The next day came, I went to work, and drove to the Quack House. Jones was already there. I jumped out of my truck and got in to his car. He asked for a cigarette, gave me a joint. We lit ‘em both up. I spoke first.
“Jones, can I ask you something?”
“Depends, I guess. Ask anyway.”
“Well, I had this strange dream the other night, after I left here. I was wondering if you’d hear me out for a second and then tell me what you think.”
“I can do that. Go ahead.”
“Well, it started with me on a bus. I had no idea where I was going. The bus was heading down a sandy road, towards this city. I could see the city in the distance. I see all of these people lined up along the street watching us proceed into town. We pulled up to a bus stop minutes later. As I got off the bus, a strange man runs up to me carrying two cages - one large, one medium. He says, ‘Sir, you forgot these.’ I reach out and grab the cages. Only, when I look in, I see two, odd, monkey-like creatures in the large cage, and another in the medium-sized cage. I continue to walk towards my hotel room, which is directly on this large lake area. I put the cages in the closet as I shower. After I dress, I get both cages out, talk to the creatures for a few minutes in a tongue I have never heard, open the doors to the hotel room and the cages, and watch the creatures run out into the lake. When I reach the shore, I see the three creatures at the bottom of the lake, relaxing and smiling. The water is crystal clear. And then I see even more of the creatures coming out of everywhere – from behind trees, cars, bushes, houses, shops, trucks, and buses. It was odd. I had this overwhelming feeling that they had always been there. They had just now decided to come out and let me see them. I panicked. I called out to the three under the water to come back. They just laughed, floated up to the top of the lake, and ran away, on top of the water. I chased after them. I rounded two of them up pretty quickly, but the third was nowhere to be seen. All of a sudden, I heard this man screaming and shouting. I rounded the corner and saw him with a bowling ball. He was tossing bowling balls at the third monkey-man. I couldn’t believe it! I ran up to the man, confronted him, but all I got for it was an ass whooping. I lay there on the ground looking up. I got up, ran for the monkey-man, grabbed him, and took off. I put him in his respective cage. Then I woke up. What do you think?”
“Don’t fret, fair son, it will all make sense. You see, the monkey-men are here. They are everywhere. That was just a vision. More will be explained a little later, after a Quacktail. Ready?”
“Sure, let’s go.”
We got out of the car and went in. The door was propped open as usual. Billy saw us and began pouring from his machine. Two full Quacktails were there when we hit the bar. Jones grabbed his and nodded at Billy. I said, “Thanks,” and grabbed mine. We went to our open table.
“Take a sip,” Jones said as we sat down. I took a large one to prepare. “Okay, you want to know who those monkey-men were?”
“Of course,” I stated in anticipation as I leaned forward and lit a cigarette.
“Okay, can I have one? Thanks. The monkey-men are here. They are everywhere. The dream you had was a vision. It’s a good sign you had one your first night. The monkey-men are truly here. They just lurk behind things. It’s their nature. Most of the time they exist in a different time-space realm, but every once in a while they can be seen.”
“Huh?”
“Think of this. What do you think ghosts are? What do you think shadow men are? What do you think demons and angels are? What do you think God is? All of those and more are out there, right now, with us. Only we can’t always see them. They exist on a different vibration level.”
“Vibration level? How so?”
“Well, everything exists. It just depends on where. Haven’t you ever felt as if someone was watching you?”
“Yes.”
“Well, there probably was. Ever seen something you thought couldn’t be true?”
“Yes.”
“Probably was true. No. Let me rephrase that. Was true! It always is. Everything you experience is true, no matter where it comes from or if you believe it. It’s simply a matter of fact and realization. Drink up.” Jones toasted me. We drank.
“What does all of this mean?” I asked.
“That depends on what you mean.” Jones continued, “you must explain further.”
“Where did the notes come from? What do the signs in this bar mean? What is that room with the voice? What is going on here?”
“Now, fair son, do you really want to know all of that just now? Doesn’t the suspense and the intrigue do anything for you?”
“Yea, but I always like to know what I am getting myself into.”
“None of us know what we are getting ourselves into any single moment of time. To think that way is just a mirage. Just ride this one out. Don’t analyze it, just sense it.”
“Okay, but please tell me what Humanocracy is.”
“That’s simple; it’s a tenet of our race. That’s all. It gets us by.”
“Tenet? Gets you by?”
“Yeah, gets us by. As I told you the other night, the hard part is dealing with society once the knowledge is gained. Humanocracy gets us by.”
“What does it entail, exactly?”
“That is what you will find out along the ride. Drink up.” Jones finished his Quacktail, rose from his seat, and asked Billy for another round. I finished mine as Jones brought the Quacktails, and the next round of conversation.
“You want to know what all of this is, do ya? Well, I can’t tell you all of it. Actually, I can’t tell you any of it. It is something you have to experience and understand yourself. I can only guide you along the way. Show you what others have seen.”
“What have the others seen?”
“A lot. Let’s toast.” Jones raised his Quacktail high into the air as the room went silent. He began, “Here’s to you. Here’s to me. Forever friends we shall be. But if at ever we disagree. A Quacktail it is for me.”
Once again the room rang out in bellows of “Here, here.” I said the same.
“I have to tell you,” Jones continued. “Something a bit different is happening this time around.”
“What do you mean?” I queried.
“Well, to tell you the truth, there is someone who wants to meet you. Rather unorthodox if you ask me. But he’s in charge.”
“Who’s in charge?”
“Well, not in charge of everything. That’s not what I mean. It’s just, he’s in charge of this one area.”
“What area is that?”
“Hold on, come with me. I’ll let him tell you himself. Take a big swig of your Quacktail first. You’re gonna need it for this one. You see that big guy over there in the corner?” Jones pointed to the corner furthest from the door. It was the only corner in the place that remained dark without any light. “He’s the guy you need to meet with. I’ll grab us another couple of Quacktails and meet you there. He always likes meeting people one on one at first. Says it gives him a sense of who they are without the distraction of anyone else. Good luck.”
“Jones? Uh, what’s his name?”
“Just go along for the ride, my fair son. Good luck.” Jones walked away towards Billy and the machine. I, on the other hand, went towards the dark corner. As I approached, I could see a lone man in a pinstriped suit sitting at a long table in the shadows. He was looking out at everyone in the place staring intently at times on one conversation or another. It was as if he could hear the entire place and what was being said. I was a bit nervous.
“Please, do sit down,” he said as I approached. There was a chair across the table from him, and I sat down. “My name is Nisbub. How do you do?” he continued as he reached out his hand towards me.
“Fine,” I replied. “Nice to meet you.”
“There is something I need to know.”
“What might that be?”
“Well, I was sitting here two nights ago and I saw you walk in with Jones. It has been a while since Jones brought in another Quack.”
“Sir, I am no Quack!”
“Fair son, that is not a derogatory term. It is what we are. All of us who pass through those propped open doors. It is our inherent nature to be so.”
“I don’t follow.”
“You see, it has been a while since Jones brought in another Quack – you. I’m not sure what to make of it, but I overheard your conversation and was intrigued. Where did you learn all of it?”
“All of what?” I asked confused.
“You know, all of it.”
“No, I’m sorry, I don’t know.”
“Humanocracy, fair son. Humanocracy.”
“I don’t know anything about it. That was what I was asking Jones about before I was told to come over to you.”
“Yeah, I needed to make sure of something. But everything is okay. I can see it in your eyes and feel it in your soul. I see Jones heading over here. Grab your Quacktail and finish it for me as soon as he gets here. I have something I need you to do.”
Jones handed me my Quacktail. I swigged it down. I could feel my head begin to spin as soon as I began. I gathered my wits and looked at Nisbub.
Nisbub began, “Go back into the room over there. The one you went in the other night. Jones will be waiting for you when you come out.”
I turned around and started walking. I felt anticipation and wanted to turn back, but didn’t. I opened the door and went in.
