One of the aims of working Steps 10, 11 and 12 is to remove fear from our lives. A great deal of this is accomplished by Steps 1 thru 9, of course. But some of our deepest fears can remain -- fears so deep that they affect everything we say and do, everything we are, inasmuch as we pretend that they aren't there.

Somewhat paradoxically, these deep-seated fears have inspired stories (like the story of Big Jake) and plays such as Gogol's The Government Inspector that make us smile. The heroes of these tales either don't know enough to be frightened, or else they're aware of the dangers but are no longer intimidated by them.

A cowboy rides through a little town in the Wild West shouting, "Run for your lives! Big Jake's coming into town!" But it seems it's too late for the citizens to flee. A huge man on a big horse comes slowly down the main street. He pushes open the door of the saloon, walks to the bar, and growls, "Gimme a drink!" as the terrified customers look on in petrified silence.

"Here, m-m-mister," says the wretched bartender, pushing the whiskey bottle and glass over the counter. "It's on the house."

"I'm hungry," growls the huge man. The frightened bartender shows him to a table and gives him a three-course dinner at no cost.

Eventually the huge man stands up, drains the last of the whiskey bottle, looks around at the silent crowd and says:

"Well, better be on my way. They say Big Jake's coming into town."