Covert
Fascination
Secret societies are one of the most exalted tradition-bound Ivy League
College organizations. These covert fraternal organizations have existed
for almost 200 years and have been the breeding ground for future presidents,
senators and captains of industry. Every year only the top one percent
of every class is "tapped" to become a
member of one of these exclusive societies. Admission is a virtual guarantee
of future success and the attachments between members is strong and enduring.
Once you're a member, you're a member for life.
The
Skulls
is an original thriller that is rooted in undisputable facts that are
more frightening than any film. Writer John Pogue, who previously penned
the Tommy Lee Jones/Wesley Snipes-starrer U.S. Marshals, experienced
secret societies firsthand when he attended Yale University. Once, during
his freshman year, when John was speaking to a senior counselor, he
asked him about a mysterious pin he was wearing on the inside of his
jacket.
"I
asked him if he was a member of a secret society," Pogue recalls.
"Without a word he just turned on his heel and walked away. It
was obvious to me that he took this organization very seriously and
was willing to put its interests ahead of his responsibilities as a
counselor."
From that
moment on Pogue was fascinated by the system that perpetuates such elitist
secret societies. In his senior year, he was "tapped," and
couldn't resist the opportunity to penetrate the inner sanctum of a
secret society.
However,
the experience left him with mixed feelings. "Having gone through
the process, I can honestly say that there are good things about secret
societies," Pogue recalls. "I believe, however, that it is
an anachronistic system which is more appropriate for the Robber Barons
of the 19th century then for today's world."
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