Lehal Library

Desperate people do desperate things - such as consulting psychics - even some Presidents whose interactions with seers are documented, In this somewhat less than open manner began a chain of mind^ boggling affairs which excited me on the one hand, yet ultimately made me QUIVER as if I suddenly found myself standing between two realities neither of which seem quite real. As it turned out, in spite of the alleged urgency, the mysterious Mr. Axelrod did not telephone until about four weeks later. And when he did, it was about three in the morning. The call jolted me out of a sound sleep, so, of course, at first I didn't quite remember who he was. After we got that straightened out, he asked: "Can you get to Washington by noon today? I realize this is short notice, but we would be very appreciative if you can. We will reimburse you for your time and all your expenses." I was just about to ask why I should get to Washington by noon, when I remembered ^ that my friend had been very insistent that I not ask questions. So, I said I would take the air-shuttle or something, "Good," Mr- Axelrod said, "but we cannot meet you at the airport, Are you familiar with the Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian?" I said I was. "Good," he replied. "As soon as you arrive, go there and stand near the elephant in the central rotunda. Be there at noon. You will be contacted. Just do exactly as your contacts asks. My only requirement is that you tell no one where you are going. If you feel you cannot do that, please say so now and we will forget about this." I sat in silence. "Is that OK with you?" he asked. "Yes, I suppose so." But I couldn't resist one question, which seemed a logical one. "How will I recognize who is supposed to contact me?" "Boat worry. We know what YOU look like." And Mr. Axelrod then hung up without so much as a good-bye. I got out of bed, made some coffee, chain-smoked some cigars, and sat contemplating the noisy darkness outside my windows (New York City is always noisy,} I was beginning not to like this at all, and were it not for my highly -placed acquaintance in Washington, whom I respected, I am quite sure I would have decided the whole affair had suddenly become too questionable to proceed with, The world, back in 1975, it should be remembered, was in the grips of the Cold War, My research colleagues at Stanford Research Institute and I had speculated that the Soviet KGB would naturally be interested in what we were doing. And in our more dramatic considerations of this possibility, it was even speculated that one of us might get kidnapped or worse by that infamous, but very Smart organization.