Ceremony

The crowd is silent and meditative. Three Vestal Virgins walk the golden strand of carpet toward the temple doors, swinging censers. Between the temple and crowd is a profound pit where flames are seen to rise.

When they reach the doors, the one in the center knocks a round knocker with lions carved into its silver. After the knocking, the doors open to seven Vestal Virgins within, one with a crystal tiara. The three at the door hand the censers to three of the seven inside. One of the three at the door then opens her gown, and takes out a bundle of sage and cannabis. She lights the end of the bundle aflame, then hands it to the Vestal Virgin with the crystal tiara.

*

When David Koresh was surrounded by the hordes of Babylon, he took a shit in a bowl. He said to his disciples, "Take. Eat. This is my body, which is given up for you." His disciples each took a little bite, passing the bowl from man to man. One man wanted more than a single bite, more than a ritualistic little spoonful.

*

The seven Vestal Virgins proceed into the temple, pausing every three steps and letting smoke fill the area before continuing. The walls are painted with a number of scenes: a little boy dancing on a table where men and women are drinking and merry; a great testicle with a crowd bowing before it and offering up their lives; a giant penis being offered gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The Vestal Virgins within the temple carry the offerings to their god, who sits upon a throne in the center of the temple: it is David Koresh. They lay the smoking incense and plants before him, and one by one they come and whisper in his ear, offering up their virginities in ritual, and in ritual he refuses them. They then accompany him toward the door.

*

When David Koresh and his followers were surrounded by the hordes of Rome, he pissed into a cup, and said to his disciples, "Take. Drink. This is my blood, which is poured out for you." The disciples each took a tiny sip. One man wanted to guzzle down the whole cup, wanted more than a ceremonial sip.

*

He walks in their center out to the crowd, joining the three virgins outside, to the edge of the flaming pit. The Vestal Virgins line up before the pit. They each say in loud voices before the pit, "As the first was lifted up, the second shall go down," then drop themselves into the pit. All ten of them do this, then David Koresh stands at the edge of the pit. He suddenly seems desperate. He trembles, says the words, "As the first was lifted up, the second shall go down," then pauses at the edge of the pit, shaking and afraid.

End