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'Faunus and Brody visit the 'blissfully' unsuspecting Dr Brandt, and Faunus uses his 'powers' to appear as a cute, 'all American boy' who had been referred to Brandt for treatment - and then Faunus gets Brandt reveal a great deal about himself and also to reveal where Jim is being held....so...'mission accomplished'.... it is up to Faunus then to rescue Jim...'
Dr Lockwood left the 'Boss' and the boys, and made his way down to the main entrance of the 'Club Jaguar' in order to be ready to receive the 'phoney' referral from the private courier.
In his pocket, Lockwood carried the resealed envelope, which contained Becker's 'sweetener', minus the 'fee' that Lockwood had already taken.
In the foyer, Lockwood sipped on his coffee while he waited - and he didn't have long to wait.
Well before he had finished his coffee, a huge 'Haley Davidson' noisily drew up by the side-walk.
Lockwood quickly descended the steps of the main entrance, and made a quick exchange - a letter, for a thick envelope of used, untraceable 'bills'.
The 'Harley' sped off, and Lockwood returned to his elegant office.
Back in the office of the 'Boss', Katrina had returned to collect the cups, saucers and plates - and more importantly she was checking to see if the were any further instructions from her 'Boss'.
"Thanks, Katrina !", the 'Boss' said absentmindedly, as Katrina tidied up.
"And please have the restaurant prepare a table for four, as the 'boy's and I need to take dinner.", the 'Boss' requested.
Ethan, of course, immediately brightened up.
"Let's go down to the restaurant, boys.", the 'Boss' said, sounding a little more relaxed.
"There's nothing more we can do for the moment - so it might be a good thing to have a good meal and think about our next step."
After a quick descent in the elevator, the assistant manager and maître d'hôtel were waiting to greet the 'Boss', (after all, he was the owner).
A table had already been prepared which was in a discreet corner of the restaurant, and was not overlooked by any other table, or by any of the guests.
Four young, very elegant waiters were standing behind each of the four chairs, and the 'wine steward' ('sommelier') was also standing by.
As the chairs were carefully moved to facilitate the seating of the four diners, the maître d'hôtel stood ready to take the order from the 'Boss'. "
"Later... Pierre....
First some 'Jack Daniels' for me, and a 'Pepsi Max', with ice and lemon, for each of the boys.
I'll call when I want to order...", the 'Boss' said, wanting this meal to be unhurried.
At that moment a young uniformed bellhop, carrying an envelope, approached the maître d'hôtel.
The 'Boss' who always kept a wary eye on anyone approaching his table in a restaurant, waved the boy forward."
A delivery for you, sir...", the bellhop said nervously.
"Good.... And who are you ?", the 'Boss', asked.
"I'm Max, Sir.", the bellhop replied, becoming even more nervous.
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| Max - the Bellhop |
And a very surprised Max staggered off, eager to tell his colleagues about his good fortune.
"I think you're a big 'softie' at heart, Sir." Ethan said quietly.
"Yes... well there's no need to tell everybody...", the 'Boss' said, feigning annoyance.
"That's your referral, I presume." the Boss then said, becoming serious once again, as he handed the envelope to Faunus.
"So, Faunus... what's the plan ?", Josh asked.
"Well... like all good plans, it's very simple.
I go to visit Dr Brandt, pretending to be 'Douglas Spaulding' - a 'patient' of Dr Fritz Becker - and I tell Brandt I'm suffering from amnesia - at least my 'brother' tells Brandt.
I then get Brandt to 'spill the beans', and get him to tell me where he has hidden Jim.
Simple, your see....". "
"And you really expect Brandt to tell you where Jim is ?", Ethan asked, sarcastically.
"Yes... of course..", Faunus replied.
Faunus, as we have seen, had an irritating habit of often talking to 'humans' as if they were children, (or worse - mental defectives).
He didn't mean to be insulting - but often forgot that they didn't really understand his 'powers'.
Josh shook his head.
"You seem to forget, Ethan, that Brody is fast asleep in your bed, just waiting to be woken up by a 'kiss' - presumably from you - and that Faunus did that, with just a word...
Faunus, from my experience, can get anyone to do anything - if he has a mind to it.", Josh said softly.
"Oh shit !
Yes - I forgot about Brody !", Ethan said, looking alarmed - while the 'Boss' chuckled quietly to himself.
 |
| Snow White and the Handsome Prince |
"It seems that you are to be the handsome Prince to Brody's 'Snow White' !", the 'Boss' said, obviously enjoying Ethan's momentary discomfiture.
"Snow who...? ", Ethan said, getting more and more flustered
"Oh, I forgot... You haven't been here all that long, so you probably don't know the story - or the cartoon for that matter.", the 'Boss' continued, smiling benignly.
"OK, that's enough ! Just forget I said anything !", Ethan said, pouting and obviously beginning to sulk.
"So... to be serious, Faunus, what are you going to do tomorrow ?", the 'Boss' asked - doing his best to ignore Ethan.
"Well.. tomorrow, my 'big brother', Brody, (and Ethan sniggered), will take me to Dr Brandt's office, and with my letter of referral from Dr Becker - and I will have a session with Brandt.", Faunus explained.
"And while he thinks he's 'psychoanalysing' me, I will really be getting him to tell me all about himself, and his 'crazy' research.
In the end, of course he will tell me how someone like Jim is helping him in his research, and in the process he will have no option but to tell me where Jim is being kept.
Then it will be up to us to work out a way to rescue Jim.", Faunus said.
"Sounds good !", the 'Boss' said.
"And you're confident that you can do this ?", the 'Boss' asked.
"Of course... candy from a baby'...", Faunus said.
"Well I hope so...", the 'Boss' said, a little warily.
"Regardless, we will have you wearing a 'wire' when you see Brandt, and I will have a security detail parked outside, monitoring events, so if it looks like Brand is going to cause any trouble we can step in and help.", the 'Boss' explained.
"That's good, but only if it's a real emergency are the security team to intervene.
Remember that if Brandt realizes that we're onto him - or worse, if he gets killed in a 'shoot-out' - then we may never find Jim !", Faunus warned.
"Yes, of course, Faunus.
The security team are experts, and would only intervene if it were a matter of life or death.", the 'Boss' confirmed.
Finally the 'Boss' called over Pierre, and ordered.
The reputation of 'Club Jaguar' was maintained, as the meal was superb, - and the talk turned first to memories of the 'Boss' having seen 'Snow White', in 1937.
 |
| 'Radio City Music Hall' |
"When I was visiting New Haven, Connecticut, on one of my many visits to 'Yale' in between my periods of work in Mexico, I made a trip to New York, and went to the 'Radio City Music Hall' - one of the greatest entertainment centres ever...
It's still there, and perhaps I'll take you guys there one day.
Anyway, they were showing 'Snow White' - the first full length cartoon ever made - and quite something at the time."
'Radio City Music Hall' is an entertainment venue located at '1260 Avenue of the Americas', at 'Rockefeller Centre', in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Nicknamed the 'Showplace of the Nation', it was for a time the leading tourist destination in the city. The venue is notable as the headquarters for the precision dance company, the 'Rockettes'. Radio City Music Hall was designed by Edward Durell Stone and Donald Deskey in the Art Deco style. The Music Hall opened to the public on December 27, 1932.
"Perhaps we can get a DVD of the movie, and watch it in the penthouse, when all of this is over.", the 'Boss' concluded.
Ethan looked keen.
"But now I think that we should finish off, and return to the penthouse... so... Ethan, 'phone Chuck.", the 'Boss' said, as he gave Pierre, the maître d'hôtel, a thick wad of folded bills to distribute to the four waiters, and the wine steward.
"Sir.... what's the story of 'Snow White' ?", Ethan asked, as the limo pulled away from the 'Club Jaguar', puzzled as to why a 'cartoon' would have had such an influence on the otherwise seemingly cynical and serious 'Boss'.
"I'm beginning to regret that I ever mentioned it !", the 'Boss' said, in mock exasperation.
"Yes... but I want to know..", Ethan insisted, sounding a bit like a spoilt child.
"Well it's really a 'kiddie's story', and not really for big boys, like you.", the 'Boss' replied, not wanting to get dragged into a long explanation of the plot.
"Well you went to see it... and you're not a kiddie.", Ethan persisted, perceptively.
"OK... well wait until we get back to the 'Penthouse'.", the 'Boss' replied, relenting under sustained pressure...
Later - but not much later, the big double doors of the penthouse burst open, and Ethan bounded in.
"OK, Sir.... let's hear the story of 'Snow White'!", Ethan demanded.
"Just like a kid !", Josh said.
"Yes, of course.
That's why he's my 'special little guy'.", the 'Boss' said indulgently.
"Yes, and you encourage him, and spoil him.", Faunus said.
"Well this is the same problem that Wendy had with the 'Lost Boys'.... always wanting stories.", the 'Boss' said smiling, and turning to Faunus.
"The Lost who ?", Ethan asked.
"Oh no ! Don't start on something else !", Josh groaned.
"Well, maybe another time... but first, Ethan, you have to wake up our sleeping guy who's in your bedroom.", Faunus said.
"Do I really have to kiss him ?", Ethan asked.
"Well yes... but just a peck on the cheek will do.... I hope", Faunus said.
Ethan went to his bedroom and carefully closed the door behind him.
Moments later there was some raised voices, and a very sleepy Brody emerged, with Ethan following.
"So what's going on ?", Brody asked, obviously annoyed.
"One minute I'm talking with everyone in the living room, and the next I wake up in Ethan's bed, hours later, being kissed !"
Brody looked round at everyone,
"I really think I need some sort of explanation... because you guys are just not normal !".
There was a sudden silence.
"Well... do you really want to know ?", Faunus asked, very seriously.
"Yes ! .... You've got me involved in God knows what...!
You let me have a luxury flat for next to nothing !
You take me on at a wrestling club - and the the guy I'm fighting gets shot in the head !
Then there's all this talk about someone being kidnapped... and meanwhile you either drug me or hypnotize me....
So yes... I do think I need some explanation.", Brody said, obviously very annoyed, or frightened, or both.
"OK... so if we're honest with you, you won't be able to tell anyone else about this... and I'm serious about that.
If we don't tell you then we'll 'call it quits' - you leave the apartment and the job, and we have no further contact
So.... it's up to you.", the 'Boss' said.
Brody thought for a minute.
"Well, to be honest, guys... I've been alone for so long that I could do with some friends, even if they are a bit weird, and anyway, I'm in so deep already that I might as well go the whole way - so you'd better tell me what's going on.... but tell me the truth... please !". Brody said quietly.
"So let's begin where we left off....", the 'Boss' said.
"Glaux can read peoples' minds - and can talk to them, but only through their thoughts.
And yes, Jim, and the rest of us - but not Clare - are what you would call 'time travelers',
And Faunus is what you would probably describe as an 'alien' - not of this world - and he can appear and disappear anywhere, and make people see him in any way he chooses.
Also, as you recently discovered, he can make people do things, and believe things as he wishes.
And that's about it - briefly.
But if you stay with us, and I hope you will, then you will certainly discover much more.", the 'Boss' concluded.
Up till then Brody had been standing, but after the explanation that the 'Boss' had given he slumped down onto one of the ridiculously expensive leather chairs, and look blankly at the floor
"Oh fuck.... what I have got myself into ?".
"Well at least it will make life interesting.", Ethan said.
"Yes...", Brody said wearily.
(this section is really only for the 'kiddies' - who should not be reading this - unless they are over 18)
"So.... now that we've got that out of the way, what about the story of 'Snow White', Sir ?", Ethan eagerly asked.
"God !.. I thought he might have forgotten about that.", Josh said.
The 'Boss' sighed, but realized that he had no choice - so he decided to do his best, while Faunus smiled as he saw how eager Ethan was to hear the story.
"Well... I'm not very good at stories, not having had to tell my own children bedtime stories, but here goes...
'Long ago, in a faraway place, there lived a lovely princess named Snow White.
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| Snow White |
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| The Wicked Queen |
Snow White's stepmother, the Queen, was very cruel, and she hated anyone who was more beautiful than she.
The Queen treated Snow White like a servant.
Snow White never complained, and she was obedient and hard-working, but she dreamed of a handsome prince who would take her away to his castle.
One day, while drawing water from the well, a handsome stranger did appear, charmed by Snow White's singing.
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| Snow White and the Prince |
 |
| The Queen's Huntsman |
As Snow White grew older, she also grew more beautiful, and the Queen became very jealous.
In a jealous rage, the Queen called her royal huntsman into the throne room.
"Take Snow White far into the forest and kill her," she commanded. "
And as proof of your deed, bring me back her heart.
The huntsman could not kill Snow White, and told her to run away and hide from the Queen.
Snow White then ran off through the dark woods, until at last she came to a cottage.
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| The Seven Dwarfs |
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| Dwarf's Cottage |
Then she heard voices singing in the distance.
The seven dwarfs who lived in the cottage were coming home from a hard day at work in the diamond mine.
The dwarfs introduced themselves as Sleepy, Grumpy, Happy, Doc, Dopey, Sneezy, and Bashful. Snow White felt so safe with the dwarfs that she decided to stay with them, but the evil Queen soon found out that Snow White was still alive - and so she decide to kill Snow White herself.
The Queen mixed a potion that would change her into an old hag.
Then she took an apple and dipped it into another potion, one bite which would close Snow White's eyes forever.
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| Snow White and the Apple |
 |
| End of the Wicked Queen |
The old woman appeared at Snow White's window, and she convinced Snow White to take a bite of the apple.
Then the animals of the forest ran to the dwarfs to warn them that something was wrong and they needed to come home !
The seven dwarfs raced to the cottage and found the old woman sneaking away, and Snow White lying lifeless on the floor.
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| Snow White Asleep |
The dwarfs chased the hag into the forest, but suddenly she came to the edge of a steep and rocky cliff as lightning struck, and the Queen lost her balance and fell to her death.
The little dwarfs then built a bed of gold and glass for their beloved Snow White and they kept watch over her day and night.
Then one day a handsome prince rode into the forest and saw Snow White.
The Prince knelt down and kissed Snow White tenderly, and his kiss awakened her. Snow White and the Prince then rode off to his kingdom, where they lived happily ever after.'...
"It's a beautiful story, Sir... so when can we get the DVD ?", Ethan asked quietly, hoping that nobody had noticed that his eyes were moist.
"Soon..", the 'Boss' replied, but it's a bit scary in parts, and it will probably make me cry.... it did all those years ago..", the 'Boss' said reflectively.
Brody shook his head.
"How can you cry over a kiddies' cartoon, and yet have a boy shot in the head ?", Brody asked, pointedly, and perhaps rather foolishly.
"Well, you've got a lot to learn, my friend.", Faunus said.
Brody looked up at Faunus, and paused for a moment.
"Yes... perhaps I have.", he said.
"So, I think I must be leaving.", the 'Boss' said, as he stood up.
He then went over to Brody and, pointedly ignoring Brody's previous remarks, the 'Boss' held out his hand.
"Welcome to the 'Penthouse Gang'!", he said, warmly shaking Brody's hand.
"Thank you, Sir... Thank you for having me !", Brody replied.
"And now I suggest that later you all get to bed - your own beds...",the 'Boss' said, looking with a smile at Brody and Ethan.
Then, escorted by Faunus, the 'Boss' left the penthouse.
Meanwhile, Josh took Glaux out onto the deck, where the little bird settled down to scan the starlit skies.
The following morning Ethan was up early - at least early for him, and was sitting drinking coffee with Clare, when the door buzzer sounded.
It was the 'Boss' and Faunus.
At the same time, Josh, who had just got up, came into the main living room.
"So, where's Brody ?", Faunus asked.
"Down in his apartment - unless he's run away during the night - frightened that 'aliens' will get him.", Josh said - perhaps a little unkindly.
"Don't say that, Josh... I think there's more to Brody than meets the eye.", the 'Boss' said, reprovingly.
"Well, regardless, I need him for this morning's visit to see Brandt - so could someone 'phone him and get him to come up here.", Faunus said.
Presumably Brody was sleeping, and then needed to shower and dress - but in the meantime Zac had briefed the security detail, over the 'phone, regarding their monitoring of the visit by Faunus, and whatever action they might need to take if matters went awry.
Two of the security detail came up to the penthouse to fit Faunus with a 'wire', and then it was just a matter of waiting for Brody.
Finally Brody arrived, looking a little nervous.
"Right... so for this exercise you are 'Brody Spaulding', my 'elder brother'." Faunus said with a completely straight face.
"And I'm 'Douglas Spaulding'... but I don't know that because I've lost my memory when I fell out of a tree...onto my head !", Faunus explained.
Brody looked quizzical.
"And you expect this Brand guy to swallow that ?
And we don't even look slightly similar - let alone brothers !", Brody said, dismissively.
"Don't worry, Brody... he'll probably ask us if we are identical twins !", Faunus replied, grinning.
"I think you've forgotten that I can make people see what I want them to see.", Faunus added.
"Well... I just hope you're right.", Brody replied.
"OK... so lets go down to the garage, and I'll show you the 'Doug-mobile'.", Faunus said, leading Brody out of the apartment.
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| Ford Edsel |
It seemed there was a new car in the garage.
"That's it ? - Really !", Brody said, obviously horrified.
"That's it.", Faunus replied.
"A pink Edsel !... you expect me to drive around 'Vegas in a pink Edsel ?", Brody exclaimed.
Edsel is an auto-mobile that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. With the Edsel, Ford had expected to make significant inroads into the market share of the domestic American automotive market. The Edsel was supposed to be the car of the future – an expectation it failed to meet. It was considered to be unattractive, overpriced, and over-hyped by the general public. The Edsel never gained popularity with contemporary American car buyers. The very name 'Edsel' became a popular symbol for a commercial failure. Edsel Bryant Ford (November 6, 1893 – May 26, 1943) was the son of Clara Jane Bryant Ford, and the only recognized child of Henry Ford.
"Well it's not exactly 'pink'... more like a 'light puce'.", Faunus explained rather lamely.
"Anyway, it would be rather a give-away if we drove up in a huge, chauffeur-driven black Cadillac, like the 'Boss' always uses... don't you think ?", Faunus asked.
"OK... yes, but a pink Edsel... but whose going to drive it ?".Brody said.
"I am !", Faunus replied, as he pulled out a most unlikely looking driving licence.
"And you can drive ?", Brody asked.
"Well... sort of.", Faunus answered as he slid into the driving seat.
"But I'm best with a two horse chariot !", Faunus added.
Brody shook his head in disbelief, and got into the much maligned 'Doug-mobile'.
After fumbling around for a while, Faunus finally found the ignition, and then steered the awkward looking Edsel out of the garage, and into the apartment forecourt.
Zac had given Brody the address of the office of Dr Brandt, (which he had obtained as a result of his internet searches), and so Brody was able to guide Faunus - whose driving was rather erratic, to say the least, to the required destination, while the security backup team followed at a discreet distance.
Brody was more than happy when Faunus eventually managed to park the Edsel in front of Brandt's offices, but became even more nervous as they ascended in the elevator.
The first problem to be overcome was the receptionist.
Brandt's receptionist was an attractive young blond, and bore an unnerving resemblance to Maria Orsic, (probably because she was that same Maria) whom Brody had remembered form the photo on the internet.
Brody then had to start acting the part of the 'older brother'.
"Hi, I'm Brody Spaulding, and I've brought my kid brother, Douglas, who has a letter of referral to Dr. Brandt from Dr. Becker.", Brody said, doing his best to sound casual.
The receptionist, who, like most receptionists, was not very polite, and not very friendly or talkative, took the letter and read it very carefully.
"I see...", she said coldly, seeming far from convinced.
At that point Faunus decided it was time to 'step in'.
"Hi Maria... you see I fell out of a tree, and landed on my head, and I've had trouble remembering things ever since, and Dr. Becker said that Dr. Brandt was a really great doctor, and would be able to help me.", Faunus burbled, as he unobtrusively interfered with the cute receptionist's brain.
"I see, Douglas... but how did you know my name.", the now thoroughly 'controlled' receptionist asked.
At that point Brody was convinced that they had been 'rumbled', and wanted to either sink through the floor... or... run out of the door.
"Well, such a pretty girl as yourself has to have a pretty name, and what's more pretty than Maria ?", Faunus replied, being outlandishly suggestive, and 'over the top' at the same time.
Maria blushed...
"Well, Douglas - or may I call you Doug ?...
I'm sure that Dr. Brandt shall see you.... so just give me a minute, and I'll go and speak to him.", Maria said.
Maria - for that apparently was her name, left her desk and entered Dr. Brandt's office.
"There... you see... we're in !", Faunus whispered, triumphantly.
"But if she's the Maria I think she is... then she must be about 100 years old !", Brody whispered.
"Quite possibly.", Faunus whispered back, apparently unfazed..."
"So keep your hands off her... she might crumble !", Faunus whispered, grinning.
Moments later Maria returned.
"That's fine, Douglas... so if you'd like to take a seat in the waiting room, Brody, Dr. Brandt will see Douglas in just a moment.", Maria said, giving Faunus (Douglas) a ravishing smile.
 |
| Dr. Brandt |
After a few minutes the door to Brandt's office opened.
"Good morning, Douglas !", Brandt said in his thick, Central European (and probably Austrian) accent.
"Please come in."
Faunus winked at Brody, and allowed Brandt, in his rather 'creepy' avuncular style, to guide him into the office.
Brandt looked older than the 'SS-Oberst gruppen führer' who to be seen, in the photo on the internet, chatting with Reichsführer SS Heinrich Himmler, but then that was not surprising as Brandt too, like Maria, by ordinary reckoning, should have dead for some considerable number of years !
"Take a seat Douglas, and tell me how you came to lose some of your memories." Brandt began, as he took out a leather bound note pad, and a very expensive looking gold pen.
"Well it was when Brody and I were playing around, climbing this tree, and I lost my balance, and fell.
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| Faunus as 'Doug ' Spaulding' |
I hit my head, and Brody tells me I was unconscious for awhile.
When I came round, I could remember about climbing the tree and falling, but most of what happened before I couldn't remember."
"I see.", Brandt said - not really seeing at all.
Now Dr. Brandt, like many people who thought themselves 'well educated', and 'smart', was ridiculously overconfident, and quite unable to imagine that anyone else could, in any way, get the better of him.
Faunus, of course, had managed, smoothly and subtly, to 'hijack' Brandt's supposedly 'higher faculties', so that the 'doctor', while imagining that he was independent and autonomous, was simply operating as a biological automaton in the hands of a vastly superior intellect.
All his adult life Brandt had been searching for the answers to the mysteries of the human mind, and the mechanisms of possible 'travel' through time and space.
Now, finally, he had before him an answer to those questions - questions that had haunted him through endless years - but the answer had come in the form of a rather facetious and offhand teenage boy.
Faunus was the answer to Brandt's dreams and yet, in the end, Faunus would be Brandt's worst nightmare.
"So tell me, Dr. Brandt, how did you become interested in psychiatry.", Faunus asked, seemingly 'wittering on' quite pointlessly.
"Interesting question...", Brandt responded, apparently having forgotten that he was the one who was supposed to be asking the questions.
"Well, at the end of the 'Großer Krieg' - the First World War, I was only twelve, but I worked hard at school, and later managed to get to University - Heidelberg first, and then München (Munich), and finally Wien (Vienna).", Brandt explained.
"That's interesting, but you didn't tell me how you got interested in psychiatry.", Faunus insisted.
"Oh yes... I'm sorry.", Brandt said, trying to excuse himself.
 |
| 'Vorlesungen zur Einführung in die Psychoanalyse' |
"Well - while I was studying in Wien - you probably know of it as Vienna - I read Freud's book, 'Vorlesungen zur Einführung in die Psychoanalyse' - in English - 'Introductory Lectures on Psycho-Analysis', which I found fascinating.", Brandt began. (note: Faunus actually spoke and understood German but Brandt though he was talking to an American teenager)
"Did it bother you at all that Freud was Jewish ?", Faunus interrupted.
"No... not really.
At that time the 'Jüdische Frage' - the 'Jewish Question' - was not really an issue.
Although most people in Germany and Austria were at that time 'anti-Semitic' - to a degree - it was not really a problem for us - and anyway, Freud's insights were really quite remarkable.", Brandt explained.
"So... you became a psychiatrist ...?", Faunus asked in his best 'pseudo-psychiatric' manner.
"Yes, but then with the economic problems in Germany, things became very difficult.
People just didn't have the money for psychiatry.", Brandt explained.
"But you managed ?". Faunus asked.
"Yes... I managed, and when I had no patients I read - very widely.
Nietzsche, Spengler, Schopenhauer - (all philosophers) and so on, trying to discover what had gone so wrong with society....
Then one day I was in a coffee shop, - you know there are very many coffee shops in Wien - where people meet and read and talk - and I met someone called Wilhelm Landig.
He was a fascinating conversationalist, who had all these amazing theories about 'Thule', and secret sources of spiritual power.", Brandt explained.
It was at that point that Faunus thought that he was approaching the material that he needed, and he then began to guide Brandt's thoughts to Landig, and the information that he had given Brandt all those years ago.
Brandt, at this point, however, simply thought that he wanted to talk - which, of course, suited Faunus.
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| Vril Gesellschaft |
"It was Landig who introduced me to the 'Deutsche Gesellschaft für Metaphysik', which was usually called the 'Vril Gesellschaft'.
The purpose of the group was to discover the origins of the 'Aryan Race', and to make contact with the Lords of Thule.", Brandt continued.
"And just what was this 'Vril' ?", Faunus asked, as he tunnelled away into Brandt's memories in order to check that what Brandt was telling him agreed with Brandt's actual memories.
"The Vril Force, which bears some resemblance to Reichenbach’s 'Odic Force', and to the 'Astral Light', is a subtle form of energy that surrounds the Earth.
In the 'Vril' is preserved a record of every thought and action that has ever occurred - so it is a vast source of knowledge.
It is also a source of almost unimaginable energy.", Brandt explained.
Faunus, of course knew all this already - and in fact was using what Brandt was calling the 'Vril' force to extract this information from Brandt.
The fact that Brandt didn't realize this made it clear to Faunus that Brandt actually had very little direct and personal knowledge of the 'Vril' force, despite his claimed involvement with the 'Vril Gesellschaft'.
"And who else was involved in the 'Vril Gesellschaft' ?", Faunus asked, keen to get some more information before he got down to the key question about the location of Jim.
"Well, there was Maria... Maria Orsitsch, Karl Haushofer, Dietrich Eckart (see right) of course, and Rudolf von Sebottendorf - and others, at various times.
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| Thule Gesellschaft |
 |
| Dietrich Eckart |
Most of these people were also members of the 'Thule Gesellschaft' - the two groups were closely linked.
I was mainly involved with the Vril, as they were involved in developing the Vril as a power source for 'raumflug' and 'zeitreise'.", Brandt continued.
(Notice that under Faunus' influence Brandt didn't bother to translate theses terms - which mean 'space flight' and 'time travel'))
"I see, and is that were your knowledge of memory and longevity was utilised ?", Faunus interjected.
"Yes... I was made an honorary member of the SS, and undertook research during the war.", Brandt explained.
"And what happened at the end of the war ?", Faunus asked, anxious to bring things up to date.
"Well, 'Projekt Krnons', (Kronos is the Greek word for Time), as we called our research, was going well, with the 'Glocke' operational, along with the 'Andromeda-Gerä' (Andromeda Device) , but it was obvious to all of us, and particularly Hans Kammler, that the war was lost.
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| Die Glocke |
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| Andromeda-Gerä |
I decided to give myself up to the Americans, who were far preferable than the Russians - and the Americans had already indicated that they could do a deal with us.
Maria went into hiding - purposefully leaving behind a rumour that she and others had used the 'Andromeda-Gerä' to travel to Aldebaran - 'niemand bleibt hier' - (nobody stays here..)- but in fact she was later to join me in the US.
As part of 'Operation Paperclip', I was taken on by the Americans, who were keenly interested in 'Zeitreise' - what the Americans called 'Time Travel'.", Brandt explained.
"The problem with the 'Glocke' was its huge energy requirements, and its dangerous, and often lethal side effects.'Operation Paper-clip' was a secret program of the 'Joint Intelligence Objectives Agency' (JIOA) largely carried out by Special Agents of Army CIC, in which more than 1,600 German scientists, engineers, and technicians, such as Wernher von Braun and his V-2 rocket team, were 'acquired' during the collapse of the Third Reich, and taken secretly to the U.S. for government employment, primarily in areas of scientific research. Many were former members, and some were former leaders, of the NSDAP (Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei). no 'Paper-clip' scientist was officially found guilty of any crime, in America or Germany - although many were, in reality, guilty of numerous crimes.
Operation Paper-clip
My brief from the Americans was to find a way to use the human mind to make alterations in the 'space-time continuum' so that 'Zeitreise' could be achieved.
While such an approach seemed initially unlikely, recent developments in 'quantum physics' indicated that such an approach was in fact possible.", Brandt continued.
"So tell me about that research.", Faunus asked.
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| Project MK Ultra - Montauk |
"Well this American research into the power of the human mind was code named 'Project MKUltra', and was a continuation of the research that I had worked on in Germany in the 1930s.
Initially, however, my work was carried out at Montauk, in Suffolk County, New York.
In 1958 the United States Air Force built a 100-foot-wide AN/FPS-35 radar, and massive building to house its computers, and it was there that I began working on what we called the Montauk project.
The project used the 425-450 MHz of radio frequency power of the AN/FPS-35 radar, but when we found that we could dispense with that, we transferred to Sector Four (S-4) in the Groom Lake Air Bas, Area 51.
Much of the research is centred on 'mind control' and 'truth serums', but my own research concentrates on 'quantum effects' relating to the 'space time continuum'.
Initially, however, my work was carried out at Montauk, in Suffolk County, New York.
In 1958 the United States Air Force built a 100-foot-wide AN/FPS-35 radar, and massive building to house its computers, and it was there that I began working on what we called the Montauk project.
The project used the 425-450 MHz of radio frequency power of the AN/FPS-35 radar, but when we found that we could dispense with that, we transferred to Sector Four (S-4) in the Groom Lake Air Bas, Area 51.
Much of the research is centred on 'mind control' and 'truth serums', but my own research concentrates on 'quantum effects' relating to the 'space time continuum'.
Meanwhile, the 'Boss', Zac, Ethan and Josh - back at the 'Penthouse' - had been listening to the conversation between Faunus and Brandt, (via Faunus' 'wire'), while Brody had been nervously sitting in Brandt's waiting room, idly thumbing through out-of-date magazines, and just praying that nothing would go wrong.
Ethan and Josh, not really understanding much of what was being said, having very little knowledge of recent history, were both getting bored.
Zac, who had conducted the internet searches was far more interested, and the 'Boss', having lived through much of what Brandt was so freely describing, was fascinated.
Faunus questioning, while seeming to be somewhat random was, in fact aimed at obtaining essential information, and the 'Boss', by then, realised that it would be impossible to rely on the authorities to help in finding Jim, as Brandt was involved with the CIA.
"So what progress have you made with your research ?", Faunus, back at Dr. Brandt's office, asked.
"Well as the years have passed, very little research has been made.
Initially the Americans were not even convinced that extra-terrestrials actually existed - and looked upon our research as a bit of a joke, but then in 1947 that all changed - Roswell, you see.
"Well as the years have passed, very little research has been made.
Initially the Americans were not even convinced that extra-terrestrials actually existed - and looked upon our research as a bit of a joke, but then in 1947 that all changed - Roswell, you see.
And the evidence of the supposed 'aliens' was eventually brought to Area 51.", Brandt said.
"And were you involved in any of the research relating to Roswell ?", Faunus asked.
"Yes... but only slightly.
I never saw the main wreckage, but I was asked for my opinion on the 'hieroglyphics' on a light-weight metal I-beam.", Brandt said in a rather non-committal manner.
"And do you believe it was an extra-terrestrial vehicle that crashed near Roswell ?", Faunus asked.
"Almost certainly.
I have never doubted the existence of extra-terrestrial civilisations.", Brandt replied.
"So after Roswell... how did your research go ?", Faunus asked, pursuing his earlier question.
"Well, we learned a lot about the memory, and the human brain - but didn't really get much further until recently... and by then the Government had greatly reduced its funding, and I was forced to give much of my time to my private practice, and only used my research facilities at 'Groom Lake' on a part time basis.". Brandt said rather disconsolately.
"And is that the situation now ?", Faunus asked, sensing that he might be getting close to some significant information.
"As it happens, recently I had a young man referred to me with a severe case of amnesia.
Under questioning, and later hypnosis, he revealed information that indicated that he had clear recollections of a very distant time period.
Now, initially I thought that it was fantasy, or possibly confabulation... or even evidence of 'past life memories', or an indication reincarnation, but I had a strong hunch, crazy though it may sound, that this young man was the 'real thing'... a 'time traveller'.", Brandt said, obviously excited by this new development in his research.
And Faunus realized that he had come to 'the crunch'.
"So... what have you done about this ?", Faunus asked, trying to sound casual.
"Well, everything was going fine until the young man suddenly terminated his sessions with me.
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| Badge of the US Central Intelligence Agency |
Fortunately, however, I had information which I was able to give to my CIA contacts, and they were able to trace, and keep an eye on him.
Then it was simply a question of getting approval at the appropriate level - grade GS-15 - in order to have him 'acquired', and brought to my facility underneath Hangar 18, at Area 51, at Groom Lake.", Brand explained.
So... presumably you have 'acquired' this young man...", Faunus added, and Brandt nodded.
"So have you made any progress with him... or is he just a confused 'confabulator' - or maybe just a bit 'crazy' ?", Faunus suggested.
"Well that's difficult to say.
The brain is a very complex and delicate 'machine', and to probe its secrets takes time, and we need to be careful.
We need to avoid inflicting any damage before we are able to extract the secret of this boy's 'zeitreise' (time-travelling), which I am convinced lies buried somewhere in his brain." Brandt said.
By then Faunus was becoming alarmed - particularly as Brandt seemed to be unconcerned about inflicting 'damage' on Jim's brain once he had completed whatever bizarre research he was intending to pursue."
"Well, doctor, perhaps I should speak to your receptionist about my next appointment." Faunus said very firmly.
"Yes... yes of course.
Please speak to my receptionist about your next appointment...", Brandt said mechanically, in response to Faunus' suggestion.
At the same time that Brandt was replying, Faunus was using his powerful telepathy to ensure that a false set of memories would be implanted in Brandt's brain that would represent a perfectly normal therapeutic session relating to amnesia.
In addition Brand had already written many pages of anodyne observations about his supposed patient in his expensive, leather bound notebook, which would also convince him that he had just been involved in a normal psychoanalytical session.
Faunus then stood up, shook hands with a somewhat bemused psychiatrist, and left the office.
"Hi !", Faunus said with a cheery smile to Maria.
"The doctor wants to see me - same time, same day and same place next week."
Maria immediately started entering details on her computer.
"That'll be fine, Douglas.", she said, obviously 'taken' with the handsome young patient.
"Come on, Brody... let's go !", Faunus said, as Brody, highly relieved, left the magazine he had not really been reading, and followed Faunus into the elevator.
'The Penthouse Gang - but mainly Faunus - sets out to rescue Jim'
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All text - © Copyright Peter Crawford 2021
All Images - © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2021
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