A day with Manual

“The children of this world seem to be more knowledgeable than the children of light in this generation,” said Manual when they started again.

“I am ignorant on many things that John mentioned. I’ve to find what this fax and e-mail are.”

“They are devices of communication,” said Litha. But this was not enough to satisfy him.

“I’ve to find some one who is an expert in this field,” said Manual to himself. They did not have to search for long. They spotted three youth, dressed in the latest fashion, riding bikes with their girlfriends on pillion.

“How will we contact them?” Litha enquired. She couldn’t imagine them being put to sleep while they were riding.

“They will stop shortly for refreshments,” answered Manual. Soon they stopped their bikes in front of a big restaurant.

They went inside, were seated and ordered for food. The ladies got up and went to the washroom to freshen themselves. Manual and Litha sat on the vacant seats. Those youths dozed off at the waving of Manual’s hand.

“Casper, Beltazer and Nelson, right?”  said Manual, smiling.

“Who are you?”  Shot back Casper. “Seems to be promoting some detergent powder, I infer from the whiteness of your dress.”

“What use if we whiten only the dress that we wear outside?”  Manual said in a serious tone.

“Do you have any detergent to clean inside?“ Casper was not ready to let it go.

“Faith, fasting and prayer. You’ve these three to cleanse your mind,” said Manual.  He got into the topic without wasting  more time and asked, “Casper, what’s your area of work?”

“I’m a computer pro. engaged in developing a supercomputer, one which is more efficient than the human brain. Within a few years I’ll reach my goal.”

“Good. I wish you all the best. What about you, Beltazer?”

“Bio-tech is my field. I dream about the human body free from diseases. I might take more time than Casper, but I’ll also fulfill my dreams.”

“Good.”  Manual turned to the third person and asked him what his dream was.

“Mine will remain a dream in today’s circumstances, because my ambition is miles and miles away from reality. I want a formula to control the natural forces.”

“I wish you to find what you seek,” said Manual imitating their pronunciation.

“Jesus was able to control natural forces.” said Litha with a smile. “When he chided the sea to be calm it calmed.”

“Jesus! You believe in him!” said Casper sarcastically. ”I tell you he was a fraud. Is there any historic evidence that he lived on this earth? Who is the witness for his claim that the Holy Ghost had proclaimed him to be the Son of God? It is written that he cured the sick and fed five thousand men and women and children with five loaves and two fishes. But what is the scientific basis? Where is the documentation on how he achieved it? He kept that secret with him like the village hag  with knowledge on folk medicines. His explanation that the God in Heaven downloaded strength to him is not satisfactory. Look at us, we are today’s messiahs whom you can see with your eyes, whom you can ask for any detail on our achievements.  We’ve proof to support our theories and hypothesis.  Todays’ messiahs are definitely better than the old one.”

“How do you substantiate your claim?”  Manual asked uneasily. They scorned of at his question.

“Man, are you aware of the developments in the computer field?  By the time we talk the latest computer technology would’ve become obsolete. That’s the pace. Today we use chips to make the blind see, the deaf hear, the dumb communicate and the lame is made whole. When we fix chips in our brain, the senses will increase efficiency manifold. Data will directly be transferred from brain to brain. That day all the men will use the same language – the language of the computer – the e-language. Then we will use robots to rebuild the tower of Babel.”

Beltazer shook his head in agreement and added, “Even the Messiah wouldn’t be able to comprehend the developments in the medical field. The diseased are cured. Eyes, hearts and kidneys are transplanted, wombs of the barren are opened. The dead are resurrected to life. Life expectancy has gone up. With time we will surpass even the Christ. From a state of treating diseases we will progress to a state of no-disease. The body will destroy the first cells of cancer on its onset. The process of ageing will be reversed. The first virus of AIDS  will be destroyed as soon as it enters a body. Do you have any idea of all this?  Do you know about mutations that we make in plants and animals?  Do you know where cloning will lead us?”

“Do you have any idea where it will lead you?” Manual retorted.

The third person started, ignoring him.

“These two have already become Christs. But in my case I’ve to go a long way. A day shall come when I can control the sea and the wind. That day I will walk over water. That day a star will appear when any child is born.”

Manual had enough and motioned to Litha that it was time for them to leave. The ladies came back and woke up the men. “What, are you tired now itself?”  One of them asked winking her eyes. The others laughed on hearing this. The men didn’t know what had happened to them and looked at each other.

“The time has come when man claims himself to be the Christ and they show great signs and wonders. This is not a good omen.”  Manual said in his mind as they went out.

“Manual,” said Litha “But we forgot about the information you needed?”

“I got whatever I wanted while I talked with them. If the good and evil in their minds are accessible, so is the knowledge that they’ve amassed”.