My Erim Bayala Visit

My Erim Bayala Visit

ELEM-Entry NY

When you think of Israel, the first thing that often comes to mind is the crisis over the disputed territories. Or perhaps, you think of pious Jews spending their time learning Torah. But how often do you think of the Holy Land’s growing problem with teen and adult age prostitution?

Probably not much.

While rarely spoken of or addressed, every year prostitution in Israel increases at staggering numbers. According to ELEM Youth in Distress in Israel, there are thousands of youth involved in prostitution.

Most of Israel’s prostitutes were sexually abused while growing up. They came to believe that rather than staying in a home where they were forced to have sex with family members, they could get earn a living by entering the field of prostitution. Their ages generally range from 12-24. In most cases they are 16-20. Many still live in the homes they were abused in.

These girls perform numerous sexual acts for their clients But in most cases they receive no or very nominal amounts of money for their service. Generally, close to 90 percent of the payment goes back to the pimps. The women work for food and drinks. In many cases, this is more than they got at home.

Just recently, I spent time in Eilat at ELEM’s Erim Bayala (Awake at Night) house, which helps build feelings of trust that the girls working the streets have never felt.

The small house, which just opened, is adjacent to a high school. Several nights a week ELEM’s volunteers gather there before they walk the streets to find women in need of their help. Currently there are about 10 volunteers at Erim Bayala and 15 working with other ELEM outreach projects in Eilat. About 1,700 people volunteer with ELEM throughout Israel.

Hila, a female volunteer in her early 20s, who is studying social work gave me a quick tour of the facility and we hopped into a taxi to go to the area where the prostitutes work. Upon exiting the cab she showed me the bars where the pimps send them to find clients. The streets were scattered with their “business cards”. These cards showed the prostitute’s photo and contact information. I saw similar on the boardwalk at Frishman Beach, Tel Aviv.

We strolled the streets and Hila told me that the working girls usually hang out in the bars. They know which guys will buy them drinks or something to eat. Once the hook up is made and the drinks and food are done they usually walk to the massage parlor or other locations

The bottom floor of the massage parlor is the Grand Central Station for Eilat’s prostitutes. It contains many doorless rooms and a shower or two. A person could walk by numerous rooms and witness sex acts being performed. The girls then will take a shower and move onto the next client.

The ELEM volunteers often wait in the bars or at the massage parlor. They see the girls exiting their shifts and approach them. ELEM has changed the paradigm of how they work with these people to change their lives.

They never chastise them for working in this profession. They become their friends. They become a person they can talk to about any topic. The girls get cell phones from ELEM staff to use to call them.

It is not uncommon for girls to meet with a volunteer once a week just to chat or have coffee. The volunteers call these girls regularly. They call just to say hello and to build trust. It takes some time for the girls to begin trusting ELEM’s volunteers. But eventually many do.

It is not unusual for the girls to see 20-30 clients over the span of 10-12 hours. So in other words they don’t rest on Shabbat. Sadly, Motzei Shabbat (conclusion of Shabbat, when the work and other restrictions are lifted), it is not uncommon for many Orthodox Jews to go visit these girls. They line up at the massage parlor or in bars. They usually travel in teams of two. One will take off his kippah and long black coat and give it to his friend to hold. He will find a girl and when he is done, the friend will find a girl. And the one who just finished seeing a prostitute will hold his religious effects.

Muslim dads will take their 13 year-old sons to a girl to ensure they lose their virginity.

While some of the girls use drugs, very few become addicts. They may smoke a little or pop a pill or two. This is done to help them escape what they are doing.

Hila and I sat in the Beatles bar sipping beer waiting to see if any prostitutes would enter. None did. But that’s because we were there too early. We left the bar. I went back to my hotel. Hila went home.

But somewhere on the streets of Eilat were young girls that needed help from ELEM’s volunteers and professional staff. Thankfully these people are out there donating their time.

Bleach Monster, Part XIII

 

Several days later Murray texted Mark.  Despite Mark’s positives changes, he knew it would take a few days for him to calm down.  In many circumstances people had more trouble with memories of past problems than todays.  It placed them back to a part of their lives they likely want to forget.

Murray, Danit, Danny and Tony played tourist in D.C.  Arnold hung out with them.  He even cooked a wonderful steak dinner. Lots of red wine was drunk by those of legal age.

Anyway, Mark read the text and started to shake. He kept wondering why after 25 years he was approached by an “enemy” from his prior life? One he worked so hard to forget. He knew he couldn’t hide. He had to take it head on. He was much stronger now and could defeat Murray.

The things they did to each other back in the day in summer camp were childish. He is still somewhat embarrassed for his actions as a dumb teen.  But didn’t all teens have moments they will always regret?

Murray’s text told him to meet him in three hours at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.  Mark was going.  Nothing could stop him. He wondered if Arnold would be there.  He knew he’s that one that would have put Murray up to coming down to D.C., from NYC. Maybe when it was all over they could have burgers and a Genny Cream Ale.

Murray stood by the museum with Arnold. Danit, Tony and Danny were munching on popcorn and sipping bottled water.  Even though Arnold lived and worked in D.C.  Mark never hung out with him.  He really made a complete break from his past. Years of therapy created a new Mark.

“Hi, Mark.”

“Arnold lovely to see you and Murray together again, I figured you guys would still be friends.  I don’t use Facebook so I couldn’t check if you were mutual friends. But I bet you are. So what brings us all here?”

The three of them made idle chatter.

Danny found some pizzas.  No it wasn’t from the restaurant he was supposed to eat it from. But they were 300 miles away. If he needed to shoot out his blubber he had to choose a selected pizzeria.  Of course all the pizza in the D.C. area sucked. But this place would suffice.

Murray began “Yes it is nice to with old friends. And Arnold and I are mutual friends.  He may even be the best man when I marry Stacey.”

“Glad to see you are doing well. So why is it after two plus decades you guys decided to find me?”

“We figured it’d be fun to see how you are doing?” remarked Murray.

“I’m fine and am happy now. I know I was a goof ball in that sick camp we went to.  I put you guys in tough situations. But you always came out on top and won. For the record, I hated that place. I am sure it is what drove to me to do the dumb things I did.  I wish I never got caught. But I am over it all now.”

“That’s nice, Mark.  So we understand you’re doing really well. But there are some situations coming up in the Finance Committee and we want to make sure you can handle it. We don’t want you to flip back into your old self.  You cannot give pots to the general public.”

“Murray, Murray, Murray. Do you still have dishpan hands? “

“No.  Do you still like swimming in the bog? Or cleaning the dining room floor with your toothbrush? Or sleeping in the camp Dumpster?”

Mark was holding his control. But those nights in the Dumpster scarred him for life. It took him years to get that dark memory out of his head. But he seemed to take it like a man.

Tony and Danny were sitting on a bench texting their mommy’s. They let them know they were ok.

Mark smiled.  Murray sensed his actions were forced.

Mark wasn’t feeling terrible. However, he wanted to leave. But confronting his past enemies was good for him.

“I can handle any situation. You’re probably concerned about some of the welfare bills and the desire of some people to increase spending?”

Murray took a step back/. Well Mark was onto what they were after.  Of course, Mark was instrumental in drafting the bill to give out more public assistance.

“You’re basically there,” retorted Arnold.  “America needs you to rethink what you are proposing.  Do we need more handouts?  We know you carry this guilt for people in those situations.  It is likely because of the things that happened to you in camp.  But let’s get to the point.  Did you not deserve it?”

Mark was training hard at the gym.  He wanted to stay cool. But he really wanted to fight. He took a few steps toward Murray and was swinging his hands.  Murray jumped away.  All of a sudden Mark was knocked down by pieces of blubber.  He seemed to get washed over by tear water. But this time it wasn’t his tears.

No wine was poured. No bleach was needed to clean up any stains.  Murray had his younger team members take the lead. What worked well was that they did it from far away.  Murray could fight from afar. But he preferred close hand-to-hand combat. Danit didn’t care either way. She just wanted to win.

Mark rolled around on the floor.  He looked like a crazy person.  People started gathering around him. At this point, Arnold ushered his pals into the museum.

Bleach Monster, Part XII

Bleach Monster, Part XII

Their dead on deep stare was scary.  Neither Murray nor Mark moved. It was like a dual to see who would break first.  Murray would never break. Too much was riding on this.

It was business as usual for everyone else in the area, while the two men stood there.  Mark was telling himself to remain strong. His stomach turned and he was drenched in sweat.

Murray was cool as a cucumber. Mark then suddenly realized he had a key position in D.C. He could have Murray removed from the area. But he had to act with prudence. Failure to do so would wreck everything he worked for.

Mark’s eyes moved slightly.  Murray’s did not.

Mark waved his arms toward his buddy, Jerry, a capital police officer.  Leisurely Jerry strolled over.  Mark wanted to do this on a friendly basis. He figured he’d make introductions. Say Murray is an old friend and a sports freak. The two would get engaged in a conversation about baseball and Mark would sneak on into the House.

Mark was trying to prove how grown up was.  But why should he have to prove anything?  Yeah he had a very rough teenage life. But he turned everything around. He got a good job, made new friends that really care about him and did a lot of interesting things. But for some reason these blasts from the past unnerved him.  He was much stronger. But he was not strong enough.  Or maybe he still had hidden fears of his past lodged deeply within him.

Anyway, Jerry came by.  Quick introductions were made.  But Murray was onto Mark.  Murray quickly brought up his pain over all the injuries his beloved Bronx Bombers had. But then he brought up how it was such a beautiful summer day and the memories he had of spending his teen years in summer camp.

Mark panicked.  He started to shake.  About 10 feet away, Danit was watching this all.  She was ready to strike if need be. But somehow she knew Murray was in control.

Mark’s body was twisted.  His conscience was telling him to stand tall. Tears were coming out of his eyes in buckets.

Jerry was perplexed.  Murray smiled. Jerry asked Mark what was wrong. Mark tried to speak. But all that came out of his mouth was gibberish.  He put his head down into his hands.

Jerry was thinking about radioing for an ambulance.  Murray chatted with Jerry for a brief moment.  They spoke about A-Rod’s constant mishaps.  Of course one could discuss that for much more than a brief moment.  Let’s face a guy was having convulsions in front of them. But bring up baseball and that takes the stage.

Danit was in awe of Murray and the control he exhibited. It was almost as if the Force was truly channeling through him.  She knew know that their little group was unstoppable.

Murray shook Jerry’s hand, told Mark to calm down and said he’d text him later and wandered off to a hot dog stand.

Bleach Monster, Part XI

 

Mark woke up from a miserable night’s sleep.  He had an important committee meeting today. It could make or break the legislative work he’d be involved with for the last few months.

His poor night’s sleep had nothing to do with that. He had dreams of his teenage years.  He dreamt about his years in summer camp.  They were awful. He had very few friends. He was very awkward around people.  He got caught doing things that really made him look like a sicko. He wasn’t really a bad kid. His parents loved and supported him.  They still do.

Years of therapy paid off. He had a good job that paid well. He had a few friends that he trusted.  He had moved so far away from those dark times. But suddenly they were back. He thought he was stronger. But when he saw Murray inside he cringed. 

Murray strolled over to the SCOTUS. He had his reservations about if what he did was right? Should he really have had Danit get the troops to DC? Or should he have handled things the way he usually did, on his own? But what’s done is done. He now had to live with the consequences.

Mark arrived to the Capitol Building. He lingered around the tourists before he went in.  Murray, Danit, Danny and Tony were mixed in with the tourists. They had their cameras, maps, bottled water and were wearing baseball caps. 

Murray used his keen hearing to listen into a conversation Mark had with a security guard. Nothing important was said. They were talking about last night’s Nationals game.  Mark mentioned how much he missed being in NYC, where is beloved Bronx Bombers played.

Mark stood outside for a few minutes and sipped his coffee. He calmed himself down.  He knew he had work to do.  He truly believed he was serving his country and that Americans benefited from his toils.

He was about to go in when he heard someone scream out his name.

He turned around.  But he saw no one.  He waited about a minute and went back to the door. He brushed this off to nerves.  He figured with all the tourists one of the parents was yelling at one their kids, who just happened to share his name.

Of course, Danit was calling Tony Mark. It worked.  They didn’t get him to look around more carefully. They slowed him down. That was all they needed.

Murray snuck around to the staff entrance and hid in an alcove near the door. As Mark was about to walk in, Danit once again screamed out his name.  Mark stopped dead in his tracks.

He started to shiver.   He saw Danit and Tony. But thought it was a boy named, Mark with his mom. He smiled and walked toward the door. They smiled back.

He got closer.  Just as he got to the doorway, Murray jumped into his path.

The two froze.

Bleach Monster, Part X

Murray left the Seaport.  The others stayed. He raced up to Penn Station.  He received an urgent message from an old friend. He needed to be in DC early in the morning.

A ticket for an Amtrak Acela was waiting for him. He got to Penn. Swiped his card in the Amtrak machine and out popped his ticket.  He sat in the passengers waiting area for about 15 minutes and boarded Amtrak Train 2167 to our nation’s capital.

Murray sat in the train’s quiet car and prayed no loud mouths that didn’t care about the rules would be there with him. 

It was a smooth ride.  Three hours later he was in Union Station, Washington, D.C.  He hopped on the Red-Line toward Shady Grove and found his friend, Arnold on Pennsylvania Avenue and 11 Street. He was in all black and was drenched in sweat.

“What’s wrong?”

Arnold stood silently for minutes.

Then he spoke

“We have issues.  Remember the old days when we were in camp?”

“’Of course.  Those were the best years of our lives.”

“The crazy counselor who used to give out pots when we were bad has taken a high ranking staff position on the Senate Finance Committee.  Apparently he cleaned up his nutty act and did quite well in school. He wound up rising up through the legislative staff ranks rather quickly. But I’ve heard he cannot be trusted.”

“What do you expect me to do?”

“I’ve read stories about what’s going on in NYC.  Specifically in Staten Island, Forest Hills, 161 Street and in Central Park. “

“What stories?”

“Stories written about people with special powers.  There were only three.  But something tells me you were involved.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. You.”

The two made idle chatter for the next 20 minutes. Murray denied knowing anything about the Bleach Monster.  Wine-Girl, Blubber Boy and Tear-Water Boy never made it to the press.

Murray suggested they grab a beer.  Arnold agreed.  They walked over to a bar not far from the Ronald Reagan Office Building.

One beer turned into another, coupled with an order or wings and fries.  Two hours later a few shots of Arrack were poured.  They paid their bill with a generous tip and departed.

A plan was hatched to take out the obnoxious camp counselor.  You see they didn’t wish him harm. The camp days were way gone. But they knew this wacko, despite his cleaned up act was still a nut.  Heaven help our country with the counsel he’ll give our senators.

Murray didn’t explain anything about his empire to Arnold. He just said he would figure out a way to take care of Mark. He needed to closely study the situation

Murray was calm. But he was a little nervous. He never finalized the creation of his empire at the South Street Seaport. He knew Danit would be waiting for his next move.  He trusted her to an extent.  But knew she’d try to take him out if he wasn’t careful. So much for sibling love.

Arnold went home. Murray checked in at the J.W. Marriott.  He took a shower and began texting Danit.  She was still up. He gave her a heads up on what was going down in D.C.  He told her to stay on guard for instructions. She got excited. 

She knew an empire was in the works.   Although she wasn’t the official leader, she knew she would run it anyway.  She was happy to let Murray think he was in control.

Murray went to J. Crew and purchased a suit. He went as a visitor to the next Senate Finance committee meeting. He saw the loony, Mark that he hadn’t seen in over 25 years.  Murray remained unnoticed.

Mark looked good.  Brooks Brothers suit. He appeared to be in good shape and was speaking very clearly. But there was still a twinge in his eyes.  If you didn’t know him back in the day you wouldn’t notice.  You might think he eyes were red due to allergies or other issues.  The meeting concluded.  Everyone scurried out.

Murray got a drink of water and called Arnold Everything seems quite normal. But Murray sensed Mark would turn into Mark and start giving out pots.  Not the kind he gave out him camp. Heck those were dirty old pots that good ‘ole camp grub was cooked in.  The new pots could be amendments to financial bills that will wreak havoc on our great American lifestyle. 

Mark has a convincing mind.

It needed to be stopped.

He and Murray walked right by each other. Mark was oblivious.

A few days passed. Murray was ready to strike.  He went to Senate committee’s website and found Mark’s email. He sent him a cordial email telling him how he’s in town and it has been over two decades since they’ve seen each other.  He suggested they meet in front of the Air and Space Museum.

Mark agreed. He was a little nervous. But figured his interactions with Murray were so dated it wouldn’t matter. You see when Mark tried to give Murray and Arnold a million pots they raided him in his sleep. They moved him while he was sound asleep on his cot and placed him in the latrine above the Willy holes.   Mark woke up screaming. He was never mean to any camper again.

Mark knew those days were gone. He straightened his life out. He did well at Wharton and had a great job.  But he knew his crazy streak was just waiting to strike.

The two arrived at the Air and Space meeting.  As usual, the Hare Krishnas were nearby.  They grabbed Dove bars from the refreshment stand and began to chat.  Mark told Murray how he still has nightmares about waking up above the Willy holes in camp.  Murray smiled.  He said he feels bad. But hey that was over two decades ago and he was never apologizing for his teen craziness. 

Mark understood.  He went onto explain how crazy camp situations helped him evolve into the man he is today.  Murray knew right there that Mark was likely to go crazy.  Some of it was his fault. Some was due the environment they were placed in.

The conversation ended. They shook hands and went their separate ways.

Murray texted Arnold. They had to get their plan into high gear.  Murray realized the way some things were phrased that trouble was brewing.

The next few days may change the shape of the universe.

Murray needed Danit and his other powerful little friends at his side. He purchased tickets for them to arrive in DC that evening. He outlined the structure of “Murray’s Empire” in a cyptic email.  They swore their allegiance. Basically they were to use their “powers” for good.

He told them to go straight to the Supreme Court upon arrival.

Murray got together with Arnold. They began mapping out their attack plan. 

Murray’s major concern was how to fight without use of their powers. Could he do it with tricky speech? Or would his empire descend upon Washington in full light?

Bleach Monster, Part IX

April 24, 2013

Danit woke up and hopped on the Staten Island Railway with Tony. Audrey stayed home with her dad.  They were en-route to Murray’s meeting place. 

She was not pleased that he requested their presence in front of the Yankees’ store at the South Street Seaport. He did that on purpose.  Nothing in his mind topped the Bronx Bombers.

She had been a Yankee fan. Then she converted and began to root for the Mets.

 Sad.

Very sad.

The train pulled into the SI Ferry Terminal and they boarded. She hoped the boat was not laden with roaches. She meant in terms of the real ones and the riders that often resembled them.

The ferry sailed along. All was quiet. The usual preachers were preaching.  The deckhands were drinking coffee. People were reading their papers and chatting away with their friends.  It docked.  They walked off and headed down Water Street.

People seemed distressed. The market was not doing so well.  As they approached Wall Street they noticed several people acting crazy. But not in a sense that the usual NYC crazies acted.   Danit wondered if it was the market downturn or something else?

Despite Tony’s new found tear-water power he was nervous. He is still young and hasn’t spent much time in the city.  He clutched Danit’s hand. She smiled and told him this is the norm for the City.  It is packed with a lot of crazies.

A religious crazy approached them and started preaching and begging.  Danit pulled Tony away. She told him not to go into defense mode.  She further explained that most of these people are harmless. They just need to be institutionalized.  Such a shame these people are free to walk the streets and disturb an otherwise peaceful spring day.

Murray and Danny were in the store buying Yogi Berra t-shirts, World Series collector baseballs and some other stuff.  “Uncle Sam” and the “Statue of Liberty” were standing outside the store posing for pictures and begging for money.

Murray and Danny sat on a bench and sipped bottled water.  A few minutes later Danit and Tony arrived.  They exchanged greetings.  They began walking toward Pier 17. They planned to sit out by the boats and discuss life. Murray was pleased it looked like his plans were finally going to come to fruition.

As they were walking past the GAP and getting ready to cross the street a crazed cyclist was riding through the crowd. She was slamming into people.  A few elderly people got knocked down.  A group of people started to chase her. But she cycled away.

Murray kept his eyes fixed on the route she took.  He pointed in that direction.  Despite Murray’s dark leanings, he still has a lot of good in him. One day this mix of good and evil will kill him.

They picked up their pace and walked near J. Crew. They saw the crazy biker picking up so much speed. However, she was no longer attacking anyone. She was just cruising at a speed too fast for her surroundings.

She started pedaling even faster.  She tried to turn left. But her wheel got caught in the sidewalk and she flipped off the bike and landed on her knees.  Murray and his group surrounded her. She started screaming out words. Not in English of course. But none of them could decipher the language she was speaking. They didn’t think she was an alien. They figured she was just a nut.

Danit asked her if she was ok. She nodded, yes.  They didn’t want to leave her. They walked over to her and tried to help her out.  As Danny moved forward, she pulled an axe out of her bag.  Danny ducked and shot pieces of blubber.  She went down. 

Murray’s gang retreated.  They found a nearby bench to sit on.

Murray began addressing why he called them together.

Bleach Monster, Part VIII

Danit woke up. Today is her birthday. She was pondering the text from Murray. She knew it was cryptic for a reason.  She expected him to call with birthday greetings. He always called early. He is not vermin.

On Murray’s 18^th birthday not one friend or family member called to say happy birthday. He spent the day with his parents and Danit.  No one called. Not even his grandmother, who’s notorious for calling at around 6:00 a.m. on big days in one’s life.

Back to the text, she knew she had to meet Murray. He offered two choices. There was no way she was going to 161 Street.  Sadly her days of going to the Stadium ended. She became a traitor and rooted for the Mutts. 

She knew Murray hated coming back to the Island. Not sure it was that he hated that place so much or the harrowing commute to get there. A train, to a filthy ferry, another train and then being picked up in Annandale took longer than going to Boston. Our hearts are with them today.

So she said she could meet him in two days at Wolfe’s Pond Park.  Murray loved that place. He learned to inline skate there. Audrey came running into her room with a homemade birthday card and a cupcake. It was a little early for the cupcake. But Audrey was wearing such a loving smile when she handed it over to her mom. So Danit ate it.

Audrey was excited that she got to spend the day with her mom. But she was more excited that she was going to the zoo.  She loves animals.  Unlike her mom she isn’t afraid of snakes. Of course, that fear is Murray’s fault.

The trip to the zoo was easy.  Everything was calm. They had pizza for lunch, watched Disney DVDs and got ready for a birthday dinner with Robbie, her husband and an ever doting father to Audrey.

The day came. Murray stood in front of the restrooms at Wolfe’s Pond Park waiting for Danit. He decided to take the SI train or trolley as he called it to Huguenot.  He walked down Huguenot Ave. to Hylan Blvd. to the park. He barely looked at Tottenville High School, the dump he wasted four years of his life in.  Boy did he hate that place with a passion.  Has no care in the world about that institution now. It was a faded memory of one’s past.

Danit drove in and parked in Murray’s traditional parking spot.  He is very ritualistic and always parked in the same spot in the park and just about anywhere else. She knew he’d be standing by the park’s latrine.

April 16, 2013

He smiled and pulled a bottle of Segal’s Fusion Red out of his knapsack. He opened, decanted and poured.  He was laughing and smiling every step of the way.

L’Chaim.

She reluctantly sipped her wine.  She knew exactly why he did this.  Even he though fought with bleach. He was a sith at heart. The Force was always strong within him.

They chatted for about an hour. The bottle of Segal’s was finished and tossed in the recycle bin.

The two siblings agreed to get their little “weapons,” Danny and Tony together to start their “empire”.  They would meet in two weeks at the South Street Seaport.

Over the next few days, Murray and Danit worked out and made sure Danny and Tony followed suit.

All were anxiously awaiting the rapidly approaching meeting date.

Bleach Monster, Part VII

Murray woke up to a lovely spring morning. Before he went to bed he watched, Andy pitch a great game and was happy that Cano was beginning to hit well. All was right with the world. 

Stacey was out of the picture.  Murray was upset. But not terribly depressed. She is cute.  But she wasn’t right for him.  Perhaps he’d find a new crazy before the end of the season. 

Anyway he brought his laundry off to the Laundromat. He no longer did his own laundry. He had to be careful with his use of bleach for him to continue to be the “Bleach Monster”.  He hopped on the R-train and headed to Columbus Circle.

As he sat on the train he began to read, Revan. He was obsessed with the Old Republic. He felt he was part of it. He loved the battles and knew he had to fight many more.

He knew he had to form an alliance.  Of course he had to be in control. He was a little confused about how to get Danit, “the Wine-Girl,” Danny, “Blubber-Boy,” and Tony, “Tear-Water Boy” together under his domain. His sister, Danit would be the toughest.

He got off the train and grabbed a hot dog and Pepsi from a street vendor. He began to walk through Central Park.  It was the usual park scene.  Murray went to his rock.  He’d been sitting on that rock and meditating for more years than he can remember. He was good at it. He turned his iPhone off and immersed himself in his thoughts.

About an hour later he jumped off his rock and bought bottled water. He hiked over to the lake.  A cute couple was in a rowboat. They were smiling. He dreamed that it was he and his new nut job.  The couple seemed happy.

But then he heard sharp words coming from the woman’s mouth about the status of their relationship.  She really liked him. The guy liked her. But she always seemed to spend her time with other people.  But she said she had known her other friends for many years and was having trouble squeezing in space for him. He was tired of being the second banana.

They rowed back to the boathouse and docked.  They were holding hands.  Murray didn’t hear all of their argument. So he figured they must have made up. 

He tuned out for a moment or two and sipped his water.  His ears awoke to a shriek. The guy from the rowboat was rolling on the floor in excruciating pain. His girlfriend slashed his hand with a razor blade. She kicked him hard in the chest when he tried to clot the bleeding.

She was now running wild through the park. The NYPD tried to stop her. But were no match for her.  Little kids were screaming. Her boyfriend was being tended to by EMS.

Murray was not in the mood to deal with her. He was still figuring out how to create his republic. But there was still some good in him and he didn’t want anyone else to be injured.

He kicked his legs into high gear and approached her. The two of them exchanged words.  Her eyes were blood red.  Her twisted smile was beyond big. She came at Murray with the razor blade.

He didn’t move a muscle. She got within inches of him. Her hand was in attack mode.  As she readied herself to slash his face his eyes shot gallons of bleach.  She was drenched. She went down for the count. She started screaming.  Murray poured some water over her. He didn’t want to kill her.

He figured she needed to go to the hospital and then the psych ward.  An EMS technician came over to her. Thankfully, the usual rubber necking crowd was forming.  This gave Murray an easy escape. He meandered through the crowd unnoticed.

No he wasn’t interested in dating this woman even though he had a high tolerance for the mentally ill.  In recent months a young kid broke him away from that.  He finally recognized he needed to stay away.   His breakaway was a slow and enduring process.

The sun was blazing. For some unusual reason no one was around the lake.  Murray jumped in. Did he care if the water was clean? In his neat freak, OCD, GAD mind he did care. He was going rogue.  The water felt great.  After a few minutes of the butterfly and side strokes he climbed out. As he emerged a pigeon flew right at him. He has a little friend who hates pigeons. He’s not found of them either. But he didn’t plan on hurting the bird.  It came within inches of him and flew away.

Murray grabbed some napkins from a food stand and “toweled” himself dry. His shorts and Gehrig t-shirt were damp. But wearable. 

While in the water he only thought of forming his republic. His crazed, but good and caring mind had lots of ideas.  He sent a strangely worded text to Danit and requested her presence at a gathering….

Bleach Monster, Part VI

March 18, 2013

Murray sailed the Staten Island Ferry with his brother-in-law, Robbie. This weekend was going to be a break from his usual life.  He had things to do on the old home front of Staten Island. He chatted with Robbie.  But he pretty much lost himself in reading material.

The boat sailed and they trekked to Robbie’s home via train and car.  It snapped back into Murray’s head how much he hated going to and from the Island.  It wasn’t a bad place to grow up. However, it was so damn inconvenient to travel to and from. Plus it is somewhat backward from the rest of the City.

But he was going to a farewell party and hitting his old health club in between.  Overall Murray was in a good place. He was back to handling his special powers well. His sister, Danit was doing well with hers.  Danny was no longer getting bullied.  He was working hard to stop others from having this problem.

Murray had things to do. Danit was nice enough to lend him a car for the day or two he’d be on Staten Island.  As he jumped into the car his mind drifted back to his old days.  He thought of the crazies he hung out with then.  He wondered how different they are from the nut jobs he now spent his time with.

He had great pizza, worked out and slept in his mom’s house.  Next day did similar. Eventually he made it over to the catering hall for the farewell party.  His closest friends were there. This party was a farewell to place he grew up in.  It was being shut down and merged into another being.

Would it be a stronger one? Perhaps it would be.

Murray was wondering if this was the time to confront Danit about her powers. He knew she was trying to take a young lad under her wing to train him.

They were good friends as brother and sister. But he knew she wondered about him and how he’d control his powers.  He still had thoughts of going after the superficial people.  But back on his home base he should be ok.

Everything was great. He was excited to walk into the party.  All of the people he grew up with were there. People came from all over the country to say goodbye.  Thankfully he got a ride home to Queens.

While at the party there were people he wanted to attack with bleach. They didn’t do the right thing to bring everyone to the event. They didn’t let the young kids, who the disbanding group was created for participate and lead the show. However, he took pictures, shook hands and ate lots of salmon.

Meanwhile, Danit was in the park with Tony the kid that got beat up a few weeks ago. She befriended his mom.  Danit was trying to figure out if he had any powers or if they could be created.  She saw Danny, the blubber boy and figured Tony may have potential.

But she had no idea how Murray fleshed out Danny’s magic.  She was struggling.  She got so hyped up. That was very unusual for her.  She ran off into the woods and shot out wine.  She was not in control. 

After spraying the trees she sat on a rock and fell asleep for a few minutes. It was during this time that she figured out what to do with Tony.  But she had to break him apart from his mom.  She wasn’t going to take him away or hurt him.

But she saw how dependent he is on his mom. She knew if he was going to be strong he had be independent.   What powers he could have was still open.

The park was quiet. Most people were relaxing. There were baseball and soccer games being played.  Little kids were on the see-saws and monkey bars.  The ice cream truck rolled in. People ran out to go get their cones and went back to what they were doing. All was well.

As the day got later people started leaving.  Danit looked up at the sky and saw that a storm was brewing. She grabbed Audrey and put her into the car. She said goodbye to Tony and his mom, Elise. 

There were dramatic changes in the weather.  Tony was getting drenched on the way to the car with his mom.  The water was dragging him down.  But somehow he was fighting it. He was never a fighter. But since he got beaten up and then rescued by Danit he decided to work out a little. He was still a little kid. But he was getting stronger.

He struggled.  Elise was running after him. He was toughing it out. He almost got sucked down into a sewer.  But he managed to jump away from it.  He was soaking wet. Elise was screaming for him. He heard his mom’s screams. But knew he had to keep running. He got toward the car and turned his head. Mom was only a few feet away. 

His clothes were soggy. His feet were full of water. Elise, who was just as drenched as her son helped him into the car. She pulled away.

Tony was shivering. But he was proud of his mad dash to the car. Elise was cruising down Amboy Road.  The weather was clearing up.  A truck smacked into Elise’s Maxima.  She and Tony bounced around a little. However, they were ok.

They got out of the car and were ready to call the police and input the trucker’s into the iPhone so they can call the insurance company. The truck driver was walking with a limp. It looked like he broke his foot. He came after the wielding an ax and screaming.  It turns out he has a bad safety record and this was his trial trip to see if he’d maintain his employment.

Elise threw her arms around Tony. But he broke free. He ran toward the trucker.  Elise screamed at him. Tony started waving his arms and kicking his feet up and down.  Elise was crying.

As the tears rolled out of her eyes, gusts of water shot out of Tony’s knees. The trucker was knocked 15 feet away. The ax flew out of his hands. Tony ran over to him and tied him up. 911 was dialed the police came and took the report about the accident. No one mentioned Tony’s heroics.

The trucker was handcuffed and carted off to a mental hospital for evaluation. They did a DWI test. He tested sober. The accident was likely due to weather. His ax wielding was likely because of his fears of getting canned. That was in the police report. But the man couldn’t speak a complete sentence and seemed clinically insane.

Murray and Danit were steps behind Tony.

RIP: Aquehongian Lodge # 112, June 1938-March 2013

I recently attended Aquehongian Lodge #112’s 75^th Anniversary Banquet. It was the final meeting for the Order of the Arrow Boy Scout lodge that I grew up in.  On April 1, the lodges in all five New York City boroughs will be merged into one.

The Order of the Arrow (OA) is an honor society for campers. In order to become a member, you need to be at the least a First Class Scout and meet several camping requirements.  Then you are selected from your peers.

Those who are voted in undertake an ordeal. In the old days, when I was selected, you slept on your ground cloth, were given a candle so you could read the pieces of the OA ritual. You ate little and worked the next day. Times have changed and thus, the ordeal changed with the times. 

I was an eighth-grader when I passed my June ’84 ordeal. I joined the ritual team that fall. That team is now called ICE (Inductions, Ceremonies and Events).  Again, times have changed.  I took my Brotherhood the next spring.  To obtain that honor you must have been an Ordeal member for 10 months, been on a committee, attended a few service projects and learned the OA’s obligation, handshake, song and admonition. 

As I moved along in my membership, I became ritual team chairman and used to write the OA Tap Outs for my Lodge. I called them “Tap-Mania”. I was copying “Wrestlemania”, something all of us 80s teens loved. 

In Sept. 87, I was elected Lodge Chief.  One of my best friends counted the votes.  The incumbent dropped out of the race minutes before the election. My opponent got two votes. I wasn’t supposed to know that. My buddy opened his mouth. I hope the kid I beat cast one of his two votes. I got like 50. The next year, I ran unopposed.

My dad was chief of the soon-to-be defunct Shu Shu Gah Lodge # 24, Brooklyn. I joined Scouting to emulate “my fadder,” that’s what a former Chappy camper, my summer camp called his dad. I think he still does.

While I was chief, I had to be publications chairman at the same time. I was somewhat of a dictator. But I loved my Lodge so much. I could not let anything go wrong. I was chief of our 50th Anniversary party.

In June 1988, I earned my Vigil Honor, the highest honor you can receive in the OA. In my mind, it is the highest honor in Scouting. I am Eagle. However, the Vigil is more spiritual. Those of you that know me understand how spiritual I am.

I was chief during the Ordeal weekend that I took my Vigil Induction on. Sadly, two Cub Scouts drowned during the afternoon. 

My friends and I were building the ordeal’s induction fires and went to the rededicated Berlin Lodge in Pouch Scout Camp to get lunch. The old one was torched about a year before my some kids.

 

The ritual team did not associate with anyone else. We were bound to each other. We formed a clique. We walked down the trail and saw a Cubmaster letting his Cubs swim in Orbach Lake, Pouch Scout Camp. No swimming was allowed at the time. We yelled at them and made them come out.

 

We ate and walked back. We saw the Cubmaster, who admitted he couldn’t swim was in the lake up to his knees screaming the names of two kids. I was wearing a bathing suit. I tossed off my shirt and sneakers. My other ritual team members did the same. We jumped into the lake and led the Lifesaving merit badge lost bathers drill. We pulled one kid out. The ambulance rushed him off to the hospital. Unfortunately, he didn’t survive.

 

We were told the other kid ran out of the lake. So we set up a massive search all day and night.

I did my Vigil induction that night. My dad came to the morning ceremony. He saw me get my Vigil sash, axe and name. “Alhaquot Aptonen” interpreted as “Stormy Speaker”. I was so proud. But he pulled me off to the side and said the FDNY pulled the other kid out of the lake. He drowned.

I made my best friends in my Lodge.  Many of the guys are now married with kids. Some are getting married. 

When I was chief, I gave out positions to be on my “Cabinet”. Man did I love playing politics.  I was not nice. I was only 17. So if you wanted a job and ate lunch with me in the Tottenville High School “liberry”, you got a job. Yes, I know it is library. But a teacher in I.S. 34, once said all my students think they are going to the “liberry”, not the library. So it stuck with me.

As ritual team member, I played many parts. We dressed up as Lenni Lenape, Delaware Indians. We wore war paint. I was Meteu, the medicine man of the circle in induction ceremonies. I was Allowat Sakima, mighty chief of the circle in the Brotherhood ceremony. The Vigil inductions remain secretive. I was in those too.

The kids that got their positions by hanging with me in the “Liberry” practiced and photo copied the rituals at lunchtime. We were a Tony-award winning team.  I was very dramatic. Once a helicopter was flying over our ritual site. I was doing the OA’s “Legend”. I stopped looked at it and raised my staff.  It circled and flew away. 

I can tell thousands of stories. My friends and I sometimes meet for a few beers and reminisce.

Jumping back to our final meeting.  They called up all the Vigil members to join the ceremony to call out the new candidates for this esteemed honor.

I’m happy to say that everyone was able to join us in the ceremony. Some of our older crowd had some trouble getting up there. But we made sure they were recognized.

The meeting ended all of us in a circle singing, “Firm Bound in Brotherhood,” the OA song. 

Our eyes were filled with tears.  I had an amazing time seeing people, I have not seen in over 20 years. I wish others were there.  Those that couldn’t make it because they had other plans live too far or are in the great lodge in the sky. We placed a sash on the fire for those brothers that were watching us from heaven. We walked out. Part of me died.