THE DEATH OF THE DR. REV. JOHN ELLEN PROFROCK
by
Dr. Theophilus Green

Presented to The Chicago Literary Club
January 6, 2003

The Unabridged Version

Copyright, © 2003, by Theophilus Green

When the junior George Bush was elected President of the United States, the third Cabinet appointment he made was that of Surgeon General. He selected Gabriel Alexander Sawyer, a Sarasota, Florida physician who was unknown to almost everyone outside of Sarasota County. The appointment followed the recommendation of Nicholas Gatsby, a former U.S. attorney, and was endorsed by nearly every major physician and researcher throughout the world. Despite the fact that very few American doctors endorsed the recommendation, it was nevertheless considered prescient. Through unofficial channels, Dr. Sawyer was also endorsed by the three remaining crime families of New York. There are no regional appointments of the top job as certain as that of the top physician. As a former Texas governor, the President who claimed to hail from the south, chose as the nation's physician, a man respected by his brother, Jeb, then the Florida governor. It was the most unlikely appointment of the new Bush administration.

When the terrorist attack that destroyed the twin World Trade Towers stimulated massive accumulations of blood, it was Dr. Sawyer's research in cellular respiration and medical innovations in research labs throughout the world, that prevented a biological catastrophe most never knew had threatened. When two Supreme Court justices, the pro tem of the Senate and the daughter of the English ambassador each faced a life threatening illness, it was Dr. Sawyer who intervened with innovative toxins, considered experimental by other physicians. When the adolescent children of four mob related capos' were facing lengthy prison sentences, it was his testimony that accurately described their behavior as attention-deficit disorder and led to the dismissal of criminal charges . It was his research that led to the development of new medications now popular today. At the time of his appointment, he held no active medical practice. When asked, he gave his profession as "loving father and husband."

Dr. Sawyer had been the attending physician of the late Rev. John Ellen Profrock, the most widely respected cleric, outside of the Rev. Billy Graham, in the country. Rev. Profrock's Sunday morning sermons were believed to have brought more people into churches throughout the country, with the exception perhaps, of God himself. In Sarasota, his sermons were almost always the subject of lunchtime conversation the following Monday.

Dr. Sawyer's professional negligence was believed by most Americans to have lead to the death of the Rev. Profrock. He is also the reason, however, that Thanksgivings at the Sarasota Baptist Church at the intersection of Proctor and Hand Roads, in Sarasota, Florida, have held a special meaning for two men and their families, who would normally have never meet to worship. The former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and the capo de capo, for the Scalisi crime family in New York, have sat side by side with their families in joint communion and recognition of the religious holiday for the past four years. In all likelihood, the tradition will continue until both men and their wives have gone to that place one cannot return.

The first time they sat together in the second pew of the Sarasota Baptist Church, it was to morn the loss of Dr. Profrock, whose life and death, changed everything that was important for them. For almost every one in the overflowing church congregation that day, the sure and certain cause of Dr. Profrock's death, was the negligence of Dr. Gabriel Alexander Sawyer. Only a handful of others knew any different.

Rev. Profrock died suddenly from an infection following a ruptured appendix that most believe was wrongly diagnosed as gall stones. He left behind a widow, seven children, an ex-wife, and a legacy that to this day has yet to be eclipsed. Five years after his death, collections of his sermons are no longer on the New York Times best seller list, else the top ten would have to be renamed the top four. Recordings of his sermons are still available in albums, BETA, VHS, CDS, CD-ROMS, DVDS, and most recently were converted to the latest MP3 formats. They have been translated into more than 75 languages and are available in more than 200 countries throughout the world. By the end of the millennium, most publishers estimate that the Bible may no longer be the most influential book ever written. The collected books, tapes, films, and commentary related to materials written by, based on, derivative of or influenced by, the Rev. Dr. John Ellen Profrock. are predicted to equal, if not exceed publications of the Bible itself.

The relevance of religion, the value of a God, and the importance of the spiritual self were never more clear than when Rev. Profrock took the altar. In the early years of the 21st century, the Catholic church faced its first modern crisis of faith when it was forced to confront the sexual and spiritual abuse of its alter boys by its priests.

Yet Pastor Profrock's sermon of August 8, 1976, over a quarter of a century earlier, foreshadowed and condensed all relevant thought on the subject. While Pastor Profrock was a Baptist minister, his sermon was cited by Time magazine as the philosophical rational for the decline in those selecting the Catholic priesthood as a profession. That sermon was also cited as the reason for the sudden increase by couples in church attendance. Most none-Catholic clerics of his day chose to ignore the arrest, conviction and sentencing of a respected Sarasota priest for the sexual abuse of six teenage boys. Rev. Profrock addressed the issue directly during his first sermon following newspaper reports of the scandal.

"Dearly Beloved," he began, as he would each sermon. He would then pause for both effect and the heightened attention on his next words, "There is no tactful way to say this. Catholic priests have got to get laid." As usual, the snickers, laughs and occasional applause that followed his first pronouncement would ripple through the congregation. Then it would settle to a respectful silence that would last for the next 23 minutes of each 24 minute sermon.

"The church has a problem when the world's largest religion does not allow its leaders to lie down with the world's most importance resource, its women. Catholicism is in crisis when the Catholic religious and moral leaders of a community begin each morning in prayer, but end every night in denial. Denial, that the best, greatest, most satisfying achievement in this world is the love of a good woman. Denial that sexual desire and sexual satisfaction from the opposite sex is normal, natural and vital to a full and rewarding life. Denial, that it is from that union that brings forth children and through them, even greater respect for the man himself.

"Scandals like we all read about this week result when a man of God denies himself God's most perfect gift to man. The right, the privilege, even the obligation, to share himself with God's greatest reflection of himself,--- a woman."

For the next 22 minutes, Rev. Profrock would weave a Bible scripture, a popular song, even a current movie into a moving admonition that simplified the complexities of life, with affirming common sense. On that day he spoke bluntly about the need for the respect of a woman. He but did not ignore the difficulties each man encounters with winning respect of any woman: mothers, daughters, sisters, girlfriends, wives, friends, lovers, harlots. He spoke of his difficulties with a former female boss. The congregation laughed with identification with his struggle with his Golden Retriever, Gypsy , also a female.

But the last six minutes of his sermon was a rousing, back slapping, hand clapping, anthem about the importance of what respect of a woman brings to the rest of one's life.

"Respect of a mother brings confidence. Respect of a daughter brings power, Respect of a sister brings a sense of community. Respect of a girlfriend nurtures love. Respect of a wife brings power. Respect of one's female friends commands respect from others. Respect of a lover is vital for one's sexual satisfaction and own self respect.

"Respect of a harlot, brings passion. A man doesn't have to act on that passion to appreciate it. But it is vital for a man to respect every woman, whatever their role or profession if he professes to love and honor God.

"Respect of one's pets, particularly when they embarrass us from time to time," he paused as several in the congregation chuckled knowingly, "brings with it a respect of life itself."

As usual, he would be the only cleric bold enough to criticize the weaknesses of another major religion or the failure of its leaders to bring itself into the modern world.

"When there is no woman in your life, a man is denied the opportunity for his heart to break, and the renewed strength and wisdom that follows with repairing the damage. When there is no woman in your life, a man is denied the motivation to climb higher mountains, swim deeper oceans, ----and pay more bills,--- to keep that woman happy." Everyone, including Rev. Profrock laughed again.

In a proclamation that would later be cited as the model for a major presidential speech, Dr. Profrock urged, "Mr. Pope, sir, tear down that wall between your church and the future of all humanity. Mr. Pope sir, tell your priests, and your monks, to find a good woman and let them be married. Tell you nuns to find a good man, with a strong heart and share their life giving force while they are young and fertile and giggly...."

While the congregation frolicked in the wisdom and perception of his final words, the albums and the mp3s could not show what the video images would always highlight. The long, quiet, satisfying, happy but lustful glances as the Rev. John Ellen Profrock looked toward his young wife, thirty years his junior.

In the first pew of the church on the right, sat the second Mrs. John Ellen Profrock, a former stripper at the Cheetah Striptease Lounge in downtown Sarasota. . The first Mrs. John Ellen Profrock, a former stripper from Scarlett's Stripper Palace in Las Vegas, while barely fifty, remained as alluring and as attractive as the woman two decades her junior. Whether she was alone or with her third husband, Rev. Profrock would also smile at his ex-wife, who sat at the opposite end of the same pew.

Between them both were Rev. Profrock's seven children. Edward, Arthur, Elizabeth, Richard, Peter, Margaret and Haile, all named after monarchs. Unlike most women who held, or once held, the same position in a prominent man's life, the present wife and the former wife were not competitors. They did, however, compete between themselves to look as respectful and tastefully dressed as possible, yet still project the power and the sexual energy they commanded as the most attractive, best dressed and physically alluring women in the church each Sunday. Rev. Profrock was more than the conveyor of God's words. The two Mrs. Profrocks were proof that the words of God's reflected life force, were well evidenced in the life of the man who spoke them.

Perhaps his most frequently discussed sermon was delivered September 5, 1982. On that Sunday Rev. Profrock closed the church to all but couples over the age of 21. The words "For Adults Only" were placed on the outdoor church placard that announce each sermon the week before.

"Dearly Beloved," he began that Sunday, before the traditional pause, "The women of this church are not getting enough orgasms." When the uncomfortable silence returned after a ripple of self-conscious laughter, he spoke unabashedly about the need and importance for sexual satisfaction for women. He spoke of the benefits it brought to a relationship, and the peace of mind it added to a man's life. A local psychologist told the pastor he traced many emotional and marital problems in a marriage, to a lack of sexual satisfaction for the woman.

Dr. Profrock decided to conduct a poll of the women he met during his weekly ministry to see for himself . The psychologist suggested the cleric capitalize off his legendary bluntness and use the word "orgasm" instead of "sex" in his survey.

The minister was surprised to learn that many of the women in his congregation were having active "sex" lives. Many were embarrassed to say, however, that they rarely had an orgasm. Hrev. Profrock's poll included women who had all been married for an average of 7 years.

"That," said Rev. Profrock, "is the worst kind of sexual abuse. I want all of the men in this church, who are married or in a committed relationship," he added parenthetically, "to promise me they will not abuse their women any more this week." At that point, several of the women stood up and stayed standing until everyone woman in the church gave him a standing ovation.

During his survey, some of the women added confidentially, their mates did not know how to assist a woman's pleasure. As their husbands had been raised by single mothers, who did not find male role models for their sons, the subject of a woman's pleasure had never been broached, only their own. Whatever their husbands learned from sex, was the result of "trial and error," with the emphasis on "error."

Rev. Profrock decided to address that problem as well. He went on to compare a woman's body to that of a race car. He talked about making sure it was properly lubricated and primed, and received another standing ovation with what an analogy that later became a television commercial. "You don't get in a car just to sit. Turn it on and go somewhere you'll both enjoy."

As was typical of Rev. Profrock sermons, he added something in his final words that all who heard the words live, never forgot. "God did not limit sex to the young, nor to the creation of life, nor to the satisfaction of our desires. God created sex for the celebration of life. God expected all of us to celebrate life, at least until the age of 75. All of us, every one of us. And if you've got the energy, 75 plus." The concept of sex to seventy-five was quickly endorsed by the local medical and psychological professionals. Within a year of the sermon, it was also used in local commercials for the American Heart Association.

As might be expected, the parishioners of the Sarasota Baptist Church, particularly the women of the congregation, maintained unparalleled affection for their beloved pastor. Some times it bordered on zealotry. They required he drive a late model car, live in a well appointed home, and keep the latest computer gadgets designed to simplify his life. While Rev. Profrock had always been a smart dresser, the women of his church made sure he looked expensively dressed as well. They encouraged him to take lavish vacations and return with pictures for all the church to see. The women would invite their friends to the vacation video parties, so that their friends could compare Rev. Profrock's life with that of their own minister who took more mundane excursions.

Each of his seven children, four by his first wife, and three by his second, enjoyed an educational and emotional support system that was rare, even among titled royalty. Their father was a hunter, a fisherman, a pilot, a scuba diver and an equestrian who had qualified for, but did not compete in, the 1980 Olympics. That was the year America withdrew. His children had such difficulty competing with their father's interests, and using the vast array of church members who volunteered to tutor or mentor them, that they were all well beyond the normal age for parental conflict, before they realized they had missed that painful part of childhood..

Their mothers gave their daughters and their friends makeup and model lessons. Both the ex-wife and the present wife had a conversation with each child about sex, sexual values, sexual expectations and sexual threats and fears when each child turned 15. Rev. Profrock assisted with the boys. Like Rev. Profrock himself, and the women he chose as wives, his children were possessors of uncommon confidence and respect and used their power wisely.

While the passion, respect, and admiration for the Rev. John Ellen Profrock was zealous among the women of his congregation, it was more so, if that can believed, among the men. Most men of the day envied Hugh Hefner and the kingdom he built around a Playboy centerfold. Among Southern men, Larry Flint had carved out an even greater worship for the raunchiness of his Hustler empire. Both Hefner and Flint had staked out positions that while enviable, denied the average man the respect of the greater social community most required. Their lives were unattainable for more obvious reasons as well.

Rev. Profrock, by contrast, lived the life in the words of motivator Napolean Hill, all men "could conceive and achieve." At different points in their lives, in publications not their own, both Hefner and Flint admitted, if there were one man they wished to trade places with, it was the Rev. John Ellen Profrock. When asked by the incredulous interviewer, "Why?" the answer was in different words, the same. They would have to give up nothing they already enjoyed in life. They would simply be getting "more...."

The only time anyone in the church could remember a dissatisfaction in any part of his life, was when his physician, Dr. Noble Charter, informed the pastor that he would be retiring and would no longer be seeing patients. Even then, the problem that developed was more with the congregation than for Rev. Profrock himself.

But it was a major problem, none the less.

Dr. Charter, at age 65, the same age as Rev. Profrock, decided that he would retire and change careers. He would become a professional fly fisherman. Before he began the last year of his practice, he informed his patients of his intentions and began the tedious process of referring them to the appropriate specialists, primary care peers and local hospitals. Midway through the process, however, a young graduate from the University of Illinois Medical School offered him a tidy sum to buy his practice. It was a figure Dr. Charter could not refuse.

Instead of referring his patients, he turned to introducing them to the young Dr. Sawyer, nearly 35 years his junior. Dr. Sawyer was the same age as Rev. Profrock's second wife and 17 years younger than his first.

What concerned Dr. Charter most about the new doctor was the very thing he came to respect most. Gabriel Sawyer was a reservoir of contradictions. He appeared brash and impulsive, but upon investigation, was a very thorough and reasoned professional. His mind simply moved quicker than most, and benefitted from the modern technology made available by computers and the Internet. He seemed to drive his red sporty convertible wildly, but that was only in and out of driveways. He never exceeded the speed limit irresponsibly and never received so much as a parking ticket. His medical degree was from a state school, but his internships and residencies had been with some of the most respected doctors and hospitals on three continents. He had met or worked with many, if not most, of the leading physicians and researchers in the United States, Europe and South Africa.

Where his colleagues and peers had graduated to private practice or respected teaching positions, Dr. Sawyer had chosen to volunteer with the French led Doctors Without Borders, that assisted Third World Countries in a time of political or medical crisis. He worked for a year on the Red Cross hospital ship that traveled the world inoculating the poor. He held a minor position as a researcher for the French HIV research project that led to new medications and medical approaches to arrest the disease. He knew many of the staffers on the U.S. led Genome Project that charted the GNA map personally because he attended many of their conferences. He sent his personal comments to authors of all the published papers and presentations he enjoyed. Dr. Sawyer's intention to "retire" to Sarasota. What most people did when they retired from life, Dr. Sawyer, at 35, would do for the rest of his life. The fact that the Rev. Dr. John Ellen Profock was the star patient of the practice he purchased, was of little importance.

It should have been.

Almost immediately, when news of the sale of the practice had circulated, the women of the congregation, followed by members of the local medical community, along with several of Rev. Profrock's own children, began to question the cleric's future healthcare. A young doctor who drove a red sport's car and was seen dancing and drinking all night Saturday, should go to bed early before coming to his star patient's church. At the very least, he should leave for church from his own bed.

The local medical community questioned Dr. Sawyer's credentials as undisciplined. He favored giving children caffeinated coffee with breakfast as an alternative for parents who didn't want to give their hyperactive children Ritalin. It was, however, a strategy common in South America. He encouraged children with disabilities to play on the same teams as their school mates and encouraged them to ignore any disapproval of others. He considered embarrassment an unnecessary emotion. He encouraged the use of the outdated procedure of ECT, electrostatic convulsive shock therapy complimented with psychotherapy instead of hospitalization and psycho-tropic drugs for those believed to be "crazy." He said the short term memory loss would also include much of the pathology, making them ready candidates for needed change.

He was unapologetic for his belief that every woman should have the "option" for an abortion, a position most Bible belt physicians kept to themselves. On one talk show, Dr. Sawyer admitted he believed, "Confessed murders and multiple rapists should be given pre-frontal lobotomies and put on state work farms. The money saved on prisons could be used to make state colleges free."

Because of the car, and the way he embraced weekends, and the general hesitance from the local medical community to endorse him, Dr. Sawyer was not considered worthy to be the personal physician of the Rev. John Ellen Profrock. A special Deaconess committee circulated their fears that if Rev. Profrock were to remain under the young doctor's care, it could only contribute to his premature demise. Rev. Profrock needed a doctor like the actor Robert Young, who just happened to resemble Noble Charter. Sarasota was abundant with doctors who had graduated from Harvard, Yale, and Oxford. All were more senior, all with reportedly more experience, and all certainly with more support from the all female Sarasota Baptist Church Special Committee for the Health of the Rev. Dr. Profrock, SBCSCHRDP

"Well Noble," asked Rev. Profrock of his good friend and former racquetball partner from childhood. "What do you think? Should I listen to the women of the church and find me another doctor, or should I stick with this kid you're selling the practice to."

"That's not my decision, John" said Noble. Both men knew each other too long to use honorifics. "It's not a condition of the sale that every client stay with the new owner. But I will tell you this. When I first met him, I thought it would be best for me to move out of town so I could justify being seen by another doctor for my own care. After I got to know him, I did more than change my mind. He's the main reason I intend to keep a legal residence here. He will be my doctor until I go to that well stocked fishing pond in the sky."

"You feel that strongly about him, do you?"

"I do. But not for any reasons you could take back to the church. Look," said Noble, "Here's his resume. He's got all the right degrees and certifications, many interesting residencies. It's rounded by a nice understanding of computers for medical research. There's nothing there that might be any different for many doctors today.

"What I like about him is the way he thinks about himself and his life. He came here to start' retirement. Can you believe that? Where most men his age are hot to position themselves for the big money, he wants to live his life, for the rest of his life, the way he lives it right now. He doesn't have a girl in mind, but knows he'll find one."

"Interesting," said Profrock.

"Exactly. John. He's got a different definition of ambition and career and what life is about. He's actually taken time to think about his life at a time in his life, when most of it is before him. He's the only man I've ever met that's like you, other than you."

John smiled. "Think I should stick with him?

"No," said Noble. "I don't. I'd listen to those women in that church of yours. I don't think you'll get finer care from anyone else. But I think you'll do him more harm than help. I think you know why, too."

Both men stared at each other in silent recognition of the unspoken.

Noble was the first to speak. "There's no way he would let you ignore the things I let you do. He couldn't allow himself. I wouldn't ask him too."

"What would happen if I went to another doctor?"

"They would almost surely insist on a full medical work-up and you'd be in the same situation. Though I don't think you'd get as good care. He's young, but he's absolutely the finest doctor in town at this point."

Profrock paused wistfully to consider his dilemma.

"Listen, John. I wouldn't say this to anyone else, but if you do decide to keep him, I think I should give you your medical records. You give him what you want him to see. You tell him you took them back from a doctor whom I originally referred."

"Then that's what I'll do. I wouldn't want the rest of the family to be denied the best care because of me."

The church is undoubtably the foremost place where strangers with unlike beliefs are likely to meet without a screening introduction. As with most churches, the passionate expression of support for the pastor symbolically defined each member's expression of faith. The more passionate the concerns for Dr. Profrocks future health, the more faithful the speaker must be in the eyes of God. The more time one spent on the subject, the greater the evidence of that person's mortal rectitude, at least for the SBCSCHRDP's point of view. Women new to the church were embarrassed into supporting the Pastor's Special Health Committee by asking them to join the Orgasm of the Month subcommittee. They were automatically included in the twice a week sub-sub committee when they became eligible.

There wasn't another church in the area where the pastor would dare allow such a sub-committee, officially or unofficially. When Rev. Profrock found out about it, he volunteered to ask his wife and ex-wife, if they had friends who might give the committee striptease lessons. It became a monthly activity, attended by even women in their seventies.

Like most ministers, Rev. Profrock not only tolerated but encouraged a little controversy among his congregation. It easily translated itself to greater religious passion, spread to other church participation, and kept the membership and donations high.

But after six months, two months before Noble was to leave to for the Denver Rockies, rumors circulated that the for-and-against Dr. Sawyer movement had reached a frightening crescendo. There had been one publically embarrassing tantrum and the polarization had grown so, that one group sat on the left side of the church and the other on the right. One story circulating had the pastor believing the rift was so severe and the emotions so intense, that he was considering resigning. Because he believed he had failed his congregation Rev. Profrock was believed to be joining Dr. Charter in retirement.

The rumor gained legs when the outdoor announcement for the next sermon was titled, The Personal Consequences of Failure.' On November 18, 1997, Pastor Profrock, began his sermon with the words,

"Dearly Beloved, I have failed you, forgive me." This time there was no emotional congregational reaction, only silence. The silence was combined with fearful anticipation and concern for a loss that could neither be replaced nor tolerated.

"I have failed in every part of my life. I have failed my wife, my ex-wife, my children, by friends, and most importantly my mother and father who brought me into this world. I have failed to use my potential for good and have become consumed by my weaknesses.

"I have failed my children by allowing others to spend more time with them teaching them the things I love more than I do. I have failed my wife by not telling her daily how much I love her and how much my life is increased by her mere presence. I have failed my friends by not reaching out for them more, and giving them more reason to trust and respect me. I have failed my first wife, and nearly destroyed the well-being of our children, by not being more sensitive to her needs. Through my failure, I caused her to have to separate from me for the best interest of her life an our children.

"But today, dearly beloved, I speak of how I have failed you. I have failed to provide this congregation and each of you in it with the leadership each of you should expect. We are a house of prayer divided. We are a church in conflict. We are a place of worship that is wrenching from my failure as your pastor. I have not studied the Bible well enough. I have not visited the Sunday School enough. I have not worked close enough with your committees. I have neglected my family, my church, my God.

"I must make amends for all my violations of your trust, for all the times I have abused the right to lead you in worship. I am unable to forgive myself I cannot punish myself enough. I must take the burden of leadership and do for myself, what I have demanded of you. I must leave this alter,........" he then paused.

For two entire minutes the only silence heard was that of a child asking for candy, and a baby, using the silence to punctuate the need for more attention. So obedient was the congregation, that there was no consideration that any of them would counter his decision by speaking. All knew their objections would have little weight for change. They could only wait, and hope, and together in one silent unified prayer, ask God that what they were about to hear was not what they were about to hear.

"I must leave this alter," he repeated this Sunday, "and seek amends from all that I have failed. It is my hope," he said then paused for another 30 seconds, "that when I return next Sunday," the entire congregation let out a loud deep sigh in unison, "that with your help, your love, and God's help, that I will not fail you as much in the future as I have in the past. Please forgive me."

Rev. Profrock did not discuss the controversy surrounding Sawyer. He did not mention his position on the subject. Yet through his sermon, he seemed to pierce the reluctance of anyone to ignore their own personal failures. As he shook the hands of the membership who filed from the church, he said simply "Forgive me." After a few embarrassed parishioners were unsuccessful in getting him to stop requesting, the rest of the church began to answer, "I do," "Of course,""Certainly,"

Then a movement began to catch among the later departures. First one, then another began to answer, "Forgive me." "I'm Sorry." "I too failed as a parent.""I too failed as a brother." "I will try harder to be a better student."

While all believed or suspected the reason behind the sermon was the Sawyer issue, hegave no reason in the sermon itself. Rev. Profrock had not been caught doing something he shouldn't. There was no loss, no scandal, no injury to explain it. There was no precipitating event, as the psychologists would say, to justify it other than the man's own need to be more perfect as a pastor. Personal perfection, unmet and unchecked, could be the basis of forgiveness. If Rev. Profrock had examined his life and decided without the hammer of negative consequences to correct it, so could every one.

It continued throughout the week. Parent's apologized to children, children apologized to their pets. Employers apologized to employees, waiters apologized to their cooks. It was a wave of forgiveness that spread throughout Sarasota that week. Years later a sociologist who examined the strange calm that cascaded about the town that week. SBCSCHRDP was reorganized as the Sarasota Baptist Church Women's Committee. They adopted the smiley face as their logo. Some of them had two smiles. Any man who's wife wore the double logo, somehow felt special when he entered the church with his wife.

In a long rambling article reported later as a cover story in both Time and Newsweek, the sociologist reported that forgiveness had the power to heal in only two occasions: First, when there was no demand from the pain of the injured and the motivation came from within the transgressor, and second, when the transgressor offered amends and the amends exceeded the loss from the hurt by at least three-fold.

Thereafter in Sarasota, when public persons caught abusing their trust offered a public apology, they received more criticism after an apology. One columnist stated the local consensus bluntly. "If you had to apologize, you should have done something about it before you got caught. If you can't make amends that put the offended in a better position before you hurt them, don't be surprised at the social stigma and legal consequences that result."

For the next week at least, the controversy of Dr. Sawyer was no longer an issue.

Rev. Profrock, and Dr. Sawyer, met for the first time, the Monday following what later was called the Day of Forgiveness and became an annual all-faiths Sarasota ritual. Dr. Charter made the formal introductions, then absented himself to see his few remaining patients. Dr. Sawyer had not made it to church the previous Sunday. He had received first Sunday communion that month and his personal religious commitment, until he had children that is, was once a month.

Dr. Sawyer, in anticipation of the appointment, set it for 10:30 and rescheduled all of his remaining patients until after 2:00 pm that day. When he ushered Dr. Profrock into his executive office, which also included examining facilities, he evidenced neither the concern nor the uneasiness that often accompanies a young professional meeting a Great Man. They began their relationship as two great men about to do business. Dr. Sawyer, however, was respectfully differential.

"I must express my personal pleasure at meeting you," said Dr. Sawyer. "Dr. Charter has said many good things about you. But I must admit, I know you better from your taped sermons".

"Well, thank you young man," said Rev. Profrock accepting the difference. "Most people are a little intimidated by me. Because of some of my sermons and the fact that I enjoy a good striptease, they assume I must be some kind of closet sex addict. I'm not." He paused to reinforce his authority.

"Before we go further, let me answer the question you're likely too respectful to ask. When I decided to become a minister, the deal I made with God was that I would always have a beautiful woman with a beautiful body to comfort me. Strippers are not by definition prostitutes. I have enjoyed the art of striptease. I never apologize for that. Strip clubs attract beautiful women with attractive figures. I had no reservations about marrying one, or two. Enough said?"

Dr. Sawyer was frozen with shock from his directness, but found himself nodding nevertheless.

Rev. Profrock nodded in return that the subject was now closed. He then asked Sawyer directly, "Tell me about yourself."

The exchange that followed was uncommonly candid. Dr. Sawyer gave a five minute bio, that Dr. Charter had suggested he rehearse. He was open about his agnostic upbringing, and his unresolved feelings for his parents. He felt both were immature. He believed his world travel had been good therapy and relished investigating new ideas which he equated with mental calisthenics.

Both men discussed the regional politics of the villages in South Africa, its impact on the continent and the world economy. They exchanged conflicting views on the dollar versus the gold standard as the basis for international commerce. They exchanged a few ribald stories about their early sex lives and their separate strategies for maintaining control over alcohol.

They discovered they knew many of the same people, had traveled to many of the same places and both enjoyed fish, both symbolically and figuratively.

Rev. Profrock, explained that his personal doctor would also be the family doctor, which would include his present wife, his ex-wife, and each of his seven children. He would require access to those records as readily as his own. He would respect the privacy of Elaine, his first wife's third husband. The family had agreed to sign all the proper releases. He believed the role of a doctor was to educate as well as to treat. He therefore would appreciate it if during regular examinations, which would occur every six months, not every 12, that he take the time to educate the children about the purpose and location of the major vital organs, their operation and relationship to good health.

Rev. Profrock unexpectedly volunteered that he was no longer sexually active with his first wife, but had remained so well into her second marriage and his.

"Elaine and I broke up because I was more concerned about my needs so much I couldn't understand hers. She was 22 when we married, had been a stripper for two years, and had barely a year of college. I met her at a strip club in Las Vegas. Like most men I was attracted to her physically. I had graduated from the ministry two years then. She broke the house rules, gave me her number and we started to date, premarital sex and all. I wore my collar on our first date. We went to another strip club so she could critique the competition. We were comfortable with each other from the first.

"What caused you to divorce Rev. Profrock, " said Dr. Sawyer with equal directness.

"I never did. She divorced me. We're divorced in the eyes of the law, but never in my heart. I never realized what a burden it was for a woman to go from what many consider the very lowest level of respect in a community, a woman taking off her clothes, to suddenly be at the first top, over night. It was a powerful burden having to change so many things, so fast, without having a lot of education. Having to make new friends, wear new clothes, go to different functions. New foods she wasn't familiar with. She did not want to give up her old friends and I didn't ask her to. But I never invited her friends into the church, the way I do Vivian's. Vivian is my current legal wife.

"It was a terrible thing to do to a young woman." Profrock continued. "I was about your age, and she was 22. When I hear young African-American kids talking about having a foot in one world black and one world white, I understand more than they think I do.

"Anyway, she stuck it out for about fifteen years, experiencing inner pain and conflict I was never aware of. She filed for divorce without telling me. To this day, we've never discussed it like we should have. I'm leaving out a lot of detail, you probably know. She was single about six months, and met a bouncer at one the strip clubs. She was still a beautiful woman at 37 when they got married. They were married about six months, when things were hard for them, so I pulled some strings and got him a job as an insurance salesman.

"He never really wanted to work that hard, which is probably why he was a bouncer. A year into the marriage, he started to hit her. She wouldn't tell me, but my kids did. I went to speak with him and it was the strangest conversation. I asked him not to hit "my wife" again. He said she was "his wife, and his property" not mine and to go four letter word myself.

"I looked him in the eye. He had me by 50 pounds and six inches of height. But I made sure he was sitting down so I would tower over him. I told him not to touch "my wife" in anger ever again. Some people say I have the eyes of God when I feel strongly about a subject. I use that look when I'm at the alter. It's both powerful, commanding, and all knowing. I don't use it to threaten my congregation, but I knew it would threaten him.

"Anyway, he never did hit her again. But the tension of his wanting to hit her and her probably needing to be hit was too much. It was after that I started sleeping with her again. I don't think my present wife knew, but if she did, she didn't let on.'

"Were you worried about people finding out?"

"I didn't care. I have never lived my life worrying about what other people might think. I was careful, of course. But I was prepared to leave the church and the ministry if I had to. I was more concerned about my children. I knew she wouldn't tell me anything with her guard up, but I knew she was vulnerable with her clothes off. It was the only thing I could do to keep tabs on my children. He didn't want them in my church, and she wouldn't challenge him. I later got legal control. But they still lived with her until recently."

"She later divorced him, and married an American Airlines pilot who flies regular weekend routes to Malaysia out of Miami. Three weekends out of the month, he's away on Sundays, and the one Sunday he's here, he doesn't mind sitting in the front row. I stopped sleeping with her when she met him.

Dr. Sawyer was amazed at the cleric's candidness, the clearness of this thought and his courage to take unpopular individual action. He began to understand why his sermons carried such power. They came from a powerful man.

"I have to tell you, as a religious man, I have come to respect the words, The Lord works in mysterious ways.' Most men, certainly most ministers, would envy the fact I even know two beautiful women. But here I was hating the fact, that for three years, I had to satisfy both of them like there was only one."

"Why did you?" asked Dr. Sawyer, lost in the narrative.

"For my children. I knew that if she continued to sleep with him or even felt the need, he would still be in my children's lives. He was a negative influence, and she'd never have the strength to leave. I discussed it with a psychologist, who actually suggested I find her a boyfriend. He said if I didn't, I should assume the role myself. If I didn't, the husband would destroy us both. He was right. The guy later hung himself. I did the funeral. But for the time he was married to her, he filled the need she had to be hurt and abused. I think I helped create that need."

There was a silence, where both men examined each other without a need to speak.

"Now," said Rev Profrock, "She's happy, the kids are doing okay, she joins her new husband vacationing most of the time in other parts of the world. When they're here, we're a family."

"Gosh," said Sawyer. I was so interested in conversation, I forgot it's lunchtime and I haven't examined you."

"That'll have to wait, "said Rev. Profrock. "I enjoyed the conversation as well, but I really only wanted to meet. We can do the medical stuff next week. I'm not going to die in the next week. I've got lunch with a U.S. attorney, a congregation member, and I'm late. It was a pleasure meeting with you."

"Likewise," said Dr. Sawyer. "Can I put you down for Tuesday at 10:00, about an hour?

"Of course," said the pastor. "There's no hurry. I believe I'm going to be around for a while. My father died at 75. My mother, 82."

There are few places where those in different walks will meet to exchange ideas beside a church. A library and a school are two more that come to mind. Another is the courthouse. Rev. Profrock was scheduled to have lunch with the highest profile member of his church, the local U.S. Attorney. Nicholas Gatsby was himself late for their luncheon at the Downtown Sarasota Hyatt.

"I don't suppose I'm violating any confidentiality, by telling why I'm late. It's public business. I'm a public servant. I'm planning to indict one of the key members of the New York crime family next week."

"Oh really." said John.

"Most people don't realize it, but John Gotti, the Teflon Don who was acquitted so many times, changed the way organized crime operates in this country with his last conviction. He flaunted his criminal activities before us daring us to indict him. So of course we did. It took three trials to do it.

"The other family members took notice of all the attention he was getting by flaunting his acquittals along with his obvious criminal activity. They didn't want to be targeted by investigations close to him. Most of the key figures relocated by the end of the third trial. Very few of even the more senior lieutenants have a visible presence in New York any more.

"Why is that.?"

"You're looking at one reason. The federal government is harder on them now. Like no other time since the days of Bobby Kennedy. The other reason is technology. Through fax, phone, e-mail, Internet, cell phones, portable computers, pocket computers, and Palm Pilots, crime can be run just as efficiently if not more so, by remote,--- without the risk or exposure of personal exposure and arrest. Today's criminals are also smarter. One of things they do is create new crimes before the laws are created to make their activities illegal.

"Antonio Scalisi, the head of one the largest of the three remaining crime families lives here in Sarasota. He runs the New York Operation and all of his criminal activities in the Northeast from here. His latest activity and what I'm going to indict him on, is the Psychic Matchmaker Connection. He's the guy behind Princess Nefertiti's commercials for astrological Mate matching. She's the gall with the African accent who claims perfect love connections based on the stars. The con averages $75 for each idiot that calls, with some people spending thousands each month. He's basically reorganized the old boiler room stock con to utilize the fact that Ma bell will collect his money. It's all legal so there's no need to wash it like drug money. Based on a television ad that costs him less than a nickel per person likely to call, he rakes in a bundle. Last month, he took in 17 million dollars.

"Well!" said Rev. Profrock.

"The mistake he made, was in a move to push up declining calls, he started to promise he could really match people using the stars. The federal government doesn't mind if you're foolish enough to believe his lie. But they've got out of work actors in ads saying they actually met and married because of her $1.99 a minute phone call. That's fraud. That all I need."

"You learn something new every day." said John.

"There a new crime every day. Thankfully all of them are not federal violations. But that's my business. How are you doing Rev.?" Gatsby would never call the pastor by his first name, despite his position. He had known him as Rev. or Dr. since childhood.

"I've got a little stomach ache, " said Profrock, "but I'll take care of that next week."

"Make sure you do, you're too important a person around her."

A waiter interrupted their conversation with a written note. Gatsby looked up at the two men at the door who had sent it, then at his watch. "Excuse me Rev. But it looks like I've got a little emergency. Would you mind if we made this lunch into dinner Saturday night at Jason's. We could include the wives. My wife always enjoys visiting with Vivian."

"That's not a problem. Nick. I had a few things to discuss with you, but they can wait. That will work out fine. As a matter of fact, I could use the solitude to work on my next sermon. Go ahead." As the U.S. attorney left, Rev. Profrock took from his pocket, his portable Psion pocket computer and began to outline his last sermon. It began, "I do not, I have not, nor have I ever, believed in Heaven.....'

Jason's Steak House on South Pamiani Trail was a relatively new steak house in Sarasota on the Saturday they met. It had quickly become one of the most popular. It's specialty was corn-fed beef from the nearby Palmer Ranch. When the maker of Jack Daniels bourbon began to market a liquor based steak sauce, Jason's were the first in the local area to capitalize on it. On Saturdays, management removed the second bar and allowed dancing for about ten couples, without an additional cover charge. The music include a live five piece band and the serenades of a male and female vocalist who sang in the style of Frank Sinatra and Keely Smith. It was upscale, intimate and romantic.

Vivian, and Nick's wife, Barbara, were excitedly planning Vivian's next cruise and debating among themselves if she should include all the children, or simply the oldest ones. They could send the younger ones to Disney World with relatives.

Nicholas was still consumed by the conversation earlier that week. "Scalisi wants to plea bargain. That's what the note was about. But I'm not going to let him. I'm going to burn the bastard. By the way, he owns this place."

"Let's enjoy the food," said Rev. Profrock. "I'm sure you'll do what's best.'"

"Was there a comment in that best'?" asked Gatsby.

"Well, Nick," said Profrock. "Now that you ask, maybe there is. The way you talk about him leads me to think you're using the law to reform him or change him. I don't think we can protect ourselves from the failures of others in our lives. We can only protect ourselves from irresponsible people."

"Does that mean I shouldn't punish the wicked"

"No, only that the practice of justice does not mean you can eliminate personal failure or individual weakness. You are in a unique position to enforce enormous consequences on behavior. Use it. Forget the emotional involvement. When justice becomes personal it stops being justice and becomes revenge."

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of breaking glass. All four turned in the direction of the sound. Close to the dance floor, there was the loud and piercing sound of another glass shattering against the wall that stopped the music. It was followed by the exchange of loud voices, one a man, the other a woman. There followed the sound of hard skin meeting soft flesh, with louder more excited exchanges between the man and the woman. For two minutes all activity stopped throughout the restaurant. The wait staff, the maitre'd and all the musicians paused in their activity with the casualness of a theater goer awaiting intermission.

After about two minutes, all activity started again, without any apparent recognition from the wait staff and most of the patrons that it ever occurred.

"What just happened"" asked Nick when his waiter arrived with drinks.

"I'm sorry, sir. But that was Mr. Scalesi and his wife having another of her predictable Saturday night tantrums. This time I think she was unhappy with the ice cubes." The waiter paused wryly. "I think they were cold."

"This happens often?" asked Vivian.

"Yes ma'm. It's actually become one of the attractions, once or twice a month."

"Why doesn't the management do something?" asked Barbara. "That's outrageous. Someone could get hurt from the flying glass."

"He owns the place," responded the waiter. "Will you be having an appetizer with your dinner?"

After the women had exchanged further expressions of outrage and the waiter had taken their order, Nick responded. "That's one of the reasons I chose this place. I'd heard that was going on and I wanted to see for myself. One columnist explained the big attraction is the singers. They're worth the distraction. Everyone knows of Scalisi's mob connections, so they tolerate the side show."

"Disappointing," said Rev. Profrock. "I wish I had known."

"I'm sorry Rev. At the time, I was only thinking of the food and the music. There's nothing to compare with this place in all of South Florida. It's not place for government lawyers, but tonight it's vouchered under research.'"

"Let's eat," said Vivian.

"Let's make sure we dance later," said Barbara. "I've never seen a real mobster up close."

After the appetizer of escargot, served with a unique minted butter sauce, there followed a salad with the house specialty of fruit inspired salad dressings that were sweet and pungent at the same time. Dinner was accompanied by spirited conversation about the future of the space station program and its effect on the South Florida economy, the consequences of Elian Gonzale on Cuban immigration and former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno's gubernatorial chances. They each shared a child story and a pet story as each also owned a Golden Retriever. The Keely Smith styled singer had just completed a solo and joined with the Frank Sinatra styled singer for an upbeat "South of the Border." Both couples decided at the same time to dance. The night was relaxing, enjoyable and tranquil.

At the beginning of the second dance, Rev.Profrock told Vivian to remind him to reschedule his appointment with Sawyer for Monday instead of Tuesday.

"But I thought you saw him last week."

"We just talked. He didn't examine me. Then I was late for another engagement."

"Maybe we should go to the emergency room now."

"No, it's not that bad. Enjoy the evening. "

"Why haven't you checked on it earlier?"

"I didn't think it was serious. Besides, I wanted the church to work out this Sawyer thing itself. I didn't want to show sides by seeing him. I just didn't expect it to last as long as it did."

"Just to be safe, we'll stop at the emergency room when we leave."

Rev. Profrock nodded agreement.

The band took an intermission and both couples headed toward their seats. After both women had been helped to their seats, a loud female voice could be heard over the dinner conversation.

"Don't call me a bitch. I'm the mother of your children. She's the bitch!!"

Again the restaurant assumed an unnatural silence, the wait staff either eyed their hands or the ceiling, and the band members began to focus intently on the music they had just played. Rev. Profrock looked at Nick, whose eyes seemed to say, "Bad manners is not against the law. I'm a prosecutor, not a policeman." Vivian smiled with the recognition that she had outgrown those kinds of public displays before she met her husband. Barbara was speechless, embarrassed for them all, wanting to say or do something, but not knowing what or how.

Rev. Profrock pushed his chair from the table and said "Excuse me." He got up and headed toward the disturbance.

As soon as Vivian realized what he was doing, she ordered Nick in a tone that was half plea, half insistence, "Go with him."

As Rev. Profrock moved closer to the center of the disturbance, a heavily muscled man moved to block his way and asked, "Can I assist you sir?"

"No!" said Rev. Profrock, with an authoritative tone that caused the man to move.

"This is quite a fine restaurant you have here," said Rev. Profrock as his strong firm voice interrupted the ongoing argument."Please, don't hit the lady again."

Scalesi turned in surprise, unable to decide which comment to respond to, the compliment or the order. The muscle man rushed to his boss's side, half apologizing, half awaiting orders. This time the wait staff and the musicians were interested in the outcome as each knew only too well what the muscleman was capable of.

"What did you say to me?" asked Scalesi regaining his typical threatening composure.

"Hit her again and I'll hit you back twice as hard," said the 65 year old cleric to the 55 year old mobster.

The mobster was speechless. Profrock took advantage of his silence. "If she's your wife, think of your children. If she's your girlfriend take her home, she's not good enough for you. She's embarrassing you in public." Before Scalesi could decide what next to do, he saw the familiar image of the U.S. attorney over the shoulder of the stranger. The only thing he did do was shut up.

"Did you hear me?" asked the minister.

The mobster simply nodded he did. Rev. Profrock nodded you're welcome' to the woman who had not said thank you,' and repeated again. "You have a wonderful restaurant here. Please forgive me for interrupting your dinner." With that, Rev. Profrock returned to his seat, amid the smattering of applause that included the patrons, the band, and the wait staff.

There was more commotion between the mobster and the woman. This time, respectfully. It was not disruptive of the other patrons. The band began to start a musical introduction, and the male singer began to sing, "In me you see, a man alone....", from the Sinatra album inspired by Rod McKuen's soliloquy poetry. The muscle man showed confusion, which the mobster resolved, apparently by telling him to leave.

There was an awkward silence when Rev. Profrock returned to his table, which the reverend was the first too break. "Did I tell either of you I'm taking all seven of the kids on a cruise with us to celebrate our 18th anniversary."

Vivian placed her hand on Profrocks hand, smiled, then placed both of her own on her breast. The gesture was one of support, as well as relief in acknowledgment that her heart was beating again.

The remainder of the evening was no different from any other. Rev. Proofrock requested for each of the singers to sing a solo of "The Way You Look Tonight.," one from John to Vivian, the other from Vivian to John. They all ordered coffee.

Before the coffee arrived, the band gave the familiar musical introduction for a special announcement. A woman came to the microphone, "I'd like to apologize to all of your for the interruption to your dinner you experienced tonight. In compensation, I would like all of you to know your dinner tonight will be on the house." It was the mobsters wife.

There followed an appreciative round of applause. Before the woman could return to her seat, she returned to rush back to the microphone. "Excuse me, it will not be on the house, it will be my treat. The house will give you a voucher for a free dinner of equal value. Please be generous to your waiters and busboys. They are only receiving triple overtime tonight."

"Well," said Barbara, "that was certainly unexpected."

The waiter appeared with four busboys who placed a foot tall multilayered ice cream confection in front of each of them with their coffee. "Compliments of the house," was all that he said, leading a parade of busboys away as every one in the restaurant directed their attention to the reverend's table.

"I guess I owe this to you," said Vivian with another radiant smile.

"Perhaps, " said Rev. Profrock, "but whatever the reason. It looks good. Let's enjoy."

There is one other place where people from different walks of like are likely to meet with new information: hospitals. While Barbara and Nick and Vivian were enjoying a dessert confection that excited the total range of taste sensations from hot to cold, to salt to sugar, to chocolate to coffee and included strawberry, vanilla and a wide accompaniment of assorted nuts and sugars, Rev. Profrock was experiencing a growing sensation in his right side. First it was merely a throb, then it escalated to a piercing pain, then it exploded like an internal atom bomb. The shock of the blast took the minister by surprise and he collapsed. Something in him cause him to avoid the embarrassment of his face in the wonderful dessert and instead he slipped off the chair onto the floor.

Vivian shrieked, and the wait staff merely glanced in her direction. Then they saw who uttered the cry, and rushed in the cleric's direction.

"Call an ambulance" said Vivian.

"Call the police" said Nick.

"I'll call Dr Sawyer and Dr. Charter," said Barbara. Which hospital are we taking him to?"

By this time, the maitre'd, the waiter, Scalesi, his wife, both singers and the muscleman were at the pastor's table. "What happened, is he okay?" asked the mobster.

"If you've poisoned him," said Nick, "you'll rot in the worst prison in this country."

The surprised mobster was rendered speechless for the second time that night, possibly only the second time in his life.

"Let's not jump to conclusions in public," said the woman with the mobster. "There might be unpredictable consequences." Whether it was a threat, or a perceptive analysis, everyone saw wisdom in her words, and concentrated on getting the minister to a prone position with his head lifted to assist breathing. Nevertheless, a patron ran to the phone to call the local newtip hotline.

The NBC outlet on Channel 8 was the first to interrupt regular broadcasts to report the news. "Rev. Profrock had been taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital following an altercation with reputed mobster Antonio Scalesi at a local restaurant. Poison could not be ruled out."

The ABC outlet on Channel 7 incorrectly reported that Rev. Profrock had been admitted to Doctor's Hospital in guarded condition following a heart attack, apparently a condition mis-diagnosed as gall stones by his new doctor. No name was given.

In the back of the ambulance racing toward the hospital, Rev. Profrock regained consciousness for a few moments. The paramedics had administered intravenous fluids that with fresh oxygen allowed him to regain consciousness. With very little energy, he grabbed the hands of both Vivian and Barbara, believing them both to be his wives. "I love you both so much." Vivian smiled warmly. Barbara smiled awkwardly. He gestured toward his portable pocket computer, "It's got tomorrow's sermon. Please see that someone reads it. It's my best...." Both women nodded, and the minister nodded into unconsciousness, never to come out of it again.

It was Fox News on Channel13 that explained the reason for the air raid sirens that continued for an hour at 2:30 am the following Sunday morning:

The Reverend Dr. John Ellen Profrock was dead!

Drs Charter and Sawyer came out of surgery to inform the small but crowded emergency waiting room that had been limited to family and friends. Both Mrs. Profrocks were there, along with Elaine's husband, all seven children, Nick, Barbara, Scalesi, his wife, and the body guard who asked to be included. He was the first man to show tearful emotion. He cried without his face ever making a sound.

"He was not poisoned," said Dr. Sawyer looking supportively at the mobster, "and death was unavoidable. His appendix ruptured apparently from an inflammation that had been growing for months. Rev. Profrock apparently believed it was a recurring case of gall stones and did not inform Dr. Charter in support of us both. He did not want to influence more conflict in his church regarding his future medical care.

"Ironically, he had a previously diagnosed case of prostate cancer which he had chosen not to treat. However, in the last three months he had begun a treatment series of chemotherapy. The chemotherapy reduced his body's ability to resist infection brought on by the burst appendix. He died of the equivalent of toxic shock.

"If he had not taken the chemo, if he had not diagnosed himself, if he had received the appropriate treatment following an accurate diagnosis, or even if he had come to the hospital earlier, he might be alive tonight. There are a lot of ifs.' If I had given him a thorough evaluation when I saw him last Monday, he most certainly would be alive today." Dr. Sawyer knew full well that the last sentence probably meant the end of his medical career.

What Dr. Sawyer did not say is that Dr. Charter allowed Rev. Profrock to choose his own treatment because Rev. Profrock never wanted to grow old. The contest of wills with great men is an ongoing one in the medical profession. Rev. Profrock knew he had prostate cancer, and preferred death from cancer than a prolonged life with thousands of people presuming upon him. He knew he had a "gift." But Dr. Charter and both wives also knew he believed he would never be allowed to retire with it. There would always be those who made demands on him for the rest of his life, because of that "gift." His greatness was a burden which divorce only made more clear. "He expected to be dead in the next ten years," said Dr. Charter said later, "and welcomed it. It was only recently he allowed me to treat him. Both wives should also know he did not want to burden them with an old man for the rest of their life. He always expected to leave this world when there was still a lot for them to enjoy. He did not consider it selflessness; he considered death another expression of love."

There were no cries of anger, no accusations of neglect, no charges of suit or visible signs of anger directed at the conveyers of the sad news. The children cried among themselves, then all reached out to comfort their mother, then their step-mother. Elaine cried in the arms of her husband. Barbara in the arms of Nick. Scalesi and his wife both held each other and appeared to visibly grow in maturity.

Vivian reached out to support the doctors, who attempted to support her grief. After a feeble attempt to graciously support her loss, Dr. Noble left the hospital alone. The man who knew Rev. Profrock longer than any other could not help others when his loss was far greater than their own. When Sawyer reached out to Vivian, both knew with the first touch of her hand to his face, they would share more than grief and loss for the Great Man.

Vivian took care to seek out Barbara. "Thank you for being there for his last moments," she said. "I was glad to hear he thought his last moments were with his wives.'" Barbara nodded.

On the advice of counsel, the hospital asked that neither doctor speak to the public. Everyone remaining in the waiting room understood the need to issue a formal announcement to the public, but chose their own grief as their priority. The hospital spokesman readily assumed the responsibility, but a volunteer was granted the honor. It was the muscleman who walked out of the emergency room and read the news to the awaiting news media. It was a simple statement, but read with oval vowels.

"The Reverend Dr. John Ellen Profock died of natural causes at 2:23 am this morning. His final sermon will be given as usual this Sunday by a member of the family. The formal funeral and memorial will be held Thanksgiving day. Further arrangements will be provided as they are made. There will be no further comment at this time."

The possibility of one last Profrock Sermon seemed almost enough to compensate the awaiting news reporters who were unlucky enough to be first to report his death.

Rev. Profrock's final sermon was given on Sunday, November 23, 1997. At the request of both wives, Dr. Sawyer sat with the family in the first row, with their children on either side of him. The oldest of Rev. Profrock's children volunteered to give his last sermon. Yet when the time arrived to do so, he realized his grief was too debilitating.. Elaine turned to Dr. Sawyer. Dr. Sawyer said it would be inappropriate. He turned to the second row and asked Gatsby if he would read the sermon.

Nick and his wife Barbara were sitting in the second row. Beside them were Scalesi and his wife, who had both awkwardly made the request to join them at the church service while at the hospital. Nick speaking for the crestfallen family, reluctantly approved.

There was no one else nearby who knew him personally available to read the cleric's final sermon. Nick took the typewritten double spaced sermon printed from the doctor's Psion computer from Sawyer and walked the 12 steps from the sanctuary to the alter. He paused to familiarize himself with what he was about to read, then tried to begin.

"Dearly Beloved. I do not now, nor have I ever, " said the U.S. attorney reading the late pastor's words for the first time, "believe in heaven." The words PAUSE' were in capital letters on the next line of the speech.

"I have seen no evidence of a heaven I can accept.

"Is heaven more real than a David Copperfield flying trick, or a Houdini escape? Have you ever really given any thought to the details of heaven. Do you keep the same name? Does a baby who goes to heaven grow up. Does a child continue schooling. Do trees or animals go to heaven. Do religious leaders have more authority there? If Hitler repented, would he be there? "Suppose a man was married 3 times, and died at the age of 70 of cancer and Alzheimers. After resurrection, would he be returned to full health? Would he remember anyone? How old would he be. To whom would he be married? If we seriously examine the whole idea of heaven, it seems ridiculous." Gatsby had read ahead and was beginning to struggle with the words. "But you see, I do not live my life depending on a reward. I do not pray because there is a God. I pray to remind myself of the joy every life provides. I do not always pray with words. My life is my greatest prayer. I pray with each breath.

"I do not love my wife because she is my wife. I love my wife because I love myself, and she is the most important part of my life. I do not love my children, because they are mine. I love them because without my love, their lives have less meaning. I believe that the death of a man, is never as great a loss, as the death of that man's friendship. I believe my love of family is reflected by my love of animals, and my respect for all life. I am a man who's life is based on his personal beliefs. The belief of God is by far my most personal.

"Beloved, ours is a life, which...." It was obvious that Nick was becoming emotional as he read the second "beloved." He paused, this time without written instructions. "....which is not ours to control. We can only control what we believe."

Nick became consumed with emotion with his last words. It appeared difficult for him to continue. He paused. He attempted to start again. He paused. Then he stopped and looked up. Scalesi rose from his seat and walked the 12 steps to the alter. The attorney stepped back as the mobster took the sermon from his hands and read the remaining words of the service, in a strong, resonant baritone. It was the same tone used when he gave an order that he knew would change a man's life in an immediate way.

"Regardless of one's belief system, regardless of one's religion, there will always be a heaven for all of us that leave this earth. Heaven abides in the memories of those who are left behind. The kindnesses you create for others remain and multiply themselves with time, in the thoughts of those that remain after death. Regardless of the number of times you marry, the ex-wife or ex-husband that survive, remember you as the spouse whose deeds, good and bad, are given fair measure in the memories that are strongest. Your children will remember you as the protector who, in good health, shared the good times in their childhood, and the lighthouse in adulthood who was, or was not, the beacon to their achievement.

"Your friends, and loves and close relatives, will remember your life by the many ways it increased theirs, or not. Your pets will miss your affection more certainly than most. Despite the illnesses and afflictions that may end our life, physical pain does not persevere its end. The good deeds of a good life are rewarded in the lives of the memories of the children and loved ones who remain. Our memories are our best example that a good life brings its own reward, --- and the only proof that all life has a legacy.

"Heaven is the result of all that is accounted for and responsible.

"Hell is the consequence of all that is irresponsible and unaccounted for.

"Life is unquestionably fair, but the settlement of that equation is not limited to any breath that we share."

The attorney wiped his eyes, then patted, then massaged the back of the mobster in thanks and admiration. Both men left the alter together and returned to their seats in the second row, where they have come each Thanksgiving since.

The following Monday, Antonio Scalesi was indicted for mail fraud. An injunction prevented any future transfers of funds owed him from any phone company. Princess Nerfertiti was also indicted, but vowed to plead the fifth at any trial.

On Tuesday, Rev. Profrock's will was filed in probate court. It estimated his net worth at $40 million. Apparently Rev. Profrock took Elaine's suggestion to keep the rights to all of his sermons and tapes and publish them himself. He also took Vivian's suggestion to install cameras in the sanctuary and market video copies of his sermons on his own Internet web site. As a result of Rev. Profrock's consultation with both wives, his estate was projected to receive over half a billion dollars in the next fifty years.

It named Gatsby as the executor. It left everything to his wive and ex-wife and children equally, including any children from subsequent marriages. It was unique for several reasons. It granted $2 million to each woman's husband that "they had or might have." It required a majority of children from each step-family to approve any financial request from future revenues not authorized by the executor or approved by both wives. It provided full college scholarships for employees of Cheetah's and Scarlett's after five years.

His ashes were to be placed in the cornerstone of a $10 million religious library to be built on the grounds of the church. It would be the world's largest religious library, named in his honor and operated under the controlling supervision of his family and the deacons and deaconesses of the Sarasota Baptist Church. Twenty percent of all future revenues would go to a foundation created to operate the library. While their father was dead, his children would have financial security and jobs for the rest of their lives, provided they respect their mothers, worked together and valued the religious community.

On Wednesday, Scalesi signed a plea agreement. He agreed to give up $273 million in uncollected billings, pay a five million dollar fine. The agreement required no admission of guilt but demanded he must also agree not to participate in any similar businesses for five years. The agreement was not unique, although a provision of the agreement, not reported by the press, allowed the phone companies to release $65 million in collected funds. Princess Nefertiti would later complain, sans her African accent however, that she was " grossly underpaid."

There are two other places where people of different walks of life may meet. Funerals is one. Rev. Profrock's memorial service was held the next Thursday, Thanksgiving, in the Florida Orange Bowl. It would have been his 66th birthday. Sports stadiums are the largest place where strangers from different walks of life will meet. It was attended by two ex-presidents, every living Florida governor, both Florida U.S. Senators, both houses of state government, and was officially a holiday for all state employees. In the middle of the playing field was placed an alter, with three times the number of church pews surrounding it as in the Sarasota Baptist Church. They were reserved for those who professed to be members of the late cleric's congregation.

The Rev. Billy Graham led the service. "We come here today to celebrate a life lived twice as along as that of Christ," he began in his Northeast accent with the familiar southern twang, "that unquestionably influenced everyone living like no life since. He took his father and mother's first name that announced to all he was the son of both. He was trained as a chemist, but received his ministry degree from what most of us would consider a mail order school today. It no longer exists... All of his 23 doctorates from such prestigious universities as Harvard, Columbia and Cambridge, were honorary....."

After his sermon, followed as usual by the Lords Prayer, Rev. Graham did something that was most unusual for him. He asked "....everyone in the stadium to stand and clap for a life well lived." It lasted for ten minutes and 36 seconds. It was the most widely covered funeral in the history of the world. Every country that covered it, included full coverage of the ovation.

In the first row of the outdoor church, where the clouds above served as its ceiling, and the grandstand as a choir loft, sat the future Mrs. Gabriel Alexander Sawyer, and beside her, the future Surgeon General under President George W. Bush. Between them sat the seven children of the Rev. Dr. John Ellen Profrock. At the end of the same pew, sat Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Elaine Jansen and with them, all of the three family Golden Retrievers for both families. In the second row, sat the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, his wife Barbara and their three children, and on the field before them, their two Golden Retrievers as well.

Beside the attorney sat Antonio Scalesi and his wife and four children, who were always in a church with their parents from that day.

Weddings are the last place that come to mind where strangers meet to exchange ideas so profound they change lives. Years later someone noticed the date that the Sawyers had been married, January 7, 2001, was a Monday. They asked why. There was no hesitation for an answer. With two year old Solomon in Vivian's arms and his twin brother David in Gabriel's, the happy couple responded in unison.

"There was no Sunday we could agree on."