The Initiate Prepares: Sequestered
Manny: There he is, the man of the hour!
Dean: Hey, Manny. Good to see you.
Manny: Good to see you, too, buddy.
Manny and Dean shake hands.
Manny: Sorry about the room. It’s written in the ceremony that you’re supposed to wait in an antechamber, but since we’re a smaller lodge, the antechamber doubles as a supply closet.
Dean: (chuckles and looks around) Yeah, it’s not exactly what I was expecting, but it’s fine.
Manny: So how’s married life treating you?
Dean: Oh, it’s great. I couldn’t hope for a better wife than Janay.
Manny: Good to hear. She’s a great gal.
Dean: That she is.
Manny: How did it go with the script? Do you have your lines memorized?
Dean was given a partial script to tonight’s proceedings, so he knows some of what’s going to happen in the beginning, but not all of it.
Dean: Yeah, I practiced them with with Janay several times. I just hope I don’t get nervous and blank out.
Manny: No, you’ll be fine! And the Liason, Calvin, will be there to help you out if you mess up.
Dean: Yeah, that makes me feel better.
Just then, Calvin Rader walks into the room.
Calvin: They’re about ready to begin.
Dean suddenly has a surge of nerves.
Dean: Oh, my heart just jumped when you said that.
Next: The Initiate Prepares: Ready
Chapter Guide: Secret Initiation Ceremony
TOC: Vintage Newcrest Year 2 Table of Contents