CHAPTER TWO THE 12: The Vision Made Plain (Episode 3)

             

   In four days things were getting set for the mission to expose the dream of the children’s world, summer holiday had just started and Duncan was in South Africa, received and treated like a star by a host of people, he felt like a real star as they got him prepared for his show which was the next day. Just like Duncan wanted ,the entertainment industry in south Africa was pleased to have him and the fans he had there came around to take his autograph and snapshots with him, it made him have more confidence in himself as a rising star.

The twelve had the last meeting with the forty three kids before their departure to their various destinations. They met them at their school in Bahamas same hall and Cindy was allowed to address them, she didn’t use a microphone, she stood in front of them.

“Today we are just forty three………fifty five of us.” she started. The rest of the twelve sat with the other children. She went on. “But in times to come there will be millions of us being lifted by God to lift each other up,”

They were excited about what she said. They clapped.

“This is our last meeting in person for now and it will be good if you all go for this mission with a clear purpose in mind. It is often said a three folded cord cannot be broken and you are pared in three so unity should be a natural out come for you all. Bare this in mind, much can be accomplished if we don’t care who takes the glory. Our company would never have succeeded if they cared about who gains much popularity. You are going out there as a three folded cord with same talent, same understanding and same believe. It is all about making citizens for the kingdom. There are ten most important things you must keep in mind when going on missions and this was inspired by Maul,” she unfolded the paper she was holding. “one, be focused, two, make God your closest friend, three, make up your mind in times of trouble that you will overcome, four, remind yourself every morning what you are out for, five, think about the vision and be encouraged, six, think of your fellow friends and try to create an atmosphere suitable for you and them, seven, always act what the dream says of you, eight, look at the dream and smile at the end of it, nine think of the first day you ever thought of that dream and ten, imagine the end.” As she spoke the children wrote it down. Lindsay stood up and continued. “The holy spirit will guide if you ask him to. Everything you need is ready, your parent’s approval, your air tickets and some of you are going by train, your train ticket are ready. You have accommodation and equally someone to pick you up on arrival. Money will be given to you as allowance for each month and follow your leaders in each group, us staying behind will always keep in touch and keep you in prayers.”

“Hmm,” a girl stood up, twenty one year old. “On behalf of us sited here, I want to thank you twelve for reminding us of our purpose. You have made us to understand that we can actually live the life of our dreams if we only believe, reach out for it and equally make it happen for another person. You’ve done enough,” the twelve smiled and she went on. “This vision is ours and we are going to run with it with all our hearts, might, strength, ideas and creativity. This is a vision bigger than us, bigger than our finances, but it isn’t bigger than our faith in the God who gave us the mind to create and added a gift to it. With this we can make it through and we will,” when she was done the children all stood up and clapped including the twelve and the children who were gifted in singing started this song.

I’m going there, nobody can stop me oh

I’m going there, don’t you want you want to go to

I’m going there, nobody can stop me, and nothing can delay me,

I’m going there, nobody can stop me oh

I’m going there, don’t you want to go to

I’m going there I’m my way I’m going there

They all sang this song together much love, faith and hope built in them.

                 Jan was always in a bad mood since she spoke with the twelve and only Chris could understand her sudden change of mood. She sat in her office that mid afternoon wheeling the chair looking at the ceiling. She had nothing on her mind just the gaze on her eyes. Randy walked in without an invitation and found her in that mood but he ignored it. He sat.
“You’ve been out of work too often these days and without permission. What has been going on?” Randy asked as if concerned but Jan knew he was just being bossy. She sat still and looked at him then she replied. “Just didn’t want to be in any environment, had a lone time.”

Randy looked at her and nodded.

“Will you add sickness to your excuse?”

“I wasn’t feeling too well and it’s not an excuse,”

“I noticed you’ve been having some real talks with the twelve and I believe they have been telling you some things which I need to hear,”

“Don’t be cynical Randy,” she was pissed. “I had one talk with them and no they didn’t tell me anything which you need to hear,”

“Hey, hey, hey, why are you so pissed?" He asked mildly.

“What exactly do you think they will tell me that you need to hear?”

“You see, there is something Jakes admitted to me. He told me their lawyer isn’t dead.”

“What!” she exclaimed.

“He escalated to an unknown destination when he sold their talent so they considered him dead.”

She smiled bitterly and immediately thought of a solution.

“I realized that this whole cooperation is not only about taking Duncan to the top but it opens a way for me to gain access to their treasure.”

“Which treasure are you talking about?” she came to Randy. “They do have a treasure but it can’t be touched with physical hands, it can only be felt and you can only gain access to it if you love and support them.”

Randy glanced at her almost admitting the truth then he said. “How did you know all this?”

“Oh so you didn’t know their treasure lies within them?”

“Oh no, I didn’t,”

“Okay maybe you thought they had some gold stones hidden somewhere,”

They paused.

“Glad it’s far beyond that if not some people will plot to murder them and grab it all,”

Randy gave her a stern look and she looked away.

                 For the first time in the history of Duncan’s career, he is seen on Television almost all over the world. As deserving the twelve watched him as he sat with the two journalist, to run the show.

“It’s really a surprise but we are so happy, South Africa is happy to see have you Duncan.” The first journalist said and nodded with a smile.

“My pleasure,” he said.

“Hope you did enjoy the few hours you’ve spent here?”

“One of the best places I’ve been to, thank you all for the warm welcome.”

“We are warm welcoming people,” the second journalist admitted. “Your fans will love to know more about you. You started off very strong with a powerful release that got so many people dancing but that was just the height of you, we expected more but you didn’t give us more. What happened?”

“I was down a bit, got sick and admitted in the hospital for close to two weeks.”

“Oh sorry,” they told him.

“”Yeah that’s why I didn’t make any more appearances but as soon as I got back up on my feet, here am I,”

“You showed up huh?”

“I showed up,” he smiled. “My career hasn’t been very successful this season because of my poor health but am fine now and coming up strong.”

“I love that; you are a great star,”

Duncan felt elated hearing that, he wished he wink at the twelve but he found his consolation on the fact that they were watching.

“We are definitely expecting great things from you,”

“Definitely, definitely,” He agreed with them.

“You live in the same area with the twelve right?”

“Yes I do,”

“Do you work together, like corporate?”

“Of course, they are my buddies,”

“What do you think about them?”

Duncan suddenly went dump. The twelve could understand the expression on his face; they smiled silently as they watched.

“The twelve is no doubt one of the fast growing most influential people in the world,” he quickly answered and wished they won’t ask anymore about the twelve.

“Do they inspire you?” the first journalist asked.

“Very much,” then he wished the twelve was not watching.

“What do you think about them and their success?”

“Well they are young and their success is alarming and everybody is happy about how far they have come.”

“Yes we all are.” The second journalist said. “And if you are watching, we love you twelve,”

“And we love you too Duncan, thanks again for visiting us. We will be right back with more from Duncan Steech after the break.”

The commercial break was going on and the twelve laughed at the irony that had be fallen Duncan.

“Poor him,” Ben said. “He is practically shivering right now.”

“And he wish he could spit on the face of that journalist,” Lindsay said and they laughed again. Their little fun was interrupted by a phone call. Maul rushed and answered it.

“Hello, twelve residence who am I speaking with please,”

“Moscow,”

“Moscow,” she as her eyes widened, she looked at the others as they asked her to put the phone on loud speaker.

“Been calling your house for ages, what’s wrong with you kids?”

“Sorry Mr. Moscow,” Michael said as they all listened. “We have just been too busy,”

“I know what you kids have been up to, I made my research, and you kids left me with no choice. How do you think you will run this whole dream on your own?”

“We were waiting for the right time to tell you,” Maul said.

“When is the right time?”

“Sorry Mr. Moscow,” Cindy said. “We are very sorry.”

“Tell me everything ok, put down all the things you need. Tell it to me right now.”

Gradually they spelled out the dream to Moscow and all their plans. The camp and its cost, their training ground which will be the sports complex and their plan to launch the vision in a short while before their missions to back to Africa. Moscow didn’t give them a promising help but he made them understand that he was for them all the way.

                Randy and Jakes had finished watching Duncan’s show in the meeting room at Rolex center. They were sipping coffee.

“Working isn’t it?” Jakes asked looking at the TV as the program rounded up.

“For the twelve yes,” Randy replied folding his arms.

“It is fortunate for Duncan because he gave the people what they wanted.”

“Jakes it seem as if you don’t smell it, you didn’t understand the trap.”

“I know your fear, you are worried about his replies right, but he didn’t say anything new because what he said is known all over the world.”

“Jakes,” he placed his hands on the table. “The twelve was watching and you know how fast their minds run,”

“There you go again; the twelve will never believe Duncan even if he bows before them before the whole world,”

“Okay, it is settled then,” he relaxed himself. “What if their lawyer shows up and pays what he owes you?”

“That will never happen, stop talking rubbish,” he stood up and walked out. Randy finished his coffee.

                 The twelve decided to visit Rubel Monday morning before going over to see Duncan. When he saw them in the meeting room, he didn’t sense any trouble but he was pleased to have them. He sat on a chair opposite to theirs.

“Hey there super stars, I haven’t seen you kids since our return from Sao Paulo. What has been keeping you busy?”

“Lots of things,” Zed replied.

“I see. Moscow has been banging on me to get to you guys and find out how you’re faring………”

“He called us,” Shania said. “We spoke to him.”

“What relieve,” he took a deep breath. “How are things going?”

“It’s bad,” Ken was quick to reply. “Bad on our career,”

“So what is your manager and directors up to now?”

“We are forced to transfer our skills, creativity and intelligence to Duncan,” Lindsay spelled it out. “That’s our secrets to success.”

“God this is serious,” Rubel thought for a while. “I’ll get to Moscow and we will work something out real quick but for now there’s something I need you to do for me,”

“What’s that?” Ben asked.

“There are some rock singers here I want you to talk to them. They have a unity problem,”

“Where are they?” Shelly asked.

“I’ll ask them in.” he stood up and left and in no time he came back with the four singers.

“I will leave for now,” Rubel said and left.

“Nice meeting you twelve,” Elvis said as they sat.

“This is like a dream come through for me,” Vern said.

“For me too,” Cole added.

“I’m Kurt, my pleasure.” The others looked at him, “weird who asked for your name?”

The twelve smiled.

“It’s our pleasure too,” Shelly said. “Right twelve”

“Yeah,” they nodded.

“Personally I love your songs,” she said.

“Thank you,” they replied.

“So why are you guys fighting?” Cindy asked and the guys felt embarrassed.

“I made this group, I started it and I’m the eldest,” Elvis told them. “I compose most of our songs and do all the arrangements but when we get money out of our shows or concerts they expect me to have same profit as them, is that even fair?”

“Don’t listen to him,” Kurt said. “He is a selfish fool,”

“Okay enough,” Maxwell interrupted. “How long have you been having this quarrel?”

“Since we started making big profits,” Cole replied. “He didn’t have a problem with us having equal amount of the money till some devil possessed him.”

The twelve smiled.

“Elvis right,” Larry said pointing at him and he nodded. He went on. “You don’t have a problem here.”

Elvis felt defended and the others felt slammed.

“If you want a higher share of your money why don’t you go on stage and do the singing all by yourself?” Larry asked.

This time Elvis felt slammed and the others defended.

“Yeah,” Michael added. “Much can be accomplished if we don’t care who takes the glory amongst us. True you are the leader of the group but you don’t have to spell it out to them that their role isn’t important whereas it is as important as yours,”

Elvis lowered his head.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with us singers honestly,” Maull shook her head. “we don’t sing because we want fame or money or whatever, name it. Because if that was the essence we are ready to quit the music industry here and now, you can have our fame if you want. We do this because we bless the heart and souls of people,”

“It’s is very painful for singers to express what they don’t feel,” Cindy said. “We sing of freedom, we express freedom on stage and bring many people into freedom but do you think we are truly free? No,”

The four guys stared at them.

“You guys sing of unity right?” Shelly said. “I know that song very well and many people find unity amongst them just by listening to you but are you united?”

The twelve shook their heads for them and the guys looked at each other.

“It’s not about the money or the fame,” Ken said. “Be true to yourselves and be the first to buy what you produce and enjoy it more than any other person will. Be of good cheer and try that see how great you will feel towards each other.”

After Ken had spoken, they knew it was time for them to go.

“We got to go,” Zed said as they stood up. “See you later,” and the twelve left them, the four boys equally stood up and walked out without saying a word to each other.