A1 Steak Sauce Case Study

A1 Steak Sauce Case Study Chef Brookes of England originally created A1 Steak Sauce in 1824. He was chef to King George IV of England with his partner Chef Henderson Brand. Legend has it the king was so delighted with the sauce that he declared it A1 and thus the name was born (Kerin Peterson, 2010). In 1830, Chef Brand stole the recipe from Chef Brookes and began commercial production under the Brand Co. label in 1831 (Wikipedia, 2011). Today, A1 Steak Sauce is owned and manufactured by Kraft Foods (Kerin Peterson). It is the leader in the steak sauce category with a 54 percent dollar share and 46 percent volume share (Kerin Peterson, 2010). It has high brand awareness and asserts, Nine out of ten steak houses serve A1 (Kerin Peterson, 2010). This case will provide a summary and analysis of A1 Steak Sauce with an emphasis on pricing strategies as well as an assessment of the companys strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Problem Identification Summer holidays such as Memorial Day and Forth of July are essential for steak sauce brands because this is when a significant percentage of products are sold. Approximately 10 percent of A1 Steak Sauce volume is sold during each holiday week (Kein Peterson, 2010). During these holidays, advertising competition is intense because retailers support only one brand in a particular category during a promotional week (Kerin Peterson, 2010). Lawrys, a direct competitor to A1, is promoting a new steak sauce product beginning April 2003 (Kerin Peterson, 2010). They want to aggressively advertise the new product with Publix on Memorial Day (Kerin Peterson, 2010). Publix is the largest grocery store chain in the United States (Kerin Peterson, 2010). A1 usually advertises with Publix on Memorial Day because this results in a majority of product sale. If Lawrys is allowed to advertise with Publix, then A1 will not meet its 2003 fiscal profit target. Chuck Smith, senior brand manager for A1, scheduled a meeting with his business team to assess the situation and formulate a plan (Kerin Peterson, 2010). They will discuss marketing and pricing strategies in response to Lawrys new product introduction. A1 wants to retain position as market leader in the steak sauce category. Case Analysis Kraft Foods is the largest food company in the United States and the second largest food company in the world (Kerin Peterson, 2010). Kraft Foods has a portfolio of 67 major brands, each with over $100 million in annual sales (Kerin Peterson). Their portfolio includes categories such as coffee, frozen pizza, cheese, candy, cereal, mayonnaise, and barbecue sauce (Kerin Peterson, 2010). Kraft Foods direct competitors include Unilever, General Mills, PepsiCo, and Nestle (Kerin Peterson, 2010). Unilever is the largest consumer product company in the world, which owns and manufactures Lawrys (Kerin Peterson, 2010). Kraft Foods and Unilever aggressively compete in several food categories such as salad dressings, mayonnaise, and marinades (Kerin Peterson, 2010). Unilever has $50 billion in sales annually (Kerin Peterson, 2010). The company portfolio includes products such as Dove, Slim-Fast, Vaseline, Close-Up, Breyers, and Axe (Unilever, 2011). The companys financial goal is for 200 of their brands to have $1 billion in annual sales (Kerin Peterson, 2010). Although Unilevers revenue is $18,547 million more than Kraft Foods, their income after taxes is $957 million less than Kraft Foods (Kerin Peterson, 2010). Kraft Foods spends 15 percent of operating revenue on advertising (Kerin Peterson, 2010). A1 advertising focuses on television spots running throughout the year (Kerin Peterson, 2010). Customer promotions make up five percent of operating revenue (Kerin Peterson, 2010). In addition, A1 supports a partnership with beef producers (Kerin Peterson, 2010). Retail margins are 30 percent for all A1 flavors (Kerin Peterson, 2010). A1 has increased its price over the years and has a gross profit margin of 83 percent (Kerin Peterson, 2010). Ten percent of revenue goes towards in-store promotional efforts and trade promotions (Kerin Peterson, 2010). The retail price for A1 Steak Sauce is $4.99 for a 10-ounce bottle (Kerin Peterson, 2010). The A1 line includes a number of flavors, which are original, sweet tangy, bold spicy, thick hearty, and smoky mesquite (Kerin Peterson, 2010). The majority of sales are made of A1 original flavor (Kerin Peterson, 2010). The retail price for Lawrys Steak Sauce is $3.99 for an 11-ounce bottle (Kerin Peterson, 2010). However, Lawrys is not A1s biggest competitor. The retail price for A1s biggest competitor, Heinz 57, is $4.79 for a 10-ounce bottle but the product is different in taste and appearance (Appendix A). Heinz does not market directly against A1; instead, they advertise a multifaceted brand message (Kerin Peterson, 2010). Lawrys Steak Sauce will place enormous marketing weight to promote its new product (Kerin Peterson, 2010). The company will allocate $20 million on advertising during the summer months (Kerin Peterson, 2010). Although Lawrys shelf pricing is significantly lower than A1 and Heinz, loyalty in steak sauce brand is high with limited competition (Kerin Peterson, 2010). Identifying the Root Problem Components A1 Steak Sauce has several issues that will affect marketing and pricing strategies. The issues are brand awareness, pricing strategies, product promotions, financial allocation for advertising, and fiscal profit margins. First, A1 Steak Sauce is the best selling brand in the category. It is the original steak sauce in the industry, which is dominated by a few competitors. The company holds 54 percent of the steak sauce in dollars (Kerin Peterson, 2010). The remaining competitors make up 46 percent of steak sauce dollars divided between them. Introduction of Lawrys may reduce A1s percentage instead of the remaining competitors percentage. Second, Publix may let Lawrys advertise on Memorial Day. Lawrys will offer a two-for-$5 promotional price point (Kerin Peterson, 2010). If Lawrys enters into an alliance with Publix, then revenue of A1 Steak sauce will significantly decrease. A1 sells about 10 percent of volume on Memorial Day weekend (Kerin Peterson, 2010). Third, it is standard practice that manufacturers cover the cost of in-store price reductions in order for retailers to keep their margins constant on a percentage basis (Kerin Peterson, 2010). Price matching is an option but will significantly decrease profit margins. In addition, existing customers may hold out purchasing A1 until the price drops again. Evaluation of Alternatives A1 Steak Sauce has several alternatives to evaluate, which are categorized as offensive or defensive strategies. Offensive strategies include encirclement, flanking maneuver, or frontal assault. Defensive strategies include decreasing the incentive for attack or increasing structural barriers. In addition, the company can formulate a novel marketing concept in reply to Lawrys. First, encirclement may immerse Lawrys with product availability, strategic pricing, and variety of flavors. Second, a flanking maneuver will attack Lawrys weakest area and capitalize from the strategy. Third, a frontal assault will cause A1 to price match and copy the promotions of Lawrys. A risky maneuver is to decrease the incentive for attack. A1 Steak Sauce will considerably drop its prices, which will slash Lawrys prospects of future revenue. However, it will decrease A1s prospects of future revenue as well. Increasing structural barriers will retard Lawrys marketing and advertising strategies. A1 Steak Sauce can enter into formal agreements with distributers and suppliers or be involved in backward vertical integration. A1 will try to decrease costs by increasing scale economies. The company can introduce new products into the market, which will arrest entry by competitors. A1 Steak Sauce can negotiate ideal shelf placement and sustain a greater percentage of space in the steak sauce category. The company can procure end cap displays, specifically near the meat and beef aisles. In addition, the company can collaborate with major restaurant chains to place A1 on every table and include it in the ingredients list. Consumers who are indifferent to steak sauce brand may purchase based on price alone. Acquiring new consumers will be financially advantageous because of loyalty to their brand. A1 Steak Sauce can offer samples of steak sauce in supermarket kiosks. Capturing the palate of new consumers through samples can result in longitudinal sales. SWOT Analysis (S)trengths A1 Steak Sauces high quality and brand awareness distinguishes it from the competition, which is limited to Heinz 57, Lawrys, and various private label brands. The company enjoys the largest percentage of market share in the steak sauce industry. A1 holds the title of being the original steak sauce in the industry. Consumers highly associate A1 with barbeque foods such as steak. Nine out of ten steak houses serve A1 (Kerin Peterson, 2010). (W)eaknesses A1 Steak Sauce is strongly associated with steak and not other meats. This makes brand extension difficult. Past efforts in brand extension were unsuccessful. A1 is used during meals that include hamburger and steak, which is infrequent. Combined with a small serving size, a bottle of A1 will last a considerable amount of time. (O)pportunities A1 Steak Sauce can strategically market and advertise during television cooking programs. There are dozens of cooking shows in addition to a television network. Forming partnerships with television shows will be paramount in successful brand awareness. A1 is available worldwide. The company can market and advertise in other countries and languages. This will guarantee brand awareness at an international level. (T)hreats A1 Steak Sauces most immediate threat is the introduction of Lawrys. A1 does not want to be runner-up on Memorial Day advertising. Lawrys offers an 11-ounce bottle of steak sauce for $3.99 compared to A1s 10-ounce bottle for $4.99. If beef prices continue to rise, consumers will be price-conscious on related condiments. Recommendation A1 Steak Sauce has a competitive advantage due to large profit margins, brand awareness, and availability at retail stores and restaurants. The large profit margin allows A1 to adjust their pricing strategies during the summer holidays. However, price matching can be sabotaging because existing consumers may hold out to purchase until the prices drop. Effective pricing strategies are essential for attracting new consumers to the A1 Steak Sauce brand. The company should advertise to new consumers because these individuals are more likely to purchase other brands. Offering a bundled package with meats will keep profit margins high and add to the appeal of a premier product. A core competency is A1s ability to have a recognized and distinguished brand position. Existing consumers are not likely to switch brands on one of the biggest grilling days of the year. Existing consumers enjoy the flavor of A1 and, therefore, will be skeptical experimenting with other brands. New consumers may purchase a steak sauce brand based solely on the lowest price. Capturing the palate of new consumers will be possible by offering samples of A1 Steak Sauce prior to the summer holidays. A1 has strong sustained relationships with retail stores and restaurants. This gives A1 priority in advertising during the summer holidays. In addition, if Lawrys advertises on Memorial Day but does not have expected sales, then retail stores will lose revenue as well. A1 Steak Sauce is the leading brand in the industry. The company can price it higher than its competitors due to its high quality and brand awareness. Decreasing the price will reduce the perception of quality, which is paramount to the brand.

The Psychological Effects of War Exposed in The Sniper by Liam O’Flaher

The Psychological Effects of War Exposed in â€Å"The Sniper,† by Liam O’Flaherty War can destroy a man both in body and mind for the rest of his life. In â€Å"The Sniper,† Liam O’Flaherty suggests the horror of war not only by presenting its physical dangers, but also by showing its psychological effects. We are left to wonder which has the longer lasting effect—the visible physical scars or the ones on the inside?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In this story the author shows how location plays a big part in how physically dangerous a war is. Gunshots heard throughout the city are a sign of how close the fighting between the â€Å"Republicans and Free Staters†¦Ã¢â‚¬  is to innocent citizens (this is most often the case in civil war). The sniper’s positioning â€Å"on a rooftop near O’Connell Bridge† is very dangerous, for he can see everyone who enters the town, but they cannot see him. â€Å"†¦Machine guns and rifles†¦Ã¢â‚¬  are the weapons of choice in this story; very dangerous, for they are very strong guns that are â€Å"true† war weapons. As evidenced above, location plays a big part in how dangerous a war is.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Bullets, of course, are another big danger in war. The author shows with bullets how close you are to death in a war. In the event where the sniper lights his cigarette, he is twice almost killed with the â€Å"enemy† sniper’s bullets! The sniper’s own bullets are quite dangerous, too, as seen when he easily kills the tank commander and citizen woman informer. After shooting them, the â€Å"enemy† sniper sees him, and â€Å"His fore...

The World of Technical and Professional Writing Essay -- Ethics Morals

The World of Technical and Professional Writing As technical writing grows into a more common discipline, complicated questions concerning ethical standards seem to present themselves more frequently. Much of what is written by a technical writer will need to appeal to individuals of varying situational backgrounds, and in this day of intense political correctness and moral responsibility, it is important to remember the ethical and other cultural issues associated with writing for diverse groups of people. Perhaps the foremost ethical question that presents itself to technical writers revolves around the question â€Å"What makes a piece of writing acceptable to one’s audience?† On the surface, this is a seemingly uncomplicated thought. Unfortunately, however, it is one that few professional writers attempt to answer. This question can be approached by remembering that the ultimate goal of any form of writing is to spark an interest in the reader that will cause she or he to want to follow the writer’s thoughts to the end of the work. One way to ensure that the audience will remain attentive is to refrain from offending those who have expressed a desire to read your words. This issue is largely a matter of ethics and one that can harm or assist one’s career in technical writing. Alienation of one’s audience defeats the purpose of the work that accompanied the research and writing of the text in the first place. If technical writers sim ply exercise empathy and remember a few ethical and commonsensical ideas, they will find themselves far more successful in their chosen field. When examining the ethical issues involved in the rapidly growing field of technical writing, it may be helpful to beg... ...so factors a technical writer should consider, as he or she wants to be certain that what is written comes across to the audience in the spirit in which it was intended. As one can see, ethics are an integral aspect of this field. Their careful observation will certainly help to ensure the dignity of technical writers, as well as the profession itself, for many years to come. Works Cited Anderson, Paul V. â€Å"Simple Gifts: Ethical Issues in the Conduct of Person-Based Composition Research." College Composition and Communication 49.1 (1998): 63-87. Pearsall, Thomas E., Donald H. Cunningham, and Elizabeth O. Smith. How to Write for the World of Work. 6th Ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt, 2000. Pickett, Nell Ann, Ann A. Laster, and Katherine E. Staples. Teaching English: Writing, Reading and Speaking. 8th Ed. New York: Addison Wesley Longman, 2001.

Women at Work

Assignment: Article summary The article â€Å"Family Coping Strategies: Balancing Paid Employment and Domestic Labour† by Meg Luxton sheds a different view on the responsibilities laid out in family life. In today's society it's almost a necessity to have both parents working, to support a family. This fact, along with the improvement of females having independence, is the cause of the ever growing number of working women. These, along with many other statistics are showing the rapid improvement and change that woman and families are showing. Year after year we can see the dynamics of the family shifting.It is not the same anymore, that women are the housewives doing all the housework and childcare. However women still have to work to get the equality, and not have to face â€Å"The second shift† once they get home. Husbands need to start stepping up and help out. Workplaces too need to step up, in the sense that they need to try and create better working environments f or women. Unions have been formed to try to perfect benefits, and to shed light on the negative aspects they may have. This whole article shows an interesting view on family coping strategies, and gives lots for people to think about.Society's gender roles are changing significantly with the rise in the amount of women who are contributing to the yearly income of their household's. It has been proven that because women are starting to contribute to household incomes it has resulted in increased satisfaction between husbands and wives and excuses from males such as â€Å"I'm the one bringing home the money, I deserve to rest when I get home† are becoming less valid. A statistics Canada survey in 1995 stated that 64% of women who worked said it was essential for their happiness and 55% agreed that it was the best way to be independent.Females at work who are married no longer have to depend on their husbands for their needs because they are able to provide them on their own. Un like the many women who stay with their spouse in an unhappy or abusive relationship due to the resource theory which is a theory that explains how women will not leave in fear that if they do they will not be able to support themselves, most working women with a stable job will easily find the strength to leave because they are more independent.Having a job gives women a sense of control of their lives and an overall high self-esteem because they are recognized by their husbands as well as children for their work. Not only does it give women something to do, it also ensures stability in one's family income. Here are a few statistics that demonstrate the challenge of balancing paid employment and domestic labor within the family setting in Canada. This challenge arises because of the inequalities between what men and women earn in the work force and also because of the uneven distribution of chores in unpaid domestic labor.If we compare salaries in 1997, men had the higher income of the couple in 77% of Canadian families. (Globe and Mail 21 Feb. 2000). This situation has however improved since the early 60's when 70% of women in male-female couples were dependent on their spouse as the sole income provider. (Oderkirk, Silver and Prud'homme 1994. ) Also when couples divorced men's incomes raised on average 10% whereas women's income usually decreased by 23% in 1997(Toronto Star 10 April 1997).Women feel pressured to work from home or part-time because they are often expected to do most of the domestic labour and this is their way to balance the two. In 1993 they represented nearly 70% of Canadian part-time workers (Ghalam 1993). On sharing of domestic labour front, are still generally the ones to do the bulk of it although men have been more active in this part of family life since the 70's. Women are involved the most in childcare. In 1998, 80 percent of women spent more than 15 hours on childcare compared to only 49% of men (Statistics Canada 1998a).These sta tistics show some improvement in the overall equality between the work load divided between men and women in families. However women are still usually found in a position of disadvantage compared to men. The fact that women have joined the work force doesn’t seem to have impacted the way man act at home. Even though there have been many chances throughout the years on how women are seen in society and there role it, there hasn’t been much change when it comes to domestic labour. It is still very sex segregated.In the past adult man were those had the primary responsibility of earning the income for the family while the role for an adult woman was to act as the housewives whose primary responsibility was running the family home, having children and caring for its members. Yet now that women share the responsibility of bringing in the income, the logic would that man also help around the house but instead what is now happening is that women find themselves carrying out t he â€Å"double shift†, where they go to work in the morning and then they go home to cook, lean, get the kids to bed and have their things prepared for next day. Due to this inequality of household work between men and women, women find themselves at a disadvantage because they have to learn to balance both domestic labour and paid work, which results in them not putting as much effort in their job as they could, therefore they do not reach their best potential which results in lack of opportunities for them. Some workplace calls their work â€Å"family friendly†.What this means for them is: women can come at work a bit earlier and leave earlier. A few women have struggled to make workplaces more cooperative for their person lives. They have fought for maternity, parental, etc. in order to take care of their love ones. â€Å"Family friendly† workplace as well includes women taking their specific amount of â€Å"sickness days† (allowed days off) to go tak e care of their family and once those days ended, therefore will unpaid for additional days taken.Some will have three weeks off to taking care of their hospitalized husband but will be paid only one week. They are basically losing 66. 7% of their paycheck due that. Those women will have to leave their husband at home to take care of themselves and will have to go back to work due to the time allowed was only three weeks. What the employers do not know is the fact they become anxious therefore difficult to focus at work. Most workplace relies on women workers who are experienced or more skilled because it is hard to replace them.Therefore, those women are more advantaged to have more privilege than others. The time you have off at work it is very limited that women will have to sacrifice in order to balance family and paid work. Employers do not understand or ignores the fact that those women have family and the time (days off allowed) given is insufficient for them. In conclusion n owadays it’s harder to survive with only one income so both men and women have to bring an income to be able to accommodate to today’s needs.A job for women brings a sense of control to their life and independence. Although employers have given benefits to women such as maternity leave which is great because women don’t have to worry about since they will have an income coming while caring for their newborn , yet these benefits that employers give them can sometimes be seen as superficial because they know that women tend to need to leave work more often than men ( because they take care of the family) employers are most likely going to ive promotion to men or hiring men for the more important position witch leaves women in what is known as the glass ceiling where their chances of going up in their career is reduced . Women don’t only face inequality at work but they also face it at home where domestic labour is still sex segregation and women come home t o the second shift where they are expected to take care of household work. We all need to realize that women are both important in the workforce and for the childrearing therefore we should encourage them to keep doing both by giving them the proper support that they deserve.

Anna Historic and Ravensong

Ana Historic is a poetic novel about a woman named Annie who discovers Mrs. Richards, a woman of no history, in Vancouver’s civic archives. Annie becomes obsessed with the possibilities of Mrs. Richards’ life. The novel is written by Daphne Marlatt, a Canadian poet. Ravensong is a fictional novel about a seventeen year-old native girl who tries to bridge the gap between the traditional ways of her Native village and white society’s invasive new values. Ravensong is written by Lee Maracle, a First Nations writer and poet. Both of these novels have brought forth important issues pertaining to Women’s and Gender Studies such as colonialism, sexuality, fear of violence, and lesbianism. This paper will focus on the topic of sexuality and colonialism. These two novels have further educated me on many things. For example, after reading Ana Historic, I discovered that there are various narrative forms and styles other than traditional European models. Daphne Marlatt uses writing styles such as ecriture feminine; in which feminist writers â€Å"try to use their own bodies as a source for writing† (Sand 10) and gynesis, which is an â€Å"aesthetic strategy which puts gender, sexuality and maternity into public discourse† (Sand 10). I also learned how femininity is constructed in a white middle class environment through what is considered appropriate conduct for a woman (Sand 10). After reading Ravensong, I discovered that in traditional aboriginal culture, men never entered the house of single women without a man being present (Maracle 103). This novel has also taught me about the important role of Raven, the trickster who is used to dissolve the boundaries between Native and white culture (Sand 20). The novels are very different in terms of narrative styles, point-of-views, time periods, and how lesbianism and the role of nature play out in the story. Daphne Marlatt uses a postmodern narrative style, while Lee Maracle uses a combination of aboriginal and European narrative approaches. Ravensong is written from the point-of-view of a young native woman, whereas Ana Historic is written from the outlook of a white, middle-class woman. Lesbianism plays out differently in each novel. In Ana Hisotric, Annie slowly comes to terms with her sexuality and eventually realizes that she is a lesbian. In Ravensong, Stacey’s friends Rena and German Judy are a lesbian couple. The role of nature in Ravensong is indivisible from human life and landscape (Sand 20), where as in Ana Historic it is a place of comfort and cause of fear (Sand 20). Ravensong takes place in the 1950s and Ana Historic takes place mostly in the 1950s and 1870s (Mrs. Richards). Colonialism and sexuality are topics which are closely correlated. They are both about dominance, regulation, discourse and race. Sexuality is defined as the historical organization and regulation of desire and sexual practices into social identities that are constructed as if they emerge from nature (Sand 18). Daphne Marlatt and Lee Maracle deal with this subject in very different ways. In Ravensong, sexuality is associated with shame and suicide. In Ana historic, sexuality is associated with mothering and lesbianism. Colonialism is the extension of a nation’s sovereignty over territory beyond its borders by the establishment of either settle colonies or creating administrative dependencies in which native or indigenous populations are directly ruled (Patel 8). Ravensong is written from the perspective of colonized people whereas Ana Historic is written from the standpoint of the colonizers. In the novel Ana Historic, Ina’s mothering impacts Annie’s perception of sexuality. Ina taught her daughters sexuality was something to be afraid of â€Å"you taught us your fear, you taught us what you knew about a world where even uncles were not to be trusted. you grew more afraid as our sexuality came budding to the fore†¦ † (Marlatt 34). Annie tries to write herself out of the patriarchal limitations of heterosexuality that have bounded her mother Ina to a life of domesticity. She does this by freeing herself from her role as supportive house wife and re-writing her relationship with Ina (Sand 10). Annie realizes that feminine behaviour is not actually something natural and inevitable but it is rather an unnatural social construction. Annie writes â€Å"†¦ you taught me the uneasy hole in myself and how to cover it up – cover girl, the great cover-story women inherit in fashion and makeup. You taught me how i was supposed to look, the feminine act† (Marlatt 61). Annie also recognizes â€Å"the inheritance of mothers† (Maralatt 60) that passes on sexual repression from generation to generation. For instance, Ina says to Annie, â€Å"what do you know about repression? you were hardly a virgin when you married, were you? I didn’t know the first thing about sex – your grandmother simply refused to discuss it, though i begged her† (Marlatt 60). Marlatt avoids heteronormativity which is a belief and a set of cultural/institutional practices that enforce heterosexuality as dominant, essential and natural (Sand 18), by creating a sexualized lesbian relationship between Annie and her friend Zoe. While creating a life for Mrs. Richards, Annie begins to realize that she is attracted to Zoe and she writes her into the story by creating a character named Birdie Stewart. Annie writes about the sexual desire she feels for Zoe in her imagined life of Mrs. Richards, â€Å"you turn intrigued, and your body turning in its long skirt, is caught in the act, you have caught yourself turning in Birdie’s eyes† (Marlatt 109). Annie’s inherent fear of sexuality surfaces in her imagined life for Mrs. Richard. Birdie recognizes Mrs. Richards fear of her own sexual identity, she says, â€Å"but you’re afraid my dear, afraid of your own twat† (Marlatt 135). She addresses her fear of lesbian sexuality when she says â€Å"You fear what you want. ’†¦ ‘am I right, my love? † (Marlatt 139). Mrs. Richards is suddenly rushed with desire, she admits the truth of it and feels it written across her face (Marlatt 139). Annie finally gives in to her sexual desire for Zoe and the novel ends with a climatic sexual poem. Annie’s lesbian sexuality surfaces as a result of the decolonization process Marlatt inscribes for Annie and Mrs. Richards (Sand 10). In her novel Narrative Deconstructions of Gender, Caroline Rosenthal defines sexual decolonization as a debate on whether â€Å"women are colonized by compulsory heterosexuality in ways only decolonizing strategies and the practice of critical consciousness can undo† (106). Marlatt deviates from the sexual oppression of middle-class white women by revisioning a lesbian life for Mrs. Richards. The problem of the intersection of women and the oppression of the indigenous briefly surfaces in Ana Historic. While Mrs. Richards is walking through the woods she comes across two Siwash men who are simply passing by. Where they drunk?†¦ Perhaps they were furious and meant to do her harm† (Marlatt 41). The assumptions that Mrs. Richards makes about these men are related to negative stereotypes such as the â€Å"drunken squaw† that colonizers created to justify taking over Native land (Anderson 229). In the beginning of the novel Ravensong, Stacey learns that one of her white classmates, Polly, committed suicide. Polly has killed herself in response to the shame she felt about being publicly identified as having been sexually active with another boy in Stacey’s class. Stacey becomes very angry with the reactions of some of her classmates to Polly’s â€Å"lack of chastity† (Maracle 28). â€Å"She couldn’t believe how small and mean they all were. So what if Polly had a little fun last night? Big deal! † (Maracle 28) Stacey does not understand the social disapproval of Polly because in her culture sexuality is seen with humour and is openly joked about. For example, Ella the village elder asks Stacey â€Å"What you going to save me for, have another baby? † The women respond with laughter saying â€Å"Sure, why not Ella. You probably still like trying. They were on a roll, ribbing Ella about her zeal for men† (Maracle 50). Raven pushes Stacey to come to grips with the loss of her classmate by guiding her to explore Polly’s culture and history. â€Å"Wander around Polly’s insides, feel your way through decades, generations of lostness† (Marlatt 39). In doing so Stacey discovers that white culture views sexuality very differently than her own culture. She realizes that Polly had a violent home life and that white town had no support for Polly’s mother. â€Å"In the end what struck her about Judy’s narrative was the lack of support in the white community for Polly’s mom. Where was the family in all this? † (Marlatt 81) Stacey is surprised by this because in her culture sexuality is natural, a part of everyday life. â€Å"People love, laugh and have babies† (Marlattt 71). In her thesis Rebelling against discourses of denial and destruction, Rachel Deutsch writes that â€Å"in European ideology, sexuality and sexual acts, especially involving women, were seen as deviant† (30). This ideology starts to influence Stacey to reject some aspects of her own culture such as the anger and disgust she feels towards her mother for wanting to remain sexual after the death of her husband. In Kim Anderson’s article, The construction of a Negative Identity, she states that colonizers created a negative sexual identity for Native women in order to justify â€Å"taking over Indian land† (229). The â€Å"dirty squaw† image made it easier to â€Å"cover up the reality of Native women who were merely struggling with the increasingly inhuman conditions on reserve† (Anderson 231). This negative sexual identity presents itself in the novel when Stacey talks about the racism she experiences at school. â€Å"A few of them hurled insults and racial epithets at her, whispered ‘cleutch’ as she passed them†¦ (Maracle 69). A cleutch refers to a Native female’s private parts. Colonialism first presents itself at the very beginning of the novel when Celia sees a tall ship approaching the village filled with men. In this moment, Celia feels the impending doom of colonialism on her people and culture. â€Å"Fear, cold and thin, wove itself into Celia’s self† (Maracle 10). Another instance of colonialism experienced by the village lies in the general indifference of white town towards the flu epidemic that takes many Native lives. Colonialism also surfaces in the relationship between Stacey and Steve, a white boy from her class. Colonialism led to the eradication and destruction of aboriginal cultures which assist in the explanation on why the doctors of white town were unwilling to treat the villagers. Stacey believes it is because their lives are deemed less valuable. â€Å"Under the shabby arguments about hospitals being full and doctors already overworked lay an unspoken assumption: white folks are more deserving†¦ † (Maracle 69). Stacey sees Steve and other white people as controlling oppressors. She resists white power (colonization) many times throughout the book. Stacey resists her teachers’ authority and she also resists Steve’s desire for her. â€Å"The slave had just given an order to the master, which made him an ex-master. Neither man knew what it was to be an ex-master, so both were confused and hurt† (Maracle 75). Her growing frustration for white town’s lack of compassion towards suffering villagers is obvious in her attitude towards Steve. Stacey can no longer stand the racism and she tells Steve exactly how she feels. She tells him that he will never know what her and her people have gone through and asks him â€Å"How did it feel to watch us die, Steve? † (Maracle 186). Steve leaves in shame and Stacey realizes that he was not for her. Ana Historic and Ravensong have taught me several things that I was unaware of before reading them. I have learned that there exists many different writing styles and narrative approaches such as ecriture feminine and gynesis used by Daphne Marlatt and the conventions of Native orature (Sand 20) used by Lee Maracle. I’ve learned how femininity is constructed in Ana Historic and about the important role that Raven plays in Ravensong. Marlatt and Maracle deal with colonialism and sexuality throughout the novel in a way which allows the reader to self-reflect on their own positions and understandings of these topics. Non-Native readers are removed from their usual hegemonic position by Stacey’s objectification of white town in Ravensong (Sand 20). Marlatt’s experimentation with language challenges the reader to both examine and interpret the world in a different way. What impacted me the most about Ana Historic is Daphne Marlatt’s theory and practice of fictionalysis which is a combination of fiction and analysis used as a means to explore self-identity. Marlatt starts with facts from her own life and from history and uses her imagination to create an intersecting territory where â€Å"fact and fiction co-exist† (Sand 10). I enjoyed how she used this style in Annie’s reconstruction of traditional history through the life she makes up for Mrs. Richards. The role that Raven plays in the novel is what impacted me most about Ravensong. Raven acknowledges the gulf between white town and the village and knows that it needs to be bridged in order to prevent further catastrophe. Raven brings the plague of the flu epidemic in attempt to expose white town to the diversity of the world and to teach them to work together. The inability of white town to grasp the lesson leads to the destruction of the indigenous community. Both novels bring important issues and concerns to women and gender studies and I really appreciate the different perspective that each novel has given me. Ana Historic and Ravensong have contributed important lessons, concepts and theories to this course.

Alcohol and Illicit Drug Abuse in Pregnancy

Alcohol and Illicit Drug Abuse in Pregnancy Amy Luman COM/220 February 10, 2010 Philip Fasso When a woman becomes pregnant, it is vital to her baby's health that she leads a healthy life. This includes eating plenty of nourishing food, fulfilling an adequate amount of rest, and exercising regularly. For a pregnant woman, pregnancy substance abuse is twice as dangerous. First, drugs may harm her own health, which interferes with her ability to support the pregnancy. Second, some drugs can directly impair prenatal development. During pregnancy, virtually all illegal drugs pose a danger. Even legal substances, such as alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drugs  are dangerous to expecting women. As many as one in 10 babies may be born to women who use illegal and prescription drugs during their pregnancies. While some prescription drugs may be necessary during pregnancy, alcohol consumption and illicit drug abuse is frightfully dangerous during pregnancy, and therefore pregnant women should value their value their babies and never misuse them. Healthy Lifestyle Pregnancy should be taken seriously and one should implement a healthy lifestyle to keep them and their unborn child safe. A pregnant woman’s lifestyle habits as well as her partner’s can gravely affect the health of their unborn baby. If the couple has already taken these precautions into action, it is encouraged and should be continued throughout the entire pregnancy. It is never too late for a pregnant woman to start thinking about making behavior changes, which in turn are good for her unborn child. Staying active during pregnancy is one stride closer to bearing a healthy child. Being active during pregnancy can have only positive effects on the expecting mother, with her feeling better and developing more energy. Physical activity can also help maintain muscle tone and strength for labor and birth. A great deal of benefits can come to a woman and her unborn by lightly exercising on a selected number of days a week. There are many types of physical activity and exercise, ranging from mild stretching to aerobic exercise. If an expecting mother is already involved in daily physical activities, there is no need for her to stop. If not, it is a good time for her to start doing something on a regular basis. Daily activities like walking up stairs, cleaning the house, and gardening are also good ways to keep active (Childbirth Connection, 2010). Making exercise an essential part of the day will in the end, only make a happy ending for both mother and her unborn. Being a healthy body weight is important before pregnancy. So eating a well balanced diet throughout pregnancy is very important to the health of oneself and child. Almost all pregnant women need to increase their intake of  protein, certain vitamins and minerals such as  folic acid  and  iron, and calories (for energy). Women who  eat  well and  avoid known risks  tend to have fewer complications during pregnancy and labor and are more likely to deliver larger, healthier babies. Eating a well-balanced diet, high in nutrients, is one of the most important things a woman can do to ensure the future  health  of both her and her baby (Isenberg, 2000-2009). Fetuses born to mothers who have unhealthy diets may be premature or have other problems at birth. In addition, recent research indicates that what a mother eats during the early months of pregnancy may determine her unborn child’s predisposition to certain diseases, such as diabetes  and cancer. Eating a balanced diet during pregnancy can help to  protect the health of both mother and baby. During pregnancy, a woman needs more of some nutrients, such as iron, calcium, and folic acid. For this reason, it is wise to start taking a multivitamin before pregnancy. Vitamins should be an essential part of every mother’s diet and daily routine when expecting. Prescribed multivitamins by one’s health care provider are very important to give the proper nutrients and prenatal care that an unborn child or fetus needs. It is proven that multivitamins, taken before one conceives, have a positive effect on the fetus’s chances of having birth defects. Although many drugs can potentially harm a pregnant woman’s fetus, some drugs are necessary for the wellbeing of both the woman and her fetus. Before making the decision to take any drug, whether it is prescription, over-the-counter, or a medicinal herb, a woman should always discuss both the hazards and advantages of the drug with her doctor to ensure the safety of both her and the fetus. A practitioner may suggest that a woman take certain vitamins and minerals during pregnancy (Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation, 2009). Alcohol Any type of alcoholic beverage can have many hazardous effects on the developing fetus. Consuming alcohol during pregnancy can cause a wide-range of physical and mental birth defects. When a pregnant woman drinks, alcohol passes through the placenta to her fetus. In the fetus’s immature body, alcohol is broken down much more slowly than in an adult's body. As a result, the alcohol level of the baby's blood can be higher and remain elevated longer than the level in the mother's blood. This sometimes causes the baby to suffer lifelong damage. Recent government surveys indicate that about 1 in 12 pregnant women drink during pregnancy and about 1 in 30 pregnant women report binge drinking† (March of Dimes Foundation, 2010, p. 3). FAS or otherwise known as feta alcohol syndrome is a dangerous condition that occurs when a fetus has been exposed to excessive amounts of alcohol prenatally. One of the most common defects is facial abnormalities, although other defects may have gr eater consequences on the individual's health. These defects occur as a result of exposure to alcohol  while in the uterus. An estimated one in 500 to one in 2,000 babies are born with FAS (Ladue, 2001). The common facial abnormalities of FAS include: short eye-slit fissures; a long, smooth upper lip groove; and a thin upper lip. The following picture represents a small child with these facial abnormalities. [pic] Other common physical problems include heart malformations and defects; a hollow at the lower part of the chest; permanent curving of one or more fingers; fusion of bones at the elbow; scoliosis; kidney malformations; and cleft lip and palate (abnormal openings in the lips or roof of the mouth). FAS affects children's height, weight, and head circumference. Many children with FAS are short and thin prior to puberty. As girls enter puberty, they remain short, but frequently gain weight and appear plump. Boys seem to remain fairly short and slender. So far, there has been no cure identified for FAS, but several treatment models are available. For the reason that CNS damage, symptoms, secondary disabilities, and requirements differ extensively there is no one treatment that works for everyone (Wikipedia, 2009). Although many women are aware that heavy drinking during pregnancy can cause birth defects, many do not realize that moderate or even light drinking also may harm the fetus. In fact, no level of alcohol use during pregnancy is safe. Therefore, pregnant women should by no means drink any alcohol, including beer, wine, wine coolers and liquor, throughout their pregnancy and while nursing. Also because women often do not know they are pregnant for a few months, women who may be pregnant or those who are attempting to become pregnant should not drink alcohol. Illicit Drug Use It should be obvious that Illicit and other prescription drugs are extremely harmful to the developing fetus, but disappointingly substance abuse  continues to be a problem worldwide and drug  abuse in pregnancy  is no longer uncommon. Nearly four percent of pregnant women in the United States use illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, and other amphetamines, and heroin and virtually 90% of women who abuse drugs are of childbearing age and consequently substance abuse in pregnancy is increasing (Ludlow, Christmas, Paech, & Orr, 2007). These and other illicit drugs may cause various risks for pregnant women and their babies. Some of these drugs can cause a baby to be born too small or  too soon, or to have withdrawal symptoms,  birth defects,  or learning and behavioral problems. Tolerance and addiction to drugs and alcohol in pregnancy creates many potential problems for the mother, her fetus, and the obstetricians, anesthetists, pain specialists, drug, and alcohol specialists and neonatologists involved in her care. Pregnant women who use these drugs may also engage in other unhealthy behaviors that place their pregnancy at risks. Women who use heroin during pregnancy greatly increase their risks of serious pregnancy complications. These risks include poor fetal growth, premature rupture of the membranes (the bag of waters that holds the fetus breaks too soon), premature birth and stillbirth. As many as half of all babies of heroin users are born with low birth weight, use of heroin in pregnancy may increase the risk of a variety of birth defects. Most babies of heroin users show withdrawal symptoms during the first three days after birth, including fever, sneezing, trembling, irritability, diarrhea, vomiting, continual crying, and seizures. While heroin is usually sniffed, snorted or smoked, most users inject the drug into a muscle or vein. Pregnant women who share needles are at risk of contracting HIV and the hepatitis C virus. Such infections are capable of being passed on to the infant during pregnancy or at birth. Between 20 and 40 million Americans have used cocaine and five to six million are regular users. One million women of child-bearing age use cocaine (Blatt, Meguid, & Church, 2000). Cocaine use during pregnancy can affect a pregnant woman and her baby in many ways. During the early months of pregnancy, cocaine may increase the risk of  miscarriage. Later in pregnancy, it may trigger  preterm labor or cause the baby to grow poorly. As a result, cocaine-exposed babies are more likely than unexposed babies to be born prematurely and with low birth weight. Premature and low-birth weight babies are at increased risk of health problems during the newborn period, lasting disabilities such as mental retardation and  cerebral palsy, and even death. Cocaine-exposed babies also tend to have smaller heads, which generally reflect smaller brains and an increased risk of learning problems. Cocaine use during pregnancy can cause placental problems, including placental abruption. In this condition, the placenta pulls away from the wall of the uterus before labor begins. This will lead to heavy bleeding that can be life threatening for both mother and baby. The baby may be deprived of oxygen and adequate blood flow when an abruption occurs. Prompt cesarean delivery, however; can prevent most deaths but may not prevent serious complications for the baby caused by lack of oxygen (March of Dimes Foundation, 2010). After birth, babies regularly exposed to cocaine before birth may have mild behavioral disturbances. As newborns, some are jittery and irritable, and they may startle and cry at the gentlest touch or sound. These babies may be difficult to comfort and may be withdrawn or unresponsive. Other cocaine-exposed babies â€Å"turn off† surrounding stimuli by going into a deep sleep for most of the day. Cocaine-exposed babies may be more likely than unexposed babies to die of SIDS. Avoidance Virtually all illegal drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, pose dangers to a pregnant woman. Legal substances, such as alcohol and tobacco, are also dangerous, and even medical drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter, can be harmful. For her own health and the health of her baby-to-be, a woman should avoid drugs and alcohol as much as possible; from the time she first plans to become pregnant or learns that she is pregnant. Alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs for pregnant women, especially in the early weeks. In the mother’s body, alcohol breaks down chemically to a cell damaging compound that is absorbed by the fetus. Heavy drinking during early pregnancy greatly increases the risk of a cluster of birth defects known as fetal alcohol syndrome. This cluster includes a small skull, abnormal facial features, and heart defects, often accompanied by impeded growth and mental retardation. Heavy drinking in later pregnancy may also impede growth (American Council for Drug Education, 1999). It is not known whether light to moderate drinking can produce these effects. However, even if the risk is low, the stakes are very high. Medical experts agree that a woman should avoid alcohol entirely when she decides to become pregnant, or at least when the first signs of pregnancy appear. Even such mild beverages as beer and wine coolers should be off limits. The Law Currently there is only one state, South Carolina that holds prenatal substance abuse as a criminal act of child abuse and neglect. Other states have laws that merely address prenatal substance abuse. Some of these states consider prenatal substance abuse as part of their child welfare laws. Therefore, prenatal drug exposure can provide foundation for terminating parental rights because of child abuse. Of these states include: Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. A number of states have policies that implement admission to an inpatient treatment program for pregnant women who use drugs. These states consist of: Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. In 2004, Texas made it a felony to smoke marijuana while pregnant, resulting in a prison sentence of 2-20 years (American Pregnancy Association, 2000-2010). Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a pregnant woman to become addicted to prescription medications and other illegal drugs. A mother who uses drugs during pregnancy risks her life and her baby’s life. Studies have shown that consumption of illegal drugs during pregnancy can result in miscarriage, low birth-weight, premature labor, placental abruption, fetal death, or even maternal death. While some prescription drugs may be necessary during pregnancy, alcohol consumption and illicit drug abuse is frightfully dangerous during pregnancy, therefore; pregnant women should value their babies and never misuse them.

The Lost Symbol Chapter 127-128

CHAPTER 127 The breeze felt cold outside CIA headquarters in Langley. Nola Kaye was shivering as she followed sys-sec Rick Parrish across the agency's moonlit central courtyard. Where is Rick taking me? The crisis of the Masonic video had been averted, thank God, but Nola still felt uneasy. The redacted file on the CIA director's partition remained a mystery, and it was nagging at her. She and Sato would debrief in the morning, and Nola wanted all the facts. Finally, she had called Rick Parrish and demanded his help. Now, as she followed Rick to some unknown location outside, Nola could not push the bizarre phrases from her memory: Secret location underground where the . . . somewhere in Washington, D.C., the coordinates . . . uncovered an ancient portal that led . . . warning the pyramid holds dangerous . . . decipher this engraved symbolon to unveil . . . â€Å"You and I agree,† Parrish said as they walked, â€Å"that the hacker who spidered those keywords was definitely searching for information about the Masonic Pyramid.† Obviously, Nola thought. â€Å"It turns out, though, the hacker stumbled onto a facet of the Masonic mystery I don't think he expected.† â€Å"What do you mean?† â€Å"Nola, you know how the CIA director sponsors an internal discussion forum for Agency employees to share their ideas about all kinds of things?† â€Å"Of course.† The forums provided Agency personnel a safe place to chat online about various topics and gave the director a kind of virtual gateway to his staff. â€Å"The director's forums are hosted on his private partition, and yet in order to provide access to employees of all clearance levels, they're located outside the director's classified firewall.† â€Å"What are you getting at?† she demanded as they rounded a corner near the Agency cafeteria. â€Å"In a word . . .† Parrish pointed into the darkness. â€Å"That.† Nola glanced up. Across the plaza in front of them was a massive metal sculpture glimmering in the moonlight. In an agency that boasted over five hundred pieces of original art, this sculpture–titled Kryptos–was by far the most famous. Greek for â€Å"hidden,† Kryptos was the work of American artist James Sanborn and had become something of a legend here at the CIA. The work consisted of a massive S-shaped panel of copper, set on its edge like a curling metal wall. Engraved into the expansive surface of the wall were nearly two thousand letters . . . organized into a baffling code. As if this were not enigmatic enough, positioned carefully in the area around the encrypted S-wall were numerous other sculptural elements–granite slabs at odd angles, a compass rose, a magnetic lodestone, and even a message in Morse code that referenced â€Å"lucid memory† and â€Å"shadow forces.† Most fans believed that these pieces were clues that would reveal how to decipher the sculpture. Kryptos was art . . . but it was also an enigma. Attempting to decipher its encoded secret had become an obsession for cryptologists both inside and outside the CIA. Finally, a few years back, a portion of the code had been broken, and it became national news. Although much of Kryptos's code remained unsolved to this day, the sections that had been deciphered were so bizarre that they made the sculpture only more mysterious. It referenced secret underground locations, portals that led into ancient tombs, longitudes and latitudes . . . Nola could still recall bits and pieces of the deciphered sections: The information was gathered and transmitted underground to an unknown location . . . It was totally invisible . . . hows that possible . . . they used the earths magnetic field . . . Nola had never paid much attention to the sculpture or cared if it was ever fully deciphered. At the moment, however, she wanted answers. â€Å"Why are you showing me Kryptos?† Parrish gave her a conspiratorial smile and dramatically extracted a folded sheet of paper from his pocket. â€Å"Voila, the mysterious redacted document you were so concerned about. I accessed the complete text.† Nola jumped. â€Å"You snooped the director's classified partition?† â€Å"No. That's what I was getting at earlier. Have a look.† He handed her the file. Nola seized the page and unfolded it. When she saw the standard Agency headers at the top of the page, she cocked her head in surprise. This document was not classified. Not even close. EMPLOYEE DISCUSSION BOARD: KRYPTOS COMPRESSED STORAGE: THREAD #2456282.5 Nola found herself looking at a series of postings that had been compressed into a single page for more efficient storage. â€Å"Your keyword document,† Rick said, â€Å"is some cipher-punks rambling about Kryptos.† Nola scanned down the document until she spotted a sentence containing a familiar set of keywords. Jim, the sculpture says it was transmitted to a secret location UNDERGROUND where the info was hidden. â€Å"This text is from the director's online Kryptos forum,† Rick explained. â€Å"The forum's been going for years. There are literally thousands of postings. I'm not surprised one of them happened to contain all the keywords.† Nola kept scanning down until she spotted another posting containing keywords. Even though Mark said the code's lat/long headings point somewhere in WASHINGTON, D.C., the coordinates he used were off by one degree–Kryptos basically points back to itself. Parrish walked over to the statue and ran his palm across the cryptic sea of letters. â€Å"A lot of this code has yet to be deciphered, and there are plenty of people who think the message might actually relate to ancient Masonic secrets.† Nola now recalled murmurs of a Masonic/Kryptos link, but she tended to ignore the lunatic fringe. Then again, looking around at the various pieces of the sculpture arranged around the plaza, she realized that it was a code in pieces–a symbolon–just like the Masonic Pyramid. Odd. For a moment, Nola could almost see Kryptos as a modern Masonic Pyramid–a code in many pieces, made of different materials, each playing a role. â€Å"Do you think there's any way Kryptos and the Masonic Pyramid might be hiding the same secret?† â€Å"Who knows?† Parrish shot Kryptos a frustrated look. â€Å"I doubt we'll ever know the whole message. That is, unless someone can convince the director to unlock his safe and sneak a peek at the solution.† Nola nodded. It was all coming back to her now. When Kryptos was installed, it arrived with a sealed envelope containing a complete decryption of the sculpture's codes. The sealed solution was entrusted to then – CIA director William Webster, who locked it in his office safe. The document was allegedly still there, having been transferred from director to director over the years. Strangely, Nola's thoughts of William Webster sparked her memory, bringing back yet another portion of Kryptos's deciphered text: IT'S BURIED OUT THERE SOMEWHERE. WHO KNOWS THE EXACT LOCATION? ONLY WW. Although nobody knew exactly what was buried out there, most people believed the WW was a reference to William Webster. Nola had heard whispers once that it referred in fact to a man named William Whiston–a Royal Society theologian–although she had never bothered to give it much thought. Rick was talking again. â€Å"I've got to admit, I'm not really into artists, but I think this guy Sanborn's a serious genius. I was just looking online at his Cyrillic Projector project? It shines giant Russian letters from a KGB document on mind control. Freaky.† Nola was no longer listening. She was examining the paper, where she had found the third key phrase in another posting. Right, that whole section is verbatim from some famous archaeologist's diary, telling about the moment he dug down and uncovered an ANCIENT PORTAL that led to the tomb of Tutankhamen. The archaeologist who was quoted on Kryptos, Nola knew, was in fact famed Egyptologist Howard Carter. The next posting referenced him by name. I just skimmed the rest of Carter's field notes online, and it sounds like he found a clay tablet warning the PYRAMID holds dangerous consequences for anyone who disturbs the peace of the pharaoh. A curse! Should we be worried? 🙂 Nola scowled. â€Å"Rick, for God's sake, this idiot's pyramid reference isn't even right. Tutankhamen wasn't buried in a pyramid. He was buried in the Valley of the Kings. Don't cryptologists watch the Discovery Channel?† Parrish shrugged. â€Å"Techies.† Nola now saw the final key phrase. Guys, you know I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but Jim and Dave had better decipher this ENGRAVED SYMBOLON to unveil its final secret before the world ends in 2012 . . . Ciao. â€Å"Anyhow,† Parrish said, â€Å"I figured you'd want to know about the Kryptos forum before you accused the CIA director of harboring classified documentation about an ancient Masonic legend. Somehow, I doubt a man as powerful as the CIA director has time for that sort of thing.† Nola pictured the Masonic video and its images of all the influential men participating in an ancient rite. If Rick had any idea . . . In the end, she knew, whatever Kryptos ultimately revealed, the message definitely had mystical undertones. She gazed up at the gleaming piece of art–a three-dimensional code standing silently at the heart of one of the nation's premier intelligence agencies–and she wondered if it would ever give up its final secret. As she and Rick headed back inside, Nola had to smile. It's buried out there somewhere. CHAPTER 128 This is crazy. Blindfolded, Robert Langdon could see nothing as the Escalade sped southward along the deserted streets. On the seat beside him, Peter Solomon remained silent. Where is he taking me? Langdon's curiosity was a mix of intrigue and apprehension, his imagination in overdrive as it tried desperately to put the pieces together. Peter had not wavered from his claim. The Lost Word? Buried at the bottom of a staircase that's covered by a massive, engraved stone? It all seemed impossible. The stone's alleged engraving was still lodged in Langdon's memory . . . and yet the seven symbols, as far as he could tell, made no sense together at all. The Stonemason's Square: the symbol of honesty and being â€Å"true.† The letters Au: the scientific abbreviation for the element gold. The Sigma: the Greek letter S, the mathematical symbol for the sum of all parts. The Pyramid: the Egyptian symbol of man reaching heavenward. The Delta: the Greek letter D, the mathematical symbol for change. Mercury: as depicted by its most ancient alchemical symbol. The Ouroboros: the symbol of wholeness and at-one-ment. Solomon still insisted these seven symbols were a â€Å"message.† But if this was true, then it was a message Langdon had no idea how to read. The Escalade slowed suddenly and turned sharply right, onto a different surface, as if into a driveway or access road. Langdon perked up, listening intently for clues as to their whereabouts. They'd been driving for less than ten minutes, and although Langdon had tried to follow in his mind, he had lost his bearings quickly. For all he knew, they were now pulling back into the House of the Temple. The Escalade came to a stop, and Langdon heard the window roll down. â€Å"Agent Simkins, CIA,† their driver announced. â€Å"I believe you're expecting us.† â€Å"Yes, sir,† a sharp military voice replied. â€Å"Director Sato phoned ahead. One moment while I move the security barricade.† Langdon listened with rising confusion, now sensing they were entering a military base. As the car began moving again, along an unusually smooth stretch of pavement, he turned his head blindly toward Solomon. â€Å"Where are we, Peter?† he demanded. â€Å"Do not remove your blindfold.† Peter's voice was stern. The vehicle continued a short distance and again slowed to a stop. Simkins killed the engine. More voices. Military. Someone asked for Simkins's identification. The agent got out and spoke to the men in hushed tones. Langdon's door was suddenly being opened, and powerful hands assisted him out of the car. The air felt cold. It was windy. Solomon was beside him. â€Å"Robert, just let Agent Simkins lead you inside.† Langdon heard metal keys in a lock . . . and then the creak of a heavy iron door swinging open. It sounded like an ancient bulkhead. Where the hell are they taking me?! Simkins's hands guided Langdon in the direction of the metal door. They stepped over a threshold. â€Å"Straight ahead, Professor.† It was suddenly quiet. Dead. Deserted. The air inside smelled sterile and processed. Simkins and Solomon flanked Langdon now, guiding him blindly down a reverberating corridor. The floor felt like stone beneath his loafers. Behind them, the metal door slammed loudly, and Langdon jumped. The locks turned. He was sweating now beneath his blindfold. He wanted only to tear it off. They stopped walking now. Simkins let go of Langdon's arm, and there was a series of electronic beeps followed by an unexpected rumble in front of them, which Langdon imagined had to be a security door sliding open automatically. â€Å"Mr. Solomon, you and Mr. Langdon continue on alone. I'll wait for you here,† Simkins said. â€Å"Take my flashlight.† â€Å"Thank you,† Solomon said. â€Å"We won't be long.† Flashlight?! Langdon's heart was pounding wildly now. Peter took Langdon's arm in his own and inched forward. â€Å"Walk with me, Robert.† They moved slowly together across another threshold, and the security door rumbled shut behind them. Peter stopped short. â€Å"Is something wrong?† Langdon was suddenly feeling queasy and off balance. â€Å"I think I just need to take off this blindfold.† â€Å"Not yet, we're almost there.† â€Å"Almost where?† Langdon felt a growing heaviness in the pit of his stomach. â€Å"I told you–I'm taking you to see the staircase that descends to the Lost Word.† â€Å"Peter, this isn't funny!† â€Å"It's not meant to be. It's meant to open your mind, Robert. It's meant to remind you that there are mysteries in this world that even you have yet to lay eyes upon. And before I take one more step with you, I want you to do something for me. I want you to believe . . . just for an instant . . . believe in the legend. Believe that you are about to peer down a winding staircase that plunges hundreds of feet to one of humankind's greatest lost treasures.† Langdon felt dizzy. As much as he wanted to believe his dear friend, he could not. â€Å"Is it much farther?† His velvet hoodwink was drenched in sweat. â€Å"No. Only a few more steps, actually. Through one last door. I'll open it now.† Solomon let go of him for a moment, and as he did so, Langdon swayed, feeling light-headed. Unsteady, he reached out for stability, and Peter was quickly back at his side. The sound of a heavy automatic door rumbled in front of them. Peter took Langdon's arm and they moved forward again. â€Å"This way.† They inched across another threshold, and the door slid closed behind them. Silence. Cold. Langdon immediately sensed that this place, whatever it was, had nothing to do with the world on the other side of the security doors. The air was dank and chilly, like a tomb. The acoustics felt dull and cramped. He felt an irrational bout of claustrophobia settling in. â€Å"A few more steps.† Solomon guided him blindly around a corner and positioned him precisely. Finally, he said, â€Å"Take off your blindfold.† Langdon seized the velvet hoodwink and tore it from his face. He looked all around to find out where he was, but he was still blind. He rubbed his eyes. Nothing. â€Å"Peter, it's pitch-black!† â€Å"Yes, I know. Reach in front of you. There's a railing. Grasp it.† Langdon groped in the darkness and found an iron railing. â€Å"Now watch.† He could hear Peter fumbling with something, and suddenly a blazing flashlight beam pierced the darkness. It was pointed at the floor, and before Langdon could take in his surroundings, Solomon directed the flashlight out over the railing and pointed the beam straight down. Langdon was suddenly staring into a bottomless shaft . . . an endless winding staircase that plunged deep into the earth. My God! His knees nearly buckled, and he gripped the railing for support. The staircase was a traditional square spiral, and he could see at least thirty landings descending into the earth before the flashlight faded to nothing. I can't even see the bottom! â€Å"Peter . . .† he stammered. â€Å"What is this place!† â€Å"I'll take you to the bottom of the staircase in a moment, but before I do, you need to see something else.† Too overwhelmed to protest, Langdon let Peter guide him away from the stairwell and across the strange little chamber. Peter kept the flashlight trained on the worn stone floor beneath their feet, and Langdon could get no real sense of the space around them . . . except that it was small. A tiny stone chamber. They arrived quickly at the room's opposite wall, in which was embedded a rectangle of glass. Langdon thought it might be a window into a room beyond, and yet from where he stood, he saw only darkness on the other side. â€Å"Go ahead,† Peter said. â€Å"Have a look.† â€Å"What's in there?† Langdon flashed for an instant on the Chamber of Reflection beneath the Capitol Building, and how he had believed, for a moment, that it might contain a portal to some giant underground cavern. â€Å"Just look, Robert.† Solomon inched him forward. â€Å"And brace yourself, because the sight will shock you.† Having no idea what to expect, Langdon moved toward the glass. As he neared the portal, Peter turned out the flashlight, plunging the tiny chamber into total darkness. As his eyes adjusted, Langdon groped in front of him, his hands finding the wall, finding the glass, his face moving closer to the transparent portal. Still only darkness beyond. He leaned closer . . . pressing his face to the glass. Then he saw it. The wave of shock and disorientation that tore through Langdon's body reached down inside and spun his internal compass upside down. He nearly fell backward as his mind strained to accept the utterly unanticipated sight that was before him. In his wildest dreams, Robert Langdon would never have guessed what lay on the other side of this glass. The vision was a glorious sight. There in the darkness, a brilliant white light shone like a gleaming jewel. Langdon now understood it all–the barricade on the access road . . . the guards at the main entrance . . . the heavy metal door outside . . . the automatic doors that rumbled open and closed . . . the heaviness in his stomach . . . the lightness in his head . . . and now this tiny stone chamber. â€Å"Robert,† Peter whispered behind him, â€Å"sometimes a change of perspective is all it takes to see the light.† Speechless, Langdon stared out through the window. His gaze traveled into the darkness of the night, traversing more than a mile of empty space, dropping lower . . . lower . . . through the darkness . . . until it came to rest atop the brilliantly illuminated, stark white dome of the U.S. Capitol Building. Langdon had never seen the Capitol from this perspective–hovering 555 feet in the air atop America's great Egyptian obelisk. Tonight, for the first time in his life, he had ridden the elevator up to the tiny viewing chamber . . . at the pinnacle of the Washington Monument.