I liked the quote in COC when Knorr said,(paraphrasing), "Gee, I hope we're right about 1914, we bet the farm on it".
Good thing he was long dead by 1995.
He would have been real pissed at ol' Fred.
Imagine a conversation about this if they were alive in the early 90's.
The scene opens in Knorrs office. He has summoned Fred Franz, who is setting in front of his desk.
NHK: What the fuck, Fred? We're running out of time here! People BORN in 1914 are almost 80 years old! Let alone those that were 12. They're over 90, fer Chrissake! We've already stretched this thing to the breaking point. Now what?
FF: Yes, Yes. I know Nathan. But, I've got an idea. You know the original Greek word for "generation" is..
NHK: Don't start that original Greek shit with me, you dumbass!...we're in a bind here and I need some answers!
FF: Well, what I'm saying is, we could start running some articles in the 'tower about being faithful to the GB and, oh yeah!, some district convention talks and...well... kind of soften the fuckers up for a couple of years and then, wham! We tell them they have read too much into what was said before and that here's the straight dope. Then we put THEM on the defensive. Remind them about "no one knows the day and hour"... and "thief in the night" and all that good shit...
NHK: Are you serious? They'd run us out of town on a rail!
FF: Now wait a minute, Nate. We've been through this before. You can't kill these bastards with a stick! They'll buy whatever we tell them. The ones that don't, well, they either eat it and smile or we boot 'em! It'll be fine I tell ya'
NHK: Well, we don't have much choice do we, mister "1975"?
FF: Nate, come on, you said you wouldn't bring that up again.
NHK: Ok, you little fruit. Put something together and and we'll run it by the jerk jolly boys and see where it goes.