Chapter 60: No Need for Formalities

[Elizabeth Helen Drake]

You are quite right of course, I think Mikado. If the cane meant something ( and he wouldn't have given it to Paul if it hadn't) all that couple would have done , even in the most intimate of settings .... would have been talk. You read the cane as rightly as anyone.

But maybe for them just being able to be together again, to review what they had accomplished and yes ... perhaps just talk .... perhaps that was a treasure beyond measure.

You and I are showing our romantic sides here friend. Elizabeth

[Paul S.]

Paul? Who is Mr. Livingston??????? grinder

A retired, former colleague of Morgan's. Been known to heave unsuspecting passengers out of a helicopter as part of a training exercise. Something called a "20/20" -- from 20 feet up, going 20mph (over a body of water). Usually terrifying but rarely fatal.

--PS

[grinder]

I have seen that 20/20 excercise myself while traveling with a buddy down on the other side of Palm Springs. It was just dusk and some choppers came from the Chocolate mountains headed across the Salton Sea. They were really low and we did see guys dropping from them as they skimmed the surface. Heck they bounced along the top like the stones a kid had thrown. But I guess thats all part of learning how to do that. In this case though the fall wouldn't kill them but the water quality just might. Anyone down there knows what I mean. grinder

[Paul S.]

...put this here:

I have no doubt that her husband is quite an intelligent and interesting character and from what I gather they have been together for a very long time. But he had to know about Morgan in his wifes past, didn't he?

It's certainly no surprise that questions would arise as to how Linda's husband of thirty-plus years would react to these resurrections her past, particularly these intimate chapters of her romantic past.

Suffice it to say for now that Linda's husband is entirely supportive of her efforts to unravel her father's life, and has no issues with anything that has come up in the course of the research.

Beyond that, Linda respectfully asks for your understanding in the interest of maintaining at least some semblance of privacy. Since their relationship is not really going to be a topic of this book, Linda and her husband both feel that there really is no need for any further public discussion of the subject.

Does that sound reasonable?

--PS

[Victoria Steele]

I figured that you would step in here pretty soon Paul and I want you to know that I agree with you. Its really not part of the story that is laid out here and Linda and her husband deserve the privacy that this sort of discussion does invade. Much as I love soap operas I can see that trying to figure out her husbands thoughts and feelings really has no place in our discussion and would not be fair to him or them as a couple. I can just imagine that the whole situation was not easy. All I am going to say.


So I agree and I will stick with questions that involve Linda and Morgan ... well, as much as I can without going stupidly overboard.

The cane was an interesting gift to be held until you finish the book. It obviously means alot to him and I'll just bet it's seen its share of action. Monks huh? Thats an interesting consideration, that he would be carrying that. In the martial arts though aren't the fellow who are considered monks some of the most skilled? Do the figures on it tell any kind of a story that you can tell? OK. Time to shut up and sit down. Victoria

[Radomir]

Sounds perfectly reasonable, Paul. And we should convey apologies as a group if we may have crossed any line already or given offense. Absolutely agree that there are proper boundaries and we need to respect them vis-a-vis Linda's private life. Which is called that for a reason, neh? She has already given so much to us through the story.

On to other topics, then.

Picking up where Victoria just left off, Paul do you think it might be possible, only with Morgan's permission first of course, for us to see one or more pictures of this thwack-em stick? The mention of carving has interested me from an art history point of view. My dad was an art history prof, taught at the Air Force Academy. I've also informally studied Buddhist art and sculpture. I'd really like to see the images of the carvings if it's possible to photograph & post. If Morgan says not, totally understand do I.



R.

[Paul S.]

Paul do you think it might be possible, only with Morgan's permission first of course, for us to see one or more pictures of this thwack-em stick?

That's actually a pretty good idea. I'll try to take some pictures and put 'em online somewhere before I leave for this trip on Sunday.

Maybe somebody who sees the pictures will be able to identify them a little better than I've been able to, which is, basically.... not at all.

--PS

[grinder]

That might be of interest. A friend of mine happened to have that book " Fistful of Kings" and so I have borrowed it. I haven't read the book yet so I don't know the context but this involved a meeting with the " Reverend and Broterton at an airport.

Again the cane is noted.

"Jonn", I heard the Reverend call, before I was able to spot him in the line entering the arrivals lounge. In his khaki slacks and white shirt he looked deeply tanned. Though he was carrying his cane in his right hand his step seemed full of perk.

His four colleagues followed behind him. They were indeed ugly and also very big, I was about to ask the Reverend who the Brothers Grim were, but he said straightaway. " Lets go to baggage. We've got work to do. He didn't introduce me to his bricks."

I just thought that was sort of funny because someone ( Gewis? Langley? who?) made the comment that Morgan seemed to be throwing a brick wall up against those who would follow him. And here this writer uses that odd term to describe the men who are obviously part of his traveling team. And just as obviously sometimes he must travel on normal planes and stand in normal baggage lines.. I don't have the even closest clue about how or why a man such as the " Reverend" would involve himself in whatever Brotherton was doing but I notice that it has something to do with Russia and already I think that I have hit some interesting similarities. " Bricks huh? I wonder how big and how "ugly " you have to be to apply for the job? grinder

[Gewis]

That might be of interest. A friend of mine happened to have that book " Fistful of Kings" and so I have borrowed it. I haven't read the book yet so I don't know the context but this involved a meeting with the " Reverend and Broterton at an airport.

Again the cane is noted.

"Jonn", I heard the Reverend call, before I was able to spot him in the line entering the arrivals lounge. In his khaki slacks and white shirt he looked deeply tanned. Though he was carrying his cane in his right hand his step seemed full of perk.

His four colleagues followed behind him. They were indeed ugly and also very big, I was about to ask the Reverend who the Brothers Grim were, but he said straightaway. " Lets go to baggage. We've got work to do. He didn't introduce me to his bricks."

I just thought that was sort of funny because someone ( Gewis? Langley? who?) made the comment that Morgan seemed to be throwing a brick wall up against those who would follow him. And here this writer uses that odd term to describe the men who are obviously part of his traveling team. And just as obviously sometimes he must travel on normal planes and stand in normal baggage lines.. I don't have the even closest clue about how or why a man such as the " Reverend" would involve himself in whatever Brotherton was doing but I notice that it has something to do with Russia and already I think that I have hit some interesting similarities. " Bricks huh? I wonder how big and how "ugly " you have to be to apply for the job? grinder

That pretty well answers my question, then. Thank you. Morgan believed he was high-enough profile and well enough known to those who were looking for such people that there was no place for it. I'm sure he had good reasons. Whatever invisibility he had before, he no longer had it, and his safety required such brick walls as you just described. Apparently, also, his safety was worth such brick walls, and he was worth it.

I initially thought it might just be posturing. I think now that Morgan traveled this way out of necessity. What a way to live. :S

[grinder]

Still haven't read the book entirely and I know its dangerous to just skip through and offer opinions. But the questions sure come to mind.

Apparently Brotherton met " The Reverend while he was considering a Casino operation down there in Belize and I guess the Reverend made some introductions for him. ( Isn't that where you went on one of your first dive trips Paul? Is that merely a coincidence???)

Then later while in Russia I guess Brotherton gets in some sort of trouble (with the govrnment or the Russian Mafia .. I am not sure yet and needs help to get out of the country). He calls the Reverend for help and magically doors seem to open for him in the passport line ... he and his ladyfriend get out by the skin of their teeth ( what IS that anyway?) and he is very thankful to the Reverend for apparently saving his life which he thought was really on hazardous ground. The cane is mentioned a couple of times .... apparently the Reverend can be right handed or left handed as he chooses. But then there is his meeting with a strange fellow in the passport line ...... and Brotherton gives away this persons identity by responding " Yes Sir" to him ... a call name reserved for the Reverend. So is this fellow just one disguise? I'll go there later.

And I thought this exchange the day before the meeting in the passport line was interesting " OK young man, this Nikolaj may think that hes a heavy hitter, but hes about to step up to the plate in the big leagues for the first time. In fact, I hope he is listening. An old friend of mine will call him tonight and you can be sure he'll shit his pants. You can also be sure that hel'll have a lot more than you to be worried about .................."

He continues a few lines down ..."The Reverends voice took on a fierce tone that I had never heard in him before. " When I'm done Nikolaj will want to let you go. He'll WANT to so much that he may even offer you a ride to the airport. So when you get the chance go to the airport as fast as you can. But call me first. Don't forget that ......"

Now the rest of the story is really sort of interesting ... he gets put on the plane because someone has somehow interceded with the gate guards. Both of them wonder how that happened and they basically thank the Reverend. And it make an interesting story but the thing that keeps coming back at me was .... this wasn't about Brotherton, I don't think. I think he just got himself caught up somehow in a larger operation. But it is helpful from our standpoint to see how this " Reverend operateed. grinder

[Victoria Steele]

Hey grinder, did you notice that phrase? " Hope he is listening".

Apparently " The Reverend" is speaking of Nikolaj Vissikovsky. Brotherton lists him in the front of his book ( I got a copy too) as a" One of the three parners in the " Beverly Hills Club": A Chuck Norris Enterprise. He was taking it for granted that the phone line was bugged. Interesting when you can have sort of three way conversations with people when you really know whats going on.

But a Chuck Norris Enterprise? Good old Chuck. In Moscow? running a Casino? Doesn't that seem just a tad out of place???????

OK, well thats no surprise that Brotherton would use the fact that there was that sort of connection. because Norris's face is plastered all over the front cover. One of the " Kings" I suppose, the title refers to.Looking again at the cover ... its Merv Griffin. Governor Edwin Edwards BORIS YELTSIN and Chuck Norris. huh?

And I am sure that the author was counting on fans of Norris being incensed enough about what he says about Chuck Norris here to buy the book.(or not!) I think thats why I bought it maybe. He really calls Norris out on the carpet for being a fake hero and for "leaving his guys behind" (Have to point out that the Norris spokespeople have disavowed any real knowledge of Brothertons problems in Moscow. But thats another story I guess.

Anyway it sure is an interesting view toward a man that VERY few have known , much less written about.( Talking about Morgan here) I liked Morgan before ,I just never realized what a cool dude he actually was. Powerful men are always sexy, or is that just my viewpoint ladies? Victoria

[Victoria Steele]

I have come to believe that Morgan usually must have more than just one or two reasons for doing something. I mean, look how complicated his life is. He must operate on several different levels.

What was it he asked you Paul ? Have you figured out what my agenda is yet? Thats a real good topic for discussion wouldn't it be?

WHY would Morgan come back at this particular time, like you said (after being some twenty years behind that dark curtain).

Myself personally, I don't believe that Linda actually ever believed the story that Morgans friend Juan told her ( The Chapter " Weve Lost Morgan ."(don't remember the chapter number, sorry) but she wrote in her journal " I can't believe that he is gone " and I think that she meant that entirely and literally.

But obviously he was not planning on coming back into her life and while one day every ten years might work for the Pirate movies it rarely works with a flesh and blood woman who already has a family. I am sure she cried , and then eventually went on.

What would bring him back?

THE BOOK. but why? Did he have something to do with inspiring Paul, with making the connections that started this whole thing.? And once it was started. WHY did he step forward?

Were you stuck with the story Paul? Without Morgans sizable input could you have brought the story to where it is now? I seriously doubt. But I think there is more.

I know he didn't want Dr. Browns name to be forgotten but I think really he didn't want what he and Linda had experienced to be forgotten either. Could his motives and his agenda just be that simple? Victoria

[Mark Culpepper]

Victoria,

Regarding Morgans agendas. At the end of all of it. Does it really matter? We may NEVER know all of his reasons for doing what he did.
One thing we can know for sure. It was a deliberate and well thought out move. I get the impression from what others have said about him, even as a kid, he liked to have control of the situations around him and was smart enough normally to make things flow in his direction. And I'll bet thats one of the reasons the Caroline Group reached out for him.

I wondered too what his agenda was in sending Linda to Pauls doorstep with something that obviously was a special item to him.

Was it a connection, as Paul took it? Yes. I think so. Something REALLY personal. A mark of his particular trade maybe. Maybe even a recognizable " Mark of Morgan" ...... which then begs the question. Was there ANOTHER reason he sent it to Paul. MAYBE he realized that there would be people out there in the "black" that would recognize that thumpstick if Paul ever decided to show it off or carry it, or do what he is planning to do now, put a photo of it out there for this forum. And that makes me wonder ... Will that act as sort of a means of authenticating what Paul has been saying to others out there, maybe still in the shadows.

You know when a diplomat takes up a new post in a new country he normally has to "present his papers" to that government. They usually make some sort of a ceremony out of it. But those papers give that ambassador the weight that he needs to conduct business. They verify his position of authority. So I am just wondering, once those pictures hit the forum ...... how many silent members of the forum will go .... Oh its the real deal . Theres ********s thump stick. Then what might happen as far as information flow goes? Like finding my Dads knife and then later having Mr. Twigsnapper describe it in detail ..... suddenly you know .... these guys are the real deal here. MarkC

[Elizabeth Helen Drake]

Langley,

In one of your most recent messages you ended with................

Not your average Air Force Base!!!!! Maybe Morgan was showing Linda something but couldnt say what it was!!!


fed American Scientists: http://www.fas.org/static/about.jsp
Teleportation experiments at Edwards AFB ."
.........................................................................................................
I looked up the link but could find nothing that said anything about Edwards and Teleportation experiments. Did I just mentally cruise right past it? If so can we go back to that spot and talk about that? And may I ask? What called this to your attention? Fertile plowing ground here! Elizabeth

[Paul S.]

Was it a connection, as Paul took it? Yes. I think so. Something REALLY personal. A mark of his particular trade maybe. Maybe even a recognizable " Mark of Morgan" ...... which then begs the question. Was there ANOTHER reason he sent it to Paul. MAYBE he realized that there would be people out there in the "black" that would recognize that thumpstick if Paul ever decided to show it off or carry it, or do what he is planning to do now, put a photo of it out there for this forum. And that makes me wonder ... Will that act as sort of a means of authenticating what Paul has been saying to others out there, maybe still in the shadows.

That's a very interesting thought there, Mark, and on the chance that you could very well be right, and since you all have expressed such interest in this particular talisman, I have posted some detailed images of the "Thump Stick" on a separate web page, and have started a new thread under "General Discussion" to discuss what you see there.

The pictures are here:

https://www.ttbrown.com/images/thumpstick

Please confine any further discussion of this particular topic to this new thread:

viewtopic.php?p=7002#7002

Thanks,

--PS