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    Karma
    Karma
    Karma
    Ebook354 pages3 hours

    Karma

    By Harry Harris

    ()

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    About this ebook

    The two entities in our society that I believe are taken for granted are our ALTER EG0, -- Another aspect of oneself -- and our belief in KARMA -- The law of cause and effect that influences one's future life.

    One thing that remains resolute concerning the ALTER EGO, which I believe is universally misunderstood, is that people should never accept what it relates to them as gospel; an axiom well respected throughout the ages. Even during the era of the Mythical Greek gods, the god Athlios warned that the mortals who believed in the righteousness of their ALTER EGO, and constantly spoke with it and sought its advice, should be mindful that it's not always a trusted friend, but, through unforeseen circumstances, may have become a mortal enemy.

    The other entity that I believe is also misunderstood is the Universal Energy called KARMA. But what is KARMA exactly, and how does it affect our lives? The best western authorities who have attempted to interpret what it is, and tried to explain it, have practically given up in despair. In its more literal interpretation, however, it's the cause and effect of any act regulating one's future life and its inevitable retribution; that everything one does, each separate deed of one's life, weighed along with every other deed, determines man's destiny.

    However, one must keep in mind that when cogitating about Karma that there is no judge and no judgment, no punishment, no repentance or amends, no remission of sins by divine clemency...that it's just the inexorable casual nexus of the Eternal Universe itself ; that KARMA, simply put, is a Brahmanic IDEA developed by the Buddhists.

    The situation that confronts our protagonists in the story that follows is their hapless association with their ALTER EGO and their KARMA. The alter ego that inveigles them into a life of crime, and Karma that makes them pay for it.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarry Harris
    Release dateMar 10, 2015
    ISBN9781311148698
    Karma

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      Book preview

      Karma - Harry Harris

      KARMA

      By Harry Harris

      Copyright 2015 Harry Harris

      Published by HERCULES-APOLLO MYSTERIES

      at Smashwords

      Smashwords Edition License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Table of Contents

      #prologue

      #Chapter1

      #Chapter2

      #Chapter3

      #Chapter4

      #Chapter5

      #Chapter6

      #Chapter7

      #Chapter8

      #Chapter9

      #Chapter10

      #Chapter11

      #Chapter12

      #Chapter13

      #Chapter14

      #Chapter15

      #Chapter16

      #Chapter17

      #Chapter18

      #AboutAuthor

      #Otherbooks

      Prologue

      The two entities in our society that I believe are taken for granted are our ALTER EG0, -- Another aspect of oneself -- and our belief in KARMA -- The law of cause and effect that influences one's future life.

      One thing that remains resolute concerning the ALTER EGO, which I believe is universally misunderstood, is that people should never accept what it relates to them as gospel; an axiom well respected throughout the ages. Even during the era of the Mythical Greek gods, the god Athlios warned that the mortals who believed in the righteousness of their ALTER EGO, and constantly spoke with it and sought its advice, should be mindful that it's not always a trusted friend, but, through unforeseen circumstances, may have become a mortal enemy.

      The other entity that I believe is also misunderstood is the Universal Energy called KARMA. But what is KARMA exactly, and how does it affect our lives? The best western authorities who have attempted to interpret what it is, and tried to explain it, have practically given up in despair. In its more literal interpretation, however, it's the cause and effect of any act regulating one's future life and its inevitable retribution; that everything one does, each separate deed of one's life, weighed along with every other deed, determines man's destiny.

      However, one must keep in mind that when cogitating about Karma that there is no judge and no judgment, no punishment, no repentance or amends, no remission of sins by divine clemency...that it's just the inexorable casual nexus of the Eternal Universe itself ; that KARMA, simply put, is a Brahmanic IDEA developed by the Buddhists.

      The situation that confronts our protagonists in the story that follows is their hapless association with their ALTER EGO and their KARMA. The alter ego that inveigles them into a life of crime, and Karma that makes them pay for it.

      Chapter One

      Dr. Sidney Freud, Psychiatrist,

      3015 S. Greenfield Road, Unit #10, Mesa, Arizona

      All of Dr. Sidney Freud's offices were ostentatious in design except for the room where he treated his patients. That compartment appeared as if it had been completely ignored: There were no windows in the place; the walls were of a lavender color with no paintings on them; the lighting was indirect and subdued, and there were only three pieces of furniture in the room: a captain's armchair, a small, narrow table alongside it, and a studio couch. The doctor felt that its decor was perfect for there was nothing in the place to distract his patients, and, from experience, he knew it was where they could relax and get the most out of their treatment.

      --o--

      Mrs. Edith Rabinowitz, an attractive, wealthy, anomalistic woman, and one of Dr. Freud's most vainglorious patients, was lying on the studio couch in the 'Lavender Room’ bemoaning her fate to the psychiatrist with whom she has had a professional love/hate relationship for years. However, during their relatedness, the doctor, feeling that he had not been able to successfully restore her neurosis to a healthy condition, often suggested that she seek another psychiatrist's shoulder to cry on, offering to give her the names of several of his colleagues that he believed could better assist her in finding a solution to the problem she was having. But Mrs. Rabinowitz refused to leave him; saying that he was the only psychiatrist in the world who understood her well enough to cope with her despondent situation. Nonetheless, that was not the only reason that she militated against leaving him, the other was his appearance for he resembled, almost to the nth degree, her beloved son who had been killed in an unfathomable bank robbery.

      I just can't go on like this, Doctor, Mrs. Rabinowitz said. I tell you all Marvin thinks about is sex, and it's driving me crazy.

      I understand how you feel, Mrs. Rabinowitz, Dr Freud said, but if all he does is think about it…1 don't understand why it should bother you...unless you're concerned that he doesn't put his thoughts into action.

      You know better than that, doctor, so stop trying to be facetious. I tell you he not only thinks about sex all the time but acts on it every time he does.

      Mrs. Rabinowitz you've been complaining about your sex life with your husband, Marvin, for years now, -- almost from our very first session together, and as I've repeatedly told you, your complaints are groundless; they have no merit, none whatsoever. In fact, from what you've said to me over the years, your sex life is to be envied. However, with that assessment aside, have you ever spurned Marvin's advances? Have you ever said no to him? Told him loud and clear that you won't have sex with him any longer?

      No. Of course not.

      And why not? If having intercourse with your husband is so unbearable why not say no to him and really mean it. It may not completely put an end to his advances, but perhaps it might limit the number of times he pesters you about it.

      As I told you before, doctor, I can never deny Marvin anything, and that's because I love that oversexed idiot.

      And, as I've told you before, Mrs. Rabinowitz, I'm inclined to think that you're the one that vivifies your husband into having sex with you all the time.

      You must be out of your mind. If you lived with Marvin, doctor, you wouldn't be saying such a stupid thing.

      I don't live with Marvin, Mrs. Rabinowitz, nor do 1 intend to; nevertheless, 1 don't see what my living with him or not has anything to do with your problem.

      You would if you had to sleep with Marvin as 1 have to...night after night, after night, after...

      Chuckling, the doctor said, "Enough, Mrs. Rabinowitz, you've made your point. However, as 1 told you before, you should count your blessings being married to a man like your husband; after all, has he not repeatedly -- as you've told me so many times -¬declared his undying love for you? Has he not, as you've so often boasted, purchased a beautiful home for you in the city, a second one in the country, and a third in Florida? Has he not bought you closets full of designer clothes, and taken you on vacations to exotic places throughout the world? Has he denied you anything? The answer is no. To put it bluntly,

      Mrs. Rabinowitz, he’s also been unusually generous in providing you with the extra little luxuries you enjoy, otherwise you couldn't afford to be lying here now and complaining about him to me."

      Displeased with the doctor's assessment, Mrs. Rabinowitz sighed deeply and then said, "Since you've never been married,

      Dr. Freud, I can understand why you know so little about women…so I forgive you for not having any idea what 1 go through being wed to such a salacious human being. You can't fathom the sexual abuse I put up with night after night after night after…"

      Chuckling again, the doctor said, "Don't overdo it, dear

      Mrs. Rabinowitz, it doesn't become you; however, 1 get the point. Nevertheless, I'm going to tell you again...your husband is not a sex fiend...his biological urges are normal. Having intercourse with Marvin, which by your own admission has never taken longer than five minutes on any given evening, is not considered abuse by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, most women complain that five minutes is hardly long enough for them to achieve satisfaction."

      You've never had sex with my husband, have you Dr. Freud?

      Of course not! Now you're being ridiculous!

      Well, if you had you'd understand. Mrs. Rabinowitz remained silent for quite some time and then she said, Doctor, during the first few years of our marriage that husband of mine delighted in looking at my gorgeous body; so much so, that before we had sex he'd have me stand naked in front of him as he admired it. However, as I got older I could tell he didn't find my body as attractive as he once did, and the reason was that after our son, Roger, was born… Suddenly

      Mrs. Rabinowitz stopped talking, and it was evident to the doctor that she was thinking about her son again and the tragic death that befell him. A few minutes 1ater, she said, As I was saying, doctor, my husband didn't find my body as exciting as he once did because my breasts had evidently lost some of their luster. Therefore, I stopped standing naked in front of him. Yet, to this day, he insists that I'm sans clothing during our coupling. So don't tell me that isn't being abusive and that his libido isn't flawed'

      Did your husband ever complain about your body; that your breasts weren't what they were when he married you?

      No, but I could tell what was going through his mind about my breasts...because I know how-attracted he is to women's boobs.

      How can you possibly tell what's on Marvin's mind when he looks at you, naked or otherwise?

      I just know. It's an instinct we women are blessed with when it comes to men.

      Smiling whimsically this time, the doctor said, Don't you think that it's all in your mind; that you're just being unusually vain? Without waiting for an answer, he added, You're a very attractive woman, Mrs. Rabinowitz, with a body that you can be proud of; however, I honestly believe that what you crave is to be constantly complimented about your beauty; especially about your figure; isn't that true?

      Well, the first part of it is, Mrs. Rabinowitz said haughtily. She remained quiet again for some time, and then she said, I thought it would help if I went to a gym in order to get my body back into shape, and I did it just to please Marvin’s venereaI appetite.

      Yes, and as we both know that what that did was to make you more attractive to him. Isn't that right?

      Yes, but what are you implying?

      What I'm inferring, Mrs. Rabinowitz, which is something I've done repeatedly for all the good that it did, is that you constantly go out of your way to make yourself more attractive to your husband, and, of course, all that does is make his desire for you that much greater.-

      I'm afraid, Dr. Freud, that, as usual, you're wrong. I just feel that a woman should always attempt to look her best, to appear more presentable, which is what I always endeavor to do, and, mind you, it has nothing to do with me trying to keep Marvin horny. He's a sex fiend I tell you and you must help me find a way to cope with his lustfulness.

      And as I've told you repeatedly, Mrs. Rabinowitz, your husband is not a sex fiend. He's just a normal human being. You've got to come to terms with that!

      Dr. Freud; you're no help at all. What I cannot understand, however, is why you always side with that husband of mine? You men are all alike!

      Chuckling, Dr. Freud said, Mrs. Rabinowitz, now you're not being fair. The trouble you and I have regarding your husband's libido, -- which we've had for years -- is that you won't let me help you; you never take my counseling seriously. We've been having the same dialogue about Marvin's aphrodisia ever since your very first visit with me. He paused a moment, and then smiling capriciously, he added, Incidentally, Mrs. Rabinowitz, how many years have you been coming to see me? No sooner did the question drop from his lips than the doctor was sorry ... for he suddenly recalled that she began seeing him a few days after her son, Roger, was accidentally killed in a bank robbery. And he knew how bad she would feel if she started talking about that again. It had taken years for him to get her from always talking about her son's incomprehensible death by policemen's bullets to always talking about sex, which was in his mind the better of her two detrimental problems. Regardless, he held his breath as he waited for her to answer.

      More years than I care to remember, thank you,

      Mrs. Rabinowitz said haughtily. And, yet, after all this time you still haven't been able to help me. Either you simply don't understand me, or you just don't care to help me; that's all there's to it. Frowning, she said, I don't know why I keep coming to see you?

      Now let's be fair, Mrs. Rabinowtiz...every time I propose that you see another psychiatrist you refuse. However, if you had gone to someone else I'm sure he would have told you the same thing I've been telling you for years...that you're not being fair either to yourself or to your husband when you complain about his sexual appetite; that perhaps seeing a marriage counselor would be far more appropriate in your case than continuing to seek help from a psychiatrist. But you won't listen: You say that I don't understand your problem; well, we still have a few minutes left in this session, so why don't you try to explain it to me again; tell me exactly what it is that I don't understand about it.

      Sighing deeply, Mrs. Rabinowitz said, I'll be happy to, Dr. Freud, however, that booming cackling I hear coming from your front office is a bit distracting. Smiling slyly, she added, However, the only reason it's annoying me, doctor, is because I can't make out what those women are laughing so uproariously about.

      I'm sorry Mrs. Rabinowitz, and I apologize for the noise; I realize what a terrible disturbance it is; nevertheless, I wonder why my receptionist hasn't done something about it? But I'll soon get to the bottom of it. Now please excuse me a moment while I put a stop to that confounded cackling. The doctor left quickly and went to the reception room where he saw three elderly, albeit very attractive women, laughing their heads off and doing so at the top of their lungs. 'Poor devils,' he thought, 'it's apparent they need help.' Wrinkle-browed, and looking sternly at the women, he said, What's going on here? Have you women no respect for those around you? Don't you realize this is a doctor's office?

      The women stopped their cacophonous tittering and immediately began mumbling apologies to the doctor. One of them said, We're sorry, doctor, but I'm afraid we got carried away with ourselves. We didn't realize that our exuberant reaction to the humorous conversation we were having was being heard throughout the building and disturbing your patients. We're truly very sorry.

      Forcing a smile, the doctor said, Your apologies are accepted; but please, no more of that cackling. Then, as an afterthought, he added, I'm Dr. Freud; are you women here to see me?

      Yes, one of the three women said. My name's Loralee Stickel, and my appointment with you is for three o'clock. My friends have appointments with you as well but they're for later in the week."

      I see; well, in that case has my receptionist given each of you a questionnaire to fill out? After the women nodded, the doctor said, Incidentally, where in the world is that receptionist of mine?"

      Simpering, and with a slight sarcastic tone to her voice, Miss Stickel said, It wasn't our cackling that drove her away, doctor; she just stepped out of the office to get something from her car.

      The doctor didn't miss the sarcasm but simply acknowledged the comment with a nod; then, as he looked at his watch, he said, I'm sorry I'm running a bit late, Miss Stickel, but I'll see you in a few minutes. In the meantime, ladies, emphasizing the word derisively, "make sure you fill out the questionnaire properly, and please, no more of your boisterous cackling. You may find it enjoyable but it's very annoying to my patients. The doctor, forcing a smile, nodded to the women and then turned on his heels and left, leaving the women impressed, not by his stem reproach but by his virile good looks.

      When the doctor returned to the lavender room and was once again with Mrs. Rabinowitz, he said, I'm sorry about the interruption but 1 don't think we'll be hearing any more of that ridiculous cackling; at least 1 hope not. Clearing his throat, he said, Now Mrs. Rabinowitz…where were we?

      We were being delightfully serenaded by women that were laughing in your front office, and it was obvious, doctor, that those women were tickled pink about something. And why were they so elated? Because unlike yours truly, Dr. Freud, they probably don't have a sex fiend around the house constantly drooling all over them for sex, which brings us to Marvin! And smiling sardonically, she added, And because after all these years you haven't been able to thoroughly understand the trouble I'm having with his carnal passion, you wanted me to explain it all to you again. So here it is, doctor, and 1 fervently hope 1 get through to you this time, She took a deep breath and said, I believe I've told you this before, nevertheless, 1 feel that it warrants repeating: 1 had my breasts enhanced, a tummy-tuck, and a face lift, and 1 only did it because 1 feel it's a woman's right to make herself as attractive as she can, and 1 didn't do it to arouse my husband's libido. However, did he appreciate the trouble I went through to have that all done? No! All that did was give him an excuse to have matinees, and now it's all 1 can do to keep him off me during the days as well. So now, doctor, it's no longer just night after night after night, but also hour after hour after hour. Mrs. Rabinowitz looked superciliously at the doctor and said, I trust that you now understand what I'm constantly subjected to.

      Dr. Freud looked pensively at his patient for quite some time without saying a word, and then after sighing deeply, he said, affectionately, Dear Mrs. Rabinowitz, here we are again back at square one. As 1 told you so many times before, the reason you had your breasts enhanced, your tummy tucked, and your face lifted was to keep your husband interested in you sexually as you grew older...and it worked...evidently beyond your wildest expectations, which, whether you admit it or not, is what you wanted. And then, pretending to be frustrated, he added, So stop kidding yourself that you're not happy about it! Mrs. Rabinowitz; you're eighty years old for crying out loud, and your husband's even older...so go horne and enjoy the wonderful sex life you two have with one another while you still can, and for God's sake stop bitching to me about it

      Looking at the doctor contemptuously, Mrs. Rabinowitz said, You never had sex with Marvin so you don't know what in the world you're talking about. She then got up from the couch, straightened out her clothing and started for the door. When she got there she smiled sweetly at the doctor and said, Son, I'll see you next week, perhaps by then you'll have found a way to help me. Smiling sweetly at the doctor again, she added haughtily, Have a very pleasant day, doctor. With that, swinging her hips sensuously, she sashayed out of the room.

      The doctor, smiling sheepishly, uttered a goodbye.

      When Mrs. Rabinowitz was gone he lamented softly to himself, 'Poor woman! She called me son again. No matter how much she talks about sex, it's obvious she's never gotten over her son's unexplainable death. I only wish I could do more to help her.'

      Feeling somewhat dispirited as thoughts of Mrs. Rabinowitz continued to haunt him; the doctor left the lavender room and went to his office. He knew he was running late for his next appointment but he wanted a minute to freshen up a bit before seeing his next patient. However, no sooner did he sit down at his desk than his receptionist called. Doctor, she said, there are two detectives here asking to see you."

      Are they the same ones that were here the other day?

      No, but they're just as arrogant.

      Well, arrogant or not, tell them I'm busy; have them come back at six when I'll be through with my last patient for the day.

      I tried, doctor; in fact, that's exactly what I told them, but they're adamant; they don't intend to leave.

      The doctor thought a moment and then he said, All right, escort them here but before you do please apologize to

      Miss Stickel; tell her I'm sorry I'm running late but that I'll be with her as soon as I can."

      The doctor knew exactly why the detectives had come to see him: Frank Bosworth.

      Frank Bosworth had been a patient of his only a few months when he was brutally murdered, and the doctor knew that the detectives were there to see him hoping he would furnish them with some vital information about him. 'Damn it,' he said to himself, 'they should know better than to ask me what was said between us.' Nevertheless, as he thought about Frank Bosworth, he couldn't help but recall the first few minutes of his initial session with him:

      All right, Mr. Bosworth, since this is our first session together my question to you is...why are you here?

      There are two reasons why I'm here, Doc. The first is that since you're known to be a pretty good psychiatrist with a respected reputation, I felt you could be of service to me. And the second reason is...

      Wait a minute, Mr. Bosworth; I don't mean to interrupt you but you've lost me there. I didn't quite understand what you meant by saying that I could be of service to you? I'm a psychiatrist and I'm here to help you eradicate any problems you may have with something that's troubling you. If that's what you meant by my being of service to you...fine... otherwise I don't think you understand what my job is here and perhaps we should part company.

      Now you listen to me, Doc, and you listen good. I'm not here to play games with you, so I'm going to tell you what's what. I'm sure you've read in the papers about the murders that were committed by this guy Charles Ebbing, who claimed to be my partner, which he ain't and never was my partner. Anyway, the cops got lucky and they nabbed me, but Charles, the son of a bitch, he got away. However, the only thing they got me on was on a battery charge. Chuckling, he added, I beat this guy up so bad he almost croaked. Regardless, I'm sure you read about it in the papers or saw something about it on TV, right?

      As a matter of fact, I have. But exactly what does that have to do with why you're here?

      That's what I'm getting at, Doc. Right now I'm out on bail and my case on that battery charge won't be coming up for a couple of months so I'm here with you today and will be with you until my case comes up in court. And that’s because my lawyer feels that if I spend a little time with you, supposedly for being treated for what ails me, he could paint a picture of me to the jury as a guy who's sorry for what he's done to that poor little jerk, and who has been voluntarily seeking help from a psychiatrist. And he intends to put you on the stand to vouch how well I'm doing. And with your reputation, doctor, I may not be acquitted of the charge altogether, but I'm sure my sentence won't be as severe. Get it?

      Now you listen to me carefully, Mr. Bosworth; perhaps in your lawyer's mind that may appear like a good ploy to get you a reduced sentence but I'm afraid I can't go along with it. I'm sorry. I suggest you find someone else to help you with that ridiculous gambit.

      However, as the doctor got up from his armchair as an indication that the session was over, Frank Bosworth grabbed him by the throat, and as the expression on his face metamorphosed, leaving it without any redeeming qualities, he said, Doc, I'm afraid you didn't hear me so good...so I'll make my sermon a little easier for you to understand. I'm not asking you to go along with this little charade my lawyer wants you to partake in...1'M TELLING YOU! And then as he took his hand from the doctor's throat, he added, Let me put it to you another way, Doc, so that it will be easier for you to understand: I've killed two people, but the police couldn't get enough evidence to convict me of those murders; all they could get me on was this battery charge 1 told you about...so, even if you don't stand up for me in court, the most 1 could get is three to five, which 1 can do on one leg as the saying goes... and with good behavior 1 can be out in two, maybe even less time that that. Do you know what that means, Doc? It means that when 1 get out of the joint your ass won't be worth shit. Now do you get it?

      The doctor stared at Frank Bosworth and the expression he saw on his face was so frightening that he felt if looks could kill he'd be dead already. Nevertheless, the doctor, aware that he was not a brave man, sat down quietly in his armchair again, and, as he did, he said, diffidently, 'And what was the second reason you've come to see me about, Mr. Bosworth?'

      That fleeting thought of his first encounter with Frank Bosworth left the doctor in a cold sweat; it

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