What is "The Fifth Internationale"?
Global alliance of intelligence agencies whose objective is to manipulate governments to their own end.
What happened to the thousands of operatives of spy agencies in the tumultuous 1990s when new post-Cold War reality called for restructuring of those agencies? Some countries opted to completely rebuild their spy agencies (Czechs) and many remained oblivious to the changing times (USA). Where governments chose to stay idle, the spies took charge. The Fifth Internationale was born.
Does "The Fifth Internationale" really exist? Is the story real?
There are enough people who see conspiracy in every aspect of everyday life... Although I've used some historical events as backdrop for the story (they are very obvious), TFI is nevertheless a fictional story. Any resemblance to actual situations or characters, really is coincidental... blah-blah-blah.
Now, whether The Fifth Internationale exists is a whole different matter. Short answer: of course it does. It might be under a different name (spooks like to assign codenames to everything), its ultimate objectives might differ from those spelled out in my novel.
And to answer one of the most frequently asked questions: TFI is not modeled on the Bilderberg Group.
How did you come up with the title?
A conversation between former chief of the counter-intelligence, and an officer of a border formation of the army, which as you know was, is and always will be home to a good number of spies. You can read a transcript of the conversation on page 322 of the book: 'Pozoga', by H. Piecuch, Published by CB, ISBN 83-86245-09-3.
How did you get the idea for the The Fifth Internationale?
Certainly some of it can be traced to my work for the government, and a lot had to do with what's been happening in the world - observation of current events. I am fixated on the void created by the fall of the Soviet Block. The idea of only one superpower in the world is terrifying to me and fascinating at the same time. I strongly believe that void must be filled, and whether the EU or Terrorism, or indeed The Fifth Internationale fills it is a matter of speculation. And speculation is fertilizer for a writer’s imagination.
How long did it take you to write it?
The actual putting words on paper took roughly two years, on-and-off, including a six month break after the first draft (just to get a distance and a fresh look) and a complete re-write.
Sounds long! Do we have to wait this long for your next novel?
I'm not the fastest writer, but if the conditions were right, for example if someone came up to me and said "Jack, we will take care of everything, here's a fat check and a ticket to paradise, just sit down and write", I'd say it would be 6-8 months from start to finish, and a great deal of Tequila.
Why can't you write it in six months?
There is life beyond writing, you know.
For example?
For example, I have this great old wooden cottage that requires a great deal of attention. I like to work on it with my own hands. Like the add-on guest-house I built recently. All by myself, from foundations to the rooff.
Did you research it before you started writing?
Did some research ahead of time, but most of it on as-needed bases. A lot of it was made easier thanks to the sort of work I did for the government, it gave me the confidence, and a lot of it was just plain imagination. The trickiest were the quirky little things, for example what happens when you're pulled over by a cop. Do you stay in the car or do you go out while the cop sits in his cruiser. The laws differ from country to country. Or, say you describe a car chase, it's dark, your character swerves off the road and turnes off the headlights hoping the pursuer will just drive by. Guess what? Some cars won't let you turn off the headlights without turning off the engine...
Can you tell me more about the work you did for the government?
Yes, and no. For the purposes of this page the following must suffice: I couriered various documents and items from one government agency to another. Many had to be hand-delivered to VERY high politicians and officials. Those documents, presumably, could not be trusted to the so called "secure electronic communication". Depending on the "agency", destination or sensitivity of the item, I had to either handcuff a briefcase to my wrist or had an armed escort. Sometimes fast driving on congested streets was involved. In any case, I can't tell you what these documents and items were. Top secret is exactly that.
But that's not very much! I want to know more!
Please read "The Fifth Internationale" and my future novels. Remember that every novel contains some bits from the author's life, however cloaked they might be....
You a spy, then?
What kind of a spy would I be if I blabbed about it?
What does a courier do?
Different government departments are usually spread out throughout a city. Information has to flow between these departments. There is information so sensitive it cannot be trusted to electronic communique, post, commercial courier companies or your regular inter-departmental messengers. That's where the courier comes in.
What kind of a person is a courier.
Most are young males, often so average, they don't stand out in the crowd. Of course there are others, like the guy in my group. It was an older gentleman, meek and ill-looking, just the sort of person you would give your seat on the bus to.
Is it an exciting job?
It is at first. One feels one is above the crowd. One gets to meet huge VIPs, and receives special privileges, a pass that opens most doors, etc, it all makes one very cocky...
How do you mean?
For a young guy that is something to brag about. Unfortunately, bragging is not an option. You have to grind it inside, and pretty soon you find yourself isolated. Eventually you begin to enjoy the mystery of your position among your friends. You close down. Soon the job becomes nothing more than your 9-5, well, as a matter of speech of course, as the hours depend on the delivery.
How does one become a courier?
One has to pass very stringent physical and psychological exams. Must speak at least two languages. Must posess certain personality that Is taught how to spot and lose pursuers.
That sounds like a classic spy school!
Far from it! Spies are taught various killing techniques, golf, tennis, wine drinking and enjoyment of different alcohols, computer programming, how to break and enter without leaving traits, how to set up bugs, open mail, procure cash, enter past security, etc.
What did this job teach you?
If you want to keep something private - keep it to yourself, and if you must share it: do not! Or - never-ever use any form of electronic media to convey it.
Why don't you make more appearances? I'd love to see you in...
I am a publicists' nightmare - I'm a recluse. I spent several years trying my darndest to keep low profile. I cherish privacy.
How did you come up with the main character? Is it you?
Every character in the story takes something after me and people I know. Stan Penskie is an amalgam of real life and fiction. Just as all other characters in the book, and in books to come.
How do you conceive a character?
Some events in the novel are true (changed names and locales). Stan came to existence as a necessary conduit to take the readers from one event to another.
Which events are true?
I'll leave this up to the readers to figure this out.
Why write under a pseudonym?
Privacy. The need to separate fiction from my non-fiction work (treated as a hobby and a ' vent ' only). May someday crossover to mainstream. There were other considerations, too.
Where does "Jack King" come from? Any relation to Stephen King?
Yes, I'm his evil twin!
Has it ... [getting published] ... changed your life somehow?
Don't think so. But, seeing that the book is selling certainly did. The fact someone out there picks up The Fifth Internationale and reads it has a profound impact on me. The readers give me the confidence to write more.
Did it affect your private life?
No, not really. The day the publisher phoned was very exciting but it faded away quickly. If anything it affected the lives of those surrounding me. For example my wife is determined to write a novel of her own, she signed up for creative writing classes...
Why is much of the story taking place in Eastern Europe?
Strong EU = Threat to the USA. Stirring in Eastern Europe weakens the EU.
Eastern Europe's strong offensive intelligence agencies, very accomplished in the field of industrial espionage, offer a rewarding subject to write about.
Is it a political novel?
If you mean 'was I trying to make a political statement of some kind?' then the answer is: no. I write to entertain. Political maneuvering is very much a part of the story, but if you find any statements in TFI then they only represent my characters' beliefs. I do not believe in stealthily placing personal agendas in writing of fiction.
