Overheard at Chipperfields ... Part LIII ...

"So, it's election day in the US of A," announced J-- as he approached the table where a group of mid-morning regulars were sitting, "think Georgie is in for a bit of a wake up call?"

His question was met with a couple of nodding heads and a shrug or two.

"Think it will really make that much of a difference," asked one of the regulars, "afterall, he's got such a mess in Iraq, it won't matter too much who is sitting where back home will it?"

"I suppose not," observed J-- as he sat down at the table, "the big challenge will be reigning in the Religious Right ..."

"The religious WRONG you said," interupted one of the regulars.

"Got that right," laughed J-- as he picked up his coffee and took a sip.

"Speaking of Religious Right," ventured one of the regulars, "what's the deal with Ross and this televangelist ministry he's trying to talk The Rev into."

A Cheshire Cat like grin crossed J--'s face, "where did you hear about that?" he asked giggling.

"Oh Ross told me the other night," said the regular leaning in over the table and lowering his voice, "he was sitting over there, with a bunch of little plastic packages spread on the table and I asked him what he was up to."

"What did he say?" asked one of the other regulars, clearly intrigued.

"Well, he said something about getting The Rev to do a tv show, and make appeals for donations that would be exchanged for little packaged of holy water that could be used to bless and anoint stuff ..." The regular's voice trailed off, "It was all a little too strange for me."

"And for The Rev too," laughed J--, "I think he figures Ross has finally lost his mind ..."

"Short trip," observed Bonnie as she stepped up to the table.

"Morning Bonnie," laughed J--, "you not in favour of Ross' idea?" a broad smiled crossed J--'s face.

"It's not that I'm not in favour of it," began Bonnie, clearly weighing her words and tempering her feelings, "It's more a case of wondering where this one will go and how much it could cost us if it goes wrong ..."

"What can go wrong?" asked one of the regulars, "you invest in a bunch of little plastic packets of water and get The Rev to do what he does so well ..."

"Only if he wants to," reminded J--, "and right now he's not interested."

"We gotta convince him," said one the other regulars, "He's a good preacher. He's a good story teller, and he could pull this off."

"Not only that," offered one of the other regulars, "but we have the equipment and the people available right now to set up a call centre, or a prayer line, or something to support the whole thing."

J-- was shaking his head, "So, what will we call this venture?" he asked, "The Chipperfield Biblical Ministries?"

"Sure, why not?" answered one of the regulars.

Bonnie, leaning on one of the chairs was shaking her head. "Now you guys are starting to frighten me."

J-- laughed and shook his head, as he spoke, "so, where is Ross today anyway?"

"He's on the road somewhere," said Bonnie glancing at the clock, "he said he's be by sometime this morning on his way to and fro."

"Speak of the devil," observed J--, looking out the front window as Ross walking past the windows, "and there he appears."

"In a puff of sulphur and flame ..." muttered Bonnie, much to the delight of the others at the table.

Ross came in the door, in his hand was a file folder that was bulging with paper work.

"What's that?" asked Bonnie, glancing at the file folder.

"Oh this," Ross glanced down and tried to look nonchalant, "It's just something I've been working on lately ..."

"What is it Ross?" asked Bonnie, her voice tightening.

"Just some stuff," Ross' voice lowered, "nothing really."

Bonnie held out a hand, into which Ross dutifully deposited the file folder. Bonnie opened it and gasped. Her face was a mix of mirth and horror ... "You guys have to see this ..." She opened the folder and set it on the table.

"Well, I'll be ..." said J-- as he looked over the pile ... "Does The Rev know about this?"

"Ummm," Ross stammered, "not yet, I was going to tell him today ..."

"I think you better," observed one of the regulars, picking up one of the posters for the Broadcast Premiere of a new Rural Interfaith Outreach Ministry ... "he may not be happy about it ..."

"Gee you think?" observed Bonnie, her face expressionless ...

"And the Religious Right thought the Us Election was their biggest worry ..." smirked J--, "they ain't see nothing yet ..."

"I'd be more worried about Ross when The Rev finds out about this ..." said one of the regulars. Around the table several heads nodded in agreement. Ross gulped.