2012 Catastrophe - A Who Dunnit by Sherlock Holmes

A meeting between Dr. Watson and Mr. Sherlocktheir dirty work for them. No, we haven't named
Holmes, Esquire.our man yet. Let's keep digging through that list
Watson: (Gazing past his open newspaper, talkingof yours, shall we?
to Holmes) Who is behind this 12-21-2012 End ofWatson: Good heavens! All this thinking makes my
the World craze? And Why? Why have theyhead hurt. I wish this were simple? Blast it all!
begun hyping three years out? How did they getVery well. Our third one would be the Prophets
so well-orchestrated? It is obviously someoneand Fortune Tellers. They come in all stripes and
with a lot of money and a grandiose agenda.colors, you know. There are Catholics, Muslims,
They are doing a masterful job of swaying theHindus, and everything in between. There are
masses into fearing December 21, 2012. Now whomen, and there are women. There never seems
do you suppose it could be? (pretend that weto be a lack of these self-proclaimed visionaries.
have some suspenseful music playing in theThey each have a small spattering of a following.
background, almost ominous). We need your helpSome have their own websites too. I say,
now more than ever, Mr. Holmes.Holmes. Aren't you even listening to me? (Holmes
Sherlock: (busy with some scientific experiment)had unconsciously been shaking his head
Let's go through the usual list of suspects, try tonegatively and making a look of disgust).
think of all the possible motives, and see if weSherlock: No, no, no. All wrong.
can't come up with a few possibilities.Watson: All wrong? What is all wrong?
Watson: Right-o! Let's start with the Bible-BelievingSherlock: The whole picture. Don't you see? All of
Christians. Usually it's the Bible bunch wanting tothem agreeing! All having the same date. No.
see the Lord come back and unleash His righteousTotally out of character. Where is the individuality?
indignation upon the wicked. In years gone by wellWhere is the credit for the prediction? None can
meaning but misguided Christians have set datestake the credit! How completely unprofessional. No
for the second coming of Christ. Could it be themself-respecting fortune teller or prophet would
again? Maybe their zeal and excitement has gotagree with another. It's counter productive. Bad
the best of them, due to the fact that they wantfor business.
the Lord to come. They have always been wrongWatson: You mean they all would disagree on
in the past, you know. Is it them?purpose because they otherwise would be less
Sherlock: My dear Watson, the glaring absence ofthan authentic?
any Bible-believing groups promoting 2012Sherlock: Precisely, my good man. Well said. Well
removes them from our list completely. At thissaid. Shall we consult your list once more?
point, none of them are selling their homes andWatson: My dear friend, I only have one last
moving up in the hills, waiting for the Lord tosuspect. To be honest, I put them at the bottom,
come. And honestly, if it was the Bible-believingfor I didn't really suspect them at all, but some
Christians behind all this, everyone would laughhave suggested they be considered.
them to scorn. Think clearly now my good man:Sherlock: Quit balking and out with it then. Cat got
1) They wouldn't have enough money to make ityour tongue?
look so convincing.Watson: (ashamedly, quite timidly) The New Age
2) They wouldn't be so organized and unified. (aMovement and the New World Order.
snicker escapes his lips)Sherlock: What's that you say?! (in whispered tone
3) They wouldn't be given nearly as muchnow) Tell me. Why would anyone suspect them?
publicity.Watson: I saw it on the internet. Silly isn't it?
To be sure, we are still 3 years away, but if itAbsurd. Preposterous. If you ask me, it couldn't
were the Christians behind all this, the mediabe them in a million years. Really!
would be mocking them incessantly. No, it isn't theSherlock: (after long silence) Not so fast. Hmm.
Christians.You may be on to something there, old boy. Yes!
Watson: Quite so. Quite so. Dash it all. It is alwaysThat's it! You have just given us the men, the
so gratifying to blame the Bible-thumpers.means, and most importantly, the motive.
Confound it. Ah well, let's move on down our list,Watson: I say! Me? But how? Who? Explain
shall we. Number 2 Would be the Sensationalists.yourself won't you?
You know who I mean don't you Holmes? ThoseSherlock: Delighted. (Holmes stands to his feet and
who profit off of any big event. Namely, thestrides across the room deep in thought).
news media, such as newspapers, radio, television,1) Some cataclysmic event occurs.
movie makers, etc. And then there are the2) The New Age Movement and the New World
T-shirt manufacturers, website builders, basically allOrder unite to usher in a new world leader
your "promotional" people. What do you think(otherwise known as the antichrist)
Holmes? Could these guys be the culprits? I say.3) The governments of the world cede power to
Sherlock: Hmm (puffing on his curly pipe). You arehim, for to refuse would mean annihilation. And
getting closer, but I don't think you've hit it yet.there you have it. All this Mayan poppycock is
(pause) No, these are not the people responsible.just a set-up for power-hungry ambitious tyrants
They are merely profiting from the big event.to steal our freedoms!
Like the guys selling watches and umbrellas, capsWatson: Good Havens, man! Are you sure? Not
and t-shirts at sports stadiums. To be sure, theyour sovereignty!?
are profiting, but they lack a motive. (HolmesSherlock: Quite sure. Thus, the tried and true
stares off into the distance). You see, my dearprophecies of the Bible are completely and
fellow, these are the pawns being used to hockexactly fulfilled, wherein none other than the
the "stuff" on the street. They are the "front".Antichrist himself is enthroned. You see, no one
Behind them, hiding somewhere, sinister,else has the manpower, the means, or the
methodically plotting some devious scheme is ourmotive to create such a crisis.
real perpetrator.Watson: Phenomenal! Amazing! But how did you
Watson: I say old man. Are you sure?figure it out Holmes!
Sherlock: Without a doubt, old chap. These criminalSherlock: Elementary, my dear Watson.
types always get some unsuspecting dupe to doElementary!