Him Who Made The Seven Stars
By
Waddie Greywolf
Chapter
59
"Religion must die for mankind to live. The hour is getting
very late to be able to indulge in having key decisions made
by religious people - by irrationalists - by those who would
steer the ship of state, not by a compass, but by the
equivalent of reading the entrails of a chicken. Faith
means making a virtue out of not thinking. It's nothing to
brag about. And those who preach faith, and enable and elevate
it are intellectual slaveholders, keeping mankind in a bondage
to fantasy and nonsense that has spawned and justified so much
lunacy and destruction." ~ Bill Maher
Billy and Boomer were impressed by the job the newly formed group
of giants did on the apartment they chose for their own private
get-away. They divorced themselves from the rest of the family in
the late afternoon to meet Hank and Buck in the grooming rooms in
one of the towers of the castle. Billy was equally impressed how
everything was coming together to refurbish the castle. It was
like old times being with Hank and Buck. Billy could relax, let
his hair down, and talked with Hank like he was his granddad. Hank
confided in Billy he was never more happy in his relationship with
his mate, and they were both thrilled to be back in Texas and
members of his family. Billy and Boomer made a night of it and
made up for lost time. What their sexual relationship lacked in
regularity was compensated by the strength of their need for each
other. Their draw was powerful and intense, deeply rooted in a
shared primal animal lust bordering on a metaphysical experience.
It bridged their hearts and souls from one time to another.
"Now we have a wonderful place to escape to so's we can share a
little love from time to time, there won't be no more excuses,
Boom. I promise we will spend more time together one-on-one,"
Billy said.
"I been around more years than you and can better appreciate what
you're going through with your balancing act between
personalities, healings, projects, and love. You're doing
amazingly well. I sometimes wonder when you will run out of your
never ending supply of love for everyone around you, and
especially those of us who are more close to you. Have you talked
lately with Nick about your relationship? I have no doubt he'll
tell you the same thing I'm about to tell you. We ain't in
competition for your love, Master Billy. We each bring something
to you, you can't get anywhere else. You need us to balance you,
just as your owner kept you balanced all these years without a lot
of human guidance. I can tell, the time you spent with Hank this
evening made a big difference. You're more relaxed and receptive
than I ever remember," Boomer observed, "You need to take a good
ride with Samson to clear your head. You haven't talked with your
owner lately, have you, Master?" Boomer asked.
Billy chuckled, "I been so busy with other things, other than
feeding him and Ms. Maybelle, I ain't had time for no one-on-one
time with him either. We chat about major things, but it ain't
like we're alone. He's starting a family; he's got his mare and a
young colt on the way. He's concerned about Ms. Maybelle, and it's
natural. He'll make the best father something neither of us had.
It's a good suggestion, and I think I will take your advice to
make time for us to get away together. Ms. Maybelle can do without
him for an afternoon or so," Billy replied.
"You were Samson's mother and father, Master," Boomer said.
"At first, perhaps, but we became more like brothers what bonded
because we lost our parents; he leaned on me; I leaned on him;
then, he outgrew me and matured faster than me. Somewhere along
the way we switched roles, and he became my mentor, my animal
master, and spirit-guide. There ain't another like him, but I been
more fortunate than most. I had others looking out for me what
have stood by me and insisted I 'could' when I never thought I
would be able to bear the weight of such great responsibility,"
Billy said, "I still ain't sure. I wing it from hour to hour, day
to day, and that ain't no pun. I make it up as I go along, but I
got confidence in the gifts them more advanced critters gimme.'
When I say 'Hosanna,' I mean it," he added.
When they returned from the grooms to their apartment, there was a
gift-wrapped box on a small table when they walked into the room.
There was a small card which simply read: 'With love and respect,'
and it was signed: Nick.
Billy looked at Boomer, but he got nothing back. "Do you know
anything about this, Boom?" Billy asked.
"No, sir, Master Billy, but I'd say it's in keeping with Captain
Nick's personality. Sometimes, when you least expect it, he can be
the most thoughtful of all them fallen angels," Boomer replied.
"Should I open it now?" Billy asked.
"Since he left it in such a conspicuous place, I would surmise he
intended for us to see it upon entering the room, and it would
prompt us to open it immediately," was Boomer's reasoned reply.
"Of course. We make a good team, Boom. Me? Dummy. You? Smart
handsome beast," Billy said and grinned.
"One temporarily vapor-locked brain what was unexpectedly
surprised don't make you no dummy, Master?" Boomer declared and
laughed.
Billy laughed with him as he began to remove the wrapping. He
carefully set the box on the table, lifted the lid, and set it
aside. He rummaged through the packing and pulled out a beautiful
gold star-bell about a foot tall, mounted on a uniquely carved
base made from a dark wood. It had a small gold hammer on a golden
chain attached to the base. The most unusual thing about the bell
was the carvings on the side of the wooden structure which held up
the cross-brace from which the bell hung. On one side was a
perfect carving of a tall well-built naked cowboy, except for his
boots and hat, and the other side was a watcher, a Bigfoot who
looked exactly like Boomer. Together their arms were stretched
above their massive shoulders to hold up the cross brace for the
bell.
"Hosanna!" Billy exclaimed softly like an evening prayer with a
soupηon of awe in his voice.
"Hosanna, in the highest!" Boomer whispered two octaves lower like
a solid 'Amen' to his master's supplication.
"Couldn't that damned old demon bastard have been just a bit more
thoughtful?" Billy asked in awe.
Boomer didn't expect Billy's response and doubled over with
laughter. "You're just plumb awful, Master Billy," Boomer declared
and continued laughing.
"If I'm so awful, why the Hell are you laughing?" Billy
asked and they laughed together, "A little cowboy humor kept us
from get'n all teary eyed and maudlin," Billy added.
"I'm sure he'd expected nothing less. He knows you too well, and
I'll have to admit, it grabbed me by the balls," the giant beast
added, and they laughed again.
"Somehow, it just reeks of Bossman Randy," Billy said, and they
shared another laugh.
"Naw, now that ain't fair. I wouldn't even make such a suggestion.
Don't go there whether it's true or not. While the star-bell
itself might have been Randy's idea, the design and sincere
thought behind it is the product of a mature mind; a soul who has
aged and mellowed over the centuries; who is not beyond a bit of
spectacular gut-wrenching sentimentality to secure himself with
us. Speaking as one cowboy to another, don't never underestimate
your demon dad, Master Billy. I come to know Captain Nick, and we
got us a mutual admiration society going with each other. I have
no doubt he will eventually find his way to my arms, and when he
does, they'll be open and waiting for him," Boomer said.
"Good to know. I would never frown upon it. I rather like the idea
of keeping it all in the family," Billy responded, "A family what
lays together, stays together," Billy added with a wicked grin.
Billy and Boomer sated themselves with each other. They rang the
star-bell four times and created beautiful stars in the
constellation of Scorpio. Billy morphed to make himself almost a
third larger physically than his normal state. Even though he was
filling out and becoming one of the most well-developed cowboys in
the Daniels' posse, Boomer was still larger than Billy's adjusted
self. That was all right with Billy. He liked to feel just a bit
vulnerable to his huge husband. In his normal size, Nick was
larger than Billy. He wanted the psychological imbalance to make
his husband and his surrogate dad feel they were of great
importance to him, and he trusted them. In a way, it was Billy's
chance for a second childhood, and he reveled in the luxury. What
man hasn't looked back upon his youth and wished for a second
chance?
* * * * * * *
The following morning, over breakfast, Billy announced to his
family, since it would be an unscheduled week, he would be
spending several mornings with his owner, and they would be riding
around the property to inspect the various building projects and
the progress on various agricultural programs underway.
Immediately after breakfast, he saddled up Samson, and they set
out for the line cabin. They left Ms. Maybelle behind. Billy
wasn't rude, he simply explained to her he needed to be alone with
his master for a while and discuss a few things with him. Samson
was free to tell her about their day and what they talked about.
Billy and Samson set out to the line-cabin on the dirt road he had
Enoch and Moss cleared with the huge Earth moving machine. It ran
along a ridge line down to the banks of the rivers where the road
divided and ran along the north side of the James river and the
other side went up and over to the ridge and down to the
line-cabin on the Llano river. They forded the river at its most
shallow point and picked up the road on the opposite side. Billy
slowly rode Samson by several of the new bunkhouses on the cliffs
of the river and everyone was up and working. Some were doing
cowboy jobs riding horses and moving the regular cattle to
different pastures which were allowed to rest for a while to grow
so the grass would have a chance to recover from over-grazing.
Everyone waved and beckon him over to chat. They stopped several
times to talk and be sociable. Billy explained he had an easy
schedule that week, and he just wanted to ride around and check
things out. He wasn't snooping just enjoying the good weather,
getting outdoors, and being alone with his owner for a while as he
gestured to Samson. The Irin cowboys and cowgirls didn't raise an
eyebrow. They knew exactly what their master was talking about and
where he was coming from. As they rode away and came to a
beautiful spot beyond the bunkhouses where they could get a good
birds-eye view of the ranch, Billy stopped for a moment and
dismounted. Samson stood behind him and dropped his huge head over
Billy's shoulder. Billy instinctively placed his hand on Samson's
face and caressed him lovingly like he'd done so many times.
<< New times remind me of older, more carefree, times,
>> Billy heard in his mind.
<< I couldn't agree more. It's been a while, but I'm
making some changes in my life so I will have more time for you
and Boomer. I'm spending ever morning with you this week so's my
master can make sure his young cowboy-slave is riding on the
right path, >> Billy returned.
<< I don't worry about you. I know
you will come to me when you need me, >>
Samson replied.
<< I don't want to take you away from your new family,
>> Billy sent.
<< Please, do. Even families need time apart. You do
know where the term 'nag' came from, don't you? >>
Samson asked and gave a small horse laugh.
Billy laughed with him, << No relationship is perfect,
>> Billy sent in reply and laughed again.
<< I ain't complain'n none, >> Samson said,
<< I made a commitment, and I will pay the price.
Maybelle is more than I hoped for in a mate. She will give me
many strong sons and daughters. Just get me away a couple of
times a week to insure my sanity, >> he added, and
they shared another laugh.
<< I made Boomer a promise last evening, and I will make
you the same promise. I will make sure we spend some quality
one-on-one time together each week; just you and me riding the
trails of the hill country together, Pod'na, >> Billy
assured Samson, << It was Boomer's idea for me to
consult with you this week, and I'm glad he did. I have several
things bothering me I need to discuss with you, >>
Billy sent.
<< You have my undivided attention, >> Samson
said.
<< I feel the gathering of my immediate family or this
phase of my life is coming to an end this next weekend or
perhaps by the end of June at the latest. I'm worried I won't
know where to go from there, >> Billy said.
<< Nonsense and stuff-n-such! >> Samson
exclaimed, and Billy grinned at his Master.
<< Where the Hell did you hear
'stuff-n-such'? >> Billy asked.
<< Your Grandmother. I been listening to her for years.
And all this time you thought us ponies get our horse-sense from
each other. Not so, Buckwheat! I got most of my smarts from your
Granddad and Grandma. I still listen into Ms. Kate when she
ain't too busy. We even carried on several conversations between
your Granddad and her after she lost him. I would channel him to
her to console her grief and ease her pain. I didn't tell her it
was me, but your Granddad did, >> Samson replied.
<< Holy shit! I find out something new ever' damn day,
>> Billy sent and laughed, << You want to finish
your 'stuff-n-such' reply? >> Billy asked.
<< First of all, you ain't through gathering family. You
will gather many more, but you're right, your inner circle of
family is pretty well gathered. As for not knowing what to do,
remember one time, long ago, just when we were learning about
each other and you would try to over-control me and my every
movement? >> Samson asked.
<< Yeah, it was hard work. I'd be exhausted by the end
of the day. I'd almost fall asleep on the ride back to the barn,
>> Billy lamented.
<< You did fall asleep several times, and I would
carefully get you back safely. One time yore' granddaddy rode up
beside me and spoke, "Thanks for being understanding and patient
with him, Samson, I'll have a talk with him tomorrow," he
said, >> Samson sent, << Do you remember that
conversation, Son? >> he asked.
<< Like it was yesterday. My granddaddy done told me I
was working way too hard and trying to over-control you. He
asked me a question, "Son, why do you think we train them ponies
to work with us? he asked. I replied, I thought it was to
make our jobs easier. Granddad told me I was exactly right, but
I was working too hard to get you to do things the way I thought
they should be done. He told me to relax and let my pony do the
work for bowfus. I did what he said, and it was the best day I
ever spent in the saddle. It was like a new world opened for me,
and up to that point, I was so worried I weren't gonna' make the
grade as a cowboy. Then it come to me, it weren't the man what
makes his'self a cowboy, it's his horse, >> Billy
replied.
<< Good! Excellent! But what did you learn? >>
Samson asked.
<< I learned to trust the people and critters I work
with and don't never try to over-control them beyond a healthy
cooperation, >> Billy said.
<< What's that word you yell after a fine performance at
them Barnyard Concerts? >> Samson asked.
<< Bravo? >> Billy asked in reply.
<< That's it! Bravo! That will do fine. You understand
what you gotta' do. Them Irin and Grigori folks done went to a
lot of trouble to make sure you have the best people with the
highest potential any man has ever gathered on this planet.
There ain't no limits to what you can accomplish as long as you
got a good tight hold on the reins and give them their heads.
Tell them what you want, stand back, and let them run with it.
Look how fast your city is coming along. They almost got the
basements and underground finished and once they get to street
or land level, it won't take them anytime to finish. It will be
complete by the time Bossman Randy starts school in the fall,
>> Samson said, << You only have to remember one
word: delegate, >> the big stallion added.
<< Captain Nick tells me the same, and my last challenge
to Bossman Randy was a great success; however, as the result of
other information we gathered during the rescue of Odin
Bluetooth, I worry about bringing him along too fast,
>> Billy lamented, << Sometimes, I wish't them
ancients would give me a sign to let me know I'm on the right
path. I want to do these things without a lot of trauma and
bloodshed. I don't know how long we can go on without being
'discovered' and we either begin to gather a following or start
taking hits from those of a more conservative ilk. I don't want
a civil or religious war on my hands. I don't know nothing about
leadership, politics, or statesmanship, >> Billy added
quietly.
<< You were given the tools early. They were imprinted
in your brain before you were born to this world, Son. You are
slowly but surely changing and will become the great leader you
would like to be; however, you can't do it alone. Remember your
music. I tap you sometimes when you're performing. You're never
more happy and content than when you're playing in a group. You
love to be the leader and draw from them the best they can
produce. You're very good at it. They play their hearts out for
you, >> Samson said.
<< You enjoy our music? >> Billy asked.
<< Of course. The way Maybelle moves her butt around
when you play that Cajun music gets me all hot and bothered. She
makes my old cock drip until I have to mount her. I think she
does it on purpose, >> Samson said and laughed,
<< She can be quite the temptress when she wants to be.
Again, I ain't complain'n none. I like her just the way she is,
>> he added. Billy laughed at his owner.
Billy and Samson spent the morning together, and as important as
Boomer's coupling with his master the night before, their time was
no less meaningful and important to Billy as his time with his
animal spirit-guide. The morning passed quickly. Just before it
became time for lunch, Billy decided to head back to the big
house, they talked and enjoyed each other's company like they
remembered from their older more carefree days together. Billy
took Samson back to the big barn by the house, removed his saddle,
rubbed him down, and fed his big stallion and Ms. Maybelle.
<< We'll do this again tomorrow morning through
Thursday. We'll see about Friday as I got me a busy schedule for
the coming weekend. If I can talk Captain Nick into riding along
with us Thursday morning, would you feel up to carrying him, Ms.
Maybelle? >> Billy sent.
<< Of course, Master Billy. Captain Nick and I have
partnered several times, and he is a fine gentleman; an expert
horseman. I would be honored to carry him and be included in
your posse, sir, >> Maybelle replied.
<< Good! Then I'll invite him to ride along. The rest of
the day I have meetings with my different staffs. We need to get
some more projects underway for our safety, protection, and to
secure our financial interests. Wish me luck, dear friends,
>> Billy said.
<< You don't need our luck, Son, but you have it anyway.
We will be listening in, but we won't comment unless asked,
>> Samson said.
<< You're certainly welcome to comment. Just tickle me
first, >> Billy allowed.
* * * * * * *
Billy spent the afternoon with his posse as they sat in one
meeting after another. The finance meeting was first and the
projections for the potential sales of the first herb crop at the
end of the summer was encouraging. They decided not to do a large
ad campaign and allow word of mouth to do their advertising for
them, hoping demand would grow in relation to supply. Billy also
asked if anyone considered building a testing lab to be able to
have proof the herbs are non-addictive and have no bad
side-effects. To strengthen his idea he brought to their attention
their plans for a bakery and producing Hosanna Cakes would also
require testing to show ingredients.
Aunt Helen was in several meetings. Billy appointed her as a
representative for the Irin cowboy-slaves and to bring to him any
needs, wants, or suggestions they might have. A number of them
wanted to know if Master Billy planned to create a symphony
orchestra, and if so, could they get instruments to learn to play?
Billy was fascinated a good number of them wanted to learn, and he
knew with their enhanced I.Q.s, it wouldn't take them long. He
told Helen he would certainly consider and approve any ideas she
and her staff might have to implement such a plan. He was afraid
to ask how many wanted to learn, but Aunt Helen told him anyway: a
little over half of them wanted to learn an instrument. Billy told
them he would allocate the money for enough instruments for a good
size orchestra, for them to get bids from reputable instrument
suppliers, or assign a buyer for the purpose. He stressed every
fiddle didn't have to be a Strad. Enoch, Moss, Billy's uncle, and
Tron Garrett laughed at Billy's frugality.
Most of the Irin slaves hadn't heard a complete symphony orchestra
on Earth. They knew about groups like Billy and his growing family
of amateur musicians and the village band from Captain Nick's
ship, but if Bossman Randy delivered on his promise of a complete
Earth-based symphony orchestra to accompany Jessie Jones at the
following Saturday afternoon Barnyard Concert, they would have a
spectacular introduction to a great sound with an equally great
piece of music. After experiencing a full symphony orchestra, he
wondered how many more would want to learn to play an instrument?
Many wanted access to the Internet and Billy thought it would be a
good idea for them to begin to gain information for themselves to
learn about Earth's peoples and more about how they could best fit
into their new society. It would certainly be a great research
engine for those who wished to investigate the pros and perhaps
cons of different musical instruments. The Internet was rife with
solo and different combinations of instruments. Billy only saw the
servitude of his family-slaves as a launching platform for them to
grow into smarter, better members of the society he was trying to
build. Would he be able to handle them like a juggler with an ever
growing number of balls to keep in the air? (no pun intended nor
implied) Billy agreed to get a dozen desktop computers for each
bunkhouse and use one of the rooms in the small apartments in the
rear for a quiet library setting with books and tables for the
computers. Earphones would work well in a smaller space. Access to
the library and computers would be divided equally among the
cowboys.
* * * * * * *
"All right! All right! Off with them damn earphones! We been
listening to you practice all week. We transport to the ranch
tomorrow morning at eleven. Let's hear it! Crank up that sound
system until it rattles the windows on the third floor!" demanded
Harlen Johnson of his companion.
"Yes, peeease, Masser Jes-see," Chloe begged and wagged her
complete body.
"Ah-oooff! Ah-oooff!" Daffy let out. He was slower and more
hesitant to attempt speech, while his mate was becoming a regular
Chatty-Cathy.
"No! Not until everyone in our family asks me nicely!" Jessie
replied and winked at Harlen. Harlen broke up laughing. Jessie
worked faithfully with the dogs all week trying to get them to
speak. Chloe was far more adventuresome than Daffy and was getting
pretty good with pidgin English. Daffy sidled up to Jesse sitting
on the bench, rubbed his huge body against him, licked his hand,
and grinned his best doggie smile. "No, no! A sloppy doggie kiss
and a canine body-block ain't gonna' get it. One word! That's all
I ask. Come on, Daffy, I know you can do it. You done it for me
once before. I bragged about you to Master Harlen and told him how
smart you were, but he don't believe me. Show him you can speak,"
Jessie insisted.
"Ruuuffff!" Daffy replied.
"I know learning to speak is 'rough' but that word sounds too much
like a bark. Try 'please' Daffy," Jessie pleaded.
"Sleeeeeze!" Daffy managed to get out.
Harlen almost dropped to the floor laughing. "Boy, does he have
your number!" the big cowboy roared.
Jessie laughed. "That's close enough for now, Daffy. Don't pay
Master Harlen no never mind, Sweetheart, you done good," Jessie
complimented the big dog's attempt.
Jessie unplugged his earphones and turned the output selector to
the speakers, cranked up the volume, returned to the piano,
clicked the small remote control device to start the DVD, and the
orchestra began to play Rachmaninoff's Variations on a theme of
Paganini. It was a music minus-one recording of the piece. The
pianist at home was to provide the music which the recording was
minus. Jessie launched into the piece like he was eating a piece
of cake and exotic ices on the veranda of a seaside villa on a
warm afternoon. The dogs settled down, Harlen dropped into his
favorite leather chair with a drink in his hand, and they listened
to some glorious music. They marveled at the talented playing of
their friend. Jessie was flawless in his technique but strangled
by the canned-accompaniment provided by the orchestra. There was
very little room for the performer to emote or stretch out a
phrase. He had to rush though the eighteenth variation like he
just ran into a quickie-mart to pick up a few things and hurried
to the check out line. You had to be there when the orchestra
started again or else. As Bossman Randy so aptly put it about
trying to keep pace with Glenn Gould, if you miss a note, you done
screwed the pooch. It was a mechanical training exercise at best,
but in a few places the brilliance of Jessie's playing came
through. Just to finish the piece at the same time was a major
accomplishment. All in all, it was an outstanding performance.
Harlen and Chloe praised him, but Daffy barked his approval.
"If you play half that good come Saturday, you will wow them
shit-kickers beyond words, Brother, to say nothing of having Zelma
Redbone eating from your hand!" Harlen exclaimed.
"Waaa-t Massser Har-lon said!" Chloe agreed. Jessie laughed and
gave her a hug.
"Ruuff peee-ce a' moo-sick!" Daffy managed, and they all shared a
laugh.
"Good boy, Daffy! You're right, it is a rough piece of music,"
Jesse complimented and encouraged the huge dog.
"Now, no more practicing until the concert. You couldn't get no
better if you tried. As your unofficial manager, you're ready.
Give it a rest, a chance to mellow and mature, and when you walk
out onto that barn stage you will be prime musical beef on the
hoof each variation more tasty than the last until you reach
emotional pay-dirt with the eighteenth then milk that old cow
for all it's worth, and you's home free," Harlen said in his best
cowboy hyperbole. Am I right, my children?" Harlen asked Daffy and
Chloe.
"Riiiite!" said Chloe.
"Ruuufff!" said Daffy.
"Close enough, but needs work," Harlen said, and they laughed
again.
* * * * * * *
It was a great week at the ranch. Billy was in contact with
Bossman Randy every evening at the end of the day. Tuesday evening
he talked with his half-pint Major-domo.
"How's our prospects for an orchestra coming along?" Billy asked.
"The orchestra's lined up, and we got them at a good price. Tom
McMartin offered them twice their usual scale, and they agreed. We
got one of Tom's empty warehouses to set them up. I done got a
stage built and the acoustics checked. We had to make some minor
adjustments, but I'm hopeful you'll be pleased with the results,"
Randy said.
"What orchestra, Son?" Billy asked and held his breath.
"Redbone? Houston Phil? Three guesses, Cowboy, and the first two
don't count!" Randy exclaimed.
"Smoke'n Jesus, Bossman! How much did that set us back?" Billy
said and clutched his throat like he was feeling for his grandma's
Sara Coventry beads to nervously pop and play with like he did as
a kid when he was bored in church.
"Tom McMartin is a smooth operator. I couldn't a done it without
him. Just mention the Redbone name in Houston and doors swing
open. If'n h'it weren't for the Redbones, the Houston Philharmonic
wouldn't exist. There just ain't no room in a severe austerity
budget for the arts. Most of the musicians have to take a second
and sometimes a third job to survive. Beside, it's gonna' be worth
it. We got release rights signed to create a DVD of the Barnyard
Concert with Jesse, and we'll offer the complete concert
classic, and down-home on the Internet for five bucks. We can't
use the Houston Philharmonic's name, but who cares? H'it ain't a
name what makes the music or the money. We'll make ten times the
money we spend on the orchestra. We'll bill it as the Texas Hill
Country equivalent of the Prairie Home Companion without the
homespun comedy; howsomever, them dance'n cows just might make up
for it.
"Now here's the deal, big bro you and our soloists get one
rehearsal run-through. They got the music you want in their
lie-berry including the conductor's score," Randy paused for it to
sink in.
"Us hill country cowboy conductor's don't need us no frick'n
scores, Pod'na!" Billy pulled Randy's chain. He heard Randy
giggle.
"Just in case you pass out from stage fright, and I gotta' take
over for you, Maestro Bullpuckey," Randy shot back. Anyway, here's
the plan: we drag your big cowboy-butt to the warehouse for the
rehearsal and back to the ranch for the concert. Since Jessie's
third on the program, they gotta' sit through our first act, the
Haydn trio with Roz, my sister, and Aunt Helen. Then, them twins
play the Bach double violin concerto. We don't need the whole
orchestra for the Bach since Aunt Helen can play bass with Roz on
cello. Of course you will play the electronic harpsichord
continuo; however, it might be nice to have three fiddle players
and three viola players from the orchestra to fill out the
ensemble, but I'll leave that to you. In negotiations with their
leaders, I held out for one classical symphony of your choice to
introduce our folks to the overwhelming commanding sound a large
group of fine well-trained musicians can create," Randy said
sounding like a business tycoon in the same voice Billy heard Tom
McMartin use many times to make a point. Billy laughed to himself,
the little scamp had Tom down pat.
"That's easy. Beethoven's Fifth in C minor," Billy said.
"Damn! I was sure you'd go for the Sixth," Randy said quietly.
"You're right, Son! It's my favorite. For a peaceful pastoral
setting 'yes' it would be my personal choice, but we want
something to stir the blood of every man, woman, and beast in
range of hearing. You know them village musicians won't be knocked
out by nothing less than the brilliance of the fifth," Billy
defended his choice of the old war horse, "Besides, I can conduct
the fifth in my sleep and have, many times," he added and
laughed.
"Good point, big Brother. I think I done sat in on several of your
performances in my dreams," Randy allowed and winked at his big
brother from his computer screen. They laughed together at their
nonsense.
The Rachmaninoff will be last. The orchestra will be seen on a
huge three dimensional screen behind the Yamaha grand wiff' you on
the podium. They will see everything on another 3-D screen in
front of them. It will be wonderful, big brother my greatest
accomplishment to date," Randy enthused.
"I don't know. Them angels in them bubbles was pert-damn
impressive, Ramrod," Billy allowed.
"The only angel in this gig is Tom McMartin. He's a wonder to work
with, Brother. I'm glad I got him for one of my dads," Randy
gushed, "Just in case you ain't noticed, he's also a damn good
looking buckaroo," Randy added and giggled.
"Hee-ah! I didn't hear that!" Billy exclaimed and laughed, "But
you're right. He is one fine looking cowboy," Billy agreed, and
they shared a laugh. "You been with the McMartins most of the
week, Son?" Billy asked.
"Yes, sir, since Wednesday. I'm staying wiff' the family and
opening a gate for us to come to breakfast tomorrow morning. Is
that too early for ya'll?" Randy asked.
"Oh, Hell, no! The sooner the better, Pilgrim. Ain't seen ma'
little brother's handsome face up close and personal in almost a
week now, and I'm a' git'n me a bad case of the Bossman Randy
withdrawals," Billy drawled and lamented. He got Randy's giggle
box turned upside down.
"You's so full of it, Big Brother," Randy managed to get out.
"Naw, I's a quart low on my little brother's love. I could
vapor-lock at any moment, Son," Billy said and laughed.
"Dream about me tonight," Randy offered.
"I dream about you ever' night, Son. All you have to do to know I
ain't lying is to tickle me. I leave my door open for you," Billy
poured it on, "By the way, were you in on them negotiations with
them orchestra reps?" he asked.
"Oh, yeah. I did most of the talking, but my big daddy, Uncle Tom,
he done the 'hosannas' and 'hear hear' bits to back me up. He
'harrumped' and 'gallumphed' a good bit too when money started
being discussed, but I will have to say, he's a generous and
compassionate man. Trust yore' little brother, Master Billy, when
I tell you if'n you got a big man like Tom McMartin backing you,
they don't need a lot of explanations. They was a bit skeptical at
first and asked about my qualifications. I told them I didn't need
no frick'n qualifications. I was your adopted little brother, your
representative, and I spoke for you. I reminded them of the
Fredericksburg incident, and I's surprised, they knew about it.
They fired up their lap-tops, Duck Duck Go'ed our two names
together, and it made a Hell of a lot more sense to them. I walked
over to the piano, sat down, and ripped off my Gould imitation of
the first Bach Partita. They never asked another question after
that," Randy said and giggled at his impertinence.
"You never cease to amaze me, little Brother. I'm look'n forward
to seeing you tomorrow, Cowboy," Billy said.
"Same here, Brother. We'll be there bright and early. We got lots
to do to get ready for a big weekend," Randy allowed, and they
disconnected.
* * * * * * *
Thursday morning Billy and Nick saddled up Samson and Maybelle
respectively. They even took Boomer with them. They rode along at
a leisurely pace, and it was easy for the long-leggedy beastie to
keep up with them and even join in the conversation.
"Ain't seen you so calm and together in a while, Kemosabe. It's
good to see," Nick said.
"Yeah, it's amazing what a night with my husband, a couple of
awesome nights wiff' my surrogate dad, and several relaxed,
laid-back mornings with my master and owner can do for a cowboy,"
Billy said and sighed deeply, "but as content as I am this
morning, I'm still looking for a sign," he added.
"What kind of sign, Kemosabe?" Nick asked.
"I told ma' owner I's look'n for a sign from them ancients, Tonto,
to let me know I'm on the right path," Billy replied.
"Hell, fire! You worry more'n an old auntie. Your owner can tell
you you're on the right track, Son," Nick exclaimed. Samson and
Maybelle laughed, "Ain't 'tat right, Ms. Maybelle?" Nick asked and
the big palomino mare, and she shook her head up and down. "See,
it's simple. No! No! You don't have to thank me none for that bit
of wisdom," Nick added and grinned. Boomer laughed at him.
"Ah, what would I do without my demon dad to bring me back down to
reality real quick-like," Billy declared and got everyone
laughing.
They rode on a good way beyond the old line-cabin. Since Billy and
Nick spent the night there with Boomer and the twins, so they
didn't bother to stop. They rode on until they passed some cowboys
and cowgirls herding white faced cows from one pasture to another.
They stopped and chatted with them for a bit until they moved most
of the cattle and rode on. They passed a work crew cutting dead
mesquite brush to load on the big ranch wagon pulled by a team of
four horses. It was the crew which Earl and Harley-Buck were
assigned with their keepers, and Billy and his posse stopped to
pass the time and say 'hello.' Their lead cowboys Erin Mascaro and
Blake were with them. They were gathering dry mesquite to take
back to the ranch house for Saturday's barbecue, and to have some
extra to take with them to Oregon on Sunday. Since it was to be
another big Saturday at the ranch, Billy invited almost everyone
on Captain Nick's ship to enjoy the music and afternoon. They rode
on a bit further and came to the cliff where the big cave was
which hid Captain Nick's ship. They didn't bother to go up the
winding trail into the cave and rode down to the river to water
the horses.
As Samson and Maybelle were drinking their fill, all of a sudden,
a fine looking horse came running full-out down the high trail
near the cave. It was getting late in the morning and the
rattlesnakes were coming out of their cool dens to enjoy the warm
day. She almost stepped on one, the big snake shook its rattle and
startled her, she panicked, threw her rider, and began to run as
fast as she could to get away from the sound of the rattle. The
only problem was, she was headed straight for the limestone cliff
which was a drop of about two hundred feet.
"I think you're about to get your sign, Kemosabe," Nick said and
pointed to the trail above the one the pony was on. It was the
trail they passed the mesquite gathering party, and they saw a
near naked Harley-Buck Johnson running full-out down the trail on
an intercepting vector to the stampeding pony's run. His sense of
timing and trajectory were perfect. With one gigantic leap the big
cowboy jumped and flew through the air, with his arms and legs
flailing about to maintain his center of gravity, almost thirty
feet to the lower trail and dropped into the saddle on the back of
the runaway pony as easy as Roy Rogers dropped into Trigger's
saddle off the hotel roof in them old Republic Westerns; except,
they could hear Harley-Buck give out with a huge 'ooofff' sound.
He quickly grabbed the pony's reins and pulled her up hard to stop
her progress less than six feet from the edge of the cliff. The
young mare slid another three feet and almost went over the edge;
however, she managed to get her bearings and began to back up.
"Jesus! With a plug up his butt, that had to hurt," Billy
exclaimed with concern.
"Either that or he just done come in his codpiece," Nick drawled,
"We may never recover his butt-plug," he added.
"God! You're just awful, Tonto!" Billy exclaimed and laughed. He
remembered Boomer telling him the same thing and laughed harder,
"Harley-Buck Johnson's just been elevated to hero status in my
eyes," Billy added.
"Did you get your message, Kemosabe?" Nick asked.
"Loud and clear, Tonto, without a doubt!" Billy exclaimed.
By the time Billy and his posse could ride over to the other side,
Harley-Buck was off the mare and walking like a bowlegged old
cowboy with the rickets. Blood was running down the inside of both
legs.
"I'm sorry, Master Billy, I just couldn't let her die,"
Harley-Buck said sheepishly.
"What the fuck! Why the Hell are you sorry, Cowboy? For Christ
sake, Harley, that's got to be the most moronically heroic act by
any cowboy I ever done seen in my life but, it's only moronic
if'n you don't accomplish what you set out to do. Somehow you done
it, so h'it weren't moronic a' tall, Son," Billy said. "Tonto,
gimme' a hand. Boomer, escort my owner, his mate, and this mare
back to the barn up to the ranch, and we'll meet you in the slave
processing room," Billy said. He no sooner got the words out when
Harley-Buck collapsed into a dead faint. Nick caught him in his
arms. Earl Hickson and the crew they were working with arrived.
"Cancel them last requests. Boomer, you're with us. Throw
Harley-Buck over your shoulder for transport back to the slave
room. Earl, you and your men walk these three horses back to the
barn near the ranch house, unsaddle them, feed them, and groom
them real good. Give them an extra scoop of oats. Then you're off
for the evening and all day tomorrow" Billy instructed, "We'll
have your buddy back to you in a little while, Son," he added.
"Oh, yes, and Blake, gimme' the key to Harley-Buck's harness and
cock cage," Billy requested. Billy took off his shirt and stuffed
it into his saddle bag. Nick handed Billy his shirt to do the
same. They disappeared for a second then reappeared fully fledged.
Earl Hickson never saw any of the men morph to their angel form
before and was speechless. Billy and Nick spread their wings over
Boomer holding Harley-Buck in his arms, and they disappeared only
to reappear in the slave processing room.
"Where'd they go?" Earl asked.
"To the slave processing room where Master Billy ringed you and
Harley-Buck, and where we groom you every morning and evening,"
Erin Mascaro explained, "Master Billy was waiting for later to
expose you and Harley-Buck to some of the more exotic goings-on
here at the ranch, but alas, shit happens," Erin added.
"Are they angels?" Earl asked.
"Yes and no. Yes, they're angels but not in the biblical sense.
You'll come to understand the more you're around them. Our brother
Bubba is one, too, Earl," Erin said quietly.
Earl was struck with a sudden awareness and deep sadness. Was
Bubba his guardian angel and protected him all these years? He was
convinced he wouldn't have made it through the war in the middle
east if it weren't for Bubba. Was Bubba still looking out for him?
Bubba never turned away from Earl even after Earl stole from Bubba
and spurned his sexual advances. But Bubba didn't believe in
religion or myths and superstitions. How could he be an angel?
This was almost too much for him to handle. Suddenly, Earl Hickson
had an epiphany. He was right where he should be at that very
moment in time and space, and he sucked down hard on his butt plug
like it was a pacifier for his other mouth. It no longer seemed
like a burden. It was quickly becoming a great comfort for him.
Even though he thought it was a great physical invasion of his
personal privacy to be groomed and fitted with the anal apparatus,
no one was rude or abusive with him. On the contrary, they went
overboard to see to his care and comfort. It was the most
attention Earl Hickson ever got in his life, and he realized he
was growing used to it. He didn't know if that was good or bad,
but for once in his life, he decided to go with the flow.
* * * * * * * *
Billy instructed Boomer to lay Harley-Buck down onto the padded
worktable. They quickly undid his harness and removed his chastity
cock-cage. Billy started to remove his butt plug but Nick stopped
him. "I'd leave it until you get an inside picture, Son. It may
start hemorrhaging. The plug may be putting pressure on a rupture
and holding back the flow. See if you can stop the bleeding before
you attempt to remove it," Nick advised.
"Good point, Pa. I done already tickled Doc Oatie, and he's on his
way," Billy said respectfully to Nick. Nick smiled and took the
small personal appellation as a compliment to his wisdom.
Oatie Breedlove appeared in the slave processing room in a great
flash of light. "What a' we got here, Master Billy?" he took a
look at Harley-Buck lying on the table before him slowly bleeding
from his rectum. "Let's take a look. Have you taken his pulse?"
Oatie asked.
"No, Doc, we just got him here," Billy replied, "I'll do it while
you use the machine to peek inside," Billy said.
"Good," Oatie said as he situated the machine over Harley-Buck's
lower extremity. "He focused the apparatus several times and
sighed, "I can't see anything major torn. I think it just may be a
polyp or two what got jolted so hard it caused them to bleed, but
it seems to be slowing. I think we can remove the plug without
increasing the flow; however, to be on the safe side, lets get a
couple more cowboy-angels in here to give us more power and do a
quick repair job before we relieve him of his training device,"
Oatie said.
"Good idea, Doc," Billy said, "his pulse is normal," he added.
"He may have passed out from fear of seeing the blood," Nick
offered.
"Could be, 'cause I don't see nothing major wrong with him
internally. It may have severely bruised him inside, but we can
take care of that. We done got the power!" Oatie assured them.
Billy sent out an S.O.S. tickle to all cowboy-angels around the
ranch area, and they started showing up one by one. Big Enoch,
Moss, Nathan, Tron, Cowboy Andy, Clyde, Balthazar, Hank, Buck,
Garth, Mack, and Jethro appeared in flashes of light. It looked
like old-time flash cameras going off one after another. Jethro
didn't bother to morph into his cowboy-angel persona and was in
his Kagoli demon form. Billy didn't give a shit. He decided if
Harley-Buck put two and two together, so be it. The big cowboy
gained so much statue in Billy's eyes by a simple selfless act of
compassion to save another critter's life, Billy didn't care if he
knew. He didn't intend to go overboard, but he would accordingly
accommodate the fine looking young rancher who was now his slave.
Nick was right. Harley-Buck brought Billy the sign he needed. He
was more sure than ever he was on the right trail going in the
right direction. He was amazed by the dichotomy of a man who
murdered another man then would risk his own life to save that of
another life form. It was something Billy didn't want to dwell on,
but made him wonder if he, himself, was ever betrayed so
completely could he find it in his heart to kill another human
or would he turn the other cheek? He didn't want to pursue the
matter further. He would cross that bridge only if he was forced
to and had no other choice.
The cowboy-angels, and Jethro in his demon form, spread their
wings and Oatie began to apply the healing rays they gathered into
the lower abdomen of the slave lying on the table before them.
Harley-Buck began to come around, but he was still a bit weak and
groggy from the loss of blood to his brain. He lay there looking
up at the handsome faces of the cowboys he knew, but now they had
wings and looked like angels. He wondered if he died and went to
heaven, but then as he focused better, he got a good look at the
demon standing at his feet and his heart leaped to his throat. Was
the demon waiting for the angels to heal him to take him to Hell?
Surely not. He looked just like the demon he got a big crush on
when he was taken to Hell, but he knew instinctively it wasn't the
same demon.
He tried to move and raise up to get a better look at Jethro, when
a big hand was gently placed on his chest, and he heard the voice
of Billy Daniels say, "Easy, Buckaroo, give us a chance to heal
you properly, and then we'll let you up. That fantastic leap of
faith you done pulled off bruised your insides a bit and caused
some bleeding nothing serious we just about got you back to
normal, or as normal as you were before," Billy said and grinned.
Harley-Buck did as he was told and relaxed. Soon, Oatie grabbed
his plug and swiftly removed it from his ass. There was no
bleeding. Oatie turned on the fluoroscope and took another look
into Harley-Buck's gut, but he could find nothing abnormal. The
big cowboy was healed. They allowed Harley-Buck to sit up. He
pointed to Jethro. "He's one a them demons I saw in Hell," he
said, "What's he doing here?" he asked.
"He's my mate and soon to become my husband in another week or so.
He's a buckaroo just like you, only he can morph into almost any
shape he wants. I happen to think he's sexy as the devil that way
and so does the folks he works with. I can change to look just
like him. I was one of them devils you met in Hell. Watch!" Oatie
said and morphed before Harley-Buck and the other men. Everyone
laughed at the look on the big cowboy's face.
"Angels and demons. I'm confused. Neither one of you is the demon
what was good to me and made me feel welcome in Hell. He was
special. He didn't judge me. He treated me like I was his brother
when I needed a helping hand. I'd give anything to see him again
and my demon-dad, Satan, to tell them how much I appreciated their
kindness and consideration," Harley-Buck said.
"Be careful what you wish for, Son, you just might end up
belonging to him. You could become the slave of Satan and his
demons," Tron Garrett said and the cowboy-angels laughed. "You
wouldn't wanna' belong to no demon, would ju'?" Tron asked.
"I would gladly worship at his feet, Gentlemen," Harley-Buck
insisted.
"We'll be sure and tell him, Cowboy," Oatie said, smiled, wished
him well, took his mate's big hand, and they disappeared.
The other cowboy-angels came around to wish Harley-Buck well, and
they soon were gone. They were down to Billy, Nick, and Boomer.
Nick looked at Boomer and nodded to the door. They wished
Harley-Buck a good day and told Billy they would see him for lunch
up to the big house. They left. Billy and Harley-Buck were alone.
Harley-Buck got a sad, forlorn look on his face like he was just
about to burst into tears; like he was so close to grabbing the
brass ring on the merry-go-round, but it alluded him just
barely. It was a mite too far away for him to grasp. He was
sitting on the end of the table with his legs spread apart. Billy
moved into them and stood close to him.
"Why so glum, Chum?" Billy asked.
"I was so close I thought I almost found oh, never mind. You
wouldn't understand, Master Billy," he said.
"Put your arms around your master. He wants to give his hero-slave
a kiss as a reward for his daring and bravery this afternoon,"
Billy said.
Harley-Buck did as his master told him. "Close your eyes, Cowboy,"
Billy said, and the cowboy complied. Billy started gently kissing
the big man and was giving and taking only as much as he thought
Harley-Buck could handle. Billy was loving and patient with him
until he felt Harley-Buck start to respond on more than a single
basis. He became sexually aroused and got roaring hard. The big
buckaroo let himself go and suddenly stopped like he experienced a
sacred epiphany.
"Holy Shit!" he whispered, "Ain't nobody kissed me like that since
my demon kissed me that-away. I may be a big, dumb-ass,
shit-kick'n cowboy, but I know'd the chances of somebody
duplicate'n that feeling you just gimme' is zero to none. That's
what that older cowboy meant about belonging to my demon. I
already belong to you, Master Billy. Satan, ma' big daddy demon,
the Devil his'self, done gimme' to you as your slave," Harley-Buck
said as tears began to run down his face. Billy held him away from
him and slowly morphed into his Kagoli demon form. "In the name of
some unknown god, it was you, sir!" Harley-Buck exclaimed with joy
in his voice. He jumped off the table, knelt before his master,
and kissed his boots. "I meant what I said, Master Billy. I don't
care if'n you's an angel or a demon, I will worship at your feet,
sir," he said.
"To Hell with that! Your master wants you in his arms right now,
Cowboy," Billy said and laughed.
They kissed again and Billy made it a good one. When they finally
broke it off, Harley-Buck whispered, "I don't understand what's
happening to me, Master Billy, but I know I'm home in your arms;
in your presence I feel good and safe; I feel loved, wanted, and
above all, needed. Please, I'm begging you, don't never send me
away from you, sir, and I will strive hard to be your faithful
servant as long as you need me," Harley-Buck swore.
"I promise I will never send you away from me, until you're ready
to go out on your own if you choose. Once you serve your term with
me, you may want to make other plans. If so, I will help you and
assist you anyway I can. You're part of my family now,
Harley-Buck. I want you to learn and grow into the buckaroo I know
you can become. I want to give you some kind of award for bravery
and heroism, but somehow I just don't think you're the kind of man
what would want a medal," Billy said.
"A set of them fine looking horns you gimme' in Hell would do me
right proud, Master Billy," Harley-Buck replied without taking a
breath. He knew what he wanted. "Also a promise to take me for my
first time," he added.
"You may wear my horns. I'll fix it so's you can wear them around
the ranch, but you will also be able to make them go away when
it's necessary to appear in human form," Billy said, but we need
to talk about your grand opening. Don't you think your dad and
mentor might like to have a say in it?" Billy asked.
"I ain't never thought about it, but I understand what you're
say'n. It would be a strong bonding experience for us, sir,"
Harley-Buck replied.
"I understand. Then do we have an agreement? You get your horns to
wear as a badge of honor from your master, and we'll talk more
about your training and grand opening?" Billy asked.
"It's a deal, Master Billy," Harley-Buck said, spit in his hand,
and offered it to Billy. Billy spit into his hand, and they shook
on it demon-cowboy to a horny buckaroo.
Billy waved his hand over Harley-Buck's handsome head, and he
immediately began to grow a fine set of horns like Billy provided
him before. The big cowboy could feel them growing and rushed to
the full length mirror in the slave processing room. He took a
good look, got a big shit-eating grin on his face, and his cock
sprang to full salute. "Hot damn, now that's a look I can live
with! I'm a real 'cow' boy now!" he exclaimed, "You couldn't a'
gimme' no better reward, Master Billy," he insisted as he stomped
around in his big buckaroo boots. He grabbed Billy and they joined
together in a death defying kiss that sent them both over the
hill. They reached climax together. Billy cleaned up his slave
with his mouth and Harley-Buck returned the favor for his master.
He never tasted a man's ejaculate before, but he wasn't about to
let that little fact stand in his way of showing his master his
love and appreciation.
Billy morphed back to his cowboy-angel persona and parked his
wings. He helped Harley-Buck with his chastity cock-cage and his
harness. Billy explained he didn't want the cowboy wearing his
plug for the rest of the day and evening. He could wear it
tomorrow, but he didn't want either slave wearing them while
working anymore. They were to wear them only in the evenings and
weekends while relaxing around the ranch. At times, ranch work can
be perilous, and Billy didn't want another repeat of his morning.
Everything turned out all right, but it just as easily might have
become a disaster.
Billy sent word to the big house he would be having lunch with his
slaves, and he would personally escort Harley-Buck Johnson wearing
his new set of horns to the patio for his fellow slaves to see and
admire. Billy wondered what kind of reception the big cowboy might
receive. A few, who didn't know Harley-Buck, might think it was a
put-down or a punishment for the cowboy's foolishly dangerous
stunt. Billy planned to make sure no one took his slave's new
horns as a punishment. To tell the truth, Billy loved them big
horns on Harley-Buck. They gave him an extra sexy animal quality
that defied definition but rounded him out perfectly. Billy could
only describe it as wanting to hold, pet the big bull, whipping
out his cock and masturbating while drinking-in the sight of him.
To Billy's great pleasure, he found most of the others felt the
same way he did. Everyone came to Harley-Buck and complimented
him. Several were quite blunt in their envy and/or attraction for
him. Billy could see what it was doing for Harley-Buck's
self-image, and he let the big cowboy revel in his moment in the
sun.
"Before anyone gets the wrong idea, the horns my new slave is
wearing were given to him as a gift from his master to wear as a
badge of honor for the courage and heroism he displayed today
saving the life of one of our horses on the ranch. I was ready to
give him a medal, shorten his period of training, or consider
anything he might suggest, but he didn't want any of them things I
mentioned. He caught sight of one of our cowboys, Jethro, my
building manager, in his demon form and asked if I would give him
a set of horns unique for him. So I did, and I will have to say, I
think they're quite becoming on him. Just stay out of his way,"
Billy allowed and everyone laughed.
The insane thought crossed Billy's mind they could possibly, one
day, have their own running-of-the-bulls through the streets of
Mason where bulls like Harley-Buck, Elmer, Tommy Lee Jones, and
several other men he could think of, were let loose to run from
the sex starved cowboys to track them down, disable them, to have
their wicked way with them until their lusts were sexually sated.
Then they would make sweet love, let them loose, throw a feast,
and party together for days.
The slaves loved the fact their master, for whatever reason, was
having lunch with them. Their lunch consisted of two cups of slave
chow and a nutrient biscuit, and Billy got in line with the rest
of them to get his. He sat in the middle of the patio and was soon
joined by his main posse who followed their master's lead and came
to have their lunch with him and the slaves. It was a great time
and Billy answered their questions and patiently listened to their
wishes for the future. He told them about the entertainment they
were going to have Saturday, and they were looking forward to it.
Part of the message the ancients sent Billy was never to become so
self-important he couldn't communicate and commingle comfortably
with those under him.
"C'ain't wait for ma' dad to see ma' new horns," Harley-Buck said
as if talking to himself.
"I ain't say'n a word to him, Son. I'll let you tell him
yourself," Billy said, "As a further treat, you said something
about getting to see your demon dad, old Satan. Would you like to
visit with him for a while this evening?" Billy asked.
"You can arrange it, Master Billy?" Harley-Buck asked in awe.
"If'n I can give you a fine set of horns to wear, I think I might
be able to conjure-up the old demon for a visit from the fiery
pits," Billy assured him.
"I'd like that very much, sir," Harley-Buck said.
Billy didn't understand Harley-Buck's fascination for demon
figures at the moment, but it became more clear to him as time
went on. It had little to do with angels or demons. It just so
happened, the demons came to the big cowboy's rescue and did more
for him during a time of great emotional upheaval, self-doubt,
confusion, and turmoil than any of the classic examples of
understanding and giving a hand to your fellow man in need might
cover; be it ever so small a thing as simply listening to another
when they are in pain from some actions they had no control over.
Unless one finds an anchor to reality under undue stress, they may
become lost to insane ideas of their own invention and those of
others with more nefarious purposes. Somehow, the switch in
Harley-Buck's brain flipped to see the demons as his saviors who
took him under their black leather wings and gave him a new lease
on life as a slave to a good man who could be an angel at times
and a demon in the sack at another. What man should be so lucky to
find an equal measure of both in one? Harley-Buck was hoping for a
trick shot on a seven/ten split.
His slave brother and living-space buddy, Earl Hickson, didn't
know what to think about Harley-Buck's new horns, but his own cock
forced him to admit they added a stunning sexual image to the big
cowboy which kept Earl uneasy when he was around him. Usually Earl
was rather aloof and standoffish around people he didn't know, but
he had time to get to know his bunk-mate pretty well before
Harley-Buck's heroic rescue of the runaway horse. Now Earl was in
awe of Harley-Buck and acted like a tongue-tied young grade school
kid hanging around his first crush. It came to Earl in a rush,
there was no such thing as reason or understanding anymore; the
world was coming at him at an accelerated rate and passing him by
quicker than he could grasp bits and pieces to cling to. It was so
much simpler when it was just him and Bubba. Earl was at once
attracted to Harley-Buck as he was jealous of the big man's more
easy acceptance of their circumstances than he was able to enjoy.
It was like Harley-Buck was a pig in a wallow, getting life all
over himself, and Earl was only tiptoeing around the perimeter. Is
big always better? Not necessarily. It depends on your
perspective.
That evening, after Earl and Harley-Buck were processed for the
evening, Billy came around to their bunks. "Come with me bull. Our
master, Satan, got word you were a hero today and spared one of
his beloved creatures from a gruesome death. The Devil his'self,
Old Scratch, wants to thank you and bounce his boy on his big knee
or whatever pops up. Are you up for it, slave?" Billy asked
forcefully but grinned from ear to ear.
Harley-Buck fell to his knees and once again paid homage to
Billy's boots. "I am so ready, Master Billy. Thank you, sir, for
arranging it for me," he said.
"You realize we have to go to Hell to have an audience with him?
What if the old bastard falls in love with you and decides he
wants to keep you with him?" Billy asked and grinned again.
"Can you whip him, Master Billy?" Harley-Buck asked.
"Oh, Hell no! You saw how big he is. You done sat on his lap
before. Besides, he's much more powerful than me and my brothers.
We couldn't defeat him in a fair fight, and you know the Devil
always fights dirty," Billy poured on the cowboy bullshit.
"Nevertheless, I will have to take the chance, Master Billy. It's
the honorable thing to do," Harley-Buck responded seriously, "If
my demon-dad, my savior, calls for me, I must go to him, pay my
respects, and thank him for giving me to you as your slave, sir,"
Harley-Buck declared strongly like a noble knight-errant what
found his holy grail.
"Excellent! Them's the words I wanted to hear. They be the words
of a true hero and knight of the round-table where every man is
free to speak his mind without censure or rebuke. You will be
joining a noble order this evening, Son. The order of the cowboy
demons and angels who share and bathe together in the baths of
Hell where you may relax and find your bliss, your heaven on
Earth, or your personal Hell depending on your point of view,"
Billy emoted and grinned again, "Ready, my faithful bull?" Billy
asked again.
"Your faithful bull is ready, Master," Harley-Buck replied.
* * * * * * *
The cowboys of Billy's family were gathered in the large steam
baths off the dungeon. Almost everyone was there except for the
LaFleurs. Billy instructed his crew in the castle to rig up the
red lights again and explained they were planning a surprise for
Harley-Buck Johnson. They wanted to reveal to him the truth about
their manufactured Hell and the demons. The castle people came to
love Captain Nick and Billy's sense of humor and would work their
butts off to see every detail was taken care of. The giants were
instructed to come down to the baths morphed into their demon
personas, and Gog in particular, as Satan, would be entertaining
his adopted son, Harley-Buck. Everyone was primed for it, and the
stage was set. Every man who knew how to morph into a demon did so
to enjoy the warm waters and engage in some idle talk while
drinking herbal tea.
Billy took Harley-Buck to the slave processing room off the newer
barn, took his shirt off and winged up before his slave.
Harley-Buck boldly took his master into his arms and gently kissed
him. Billy was so moved by the big cowboy's tenderness and trust
he wondered if he was doing the right thing. He decided the truth
was always the right thing and while he was hoping to wait until
later, because of Harley-Buck's heroism, it seemed more apropos
for the moment.
"Whatever happens this evening, please remember, I'm your faithful
slave, Master Billy," he said quietly.
"And whatever happens this evening, I want you to remember, what
I'm doing is dropping all barriers between us and exposing myself
and my family to you as we really are, my faithful slave," Billy
replied.
"So be it," he said.
"Hosanna!" Billy said quietly.
"Hosanna, in the highest!" Harley-Buck returned equally as quiet.
Billy raised his wings over his slave and in a flash of light they
transported to the dungeon on Captain Nick's ship. The red lights
were awesome and there was a lot more steam and fog filling the
surrounding areas to give the dungeon an air of mystery and
suspense like a cold, damp night in London when Jack the Ripper
was at large except the dungeon was hot and sultry like a steamy
night in the tropics.
"Don't Hell have more rooms than this one?" Harley-Buck asked
innocently.
It caught Billy off guard, and he doubled over in laughter. "Yes!
Yes, many more but this just happens to be the one where mortals
from Earth come before being allowed to progress from this point
by Lucifer his'self your big surrogate demon daddy," Billy
explained and bit his tongue to keep from laughing again. Billy
had to give it to the big cowboy, he was bright and observant.
They could hear voices and laughter in the distance. Billy took
Harley-Buck's hand and led him like a lost lamb through the red
lights and steam until they came to the hot tubs. There were only
a few of the cowboys who didn't morph and they invited the male
Sun Bears in their demon form. The cute little critters were
standing in the hot water on the stone benches. They couldn't sit
down or the water would almost be over their head unless they sat
in a brother demon's lap, and several were taking advantage of
their larger demon brother's goodwill. Harley-Buck's eyes grew big
as saucers, then he smiled. He felt like he was home again.
As the mist of the steam cleared around the tubs, Billy's family
got a good look at him and his hero-slave wearing his new horns.
"Would ju' look at them horns, Master Bull. They be a fine looking
pair of horns, Son," Hank declared.
"I agree, Hank. You look really good with them horns, Son, and
don't never let nobody tell you different. I'm almost jealous of
them. C'ain't says I wouldn't mind having me a pair of 'um
ma'self, if'n my husband and wife thought I should have them,"
Elmer Breedlove said.
"Rox and I wouldn't care, Master Bull, if you want a nice pair of
horns like those. The only horn we're concerned about is the one
hanging between your legs," Vox replied and got applause,
whistles, and laughter from the group.
"Has his holy-less-ness arrived?" Billy asked and several of the
men laughed.
"No, but we understand he's ready to make an entrance at any
moment. He's on his way down to Hell even as we speak," Captain
Nick replied, "See them two little men with them trumpets over
there by the door to the stairs, they's suppose to blow them
things when he's about to arrive," Nick said.
"Don't Satan live down here in the heat?" Harley-Buck asked.
"Goodness no, Son. It gets too damn hot down here for him. You
know how big people suffer worse than smaller ones in a heat wave
on Earth. He just comes down on business or to process new slaves
when they come in. He assigns them god-awful jobs depending on how
rotten they were in life, but surprisingly enough, many of them
are better jobs and have better benefits than the big corporations
pay their employees on Earth," Nick carefully explained. There was
several titters went around the room, but for the most part, the
other men played along.
Gog and his men with Erin and Blue came down the back stairs from
their apartments. The two dwarfs tried to play a trumpet fanfare
but must have gotten mixed messages or didn't know how to play
them very well. It sounded like the trumpet player from the
Napoleon scene from Time Bandits. It was a spirited attempt but
fell flat. The men snickered quietly. Gog, as the great demon-lord
Satan, stopped and looked at them and smiled. "I swear you men get
better every time you announce my arrival. I'm so proud of you, my
little lambs," the huge horned creature gushed.
It was all the men could do to keep from drowning in the tubs from
suppressed laughter. For his size, Gog could be a great clown and
found humor in everything. He was much like Billy and his posse.
Nothing was sacred to him or beyond poking a little fun at. You
never knew what was going to come out of his mouth next. He became
a joy to have around and always had a good word for everyone. He
was a big hit with the villagers and the cowboys loved him.
"Ah, and my eyes have just been treated with a vision of a stout
and comely male beauty. My eyes have been hurting me all damn day
from the enlarged sulfur count in the air down here; however, I no
longer feel any discomfort as I cast my sight upon my handsome boy
my beloved son, Harley-Buck Johnson, Junior. And I ask you
gentlemen, have you ever seen a more handsome and sexy human with
such a fantastic set of horns his Earthly master bestowed upon
him? Only my boy, a true son of Satan, a hero to his world, could
wear a set of horns like those and look so ravishing," Gog gushed,
"Come to your big daddy Satan's arms, my handsome boy, and let me
hold you. Let me whisper oriental-style compliments to you hot,
sweet, and nasty," he invited.
As the evening progressed and the men drank several mugs of Hank
and Buck's special herb tea, everyone began to get very mellow.
Harley-Buck never experienced the tea before and wasn't prepared
for the effect; however, he knew he was feeling different
certainly more relaxed and open to anything. He never felt so
included and appreciated by another group of men. With the older
cowboys of Mason County, he formed a pseudo-relationship based
upon their nefarious purposes of revenge. They were hard,
calculating men who had little humor or natural sense of
camaraderie about them. On the contrary, the diverse group of
cowboys, cowboy-angels, and demons around the pool were
interacting like they were a close-knit family group and concerned
about everyone. It was something Harley-Buck knew he missed in his
younger life and something he very much needed.
He was mostly engaged by Gog in his demon-daddy Satan persona, the
other giants, and their contingency of larger than average men. He
began to notice, as the evening progressed, more of the cowboys
were morphing back into their human forms. Even the delightful
small Sun Bear critters were morphing back to their original form.
Harley-Buck decided they were just as appealing either way, but
there was a softness about them in their natural state which was
overwhelmingly cute and cuddly. After a while, even the other
giants morphed to their original state and only Gog was left,
still in his demon form. Harley-Buck looked around the huge pool
and back to his demon dad. "I'm really dense, ain't I, Dad?"
Harley-Buck said as he looked into Satan's red eyes.
"No, not dense, my handsome son, just deceived. You're far too
intelligent and compassionate to be dense, but anyone can be
cleverly misled. We brought you here to explain and offer our
humble justification for our actions. No apologies. We done what
we had to do. We had to assume roles to protect Master Billy's
operations on the ranch, and yet, we felt compelled to rescue you
and save the life of Clarence Womack without drawing attention to
the Daniels. What better way than to create an artificial
situation which was close to the town-folk's imaginations of myths
and superstitions they believed in for years without any evidence?
Unfortunately, because of your involvement in the situation, we
had to deceive you to have you report back to them a story to
support their fear of superstitions. The government does it all
the time with disinformation about things they don't want the
public to know about. However, that don't make it right. The
difference is, we're gathered here tonight to rectify and gently
correct your thoughts about angels, demons, heaven, and hell," Gog
said, "Did you really think, as bad-ass as them religious folks
preach about the devil, he would have any compassion?" he asked.
"I wondered about it. All I can say is you and Master Billy shook
my confidence in the stuff I heard or read about religion, and I
began to think maybe it wouldn't be so bad to play for the other
team at least the demons let me see them and reasoned with me. I
never got no visits from any gods or Jesus. Not a one of my
prayers were answered. It was disconcerting for me. I found myself
falling in love with demons. You make the most convincing Satan I
could possibly imagine," Harley-Buck
allowed.
"Why, thank you, Son, that's perhaps the nicest compliment this
old giant's ever received," Gog said.
"What's your real name, sir?" Harley-Buck asked.
"Billy Gog Groats," Gog replied.
"What a wonderful name. Mean'n no disrespect, sir, it sounds like
a character from a children's fairy tale book. Can I see you in
your natural form?" he asked.
"Is it all right for me to morph back, Master Billy?" Gog asked
his master.
"Lord no! If he sees what you really look like, we won't be able
to get you two apart with with a wrecking bar," Billy said firmly
and everyone laughed around the pool. After the laughter died
down, Billy spoke again, "Sure, go ahead-on, Big'un. We done
brought him here tonight to bring him into the family, and he'll
learn the rest as he comes along. His daddy will be his family
mentor, but you can be his go-to man in our family. Besides, I'm
learning more about punishment slaves, and I'm flexible enough to
make changes in my thinking," Billy added.
"No more grand openings?" Elmer asked.
"I ain't saying 'no,' but more private. Bubba and Boomer set the
bar, but I don't think it would work for every slave and his
mentor. We've yet to find a mentor for Earl Hickson," Billy
replied.
"I wouldn't mind being his mentor, Master Billy, if you find me
worthy," Cowboy Andy spoke up.
"Of course you're worthy, Andy. You're always so quiet, but I know
if I give you a job to do, it will be done on time and done right
the first time. Have you said anything to Earl?" Billy asked.
"He wouldn't before asking you first, Kemosabe," Captain Nick
reminded him quietly.
"I knew that, Tonto!" Billy exclaimed nervously, and the men
laughed at him. "You know Earl best, Bubba, what do you think?" he
asked.
"I think Cowboy Andy would be perfect for the job, but I don't
think either one of you should approach Earl. Earl can't decide
which boot to pull on first in the mornings. Don't give him no
choice. You's the master. Just assign Andy to be Earl's mentor,
and hope for the best. As far as I'm concerned, Andy is the best
buckaroo for the job. Let Earl learn to trust somebody outside his
own little world," Bubba said, "And if I had to turn my brother
over to another man, my choice would be Cowboy Andy," he added.
"Hear! Hear!" agreed Tron Garrett.
"I agree with Bubba," Nathan said
"I'll take you to him tomorrow morning, Andy. I'll give you a key
to his harness and chastity cage, and you can take it from there.
If you feel you need any instructions or help, go to Bubba and get
a copy of his DVD's with his old man and review them. Each slave
will be different and you may have some other ideas for Earl, but
run them by Bubba or me first," Billy said, "Bubba decided to wait
for what he and Orville called their grand opening, but I'm
flexible with that. If you decide you'd like to use your cock to
train him along with the plugs, let's talk about it. The main
thing to remember is his mentor or me are the only two who will
allow him to ejaculate under any circumstances. I want every slave
to become dependent on their mentor or me to provide release for
them at least during the training period," Billy added.
"Does that apply for my boy?" Gog asked and grinned.
"Yes, but he ain't had a session wiff' his family mentor yet. If
you want to take him to your bed and offer him relief this e'nin,
I'll give you my key to his cock-cage. He done already come once't
this afternoon when we's sharing a brotherly kiss, and it became a
bit more than brotherly between us," Billy confessed and laughed.
"We's like two old maids bump'n pussies," Billy couldn't help add
and got a laugh from everyone. "It was them damn horns what done
it!" Billy exclaimed. "You gonna' morph or not, Big' un?" Billy
asked Gog.
"Yes, sir, Master Billy, I's just wait'n for you to finish. I
didn't wanna' draw no attention away from you," Gog said humbly.
"Can I get a round of applause for our beloved giant in his Satan
persona? We couldn't a asked for no better devil," Billy prompted
and started clapping himself. Everyone around the pool joined him
as they watched Gog morph back to his giant form.
Harley-Buck stood naked in the pool before him as he watched the
huge giant change form. The big cowboy couldn't believe what a
good looking giant Gog was. He was even bigger than he was in his
demon form. "Fuck me in the butt!" Harley-Buck exclaimed,
"Amazing!" he added. "My demon daddy just become my giant mentor.
How lucky can one cowboy get?" he said and everyone laughed at his
enthusiasm. Gog was an impressive giant.
"Yeah, well don't go put'n your brand on his big butt, Buckaroo.
Bossman Randy done got a prior claim on that giant's heart, and
he's got two mean-ass bulls to back him up," Billy said and
laughed.
"Hosanna!" said Elmer.
"Hosanna, in the highest," the others echoed.
The evening came to an end and Billy gave his permission for
Harley-Buck to stay the night with Gog, and he would gather him in
the morning after breakfast. Billy gave Gog a key to Harley-Buck's
cock-cage and told him to keep it, they had several more in case
of emergencies. That evening, after a light supper, Billy and his
family retired to the line-cabin. The men had enough herbal tea.
They were feeling playful and continued their partying. Boomer and
the twins went off to the loft and Billy and Nick were alone. They
wasted no time getting to bed and making love. After a rousing
romp in the hay, they were exhausted from the exciting day and
fell into a deep sleep.
Billy had a most unusual dream. He was standing before the stage
they built for the music concerts, and he saw it was much too
small for the projected future. He watched in awe as renovations
took place enlarging the stage in front, widening it, and building
it deeper into the barn to store large instruments out of the
weather. It was like watching a time-lapse video of a demolished
building played in reverse as he watched all the boards and pieces
go together to create just what he needed. There were several
remarkable features including solid sound baffles which would
direct the sounds up and out into the barnyard, and four solid
windows across the top which would open up and out by
counterweights to allow the sound to pass the upper wall. <<
Do it tomorrow! >> he heard a voice say.
<< No, no! No time tomorrow. Too many other things to
get ready, >> he replied.
<< Remember your owner's advice: delegate. We are
sending the Bossman the same dream. He only needs your approval,
>> the voice said.
<< It must be important. I will comply. Bossman will
have my approval. Thank you, >> he said.
<< You're welcome, >> was the last
transmission.
* * * * * * *
The next morning the McMartin family and the Bossman were waiting
for Billy and his family when they arrive at the big house. After
hugs and kisses, they went into breakfast together.
"Did you get a message last night, Bossman?" Billy asked passing
the biscuits.
"You know I did, big Brother. They done told you I'd get one,
except mine was bit different from yours. I got a commission to
build the darn thing. It won't take us long. A couple of hours. We
should be finished by noon at the latest. I need Garth and Mack,
Cowboy Andy, Clyde, Balthazar, Harley-Buck, Earl, Gog, Joe,
Willie, Big Blue, Erin, Jethro, Bubba's Brute, Boomer, Caesar,
Ludo, and ma' main man, Uncle Tom," Randy rattled off. "We still
got them extra sheets of three-quarter inch plywood stored in the
new barn?" he asked.
"Yeah, last I checked they's still out there," Billy replied.
"They're out there. We had a lot left over from the last bunkhouse
project. They's listed in the last inventory. There should be
enough for Randy's project," Tron Garrett said and Moss agreed.
"Why do you need Harley-Buck?" Billy asked with a grin.
"I was told to include him and Earl Hickson. I's just following
orders. Besides, that big buckaroo done went and spent the night
in my favorite giant's arms, and I'm gonna' work his cowboy butt
off this morning to pay for it," Randy declared and laughed.
Everyone around the table laughed. They knew Randy's love for Gog.
"The real truth is, that cowboy's got major construction
experience, and he's a demon with a nail gun. You don't want to
come around 'nat buckaroo when he's got a nail gun in his hand,
and I hear tell he's almost as accurate with them nail guns as he
is his six-shooters," Randy said and laughed again. Everyone
around the table was about to fall on the floor laughing at him.
"What are you gonna' do with the Yamaha while you play Mr. Lego?"
Billy asked.
"Fly it to Uncle Tom's warehouse so's Mr. Jones can have one
complete run-through with the orchestra tomorrow morning; then fly
it back for the performance," Randy said.
"Good thinking. You gonna' provide us a gate?" Billy asked.
"For you, Uncle Tom, and Mr. Jones. My cowboy-angels will
transport the Yamaha," Randy replied.
"Your cowboy-angels?" Billy teased.
"They is when they's work'n for me on a project as directed by
them ancient critters, big Brother!" Randy exclaimed and nailed
Billy to the barn door. Everyone laughed.
"Hear! Hear! A big 'Hosanna' for the Bossman!" Nathan exclaimed.
"Hosanna, in the highest!" everyone around the table replied, then
laughed at Billy.
* * * * * * *
After breakfast, Billy and what was left of his posse, Hank, Buck,
Nick, Poly, Cass, Jack McCormack, and Etienne went through a gate
and appeared just outside Stan and Cletus's cabin in Oregon. The
men were just getting up and Stan put on a pot of coffee. Billy
brought along some Hosanna Cakes for them and their watchers to
enjoy. Billy hailed Erasmus as they walked to the front porch.
"Hello, Erasmus, how are you and your fine looking family this
morning?" he asked.
"Good, Master Billy. Master Stan brought us a nice meal last
night, and we slept well, thank you," the big beast replied,
"Where is our watcher-brother, Boomer?" he asked.
"Back at the ranch helping Bossman Randy with a project. He sends
his best wishes," Billy said.
They clomped up onto the porch and Cletus met them at the door.
"You's two days early, but it don't matter. You's always welcome
anytime," he said.
"We wanted to come to see what we should bring Sunday. We'll tell
you and Stan what we can offer and we'll bring it along. Bossman
Randy's got a brand new app for his Shedu program, and he's just
dying to try it out. He can open a gate big enough to drive a
Sherman Tank through and we plan to bring the school bus and two
of the ranch vans loaded with helpers and food," Billy said.
They sat down around the picnic table, drank coffee, and had
Hosanna Cakes while they discussed food and musicians. Billy said
he planned to bring Etienne and his dad and he named several
others he planned to bring along for catering help and musical
backup if needed. Cletus said Stan told everyone they would be
serving File' Gumbo and crayfish.
"You got the make'ns?" Billy asked.
"We ain't even got a Crawdad," Cletus lamented.
"We'll bring what you need. Make a list and we'll get it. Can you
make it here?" Billy asked.
"No, all we got is that old wood stove, and it's impossible to
cook on without burning the food," Cletus frowned.
"We'll get the Boudreauxs to make ten gallons of Gumbo and bring
it and the steamed crawdads along. We planned to bring our
barbecue drums and cook brisket over mesquite and have deer meat
chili available if they want it. Also several gallons of German
potato salad. Will that be enough?" Billy asked.
"Good Lord, I should think so, Master Billy. If not, they know
it's first come first serve and the town folks will bring their
receipts for their last month's light bill as their ticket for the
food line. Out-of-towners will be allowed to buy a ticket for food
after everyone in town are fed," Cletus allowed.
"How many town-folks are there?" Billy asked.
"Less than thirty, sir, and a few might not come. Five or six are
older and can't get around none too good," Stan replied.
They sat around and talked for a couple of hours. Hank and Buck
were making notes about what they would need. When both parties
decided they pretty well covered everything, Billy and his men
left through the gate. They promised they would be back Sunday
morning early. They planned to go to church, but Oregon was two
hours earlier than Texas and they would arrive around ten o'clock.
Cletus and Stan thanked them and hugged each man several times.
* * * * * * *
Billy's posse returned to the ranch and everyone was down at the
old barn watching the men work. They decided to walk down and see
how they were coming. They were stunned at what they got done.
Randy didn't exaggerate about Harley-Buck's powers as a worker.
They no sooner sat a board into place when he came along behind
them and secured it in nothing flat. They were almost finished.
The rest of the men and giants stood together looking upon their
work and admiring it.
"Holy shit!" Billy exclaimed, "It turned out better than I
imagined. The front drop-windows are fantastic and the internal
shell is perfect," he lauded the Bossman and the workers.
"H'it ain't finished yet," Randy said.
"It's fine like it is, Tiger. What more can you do?" Billy asked.
"The fun part," Randy replied.
"The fun part!" Billy exclaimed, "I'm afraid to ask," he allowed
nervously.
"You ain't even looked at chore' apps have you, big Brother?" he
asked.
"I ain't had time, little Brother. You know I leave that up to ma'
Ramrod," Billy replied and laughed.
"Watch and wonder!" Randy exclaimed as he waved his little hand
before the new stage. Instantly, the entire project was covered
with a mahogany veneer. There were gasps from every corner of the
gathered crowd. Everyone was amazed the young boy held the power
to change the look of the performance stage with the wave of his
hand.
"That's frick'n fantastic, Cowboy. That certainly tarts it up a
bit. It's incredible," Billy said and everyone applauded.
"We ain't through yet. You gotta' decide between fifteen veneers,
Maestro Banzai," Randy said to Billy.
"You be shit'n me, Buckwheat!" Billy accused and grinned.
Randy waved his hand again, and the veneer changed to a light oak.
The boy didn't stop until he ran through all fifteen.
"I don't know, Son. I'm rocked on ma' boot heels. You been playing
with this longer than me. You got any suggestions? You got me over
a barrel here. Can I get some input from my family?" he asked.
"Wouldn't touch it wiff' a ten foot pole!" exclaimed Nathan.
"I heard that!" agreed Tron and everyone laughed.
"The darker the wood the harder it is, and the sharper sound
you're gonna get, but dark wood makes it look smaller. Light
veneer is softer and will cut off some of the higher frequencies.
Several of the light oaks are hard enough they won't absorb too
much and will kick it back to the front of the stage, but not
enough to cause an echo. Five choices are in the middle range.
I'll show you them five again," Randy said and flashed the first
and more slowly moved through the other four.
"Lets see the second one again, Pod'na," Billy said, and Randy
complied.
"Damnation that's pretty. Anybody got any input? Speak now or
forever hold your peace!" Billy hollered to the assembled crowd.
No one spoke up. "Done!" Billy exclaimed and Randy left it as it
was. Everyone applauded to show their approval. Billy noticed
several of the men slipping Randy money. "What the Hell?" he
asked.
"He won the pool. The Bossman done said you'd pick that one," Gog
replied and everyone laughed.
Billy grabbed Randy up into his arms, hugged, and kissed him in
front of everyone. "Ya' done good, Buckaroo. Have I told you
lately how much I love you?" Billy asked.
"Not lately, but who's counting?" Randy replied and everyone
laughed.
"Well, let it be known this cowboy is proud of his little
brother," Billy yelled at the top of his voice.
"What time is it? We got to gate over to The Woodlands for my
furry dad and mom, our guest artist, and his boss," Randy said.
Billy looked at his watch. "Damn, it's nearly eleven, and I told
them we'd be there. C'moan, little brother, fling wide them
infernal gates! Let's us cowboys mount up and ride!"
Billy exclaimed.
End of Chapter 59 ~ Seek Him Who Maketh The Seven Stars
Copyright ~ © ~ 2013 ~ 2014 ~ 2015 ~ Waddie Greywolf
All Rights Reserved
Mail to: waddiebear@yahoo.com
WC = 16024
09/20/2013
05/19/2014
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Nifty.org -- http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html
--
to help support
and maintain this
free service so it
may continue to
remain available
to everyone. Also,
if you enjoy a
particular story,
it costs you
nothing to send an
e-mail to the
author to let them
know you
appreciate their
hard work creating
these stories for
you to read. A
compliment or a
couple of words of
encouragement goes
a long way to
stimulate
creativity... or
anything else you
might have in
mind. ~ Thanks.
Waddie Greywolf