CHAPTER 3
The following morning John awoke invigorated and fresh, he showered, dressed, had a light breakfast and climbed into his car fully intending to go to the office. As he reversed his car out of the garage he became aware of a kaleidoscope of images in his head. The ring had obviously broadened his powers their scope had increased and he had to concentrate to avoid the millions of images flashing through his mind. He realised that as he looked at a person he could see into their mind and was aware of what they were thinking.
The neighbour on the left was concerned about his daughter and her boyfriend and as he flicked to the neighbour on the right and as he looked at his wife, who was standing waving him off, he was aware that she was thinking about her meeting with her friends for coffee and lots of other trivia. With a degree of concentration John found that he could suppress the majority of visions but was aware that they were available to him at the slightest thought. Driving along John realised that he could interpret what other drivers were going to do and his reactions corresponded. He could sense and feel other drivers' moods, those who were tense and had the ability to have a road rage attack, He knew that in a trice his projected thoughts would have a calming effect and their rage would subside.
John quickly realised that this power gave him control over other people's reactions and could be used for whatever purpose he wanted. His mind raced ahead his business could grow; he could become wealthy and powerful, how powerful he had yet to realise. All these thoughts going through his head upset his train of thought and mentally scanning through his diary John realised that he had no appointments and that the day had been set aside for client reviews and administration.
He decided to find a café and sit quietly and absorb the changes that were happening in his life and the enormous possibilities which lay ahead. The phrase 'Power corrupts and ultimate power corrupts ultimately' flashed through his mind. He would indeed need to tread cautiously if he did not wish to fall into the power trap.
Parking his car in the city centre Shopping Mall and walking to a small coffee house café John decided to call Miriam on her cell phone and see what her reaction would be; the phone rang for some time and when she answered her tone indicated that she had just woken from a deep sleep. As soon as John informed her who was calling she became very quiet and was obviously embarrassed with how fast things had developed the previous evening. She started speaking somewhat hesitantly at first, "Oh dear God what must you think of me? I'm not the sort of woman who sleeps with a total stranger. I just do not understand how it happened how I let things get out of hand so quickly." John could feel her discomfort and embarrassment and he quickly focused his mind and concentrated on her to see if he could control her remotely; easing into her thoughts he gave her the reassurance that he was a good friend and that she needed to meet with him again; immediately her mood lightened. She asked where he was and as it was her day off would he come round to discuss the whole matter with her to clear things up. John readily agreed wanting to see her again and told her he would see her in about an hour.
The young waitress serving coffee was quite attractive and as she served him John could feel the ring beginning to get warmer. She smiled and asked if there was anything she could do for him; probing her mind he realised that she was sexually aroused just by being in the close proximity of the ring. He also realised that because he found her attractive the ring worked its powers over her to please its new owner. He asked, "Is there anywhere we can talk privately?" Smiling at him she replied, "We could use the staff room, its behind the curtain at the rear of the restaurant. I'll shortly be due for a few minutes rest; I'll wave when I'm going to start my break."
Shortly afterwards John saw her go to the curtain at the rear and beckon him to follow, getting up from the table he followed her into a staff rest room. It was complete with toilet facilities and a couch for staff to rest on if they were unwell or were feeling faint. Amazing, John thought to himself, in Lusaka, an employer with consideration for his staff, this was a rarity indeed. As he entered the room she turned and smiled at him and stood wide eyed as he approached her.