JESUS NATION SEX REBEL, mini-chapter 40

40. EZRA AND EVE MEET AGAIN

Adam looked at Ezra, as Ezra measured his answer to the question about Adam’s suggested name change for America as a campaign issue for Joshua’s bid for president.
“It’s seems suitably Christian,” said Ezra. “Definitely worth focus-grouping.”

“Ezra, my boy, you’re going to be working with Mr. Brain Trust here,’ said Joshua. “Adam, I’ve been thinking, you and Ezra should get together. Perhaps it would be better if we don’t produce your show in-house. Ezra does a lot of fine work for us. In fact, he produces all our most successful programs. One day he might take us over.” Joshua barked out a laugh, and Ezra laughed along with him.

“That’s an issue I could run on,” Ezra said, and they laughed again.

Joshua continued. “The program would be edgier if Ezra produced it. Our boys are so stuck in the mainstream. Ezra, Adam will tell you all about his program. I’ll go and circulate. I want to start focus-grouping my issue on a few people.”

“One second, Joshua.” Adam held Joshua’s shoulder. I’m touching the shoulder of power. I’m holding it in my hand. I’m familiarizing myself with it. “Excuse me for interrupting your politicking, but I’d like to introduce you to my date. This is Eve. Eve Trent. Joshua Grant.”

Joshua took Eve’s hand in both of his and stared deep into her eyes.

“Good evening, my dear.” He introduced her to Ezra. “This is Ezra Gold.”

“We know each other,” said Eve. Hmm, she thought, he used to be Ezra Goldberg. Another Jew who stuck his finger in the wind and felt the way it was blowing.

“You do? How fortunate,” said Joshua.

“It depends,” said Eve. “It always depends, doesn’t it?”

“What do you mean?” Joshua looked at Ezra again, pleased to be presenting his protégé with what seemed like another challenge.

“We were married,” replied Eve. “We haven’t seen each other since our divorce, when was it?”

Joshua looked at Adam with raised eyebrows.

“Fifteen years ago,” said Ezra. “You look great, Eve.”

“Thank you. I thought you were lost in Korea.”

“I was, for a while. Did a stint in a camp. Experienced a very different culture.”

“Indeed. Did it improve you?” Eve asked.

“It made me tougher.”

“Is that an improvement?”

Joshua winked at Adam as if to say, you’ve got yourself a live one here, Adam, and I heartily approve. Joshua obviously liked to see people challenged. Putting people on the spot appeared to be his favorite sport.

“It’s helped me in business,” Ezra replied.

Eve and Ezra stared at each other for a moment. Adam wondered what their marriage had been like, and how many battles, if any, they still had to fight.