6.
Elizabeth Muriel; she took
back her maiden name when she returned eight years ago to the home where she
was brought up. The place had prospered well in the last ten years; it was
already a rare event to have a Uni’s there when it was a small town, but now
that town has grown significantly, the Uni’s is seen as a part of it, rather
than the main venue there. The expanded town housed new establishments that
included churches and other houses of worship, which also drove in many new
tenants. They all arrived with the sincere intent of ‘salvation is near’ calls.
Elizabeth, upon her return,
had stayed at the home of the Muriel’s and resumed the role of the head of the
Theology Society as its chairman; gender does not rule in the chairmanship. The
committee members had not changed then; the members had increased in number.
“Elizabeth, we valued your
return.” That was Ms. Landis, professor of the subject of living science and
then the acting chairman, not even hiding her scorn for the lady. “We have been
holding the society position well. However, with your return, I am …….”
“Ever obliged, Ms. Landis. I
will resume my aunt’s works.” Elizabeth declared then. “With your blessing.”
“Naturally.” Ms. Landis’
tone was bitter.
“In the last two years, we
have……” Ms. Landis was cut off by the younger lady.
“I have here the letter from
my aunt, Ms. Anne Muriel, that upon her death or retirement, I was to assume
the post as Chairman of the Society from the acting Chairman, who may be there
in the event of her death.” Elizabeth handed the letter to Mr. Irwin Wallace,
the legal expert. “Mr. Wallace can attest to the writing and signature of my
aunt.”
It was confirmed, and
Elizabeth was declared the chairman. However, Ms. Landis and Mr. Wallace
resigned.
The return of Elizabeth
Muriel was soon on the lips of everyone in the town. Everyone in town knew from
spoken rumours that Elizabeth had left town with the last Frankenstein’s son,
leaving a horrific scandal of a monster behind. It was to be taken over that
the creature was never caught or killed, giving the town an aura of mystery.
The town was once more filled with visitors, including hunters who were looking
to gain fame. The influx also gave the Theology Society much publicity, and
their cause soon influenced more members.
“Have you read these books?
The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole (1764), or Vathek by William
Beckford (1786). Or The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe (1794). They
all dwell on the…topic of the unreal…the supernatural.” Elizabeth was a sharp
critic of the new genre of interest then. “These novels used elements like
ghosts, vampires, witches, and haunted castles to create atmospheres of terror
and suspense.”
“Demons and creatures. Once
we were plagued by it, but ……. Unfounded in the true sense.” Elizabeth's
speeches were fierce in deliverance. “Enough of these ……. Plagiarism of horror.
I called upon all of you to stay on the real direction of life. Be alive and
not walking dead.”
Within three years of her
leadership, she added in new members to the committee and went on an expansion
plan with the membership with her talks on the moral decadence in the society.
New funders are soon to join Elizabeth in the committee, like Lady Alice
Burnett, a socialite from the big city in her fifties, a divorcee, and a
philanthropist. And previously a movie star. She holds huge wealth and placed
it under the trustee of the Society. The legality of the Society is handled by
another lady named Lydia Poem, a spinster and advocate for unequal rights,
women first.
The membership expanded into
the thousands, mostly women, spread into the cities and towns, with more
notable names and generous contributions. That same period, the euphoria of the
monster had died down, but her speeches on moral decadence took precedence.
"Proverbs 14:34:
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people."
Elizabeth’s words stoke the listeners and soon-to-be followers.
“My town was once … the
garden of Eden, but the serpent made its appearance here. The serpent poisoned
the orchards, which were thus fed to the young ones. The poison soon invokes
ungodly practices, and we were extended to the realm of the fallen.”
“Witchcraft sprouted its
seeds here. I called for society to reject such evils.”
The words became the
movement and law, but not everyone was to accept her words. There were some who
rebelled against her, and violence was to take root. She was called the wolf.
“Marcos 7:15, "Beware
of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are
ravenous wolves.”
Some hurled that accusation
at her, but skilfully Elizabeth turned the tables onto them.
“They claimed I am the false
teacher, yet I lost my family to such evils and my town to creatures; Nephilim
I will name them. Among us they appeared as harmless but held destructive
intentions, and society should recognize them by their actions and teachings
rather than their deceptive outward appearance.”
“The rotten apple shall be
removed from the orchard at Eden.” Elizabeth was powerful in her words, but
violence held no regard for the victim.
Enforcement of protection
for the Society was needed. There were threats by mischievous groups that
threatened the Society, and hence Elizabeth called on them for protection.
The protection came from
Inspector John Robert Watson of the local constabulary, an officer with over
ten years of enforcement experience; a firm build in the physical frame at over
six feet; and a sizable shoe size of twelve. They named him Big Foot, and he
joined shortly. He was there during the earlier search for the creature.
The wronged parties were
expelled, and soon the town took on the model role of the rightful society.
With the Society protected, Elizabeth continued her legacy.
Every morning, Elizabeth
woke herself up to that legacy.
“I am awake, adopted
mother….” The tone of her voice snarled with sarcasm while she dressed up for
the day. Her usual routine of wearing the darker shades in the "New
Woman" style—the tight-waisted blouse and bonnet complemented by the skirt
with pleats and slits for easier movement when cycling. Her attire was
completed with the ankle-high leather boots. Elizabeth is not a cyclist, but
she does the distance by walking.
“Do not be a bore, adopted
mother.” The lady placed it on the bonnet. “I will be fine.”
“And do not think that the
Theology Society will continue on with your idea alone, my dear aunt.”
Elizabeth Muriel looked at herself in the mirror.
“It thrives on my poetic
deliverance. I gave them …… hope.” Elizabeth laughed again. “Lambs to the
slaughter they all are.”
“Aunt, for news, I am to
officiate a new faculty today at the Uni’s. It is to research on the works of
human anatomy.” Elizabeth laughed to herself. “Maybe we will build another
creature. Victor will be proud.”
“No, I am not calling it
Frankenstein’s works.” Elizabeth sighed. “Yes, it is called Muriel’s lab. The
bastard, Victor, does not exist in my life anymore.”
One topic Elizabeth evaded
was her so-called marriage.
“I was a member of the
Frankenstein. I was never wedded to Victor Frankenstein, nor do I have a child
with him. The so-named child is his alone.” That denial was protected by the
legal counsel of the Society.
“I am late, Aunt. Die
painfully, please.” Elizabeth took leave of the chamber. She met her house
servant there at the dining area and sat at the table.
“Mistress, we have words of
the return of one named Victor Frankenstein. He is here in the town with a
young lady.” The servant, Dolores met the lady of the house at the dining area,
served tea. The lady of the house seated there was holding the cup of tea at
her lips and held her action there. She looked at the swirling tea broth in the
cup.
“A complexity of life,”
Elizabeth murmured. “We had agreed. Man cannot be trusted.”
“Call on the Inspector to
see me.” The lady of the house instructed the servant.
“Is the guest comfortable?”
The lady of the house placed down the cup and then got up to walk to the rear
of the house. She stepped into the cellar of the house, which once housed the
wine and dried foods but then was improvised to be housed differently.
The solitary figure there in
the metal-barred cell, emancipated by the physical look and dishevelled in
their appearance.
“Good morning. I am late
today. Complicated matters held me up.” Elizabeth smiled.
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