22

               He followed the shoppers down one escalator, then the next. He felt like an extra for a liberal

anti-business propaganda film, standing in line like a zombie, head facing straight ahead, marching

single file to his pathetic office to do some unknown, tedious task.

               As he exited through the revolving doors, he saw that the owner was still in front. He sneered

as he walked past her, "Some people are in this business for God's sake for God's sake... for God's

sake... did I say that already?"He growled, dripping saliva out of his fleshy lips. He traipsed back to

his office, his whole body now pulsating to the beat of his headache. He pushed people aside with his

shoulders to get through the crowd still lingering on the sidewalk. Members of his congregation

pushed by him in the opposite direction, not recognizing him.

               Father Feinstein had no idea what to do next, so he went upstairs and went to sleep. The next

morning, he thought about calling the bishop, but decided another nap would feel better. Since naps

can be very tiring, he recuperated afterwards with a day's rest. He felt revived by nighttime, so he

knew he finally had enough energy to go to sleep. The next morning he wasn't so sure, so he

collapsed back on the bed. When he woke up the next day naked, he thought he was dreaming, so

went back to sleep. At last, with a new found motivation, he got up, got dressed, ate breakfast, and

slept for another three days.

V

               Things were quiet lately. From across the street, two parallel crosses of light lay shimmering

on the pavement. The powerful sun was reflecting off the gold crosses embedded in the glass

storefront. There was a good size crowd flowing in at a regular pace, even for a Sunday. Saturday

afternoons had quickly become the prime shopping hours since there was no longer a need to wake up

on Sunday morning. Whatever people could buy Sunday, they could buy Saturday.

               Many who had once gone to Father Feinstein's and Father Kevin's churches now carried

Shoppers Club Cards from the Jesus Christ Superstore. Some ex-parishioners were there now, most