Each day-to-day purchase would be transacted by the smart-cash card, which carried a limited renewable balance. Once the balance was drawn down, there could be no further purchases with the card unless government computers cleared the account for replenishment. Haddad persuaded the Parliament of the Union for Peace to make the use of gold, silver, or paper currency illegal. To trade in any way or by any means except that prescribed by law was punishable—by death.

As the technology improved, the danger of losing one’s cash card was obviated. A small microchip tattoo on the back of the hand carried all the same information found on the card and was essentially theft-proof.

In his elaborate plans for the opening ceremonies of the world capital at Babylon, the bishop planned to dedicate the great Temple of Eternal Peace and the statue it contained. The statue would then call for the creation of a new world monetary system. The people would be told that it was for the purpose of eliminating greed, ensuring a fair division of labor, reasonable profits, and doing away with crime, especially in the narcotics trade.

And, he thought, there will be one more thing: Only those who are willing to swear allegiance to the president of the Union for Peace will be eligible to receive the computer tattoo. Without registration, their bank accounts, brokerage accounts, pension funds, insurance policies, and Social Security would be frozen. Without registration, wages could not be credited from an employer to the account of an employee. People could work, but they could not be paid for their work.

With no credit, it would be impossible to pay real estate or personal property taxes. Therefore, the property of those not officially registered would, within a short time, be forfeited to the government. In short, absolute compliance with government directives and procedures was obligatory. No one could refuse to cooperate.

With this move, suddenly the wealth of the world was under his control. Tauriq Haddad knew that the instinctive need for survival and the love of money would quickly overcome any doubts about the allegiance of the people to the god-man, Mark Beaulieu.

BEFORE LEAVING WASHINGTON to take up residence in his new capital, President Mark Beaulieu called his cabinet and top aides together.

“My very dear friends,” he began, “I’m leaving Washington for the great capital of the Union for Peace in Babylon. But before I go, I want you to know that you and your spouses, or you and a special friend of your choosing, will be my personal guests for the opening ceremonies. I am planning a fortnight of festivities that none of you will ever forget. The White House travel office will put together all the details for our entourage. Then you will be flown on one of my private aircraft from Andrews Air Force Base. You will stay at my personal palace.”