Glory To Enlightenment

My next novel entitled THE ILLUMINATI.

Actually I'm on page 10 right now still trying to discover more facts and imagine the least expected and less traveled pathways to the unknown.

What ILLUMINATI really means? Who are they? To know them is to love them actually in the real sense of ENLIGHTENMENT

BOOK CHAT Chapter 10 - The Concept

For the past 12 months the business is really doing great. Veronica's husband was not heard arguing with her after that. But one thing she noticed and has observed; the bookstore is becoming a commode for rumors and nasty gossip.

Veronica needs to divert the business into something productive, more meaningful and most of all profitable. Instead of having the customers stayed for long hours chatting at the bookstore she needs to plan something in advance. She doesn't want to drive her true loyal clients away from her establishment.

Once again she shut down the bookstore and applied license for a small restaurant beside her former store. At least this time those frequent buyers, customers and loyal clients can chat all day long if they want to at the other room designed for eating and chatting. At least while they chat they can order a meal or two. Food essential for growth are available on a steamed table. In this new venture Veronica would be able to hire at least 4 workers. Not bad right? Not that bad for small business advocates.

A concept that she planned long time ago hoping it would be more interesting for her family and the loyal friends of the Book Chat. Simple concept that is.

The Bookstore is dedicated for those who have certain fondness of the love for books and reading. Besides the bookstore has 2 computer booths as a facility for quiet researcher or students who would like to do their research project or study. A quiet, calm atmosphere for the studious while the happy go lucky individuals can be segregated in the fast food area. Segregation area for the chatty and bubbly group. Even her own teenagers bring their friends at the fast food for dining.

The new concept has brought happy moments, sad moments, meeting old faces, new faces, familiar and unfamiliar people, strange, obnoxious, you name it the place became a place to chill.

There are too many stories relating to her Book Chat of course only the most unforgettable are still intact in her memories though.

Just like this story: Veronica saw an old woman walking her puppy outside. The puppy barked so much that she was having a hard time controlling the leash on its neck. Her pet has created so much trouble hard to deny.

"Arf! Arf! Arf!," barked the loud puppy. As it barked continuously as if there's no tomorrow.

Seeing the old woman and her noisy dog made Veronica unhappy. Even if the door and window is double pane glass she can hear the sound of the bark outside. It's totally annoying. If she could only cover her ears or ask the woman to move quietly away from the site.

Then suddenly the old woman came in to her store. Alas! the dog stopped barking. But her pet looks tired, restless and agitated. It must be hot outside and the air conditioning inside the Book Chat has helped him pacified.

Veronica: Hello there poor puppy. How come you barked so much?

Old Woman: I think puggy is very tired and needs to drink.

Veronica: Oh I see. You're puppy needs water then ( Veronica offered a bowl of fresh water to drink taken from the tap. She touched the puppy on its face and asked why her pet's face looked a bit different). Isn't he cute? The puppy's face is wrinkled and its nose pushed in and ... and your pet is stocky and chubby.

Old Woman: It's a pug! That's why I named him Puggy!!

The old grouchy grumpy woman moved to the Fast Food area and mumbled, " I'd better feed my pug or he'll leave me with another master!"

Veronica's smile turned into uncontrollable laughter. She thought the old woman and her pug are awesome duo.

BOOK CHAT Chapter 9 - The Reaction

The following days were hectic. Very busy days mostly because the news had created so much curiousity.

Then on this particular day when Veronica opened her door she noticed that the delivery man left the newspapers on the pavement of the business establishment. That never happened before. The local newspaper guy usually brings the paper inside the store. Anyway, she shrugged her shoulder and thought to herself maybe the newspaper company has replaced the guy named Mr. Scotland.

She took the bundles of newspapers inside and put them beside the magazine rack. When she glanced at the front page, the story of the brawl was written there. Somehow some stories were exaggerated. She was furious and sad. She called her husband right away to inform what she read.

"How could they'd be so stupid!?" remarked Veronica while tears flowing down her cheeks.

She also phoned the newspaper editor and told her about the news that she read. This is what she heard from the editor --

"Madam, I think it's a good publicity for you and the bookstore!" the editor insisted that front page news requires a bit of controversial issue." "Besides its to your advantage. "We didn't see anything wrong with it."

Veronica slammed the phone fuming mad. When she got hold of her husband she got the same reaction. He really wants to sell the business.

As if she didn't hear what George has said, she just continued to keep on with her work. It's her work not his. Hours passed by and suddenly people keep coming in to her bookstore. Some of them staring at Veronica, secretly. Others are browsing on pocketbooks but you can hear the whispers and mumbling. A very curious nosy girl came right after her

Girl: Madam, I'm Emilia and I read the news today. You are very courageous. I'm so glad that you were able to defend yourself from those bad guys. Those dirty rotten rascals!

Veronica: (With a sweet smile on her face she quickly replied to her) Fortunately it is of my best interest to defend myself and my business and whatever that rightly belongs to me.

Emelia: Madam, can I have your signature please? I mean autograph?

Emelia opened her notebook and Veronica signed it nicely. Veronica thought it was silly to sign it but it was a matter of importance for that little girl. Later Emelia was seen buying an Earth Science textbook. She wants Veronica to sign it too. Without hesitation she obliged upon her sweet smiling request. Veronica loves Earth Science too. It's was a subject in High School that she loves. Emelia was overjoyed and after saying "thank you" she left the store together with her mother.

Many customers had their share of buying and purchasing ordinary books, textbooks, souvenir items just to have a glimpse of her. Some are nosy asking her some naughty questions while others keep their inquiries to themselves.

BOOK CHAT Chapter 8 - The Brawl

Veronica was still thinking of the mysterious couple when group of youngsters entered her bookstore. They were chatting, laughing out loud. When they reached the aisle they got hold of several books that they rudely opened pages by pages by stealth or by force. Until few pages were torn apart from the books.

The outrageous situation is very alarming but somehow Veronica manage to keep in control. She asked the bad boys to get out from the business establishment or she's gonna call the police.

The problem is the youngsters, the dirty rascals cannot take heed of the warning and still continued to provoke her. Then one of the bad guys started throwing pocketbooks hitting the light fixtures on the wall and on the ceiling. The eight juvenile delinquents chuckled like crazy hyenas.

Outraged and furious, Veronica grabbed the baseball bat that Ceejay left behind the counter. Aiming the sturdy bat at one of the rascals, " Okay mess up my bookstore again and I will hit you with this bat!"

Imagine after the renovation, the amount of money that's been used to make her business more profitable and it will all end up like this. Veronica have to do something tactically. Beneath the counter was the red button hidden from anyone. She quickly pressed the button and that signals for the police to arrive without the hoodlums knowing it.

However one of the bad guys approached her with a paring knife on his hand and that made Veronica rushed to defend herself by hitting the guy with a baseball bat on his leg. Seeing the pain and agony that one of their gang member has endured, the rascals run as fast as they could leaving the battered bad guy behind. The police came almost too late, although the 7 bad guys escaped but was able to apprehended one of the gang member.

After too many inquiries and interrogation the police took the bad guy and sent in the slammer (jail). More interrogations followed. The police took the video tape from the hidden camera wherein the non-stop action was captured. They want to have it as an evidence.

The next day the bookstore was closed for cleaning and re-organization once again. Veronica's family was happy and a bit sad. Two contrasting feelings of happiness because the expose' showed how their Mom has battled and won against the bad guys but then they are unhappy because they don't like the news that it will create.

And it did create and stir the news in the local newspaper. Even George was saying that it's privacy is what he needs right now. He suggested to Veronica that it's better to sell the bookstore than have all the hassles and unnecessary conflict it has created. They don't need the publicity.

BOOK CHAT Chapter 7 - The Book

The Book Chat opens at a very early morning. Earlier than usual. Veronica has the unusual energy to look after her bookstore which is of course a good thing. For the past three hours she had about 15 customers and ten of them bought "new arrival" books from the counter. How happy she is can prominently seen from her radiant smile.

She's about to take a good rest behind the counter when a young couple arrived. She welcomed the couple with a pleasing word " Hello!" The couple just said hello also and continued browsing through the narrow aisle where shelves of books are located.

Veronica let them have more time to find what they are looking for before she asked them what they really want or what they are in search of. That's showing politeness. Giving customers the chance to view and see first then if they really want something they will ask and that's how to offer your help or support.

One thing that really get the customers pissed off is when sales clerks followed customers like as if they are like dogs haunting and hunting them for something. Being courteous is what every individual needs in times of buying and selling. Never ever be rude to your clients for you never really know what's the purpose why they were there in the first place. Although being alert as a clerk is still an option. The clerk or sales person's duty is to sell products. You are not selling yourself. That's the main goal. SELL THE PRODUCT NOT YOURSELF.

Later, the young couple seemed tired in their search. They approached Veronica.

Veronica: May I help you?

The Couple (Man): We're looking for the latest book about Merlin and King Arthur. Any story about those two characters would be of help to my kid's term paper in school.

Veronica: There are several books about Merlin and King Arthur. Hollywood even made so many movies about them. Since you are looking for the "latest" I would suggest a book written by Jane Yolen. The story is not even been heard or touch by the movie sectors. So I think this is something new.

Woman: Really? What book is that?

Veronica: The book is entitled " The Sword Of The Rightful King." In this book the characters are depicted vividly and more enchanting roles for Merlin.

The Couple: Great! That's what we really want for my kids.

The Couple purchased four books with the same title. Veronica mumbled a bit. She was surprised why they are getting four books instead of one. She doesn't want being nosy. If they want four books then they can have it. The couple paid the books urgently. Just as Veronica gave them the receipt the couple said goodbye. They were in a hurry. She wonder why. What she noticed when the couple left the bookstore, there was a $50.00 bill inside the tip jar.

"Oh my God!" "Is that a joke? " They gave me $50 for a tip?" Veronica was a bit surprised. Actually more than surprised. It was shocking. They are probably super rich and tipping that big amount of money is sort of nothing to them.

Anyway Veronica knew that their kids will surely enjoy reading a good stunning, smart and mysterious novel written by Jane Yolen.

BOOK CHAT Chapter 6 What's In A Name

Frightened about the mysterious man, Veronica related the story to her family. They were having dinner when she told it to them. At first they don't believed Veronica until she had shown the business card.

When Veronica's husband saw the card, George could only muttered, " that guy is probably a mystery shopper."

Veronica: Mystery shopper!? In my bookstore? Don't you think he should visit grocery stores or supermarkets and department stores?

One of the triplets grabbed the business card from her Dad, "Yikkess!" as she shrieked when she reads what's on the card.

"What's on the card? What it says?" Ceejay asked Teejay.

"Oh nothing much! The name says it all I think, " recounted Teejay.

Ceejay thought there is something more to it that he asked the business card to see it for himself. When he had his turn to read the name he could only wonder why his name is weird.

Firelli one of the triplets finally got hold of the business card and blurted, " Is he from Greece?" He must be Greek! His mother named him after a Greek mythological character?

Probably is for his name is a well distinguished very prominent name. Who wont recognize Zeus? Do you know Zeus?

Yes the man is named after the Olympian god Zeus! The mysterious man is named after Zeus. He is Dr. Zeus Ulysses - with a Phd. Doctor of Philosophy and Theology.



The kids asked their Mom to describe the man. Veronica could only remember him as a man who resembles that of the leading actor in "Lawrence of Arabia."

"That guy?"" You mean Omar Shariff?" Firelli grinned with much enthusiasm then laughed and told his Mom that there's probably a mix of culture in her story.

Well what's wrong with a Greek name and an Arabic face? Only in movies! Only in the silver screen you can mix names and blend them into another distinct culture and ethnic background. It can happen. That's what multicultural diversity is. You have a Filipina in a movie representing a Chinese community because that Filipina looks more like Chinese when it comes to facial feature and skin color. Or a Filipina that looks like a Japanese. Almost anything can happen.

Veronica also informed them, "By the way, the mysterious man said he's from the Vatican in Rome!"

BOOK CHAT Chapter 5 - Mystery

A middle aged man entered the bookstore. A very strange man with a very prominent feature. Tall, dark and handsome! He's probably an actor, lawyer, or a military guy. He's not fat either. he's probably a health-buff metro retro guy.

Veronica: Good morning sir may I help you?

Man: Good morning! (He proceeded to the right hand shelves and cabinets looking for something. He was there browsing for over 4 minutes. Then finally he approached Veronica).

Veronica: Is there something in particular that you need from this store sir?

Man: Do you have the book entitled "The Clergy?"

Veronica: I'm sorry sir but we don't have it . The book is not in circulation yet.

Man: How come? What's wrong? Do you have any information about it? (with much curiousity)

Veronica: Based from what I heard "The Clergy" the novel has created so much controversy. It was a book full of heresy. You know those heretic opinions that are contrary to commonly accepted doctrines.

Man: Err...do you believe such hearsay when in fact you haven't read the book yet?

Veronica: I would like to read the book yes, before I assumed anything or have my opinions counted. Just as what I said before is based on what I heard not what I read from the book.

Man: (Smiling) That's great! Writers do write because they expect their readers to comment or know what they feel about their books. Also to feel their "pulse." Its the reader's opinion that matters. Whether the remarks are of negative and positive. Every criticism they get is of value to them. If the result is positive then surely they are more than happy to oblige with the reader's point of view. If the result is negative then the writers strive harder and take chances on every opportunity.

Veronica: Are you a writer, sir?

Man: I am an opinion seeker (in his stern voice)

Veronica: (Its not what Veronica expect for an answer)

Man: Since you don't have that book in this store, can I leave you my business card? Call me when you have it okay?

Veronica: Okay no problem sir. (When Veronica got hold of the business card, reading it in disbelief and intense curiousity .... then when she glanced at the man ------

Veronica: Where is he?

All of a sudden the mysterious man vanished! Veronica was unmoved at first. She thought she was a victim of a notorious prankster. She didn't even hear the door opens or the man get out of the door. Suddenly she had goosebumps on her arms.

Nervously she opened the entrance door, looked outside. Everything seemed normal outside. The weather is fine, not cloudy or anything. It was bright as daylight. So what's goin' on?