Solomon's Private File #46
These stories about Stephen and Solomon take place starting in
1950's. Stephen wrote about his life in letters to a penpal, and then
in a secure blog, in case he lost his memory again, in the master
computer in his school for gifted students, which he started attending
in 2016 in a new incarnation, until his death. Now his son Solomon is
attending the same school, and is writing in his own secure blog for
his future incarnations.
All characters are fictitious, even if some of them might have names
that belong to some actual people, or act like people we know.
Solomon is 15 in this story, in the Spring of 2041.
Solomon's Private File #46 "National Portrait Gallery"
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I said to the camera, "We are in the National Portrait Gallery.
Anybody want to guess what's here?" Chuckles. I said, "But I was
serious. A little. There are different reasons for the portraits of
people who are here. For example, there, it's all about our origins.
Hmm, I wonder if I'm in there." They all stared at me. I said, "Wow! If
your eyes were sharp, I'd be cut to pieces." Some chuckles. Sharon
said, "You were involved with our origin?" I said, "Yes. A lot of
people were. Can't fit all of them in here. And I was here before the
name America was ever thought of." Beth said, "Old. But no wrinkles." I
grinned at her, and said, "You noticed! Thanks." She curtseyed. I said,
"I'll show you wrinkles, later, in another museum."
I said, "Did you know it was mostly just two people who caused the
American revolution?" More staring at me. Sharon said, "Which two?" I
said, "First, any guesses? Hint. Both from Boston." Don said, "John
Adams?" I said, "Right. That's one. Just couldn't shut that guy UP!
Very convincing, too. Well, he was a lawyer, and there weren't any
ambulances to chase then." Chuckles. I said, "The other was the first
to build a public hospital, and the first to advocate for united
colonies." Silence. I said, "Alright. He did NOT fly a kite in a storm
that was struck by lightening." Brian said, "That's confusing. Do you
mean it's not Ben Franklin who was the other one, or he was and didn't
fly the kite?" I said, "You were supposed to be more confused than
that." They laughed, Beth the most. I said, "He made his accidental kid
do it, while he was safe and protected in a shed." They said, "Oh."
Beth said, "But accidental?" I said, "When he was born, adventurous Ben
wasn't married to his mother." Brian said, "Why was he the one?" I
said, "His news network. Best communications of the era. The revolution
wouldn't have even gotten started without it, or succeeded. And if he
hadn't gotten the French to help, actually the French women, it also
wouldn't have succeeded, and he caused the English to end the war and
recognize America, by making them compete with the French in diplomacy.
Did you know he owned slaves?" Beth said, "I didn't know that! Wasn't
that only in the South?" I said, "It wasn't illegal in any of the
colonies then, and his newspapers even published ads offering rewards
for the return of runaway slaves. But later he changed, and became a
former slave owner and a staunch abolitionist. Do you know what his
most proud accomplishment was?" Sharon said, "The Almanac?" I said,
"The discovery and charting of the gulf stream. Made travel between
America and Europe more reliable and economical. And he REALLY liked
Europe."
Sharon said, "How do you know how he felt about that, more than any
other of his accomplishments?" Brian asked, "Why did he risk his kid
with the kite, and not himself?" I said, "Well, he wasn't that
athletic. Or at least, not on his feet. Getting that kite into the air
took a lot of running around, and his son really wanted to do it. And
it was far from their first try. They didn't expect to succeed that
time, either. Did, though, and the man did discover he was a little
more athletic than he thought, jumping around with his son in the rain,
in celebration after that. Oh, and the son wasn't so little then. An
adult then, and very close. That didn't last past the start of the
revolution. His son was loyal to the British, and even sent the British
army after his father. They never made up. Oh, did you know he
corrected the Declaration of Independence, and Jefferson liked it?
Franklin was well known for his religious inclusiveness, loved for
that, actually, and was the first to propose the separation of church
and state, long before the revolution, and was the most responsible for
America being founded on that principle. Didn't have much trouble
convincing Jefferson." Sharon said, "Sol, how do you know these
things?" I said, "Er, he wrote a lot, and self aggrandizement wasn't
something he considered a fault, even though he refused to support a
State that was named after him, when it couldn't make it into the
Union." Beth said, "You said from Boston. Wasn't he from Philadelphia?"
I said, "Born in Boston. Left when he was 17. Didn't feel like killing
his older brother he was apprenticed to, where he learned printing.
There was some abuse involved. He never did do well in relationships
with his family. Many people deserve to be credited in creating
America, but he actually built what it means to be America, more than
anybody else."
Sharon wasn't buying it, so to change the subject, I said, "I like
these miniatures. VERY hard to make, but easy to carry around. Before
photography, portraits were the only way to visually record your family
history. Go on long dangerous trips alone, you can carry part of your
heart with you. Come back without it, and you could lose another part
of your anatomy." Surprised chuckles.
I said, "There are different exhibits that showcase the contributions
of different races, nationalities, and ethnic groups. We are REALLY a
nation of immigrants. Groups who have been here a while, tend to forget
that, when new groups arrive. Almost every time, actually." Brian said,
"I think I see what you mean. My ancestors came from Ireland, and were
discriminated against." Beth said, "Same here, from Poland." I said,
"Exploited, too. Some groups were brought here as contract laborers,
such as the Chinese, to build the railroad. Don?" He said, "And as
slaves, yes." I said, "Can't get more exploited than that!" We all
showed agreement. I said, "And it's still happening." Beth said, "Which
thing?" I said, "All of them, and in this country, too. Human
trafficking is a serious ongoing issue, and a very serious crime.
Tragically, in some countries, it's a protected custom." Brian said,
"Which ones?" I said, "Close, is Haiti. Orphans taken in as domestic
servants, and treated as slaves. Some are traded and sold for that. In
Afghanistan, boys are bought, trained, and sold as dancers for private
shows. But their entertainments are mostly not involving dancing. Their
parents actually sell them for that, knowing what they would have to
endure."
Beth said, "WHY?" I said, "Either that, or die. Too many children,
and not enough family income. Can't feed them all, so they sell one so
the family can survive. Oh, and those boys often don't survive to
adulthood. In Asia, it's girls who are sold for that, for the same
reasons. And some of them are shipped to other countries, including
America, when they get a little older. It's a complex problem that has
no easy solution. Many who are set free, go back into the business,
because their families are threatened, or that's the only way they can
survive." Brian said, "But can't we DO anything about it?" I said,
"Yes, you can. We're doing some of it now. Expose them. Make the public
aware, so they can't hide what they do. Make the governments care about
their own people." I gave out tissues.
Brian said, "I have to know. Why don't the boys survive?" I said,
"Two ways. Caught between violent jealous customers and killed, and
when they become too old to be attractive for the only work they know,
suicide. The lucky ones, if you can call them that, become dealers and
trainers themselves." Beth said, "Why boys there?" I said, "In that
male dominated society, a man messes with a girl, her family will kill
him, or worse. And girls are very well guarded. This situation is
common in strict Islamist countries where there is little or no dating.
So, only boys are easily available, and it's not homosexuals who are
after them. Real love is NOT involved." Don said, "But isn't that
against Islam?" I said, "It is very much against Islam, but people
easily ignore their own religion, any religion, when they really want
to, even while they are trying to force their religion onto others.
Here, too. How many loud proponents of what they falsely define as good
family values, violate them themselves? Practically all of them. It's
happening all over. An epidemic of hypocrisy. Something else. Few who
say they value and practice their religion, have ever really read their
holy books. And fewer actually understand them. What they really know
of it, is from whose who preach to them their own versions of their
religion, for their own needs and purposes, which are usually
political." They nodded. I said, "One more thing. Oppose a politician
who is manipulating with religion, and he will accuse you of attacking
religion, deflecting from the real issue in contention. Unfortunately,
that works well." Beth said, "I think we've all seen that." I said,
"But not the people who can't believe they are being manipulated." She
said, "Right. But won't they know this now?" I said, "If they could, we
wouldn't need to talk about it. But if they did, there is another part
of pride that would get in the way." Brian said, "I know! People don't
want to admit they were wrong." I said, "One more in that. People who
can't admit they are wrong, cause themselves to actually be wrong, much
more often than people who do admit it. You can't correct a problem you
don't believe exists."
Brian said, "Some men think they shouldn't apologize. That it would
make them less of a man." I said, "Short of surgery, nothing succeeds
more in making less of a man, than being a fool." They stared at me.
Don said, "That was a little tough to follow, but worth it. Very wise."
I said, "Er, thanks." Beth's mother said, "How do you think of them?" I
said, "How did you think of the question?" She said, "Oh! I see. It
just comes from who you are." I nodded. We moved on.
Presidents. I said, "Most portraits in this section are idealized."
Brain said, "What does that mean?" I said, "Made to look, by the
artist, the way they thought the public should see the subjects, mostly
to satisfy the subject. If you're being paid to show the world an
important man, you don't really want to risk your reputation and
business by making him look like a half asleep foul tempered monster.
Which was often the case. Sitting for those things was NOT fun. A
trying experience for all concerned. High strung temperaments on both
sides of the canvas, made for some interesting noises." Some chuckles.
Beth's mother said, "A valuable insight. Thank you." I said, "You're
welcome." She said, "Your father contributed many portraits here, from
his time research. Do you think he idealized them?" I said, "Good
question. I think he wouldn't make something false, but he had his pick
of real instants he could have used to show what he wanted of the
person. That's all I know."
She said, "We don't have a portrait of your father here that we
consider to be the best possible." I said, "He didn't like painting
himself. Said he already knew what he looked like." She said, "Would
you do one for us?" I said, "I already have, for his exhibit." She
said, "But he was with people." I said, "Yes. Always." She said, "Oh. I
think I see what you mean. He existed for people. Showing him alone
and showed her what I proposed. She said she approved. I said, "I have
one in mind. Beth, Brian, get together and choose a charity, when
convenient. The Smithsonian isn't getting it for free. Dad would
approve. Want to nail him to a wall, you pay. Oh, and it's a big
picture." She said, "We'll make room. Can we see it before we do the
financials?" I said, "Sure. Against that wall." I ported it there. I
said, "Title; 'Stephen at Masada'. Acceptable?" He was there at sunset,
with complex feelings on his face, as he gazed into the distance. After
a while, Don said, "If you don't make a career in art, your few works
of genius will become VERY valuable." Sharon said, "Priceless. We won't
sell any of them!" I said to Brian's questioning look, "Something that
never is sold, can't have a market price." He said, "Oh, thanks."
Sharon said, "What does your mother think?" I said, "I asked her before
I put it here. She approves. You wanted him without people, but he was
with people then, but of the past." I said to the kids, "In a past
life, he died there, just before the Romans finished their attack."
Brian asked, "Were you there, too?" I said, "In the siege of Masada,
no. I wasn't in that area at that time. I was earlier, though." He
said, "Were you somebody in history?" I said, "I was a student. A nice
guy, actually." He said, "Did you see Jesus?" I said, "No. Sorry.
Before his time, mostly." Sharon was about to say something, but at my
look, changed her mind. Then she said, "The Trusties have to approve
the purchase and display, but I'm making the commitment now. We'll take
it." I said, "Think there'll be any problems?" She grinned, and said,
"Memories. I think there won't be any problems." I said, "Mom! You
heard that?" She said in the air, "Yes I did. I would be pleased if
there were no difficulties involving my husband's legacy." Really
grinning Sharon said, "I'll be sure to pass that on." Don was trying
not to grin. Beth and Brian didn't bother to try. I tried to look
innocent. Not with full success.
Beth's mother said, "You said the arts aren't a priority with you,
but you published your music, singing with your father." I said, "I
didn't publish it. Chad did. I did the recordings with my father for
Dad. My proposal for them was to help show him to the world as a loving
parent. My individual recordings I did for another reason, and I have
no intention of publishing them." She looked about to protest, but
Sharon headed her off with, "What was the reason?" I said, "My singing
voice had an unusual quality I wanted to record in different ways,
before it changed, for research. No, I'm not going into specifics. A
little too strange." And strange was the way they looked at me.
After they left, and Sharon and I were alone, she said, "That Judea
life. I figured it out." I said, "I'm sure Mom has, too. Please keep it
to yourself. Others who aren't used to the no lying thing, might not
notice that I didn't say that life wasn't historical." She said,
"Wishful thinking." I gave her a rude noise, and she laughed. She said,
"Your singing. Could you show me?" I said, "My voice is different now.
I don't know if the effect is more or less. I shouldn't risk it." She
said, "But what happened?" I said, "You're not going to believe it. Oh,
alright. Greek mythology. The effect of my singing was something like a
combination of Orpheus and a siren. I didn't dare sing a love song to a
girl, for fear of being raped." She tried not to laugh. I said,
"Interesting. A personal earthquake." She laughed. I said, "Ha! It
worked." She laughed some more.
At home, Mom said, "Good portrait." I said, "Thanks. I didn't know if
you would approve." She said, "I almost didn't. I agreed with your
first reason. But the second was good, too. He shows well, against the
wooden faced politicians." I said, "One of my motivations. Power vs
humanity." We hugged. She said, "They're going to figure it out. Rabbis
for sure." I said, "But I don't have to confirm it." She said, "They'll
press you." I said, "So I'll be flat." She growled, and we giggled.
CNN attempted to broadcast something from the Museum things without
my authorization. I called the producer and said, "I thought we had an
agreement." He said, "But it's news!" I said, "Is that all you've got
for your er, defense?" He said, "Ah, yes." I said, "Hmm, have you
considered that such a concept can cut, and I mean deeply, both ways?"
He gulped. I said, "To paraphrase something I originated long ago;
before you do unto others, consider what they can do unto you. Oh, that
sent Uncle Hawk into hysterics. I had no idea he would have that
reaction. I'd better not say some other things I was thinking of, or he
might start choking. Oops, that was close." The producer said, "I
concede. I just couldn't say I cry uncle." He chuckled and said, "I
have NEVER been threatened so well in my life! And ameliorated with
such humor. You have my admiration, if not my neck." I said, "Fine.
Already got a neck. See you at the next museum er, outrage." He
chuckled, and we hung up.
I said to Hawk, "Really, why was that so funny?" He said, "Really,
I'm not sure. It's just that it's so not like you, and I was imagining
his shock at that." I said, "Right. Being a leader isn't like who I
really am. I'm glad you could see that. I have to force myself to do
it, so I try to do it well, so it doesn't need to be repeated." He
said, "I think you succeeded with this one. Regarding you, his
tiptoeing is going to get a lot of practice." I grinned and said, "Hey,
that was a good one!" He really liked that. We hugged with love.
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Grant
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