Time magazine intervew #1, December 27, 2007....

This interview took place December 27, 2007. Galen Evans of Time magazine had requested it. The interview was with Sister Mary Frances McConnell and took place in a public park in a small town in Florida.

I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me. As you know, I’ve wanted to get some information about Fred and his movement.

Mr. Evans, may I correct you, sir. There isn’t a movement as you termed it.

What would you call it, Sister?

Actually, we, Fred and I, don’t call it anything.

Well, I’ve seen your web site. You are selling bracelets, are you not?

Yes, bracelets are available, Mr. Evans. Would you call that a movement?

Hmmm. OK. Who is Fred? And, why wouldn’t he meet with me?

Mr. Evans, frankly Fred was reluctant to allow me to meet with you. Fred doesn’t want any kind of notoriety. Fred is an extremely private person.

OK. What’s this pirate’s bracelet stuff all about?

Mr. Evans, you seem to have distain in your voice, sir. I assure you sir, I have better things to do than sit here with you if you continue on in this vein.

Hmmm. Sister, I’m sorry. But, you must admit lots of people might be skeptical about the bracelets. Maybe even about Fred….no disrespect meant. Can you understand that?

Of course I can, sir. That’s the reason we were quite reluctant to give this interview. This is the first time we’ve met with anyone, and I’m beginning to wonder if this was a good idea.

Please, I do truly want to understand all of this. Please.

Mr. Evans, I’m going to give you a little information about Fred, and then this interview is ended. Period. Now, you know how to get a letter to me. If, after I give you this information and you think about this interview and how you might better approach another one, please let me know and I’ll reconsider. Understood?

Yes, Sister. Yes, my apologies, but I do understand.

Anyway, Mr. Evans. About six years ago, Fred had a serendipitous event that changed the course of his life. The reason Fred doesn’t use any other names is because his family is well known.
If you will, Fred was the sort of black sheep of the family. And as he will readily tell you, he was not the best person around. In fact, the way he describes himself, back in those days, would be a drunken reprobate. A person with few, if any morals, a person whose lifestyle was one of hedonism. A person who produced nothing and gave nothing to society. Fred had a trust fund, well…. let’s just say that the amount was such that you could feed a small country for many years.
He fritted most of the money away. Yes, booze and babes as he would say. He lived on a sailboat and spent his time going from one port to another. Well, and I guess you can guess what his life was like. Completely decadent. No morals. Lived for the day and nothing else.
It’s only though some miracle of sorts that he was able to avoid disaster as long as he did. He occasionally jokes with me about god looking out for the drunks. Or something like that. I can’t remember exactly.
Anyway, Fred had a life changing experience about six years ago.
At that time Fred was a heathen. He believed in absolutely nothing. His whole existence was bacchanalian, you could say.
Good day, Mr. Evans. Thank you for meeting with me, sir.

Thank you, Sister. I will be in touch and hope that we can meet again.