Chapter Twenty Eight: The Joining. Jeff and I were in the ante chamber which is well lit but he was placing a black felt and lined hood over my head. Then there was darkness and I could see nothing. He spoke to me as a friend, but firmly; remember what I have taught you and answer the Master Mason truthfully. He led me into the hall and by guiding my shoulders led me to stand beneath the arch. My senses told me Master Mason David Gregg was stood in front of me as he asked me: Who has prepared the entered apprentice to me? Jeff is behind me when he answers: I have Master Mason. Have you educated him in the way of the first degree apprentice? I have Master Mason. Jeff walks between me and the Master Mason; and proceeds to tie my hands and feet tightly to the front of me with what feels like a soft cloth, a scarf or maybe a sash. The Master Mason then speaks to me. Steve Mitchell you have been prepared and presented to me by Brother Jeff for inclusion to the brotherhood of Freemasonry. No complaint of this process has been voiced and so we ask: Brother Steve. Do you believe in the one true god and that he is the creator of our world. I do Master Mason. Do you attend today by your own free will and not coerced in any way by another Brother? I do Master Mason. Do you accept our terms of friendship, commitment and trust between fellow brothers above and before a profane? I do Master Mason. Do you accept our terms of friendship and trust under oath to the one god YAHWEH? I do Master Mason. Do you accept that should you break this covenant, you do so under pain of being removed from this world? I do Master Mason. Is the trust there Brother Steve? Yes Master Mason. At this point I received a hard shove to the centre of my chest. My brain exploded in panic as I realised my hands and feet were tied and I was flying back towards the hard chequered floor. Then there were hands, many hands saving me from hitting the floor. Relief flooded over me that I would not hit the hard floor and my skull would not be concussed. I was slowly returned to my feet. Do you now see Brother Steve that if misfortune should strike you in anyway your brothers are here to protect you. I do Master Mason. Brother Steve. Please be welcomed as a Brother to our lodge. We welcome you. Then as my hood was removed, I heard applause and shouts of ‘welcome brother’. My eyes adjusted and there in front of me was Master Mason David Gregg smiling directly at me with a look of genuine warmth and friendship upon his soul. Behind me were Jeff and his two brothers. And in the isles were the hundred or so other members of the lodge; all smiling warmly towards me, then there was a polite bow; and then a rapturous applause as they all welcomed me to the lodge. Jeff and his brothers patted me on the back and we shook hands. Jeff and his brothers then took one step back and each raised an arm in a polite gesture to let me pass towards the exit, and on to the bar, where I believe some mutual male bonding would be the next order of the day.