wiped out an entire native people. The Christians were so extreme they invaded the Americas and killed millions, they invaded Jerusalem during the Crusades, they burned witches. The Israelites were so extreme they killed whole people groups during the Exodus. The Hindus were so extreme they slew Muslims and caused the division of India. Muslims were so extreme they invaded Europe and slew with the sword. Even strapping bombs to their bodies today to kill children. The Japanese were so extreme they invaded and killed all their neighbors till another group of extremists dropped atomic bombs on them.  Did I leave anyone out? Look everywhere in history and I think you’ll find someone killing someone over extremist views everywhere.”

‘Wow. I think you covered it.”

“Yes, its not hard to find the trails of extremism that has carved boot prints in the backs of humanity.”

“So this drives you?”

‘This is something I feel very passionate about. Extremism needs to be destroyed from humanity and from within our own primitive minds. We need to evolve past that.” He said.

“This goes back to the flaws you found in Christianity.?”

“Again, do not misinterpret what I am saying. “He said in what almost seemed a veiled threat. “I am speaking of false doctrines of extremism in all beliefs. I am spiritual. The things I say are spirit and truth. I have learned that we as a human people are evolving in every way toward a greater calling. We are evolving spiritually, economically, politically, socially, and personally. Evolution takes time and pain. Much pain, to eventually change into the better. The Ascended Masters, have come and gone again and again throughout time, to mold and shape us. All those saints who have been great and gave us light in darkness. All those saints who have lived oppressed and still pulled through the pain of this world. All of it is leading us home to a great future for humanity.”

“So are you part of the Ascendant Faith? Do you follow Enoch Balaam? It’s taking over the world?”

“You know he’s my cousin? I’m very proud of him. He has come out of his shell and is doing the thing he was called to do. He is going forth to make paths straight and prepare the way for what’s to come.”

“I did not know he was your cousin.” She said.

“He likes to keep it a secret. But, I’m so proud of him.”

“So you know him quite well?”

“He likes to think that I am some great saint. I just want to do what I’m called to do.”

‘Which apparently has been to bring peace?”

“Please, I don’t want to get all mystical in thinking that I have been prophesied from the beginning of time to bring peace to the Earth, and that I have been sent and born into the world for that purpose. I don’t want to think that. I know some are saying it. But, I just believe what I believe and I move forward.”

“And things seem to happen.”

“Well, if you love people and want goodness, then great things will happen.” He smiled.

“So, your father being an ambassador, moved to Greece. That’s where you grew up?”

“Yes, I grew up Greek. Then, we moved to Italy, where my father was the ambassador to both Italy and the Vatican.  So, I learned to enjoy good food.” He joked.

She laughed.

“Then, your family moved to Turkiye, where you became involved in politics?”

“Yes, I followed in my fathers’ footsteps and did all the things that pleased him. I seek to bring peace and safety to the world. Even in those early years I was striving to help and create a better world.”

“And you seem to be the chosen one for that task. You rose to become President of Turkiye. (Check Spelling) Then, you became the first person to become President of three countries simultaneously. Both Syria and Lebanon put you on the ballot and voted you into power with a landslide. Then, you moved the capital of Turkey to Istanbul, and now you are on the ballots in both Armenia and Azerbaijan two countries who have had bitter conflict. What do you say about this? How do you explain this?” She asked.

“People want peace. They want prosperity. They want simple common sense and truth. The whole world sees that something is wrong. They see where we are headed and the destruction that looms after the economic collapses, wars and plagues of late. People are tired. They see that I am real. I am bringing peace. I am doing what needs to be done to save the world. I am someone they want to follow, and the world is changing. Change is painful and needed.

I guess I’m blessed. Doors have opened and I have been at the right place at the right time to walk through. I chose Istanbul, because it is the perfect place. You know its history and its location. It sits between two continents, and three religions. It sits in the center of human history as Byzantium and Constantinople. It is close to the people and will be a shining light on a hill. It is the new Babylon, and only Jerusalem has a richer place at this time.”

“How do you feel about all the countries changing laws to allow you to run for office in their countries?

‘I think they want peace. And I have come to give it to them, and even more so.” He said with a shrug.

“But there has to be more?”

“All I can say is that I seem to bring real solutions to ancient problems. I cut through red tape and the road blocks that have kept people oppressed for thousands of years. I work to lift up the lowly and help the wealthy to realize that they have a calling to raise up humanity and change the world. Doors seem to open.”

“Yes, what do you say to the conspiracy theorists who say you have a kill list or you’re the Anti-Christ?”

“Really? Are we going there?  Good. I love these people. They are so passionate. But many of them are the extremists of whom I speak. Many of them are the one who are now being rooted out everywhere in the world to make way for real peace. I have not had people killed who got in my way. Sometimes, things happen. I am as shocked as anyone. As far as being the Anti-Christ is concerned…

Yes, I am. At least in their mind. They would and have called anyone who seeks to change the world Anti-Christ. They have called any Politician, or Pope or Imam or Rabbi or member of the school board the Anti-Christ when they do not get their way. They are extremists, and their way is destruction. But, we needed them in our history to spur change and growth. We need them no more. The Dragon is on the hunt. Extremism must be ended.”

‘So do you support the violence against Christians and others who have been driven underground of late?”

“Of course not. All they have to do is come to their senses. And reject the idea that Jesus son of Joseph is coming back. They just need to join the rest of humanity in getting rid of these archaic extremist views and go with us into the future. They can go to their churches. They don’t have to join the Ascendant faith, but the extremist views must end.”

“But, not through violence, right? Violence solves nothing.”

“Have you seen Hitler or Sadaam Hussein lately? Violence sometimes does solve problems.”

“That seems like an odd thing for a man of peace to say. A man who brokered the only real peace treaty between Israel, the Muslim Nations and the entire world. Not only that but you seem to be stockpiling weapons for America.”

Antiochus Ptolemy sat looking at her.

She squirmed in her seat during the uncomfortable silence.

“Do you support extremism?” He asked in a cold manner that suggested a veiled threat.

“I’m just asking some hardball questions that people want to know. People who support and love you and vote for you.” She explained quickly.

“The world needs peace. A woman when she is having a child feels great pain and pressure until finally the child is born. Then, she has joy. It’s terrible what has happened in the world up till now. Even today. It’s like some hand behind the scenes has caused so much strife. But I am trying to fix that. I am not to blame for things that people have brought upon themselves. I only seek to help. The world is in turmoil, and I have come at such a time as this to help do my part to fix it. To bring change and lead us into the future. We are as gods, and are evolving into who we are supposed to be and the paradise we shall build together.

As far as the American weapons are concerned. You know that America and Europe fell into great economic catastrophe. They have been experiencing civil wars, and tribalism. Along with plagues that come from death. I am trying to help them. They are sending the weapons to me, so they will be kept out of the hands of extremists who are taking over large areas of the country. Imagine if one of these extremists was to get a hold of the American Military and Nuclear arsenal. They do not even know from day to day if one of their own soldiers will turn out to be an extremist and join the other side. It’s a terrible situation.

But. It’s part of the change to come. The evolution into greatness. These weapons, once used for evil. To build an empire and keep evil in power, will now be used for good. To keep global peace.”

“I look forward to that.” Mara said.

“Well Mara, thank you for the interview. You did a great job.  I have lots to take care of.” He said as he rose and shook her hand.

‘Yes, thank you very much. For your time.”

Antiochus Ptolemy stood and walked out of the small interview area with the lights and chairs. He met his chief of staff who came up to him.

Antiochus leaned in close to his chief.

“Get rid of her. She did not stick to the script.” He said,

“Yes, but you handled it greatly.”

“It just came to me, like everything else.” Ptolemy said.

“We got a call from the President of the UN. He is very interested in your plan to divide the world into 10 areas for peace and prosperity.”

“Great. Have you heard from the economic tech guys? How are they coming with the plan to reign in the economies and help the people suffering?”

“They seem to have a solution to control all of that. And to give people back their lives after all the devastation.”

“Wonderful. It’s almost like it was all part of prophecy.”

“Yes, sir.”

They both laughed as they entered the bullet proof limo.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

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