Welcome to Author John Joseph Kennedy's JJK BOOK BLOG!

MURDER AT THE SHANGRI' LA: The Cecilia Madeline Kennedy Story

2007-06-25T10:37:00.000-07:00

Murder at the Shangri’ La:
The Cecilia Madeline Kennedy Story
Non-Fiction/True Crime/International Murder/Political Corruption/Passion

Outline for Book Manuscript & Movie

BY

John Joseph Kennedy
with Philip Young

It was said that Cecilia Kennedy had the energy of Joan of Arc, as it is true for all of her family. Their lineage is of the ancient French House of D'Arcy, the same line that Joan of Arc (Jeanne D'Arc) hailed from. D'Arcy literally means "Of the Arc."

For Cecilia
Wherever you are, I hope you have found your Shangri La!
We miss you! And love you forever!
-JJK

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Shangri-La is a fictional place described in the 1933 novel, Lost Horizon by British author James Hilton. In the book, "Shangri-La" is a mystical, harmonious valley, gently guided from a lamasery, enclosed in the western end of the Kunlun Mountains. Shangri-La has become synonymous with any earthly paradise but particularly a mythical Himalayan utopia—a permanently happy land, isolated from the outside world….

****************

Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok is set in beautiful tropical gardens and enjoys convenient access to the central business and shopping districts. Only 30 minutes from the international airport and adjacent to a Skytrain station, the 5-star deluxe hotel is a preferred choice for business and leisure travelers. Consistently voted one of the best hotels in the world, Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok boasts unrivaled business services in an elegant and exotic setting….the most unlikely setting for a beautiful, young, vibrant American woman to die….

OVERVIEW

Cecilia "CeCe" Kennedy1964-1997

"Cecilia was a gift from God to our family and the world. She was a brave and heroic American who gave her life so others could be free." -JJK

John is inspired by his sister Cecilia, a brave, heroic American, who gave her life for Truth & International Justice.

John Joseph Kennedy understands personal loss and suffering that comes about through violence and corruption at the very highest level of the U.S. government, the very sort of corruption that took the life of his younger sister, Cecilia Kennedy, a brave and heroic soul who made a huge impact on this world and gave her life so others could be free.

Cecilia freed many Americans, including her and John’s brother, Christopher (Chris), who was falsely imprisoned in Bangkok, Thailand. At only 26 years of age, she began her mission of mercy and single-handedly put together a brilliant International legal defense, took her brother’s case to the Supreme Court of Thailand and WON - overturning his life sentence!

Cecilia also lobbied for the Extradition Treaty between the United States and Thailand to be ratified to allow those convicted of major drug crimes, especially those falsely accused and imprisoned, to be returned to the United States. At the time Thailand was one of the few countries that did not have this in place.

In her discovery and research of the international drug and money laundering schemes, to her horror and disbelief she also discovered that several of the misogynistic Supreme Court Justices of Thailand were involved in this, and the trafficking of women and children. She exposed this too, however, once she accomplished all these heroic acts she was found murdered in the 5-star Shangri La Hotel in Bangkok in 1997, at the age of only 32. Several weeks later many prisoners were freed because of her efforts. Three years later, Chris would be set free, too. Her mission on earth completed; an angel among us!

The fact that a single young woman - who was not a lawyer or involved in politics in any way - was able to accomplish these feats, and in a foreign country where she didn't know the language, is truly heroic. The stories of her heroism and bravery abound. Cecilia had a commanding presence about her, despite her petite size, and many people felt a powerful desire to help her in her humanitarian missions.

It was said that Cecilia Madeline Kennedy had the energy of the famous French martyr Joan of Arc, as it is true for all of JJK's family. Their lineage is of the ancient French House of D'Arcy, the same line that Joan of Arc (Jeanne D'Arc) hailed from. D'Arcy literally means "of the Arc."

"Cecilia stepped out of her comfort zone, as all of us must do when we are called to help others. She gave the ultimate sacrifice for humanity. One person made an exponential difference in this world." says John Kennedy.

Synopsis

Conspiracy theories have always seemed to surround the Kennedy family and their tragedies. This is the story of a conspiracy in fact, and one that was carried out. Of all the horrors that these two young people endured, that some of their own family took part in it may be the worst.

Foreword: A Brother Speaks

This will be written by John Kennedy. He will outline why this book is so very important and especially timely. As the brother to these two remarkable young people, Christopher and Cecelia, and they are remarkable not because of the accident called birth that placed them into the Kennedy family, no, they are such because of what they are and were as people, and how they have affected and touched multitudes of lives.

This is a story that is being played out right now, as the recent world-wide news coverage of a lovely young lady from Australia attests. She brought luggage to her airport that contained her vacation clothes and when she arrived in Indonesia, a piece was opened that was now filled with marijuana. She too was facing a possible death sentence at her trial despite being innocent. Her mistake was simply traveling with luggage without locks on them. As her case has forcefully shown once again, the lives of tens of thousands of innocent young people and their families are being ruined at nothing more than the whim of greedy evil men whose love of power and money have transcended morality and decency.

John’s passionate love for his family and desire for justice to be met out upon those responsible for the tragedies of his brother’s and sister’s lives, and as this book will show, the ones ultimately responsible and where the path leads will stun and shock all who learn their identities, is just part of his motivation in seeing their story told.

This is a horror and nightmare that must end. Hopefully, what is contained within these pages will help toward that end.

Prologue: Thanksgiving in Hell

The reader is introduced to the horrors of the Bang-Kwang Central Prison, a place that has become accepted as the worst prison a human being can be sent to. It is Hell on Earth. A montage of scenes beginning with Christopher’s feelings on the longest night of his life, his first one in Bang-Kwang and ending with a procession of Rolls Royce limousines entering the front gate to provide a group of more than forty young American prisoners with a most unexpected feast on Thanksgiving.

Part One – The Odyssey of Christopher

Chapter One: The Kennedy’s of Charleston, S. C. and Oklahoma City, OK.

When the average American hears the name Kennedy, the late President JFK, Bobby, Teddy and the premiere political family of the 20th century comes to mind. This chapter introduces the reader to the Kennedy’s of Oklahoma. This branch of the family came to Oklahoma by means of Charleston, South Carolina, and can trace their own political heritage beyond the days of Joseph Kennedy, father of JFK, in the 1930’s, to the South Carolina statesman and Congressman, Michael Francis Kennedy, and the first of the family to hold political office.

This will be the first of many surprises that will be learnt about this side of the family. Each individual whether parent, brother, sister, cousin and in-laws, plays an important and particular role in the tragedies and triumphs of what happens to both Christopher and Cecelia. This includes direct and indirect responsibility for his illegal imprisonment and her murder.
This chapter tells of their early years and sets the stage for what is to come…

Complete Book & Movie Outline, News Articles, and CNN News Report of this story are available upon request.

Welcome to Author John Joseph Kennedy's JJK BOOK BLOG! For Literary and Film Agents

2005-04-14T15:33:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Author John Joseph Kennedy's JJK BOOK BLOG!

This book blog was created for literary and film agents as a showcase for the writings of John Joseph Kennedy.

A man of letters, literature and languages, Mr. Kennedy studied creative writing at Harvard University and writes in many genres:

* Autobiography
* Political: visit www.JohnJosephKennedy.com
* Fiction/Mystery Series of 5 books--3 completed
* Business-Self Help: Entrepreneurship: visit www.JJKEnterprises.com
* Children's Adventure: visit www.WhaleMagicNetwork.com
* e-Books
* Film & Television Scripts: visit www.WhaleMagicNetwork.com

As a journalist and writer, Mr. Kennedy has more than 50 news article bylines to his credit.

And more than 25,000 article have been written about him worldwide: Google "John Joseph Kennedy"

ABOUT THE AUTHOR JJK: "A Man of Extraordinary Vision" BIO

2005-04-12T11:55:00.000-07:00

The Author John Joseph Kennedy "A Man of Extraordinary Vision"

JOHN JOSEPH KENNEDY WON THE PRESTIGIOUS honor of being invited to Harvard University’s creative writing program his junior year in college, based on his first short story, Chad Jarman is Forty Today. Mr. Kennedy worked as a journalist for The Daily Law Journal/Journal Record (currently owned by the New York Times) and freelanced for Beverly Hills People. He also worked as a print and runway fashion model for Neiman Marcus, GQ, Façade of New York, Ltd., Ralph Lauren/Polo, Armani, Oxxford Suits, etc.

MR. KENNEDY DRAWS FROM his wealth of life experiences and unique family heritage for creating the social, historical and political background for Prince D’Arcy de Montebello; this is the first in a series of mystery novels. The author is a descendant of ancient French and Spanish royalty and a member of the aristocratic D’Arcy and Kennedy bloodlines. He is the great-great grandson of John D'Arcy Kennedy (Ancient French House of D’Arcy; of direct royal descent of King Charlemagne, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire); and Caroline Marguerite de Rodriques Kennedy (de Rodriques lineage of Caracas, Venezuela). He is the great grandson of Charleston, South Carolina statesman and philanthropist, Congressman Michael Francis Kennedy Sr. Congressman Kennedy was the first of the Kennedy family in American politics, serving two terms in South Carolina’s House of Representatives from 1882-1886. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s branch of the family are distant cousins.

TODAY JOHN JOSEPH KENNEDY is a certified television and film producer, member of N.A.T.P.E. (National Association of Television Program Executives) and Who’s Who of International Professionals (top ten percent in the world). He is also a motivational speaker, published songwriter and poet. His work and inspiring life-giving messages and motivational speeches have reached television, radio, newspaper and live audiences of more than 100 million people in the United States, Latin America, Canada, Mexico, England, India, France, Switzerland, Ireland, Poland, Africa, and other countries. In 2004 he was sworn in as a Justice of the Peace International and ran as a True Democrat and write-in candidate for President of the United States to “Right the wrongs of America!” He has been asked to officially run in 2008. [His platform is on his website at www.johnjosephkennedy.com.]

Mr. Kennedy divides his time between Charleston, South Carolina, Atlanta, Georgia and Bel Air, California.

JJK Named "EXPERT AUTHOR" for e-zine articles on ENTREPRENEURSHIP

2005-04-11T13:33:00.000-07:00

JJK has been named an "expert author" by e-zine/Google for his articles on entrepreneurship.

Theses articles are actually excerpts from his e-books/CD packages entitled:

Creativity & Entrepreneurship: The Creative Evolution of an Intellectual Property.

JJK is looking for big-book publication of these business/self-help books too.

Read articles:

http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_Joseph_Kennedy

THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD - EXCERPTS FROM JJK AUTOBIOGRAPHY

2005-03-14T09:25:00.000-08:00

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword!
My Life & Extraordinary Vision

By
John Joseph Kennedy

Presidential Candidate, Humanitarian, Environmentalist
& Entrepreneur

PREFACE

As I look over the rich landscape of my life, with all the glorious vistas, the barren deserts, the lonely valleys, the fast flowing rivers--with all my joys and sorrows, my pain and isolation, my awakening and immeasurable spiritual rewards, I see it now as a mystical puzzle...an intricate tapestry woven together with Divine perfection and many human imperfections......

It is my soul’s journey that brings me to this moment to share with you my life and extraordinary vision for America and the world.

Here is my story....my His-tory....

JJK Charleston, South Carolina
November 2004

PROLOGUE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

John Joseph Kennedy of South Carolina Formally Announces His Candidacy for President of the United States as Democratic Write-In Candidate

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA--JULY 20, 2004.

For historical reasons, John Joseph Kennedy returned to his family’s beloved native homeland of South Carolina to launch his candidacy for President of the United States of America as a write-in candidate for 2004 to “right the wrongs of America,” Kennedy said.

Seven generations ago, Kennedy’s family immigrated to America from their ancestral home of Tipperary, Ireland and settled in Charleston, South Carolina. Kennedy’s Great-Grandfather, Congressman Michael Francis Kennedy I, was the first of the Kennedy bloodline in American politics. He was elected to two terms in South Carolina’s House of Representatives from 1882-1886. In 1882 he also co-organized and attended the Irish Land League in Philadelphia, Pa. creating laws and regulations to protect the personal and tenancy rights of poor Irish immigrants in America. In South Carolina’s archival records it says, that as a youth of only 16, Michael Francis Kennedy was one of the first to pick up his rifle to defend the South in the Civil War.

“In the same fighting spirit of my great grandfather, my noble D’Arcy ancestors before him, and President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, I too, pick up the sword to defend my country,” Kennedy said, “that is why I am running for the Presidency.”

“I have been watching the campaign very closely and I did not hear one candidate speak the truth America deserves to hear. After being asked repeatedly, I decided to run as a True Democrat and write-in candidate.” Kennedy said.

“The most critical truth is that the four primary candidates for the highest offices in our land this year, Mr. George W. Bush, Mr. Dick Cheney, Senator John Kerry and Senator John Edwards all voted for the war in Iraq. Period. Each man had an opportunity for greatness and they failed. They failed the American people and the world. Their names are forever etched in history.” Kennedy lamented.

Kennedy’s campaign is “America first!” and based on ten key issues including: National Security, Iraq (cease the United States occupation and rebuild with the United Nations), Stop the war against Children (Non-Violence in schools, homes, children’s television programming, etc.), Non-Violence in the Media (all genres), Compassionate Mission to end the war on Homelessness, Universal Health Care/Health, Restoration of our Civil & Constitutional Rights (repeal the fraudulent Patriot Act), Environment & Environmental Justice, Rebuild International Relations and a Spirit of Entrepreneurship for America.

Ironically, South Carolina is one of the few states that does not allow write-in candidates for the Presidency. “I am aware of this and we must get this law changed. It is interesting to note that Strom Thurmond ran as a write-in candidate for Senator against the nominee of the South Carolina Democratic Party, Edgar Brown in 1954, the year I was born. He defeated Brown and became the first person in U.S. history to be elected to a major office by write-in-ballot. South Carolinians can vote for me by not voting for any presidential candidate on the ballot in November.

The future of America is literally in the hands of the American people. The handwriting is on the wall and America can literally write me in as their next President. We have 100 days to change the world!” Kennedy concluded.

For 30 years John Joseph Kennedy has been an outstanding community leader, humanitarian, champion of children’s rights, environmentalist, motivational speaker, entrepreneur and a man of extraordinary vision!

“A brighter day with JJK!”

CHAPTER ONE

ATLANTA LIVE!

ON OCTOBER 6, 2003 I APPEARED ON ATLANTA LIVE, a Christian broadcast program that reaches approximately 15 million people live in a number of states including Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Puerto Rico and several foreign countries via satellite.

I had been invited by the show's producer, Sheila Zabosnick, to appear for a 15 minute segment to promote my second documentary TV special, The Whale Magic Show. I had produced and hosted this one hour program to raise environmental consciousness for the oceans and to promote the protection and preservations of whales; two topics near and dear to my heart.This new episode was entitled Save God's Royal Critters to appeal to humanity and to educate them about the dangerous conditions of the world's oceans and the dramatic and dangerous peril to all marine life.I was excited to appear on Atlanta Live as Sheila had been trying to book it for months. I was also honored to appear as I always see this as an opportunity to further my cause for the oceans and whales. I also found it interesting that a Christian program had invited me to appear and felt the hand of God was in this.

Generally, the program is hosted by one host, a minister; a man or woman of God who interviews the guest or guests. When I arrived at the studio, I was delighted to meet Sheila in person as we had talked numerous times on the telephone. Each time we spoke her Spirit was so alive and refreshing you could feel the electricity in her voice. It was filled with love and a confidence that only comes from God.When I saw Sheila I was astounded by how much she looked like my family, especially on my mother's side. I knew instantly we were kindred spirits and that there was more going on behind the scenes, spiritually, and that I was definitely meant to be there. We visited for a few minutes and then Sheila escorted me to the Green Room where she introduced me to not one, but two ministers that were going to interview me for the show.

After greeting them warmly, one of the ministers laid his hand on my left shoulder, patted it gently and simply called me John. I felt a rush of the Holy Spirit surge through me as he touched me. I instantly felt peace and calm and knew this was a second affirmation that I was at the right place at the right time. I always look for signs. Spiritual sign. Affirmations to proceed, or warnings of caution. The Lord works in wonderful and mysterious ways.

When the show was ready to begin, we walked into the studio. It was a large studio and comfortably decorated with purple and green trim on the wallpaper and the same accents throughout the set. I had chosen a beautiful new tie I had recently purchased at Brooks Brothers that was dark blue with the exact same regimental strips of purple and green across it. In between the strips were rows of the small Brooks Brothers' signature logo, the Golden Fleece embroidered across the tie. I had chosen this tie for the interview because the Golden Fleece represents the Lamb of God. I thought this would be an appropriate tie for such an occasion; however I had no idea it would match exactly the color décor of the set. Third affirmation. Everything comes in threes.

The biblical scripture theme for the show that day was announced on air. I knew it would have significant meaning to me so I picked up the bible that lay next to me on the pew in the audience and opened it and read: "….whatsoever you doeth to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me."I thought of the whales and all marine life, the poor, the homeless, innocent men, women and children dying in the evil wars perpetuated by the Bush Family. I thought of all who perished on September 11th and the Oklahoma City bombing. When you open one door it's a floodgate.

I quickly collected my thoughts and focused on the interview taking place with their first guest. I was the second featured guest and during a break they quickly seated me on the sofa on the set. One minister sat to my left in a wing backed chair and the other one sat on the sofa with me, to my right. The interview opened with enthusiasm and they asked the typical questions about me and my new television special. Nothing out of the ordinary. They showed clips from my program and then went to a break.

During the break, off camera, the minister to my right suddenly said out of the blue: "John, are you going to run for the Presidency?"Taken aback, I replied: "I would like to be president of the ocean kingdoms, which represent 70% of the earth, but I have no plans to run for President of the United States." It was an honest answer.

The minister calmly responded: "Well, John, I think God has something great in store for you. You look like a President. Even your profile is Presidential. I feel God is going to call you to run for the Presidency of the United States," he said confidently.

Needless to say, my heart was pierced. A wave of Truth, combined with the gravity of the statement, and the awesome responsibility of such an endeavor, washed over me; through me. It was both electrifying and shocking. I knew in my heart of heart that God was indeed speaking to me through this wonderful man. I knew that God had brought me to this station to give me this profound message. The program resumed and they asked me to stay for another 15 minutes as we had much to talk about. I was honored to do this.I left the studio that night filled with the Holy Spirit. Happy at the encounter with meeting Sheila, the two ministers and knowing I had done an excellent job. It went very well. And last, but not least, I was profoundly moved, even frightened by the words that kept echoing in my mind: "John, are you going to run for the Presidency?" Wow!

This was not the first time I had heard those words. However, it was the context in which the message was delivered; the timing, the state of our nation, the crisis in our world, the insidious and evil cancer growing in our government, the ongoing corruption and deception in the White House and from our "leaders" that made me take heed. It was my wake up call and deep inside, at the soul level, I knew it was almost time to do what God wanted me to do. God was calling, and you can't say no to God! But it was still a daunting thought; a daunting task. How in the world could I do this? How in the world could I pull this off? How would I get started? When would I run? So many questions kept swimming around my head. I kept going back to what I had been hearing God say to me for the past year: "Get ready. Be prepared. And will the real John Kennedy please stand up!

"Each time I heard those words they pierced me, yet I didn't know exactly what they meant until after the interview on Atlanta Live!The next day I met with my executive assistant, Gayle, at my high rise condo in Midtown Atlanta. Gayle had watched the show the night before. She thought the interview was terrific and congratulated me. I replied, "But Gayle, you didn't even see the best part!"

"I watched the whole show." She responded, quizzically."The best part happened during the break, off camera." I said excitedly and explained to her what had happened.She was blown away, but not completely shocked. Gayle is also a very spiritual person and more often than not we spend our time talking about matters of the Spirit instead of my work and projects. It just happens spontaneously. The power of the Holy Spirit!Between the two of us we can go for hours receiving and exchanging messages from the Divine, finishing each others sentences, and lost in the rapture of the Holy Spirit. Then, suddenly, we will realize we have been doing "higher work" for hours and most of the business matters would have to take second place. We always laughed about this because it happened almost every time we got together. Spirit would come in and speak to us. "When two or more are gathered in His name…"

Gayle listened intently as I explained what happened. Her eyes alight, she looked at me and said, "Remember what God has been saying to you: 'Get ready! Be prepared! And will the real John Kennedy please stand up!' That's it! It makes perfect sense now. He wants you to stand up for America! Stand up for Him!" she said joyfully."Oh, my God! You're right!" I replied, startled. It all started to sink in; like a huge piece of the puzzle just came together.

"What will my platform be?" I asked, hesitantly.

"Your life is your platform!" she said without hesitation. "Your work is your platform. Whale Magic is your platform, the environment is your platform. The oceans, the whales and the dolphins are your platform. And especially the children! The children are your platform! Non-violence in the media, everything you have been working on for the last 30 years of your life is your platform! Hello?!" she said and snapped her fingers as if to say: "Wake up!

"We both laughed, but deep in my soul I knew she was right. I was a bit perplexed because I have never seen my life or my work as a political platform. I have only seen it as the next right thing to do. The next cause or project that my heart and soul called me to do for humanity, for children, for the oceans; for all life. How beautiful, I thought. God had been preparing me in so many ways for this destiny. It all made sense now.

Gayle continued enthusiastically; she was on a roll."While all the other candidates and politicians are out there being bought by special interest groups and God knows who else, you have been living your platform. You have been living your dream, struggling for years. Yours is not a campaign of fancy words, slogans and dubious deeds created to get elected! Yours is a real life testament of who you are. What you stand for. What you have accomplished in your lifetime by just being you! Just being John. Not to get elected to public office one day, but just because you genuinely care for children, the environment, truth, justice and the betterment of humanity. And above all, because you believe in, and love, God. You are the most spiritual man I have ever known. If God didn't groom you for this, then who did he? There is not one other candidate out there who can touch you. You have it all!" She said, emphatically.Then, as an afterthought her eyes lit up brightly and she said pointedly, "Why do you think he gave you your beautiful name, John Joseph Kennedy?" Case closed.

I just sat back on my sofa, humbled beyond belief, as Gayle's words washed over me. I knew God was speaking through her as never before, but I was trying to put all the pieces together in my mind. The who, what, when, where, how and why's. The questions of the ego, the intellect. I was trying to put it in some real-time perspective. I was trying to put the square peg in the round hole. It didn't make sense from the intellect, but it made perfect sense to my heart and soul. I understood it completely, clearly form the eyes of my soul, and yet, I was still trying to figure out how and why."When should I enter the race?" I asked, cautiously.

Gayle could see the weight of the world on my shoulders, and probably the panic in my eyes. She looked lovingly at me and smiled. She reached for my hand, squeezed it reassuringly and profoundly said, "Get ready John, you will know not the hour that God will call, but he will call! And you will be ready…"

After she left, I sat on the sofa in silence. Then the tears started to flow. Nighttime was falling and as dusk drew near the shadows from the candles I had burning cast flickering light around my living room. I looked around the room with the sea of beautiful, framed photographs of my family and loved ones; past and present, those who had inspired my life in so many ways; my great grandfather, Congressman Michael Francis Kennedy I, a two term Congressman from South Carolina from 1882-1886 and the very first of the Kennedy bloodline in American politics.I scanned the photographs of my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Francis Kennedy III, President Kennedy, Bobby on his wedding day, Jackie leaving the White House in a flurry of snow that matched her beautiful and elegant satin gown, smiling broadly, on her way to the first inaugural ball.I looked at the photographs of my beloved sister, Cecilia Madeline Kennedy, my closest sister, who had tragically died in 1997. I studied the happier times reflected in so many photographs of me and Cecilia; on Christmas day long ago, laughing at a reunion in Beverly Hills, a family portrait, and some of her modeling pictures. So many wonderful memories; now bittersweet.

I walked around the room and picked up framed photographs of my brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends; all collected together. Frozen in time. I looked into their faces, into their eyes as I have never looked before. I was looking for answers. They all seemed to be smiling back at me and my heart kept hearing them say: "You're the one!" "You're the new Kennedy God has chosen." "We're behind you!" "We've been waiting a long time for this, John." "We're so proud of you!" "We love you!" "You can do it!"

The tears continued to flow. Warm tears. Healing tears. I knew I would not just be running for the Presidency for me. I was standing up for all of my family, all my ancestors. The present generation of Kennedy's and D'Arcy's, and the many generations to come. It was a sobering, profound moment I shall never forget.

As I went to sleep that night my ego kept haunting me. So many unanswered questions. "How in the world am I going to do this?" For the life of me it was such an enormous vision that I couldn't fully wrap my mind around it. Then I found great comfort, spiritual comfort in my answer: "I can't do this, but God can!"

I knew it was going to take a miracle. I believe in miracles. I knew that America and the world needed a miracle of hope, especially now, and if God wanted me to run for the Presidency then it was going to take a miracle.

But I still hadn't grasped that I was the miracle of hope the world was waiting for! However, I knew without a doubt that God had been preparing me for this moment, this miracle, my entire life.

* * * * * * * * * * *

MORE EXCERPTS FROM JJK’S
“THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD!”

MY BIRTH
"Oh my God, he looks like a bullfighter!”

When my mother held me for the first time she looked at me and spontaneously said: “Oh my God, he looks like a bullfighter!” She was heavily sedated and after the nurse took me away she fell asleep. Later that day another nurse came in and said, “Mrs. Kennedy have you seen your new baby?” My mother had been so out of it, she didn’t remember and replied: “No, please bring him in.”

The lady sharing the room with her, turned to her and said: “Mrs. Kennedy you have seen your son - and you know what you said about him?” My mother was surprised and replied “no”. She was quite astonished as the lady relayed the story about me looking like a bullfighter!

The nurse brought me in, and when my mother saw me this time, she said: “I take it back, he looks like the bull!” So began my life!

So I began my life hearing the first words out of my mother’s mouth that I looked like a bullfighter, then a bull! This used to amuse me to no end every time I heard this story. However, later I would fully understand the prophetic meaning behind my mother’s words. They were an affirmation of what I would become; charging full force into life and fighting the good fight!

* * * * * * * * * * *

I was named John Joseph Kennedy after my great-great grandfather John D’Arcy Kennedy of Charleston, South Carolina and my uncle John Hand Kennedy, Sr. my father younger brother and a well-known trial lawyer in Oklahoma City. My middle name came from my great aunt, Dr. Josephine St. Bridget Kennedy, my father’s spinster aunt and a Doctor of Chemistry from Charleston, South Carolina. I have always loved my name.

* * * * * * * * * * *

MY HERITAGE
THE KENNEDY’S OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

I am descendant of ancient French and Spanish royalty and a member of the aristocratic Kennedy bloodline, the founding Kennedy family in American politics; the acclaimed Kennedy’s of Charleston. My family immigrated to America seven generations ago from their ancestral homes of Paris, France and Tipperary, Ireland and settled in Charleston, South Carolina.

I am the great-great grandson of John D'Arcy Kennedy (Ancient French House of D’Arcy-of direct royal descent of King Charlemagne, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire) and Caroline Marguerite de Rodriques Kennedy (de Rodriques lineage of Caracas, Venezuela), landowners and civic patrons of Charleston, South Carolina.

I am the great grandson of South Carolina statesman and philanthropist, Congressman Michael Francis Kennedy Sr. and Margaret Hand Butterly Kennedy of New York City. A Civil War Rifleman in his youth, my great grandfather, Congressman Kennedy was the first of the Kennedy family in American politics, serving two-terms in South Carolina’s House of Representatives from 1882-1886.

I am the great grandnephew of Congressman Patrick Henry Kennedy (South Carolina’s House of Representatives 1923-1925), the grandson of Dr. and Mrs. Michael Francis Kennedy Jr. (Caroline Christy of the Christy’s of Atlanta, Ga.), and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Francis Kennedy III. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s branch of the family, are distant cousins. They came to America and settled in Boston two generations after my family arrived and settled in Charleston.

My father, MFK III, was a pioneer television producer and personality in the 1950’s starring and producing his own daily show, Michael Kennedy’s Platter Parade for NBC. He was also a news anchor for radio and television for NBC affiliates.

My life and fight for the rights of humanity mirrors that of my Kennedy and D’Arcy ancestors. Three of my ancestors, Baron Robert D'Arcy, Lord Norman D'Arcy and Sir Thomas D'Arcy were major feudal barons who initiated and enforced the Magna Carta against King John of England. They were present at its signing in 1215, thus initiating constitutional law and government and the legal system of England.

The Magna Carta has withstood the test of time for constitutional law protecting the rights of humanity in many parts of the world, and is the precursor of the American Constitution. In the 14th century the D'Arcys were appointed to the highest positions in Ireland and Sir John D'Arcy was appointed Justice of Ireland by King Edward II in 1323. The Countess Jane D'Arcy was lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette, Queen of France and her nephew, another John D'Arcy founded the town of Cliften, Ireland. Joan D'Arc, the famous French martyr was a member of another branch of my noble family.

* * * * * * * * * * *

MEETING PRESIDENT KENNEDY 1961

I was 7 years old when my father called to me. “John, I have a surprise for you. Let’s go for a ride.” I was thrilled and jumped in the front seat next to my father. “I want to take you somewhere.” He said.

I was so excited just to be singled out. Just to go on a journey alone with my beloved father. I felt special and thought that wherever we were going it couldn’t be any better than riding next to my father in his car. It was dark outside as he drove us downtown. I thought maybe we were going to his office or my uncle’s law office, but we didn’t end up there.

My father took me to the Civic Center in downtown Oklahoma City. There was a huge crowd gathered outside and inside the Civic Center. It was very exciting. There was electricity in the air, but it was different. It was not the same kind of crowd as the circus or the Harlem Globetrotters that my father used to take us to. It was a different kind of electricity. I thought, what in the world is this? What’s all the excitement about?

My father held my hand and there he was, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy! I mainly remember the swarm of people, the chaos, electricity and magic in the air. And to this day, I can still see the bright, white light surrounding President Kennedy. It was like a white neon halo, except around his entire being. I would later realize this was his aura. I could barely see the man for the bright, bright light around him. I didn’t fully understand this until later. I was seeing his aura. My father drove in silence home. I wondered why me, of all the kids, did he take me to see the President? I was so happy and grateful for this experience, however I didn’t fully understand it until many years later.

My father was showing me my future destiny.

* * * * * * * * * * *

THE DAY THE PRESIDENT DIED 1963

…The other significant thing I recall about this time, this dramatic shift in my life and our history was the tragic day President Kennedy died. I remember the principle, Sister Frances Helen, coming to our room and announcing to our teacher, Miss Elana Viso and us the sad news. “Children, President Kennedy has been shot.” She said stoically.

I remember chaos ensuing and Sister Frances Helen telling Miss Viso that my father had been called and was on his way to pick us up. I was asked if I wanted to wait in the office, but something told me I was needed in the classroom. Then everything went blank. I went into shock and for 30 years I would block out what happened next.

God works in mysterious ways, as does our minds. It is a blessing, sometimes, to block out pain, and painful memories. However, I would learn 30 years later how I reacted that day. One of my classmates named Mary, that I had not seen in more than 20 years, came to visit me. She had lived in another state most of her adult life and had a very troubled and sad life.

While we sat and reminisced about the past, suddenly, out of the blue she said: “John, do you remember what you did for me the day President Kennedy died?” “No,” I replied curiously.

“When the principle announced the news everyone started crying, except you! They tried to take you to the office to remove you from the classroom because you were a Kennedy, you were John Kennedy. I remember you asked if you could stay. I was crying hysterically and all I member is you coming up to me and hugging me and telling me, over and over, that everything would be ok.”

I was stunned.

“Your loss was the greatest, and yet you were consoling me and others. You were so loving and compassionate and calm during this tragedy. You held me and made me feel safe and I never had a chance to say thank you, until now.”

* * * * * * * * * * *

OLIVER STONE’S JFK 1990

I also had another profound experience later in my life that to my surprise also unearthed another layer of unresolved grief around the loss of President Kennedy.

In 1990 I was living in Dallas, Texas. I had moved there in 1987 and was modeling part-time for the famous Kim Dawson Modeling Agency. I was also developing one of my creative endeavors and my work took me to Los Angeles. So in 1990 I was spending a lot of time in California. I was living part-time at the Beverly Hills Hotel when I received a surprise phone call. It was Eddy from my modeling agency in Dallas saying that Oliver Stones’ production company was in Dallas scouting for the movie JFK. He told me they had contacted them and had seen my comp card.

“Are you sitting down?” Eddy asked cautiously. There was both excitement and apprehension in his voice.

“Yes, I am,” I replied anxiously.

“John, can you come back to Dallas for a screen test? Oliver Stone is considering you to play JFK in his new movie?” he said with baited breath.

“What?” I exclaimed. I didn’t know rather to be excited or to cry. “Is this a joke?” I asked.

“No! John, they saw your card and his casting director called and asked if you were available and would you be willing to do a screen test.” Eddy said, hardly able to conceal his excitement. He continued: “John Kennedy playing John Kennedy! Imagine the publicity!” he said buoyantly.
I was speechless.

I flew to Dallas a few days later for the screen test. I had mixed emotions about this. On one hand I was flattered, even honored that I would be chosen to play the greatest and most historic Presidents of my time, yet I was filled with confusion because of the gravity of the role and how close it was hitting to home. There were other emotional factors involved that I will describe later, but my first focus was on what the role would actually entail and could I play such a role. I had modeled successfully for years – GQ, Armani, Ralph Lauren, etc., but I had never really acted. I had been an extra in a few movies and on the television series Falcon Crest, non-speaking roles, but modeling and acting are two very different professions.

I remember learning that the role of JFK was brief. It would only entail the parade in Dallas, the assassination scene and the autopsy. Before going to the studio Eddy called to encourage me. By now, I was excited and hopeful I would get the role, although it was still a bit eerie to me.

I arrived for the screen test. It was simple and hardly took any time. The lady taking the test was warm and friendly and made me feel at ease. I remember feeling weird, as if I was playing out one of the most dramatic roles in not only American history, but world history. A story that would never end, a loss that would never die, a life and legacy that could never be replaced, and a love that would always endure. It was a very humbling experience to say the least.

I also knew the story and film was highly controversial and that it was stirring up a lot of people. I wasn’t privy to the storyline, and I was concerned about its historical accuracy and how it would affect President Kennedy’s legacy. I was also naturally concerned how it would affect me, my immediate family and my career if I were chosen to play this magnanimous role. I had also heard, through the grapevine, that the script suggested a true conspiracy and that there were inferences that President Lyndon Baines Johnson, the FBI and CIA in his administration were responsible for this ghastly murder.

This was not news to me, although it was shocking every time I heard this internally in my family. There were many dynamics to this reality and movie project going on with me. Many that I internalized and kept secret until recently.

What Oliver Stone and most of the general public never knew is that I am related to *both President Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. I am related to the victim and the alleged murderer. I was truly freaked out and there were a multitude of opposing forces and feelings going on with me internally and in my family. Our family needs a healing, just as the world does.

But deep in my soul I was disturbed by the reality, the juxtaposition of good and evil, light and dark, victim and murderer and it cut right to the very heart of my immediate family. How very odd. I thought. God must have a profound reason for this connection, planned far in advance – dating back to 1915; however, it would take me many years to put it all together. What I did know and believe in was God’s meticulous, impeccable, undeniable plan and that even out of evil and darkness his love and light would prevail. But in the meantime, I had no idea how or why he had chosen me and my family to play out his incredible destiny of healing and understanding.

At the time I was just anxious to hear rather I got the role or not, and what all that would entail.
*It is interesting to note that John Joseph Kennedy is related to both JFK and LBJ. LBJ's great grandmother, Luci Barnett was cousins to John Joseph Kennedy's great grandmother, Cora Christy of the Barnett family from Atlanta, Georgia. Her daughter was Caroline Christy-Kennedy who married JJK's grandfather, Dr. Michael Francis Kennedy, Jr. of Charleston, South Carolina, circa 1915.

* * * * * * * * * * *

It is a very unique bloodline that I would be related to both JFK and LBJ. As a family member of both lineage's, I AM privy to the highest intelligence. So it is within my very family lineage that I must help heal what happened in Dallas in 1963. My campaign for President 2004, and speaking up against the evil in America and around the world today is doing just that it in very subtle, yet profound ways. We all need forgiveness. The world needs forgiveness so we can move forward. We cannot live successfully and honestly in the present or the future until the truth is revealed and true justice is served. The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth will set us free!

* * * * * * * * * * *

RUNNING FOR THE PRESIDENT - JULY 2004
PRESS RELEASE & LETTER TO THE PEOPLE

John Joseph Kennedy Vows to Run for President as a "True" Democrat

ATLANTA, GA. JULY 30, 2004 - Atlanta Campaign Headquarters.

Dear Friends and Fellow Americans,

After the Democratic National Convention last night I was asked by a television producer if my campaign would “split the Democratic Party”. My answer is this, and always has been: I am a True Democrat! A True American! I did not vote for the war in Iraq, as did all four of my opponents. I passionately and publicly spoke up against it and warned of the dangers it would cause America and the world. My vision has sadly come to pass.

Senator Kerry now claims he was “deceived” and “misled” into voting for the war. He is a “war hero” and has decades of political savvy under his belt, yet he claims naiveté. I beg to differ. Senator Edward Kennedy, Senator Robert Byrd from West Virginia and 21 other True American Senators had the courage, wisdom and conviction to vote against it. They did the right thing at the right time!

Senator Kerry, Senator Edwards, and let us never forget Senator Hillary Clinton; like the rest of them, she too voted for the fraudulent war in Iraq. Everyone who had the power we gave them that voted for the war, has the blood of Iraq and every American killed or harmed as a direct result of the war on their hands. Forever! It is not reversible.

They each stood at a moment in time, when the right and moral decision was absolutely critical. They failed us, and that is the reason and I am running for the Presidency. I will not split the party or America. I will unify it! I want every vote from True Democrats. I want every vote from every Republican that wants Bush out of the White House. I want all the Independents and every American who is Undecided to listen to what I have to say, what I have to offer; a fresh start for America and above all, America first! We are not the United States of Iraq or the United States of Afghanistan or the Unites States of the World. We are the United States of America and it is time we take care of our own!

There is a resounding, widening gap in this election. There is something that is profoundly missing, something that is not resonating with real people in both parties and across the board. There is a hunger for truth, honesty, strength, compassion and real leadership. The American people are intelligent and we can hear what is true and what isn't.

That magical spark is missing! I have the vision and the plan for a new America; a New Humanity that will ignite that spark. It is the spark of life borne in the human heart. It is the flame in the heart of every American, young and old alike; all races, all religions, all cultures, all sexes, gay or straight, democrat or republican and it is America's responsibility to enkindle that spark and universally ignite the world!

We have been given everything, yet we stand to lose it all.

Each of us now stands at a new crossroads in history, just as my opponents did on October, 11, 2002 during the Senate Roll Call of the second session of the 107th Congress. This time I urge you not to claim naiveté, but reclaim America and your personal power and rights.

On November 2, 2004 the future of America and the world is in your hands, literally. I ask you to exercise your ultimate power, the power of your voice, the power of your vote, and write me in: John Joseph Kennedy as your next President…..to right the wrongs of America!

Your vote, support, volunteerism and donations mean everything to me and my campaign. I ask you to continue to give what your heart dictates.

Thank you!

John Joseph Kennedy

* * * * * * * * * * *

WHY I STOOD UP FOR AMERICA IN 2004

The most critical truth is that the four primary candidates for the highest offices in our land, Mr. George W. Bush, Mr. Dick Cheney, Senator John Kerry and Senator John Edwards all voted for the war in Iraq. Period. Each man had an opportunity for greatness and they failed.

John Kerry and John Edwards are followers. They are not leaders! They failed the American people and the world. Their names are forever etched in history along with Ms. Hillary Clinton and all the so-called leaders who voted for the war in Iraq and for the Patriot Act, thus raping the American people of our Constitutional Rights, especially our rights to personal privacy.

I am just one man; one proud American citizen with a political legacy that began 125 years ago. Although many American’s were afraid to speak out, or were crucified for standing up against this war, I strongly spoke out against it as loud as I could. I warned of the perils it would bring to all of us. I sent letters to the Oval Office, Mr. and Mrs. Cheney, Senators and members of Congress. I had it circulated to more than 10,000 people around the world and to the media. I appeared on television, “Voices Over Violence” and warned of the danger to America if Mr. Bush proceeded with this evil war.

I called for a prayerful vigil in hopes he would see the light of truth; yet he did not.

I have now been called to serve God and my country as the TRUE DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE for the Presidency, to right the wrongs of America!

America First and children our highest priority!

We are a family and we must take care of our own...first. As President of the United States of America I will begin rebuilding the infrastructure of our country by allotting back to the citizens of the United States of America, dollar for dollar, what has gone into the war in Iraq.
This is only a start, a good start. It is a start in the right direction to begin the healing of America.

* * * * * * * * * *

MY PLATFORM – 11 KEY ISSUES FOR 2004 (& 2008) America First...Right the Wrongs!

NATIONAL SECURITY: This is my highest priority...America first! It's an inside job! At the highest level on down, I will see that those who are really responsible for the insidious acts of terrorism in our country, and around the world, be prosecuted to the fullest extent of all domestic and international laws. Right the Wrong!

IRAQ: U.S. occupation of Iraq to cease as a Bush family Nazi-esque imposed "Concentration Camp". As President I will insure that our military and the TRUE SPIRIT of the American people join forces with the United Nations as life-giving humanitarians to rebuild the mass-destruction created by the murderous Bush family in Iraq and other parts of the world. This insanity is going to stop! Period! Right the Wrong!

NATIONAL ECONOMY: As President I will support and initiate a total economic reformation to include balancing the budget, laying the groundwork for a return to the Gold Standard and many other solid programs to free Americans from the bondage of debt and fear that has enslaved them for many years. Create new jobs with fair and realistic wages and benefits. Right the Wrong!(For more on jobs see *Spirit of Entrepreneurship-item 11)

STOP THE WAR AGAINST CHILDREN! Non-Violence in Schools. Non-Violence in children's television programming, publishing, games and websites. Criminal prosecution of everyone that violates or contributes to this abusive violence against children. Far-reaching child abuse programs for Prevention of Child and Domestic Abuse. Healing of innocent children who are victims of child abuse. This is of the utmost importance and lies at the very heart of the spiritual malady plaguing America. I have worked for the last 20 years as a citizen, Board Member of San Francisco Child Abuse Council (1985-1986), an activist, writer, motivational speaker, and producer on all of these issues. I have a profound awareness and understanding of these issues, and a comprehensive, non-negotiable plan to remedy them. Right the Wrong!

NON-VIOLENCE IN THE MEDIA-All Genres!As President I will initiate an ecliptic program to end the prevailing violence in the media, which permeates every aspect of our lives and mind. Mind is one of the greatest powers there is. Thought is our use of this power. We must order our minds to think positively and constructively at all times. End the fictitious scripting in the news media! Truth, and only Truth, will set us free! Right the Wrong!

COMPASSIONATE MISSION TO END THE WAR ON HOMELESSNESS:Rebuild the infrastructure of America First dollar for dollar what has been allotted for the war in Iraq. We must begin with the homeless, the poor and the tens of millions of Americans who are only a few paychecks away from being homeless! Right the Wrong!

UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE/HEALTH: It is appalling that the richest nation in the World has 44 Million Americans without Health Care. Affordable Health Care for All! As President, I will also fight to find a cure for A.I.D.S. I will support and promote the ultimate care of A.I.D.S patients and those afflicted with the HIV virus both in America and globally. I will lift the ban on stem cell research. Right the Wrong!

RESTORATION OF OUR CIVIL and CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS:As President, I will totally repeal the fraudulent “Patriot Act”, with a special focus on individuals Rights to Privacy. I will institute constitutional law, restore all individual rights of privacy and autonomy that is the birthright of every American citizen. We must never forget who stripped these from us! It was not only the Republican Bush family administration, but also masquerading Democrats, including Senator John Kerry, Senator John Edwards, Ms. Hillary Clinton, et al. I will re-design the abusive Social Security system (there is nothing "secure" about your SSN) with its criminal and flagrant abuse of our individual rights to privacy, by issuing every American citizen a new Personal Security Number (PSN) and abolishing the SSN as we know it today.
I will start with a clean slate. Every American deserves this. Furthermore, I will continue to expose the secret government and black box budgets and make the government transparent, accountable and responsive to the US citizens. I will stop the intimidation of US citizens. I will stop the fear tactics by the Bush family administration and US government. I will re-direct military spending to domestic programs of health, homelessness and create a new infrastructure to support and finance humanitarian programs for the handicapped and under-privileged.
I support all civil rights for ALL people and whole-heartedly support the legal recognition of same-sex unions, thereby allowing equal rights and benefits to gay couples. Simple solution: Equal rights for ALL humankind. Right the Wrong!

ENVIRONMENT and ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Protect the oceans and her inhabitants! Permanent ban on Low and Mid-Frequency Sonar Testing and international whaling. Strictest enforcement of the laws to prevent toxic waste, toxic dumping and toxic industries. I will restore and enforce all environmental protection laws that have been stripped, raped and illegally destroyed by the Bush family administration. As I have always done, I will make a life-long commitment to the environment and protect our wilderness areas.

I will stop the Bush family's manipulation of the elements of nature (hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes) which have wrecked insurmountable havoc on our environment and disturbed the natural-flow of all life on this planet. They (especially Bush Sr.) have done this for personal, political and financial gain and greed. I have already begun to expose their "stalking and looting of the American people" with their vast environmental insurance scams and other seemingly benevolent programs and will continue to do so until the insanity stops! And it stops at the front door of the maniacal Bush family and their control over the White House. Period. They have no real power. Only control. There is a difference. It is time the entire Bush family, and all environmental polluters, are held criminally, socially and spiritually accountable!

Furthermore, we must no longer be held hostage to oil!

We must create long overdue development of renewable energy resources and alternative technologies, universal standard of fuel economy and renewable energy technologies. Right the Wrong!

REBUILD INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: Repair the damage that the entire Bush family, and their criminal administrations in Washington, D.C., Texas and Florida have perpetuated onto the world. Restore America's dignity and integrity in the eyes of the world. Heal international relationships, fix broken treaties, declare peace and institute a Department of Peace and a Junior Academy of Peace for Children. Right the Wrong!

SPIRIT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP: In each of us is a creative spirit! As your President I will restore the Arts in schools. I will also encourage, support and finance the Arts and the bright ideas and business ventures of the American People. Renew and rebuild the American Dream through creativity, the Arts and Small Businesses, thus creating unlimited American-conceived and initiated job opportunities for our citizens. Americans are our greatest asset and we must always celebrate the successes of all Americans; not tear them down once they have achieved it like they did to Martha Stewart; the personification of the America Dream! Right the Wrong!

* * * * * * * * * * *

"THE TRUTH WILL SET US FREE”

Exposing the REAL Evil in our Country & Government & Announcing My Intentions for 2008
Letter to the People of the World, November 22, 2004 (this has been read by over one million subscribers/readers)

Dear Friends, Supporters, JJK Electors and Voters,

Welcome to the revolution! It is a spiritual revolution. A revolution of the Spirit. A revolution for freedom: spiritual freedom, American freedom, Constitutional freedom, personal freedom. Freedom from the bondage that has insidiously and violently gripped our nation and our world. Bondage of lies, deception and hatred borne out of the distorted minds and hearts of men and women we believed in. Men and women we elected to the highest offices in this land, sacred offices.

Their insatiable hunger for power and wealth has lead to greed, war and mass destruction of all life--a violence in the world, as never seen before. All for the sake of a few. All for the sake of money, power and control. Empty treasures. Hollow victories. Spiritual warfare.

I am writing to you today, on the forty-first anniversary of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy's death. My heart is pierced today. I was seven years old when I met the President. I was nine when he died. His life and his death has inspired and haunted me my entire life.

What a unique day it is today. To wake up and know that because of his profound life I was able to stand up for America in a way no other candidate has ever been able to do in the history of the United States, nor at a time more needed. It was my duty and honor to run for the Presidency of the United States this year. When I decided to run I realized that I could not have done this, nor would it have sparked the hearts of millions of people around the world as it has, had President Kennedy not blazed a brilliant trail before me.

Kennedy for President! 2004? What? people exclaimed! Americans that heard of my campaign and millions more around the world took notice. Instantly, hope was restored, purity prevailed and love returned to the political landscape of America.

President Kennedy's death was a great loss to me, all of our family, America and the world. Yet his life and work lives on today in immeasurable ways. Do you realize we would not have computers, the Internet, cell phones, satellites or modern technology as we know it today had it not been for President Kennedy's courageous and profound vision to go to the moon? To explore space. To take us boldly into New Frontiers.

Yet, while he envisioned New Frontiers, others behind his back envisioned hatred and oppression. While he envisioned peace on earth, goodwill towards all men and the Peace Corp, others behind his back plotted violence and social injustices. While he envisioned hope for humanity, others behind his back plotted death and destruction. While he envisioned beauty, the arts, creativity and love, others behind his back envisioned violence, weapons and nuclear war.

While he and Jacqueline envisioned dignity and grace, others behind their back were blinded with rageful jealousies. While the President and First Lady shined their unparalleled beacons of light, individually and collectively, others behind their back groveled in the darkness plotting ways to sabotage their love, their light, their lives.

As history continues to play itself out we see clearly that President Kennedy's light can never be snuffed out. His was the light of God. God's light can never, ever be snuffed out. The evil behind President Kennedy's back that conspired to murder him in hopes of diminishing or snuffing out his light were wrong. Dead wrong! Today his light shines brighter than ever and will continue to radiate love, hope and promise for the world. For all time.

His vision was so far-reaching it propelled us into the 21st century and beyond in both profound and subtle ways we could never fathom. His vision could only have come from the Divine. For it was a vision for the very best of humanity, the very best for our planets and for all life. It was, and is, life-giving. Not life-taking.

I have been waiting for God to speak to me--the right time to reach out and say Thank You to each and every one of you for supporting me in my Presidential campaign this year. When I woke up this morning my heart was pierced. It was heavy with loss and grief--yet bittersweet with love and gratitude. I knew today was the day to share with you my reflections, my thoughts, my hopes and dreams and my deepest appreciation and affection for all of you.

Today is a day of remembrance for President Kennedy, Jacqueline, Bobby, John Jr., my great-great grandparents John D'Arcy Kennedy and Caroline de Rodriques Kennedy, my great grandparents Congressman Michael Francis Kennedy and Margaret Hand Butterly Kennedy, my grandparents Dr. Michael Francis Kennedy, Jr. and Caroline Christy Kennedy, and my parents Michael Francis Kennedy III and Phyllis Marie Bartles Kennedy. And last but not least, my beloved sister Cecilia Madeline Kennedy. Cecilia was only 32 when she was assassinated after fighting many years for justice to free many American's free who were falsely imprisoned in Thailand, including my little brother Christopher Patrick Kennedy.

In 1991 Christopher was asked to be a courier for classified business documents and travel once or twice a month to exotic places around the world to deliver them. After several trips he discovered he was not delivering top secret business documents, but money. He was being used to launder drug money. He tried to get out of it, however, he was pressured to make just one more trip; to Bangkok, Thailand. He was told if he made this last trip they would pay him double and he would not be asked to do it again.

After delivering the briefcase of money, as he was ready to board an airplane at the airport in Bangkok, he was set up by the American and Thai DEA, claiming he was in possession of millions of dollars worth of heroin. They pointed to a suitcase that was not his, never been touched by him and claimed it was his. When they opened it up they found the heroin. CNN was also there to report it live so we knew it was a set up. Sadly, we watched in shock and horror on TV as our little brother was being arrested. We had no idea he was even going to Thailand. He was threatened not to tell us anything.

Chris was given two life terms instead of the death sentence which is common for major drug smuggling in Thailand. Cecilia was only 26 at the time. She worked as a part-time model in San Francisco and a legal secretary and was enjoying her lovely life, as we all were, when this atrocity happened.

Cecilia Madeline Kennedy was not going to sit around and let our little brother perish to death in a disease-ridden and barbaric prison clear across the world, so she went to Thailand to see what she could do. Cecilia discovered the suitcase was not his, and that many innocent young Americans were falsely imprisoned for the very same reason. They send their victims to Thailand for their last trip, knowing Thailand is one of the few countries that does not have an extradition treaty with the United States for major drug smugglers. This way they will never be able to identify the drug ring responsible for their demise. So they set them up in Thailand to dies a long and cruel slow death. Others lose their minds and go insane. It is so very sad. So tragic.

Cecilia was so profoundly moved by this social and legal injustice to our brother and 54 other Americans, that she single-handedly put together a brilliant international legal defense team for Chris. She raised the money herself and after many years of fighting for him she proved before the Supreme Court of Thailand that he was set up, thus reversing his life term to 40 years.

As she peeled away the layers of the criminal organization behind all of this, shortly before her death Cecilia uncovered that President Clinton, Hillary Clinton and a web of respected American politicians, including one of our first cousins, the black sheep of our family, John Hand Kennedy, Jr. of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma were behind this major political money laundering scheme. Our cousin had served as Secretary of State of Oklahoma from 1990-1994 under Governor David Walters.

The rest of our family would not learn that our cousin was behind this, with the Clintons, until after her death. Reporters from the United States, South America and Thailand who had been following Cecilia’s courageous plight to free our brother and the other Americans had carefully been following her story. Cecilia had also gone back to school to Stanford University’s School of Broadcasting to become a news journalist. She had just finished her courses when she was murdered. She had made many friends in the field of broadcast journalism and they were angered by her death, which was covered up and reported as a heart attack (for a 32 year old).

I was also a former journalist for The Daily Law Journal/Journal Record (currently owned by the New York Times) and an investigative writer. So I began my own investigation with the help of other journalists and good people that wanted justice to be served. The truth slowly began to unravel and I discovered what Cecilia had unearthed. That our cousin and Governor David Walters had been in business with the Clintons when he was governor of Arkansas and after he became President. Then the destruction of so many lives began.

As Secretary of State of Oklahoma my cousin grossly abused his power and position and began setting up many bogus corporations using dead people’s Social Security numbers, including many of our deceased family members, as a means of filtering the drug money.

President Clinton, Governor Walters and my cousin came under intense investigation in 1994. Unbeknownst to me at the time, because I had denounced my cousin years before, my cousin was quietly impeached in Fall of 1994. He told us he quit so he could go back into private business. He and Governor Walters thought they were indestructible and that they would have another term and then my cousin would have two terms as Governor and the crime syndicate under their rule would continue. What they didn’t count on was Miss Cecilia Madeline Kennedy, all 100 lbs of her, bringing down their house of cards!

To her shock and dismay, Cecilia had also discovered that the Clinton’s, Governor Walters and my cousin were also the ones behind the Oklahoma City bombing. They blew it up for two reasons. First, the Social Security office was in the Murrah Building that had all the evidence of the social security numbers and corporations they had fraudulently created for their campaign and to hide their drug cartel. Secondly, Federal judges who worked in the Murrah building were about to indict my cousin, Governor Walters, President William Jefferson Clinton, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and others in this world-wide drug and money laundering scheme. So they blew them up, children and all!

Cecilia also forced the American-Thailand Extradition Treaty to be ratified to bring American prisons back to our homeland for safety, medical care and just trials. The day she completed all of this, one courageous young woman, her life was taken. A few weeks later nine American prisoner returned to America and their families all because of Cecilia. My brother would be set free three years later.

I have seen up close and personal the evil in life. I have seen it in my own family. I have always fought against it and will always fight for justice. I tried to appear before the Oklahoma City Grand Jury with all my evidence against my cousin, but I was denied. My life was also threatened and there were several attempts on my life. But I persevered and knew one day the Truth would come out. That day is here. I have first hand knowledge of the wrongs in America and I intend to correct them, once and for all!

So today I look back on all the heroic and noble people in my family that influenced my life in so many ways. Those who came before me, generations ago and those in my immediate family who gave me hope, inspiration and love. A profound kind of love born in me, passed down to me and woven with perception, knowledge, understanding and compassion that makes me uniquely who I am today.

I am so deeply grateful to be a Kennedy. So blessed to be from the D’Arcy family and heir of the Magna Carta. I am proud to be a descendent of King Charlemeagne, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and three enforcers of the Magna Carta, Baron Robert D’Arcy, Lord Norman D’Arcy and Sir Thomas D’Arcy, and the famous French martyr Joan of Arc (Joan D’Arc), from another branch of my family.

I am just as proud to be the grandson of a coal miner from West Virginia on my mothers side, my maternal grandparents, Clarence and Daisy Bartles. I am who I am because of God, my family and my life’s journey. You see, I could not stand up proudly or so boldly for you, for America, for the world had it not been for those brave souls who came before me.

So today I honour them, as I do each of you who stepped up to stand side-by-side with me to raise the torch of Truth so that our flag can be raised to new and brighter heights. So that the sail that was taken out of in beginning in 1963 will billow strongly and freely, once again.

In essence, what we stood up for was love. Love for God, love for our great country, love for democracy, love for freedom, love for our innocent brothers and sisters around the world, love for our environment, love for our oceans, love for our children and the many generations to come. This spiritual war is not over. The revolution has begun in earnest!

We have been told the write-in count will not be fully available to us until December 11th. We will reveal what is reported. In the meantime there is very good news on the horizon regarding my campaign. There is also a twist to this election which will play itself out in my favor. Many new doors have opened to me to usher in the New Humanity and today I officially announce my candidacy for the 2008 Presidential election.

Yes, I was blocked from main stream media. Yes, I block from some state to enter the race. Yes, there is so much fraud in the election perpetuated by the Bush-Clinton-Bush crime syndicates that we may never know the truth of any of the vote count but there are investigations underway.

Yes, it is true that they are all behind it. Yes, it is true that the Hillary and Bill Clinton assassinated JFK, Jr., Carolyn and Lauren Bassette. Yes, it is true JFK, Jr. was getting ready to announce his bid for the New York Senate race, which he would clearly have won, when his plane was sabotaged with a military laser gun causing the electromagnetic instruments to go askew.

Yes, it is true Hillary would do anything to steal his life and his Senate seat, even though she was not from New York, and nothing more than white-trash (and from Arkansas-not New York). Yes, it is true after they murdered JFK Jr. they created an ad campaign naming Chelsea Clinton as the new JFK Jr., but that campaign soon fell flat on its ugly face.

Yes, it is true I took them all by surprise when I announced my campaign as a write-in in the eleventh hour. They thought they had killed off the last John Kennedy that was any threat to their bloodthirsty power game.

And never, ever forget the World Trade Center in New York City was blown up under her watch, not to mention the obvious—under the watch of the Bush crime family. Never, ever forget the Oklahoma City bombing and the first World Trade Center bombings were under the Clinton reign of terror. Never forget all the innocent men, women and children they murdered.

Never ever forget, because if you do, you never, ever will be given a chance again to stand up for the America we all know and love! The America that is crying out for all the violence and hatred, and fear and lies to stop! The America that is being suffocated with a blanket of evil masked in the faces of leadership—the tormented faces of George and Barbara Bush, George W, Bush, Dick Cheney and the dying faces of William Jefferson Clinton and the dubious Senator from New York, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Look up my disgraced cousin, John Hand Kennedy Jr. in Oklahoma City. Look into his hideous face, his hollow eyes. They are the eyes of death. As are all the others who stole so many innocent lives. The death masks of all those they murdered are now holograms in their mind’s eyes. They cannot close their eyes without seeing the faces of all they destroyed. Mark my words: Judgment Day is here! The curse is reversed. Spell the Clinton’s name backwards and it spells NOT NIL C?

If you need a reminder of the real evil in the world just look in their faces. Look in their blank eyes. But don’t look too long. Turn your sight to God. Turn your focus on the good. Look to the beauty of life and love one another, and yourselves, as God loves us!

Someone said to me: John, you can’t change the world. And I replied: Well, I can sure try! That’s all God wants us to do is try, and try our very best!

I am doing my very best for America and the world and you must continue to do yours. Stand up and be heard! Join the revolution! Fight the good fight and join me as we rise above the real axis of evil in our own country and reclaim what is ours by Divine birthright: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness!

Love and Blessings,
I remain,

The Hon. John Joseph Kennedy
Kennedy for President 2008
www.JohnJosephKennedy.com

* * * * * * * * * * *

LAST CHAPTER
FULL CIRCLE

I now fully understand the depth of what my mother so prophetically uttered upon my birth: “Oh my God, he looks like a bullfighter...and the bull!”

My mother was right all along.

And now today, fifty years later, I stand before the world, charging full force into my destiny, fighting the good fight; not with weapons of mass-destruction, or violence or war, but with the sword of Excalibur; the sword of Truth…with the power of my words and my extraordinary vision for America and the world. And always, with love, compassion and respect for all life.

The pen is mightier than the sword!

-END-

THE ROYAL CRITTERS™ CHILDREN'S BOOKS

2005-03-12T20:40:00.000-08:00

THE ROYAL CRITTERS™ BOOKS
Children’s Adventure Books, Illustrated Books & Trading Cards

The publishing collection includes:

4 Adventure Books (Like Harry Potter) (animated movie scripts completed for all four books)
Whale Magic: An Ocean of Love©
Whale Magic: Eclipse©
Whale Magic: The Ultimate Adventury for the 21st Century!©
Whale Magic: United Whale Nation©

Shorter Books
The Pink Whale©
The Secret Mission©

Illustrated Books—Fun
Whale Magic© w/Music CD Illustrated by Roberta Collier-Morales
All is Whale© w/Music CD
The Art of Saving the Earth-From Sea to Shining Sea© EnvironmentalSpoutin’ Off!© Pop-Up Treasures of the Sea©
Royal Delights© Values

Illustrated Books—Fun & Educational
The Royal Critters Etiquette Books Collection:
History of Etiquette©
Dressing for Parties©
The Napkin, Goblet, Knife, Fork & Spoon©
Tea at Sea©

Trading Cards
Whale Magic Holographic Trading Cards© 3 sets of 24 cards
Colorful, fun and educational. The cards are intended to build self-esteem and encourage positive behavior relating to social skills, schoolwork, friendships, family relationships, protecting the environment, etc.

™/©1989-2005 John Joseph Kennedy. Some books are collaborations

THE ROYAL CRITTERS™ - WHALE MAGIC™ CAST OF CHARACTERS

2005-03-10T17:47:00.000-08:00

DOM DELUISE (Jester Crab) & JJK (Roman Holiday)

CAST OF CHARACTERS

PRINCE BUOYANT™, PRINCE OF WHALES™
Digital animation. A blue sperm whale, every inch a prince, Buoyant wears an unusual flowing royal robe. He is attended by Jester Crab who blows trumpet fanfares whenever he speaks. PRINCE BUOYANT believes that it is his duty to protect the sea and all who inhabit it. Sometimes he can be found talking to the coral reefs, which respond to him by growing in rapid spurts. He always tries to see the overall or big picture. Buoyant spouts email, rainbows and priceless jewels.

PRINCESS EVIANA™, PRINCESS OF WHALES™ (THINK OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN or NICOLE KIDMAN)
Digital animation. A rare white beluga whale, PRINCESS EVIANA hails from the United Kingdom of Whales. Her healing water holds a miracle cure. She is quiet, very sweet and blushes easily. Eviana is a wonderful MOTHER and is extremely attentive to her adopted children, PRINCE PATCHES and Sky. BUBBLES and Amethyst are usually close by as her ladies-in- waiting. Eviana spouts email, magical bubbles, rainbows, perfume and healing mystical water.

PRINCE PRINCE PATCHES D'ORCA™ (JON BOUVIER)
Digital animation. A young orca whale. PRINCE PATCHES is a daredevil and very mischievous. If he isn't off roaming somewhere, he is bucking Royal Protocol. His breaching and lob-tailing are legendary. A typical kid, PRINCE PATCHES spouts email, spinach (seaweed) and fireworks for the 4th of July! Unbeknownst to him, he also spouts his secret thoughts which constantly gets him into trouble with his parents. He can't figure out how they "read his mind".

THE CROWN PRINCE, SKY OF RUSSIA™
Digital animation. A baby blue whale, Sky of Russia is ONE of the smartest creatures on PLANET EARTH. He is like a floating WHALE COMPUTER, has a photographic memory and holds the secrets sacred of the last Russian Tsar! He can spout facts and data endlessly and is attempting to modernize the ancient whale library with CD ROM and interactive videos. Sky spouts email, strobe lights, and a bubble light bulb whenever he gets a bright idea!

LORD RIPPLETAIL™ (THINK JAMES EARL JONES)
Digital animation. A very large and dignified humpback whale, Lord Rippletail is the historian of the pod. He is the stately mate to the whimsical BUBBLES Whaleums and the keeper of all the sonic songs since the beginning of time. He spouts email, musical notes and an incredible blowtorch to save the luxury cruise ship, the Tsarina.

JESTER CRAB™ (DOM DELUISE)
Jester Crab is the court jester who blows trumpet fanfare when the royal court arrives. He is hilarious even though he doesn't try to be and is extremely lazy. He "wakes up" after centuries of years to assist The Royal Critters™ in their quest to save the MILLENNIUM. Jester dismisses anything and anyone who is not truly royal. He's always losing his shell and constantly arrives with a new shell de jour and shows up with a different one. Jester isn't choosy about what he uses; sometimes a rusted soup can, sometimes a shell, sometimes…

CAPTAIN DUKE™, DUKE OF YORKIES™ ("CHICAGO" STEVE BARKLEY)
Digital animation. A gentlemanly Yorkshire Terrier who is always "dogged "by his mate, DUCHY. DUKE gives the impression that he is the last great sailing captain, although he has no experience and is half blind. He gets quite witty and his sense of humor often gets him into trouble.

DUCHY™, DUCHY OF YORKIES™ (JOAN RIVERS)
Digital animation. The HOLIDAY'S pretentious Yorkshire Terrier, DUCHY is strictly nouveau riche. She is a troublemaker who speaks in an affected foreign accent. Although she just a mutt, she fancies herself a royal and often retreats into her royal facade. DUCHY wears festive hats that are often ridiculous, but to her, they are a statement of her royal pedigree. In moments of great stress, her English accent slips mid-sentence into her native Brooklyn tongue.

HONEY, PRINCESS BEE™ (THINK MELANIE GRIFFITH)
Digital animation. A sweet honeybee, HONEY constantly mumbles positive affirmations to make people happier and more aware of their environment. No matter how awful or funny a situation is, HONEY always frames it in a positive way and this drives DUCHY stark-raving nuts! She buzzes encouragement and excitement around NICHOLAS' head. But, don't get HONEY mad, her sting is ferocious!

HAPPY HOLIDAY™
Human/Mermaid. Early thirties, athletic, stunningly beautiful and earthy, HAPPY is a marine biologist at the Whale Magic Research Center. She is famous for her work with whales and dolphins where she identified their unique sonic songs. HAPPY is a loving and devoted wife to ROMAN, and her gifted son, NICHOLAS.

ROMAN HOLIDAY™ (JOHN KENNEDY)
Human/Mermen. Mid-thirties, athletic, handsome, reserved and scholarly, ROMAN has a background from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. He is an expert on solar chromospheres that occurs at the time of eclipses and combines this knowledge and his love of astronomy and the sea to document the inter connectedness of all life. He assists his wife, HAPPY, in correlating and documenting his scientific findings with her whale research.

NICHOLAS HOLIDAY™ Human/Mermen.
Nine years old Nicholas is a genius divined with special mystical powers. He is a fun-loving kid in many ways, but understands he has a profound destiny. He is clairvoyant and telepathic which often gets him into trouble. He has an uncanny ability to communicate with whales and dolphins and does all he can to help them in saving the planet.

SIR P. S. EIDON™Mystic/Apparition.
This heavenly being and King of the Sea appears in many forms--as a constellation, in the mist of whales and lives in a mysterious portrait that hangs on the wall in the library of Castle Realm. He gingerly steps in and out of his portrait to protect Nicholas and The Royal Critters. His apparition is often seen roaming the underwater domain of Atlantis where he secretly communes with the whales and dolphins.

JOHNNY NETWORTH™ (THINK VOICE & PERSONALITY OF JIM CARY)
Human/Oil Slick/Whale NetHuman-morphs into animated oil slick and whale net. An evil and manipulative web master who oozes toxic charm. He is a greedy tycoon who uses the worldwide web in an attempt to control the world. He is trying to decode the secret language of the whales and dolphins so that he can own cyberspace. In human form, he appears normal except for his gray teeth and nervous twitch. When he steps into the ocean he transmutes into a toxic oil slick, which then transforms into a deadly whale net...but not for long!

www.RoyalCritters.com

WHALE MAGIC: AN OCEAN OF LOVE Animated Screenplay & Children's Adventure Novel--First of a Trilogy

2005-03-09T15:40:00.000-08:00

ACT I

SCENE 1

MUSIC BEGINS: An Ocean of Love Theme Song©

I am the one who made heaven and earth--planets and stars up above…
I am the ocean of love…
You are the ocean of love…
We are the ocean of love…

Camera travels through the solar system past galaxies and planets until PLANET WHALENNIUM (otherworldly watery whale planet) comes into view.

MUSIC CONTINUES. DIGITAL WHALE CRIES TYPE OUT TEXT:

PLANET WHALENNIUM1111 MILLION LIGHT YEARS AWAY

Camera travels closer to reveal the watery PLANET WHALENNIUM spinning in a clockwise direction with such centrifugal force that the water stays in place. Whale angels (spirit forms) of every species and sizes are swimming in harmony--having a joyful time. Whale spirits are breaching, lob tailing and spy hopping. Some are flying through the air.

MUSIC: I am the ocean of love
You are the ocean of love
We are the ocean of love

PLANET WHALLENIUM begins to slow down and stops suddenly on its axis. Special effects create the illusion that this causes the water and whales angels to be dispersed throughout space showering the Universe with love and energy.

CAMERA FREEZES. DIGITAL WHALE CRIES TYPE OUT TITLE OVER SCENE:

WHALE MAGIC: AN OCEAN OF LOVE

After title is spelled out FREEZE FRAME returns to normal to reveal PLANET WHALLENIUM slowly beginning to spin in a new direction--counter clockwise. This motion is accelerated into its full effect restoring PLANET WHALLENIUM to a normal cycle. Camera continues on traveling throughout space towards PLANET EARTH.

An aerial view of PLANET EARTH appears. A partial shadow has been cast across the globe as a solar eclipse is occurring. Camera travels through the sky filled with stars and constellations on one side and a clear blue sky on the other. Camera travels through the clouds and over the Pacific Ocean surrounding Hawaii.

Digital whale cries type out text over the ocean near the big island of Hawaii:

JULY 11, 1991.
MAUNA LOA, HAWAII

Camera splashes through the ocean. The cries of humpback whales become louder and louder until a pod of humpback whales, lead by LORD RIPPLETAIL, comes into view. The whales are excitedly swimming along the path of the eclipse as if in a race with the shadow sweeping through the ocean. The shadow is more than the effect of the eclipse. A closer view reveals a shadow-within-the-shadow; a huge oil slick surreptitiously swimming along the path of the eclipse with a school of ANCHOVIES not far behind. It is very surreal.

Camera zooms the sky towards the eclipse as it begins to reach totality. The pod of humpbacks surface and begin a spectacular water ballet, breaching and spy hopping as the afternoon sky grows darker and darker. As the eerie day turns pitch black, LORD RIPPLETAIL and the pod begin spouting fountains of watery light particles illuminating the dark sky with a brilliant firework-like display. The finale magically creates the faces of the ancient mystic SIR P.S. EIDON and his beloved angel, ANGEL LUNA.

The whale cries grow louder and louder in salutation to SIR P.S. EIDON and ANGEL LUNA. As the particles of their illusion shimmer downward the camera zooms into the mysterious alien eye of LORD RIPPLETAIL. His eye dissolves into the corona of the eclipse seconds before it reaches totality. It has the appearance of a huge cosmic diamond ring.

The cries of the whales fade into the cries of a newborn baby as the camera zooms into the eclipse and explodes into:

INTERIOR-MAUNA LOA HOSPITAL-HAPPY HOLIDAY'S ROOM:

ROMAN HOLIDAY is overjoyed standing next to his wife's bed. HAPPY is holding her wailing infant son, NICHOLAS. Above her bed a mobile of a pod of humpback whales is spinning out of control in a clock-like fashion. Suddenly the energy in the room changes and everything begins to move in slow motion. NICHOLAS' cries fade into swirling energy as a fountain of white light cascades upon the room manifesting the embodiment of the otherworldly presence of SIR P.S. EIDON and ANGEL LUNA.

They are standing on the other side of HAPPY'S bed glowing a near blinding light and radiating unconditional love. NICHOLAS smiles at SIR P.S. EIDON, as if he recognizes him. SIR P.S. EIDON beams and winks at NICHOLAS. An aura of indigo blue, white and violet light radiates from NICHOLAS and he begins to gurgle and coo. HAPPY and ROMAN are in awe.

P.S. EIDON
And what shall you call this child--
this child of the eclipse?

HAPPY
(proudly)
His name shall be
NICHOLAS SOLARI HOLIDAY!

SIR P.S. EIDON touches NICHOLAS' forehead and suddenly the eclipse passes across the infants third eye as it reaches totality. The brilliant electro-magnetic energy from the total eclipse as it appears on his forehead is dispersed throughout the room. The whale mobile begins spinning in the opposite direction.

ANGEL LUNA
(excitedly)
"The glory of the corona!"

CAMERA ZOOMS INTO THE GLORY OF THE CORONA ON NICHOLAS'S FOREHEAD THEN FADES INTO THE ACTUAL ECLIPSE.

P.S. EIDON
(echo across the universe)
A mark of greatness! A mark supreme!
God's eye tribute set to thee!

Camera fades back to NICHOLAS giggling. Little bubbles float out of his mouth. ROMAN and HAPPY are spellbound.

SIR P.S. EIDON christens the child making the sign of the cross across his tiny body. A cluster of bright twinkling stars magically appears in the form of a cross and remain suspended above his tiny body--mostly above his heart charka.

CAMERA PANS TO ANGEL LUNA'S FACE

ANGEL LUNA
(excitedly)
The Crux! The Crux! The Southern Cross!

HAPPY looks to ANGEL LUNA for an explanation.

HAPPY
(astonished)
The Southern Cross?

ANGEL LUNA
Yes! The Southern Cross!

ROMAN
(perplexed)
The Southern Cross?

SIR P.S. EIDON
Yes! The Southern Cross!

NICHOLAS playfully reaches to touch the tiny cluster of stars magically floating above.

SIR P.S. EIDON
(dramatically-in Latin)
En hoc signis vinces!

SIR P. S. EIDON
(dramatically-in English)
In this sign he shall conquer!In this sign he shall conquer!

The cluster of the Southern Cross stars above NICHOLAS swirl and spin into his heart planting the seeds of his future. He giggles and winks knowingly at SIR P.S. EIDON.

FADE TO BLACK SCREEN

SCENE 2

A PANORAMIC VIEW OF MIAMI BEACH--CHRISTMASTIME--BRIGHT SUNNY DAY.

WHALE CRIES DIGITALLY TYPE OUT TEXT:

TEN YEARS LATER
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA

PRINCESS BEE flies across the screen humming An Ocean of Love. Camera follows her as she flies along the coast of South Beach and around the high-rise headquarters of NETWORTH, NETWORT & NETWORTH at the tip of South Beach. She continues merrily along her way across Key Biscayne Bay and circles several times high above a tiny island floating in the middle of the bay (THINK FLAGLER ISLAND).

In the center of this landmark island is a huge monument of CONCRETE MAIDENS--THE 4 GODDESSES OF FAITH, HOPE, LOVE and CHARITY. The statuesque Goddesses are facing the 4 directions of the Universe and encircle a towering obelisk.

PRINCESS BEE dips down and circle the Goddesses and stops to inhale the fragrant scent from the honey suckle bushes growing wildly about the tiny island. Satisfied, she flies away past Miami Beach's famous enclave, STAR ISLAND, and along the bay until she comes to the beachside property of the HOLIDAY'S house. She travels around the HOLIDAY'S old, but charming, Key West style pink house with white plantation shutters. She circles the abandoned lighthouse attached to the property and flies around the lavishly landscaped grounds with miniature palm trees, honeysuckle, hibiscus and bougainvillea plants until she reaches their screened-in terrace that faces the Atlantic ocean. Music fades and the sound of a television is heard. A newscaster is wishing everyone a "Happy Holiday".

PRINCESS BEE
(delighted)
"Happy Holiday"--Happy Holiday!

A bright smile crosses her face and she flies off camera.

Camera pans to the interior of the terrace. The floor is terra cotta tile. White wicker outdoor furniture is placed invitingly. A gaily-decorated Christmas tree with ornaments of whales and dolphins is in a corner of the terrace where HAPPY and ROMAN HOLIDAY are sitting. HAPPY has a pile of newspapers on a table in front of her, and she's reading one of them. The HOLIDAY'S mischievous Yorkshire terriers, DUKE and DUCHY, are under the Christmas tree, sniffing presents.

NICHOLAS is playing with the dogs and shaking presents--when his parents aren’t watching. ROMAN, sitting next to HAPPY, is switching channels on the TV. The volume is low, and all that can be heard is "Happy Holiday" as he surfs the channels. Suddenly an antique orca whale Christmas ornament falls from the tree onto NICHOLAS' lap. He stands to put it back on the tree and a shiney object above the ocean catches his eye. He sees an unusual young orca whale, PRINCE PATCHES d'ORCA, playfully breaching in the waters close to the shoreline of their property. NICHOLAS has never seen this whale before and his face registers a happy surprise.

NICHOLAS watches PRINCE PATCHES as he resurfaces time and again. NICHOLAS gets a curious look on his face when he realizes the shiny object is a crown worn by the young whale!
Cut to PRINCE PATCHES playing a game with himself--shooting the crown high in the air with each fountain of water he spouts, then dives underwater and surfaces just in time for the crown to land perfectly on his head. NICHOLAS laughs to himself. His face lights up even brighter when he sees a whole pod of orcas surface. The camera picks up the pod swimming behind PRINCE PATCHES.

NICHOLAS
Wow! Mom! Dad! Look at all the whales!
There must be at least a million
of them. There's one wearing a crown!

DUKE and DUCHY look up at him like he's nuts!

HAPPY continues to scan the newspaper and, humoring him she says:

HAPPY
A crown? Oh, Nicholas! Really!

NICHOLAS excitedly runs out the screen door towards the shore calling to his parents.

NICHOLAS
Really Mom! Come see! Dad, come look!

Camera cuts to HAPPY as she says to ROMAN:

HAPPY
(laughing)
Your son has quite an imagination!

ROMAN
(teasing)
He gets it from his Mother!

HAPPY pokes him in his side playfully and goes back to reading her paper. ROMAN smiles as he continues to surf the channels. Camera zooms to the TV as he surfs. Every channel is pronouncing "Happy Holiday".

HAPPY
I've never heard so many holiday greetings in all my life, Mr. Holiday!
The networks are really overdoing it, don't you think?

ROMAN
I know, Hon, but at least there's some positive greetings with all the negative news we've been hearing lately...

HAPPY turns to ROMAN with a sad expressing-showing him an article in the paper.

HAPPY
(sadly)
Especially the distressing news here in the paper. It says the International Coast Guard is giving up their search to find any survivors of the pod of blue whales destroyed by that mysterious oil slick off the Russian coast--it just breaks my heart!

ROMAN glances at the article.

ROMAN
I know Happy, but chances of finding a survivor now, is next to impossible. After all, it's been nearly six months since it happened. I wish they would find out who's responsible for that oil spill, once and for all! We've got to stop any future destruction.

HAPPY
The illusive oil slick! It's so strange--the Coast Guard says it picked it up on radar just days after the poor whales were beached. Then it disappeared--vanished right off their screen.

ROMAN
Disappeared? I assure you there is a lot more going on than they are telling us.

HAPPY
(frustrated)
I wish there was something we could do!
Honey, turn to the international channels and see if there are any reports on TV.

Cut to TV as ROMAN flips through the channels. News Reporters from around the world are pronouncing "Happy Holiday" in different languages.

SPANISH TV
Día de Fiesta Feliz!

FRENCH TV
Vacances Heureuses!

ITALIAN TV
Festa Felice!

GERMAN TV
Glücklicher Feiertag!

ROMAN stops at the Global News Network where a breaking news story is underway…

NEWSCASTER
…the only known survivor of this holocaust is believed to be the youngest member of the pod--a young blue whale named Prince Sky of Russia. Scientists believe he is the last of a royal pod of Russian whales, and with his brain ten times larger than man's, the blue whale is one of the smartest creatures on this planet. Last week two deep sea divers off the coast of---claim to have heard a haunting cry from a whale and followed the sound to a young blue whale swimming alone and unprotected in the deep blue sea. The divers followed the whale as far as possible and then returned to their craft to summons help from the International Coast Guard.

An SOS went out for the whale, believed to be Prince Sky of Russia, however, the ICG informs us they have been unsuccessful in tracking the whale.

Marine biologists tell us that whales always travel in their own pod, with their own species, unless they have been orphaned or abandoned. Experts are hoping that the orphaned whale will find another pod to live with. Very much like humans, it's unsure how long a whale can survive in the wild without the love and protection of a family.

Camera flashes to HAPPY who has tears in her eyes. ROMAN puts his arm around her and pulls her close to him.

HAPPY
(sadly)
Oh Roman-that's awful! Surely there issomething we could do. How can we possibly have a Merry Christmas when there is so much suffering and destruction in the world? The ocean kingdoms and marine life are being destroyed by the hands of mankind…And that poor little whale abandoned at sea!

SCENE 3

Cut to NICHOLAS at the beach watching the whales. He waves his arms. PRINCE PATCHES comes closer to the shore. He waves his flippers back at him. NICHOLAS then throws his baseball cap up in the air and jumps to catch it. PRINCE PATCHES spouts his crown into the air, lobtails and catches it. NICHOLAS is dumbfounded, but laughs. He yells out:

NICHOLAS
Ahoy there, Matey!

PRINCE PATCHES
Whale sounds in reply--it comes out like:
"Ahoy there, Matey!"

NICHOLAS
Who are you?

PRINCE PATCHES
Whale sounds like:
"Who are you?"

Cut to NICHOLAS as his mouth drops open. Camera follows him as he turns excitedly and runs inside to tell his parents. Cut back to PRINCES PATCHES smiling and dives underwater.
Cut to NICHOLAS inside the terrace.

NICHOLAS
(panting with excitement)
Did you hear that?! Did you hear that?! The whale was talking to me…

NICHOLAS suddenly realizes that his Mother has been crying and grows to a somber mood.

NICHOLAS
(worried)
What's wrong, Mom?

HAPPY
(trying to be happy)
Oh, nothing, Sweetie--just some sad news on TV.

HAPPY changes her mood so as not to trouble her son.

HAPPY
(upbeat)
Now, what's all this about a whale talking to you?!

NICHOLAS
(excited again)
Mom, there's a pod of orcas out there that I've never seen before! They're going wild!Breaching and spy hopping as if they're celebrating--one of them even talked to me!

ROMAN
(perplexed)
Orcas?

ROMAN and HAPPY exchange glances. Before they can respond to him, something on the TV catches ROMAN'S eye. Camera flashes the screen to the news and a beautiful picture of HAPPY HOLIDAY behind DAN RATHER. ROMAN suddenly turns the volume of the TV up.

DAN RATHER
The winner for the Nobel Prize for Science was announced this afternoon after a very long and controversial debate…

HAPPY
Oh my God! Roman turn it up!

DAN RATHER
…Johnny Networth of Networth, Networth & Networth, the self-proclaimed King of Cyberspace lost out to Happy Holiday, of the Whale Magic Institute of Technology, the world leading expert…

Cut to the HOLIDAYS. They are speechless and look at each other in disbelief. DUKE and DUCHY run over to them barking wildly and jumps up on HAPPY'S lap licking her face.

ROMAN
Did we hear that right?

NICHOLAS
Oh, my God, Mom!

ROMAN
Happy! Congratulations! Wow!
You've won! You've really won!

HAPPY'S mouth drops open in shock. NICHOLAS is jumping in the air with joy. DUKE and DUCHY continue yapping and barking with delight.
Cut back to TV.

DAN RATHER
…along with the money prize is a luxury cruise for the winner donated by an anonymous patron. According to reports, the past and present Nobel Prize winners from every category from around the world have been invited to join the cruise for an extraordinary whale watching expedition off the coast of South America.

Cut to NICHOLAS and his parents.

NICHOLAS
(thrilled)
A cruise? It’s like Wheel of Fortune!

DUKE and DUCHY jump off HAAPY and run to the TV barking wildly at DAN RATHER.

Camera pans back to ROMAN holding HAPPY'S hand:

ROMAN
A whale watching expedition? A yacht?
We're going to have the most exciting
Happy Holiday yet, Mrs. Holiday!

NICHOLAS
It's going to be a whale-of-a holiday!ROMAN
Shhh! There's more…

Camera pans back to the TV.

DAN RATHER
…luxury yacht, the TSARINA docked at the Port of Miami last night in anticipation for this cruise. There was speculation as to the arrival of the yacht as the winner was not announced until about an hour ago.

A cruise ship in its own right, the recently refurbished 99 year old vessel was once part of the Russian Imperial Dynasty's fleet, belonging to Tsar Nicholas and Tsarina Alexandra. It was designed and appointed at the turn of the last century by the House of Faberge. Reputed to be the most expensive yacht in the world, it is the envy of all the Carnivals, Royal Caribbeans and Cunards…

HAPPY
(shocked)
Did you hear that? It belonged to the Last Russian Tsar!

DAN RATHER
We now go to NBC's correspondent in Miami.

REPORTER'S voice is heard off camera as a pre-recorded film clip of the TSARINA is scene sailing in to port at sunset the evening before.

REPORTER (VOC)
Sailing into port last night like a queen reclaiming her throne, the majestic yacht, the TSARINA, has always held a certain mystique that compliments its illustrious and haunting history. Chartered by an unnamed donor, speculated to be a mega wealthy international tycoon, the TSARINA was returned to her former glory just last year. The restoration took 4 years, with 700 workers toiling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to the tune of an estimated $30 million dollars. This virtual floating palace......

HRH PRINCE D'ARCY de MONTEBELLO - JJK MYSTERY NOVEL - First in a series of 5 books

2005-01-25T11:11:00.000-08:00

His Royal Highness, Prince D'Arcy de Montebello©

A Story of Power, Money, Love, Hate & Betrayal

By

John Joseph Kennedy

http://www.jjkenterprises.com/
or
http://www.jjkenterprisesjjkbookblog.blogspot.com/

E-mail: media@JJKEnterprises.com

Based in part on true events in Mr. Kennedy's life--but written as fiction--the series is a cross between The Da Vinci Code and Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil with an outrageous flavor all it's own!

PRINCE D’ARCY DE MONTEBELLO© is the first in the Monstrance mystery series of five mystery novels by *John Joseph Kennedy – Prince D’Arcy de Montebello, The White Party, Monstrance, Monstrosities and Savannah. The first three books are written.

*Author of Creativity & Entrepreneurship: The Creative Evolution of an Intellectual Property & The 72-Hour Entrepreneur™

John Joseph Kennedy is a former Journalist; Daily Law Journal/Journal Record (currently owned by the New York Times), International Award-Winning Speaker 2005, and Who’s Who of International Professionals 2003-2004. (see JJK media bio)

Not yet on the market, the critics are already raving about….Prince D'Arcy de Montebello©

"A tiger in the jungle of life's naughty little indecencies, author John Joseph Kennedy knows exactly how to stalk his characters; always choosing just the right moment to leap into yet another series of outrageous episodes that capture his prey with unforgettable dialogue and narrative...making Prince D'Arcy de Montebello a deliciously decadent work of art, and Kennedy such a masterful storyteller.”
US Publisher

“Raw meat well done with excellent seasoning!”
Sarah Daniels, Author
The Woman With Qualities
Come As You Are

“Brilliant! Eclectic! Mr. Kennedy is a master craftsman!”

“Wickedly funny!” “Fabulous!” “Pure genius!”

“The interplay between each *star* is so well done... and hilarious! The humor of sizing up, the fears and insecurities vs. the fatal attractions, jealousies...This is first-rate writing!”

SYNOPSIS:

SET AGAINST THE TROPICAL and exotic backdrop of trendy South Beach, Florida Prince D’Arcy de Montebello is a romantic mystery and introduces a star-studded cast from unlikely worlds that converge on South Beach for two of the most anticipated social events of the seasons. Italian fashion designer Paölo Da Volterra is hosting his famous Black and White Ball at his palatial ocean front estate, Ithaca, for the crème de la crème of international society.....

IN A BIZARRE TWIST OF FATE, that could only occur under the spells of a lunar eclipse and the sizzling, compelling pages of Prince D’Arcy de Montebello, famous royals, socialites, politicians, Catholic clergy, celebrity icons, supermodels collide head-on......

THE SERIES:

PRINCE D’ARCY DE MONTEBELLO© is the first in the Monstrance series of five mystery novels by John Joseph Kennedy – Prince D’Arcy de Montebello, The White Party, Monstrance, Monstrosities and Savannah. The first three books are written.

Prince D’Arcy de Montebello opens the series and introduces characters based in part on real persons and an event that actually happened, Prince D’Arcy de Montebello sets the stage for the coup de grâce—the theft of a rare million dollar religious artifact known as a monstrance, used in the Catholic Church for high benediction. This one-of-kind and sacred monstrance is made of pure platinum and designed in the image of the Virgin Queen Mary holding a sunburst encrusted with 911 precious diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. In the heart of the sunburst is a glass locket, containing the Holy Eucharist; symbolically the body and blood of Christ.

Kennedy’s true-life personal quest to find the stolen monstrance is a 21st century version of the search for the Holy Grail. And incredibly, to Kennedy’s surprise, he unlocks his own family’s mysterious D’Arcy Code - clues and secrets that connect all the crimes together in a mind-blowing conclusion. Kennedy challenges the reader to do the same by breaking the codes he has secretly and cleverly embedded in the series.

THE MONSTRANCE© SERIES takes the reader on a wild goose—or gander?--chase through a series of episodes that ultimately climax in solving a mystery that accidentally sheds light on secrets of the ancients that were never supposed to have been revealed. Riveting and ribald, Monstrance© is a tour de force destined to be a literary classic!

TM/Copyrights 2005. All Worldwide Rights Reserved by John Joseph Kennedy and Tipperary Films, LLC

SAMPLE CHAPTERS--PRINCE D'ARCY de MONTEBELLO by JJK (First of a series of the Monstrance mystery novels) 3 books completed--Films rights offered

2005-01-24T15:30:00.000-08:00

Based in part on a true story.....outrageous & wickedly funny!

CHAPTER ONE
SOUTH BEACH-NOVEMBER 1993

THE LONG WHITE LINCOLN LIMOUSINE pulled to the front of Paölo Da Volterra’s magical estate, Ithaca, at the tip of South Beach off Ocean Drive.

The 24 year-old stunningly handsome Prince D'Arcy de Montebello and his French bodyguard, Erik Cayét, watched in awe as they pulled to the legendary Italian villa. It looked much larger and grander than the pictures D’Arcy had seen in magazines.

A handsome Spanish valet, Carlos Salvatori, opened the door and welcomed him.

"Good afternoon, Your Royal Highness, welcome to Ithaca," he said warmly and bowed gracefully.

"Bonjour," D’Arcy said, pleased to be there.

Prince D’Arcy took in the palatial estate and tropical island within an island. He couldn't wait to see his cousin, Jake, and meet the famous Paölo Da Volterra. He wondered what The White Party would be like and looked forward to all the exciting events planned for the week ahead.

Then Carlos led D’Arcy to a large private suite on the second floor of the opened-aired terrazzo overlooking the beautiful mosaic pool and the ocean beyond. The room was opulent by even his standards and D'Arcy had been in some of the most magnificent homes and estates in Europe and America. There was a certain tranquility about the estate, and especially his room. He thought he was dreaming. Jake, (his gorgeous first cousin and the Marlboro Man) sure knew how to live, he smiled to himself.

His bodyguard was assigned an adjourning suite and would be at the handsome young prince’s beck and call. Security was necessary when traveling abroad and D’Arcy wished most of the time that he didn’t have to have security monitoring his every move. Monsieur Cayét had been part of the de Montebello family’s security detail for almost a decade. He had known D’Arcy since he was fourteen and it definitely was going to be a new experience to see him in his new world.....The forty-five year old Monsieur Cayét loved D’Arcy as if he were one of his own sons. He would do anything for him, even take a bullet for him.....

SAMPLE CHAPTER--THE WHITE PARTY (Second in the JJK Monstrance mystery series)

2005-01-23T16:22:00.000-08:00

CHAPTER ONE
THE POSEIDON SUITE

A WOMAN IDENTIFYING HERSELF as Sister Mary Celeste Munroe from the Florida Catholic Contributions Foundation called The Undercurrent Hotel in early November and made reservations for Cardinal Ricardo Benedelli for November 27 thru December 3.

Sister Celeste said she was calling on behalf of His Excellency and that he would be in Miami Beach on official business. She requested one of the penthouse suites, stating that he would need strict privacy.

Prawna Bata, one of the hotel's tri-lingual reservation agents had taken the reservation and insured Sister Celeste that the hotel would look after the Cardinal, and make sure that his every wish was granted. The Undercurrent Hotel prided itself on pampering their quests. Whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted, they would receive. As long as it was legal. And sometimes that didn't matter, especially if you requested it on Wedgy Wooten's shift.

The Poseidon Suite had been reserved for Cardinal Benedelli for the entire week leading up to and through The White Party, however, housekeeping had reported to Wedgy on Thursday that the suite had, as yet, not been occupied. Several matching pieces of Louis Vuitton luggage for Cardinal Benedelli had been anonymously delivered to the hotel earlier in the week and Fernando, as instructed, had taken the luggage to the suite. But as of the housekeeping report on Thursday, no one had occupied the beautifully appointed, two bedroom, ocean front penthouse suite. Wedgy decided to take matters in his own hands and went up to the suite to check it out. It was also a perfect place to sit down, relax a bit, and do a few bumps.

He noticed the suitcases had remained unopened and unpacked and Wedgy tried to open them, but they were locked. "Damn!" he said aloud, frustrated. He was dying to know what was in the designer luggage.

He learned a long time ago at The Undercurrent not to pry, or ask too many questions. What the quests did, or didn't do, at the hotel was none of his affair. But sometimes his curiosity got the better of him. They paid good money for their privacy, especially someone occupying the glorious $5,000 a night Poseidon Suite. He did a few bumps, tried unsuccessfully to unlock the suitcases again, then went back to the front desk. He'd get to the bottom of this, one way or another.

On Friday morning a very attractive middle-aged lady arrived at the hotel and walked grandly to the front desk. Dressed in a chic winter-white Chanel suit with navy trim, signature Da Voterra sunglasses, her bleached blonde hair tastefully pulled back in a French roll, she simple introduced herself as Mrs. Anne Hoover from the Catholic Contributions Foundation. She informed Wedgy that she was there to get the key for His Excellency, Cardinal Ricardo Benedelli. She reeked of wealth, class and Chanel no. 5.

"Welcome to The Undercurrent, Ms. Hoover," he said, graciously, admiring her expensive clothes and jewelry.

"Charmed, I'm sure," she said breathlessly in a deep, sexy voice. She was a real femme fatale, and Wedgy wondered what in the hell she was doing getting a key to the Cardinal's penthouse suite.

Discreetly, Wedgy looked up the reservation and saw that her name was also listed on the account and that she would be picking up a key to the room.

"Miss Hoover…"

"It's Mrs." She corrected him, emphatically.

"I beg your pardon, Mrs. Hoover. The reservation says this is going to be a direct bill. Will it be billed to the Catholic Contributions Foundation?" he asked, diplomatically.

"Oh, no. I will be paying for it myself. With cash." She offered, nonchalantly.

"Cash?" Wedgy perked up.

"Yes, cash," she repeated as she reached into her expensive Judith Leiber bejeweled Penguin-shaped bag and withdrew an envelope stuffed with thousand-dollar bills.

Wedgy's eyes popped out when he saw all the cash. Bingo money! He smirked to himself.

He also adored her designer bag. "Oh, I just love Judith Leiber!" He said, pretentiously.

Mrs. Hoover raised a brow. She was startled that he even knew who Judith Leiber was. Silly faggot, she thought, contemptuously.

"Did you get it at Bal Harbor?" He asked, trying to impress her with his knowledge of designer products and accessories. He was also trying to engage her in conversation so he could get the dirt on her and Cardinal Benedelli.

She just stared at him blankly. She was not there to talk about Judith Leiber, or any other unnecessary small talk with the flippant little fairy. Wedgy got the message. Rich bitch, he thought as he glared at her, biting his tongue. It wasn't even noon and he needed a bump.

"Very well. Cash it will be," he said, quickly changing the subject. He couldn't believe she was going to pay the entire bill in cash. It wasn't unusual for some guests to pay their bill in cash, especially the quests from South America. Wedgy knew where that money came from. But the Catholic Contributions Foundation and a cardinal sporting Louis Vuitton luggage paying cash, at $5,000 a night, this was highly unusual. And a lot of money. In fact, it was unusual for a Catholic priest or any member of the clergy to be staying at the posh hotel. This was a place for jet setters, high rollers, movie stars, famous models, rich gay men, but church people? No way! There was something fishy going on in the Poseidon Suite and sooner or later he'd find out what the hell was going on.

But for now, Wedgy didn't want to make any waves. Especially since the rich Catholic bitch was paying cash. Cold. Hard. Cash. He tallied the bill on his portable calculator.

"That will be $37,563.00." He said, magnanimously.

Mrs. Hoover didn't blink and eye. She counted out the money like a seasoned bank teller and piled it neatly on the desk in front of Wedgy. He gave a slight whistle, and then collected himself, and the money.

Wedgy could tell she was anxious to get the transaction over with. Who knew what she and the Cardinal were up to? Maybe they were going to have a three-way with Madonna, for all he knew. Or cared. Stranger things had happened at The Undercurrent. His mind quickly drifted to the video, Undertow: Sucked into the Abyss. Shit! That was a clever title, he thought. He was a genius.

Whatever floats your boat, he thought, as he carefully counted the money. Wedgy gave her back some change and handed her a receipt along with the key and asked if she needed a bellman to help her with any additional luggage. She curtly said no and asked where the elevators were.

"Thank you again, Mrs. Hoover. I hope you and His Excellency enjoy your stay," he said, icily, as he raised a suspicious brow at her. Two could play this game, he thought, after he had taken her money.

She was not amused, and quickly departed for the elevators. "Damn faggot!" she hissed under her breath. I will thank him not to try to insult me, especially after I just paid nearly $40,000!

She quickly forgot the bitchy queen, and the forty grand, when she opened the door to the opulent suite. It was perfect!

She was glad that mess was over with downstairs. Relieved that she did not see anyone that she knew. Or knew her. She didn't think she would. The Undercurrent was a small, discreet hotel, but one could never be too sure......

SAMPLE CHAPTERS: MONSTRANCE (Third in the JJK Monstrance mystery series)

2005-01-22T15:17:00.000-08:00

MON·STRANCE

Pronunciation: 'män(t)-str&n(t)s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English monstrans, from Middle French monstrance, from Medieval Latin monstrantia, from Latin monstrant-, monstrans, present participle of monstrare to show, from monstrum---monstrosity/monster.

Date: 15th century

Monstrance: (in the Roman Catholic Church) a vessel in which the consecrated Host is exposed for the adoration of the faithful.

CHAPTER ONE
DEATH IN THE ABBEY

"… HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, PRAY FOR US SINNERS NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH. AMEN."

THE PROCESSION OF FACELESS MUTED MONKS cloaked in long dark hooded robes line the candlelit arched brick hallway of St. Peter’s Abbey in the rural northeastern town of Tahlequah, Oklahoma everyday at precisely 4:55 a.m.

Like vigilant soldiers, they wait in the chilly pre-dawn darkness for the monastic bell to announce the beginning of their morning, prayer ritual. Their images and hooded robes cast mysterious shadows along the walls and ceiling from the flickering candlelight, creating a spooky, dungeon-like effect.

Four times a day, the monks and priests of this semi-clandestine Benedictine community and Catholic college campus ceremoniously line the hallway in silence. One by one, when the bell is struck, they march reverently down the narrow hall that connects the monastery to the quaint chapel. They enter through the sanctuary and proceed to the simple altar. There, two by two, the monks bow respectfully at the consecrated host, symbolically the body of Christ, locked in the sacred tabernacle.

Perfectly choreographed, they separate and move anonymously in their flowing robes to the north and south pews of the sanctuary, separated only by the altar itself. These sacred pews, reserved only for them, and an occasional invited male guest, bring them physically closer to the Holy Eucharist. They pray in songs known as Gregorian chants until 6:00 a.m. then disperse to begin their day.

At noon they assemble for their mid-day prayers in the very same manner. Again they commune at precisely 5:15 p.m. to celebrate the Eucharist with daily Mass. Finally, they reunite for Vespers at 7:00 each evening to conclude their daily routine of community prayers and Gregorian chants. Like saintly choirboys, they sing and pray their love and faith to God Almighty.

On the ominous Fall day of November 11, 1994 the monks and priests of St. Peter's began their day as usual. After morning prayers and breakfast they proceed with their individual duties and tasks around the monastery and campus. The morning was dark and cold and the threat of a storm was evident in the dark clouds that hovered over Tahlequah. Nothing else seemed amiss until the church bells of St. Peter unexpectedly begin to ring around 11:15 that morning.

As the bells relentlessly tolled across the landscape of the monastery and small college campus, news spread like prairie fire that Father Xavier Kettering, OSB, their beloved brother and President of St. Peter's Catholic College, had died only minutes before, one day short of his fortieth birthday.

Father Xavier had come to St. Peter’s only seven years before. In 1980 he earned a Master’s of Arts and Theology degree at the University of Cambridge and was ordained a priest of the Church of England two years later. He arrived in the United States and began exercising his ministry at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Tulsa, Okalahoma.

While serving at St. Luke’s, he became acquainted with the Benedictine monks of St. Peter’s. After considerable reflection and soul searching, he joined the Roman Catholic Church in 1987. A convert to Catholicism, Father Xavier entered the novitiate at St. Peter’s Abbey shortly thereafter. By special permission of Catholic Archbishop Thaddeus Richter, he was allowed to make a solemn monastic profession a year early. Xavier became an honored student of Catholic theology at St. Meinrad Seminary, St. Meinrad, Indiana, from 1988 until he was ordained conditionally as a priest in the Roman Catholic Church.

In photographs, Father Xavier looked like a picture from a Holy Card from centuries past. Dressed in a traditional black hooded habit, his full oval face looked like that of a saint. Old-fashioned round wire spectacles framed and accented his large penetrating dark brown eyes; eerily appearing as if he was looking through your very soul. The scholarly countenance on his face was one of both understanding and peace; a gentleness from a gentle man and gentle soul. This presence long disguised the suffering that plagued this mortal man.

He suffered quietly in what some would call a "saintly fashion." Father Xavier and most of his Catholic brothers and sisters believed that suffering was one’s duty to grow in the Lord, a cross to bear to reach the Promised Land. His internal suffering of many years from a degeneration of the tissues of his digestive tract was Father Xavier’s chronic cross to bear; his spiritual lot in life. One must wonder what emotional and mental ailments this fine man must have endured for his digestive tract to slowly, cruelly disintegrate, especially in such a seemingly serene environment.

Some would say metaphorically that Father Xavier simply could not stomach life anymore; that what he witnessed and endured over the years at St. Peter's would painfully and fatally eat away at him. Others would say the decline of the college and the moral deterioration of the Roman Catholic Church had eaten him aTarae. Those that knew him well knew all of this was true. However, when all was said and done, what took its final toll on this loving and brilliant man was the spiritual and moral decay of his own religious community.

One can only imagine the hellish torment that Father Xavier must have suffered. He was a pillar of righteousness and strength for most. He held many important positions in the Abbey and at St. Peter’s College. He served faithfully as Campus Minister and Director of Juniors in the Abbey. In spite of his ailments, he was widely sought for his skills as a retreat master and spiritual director. After recuperation from surgery several years ago, and before becoming the College President, Father Xavier became pastor of the Church of the Sorrowful Mother in Guymon, Oklahoma.

During this time, he was completing a demanding doctoral degree in pastoral theology at Notre Dame University. After a defense of his dissertation only months before he died, Father Xavier submitted the final revisions of his work, ironically titled: "The Pastoral Theology of Dying." He was posthumously awarded a doctoral degree.

At 11:25 a.m. on this funereal day, with inescapable sorrow, the Benedictine monks of St. Peter’s Abbey, in fading numbers, lined the hallway again in silence preparing to enter the chapel for a special service to pray for the repose of the soul of dear Father Kettering.

At Via Christi Hospital in Tulsa, 70 miles west of Tahlequah, Father Xavier’s lifeless body lay awaiting the arrival of Hennessey Funeral Home. Hennessey would carry his earthly body back to Tahlequah to prepare him for his final journey back to St. Peter’s Abbey. There he would be mourned and celebrated at a High Funeral Mass after three days came to pass. His coffin would then be carried 100 feet to the small Abbey cemetery beside the Chapel and lowered into the hard Oklahoma red clay. There he would lie, awaiting the rain and chill of an unkind winter.

Before the funeral home arrived at the hospital, two novices from St Peters stood guarding Father Kettering’s body. His eyes closed, his face and body still wet from the sprinkled Holy Water, Father Xavier was pronounced dead long after he was given the Last Rights of the Sacraments by the hospital Chaplain, Father Bernard Vigliosi. Some might have thought the sprinkles splattered across his face and body were the tears that flowed from the eyes of the grieving novices, Brothers Bartholomew and Justice.

Along with Sister Elizabeth Ann Porter, the two novices tried in vain to honor Father Xavier’s final request that he not die alone. Only weeks before, he had pleaded with the newly appointed Abbot, Monsignor Celestine Wolf, whom he had come to consider a close friend and confidant, to be the one by his side when he died. Monsignor Wolf assured him that he would.

Brother Bartholomew wept openly with frustration and sorrow as he pleaded repeatedly on the phone with Monsignor Wolf to come in vigil and have mercy on this dying soul. His final plea rebuked, Brother Bartholomew fell into the lifeless arms of his fellow novice, Brother Justice, who had anesthetized himself against his grief with alcohol from a flask hidden underneath his robe.

The chapel bells of St. Peter's continued to toll across the stormy gray campus summonsing students, teachers, friends and staff to join the monks and priest for Fr. Xavier's prayer service. As they walked in groups somberly to the chapel, consoling one another, a miracle seemed to occur. The dark cancerous sky opened and a ray of sunlight forced itself through the eclipsing clouds. In a dramatic and surreal gesture, the sun broke through, causing many to stop and look up in awe. A cool late-autumn wind swept the prairie and more than one felt an odd chill in the air. What was about to unfold would become a disturbing mystery.

Inside the chapel the monks took their rightful places in their pews. Chants began to fill the church in union with the Divine light that pushed through the stained glass windows. Splashed with a multitude of color, the serene chapel came alive to mark the passage of one man’s life. Three prominent arch-shaped stained glass windows clustered together above the chapel entrance seemed to speak an artful, but inauspicious message to its congregation. High above the doors, the beautiful windows were crafted in the image and likeness of St. Peter, St. Gregory and St. Benedict, the monastery’s Patron Saints.

The large center glass window, the most prominent of the three, reveals St. Peter, one of the leading apostles of Jesus Christ. St. Peter is standing on a rock, symbolic of the cornerstone, which built the Roman Catholic Church. Born Jewish, Peter’s original name was Simon. Jesus renamed him Peter, which means "Rock". A mosaic banner floats under the rock, reading: "Simon Peter".

To the left of the rock, depicted by a raging fire, are the gates of hell. In St. Peter's outstretched right hand are three golden keys, representing keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.
In the center of St. Peter’s chest is a blood-red heart with a dove emerging from it; symbolic of his role as Peacemaker. He wears a papal crown, in the form of a dome representing the Sistine Chapel.

Written around the arch are the words: "Thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it".

To the left of St. Peter’s window is a smaller stained glass window of St. Gregory the Great. Few of the famous men in history to whom the title "Great" has been bestowed, earned it so deservedly as St. Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church. Born in Rome, around the year 540, St. Gregory pursued a political and legal career.

The Pontificate of St. Gregory lasted fourteen years and called for all his strength of spirit and will. It also called for his experience in administration and diplomacy. The significance of the Roman Empire falling apart and the functions of nearly every department of the decadent civil state that were thrust upon him would ironically parallel the life of Father Xavier Kettering 1500 years later.

Like St. Gregory, Father Xavier attempted to bring about many reforms in the Catholic Church and his Community, both liturgical and structural, especially after being named College President. Both were considered prolific writers and effective teachers.

The signs and symbols in the art tell a story through the three stained glass windows that dominate St. Peter’s Chapel. Many look in wonderment as they study the glass mosaic trilogy. St. Gregory the Great is shown embracing a sacred book to his heart with his left hand. His right hand is raised high in a gesture of peace. The picture gives an ethereal impression that St. Gregory is floating above the earth in a mystical illusion.

In art, St. Gregory is portrayed also wearing the tiara of the Pope and bearing the crosier with a double cross. His supreme attribute is also a dove, which hovers next to his left ear, giving the impression the dove is whispering to him. In Catholic symbolism, the dove represents the legend that the Holy Ghost came in the form of a dove to dictate the words upon which Gregory’s writings and chants are based; hence "Gregorian Chants".

Pierced by two crossed arrows, a heart appears in the center of St. Gregory’s torso. In religious symbology a pierced heart symbolizes contrition, deep repentance and devotion under conditions of extreme trial. This cryptic trilogy would come to symbolize and reveal an eerie message upon the death of Fr. Xavier.

The third window, to the right of St. Peter, reveals in art the story of St. Benedict, known as the Father of Western Monasticism. Best known as the author of The Rules for Monastic Taraing, his rules emphasized "a humane, moderate program of prayer, sacred readings and manual labor."

St. Benedict was born in Norcia, Italy, near Rome. At the age of 20 he lead a solitary life in a cave near Subiaco, near Central Italy. His piety soon attracted other young men, and he organized twelve small monastic communities. The stained glass window depicts him with ethereal eyes – a visionary. He stands like Christ on water, symbolic of the famous parable. He is often painted in the company of two youths, Maurus and Placidus, close friends of his.
As a famous legend tells, on one occasion Placidus left the Monastery one day to fetch a pail of water from a nearby lake. In so doing, he slipped and fell into the water and was in danger of drowning.

Far away, St. Benedict had a vision of the incident and called to Maurus to go assist his drowning Brother. Maurus ran toward Placidus, and seizing him by the hair dragged him to safety. Only after he had returned to the shore of the lake, did Maurus realize that he had actually walked on water.

In books and paintings and in the stained glass illusions, St. Benedict is usually shown with a flowing white beard and dressed in the habit of a Benedictine Abbot, wearing either the black robe of the original habit of the order or the white robe of the reformed order.

Several attributes are given to him, each referring to some well-known episode in his life. A dove represents the soul of his dear Sister Scholastica, whose Ascension into heaven after her death, he personally witnessed.

A crystal glass with a serpent or a broken glass with wine running from it recalls the poisoned wine that was once offered to him in an attempt to take his life. The Raven recalls the bird that he fed, as a hermit, when he Lived in a cave. The index finger sometimes shown across his lips is an allusion to the rule of silence that he gave to his Order.

A broken vessel is given to him in reference to the legend of the miracle that he performed by joining together the fragments of a pot broken by his nurse. A luminous ladder refers to the ladder on which he is said to have ascended into Heaven.

Most revealing of his inner-personal mortal struggles is the representation of a naked youth rolling in a thorny bush to punish his flesh for the sin of lust. A blackbird, referring to his temptations by the Devil, is also shown frequently.

On the mournful day of Fr. Kettering’s passing, the monks entered the color-splashed chapel after the congregation was seated. Like warriors defending their faith, and now themselves, the Benedictine monks of St. Peter’s chanted fiercely back and forth, back and forth. Hypnotically they chanted until reaching an altered state of consciousness, suspended in a realm beyond their reality and grief.

Today the Gregorian chants seemed louder and stronger, more profound. It was as if a spiritual battle had been waged, echoing far beyond the chapel itself. In a haunting and sorrowful rhythm, the dueling spirit of the music spilled out and floated down the abbey's arched brick hallway like forlorn ghosts from a long forgotten past.

The chants also pierced the heart and soul of the grieving congregation. The air was thick and painful. A blanket of suspicion and doom inexplicably hovered throughout the chapel and austere abbey, built decades ago from money bequeathed by a loving and trusting benefactress, Rose Veronica Jackson.

Surely her soul, and the other souls buried in the humble cemetery adjacent to the abbey chapel, must be stirred by the unsettling vibrations emanating from the troubled hearts and songs of the bereaving monks.

The vibrations felt like unspoken rage inseminating the cells of every brick that built St. Peter’s abbey and chapel. As solid and powerful as this institution appeared, in a matter of hours following the death of Fr. Xavier, an explosion of conspiracy, lies and secrets was about to erupt, rocking the very foundation of St. Peter’s Monastery and College. The reverberation and cover-up, so dramatic and far-reaching, that the impact would eventually shake the walls of the Holy Vatican itself.

The cornerstone, which Simon Peter laid nineteen centuries before, would soon rattle and roll as if struck by thunder and lightening, or a violent earthquake. The epicenter located at the very heart of an unlikely monastery in a sleepy little town in the heartland of America. The fallout from the secrets of the remote and semi-cloistered monastery of St Peter's would, in time, come to jar and disturb the darkest recesses of humanity’s soul.

Father Xavier’s untimely death, on the eve of his fortieth birthday, and the events that would come to pass, would mark the beginning of the end of a crippled and frightened religious institution. An institution, once omnipotent, could no longer hide behind well-constructed walls, no matter how thick or rich or beautiful; her walls were crumbling down. No amount of money or power, no amount of prayer or silence, no amount of lies or deception, could stop the avalanche of truth that was about to resurrect itself from the troubled soul of St Peter's and the Roman Catholic church.

Father Kettering, and the manner in which he died, symbolically represented that mankind’s soul had finally been eaten away; slowly, but surely. Just as symbolically as the fire that raged auspiciously through the Chapel of the House of Windsor, the Church of England, his birthplace, only two years before. Father Kettering’s death was the birth of a hideous omen.

The battling chants bidding Father Xavier farewell continued to heighten and rise. Most of his brothers would miss him dearly. Some would not. That was to be expected at St. Peter’s. As the chanting and prayers concluded, a golden burst of sunlight again splashed through the stained-glass windows creating a kaleidoscope of color. A feeling of serenity and hope was restored, temporarily pushing out the darkness. Many saw this as a Divine message that Fr. Xavier was, at last, free of human suffering. Embraced by his Heavenly Father. A reunion with God Almighty.

His journey into Eternal Life.

CHAPTER SEVEN
THE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR MONSTRANCE DISAPPEARS

AS THEY SAT AROUND THE TABLE of the small museum library, Penny and Wade listened as Lonnie McQueen rambled on nervously about how much he hated his job at Kousins.

"Those damn rednecks are driving me crazy. Don't tip worth shit!" Lonnie groaned petulantly.

He was trying his best to make small talk to hide the growing anxiety he felt in the pit of his stomach. The aspirin and Xanax he had taken earlier didn't seem to help a bit and Lonnie was itching to smoke the roach he had in his jean jacket.

Penny and Wade noticed that Lonnie seemed unusually agitated, and assumed it was withdrawals from last nights cocktail of booze, downers and pot. Lonnie's left eye and upper body twitched involuntarily. He alternated between nervously tapping the table with his left hand fingers and fidgeting with the lens cap on one of his cameras, snapping the lens cover on and off repeatedly.

"Hell, I can't wait to get out of there," Lonnie continued begrudgingly about his miserable position at Kousins. "You know how much I made last night in tips?" He asked.

Before Penny or Wade could respond, Lonnie answered his own question. "Fifteen stinkin' bucks!" "Hell, in LA I'd be making four to five hundred bucks a night!" Lonnie boasted.

"If it weren't for you guys, I'd be up shit creek," he smiled wanly. Lonnie knew if it weren't for Penny and Wade he never would have landed this choice job at St. Peters. He was anxious to finish so he could get his final paycheck from Mary Margaret. $3,000 bucks would buy a lot of pot and Lonnie could easily triple his income.

"Lonnie, we know you're going through a hard time right now, but just hang in there, we're here for you," Penny said sympathetically.

"Yeah, thanks. I know you are, and it means a lot to me." He said quietly. Lonnie was torn. He really was growing fond of Penny and Wade. They were decent people. But Lonnie had his own agenda at St. Peter's.

Lonnie continued to make small talk, wondering why Penny was being so nonchalant. Hell, he was there to shoot a multi-million dollar piece of art and they were just babbling on and on about inane shit.

Lonnie was trying his best to play it cool. He didn't want to seem too eager about the monstrance. In his jumbled head the word "monstrance" was pulsating over and over like a loud heavy base from a stereo. Paranoid, he wondered if Penny and Wade could read his mind. Beads of perspiration formed on his forehead just thinking about it. He brushed the perspiration off with his hand hoping Penny and Wade didn't notice. He was coming unglued with each passing minute. He suddenly jumped up from his chair and announced: "Hey, I've gotta' run to the john," he said anxiously as he excused himself.

Lonnie walked to the front of the museum where the bathrooms were, and turned on the lights and vent in the men's room. He quickly pulled the napkin from the pocket of his jean jacket. His hands were shaking so violently that the roach and pills spilled out recklessly onto the sterile tile floor. "Goddammit!" he barked.

Lonnie was jones-ing big time. Like a rabid cat, he crawled around the floor picking up the pills, one after the other. "Shit!" he grunted before popping two more pills into his parched mouth. He then placed the rest of the pills back into the napkin and tucked them deep into his jean jacket before lighting up the joint. He took a few quick tokes, hoping to calm his nerves.

Hell, he thought uneasily, it was already a rough morning and he hadn't even gotten to the goddamn monstrance yet.

"Poor Lonnie. He's a bit unhinged today. Do you think we should postpone the shoot?" Penny asked Wade pointedly after Lonnie left the room.

"I've seen him more messed up than this and he still does a brilliant job. His eyes might be bloodshot, but his camera has 20/20 vision," Wade smiled reassuringly. "Mary Margaret said we have to wrap this up soon. The deadline to get everything camera-ready for the printers is in two weeks. He'll be fine," he assured her.

Penny looked at her watch. It was just past 10:45 and she had done all of her preliminary chores around the museum. She had plenty of time to show Lonnie the monstrance and the other pieces of art before the museum opened at 1:00.

Penny was looking forward to Lonnie shooting the priceless monstrance for the catalogue. She felt fortunate that she had the opportunity, and authority, to allow Lonnie to shoot the incredible statue. It had only recently found its way into her possession at the museum, and had been safely ensconced in the museum vault.

The Jackson-Bonét monstrance was one of St. Peters most valuable and beloved pieces of art, and Penny felt enormously proud that it had been entrusted in her care.

She thought it would make a beautiful and interesting photograph for Panorama, however, seeing Lonnie in the agitated condition he was today, she was now apprehensive about letting him handle it. If anything happened to it, she would be responsible.

Feeling no pain, Lonnie was floating on a cloud when he returned to the museum's library.

"We better get this show on the road. It's almost 11:00 and I have people to see and places to go," Lonnie said jokingly. Penny noticed he seemed a bit calmer, so she thought it best that they photograph the monstrance first. Lonnie was unpredictable and his mood could change at any time.

"Why don't we start with the monstrance? I can't wait for you to see it," she said enthusiastically.

"Far out!" Lonnie responded, as he reached to pick up his cameras.

Penny led Lonnie and Wade through a maze to the back of the museum where the vault was located, only a few yards from the back door where she entered each morning. The vault was the size of a double walk-in closet and looked much like a well-constructed bank vault.

"It's like Fort Knox," Lonnie laughed nervously as Penny unlocked the vault.

It was dark inside and she switched on the light and walked over to the corner of the vault where she had placed the Jackson-Bonét monstrance, in its case, just weeks before. Lonnie and Wade anxiously followed.

Penny moved some boxes that were placed on the shelf in front of the monstrance so she could reach the case. "We have it tucked away here," she volunteered casually as she reached for the handle. There was a moment of suspense in the air. Penny Johansen was about to unveil one of St. Peter’s best-kept secrets.

Penny carefully sat the case on a wooden crate and unlocked the latches. Wade and Lonnie, just a few feet behind her. When she opened the case, her heart stopped abruptly. "Ohmygod!" She gasped, frantically. The monstrance was not in its case.

"What? What's wrong?" Wade asked insistently.

Lonnie tried to lean in closer to see what had startled her. Penny was frozen. She just stood there in shock. The multi-million dollar monstrance was missing. And in its place sat a small pewter statue of Michelangelo’s David.

"How bizarre," Penny said in disbelief. Her heart was racing a mile-a-minute. A million thoughts raced through her mind. A statue of David? Was someone trying to tell her something, or was this some practical joke, she wondered, anxiously.

Penny did not want to reveal her deepest fears. Especially in front of Lonnie, so she forced a laughed and tried to make light of it.

"Someone's playing a joke on me!" She said, unconvincingly.

Wade saw the terror in her eyes and noticed her face had turned ghostly white. All the blood had drained from it.

It was obvious to him that Penny was trying to maintain a cool façade. But deep down he knew something was wrong. Terribly wrong.

Fragmented thoughts invaded her mind. She feared this would be the end of her job. Her career as a curator, finished. Penny bravely turned to Lonnie. "It’s not here, Lonnie. Someone’s idea of a practical joke. When I find it, I’ll call you," she said apologetically.

Lonnie just stood there stoned, not getting the full impact of what Penny was saying. "Wow man! Some frikin' joke!" He said. The understatement of the year.

"It’s probably over at the Abbey chapel. I’m sure they used it over the weekend," she said, hopefully.

Penny was freaked out. "Lonnie, we're gonna' have to shoot this another time." She said.

"What about the other pieces," he asked quizzically.

Penny was frazzled.

"Not today, Lonnie. Some other time," she said as she quickly escorted Lonnie out the back door of the museum. "I promise to call you the second I located it, she assured him.

”Bummer!" Lonnie said as he left the museum.

Penny turned to Wade. Fear etched on her face. "Something weird is going on! I've got to the bottom of this. And fast."

CHAPTER EIGHT
THE GIFT FROM THE DUCHESS OF THE VATICAN

THE JACKSON-BONÉT MONSTRANCE had been moved from the Abbey vault to the Maris-Sewell Museum less than four weeks before Penny discovered it was missing. Ironically, it had been safely housed in the Abbey vault for almost 40 years and used only on special occasions at St. Peter's chapel.

Not only priceless in terms of artistic and monetary value, but the unique monstrance had a rich and intriguing history. Designed and created almost half a century ago, the monstrance was a gift to the monks of St. Peters from a wealthy and benevolent Catholic benefactress and Duchess of the Vatican, Rose Veronica Jackson.

An indisputably beautiful and regal heiress, Rose was the 50-year old daughter of the late East Coast industrialist, John Harding Winthrop. With lustrous back hair and kind, penetrating soulful brown eyes, Rose was known for her impeccable taste and style, and for her and generous philanthropy, especially to the Catholic Church.

She was also heralded in religious circles, here and abroad, for her extreme love and devotion to God and the Virgin Mary. If not for her great beauty, worldliness and enormous wealth, Rose could have easily been easily mistaken for the ultimate Mother Superior, in a glamorous, Ingrid Bergman kind of way.

The Jackson-Bonét monstrance was a breathtakingly beautiful, avant-garde statue designed in the image of the Virgin Mary, and made of pure platinum. Standing almost three feet tall, Mary's arms are outstretched to the heavens, holding a huge sunburst above her. The sunburst, also made of rich platinum, and symbolic of the Light of God, has a round locket placed at its center. Used to place the consecrated host, symbolic of the body of Christ in Catholicism, the locket is made of heavy beveled glass and double-sided in the front and back. It can be opened on either side and rotates on its axis. It is not unlike the shutter lens of a camera.

During benediction, the exposed host is displayed as a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice for mortal man. In the Catholic faith, a monstrance, with the blessed Eucharist, is considered to be one of the most sacred statues and symbols in the Roman Catholic Church. Defined by Webster’s Dictionary, a monstrance is a vessel in which the consecrated host is exposed for the adoration of the faithful.

There are many different designs, shapes and styles of monstrances, however, most are designed in the shape of a cross. It is very rare to have one designed of the Virgin Mary, the mother of God. The Jackson-Bonét monstrance was indeed a rare treasure and considered by St. Peters and the Vatican to be one of the most unique and beautiful pieces of religious art in the world.

The Duchess, Rose Veronica Jackson, while traveling throughout the world in the early and mid 1950's, constantly searched for the perfect sculptor to create her vision for a monstrance; a gift to bestow on her beloved monks at St. Peters. Rose wanted the monstrance to be no less than a masterpiece and she was willing to wait as long as necessary until she found the perfect artist.

In 1955, Rose traveled to Paris and met with Jacques Bonét, a famous French sculptor, and commissioned him to design and craft what would be known as the famous Jackson-Bonét monstrance. A collaborative piece of art bearing both their creative talents and names.
Rose worked very closely with Bonét and oversaw every aspect of the design and craftsmanship.

While Mssr. Bonet labored over the monstrance, Rose traveled back to California, where she had homes in Beverly Hills and La Jolla, and withdrew her priceless collection of jewelry, safely stored in the Bank of California's vault. She carefully removed most of the jewelry she had collected over the course of her life: diamond, emeralds and sapphire necklaces, ruby broaches and bracelets, splendid earrings and heirlooms passed down to her from her family.

Rose had many, many treasures stored in the vault, including a beautiful malachite watch, a rosary made of rare black pearls and 24 karat cross inlaid with lapis lazuli, a gift from the Duke of Windsor.

Rose selected the jewels she wanted for the monstrance and had the precious gems removed from their settings to be placed around the locket on the sunburst of the monstrance. When completed, the Jackson-Bonét monstrance was a breathless and ageless piece of art encrusted with more than 900 diamonds, rubies, amethysts, emeralds, and other precious stones.

"I wanted to give the beautiful jewels, that God had given me throughout my life, back to Him and Mary for allowing me the honor of using them during my earthly life," Rose said magnanimously to Mssr. Bonét.

Bonet had never encountered a woman like Rose Jackson and was overwhelmed with her devotion to God and the Virgin Mary. He felt honored to have been chosen to create this masterpiece. He knew it would be the crown jewel in his portfolio of designs, as well as a priceless treasure for the monks back in Oklahoma.

In a letter to the Abbott of St. Peters in 1955, during the making of the monstrance, Rose's revealed her deeply personal and inner-most feelings about the gift she was creating as a gift and legacy for her beloved monks.

Dear Abbott,

At long last I have found the most talented of artists in Paris to create the monstrance of the Virgin Mary. His name is Jacques Bonét, a devout Catholic and master craftsman. Mssr. Bonét is French and Russian. His mother was a Russian aristocrat and his grandfather, also a famed artist and jeweler, designed for the House of Fabregé under the last Russian Tsar, Nicholas II. It is no less than a miracle that I have found Mssr. Bonet.

After many years of searching throughout Europe and the US for the perfect sculptor, I can only thank our heavenly Father and His Holy Mother for guiding me to this very talented artist. Knowing I was searching for such an artist, His Holy Excellency, Pope Pious XII gave me access to the archives at the Vatican museum.

The pope's sister, Princess Pacelli, accompanied me and remembered the exquisite work of Mssr. Bonét. Mssr. Bonét had been commissioned by the Vatican to design one of the chalices used for the Pope's coronation, and when I saw it, I knew instantly that Mssr. Bonét was the perfect artist, by Divine right.

The Princess arranged for a meeting with Mssr. Bonét in Paris last month. It was truly a magical experience and I trust you have received the preliminary sketches Mssr. Bonét and I sent to you last month. God help me to make good my promise and God bless all of you.

Yours In Christ,

Rose Jackson
April 19, 1955

After it was completed, the monstrance was appraised and insured for $356,925.00. The current value of the Jackson-Bonét monstrance was estimated at more than three million dollars. The present market value of the platinum alone was worth at least half a million dollars.
The famous Jackson-Bonét monstrance was, without a doubt, a remarkable treasure and a cherished gift to the monks of St. Peters. For nearly 40 years, most of them considered it their personal Holy Grail.

In early October 1994, when Monsignor Celestine Wolf decided that the monstrance was to be moved to the vault at the Maris-Sewell Museum, Penny was summoned to his office to discuss its safe-keeping. Penny did not know the Abbott very well. He had only arrived in Tahlequah, and had been appointed to his position at St. Peters less than a year prior to making the fateful decision to move the monstrance to the Maris-Sewell Museum. The newly appointed Abbot, a priest and lawyer with degrees in both Canon and Civil Law, had been summoned by Oklahoma Archbishop Thaddeus Richter to rectify the many ills of the troubled Benedictine community.

Monsignor Wolf was a serious, no-nonsense man, and Penny, like most of the staff, and some of the clergy at St. Peters, found him cold and remote. He lacked the warmth and personal charm of Fr. Xavier, Penny thought, although she knew it was not fair to compare the two men. Fr. Xavier was a hard act to follow.

"Quit simply, he walked on water," Penny said honestly.

When Penny arrived at his office, Monsignor Wolf had a large thick file on his desk. Penny noticed the file was old and yellowed from time. She saw the name "Rose V. Jackson, Duchess of the Vatican" labeled on the side of the file. She also noticed that it was stamped "CONFIDENTIAL" in big bold letters on the jacket cover. It looked very official, she thought.

After greeting Penny, Monsignor Wolf got right to the point. "Penny, it has been decided that the Jackson-Bonét monstrance is to be moved to the museum and placed securely in the vault. There are many changes being made around here and I want to insure the monstrance will be safe at all times."

Monsignor Wolf explained cautiously. "It is a very valuable piece of art and I feel it should be at the museum."

"Yes, Monsignor," Penny replied reverently. "I have seen it on occasion during benedictions, but I have never seen it up close. It has quite a history, I understand," Penny said curiously.

The Jackson-Bonét monstrance was legendary at St. Peters. Penny had heard that there was no other monstrance in the world quite like it, and she wondered how St. Peters had been blessed with such a gift. "Yes, it does," Monsignor Wolf replied proudly.

"It was a gift to St. Peters back in the 50's from a devoted and generous Catholic widow," he said. "She was one of the primary benefactors of St. Peters. She built this monastery too," he volunteered knowingly.

"Fascinating." Penny responded. She wanted to know more. "Who was she?" Penny asked curiously.

"Her name was Rose Jackson. She was a Duchess of the Vatican and a close personal friend of Pope Pious XII. She was also an obelate of St. Peters and a dear friend of the Abbot's. St. Peters would not be what it is today without Mrs. Jackson, or the Maris family, for that matter," he said candidly, and proceeded to get back to the matter at hand.

"Penny, the Jackson-Bonét monstrance is worth more than three million dollars and I feel it should be moved at once to the museum. It should have been placed there years ago after the museum was built. It's irreplaceable and worth a king's ransom," he said magnanimously, vastly impressed.

The words, "a king's ransom" kept ringing in Penny's ear.

"Yes, Monsignor. I understand," Penny said respectfully.

She did not question the authority of the newly appointed Abbott, but she quietly wondered why he felt it was necessary to store the monstrance in the vault at the museum, especially after it had been kept at the abbey safely for all these years. Perhaps, it was not as safe as she assumed, Penny thought ruefully.

"Prepare a place in the vault and I will have Brother Gethsemane deliver it in a few days," he said commandingly, as he escorted her to the door of his office.

"Yes, Monsignor," she replied obediently, bowing gently before leaving his office.

Penny knew that the Jackson-Bonét monstrance, like the original portrait of Pope Pius XII, which hung in the entrance of the museum, where two of the most talked-about and valuable pieces of art owned by St. Peters. Collectively, it was speculated that they were worth close to seven million dollars.

Brother Gethsemane arrived at the museum on October 19th to deliver the monstrance to Penny. He transferred the monstrance in a special case that had been designed specifically for it years ago by Brother Miguel Rosario, the Abbey’s senior organist.

Cleverly, the monstrance case resembled that of a cello case and was crafted of heavy black faux-leather and thick cardboard. Brother Miguel had meticulously lined the inside of the case with brown felt. Many thought it was a humble dwelling for such a priceless gift. The case was odd-shaped to accommodate the unusual statue and had a clasp to open the door on the front and another at the top. Brother Miguel had carefully installed a handle for transporting the case.
Penny greeted Brother Gethsemane warmly. "Good afternoon Brother," she said. She was thrilled that the monstrance was now going to be under her care, and couldn't wait to see the monstrance up close.

"Good afternoon Penny. Monsignor Wolf said you would be expecting this," he said quietly. Penny detected a slight bit of sadness in his voice.

"Yes, I have prepared a place for it. Please follow me." She said pleasantly as she led him through the labyrinth of the museum to the back room where the vault was strategically located.

Monsignor Wolf’s seemingly impulsive decision to move the monstrance had caused many of the monk’s great heartache. However, they were not about to challenge the orders of Monsignor Wolf. He was their Superior and they had taken the vow of obedience.

"The monstrance will be safe at the Maris-Sewell," he assured the monks.

Protected by modern locks, a security alarm and state-of-the-art video cameras, Monsignor Wolf felt the Jackson-Bonet monstrance would be safe from harm in the Maris-Sewell vault.

"It would take an act of God to penetrate that fortress. After all, a king's ransom is at stake!" He said cryptically.

The case was closed.