Page 5 of Gideon

“A family connection, huh? We’ve had it tough around here for a few years, but these people are strong and resilient. I’m proud of the town we’ve created amidst the drought. I’m Phineas, by the way. Phineas Knox. I’ve lived here for about a decade now.”

“Gideon.” The men shook. “I was surprised to see the markets were on. When I drove in yesterday, it looked like the town had been abandoned, but this is a good turnout.”

“Yeah. People love it. It’s kind of like a religious experience.”

“Religion? I always thought markets were a place to sell stuff that you make.”

“If you want to oversimplify, and probably most markets are, but other towns don’t have what we have.”

“Which is?”

Phineas nodded toward the totems. “They’ve brought peace in uncertain times.”

“Oh yeah? How do they do that?”

“I can see you’re an unbeliever. That’s okay. We welcome all kinds around here. In fact, there are plenty of folks who don’t proclaim the power of the totems, but they still believe deep down.”

“You mean like a superstition? Touch wood. That kind of thing?”

“Exactly. They say they don’t believe, but they were as happy as the rest to see these towers of promise erected—I can see the cynical look on your face.”

“I don’t mean to be so obvious.”

“It’s okay. You’re not from around here, so you haven’t experienced the hardship that these people have faced.”

“What do the totems have to do with that?”

“It was when they turned to a higher power that the rain returned.”

“The rain returned?” Gideon looked up at the sky.

“For a short time. I’m working on that.” He pointed to the booth behind him. It was full of dream catchers and art depicting spirit animals and the third eye. A large, vibrant sign advertised a medium. A few people were milling around waiting for him to return to his table.

“You’re a medium?”

“I sure am.”

“And these totems, I take it you played a part in getting them installed?”

“I created them—well, I say I created them, but my talent comes from a higher plane. I was simply the vessel.”

Gideon nodded. “You have a lot of talent.”

“Kind of you to say, considering I know what you really think of them.”

“They’re not to my taste.”

“They transcend beauty.”

“I see. If I remember correctly, this town used to have a large group of Christians. Have they given you any trouble about this?”

“I was ushered in at just the right moment, when those same people began to realize that the god they served was, in fact, no god at all. Simply a collection of well-meaning—yet destructive—stories to lead people away from the truth. But they were ready. When they were finally prepared to leave those arcane teachings behind, they embraced the truth. All it took was the searching.”

“Interesting.”

“I can tell you’re searching too. While you’re here, would you like to come into my booth? Maybe I can make a believer out of you after all.”

“No, thanks.”

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