It was right there, up on the stage with the right Reverend Mitchell Charlie that I finally became aware of his true power. Whether he was actually a man of God I really couldn't say, but working for him week after week I saw the mesmerizing power he held over his flock, especially the women. Each day he would invite the multitudes to join us up on the stage where he would say a private prayer with each of them.
Since I was in charge of escorting the people from the line up to meet the Reverend, I got a close hand view of his techniques. It's not like I would ever have the presence to grab a soul's attention like he did, but I quickly realized I could take advantage. After saying a short prayer while swaying his sparkling bible in front of an individual, he whispered something to each person.
Now certainly not all the people fell under his spell, but many did. He was amazing if a bit unoriginal. He would whisper to the men to be a good husband and father and to the women to be a good wife and mother. He would whisper encouragement and give them instruction on following the right path. You know, it wasn't long before that little town of ours got very calm. Based upon what I noticed during that time he must have influenced at least sixty to seventy percent of the people he spoke to.
Now, while I was amazed at the Reverend you can't mistake me for a follower, no he was just a steady paycheck for me. Anyway I guess that was why I quickly figured out a way to get a little good of my own from the Reverend. The layout of the stage would be perfect, with the back passageway to a small room which the Reverend used as a small office.
Well it just so happened that next Sunday I saw Mary Jean, the new teacher at the local elementary school. She'd been ahead of me in school and when she went off to college I kind of forgot about her. Well, after I graduated high school and then quickly flunked out of college I returned to town and spotted her walking into school.
She always was nice, but too nice, one of those keep your knees crossed until marriage types. Anyway, when I saw her in line to see the Reverend, I asked Mark, one of the other assistants to take over for me. I then made sure I walked her up to the Reverend where he quickly prayed and then leaned to whisper in her ear. I stood close and though I didn't hear what he said, I quickly walked her away when he finished.