A Diet of Worms

About the Book

It is the early 1990s and the Reverend Rominecks, a young Evangelist preacher, is successfully running a ministry, which has attracted many of the wealthiest members of the New York suburban community.  He has dreams for bigger things and no means to do anything about them.  One day, his accountant, who has been plodding away for twelve years by his side and who has no thoughts or interest concerning religion, has a bright idea: to franchise their operation.

After much work, some failures, and many successes, they win fame and fortune.  Along the way, they get a helping hand from some of their congregants, such as Max Hesburgh, CEO of HRE, one of the largest business conglomerates in the world, and his teenaged computer whiz of a granddaughter, Carlene: Henry Rose, chairman of Albion Industries; and Frank Valwa, head of Gallic Imports.  Ted Szell, the accountant, enlists the help of his spectacularly beautiful sister, Connie Wimpina, who adds her own twist to the whole operation; and E. Rasmussen, who takes charge of computer operations.

Before long, the Reverend Rominecks finds himself traveling all over the U.S., and eventually the world, like a modern-day Saint Paul, spreading the good word of their franchise.

With the help of some of their acquaintances, The Holy Gates becomes a pioneer in the world of on-line computer technology and virtual reality, which has many interesting and unexpected ramifications, including electronic healings and virtual apparitions,

With success comes dissension and internal wrangling and, eventually, a breaking away by some of the franchises, led by Lew Thurmond and later Cal Johnson, who start their own rival franchise operations.  How our friends, under the influence of the irrepressible Carlene, cope with the revolt in the ranks and finally prevail marks a turning point in the history of the franchise operation.

Part I of this story follows the birth, development, and growth of this wondrous enterprise, up to the point where some franchise-holders break away and form their own franchise operations.   At the end of Part I, Ted Szell is busy expanding the offerings and contemplating a worldwide ministry while fighting off the heretics within.

About the Author

Alan Keith was born in England, grew up in Spain, and settled in the U.S., having lived just outside New York City for the past forty years, since graduation from Williams College and a stint as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. He is married and has children and grandchildren all over. He has made his living all this time doing things with computers, always hoping to get up the energy to settle down to writing. Maybe he will.