93.
   A deafening howl shattered our meditation. “The Jews are returning to Israel!”

A bare assed preacher as big as a tank fell out of the night onto the balloon. “The Anti- Christ is among us!” His hair was electric yellow. His skin was purple, his eyes red. “Eternal torment and agony will befall all who follow him! We welcome Armageddon and hasten its divine justice!”

   The balloon creaked and groaned. The basket lurched. “Death and eternal damnation to the non-believers! Only the chosen few will escape the eternal jaws of hell and rise up in the Rapture to the righteousness of Jesus!”
   A huge, clammy hand stretched out at us. “The true believers will reside with Christ in Heaven!” We were pulled from each other’s arms. “The antichrist will rule until Jesus destroys him and the world forever!”
   The dogs and I were thrown from the balloon. “Rejoice, for the end of the world is nigh!”
   As I fell, I saw Claudia reaching for me. The balloon collapsed under the weight of the raging lunatic. She disappeared under the canopy.
   I blacked out.