WACO’S
LUMMOX
By
Waddie Greywolf
Chapter
47
So, ungentle reader, (as
you and I value what we should
ashamed—after witnessing a few minor circus-marvels—to call our
"lives,") let us never be fooled into taking seriously that perfectly
superficial distinction which is vulgarly drawn between the circus-show
and "art" or "the arts." Let us not forget that every authentic
"work
of art" is in and of itself alive and that, however "the arts" may
differ among themselves, their common function is the expression of
that supreme alive-ness which is known as "beauty." This being so, our
three ring circus is art—for to contend that the spectacle in question
is not an authentic manifestation of "beauty" is as childish, as to
dismiss the circus on the ground that it is "childish," is
idiotic.
~ e. e. cummings
That afternoon,
after the rodeo, Brett Jones and his commander returned to the clinic
in Parson. Arnie Steven found a wheelchair in an old store room,
they got out and dusted off. They put Jones in a hospital gown
and set him in the chair to do his interview with his commander.
They brought in a young gay man who was a master at makeup and was
always in demand by the different theatrical groups and sometime stores
who wanted him to put on a cosmetics demonstration for women of the
communities. He was very good and made Jones to look like he’d
been run over by a Mack truck. They wanted to
give the impression he was slowly recovering so they could buy him and
Del Hawkins more time to visit with his new found friends. Arnie
knew if anyone could perform a miracle it would be his friend Basil
Troubadour, a cosmetics and makeup expert.
Basil Troubadour was
not the name with which the young man was born, but it was the name he
chose for himself after his was thrown out by his family at the age of
fifteen. He found himself on his own, with less than ten bucks,
to face the harsh realities of an increasingly hostile world. He
chose to turn his back on that chapter of his life and never looked
back. No one knew his real name. His favorite spice or herb
was
Basil and he loved to sing. He fancied he would become a
wandering troubadour as of old. Surprisingly, it worked for a
while until he turned his first John who turned out to be an undercover
government agent. He was thrown
into a Cheney camp as a socially undesirable, which seemed pretty
ironic to Basil because the government cop certainly found him
desirable enough to enjoy making passionate love to him while fucking
his tight young ass. At the very least he had to find him
desirable enough to spend the night in his bed and doing it again in
the morning before arresting him.
When you’re young, you expect
more honesty from the world which ultimately leaves you grasping at the
straws of disillusionment. In many cases, disillusion equaled
death. Basil was forced
to do heavy labor twelve to fourteen hours a day with little to eat
while living in unhealthy conditions. He used his wits and fought
to survive, but he came down with a bad cold. He wasn’t allowed
to rest or take care of himself properly. His keepers labeled him
a goldbrick and beat him to make him work. He developed pneumonia
in both lungs and was near death when he suddenly disappear from his
bed one night. He was now
eighteen years old and had traveled a long way in his short time.
He developed an
interest in makeup while working behind the scenes of one the many
shows the same sex communities produced. He knew he could do a
better job than the couple of men trying to smear paint and powder on
people's faces. In two
years time he was considered a genius at his art. Since imports
of cosmetics into the communities were scarce, he did what any
enterprising entrepreneur might do, he got on the Internet, researched
everything he could find on organic components of cosmetic chemistry
and made his own. He developed a small but thriving business, and
a faithful following within the communities.
The kid was
hardly the epitome of masculinity, but he had the face of an angel, a
brilliant mind, with a well defined body from several years of hard,
forced physical labor in a Cheney camp. Getting to work around
and be in close physical contact with a huge man like Officer Jones
with a perfect body was a challenge for him, but he presented himself
as a true professional and his work came first. He carried
himself with dignity and authority. He heard of the good work and
miracles Brett Jones had done and volunteered his services. He
also happened to be a close friend of Arnie and Dr. Stevens, and a
personal makeup and costume advisor to Keekepata. He found Brett
Jones a refreshing change from the group of people with which he
usually dealt. Brett knew very little about the so called
raptured
communities (a misnomer, but one Jones could relate to and a concept
many in the communities supported) He didn’t want to appear
insensitive, but he was curious.
“Do you enjoy
living in the gay community, Basil?” he innocently asked the
young man to make conversation.
“Please,...
Officer Jones,.... sweetheart,.... don’t let anyone hear you use the
‘G’
word!” Basil exclaimed, making a dramatic gesture, looking around
in an exaggerated manner like he was trying to see if they were being
overheard. Of course they were being heard, there were several
other people in the
room. He smiled wickedly and winked at Jones. He continued
to talk as he worked. “Remember when blacks were called ‘niggers’
and after civil rights it was considered politically incorrect to use
the ‘N’ word?” Brett nodded his head. “So it is here in the
colonies with the ‘G’ word. Admiral Long has decreed the ‘G’ word
is not to be used to describe males of the same sex persuasion.
Neither is the ‘L’ word used to describe females who are so
inclined. It is considered politically incorrect. It’s an
effort to do away with prejudices by a multiple of means, in this case
labeling folks. I, for one, fully support the Admiral and his
policies. Because the Admiral and his cowboys have saved most of
us from sure death, there has been little dissent to his
policies. On a personal note, I never really considered myself
that way, because there’s just some days I don’t feel like being
gay.” Basil tossed off with a flourish of his hand which was
holding a makeup brush. “We have considered another, more
inclusive term for ourselves which encompasses all gender
anomalies. We refer to ourselves as ‘Tweeners.’" He went on
to explain.
“Originally it
came about as an accidental byproduct of a technical inconvenience
rather than an attempt at social bigotry, or at least that’s how our
historians are recording it. After the colonies were set up, the
breeder communities had to pass through a series of gates to get from
one major community to another on the Bandersnatch. Breeders
would have to pass ‘between’ the two same sex communities to get to the
other breeder community. I’ll share a secret with you.” he
dropped his voice, but everyone in the room could hear him, “Just
between us, I think it was a clever plan of Admiral Long’s to force the
breeder communities to interrelate with us. Everything has
been growing at such a fast rate, that’s just the way it was until
about six months ago when all the gates were upgraded to go directly
where you choose. The gates can easily be changed with an ID key
card. We just run our key card through the scanner and punch in
our destination. Since the ‘G’ word is off limits to the breeder
community as well, they began to refer to our communities as ‘between
land’ and its inhabitants as ‘betweeners.’ Unlike the word
‘Negro’ which was morphed into the derogatory term ‘Nigger’ by Southern
whites as a racial putdown, some old cowperson rather innocently
shortened it to Tweeners. We are, after all, for all practical
purposes, still living in the altered state of Texas.” Basil
laughed at his own joke. Brett thought it was funny and
laughed.
Basil continued to work and expound.
“So the other
communities started referring to the residents as ‘Tweeners,’ and as
the radical homosexuals of the eighties took the word ‘queer’ and made
it their own, much to the consternation of the Joe Sixpack’s and the
Homer Simpson’s of the world, we ultimately adopted it as our own;
however, it wasn’t fully accepted right away. Many didn’t
particularly care for it at first, because it sounded too much like
‘weeners,’ and while it’s true many of us love to suck a big, fat,
tasty weenie from time to time, we certainly don’t consider ourselves
weenies. Personally, I prefer a nice, big, juicy kielbasa; the
hotter the better.” he giggled, made another exaggerated flourish, then
continued.
“Because of our
progress with our social status within the communities, we were
beginning to see a payoff for our hard work. More and more same
sex couples are leaving the Tweener colonies and integrating into the
larger communities. We have developed a new vision for ourselves
as having value and worth from earning people’s trust and
respect, where before, in your world, beyond certain parameters we were
never given a chance. We were always considered second or even
third class citizens no matter our accomplishments. Like the
blacks, they considered us born to perdition, or we chose to be the way
we are and don’t want to change. Hate the sin,
love the sinner was an empty phrase used by the extreme right. It
never quite worked out that way. It didn’t matter how many times
we accepted Jesus as our personal savior, we were still queer and never
fully accepted into their congregations. Those who tried were
constantly under suspicion and watched closely for the telltale whiff
of male ejaculate on their breath. According to most
fundamentalists, homosexuality is the one sin Jesus’ blood just can’t
wash away. Too bad they never looked at the total figure of
Christ more closely. It isn’t just to be disrespectful or
irreverent many of our kind refer to him as the Pansy of Palestine or
Nazarene Nancy; there’s a certain embittered identification.
As you know, in
2015 it was finally legislated by the Bush regime we were not deserving
of any rights whatsoever and finally our sexual nature alone became the
justification for murder by right wing religious zealots. That’s
why the Cheney camps have a high percentage of homosexuals, although
you would never find Cheney’s daughter and her partner in one.
Originally, the political justification for placing us in camps was to
protect us from the extreme right, but that was just a ruse for the
real reasons. We were an easily available and free work source
for the corporate elite. Once thrown into a camp there was no way
out but death. We were worked to death in forced labor and denied
proper medical care so we would die from the least health problem which
could easily be medically corrected. Murder by neglect and
inaction is still murder.
The more we
began to think about the term Tweeners, which was hotly debated, it was
pointed out by some of the more wise among us, it might have a more
inclusively positive context rather than negative. It was agreed
the word was probably more apt than we originally considered.
It’s a condensation of the words “in between,” which was successfully
argued really doesn’t set us apart from society into a separate
group. In effect, the term implies we’re in the middle between
the breeder sexes, so by placing us in that position they’re
unwittingly forced to accept us as part of them— part of the whole
package of humanity, for good or bad, warts and all. In reality,
we have never been a separate group, just like the different races on
Earth have always been part of the same species.
We’re the same
as the rest of humanity and should not be cast out. To be a
homosexual and all it implies is not a choice, but must become thought
of as more than simply a deviation or mistake of nature.
It’s important we accept who we are, respect our nature and learn to
consider our difference as the gift of our birthright. Many of
the so called primitive societies readily accept homosexuals as an
important part of their culture, or at least they did until they
allowed themselves to become tainted by Christianist
fundamentalism. We were considered wise men, shamans, holy men
and prophets. In Hinduism many divinities are androgynous.
There are Hindu deities who are intersexual (both male and female); who
manifest in all three genders; who switch from male to female or from
female to male; male deities with female moods and female deities with
male moods; deities born from two males or from two females; deities
born from a single male or single female; deities who avoid the
opposite sex; deities with principal companions of the same sex, and so
on. One of the most important aspects of Hinduism is the belief
that both God and nature are unlimitedly diverse. It’s only when
one investigates the Abrahamic religions one finds homosexuality
presented in a negative manner.” Basil stood back to assess his
work like any artist might. He continued with his work and
explanation at the same time.
“How
hypocritical for the religious right to preach intelligent design while
on the other hand they are busily destroying that which they claim
their intelligent designer created. That’s why they insist
homosexuality has to be a choice. It’s their justification for
murder, just like they preached and believed it was acceptable to
mistreat and lynch a black slave because he was a son of Ham, born to a
life of perdition. Slaves in the past were considered property
and subhuman. So are they today and forced to service their male
master's in a homosexual manner. Just as gays were lumped in with
the undesirables in Nazi Germany and died right along with the so
called chosen race, so they are considered unworthy today and consigned
to death camps. This all evolved and was brought about through
the courtesy of the Christian and Muslim religions. It occurred to me,
any god is only as intelligent as those who worship it. If we’re
born
as homosexuals and placed here by their creator, then by casting us out
as sinners or perverts or killing us because of their fanatical
beliefs, goes against the very tenets of their faith, or worse, it
might even be argued their creator ain’t all that intelligent. At
the very least he’s a piss-poor designer.” Basil laughed.
He was infectious and everyone laughed with him.
“To complicate
the issue, if scientist prove there is a genetic predisposition for
homosexuality, which is highly unlikely given all scientist today are
those who subscribe and support Creationism science, for all the unborn
babies the Christianist wish to
protect through strict anti-abortion laws, if ten to twenty percent are
unfortunate enough to carry and test positive for the homo gene, will
they make an exception and legislate an amendment to approve them for
abortion? What difference does it make if you kill them in the
womb or allow them to be born, only to grow up miserable and unhappy in
an ignorant, biased, unhealthy society, whose fear and hatred will
ultimately
kill them anyway? I sometimes wonder how many people out there
recognize their difference, are afraid, are fiercely hiding their true
nature and wish to god they’d never been born? That’s too
horrible for me to contemplate. No one should have to live in
fear and self-loathing because of a repressive society. It makes
a mockery of democracy and a once proud and free people. It’s a
shame America never survived to see its great promise fulfilled and
become the great nation our forefather’s envisioned. There is
only one maxim to live by: no man is truly free until all men are
free.
In my humble
opinion, the very worst of all this is our brothers with whom we share
a common ancestor, who are ninety-eight point nine percent
DNA/genetically compatible with us, the great apes and other primates
who are being exterminated the world over at an alarming rate for
food. It’s like killing and eating your second cousin. It
is nothing less than an acceptable form of cannibalism.
Hopefully, we’re going to turn that around with the rapture and
exodus.” Basil finished and there was a hushed silence in the
room. He began to blush as he turned and began to pack up his
makeup case. He turned and looked Brett Jones directly into his
eyes.
“I’m so sorry,
Officer Jones. I apologize for my pedantic rant. I’m afraid
I got carried away, but in my defense these things are very important
to me, Sir. Since I’ve been here I’ve been encouraged to
participate and allow my thoughts and opinions to be heard. To
answer your original question, I'm humbled and grateful beyond words
to be here and to be a part of all this, to live in a community where
my talents and work are appreciated, where I’m free to live and love as
I choose, where I can walk among people and not worry about someone
saying something snide or derogatory when I walk away. I was
never very political before, but I’m learning. I’m willing to do
whatever it takes, and if necessary, I’m ready to give my life for what
I consider our greatest hope, the rapture and the exodus from this
overburdened planet. We could leave tomorrow, and it wouldn’t be
too soon for me.”
“Nothing to
apologize for, young man.” spoke Brett Jones with a lump in his
throat. “You spoke clearly with great passion. I’m
impressed. You taught me some things of great value, and I share
your opinions. By your definition, I was forced to accept a life
as a Tweener when I was sold to the Holy Prophet by my dad as a
teen. My youth was spent in his service performing homosexual
acts with him and his cadre of supporters. It was only after I
joined the Officer corps I found our roles reversed, and I was asked to
fuck him. You see, to punish him, Jesse Watkins and Utah switched
his sexual organs from male to female. I’m able to perform for
him, but I don’t really consider myself a breeder even though I prefer
to be the sexual aggressor. I can more readily identify with you
and all Tweeners.”
“Thank you,
Sir. You’re very gracious and I hope my work will buy you the
extra time you need to remain with us a while longer. I plan to
join our choir this evening in songs for your happiness, success and
speedy recovery. I hope you enjoy your stay with us and your
heart is opened to the many wonders our society has to share with
you. By the way, you look positively awful.” Basil grinned
wickedly.
Officer Jones
gave Basil a hug and thanked him for his valuable help. They set
Jones up in his room at the clinic in Parson. The Tweener
community brought in unbelievable flower arrangements and tastefully
set them around to look like he received them from all over the
world. The place smelled like front row, curbside at the Rose
Parade on a warm day. They began with a short talk by
Commander Hawkins who was in charge of Officer Jones. He gave the
viewing audience the basic information about what was wrong with his
officer and said he was recovering at an undisclosed location.
Hawkins emphasized Officer Jones was doing fine and the doctors
expected a full recovery, but it might be several weeks before he is
able to return to his duties. As his commander, Del stated he was
most concerned his officer is allowed the time he needs to rest and
fully recuperate. He then announced Officer Jones would give a
brief statement. Basil’s makeup
job was perfect. Poor Brett looked worn and frazzled with dark
rings under his eyes. He looked pale and weak. He spoke in
a quiet voice he rehearsed beforehand.
“Hello,
everyone. As you probably know I’ve experienced some health
problems recently, but I’m recovering nicely. I won’t go into
details, because I’m not sure I fully understand what happened to me,
but the fine team of doctors at the clinic tell me I suffered a minor
stroke. The physicians here are excellent, and they were able to
fix the problem. I’m improving every day, but as you can see I’m
still a bit weak and need a little more time to heal. I’d like to
thank all of you who have been so kind and generous to send cards and
letters and remembered me in your prayers. These gifts may not
seem like much to you, but they mean a great deal to me. I’ve
been told many of you have given money to the Holy City Chapel charity
fund. From the smallest to the largest donation, they are equally
appreciated. Most of all, I hope you keep sending your prayers
for me, and I’ll return to my post in the Holy City as soon as the good
doctors release me. Thank you for caring so much. I send my
love to you all.”
* * * * * *
The video was
prepared and sent immediately to the Holy City. It just appeared
as an untraceable signal on the Holy City’s secured and most advanced
communications network. Scudder was notified immediately, he
called Austin in and they reviewed the video. They sat in silence
afterward. Taycious was waiting for Scudder to comment and vice
versa. Finally, Scudder spoke.
“What da’ ya’
think?”
“He don’t look
too good, but at least he’s alive. They seem to be taking good
care of him. I didn’t know Hawkins went with him.”
“I knew about
it. I didn’t say nothing. I’m glad he did. Where do
you think they are?”
“It’s hard to
tell. It looked like any normal clinic. Didn’t look too big
or fancy. You gonna’ pump Hawkins or Jones when they return about
where they been?”
“I’ll ask, but
if they don’t wanna’ tell me I ain’t gonna’ push. Aside from
giving me a cunt, I don’t think them men mean us any harm or have plans
to overthrow the government. I don’t think they’re terrorist or
anarchist. If they meant us harm they wouldn’t a’ brought me back
to life. Damn, I ain’t never missed a body like I miss that big
eared cowboy, but not necessarily for sex.”
“Jerry...?”
Austin raised an eyebrow.
“Okay, okay, my
cunt started to moisten and itch when I saw him, but it’s more than
that. He brought life and meaning back into this place.
That chapel is so damn dull without him and Hawkins. It feels
like there’s a pall over the place and everyone who comes to service is
depressed because he ain’t there. I think a lot of them folks
come to worship him.”
“He’s healed a
lot of folks. They’re grateful. Some come because he gives
them hope. A lot of folks come for the dog and pony show and the
naked men. You notice I ain’t missed a service in a while.
Where can you go to church, get a free show like they put on, and keep
an erection all the way through a dull and boring sermon?” The
men shared a laugh. About that time there
came a flash in the room and Del Hawkins was standing in front of the
two men. Scudder was startled at first, but he realized it
was a form of projection he’d never seen before. Hawkins was
like a three dimensional hologram.
“Good evening,
your holiness. Howdy, Mr. Taycious. I’m coming to you from
the clinic where our boy is recovering. What’d you think of the
video, Sir? Is it adequate for the public?” Del asked.
“It’s fine
Commander Hawkins. Where are you?”
“Don’t rightly
know, Sir. I can’t describe it. It’s like nowhere on
Earth. It’s like everything is in another dimension of time and
space.”
“Okay, I
promised myself I wouldn’t push, but how is our boy?”
“He’s doing much
better, Sir. They got him up and walking several times a day, and
he’s packing away the food. That’s always a good sign. He
didn’t want to be in bed for the video so we put him in a wheelchair.”
“How much longer
you think it’s gonna’ take for him to be well enough to come back to
us, Son?”
“The doctors say
he’s doing better than expected considering, but they estimated about a
week and a half to two weeks. If you don’t need me there, Sir,
I’d like to stay on with him for at least another week. I got
vacation leave coming I ain’t taken if there’s a problem.”
“Nonsense,
consider yourself on assignment on my orders. I’d rather you be
there with him. I know it’s part of you job, but you’ll be doing
me a personal favor to look after him. I know he loves and
respects you like a dad.”
“Yes, Sir, we
have a good relationship. I’m fond of him.”
“The public is
starving for information. I’m gonna’ release this video this
evening and go before the cameras to make a statement. Now, what
I want from you is another video by this weekend to show Sunday
evening. Make the next one a little longer, and I want you to
interview him, understand?”
“Yes, Sir, holy
father. As you wish. Thanks for letting me stay, it will
mean a lot to him. It means a lot to me, Sir. I’ll keep you
informed.”
“Please
do. Is there anything you need from us, Son?”
“Just your
prayers, Sir.”
“You got ‘em,
Commander. Tell my boy I love him, and I’m looking forward to him
coming home. Tell him to take his time and not become
anxious. His job will be here when he gets back.”
“Thanks, Sir, I
will. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,
Son.” and Hawkins winked out.
The two men were
silent for a while.
“Well, we know
one damn thing.” Scudder said.
“Yeah, what’s
that, brother?”
“They’re
technology’s gotta’ be considerably more advanced than ours. I’ll
bet if they wanted to they could take over.”
“Somehow, I
don’t think that’s what they got in mind, Jerry.”
“I think you’re
right. Do we know any more about where all them folks is going
what’s disappearing from the camps?”
“No, not a clue.”
“How many this
week?”
“Figures are
still coming in but a ball park guess is a little less than a
thousand. It varies from week to week. Mostly it’s the sick
and dying who disappear. The staff says most of them would die
within a week or two anyway. Other than being baffled, the
directors of the camps don’t seem too concerned about it. It
saves them having to dispose of the bodies. I don’t know why that
should be such a big problem for them, they just shove them in one of
them huge ovens and bake ‘em like a batch of brownies. Then they
sell their ashes for fertilizer.”
“What kind of
folks are they taking, Austin?”
“All kinds and
colors, gays and straight.”
“Does our
intelligence department know who’s taking them?” Scudder asked.
“They think it’s
the Grays, but they can’t be sure. Why would they only take the
sick and dying? It don’t make sense.” replied Austin.
“You think
there’s any connection between the missing and them folks Jones is
with?” Jerry asked.
“I have no
idea. It’s been suggested, but we really don’t know that much
about them or what their agenda might be. If I were to hazard a
guess, I don’t think they have anything to do with it. They seem
to operate on a different level. There’s been a lot of
speculation about the forces of good and evil coming in to play
recently. They ain’t done nothing to us really bad, but they have
come to our rescue with Officer Jones, but remember, you sent for
them, you asked for their help.”
“I know.
I’m grateful they came, and to be truthful I’m kinda glad for the
chance to experience women’s plumbing. It’s a lot better’n I
thought it might be. Do you think they might be transcended
beings and the recordings in the bible and other holy texts don’t
describe them properly?”
“Might be.
The angels that came to Abraham told Sarah she would yet beget children
in her eightieth year sat down and ate food with the old man.
The men who came to Sodom, whom Lott rescued from a crowd of men who
found them sexually attractive, were physical beings. Jacob
wrestled all night with an angel until he would agree to bless him.”
“Yeah, well the
first time they looked like angels, but I knew they weren’t. The
second time, the one called Jesse looked like a grizzled old cowboy and
his partner could have been his cow dog. Could these advanced
people be living and working quietly among us, and we have no way of
knowing?”
“Maybe we’ll
learn more from Commander Hawkins and Officer Jones.”
“We’ll
see. By the way, how are the conditions in those camps?” Scudder
asked.
“They were
pretty bad the last time I check, and I’ve heard they’ve only gotten
worse. If you ask for a tour of one, they’re only going to show
you the model camp where everyone is well fed and healthy.”
“You think we
should look into them?”
“You do and
you’ll stir up a major hornet's nest. Them large corporations are
making fortunes from the slave labor in them camps. They are your
political base and your bread and butter. They are the party and
they own you, but since you’ve instigated new laws about them
and you’re head of everything, you could force their hand. You
could make them see to it conditions improve.”
“Make a note of
it and remind me next week. I’ll think about it.”
* * * * *
* *
Little Bear
joined his big, mature cowboy bear-master in the Jacuzzi on the patio
off their room in the hotel on the Buttercup. Other than Waco and
Captain Vinceeth, they were the only two staying in the hotel at the
time. It wasn’t open to the public yet, but about half the rooms
were done. Angus spread his legs and Little Bear sat down
on the bench in front of him. The hot water was wonderful.
He leaned back against the man-mountain and felt his hairy chest
against his back as Angus enfolded him in his arms and stole a kiss.
“You were
wonderful, Son. It was well worth the wait.” Angus
whispered to him.
“You were
pert-damn fine yourself, Master. How did you know that’s the way
I like it?”
“In case you
forgot, cowboy, yore’ master is my nephew. I asked him how you
like it.” Angus grinned. “I rarely get to fuck one of my slaves that
hard, not because I can’t if I wanted to, but I just ain’t the kind of
man to force rough sex on a body unless he needs to be taught a lesson
or is being punished; even then, I try to find some other way to punish
him. When I first started fuck’n ma’ little brother I fucked him
pretty hard until he got broke in real good. I don’t fuck him
very often anymore, but when I do I’m a bit more considerate of his
needs.”
“Well, this is
one cowboy who thinks on the way you fucked me as being very
considerate, Master A. I need to get fucked the way you done it,
the way Master Waco fucks me, or I ain’t satisfied. You can’t
tell me you didn’t enjoy it neither, ‘cause I felt it in the way you
fucked me.”
“You won’t git
no argument from me, Son. You were shoving it up to me as
fast and hard as I could give it to you. You stayed with me the
whole time. I love you, boy.”
“You know I love
you, Master A, and you’re right, it was worth the wait, but you know
what?”
“What?”
Angus asked softly as he bussed another kiss behind Little Bear’s ear.
“That shot
Admiral Long give you has turned you into a human bull. I’ve
watched you change these last few years and you’ve gone from an fine
looking middle aged man to a strong, younger man. You remind me
of a big, hard charging, raging bull in his prime. We studied in
school about a mythological creature called a Minotaur, who was half
man, half bull. You remind me of the descriptions of
him. The shot’s done the same for my granddad and to be
honest, I’m beginning to look on him in a new light. But you take
my breath away when I’m around you. I ain’t never felt closer to
another man than when we's working together in that bed. Thank
you, Master. Any time I can do that for you and you can get away,
I would certainly appreciate it, Sir.”
“We’ll see each
other again. I have to consider my wife and other
responsibilities, but she understands I have to be away
sometimes. I can take you with me when we go to cattle auctions
and a few other out of town trips I have to make with my ramrod and his
slave. I hardly ever interfere in their relationship, but as his
master, I have to fuck him a couple of times a month or the slave board
will think I’m showing him favor over my other slaves. He don’t
have that much more time to go. His parole hearing is in August.”
“Will you miss
him being your slave, Sir?”
“I know I can be
honest with you. Yes, it will rip my guts out, but I won’t stand
in his way of becoming a free man.”
“As I understand
it, he’ll still have five more years of probation, won’t he?”
“‘At’s
right. I ain’t talked with him or my ramrod too much about what
he wants to do. He can stay around the ranch and become number
two ramrod if he wants. I’ll pay him for his work.” The men
made a little more love and took another sip of their drinks.
“Son, there’s
something I have to talk with you about. Maybe you saw me talking
with your granddaddy and the sheriff this morning.”
“I noticed ya’ll
got your heads together with Admiral Long and Master Charlie jawing
about something.”
“Since they knew
you an I were gonna’ spend the night with each other, I got elected to
tell you what we’s talking about. A couple a’ nights ago yore’
daddy got real drunk in a tavern halfway between our town and
Digby. He got into a fight with a cowboy over some barroom
floozy, pulled out a knife and damn near stabbed the man to
death. The cowboy’s in the hospital, but he ain’t expected to
recover. He may die. Anyway, the sheriff and your two
uncles had to go out there to arrest your dad, and he’s in our jail
now.” Angus held the boy tight. He felt the young man tense
in his arms. He raised his hands to his face and started
sobbing. Angus held him tight. Angus let him go, turned him
around to face him, threw his arms around him and held him in a bear
hug. Little Bear let it all out. He understood what it
meant, and Angus’ hesitation to tell him. His dad would be sold
as a slave.
“Now, we don’t
want you worrying none. Jessie Watkins and Utah have been out to
the hospital most of the day. We don’t know yet if the cowboy’s
gonna’ live, but they’re doing everything they can for him. As
you know, for attempted murder the judge’s got no choice but to
sentence John Tin Penny to lifetime slavery. The lawyers might
argue he was drunk, but that ain’t a strong defense today. With
the new government we got there’s certain crimes that carry mandatory
sentences. Attempted murder is one of them, whether somebody’s
killed or not. Lazarus has already agreed to buy him, and he’s to
become my slave. My trainer is going to train him. I been
needing a couple more cowboy slaves.”
“Oh, God,
Master,
I feel so bad. I been angry at my dad for selling me into
slavery, but to be honest, I ain’t had it so bad,— especially after I
come to live with the Goodnights. Hell, I’s treated like family
by ma’ master and brothers, and Master Charlie, he’s like a dad to
me. I sleep with him several times a month to keep him
company. Sometimes my master and brothers got so many things
going I find myself alone. Master Charlie ain’t never turned me
away. In some ways, my daddy selling me was the best thing what
could’ve happened to me. I wanted to love my dad, because— well,—
he’s my dad. I know he’s come to a lot of our games. I
talked with my granddad a lot about him, and I urged granddad to
forgive my dad. I’s just coming around to it myself when this
happens. It’s almost like it’s a kind of justice for him, but
mostly I feel hurt and ashamed. I feel ashamed for my tribe, my
granddad, my uncles, but most of all for me. I feel
embarrassed. I thought someday I might get to be with my dad
again, but now I won’t get to. Now, I don’t want to. He
ain’t worth my care. I’m ashamed to be his son.” Little
Bear sobbed some more and Angus comforted him
“Don’t judge him
too harshly, Son. All men make mistakes. Some make bigger
mistakes than others. I know how you feel. I was devastated
and embarrassed when my little brother done what he done. I felt
shame for him and our family, but you learn to accept it and eventually
you will forgive him. Your master, your brothers, Master Charlie,
me, Admiral Long and your family are all looking out for you. We
won’t let nothing happen to your dad. Your granddad was more
worried than you, but he knew beyond a doubt Lazarus and Charlie
wouldn’t let John Tin Penny go to just any master. Even when they
do bad things, family is important. I could’ve given up on my
little brother, but I didn’t. I’m glad I didn’t. He got his
life turned around. I don’t have no fear of him being free.
He’s learned how to live and become a man with principles and
responsibility. You’re learning the same thing every day.
Not quite the same way as my brother had to learn, but you live as part
of a greater family what expects certain things from you. You
have no idea how loved and respected you are among us. Your
granddad and your people are very proud of you, Son. So am I.”
Little Bear
resumed his place sitting in front of his big, bull of a master.
They were quiet for a while as they finished their drinks.
“You ready to go
to bed, Master?” Little Bear asked.
“I think I
am. It’s been a long, exciting day, and this evening couldn’t
have been better.”
“If you need
some more during the night, I certainly wouldn’t mind, Sir.”
Angus kissed the
young man gently. “I’ll keep that in mind, Son. I jes’
might take you up on that.”
They slept well
together, and early in the morning they made love again. Little
Bear knew these men kept their word. Master Angus was
right. He learned these things from them. He was proud of
who he had become. He knew he didn’t have anything to worry
about. He would deal with his dad’s embarrassment with all the
love that supported him. He said a prayer for the cowboy his dad
hurt. His small, selfless gesture was heard, and it turned the
tide of the man’s recovery. Jesse breathed a sigh of relief,
smiled, winked at his partner and petted him lovingly on the head.
* * * * * * *
The next day was
another full day of celebration. It was the cowboy’s sixteenth
birthday party. It went off without a hitch. There was a
sense of sadness cast over the day for Little Bear because of his dad
being in jail, but he announced to his immediate family, while he
appreciated their sympathy and concern, he was not going to let the
mistakes of his biological father cause him to miss a moment’s joy of
the day, and he expected his brothers to do the same. Angus asked
him the night before if he wished to visit his dad in jail, but he
declined.
“He gave up all
caring and responsibility for me when he sold me into slavery.
Other than come watch me play football, he’s never made an effort to
visit me. Tomorrow is me and ma’ brother’s sixteenth birthday
party. Why should I put my life on hold because of his
foolishness? He ain’t going no where. I’ll have plenty of
time to see him later if I change my mind.” Little Bear told
Angus. His words seemed a bit harsh to Angus, but he couldn’t
fault his young devotee some bitterness toward his dad. One reaps
what one sows. Angus couldn’t imagine any man being less than a
good father to the young man he had come to love and admire. What
little time, guidance and love he contributed to Little Bear he felt
was wisely spent.
* * * * * * *
There were
rumors circulating Captain Vinceeth asked the Admiral and Charlie’s
permission for a two day holiday after the event in Parsons to take
Waco
and a number of folks to Mars for another celebration. He had a
couple more surprises for the cowboys and invited them to go
along. All the family wanted to go, and by that time, the greater
family
included a lot of folks and critters. Trey left it up to Waco and
Ox to make sure Ping and Pong and their kits were invited to join
them. The Trong-Fielding
family wanted to go because Gavin and his younger brother Jerry had
been to Mars a couple of times and told their parents all about
it. Captain Trong wanted to visit with the new families of
Volgorons and everyone wanted to see the new animals. Jack Hall
and Warren Steele wouldn’t pass up a trip to Mars and volunteered to
wrangle the critters again. Naturally, they would take their
mates, Buck and Horse, with them. During the day people were
coming up to Waco, Trey, Lazarus and Charlie to ask if they could be
included in the brief trip to Mars to return the winged ponies to their
families.
Charlie invited
his brother to go along and bring his family. Angus had never
seen the wonders of Venus or Mars and was curious to go. Waco
asked if he might invite Shane and his Master Bill Birdsall along and
Angus gave his permission. The Chief’s two sons hadn’t been to
Mars, and he asked if they could go along. Lazarus invited the
sheriff and his family, but explained the no clothes rule to walk among
the animals. The women who didn’t want to participate could watch
from the balconies of the rooms of the lodge in which they would stay
the night. Sheriff Lassiter and his young son Donny didn’t want
to miss the opportunity. Donny was now ten years old and had
become a great friend of Ox and Waco’s. He spent a great deal of
his spare time with the cowboys. He knew he would have a great time
with his buddies.
After the
football game and the birthday party broke up all the guest from the
communities and Earth-side township departed. The remaining folks
gathered for a light supper and planned to get an early start to
bed. They were leaving early the next morning though the huge
gate. Lazarus wondered why Trey would want to wait until morning
when they could just as easily spend the night on Mars at the lodge.
“We discussed
the possibility,” said Trey, “but we thought it might be late evening
by the time we wrapped things up here. Once there, it might take
sometime assigning rooms. It would be dark by the time we could
get the ponies back to their families, so we thought, for safety
reasons, if we waited until it was full light, it might be safer for
everyone concerned.”
“Good thinking,
Son.” Lazarus praised him, nodded his head in understanding, but
raised an eyebrow. Charlie and Lazarus walked away.
“You think he
bought it?” Trey whispered to Waco.
“Not for a
minute.” Waco chuckled.
“Yeah, me
neither. The old man’s lived too long. He knows we’re up to
something.” Trey laughed as he hugged Waco to him. “At
least we have a couple more evenings together. Should we invite
our other half to join us this evening?”
“You’re right,
he’s big enough to be our other half. He might enjoy it.
Let’s leave it up to him.” Waco allowed.
Of course the
big lummox wanted to join them. Waco and Ox even got Trey to try
his first taste of lummox milk. Like most skeptics, he found it
quite to his liking and began to suck Ox’s left teat for more while
Waco enjoyed some from his Lummy’s right one.
* * * * * * *
The next morning
early, everyone gathered in the enormous transporter room.
Captain Vinceeth and his men already had the beautiful winged horses
waiting for everyone to gather. Waco requested Kyron to activate
the gate, and it was opened. Trey, Waco and Ox were the first to
walk through accompanied by the coyote gang and Waco’s posse.
Donny Lassiter, his dad and family, and the rest slowly
followed. When Brett Jones
found out he and his commander were invited, he asked if he might
invite Basil Troubadour to go along?
“I’m sure it
would be all right with Captain Vinceeth and Waco, but aren’t you
worried you might be sending young Basil the wrong message?” Del
Hawkins asked his young officer.
“What wrong
message, Sir?” Jones asked with a blank look on his face.
“He might think
you’re inviting him because you have ulterior motives.”
“What’s
‘ulterior’ motives, Sir?” Jones asked innocently.
“It means you
might have some reason for inviting him other than just to enjoy his
company, or because you like him enough to want to take him to your
bed.”
“Gees, I didn’t
think of that. Would it be wrong?” Jones asked innocently.
“Not if it’s
something you wish to do. I’m sure he would be thrilled.”
“I’ll admit I
find him attractive, but I wouldn’t want to take advantage of him
sexually. Why would wanting to enjoy his company mean I have
other thoughts in mind?” Jones ask for further explanation.
“Never mind,
Son. I shouldn’t a’ said nothing. I was out of line.
Knowing you, you’ll have no problem either way. Somehow your
innocence and honesty manages to get you through most situations where
other men might have difficulty. You’ll do just fine.” Commander
Hawkins laughed and shook his head in wonder.
Basil was
thrilled and flattered the big officer requested his company and jumped
at the chance of accompanying Brett Jones to Mars. He had never
been before, but he heard from several of his fellow Tweeners what Mars
was like and was told to dress in his cowboy clothes. Everything
was informal on Mars, and if he was going to go among the animals he
would be expected to be naked. The thought didn’t bother Basil a
bit. He had a well defined young body and wasn’t the least shy
about such things. He had a number of scars on his back and butt
from beatings suffered in the Cheney camps, but his closest companions
insisted they gave him character. Basil was one of the fortunate
patients who came directly aboard the Bandersnatch and was fed a steady
diet of lummox milk to help heal his pneumonia. As a result, he
could listen to and speak with most of the critters. He was
anxious to try his new talent with the exotic creatures on Mars.
He arrived at the gate to join Officer Jones and his commanding officer
Del Hawkins along with Brick Armstrong, Tim, Stan and Jimmy Bob.
They didn’t recognize him at first in his cowboy clothes and his big
hat. It was like he was a changed man. He was most fetching
in his Western attire. Brett Jones recognized him immediately,
gave him a welcome hug and offered his big hand as they walked through
the gate together.
Last to pass
through the gate were Jack Hall, Buck, Warren, and Horse. Jack
held Ping’s small hand in his and Buck held Pong’s hand. Warren
carried Jill and Horse carried Jack. The spacer dogs along with
Moe ran ahead of Stan and Jimmy Bob. Scraps and Happy, along with
Maxine, Patty and Laverne, went through the gate with Lazarus, Charlie,
Arlen Jones and Bryce along with Blake Tindell and the Stamper men.
“You get the
feeling them men got something up their sleeves, pardner?” Lazarus
asked Arlen.
“I don’t know,
brother. Our half of the coyote gang whispered to me they had a
suspicion it’s something big; bigger even than them incredibly
beautiful horses. Them critters blew me away.”
“They were
pretty damn spectacular.” added Charlie.
They got to the
other side and were met by the android staff from the lodge.
There were about a hundred people not including Captain Vinceeth’s men
he let have shore leave to attend the rodeo and birthday party.
They followed Waco, Trey and his men with the six ponies out to the
balcony. One of the androids opened a gate. The horses knew
they were home and broke into a run to the shear edge of the
balcony. There was about a thousand foot drop from the balcony to
the valley floor below. The crowd gasped as the horses leapt over
the edge, spread their huge wings and began to soar through the
air. The atmosphere in the caves was just a bit heavier with a
slightly higher oxygen content for the sake of the large animals.
Lower oxygen levels was one of the main reasons many prehistoric large
animals became extinct. They lived in a time when the oxygen
levels on Earth were much higher and could support larger, giant
creatures. The winged horse needed extra oxygen as well as the
large Mammoths and Mastodons.
Everyone moved
to the main balcony and looked out across the savanna. Those who
had never seen the sight before were speechless. They stood and
looked in awe at the indescribable beauty of the landscape with the
mountains and waterfalls in the distance, the glorious, fresh water
river than ran down to large lakes and marshes, and the variety of
wonderful creatures below them as far as their eyes could see. It
was a wonder to behold. Brett Jones and Basil walked hand in hand
under the close eye of Commander Hawkins. He had a big smile on
his face. He knew what they must be feeling. He could
remember his first trip and seeing the panorama for the first
time. He was so thunderstruck, for a moment he thought he might
lose control of his bladder functions.
“Officer
Jones...” Basil breathed almost undetectable. “Please, ...don’t
let go, Sir.”
“I’m here,
Son. I promise, I won’t. Don’t you let go.” he smiled.
“No,— never,
Sir. Am I really seeing this? It’s incredible. It’s
far more than I expected. My friends didn’t tell me how grand and
encompassing this place is. It makes me wonder why I’m
here? By all rights, I should be dead. This is all too
much.” tears started falling from Basil’s eyes, “My brothers in the
colony told me about some of the animals, but I thought ‘Sure, sure,...
you seen one zoo, you seen ‘em all,... but this.... I guess I feel like
I don’t belong here; like I shouldn’t be here; like I don’t deserve to
be here.”
“Nonsense!
Don’t talk like that, boy! Of course you deserve to be
here. You belong by my side. You’re here because I wanted
you to be here with me when I experienced this. I had no idea it
would be this grand either. You ain’t dead and you didn’t die,
because you have a greater purpose. I could ask you the same
question, ‘Why ain’t I dead?’ You never tasted death, but I
did. I been there. Done that. I seen the other
side. We’re here, together, for a reason. Don’t never
forget that, Son.” Jones let go of the young man’s hand, dropped
his big arm around his shoulder and pulled him close. He bent his
head down and bussed a kiss behind Basil’s ear.
“Thanks, Officer
Jones, I needed that.”
“So did I,
Son,... so did I.” he smiled at Basil.
* * * * * * *
“Ladies and
gentlemen,” spoke one of the androids, “for those of you who wish to go
down with us onto the savanna to meet the animals up close and
personal, we will be taking the shuttle train, which Master Waco and
his men have aptly named the Matterhorn express. It will be
leaving in ten minutes. There are lockers at the station for
removing your clothing. You can’t walk among the animals wearing
clothes. They don’t wear clothes and they get nervous around
humans who do unless we’ve been working with them day in and day
out. Still they prefer everyone be as natural as they are.
Those among you who do not wish to go down to the savanna may stay
behind, and we will either see you to your room or we will serve light
refreshments and various finger foods on the balcony to your right,
where you may see all the others down below. You will not be
embarrassed by their nakedness because you can’t see a lot of details
from this height. No pun intended.” added the android which got
him a laugh.
“Dad are you
going down there?” asked Sonny Steele’s oldest son. It was
his four boys first trip to Mars. They heard all about it and
knew it was where their little brother and sister, Adam and Eve, were
from. They brought their families along.
“Are you
kidding?” asked Sonny, “I can’t let yore’ ma go down there without
me. She’d adopt twenty more of them damn kids without so much as
a how-dee-do.” Sonny let out a roar. Vivian poked him with
her elbow.
“Ouch,
woman! That hurt!” Sonny grimaced.
“I meant for it
to.” Vivian laughed. “Talk about me? It’s you what
leaves a trail of bread crumbs. You should try telling them boys
the truth from time to time.” she grinned wickedly.
“Why? They
don’t never believe me no how until they hear it from you or their
granddaddy.” Sonny grinned real big.
“You mean ma
gits naked? Granddad, too?” asked Justin.
“Oh, don’t be
such a prude, Justin. I raised you boys up better’n ‘nat.”
admonished Vivian. She gathered up Adam and Eve, and they were
ready to go. They were looking forward to seeing their Evanescent
friends and relatives again.
“Bring the whole
family. You won’t be sorry, Son.” Warren spoke up. "Fifteen
minutes in the raw and you won't even think on it."
Warren assured them.
The four Steele
boys decided to go. One wife said she would stay behind on the
balcony, and that was only because she was very pregnant. The
kids, including the little girls, couldn’t wait to get down to the
savanna. The train was filled with people. Lazarus and
Charlie were surprised when Trey and Waco motioned for them to come to
the front of the train to sit with them. They somehow managed to
get Ping and Pong strapped in with them and Jack and Jill were strapped
in with Lazarus and Arlen. Charlie and Ox were seated next.
Warren and Horse were seated right behind them. Lazarus turned
and looked at Charlie. Charlie grinned and shrugged like he
didn’t understand what was going on either.
“I think we’re
about to find out, Boss-man.” Lazarus tossed off. He turned
back around as Charlie and Arlen laughed at him.
Little Bear
played conductor and walked the length of the train inspecting every
seat belt. When he was satisfied everyone was strapped in tight
he jumped in the last seat next to Lucas and strapped himself in.
“All
aboard!” he yelled to the front. Waco was playing engineer
and pressed the large red button on the dashboard.
“Welcome to the
Matterhorn ride to the savanna station.” said a recorded voice over the
speakers in the train as the canopy slowly lowered and locked into
place. “Please hold on tight to the padded bar in front of you
and do not try to stand during the ride. We hope you enjoy your
ride with us.”
The Matterhorn
express left the station right on time and the androids brought up
another train for the rest of the people traveling down to the
savanna. The cowboys didn’t misname the train. It was every
bit as good and thrilling a ride as the Matterhorn ride at
Disneyland. The kids were hooting and hollering and having a big
time as the train reached its maximum speed zipping in and out of the
mountain with ease. It wasn’t a long ride, but it was just long
enough to be an exhilarating experience that got everyone’s already
overactive adrenalin going. Everyone was in a party mood,
laughing and talking loudly as the train gracefully pulled to a stop at
the lowland station and the canopy opened for disembarking.
“Please exit to
your right, and watch your step. Parents, please mind you
children to insure their safety.” The announcement came from the
train speaker.
Everyone
followed Waco and Captain Vinceeth. Little Bear stayed behind to
direct the next train load of folks to the locker area. By the
time they arrived most of the first group were undressed and putting
away their clothing. They waited for the second and third trains
to arrive before going to the savanna. Lazarus notice Waco and
Trey were very attentive to Ping and Pong. . . more so than
usual. He figured whatever their secret was, it probably had
something to do with them. He thought about knocking on Waco’s
mental door, but reasoned he probably wouldn’t get much. He was
right. When everyone was completely naked, Waco waved his arms
for everyone to listen up.
“Everyone take
it slow and easy. Kids, don’t do a lot of running at first.
Let the animals come to meet you and get to know you. If they
want to sniff you, let them. It’s their way of getting to know
you. After a while, you can run, laugh and play as much as you
like. Don’t be afraid to make some friends. Trust me,
they’re as curious about you as you are about them. If you wish
to take a ride make sure your get your parent’s approval and don’t try
to ride an animal unless they offer. It’s just good
manners. If you see an animal you’re particularly taken with, you
may graciously request a ride, but not until you’ve made a friend of
him or her. Remember,— a few kind words of sincere flattery will
take you a long way.” Waco smiled. “Everyone ready? C’mon
then, let’s go make some new friends and remember each of us is a
representative of our specie. If you think you’ve hurt someone’s
feelings, apologize immediately and promise never to do it again.
Make sure you do the right thing and make us proud of you. You’ll
be glad you did. Above all, remember to have a good time.
They love it when they feel like they’ve been good host. When it
comes time to leave, be sure you thank those you’ve come to know and
especially those who have honored you with a ride.”
Everyone filed
slowly out onto the savanna. Trey was holding Pong’s hand and
Waco held Ping’s. Jack and Jill crawled up on Ox and Horse’s
shoulders respectively so they could see above the heads of the
human’s. Trey turned to Lazarus, Arlen, and Charlie.
“Admiral,
Captain Jones, Ox, Horse, Dad— ” Trey grinned and winked at Charlie for
calling him dad. For some reason Charlie blushed. They
shared a laugh. “Stick with me and our cowboy for a while, if you
will. We’d appreciate it.” he didn’t explain further.
Waco and Trey
wandered far ahead of the crowd. Animals were already gathering
and the crowd was disbursing among them. Some of the folks spied
old friends they met before and had come to love. The Stamper
boys had certain animals with which they were great friends. The
big lummox or Volgorons were seen approaching in the distance and the
coyote gang decided to approach them first. They made friends
with them on previous trips and love to play with many of the
Evanescent children they adopted. It was like visiting family and
renewing old friendships at the same time. The first to get
to the other folks were the Evanescent children who had grown
considerably since they first came to the caves. They took some
getting use to, because they would become so enthused they would melt
into their new friends. The kids adapted to them quicker than the
adults, but they soon came to feel they were wonderful spirits full of
love and kindness.
Sonny’s boys better understood why their mom
and dad adopted a pair. The thought crossed their minds as
well. The Evanescent children were great host and would introduce
their new friends to different animals. They helped speed up the
process of getting to know one another. They were a great help,
because there was so much to see and a large variety of critters to
meet. The Steele boys were stunned. All they could do was
giggle like school boys. Their mother and father watched them,
their wives and children and marveled at how naturally they seemed to
fit in with their surrounding. Everyone was so gob-smacked with
the animals and soaking in so much new information they soon forgot
their nakedness and inhibitions about being nude in front of
others. They watched as their families petted a beautiful pair of
Unicorns and chatted up a wonderful family of Kentuarians. A huge
lummox male held two of their kids, one in each arm as he took them to
meet one of the largest bull Mammoths. It was a scene of pure
bucolic bliss. Vivian locked her arm in Sonny’s and leaned close.
“Does this look
like a scene from the garden of Eden or what?” Vivian asked Sonny.
“It’s
unbelievable, darlin.’ To me it looks like what the garden of
Eden probably should’ve looked like without the damn snake. To my
way a’ think’n these folks got it right. The bible's version...
not so much. In the first place, what omnipotent god
would allow an evil presence in his perfect garden he created for his
innocent children? Why would he put one big
delicious apple tree right smack dab in the middle of it, then tell
his kids they can’t eat none? Hell, I may be jest a
dumb old cowboy, but I know’d better’n to tell a kid he can't have none
if there's a treat involved. Any parent worth a damn, knows you
can't never tell a kid he can't do something if'n he's a mind to.
You and me, we learned the hard way. You don't never tell a
kid not to put beans
in his ears! It's the first damn thing he's gonna' do when he
finds one. You can count on it! The first bean he comes
across,” Sonny snapped his
fingers, “right in his ear it goes, quicker’n shit through a goose,
‘cause you done told ‘em not to. 'Member how much it cost us for
that bean-ectomy they done on Ty? I swear sometimes I understand
why some animals eat their young." Sonny laughted, "J’ever
wonder why God couldn’t
a’ been jes' a little more lenient and forgive his naive
children? Hell, they didn’t know no better. How could
they? They ain't et from the tree of knowledge yet. They's
dumb as a box of rocks. They didn't even know they's naked until
they ate the apple. A big, slick talk'n snake, who god created,
slithers along and tells 'em it's 'okay' to eat an apple, h'it won't
hurt nothing. The poor kids, how were they to know? Why
didn't the old man jes' killed the
damn snake? It’s what I would a’ done. Hell, the first
thing a cowboy learns is always plumb kill a rattlesnake.” Sonny sighed
and shook his head like it was all too much for him to consider,
“Ever’ damn time I see all this, I still can’t believe it. It's
like these folks is given us another chance to return to the
garden. Feel
my arm, darlin’” Sonny instructed her. Vivian ran her hand up and
down her cowboy husband’s tightly muscled arm and felt bumps all over.
“I got ‘em,
too,— only they ain’t on my arm.” Vivian cackled quietly.
Sonny slipped his hand to her shapely rear and felt her bumps.
“My
goodness,‘at’s mighty nice!” he exclaimed, “On you they feel
good. On me they jes’ look stupid. Makes me look like a
turkey what’s been plucked of his feathers.” Sonny laughed.
“That’s all
right, cowboy. I know how to talk turkey. Gobble, gobble.”
she teased as she looked down at his ample saddle horn waving in the
breeze. Vivian laughed as her husband blushed bright red. “Too
bad you can’t grow some a’ them bumps down there. A few well
placed bumps along yore’ turkey neck might be interesting.” she allowed.
“Oh, lord,
woman! Don’t let them damn kids hear you say that. Adam
would be all too happy to provide me with any size and as many bumps as
you can handle. Talk about yore’ speed bumps. And don’t
talk like that no more, neither. You wanna’ embarrass the crap
out a’ yore’ old man. It’s hard enough on me now that I’m younger
from that damn shot. Being in the altogether with these healthy
animals makes my blood boil.”
“Oh, happy day.”
teased Vivian as she reached back and pinched Sonny on his butt.
He jumped like a frog on a hot rock. A huge Kentaurian couple saw
her and laughed at them.
“Stop that or
I’m a gonna’ take you rye-cheer in the middle of this damn field and
invite every critter on the savanna to watch.” Sonny
threatened. That got a round of laughter and applause from a herd
of Kentuarians and a trumpet or two from some nearby Mammoths. It
was like Sonny had his very own cheerleading squad urging him on.
Waco and Trey
led their party away from the main crowd, down into a valley where
there were outcroppings from large, overhanging rocks. It looked
like there were several small caves and buildings of some sort made
from some of the rocks piled neatly together. Captain Vinceeth
held up his hand. There were about thirty-five or forty people
gathered around who made the journey with them.
“This is where
we show you one of our other special surprises. This surprise is
to be shared by all, but it will be most important to four individuals
in particular. Cowboy?” Trey spoke to Waco. Waco put
his fingers to his mouth and gave forth with a great whistle like it
was a signal to someone. Trey motioned for everyone to look up
into the rocky cliffs and caves. One by one beautifully colored
heads popped up from behind the rocks. Big heads and smaller ones
of kits until all fifty-eight critters were standing among the rocks
displaying their beautiful new full coats and tails from the good and
abundant food of which they had been partaking for the last month.
“Sweet Jesus!”
mouthed Lazarus in awe.
“Mother of God!”
added Arlen Jones.
“Incredible!”
exclaimed Charlie.
Ping and Pong
looked, then looked again. They were stunned. Jack and Jill
jumped down from Ox and Horse and quickly joined their parents.
Pong looked at Ping and blinked back tears. Ping already had
tears streaming down her pretty face. She nodded to Pong and they
slowly set out to meet their new family members. Ping stopped and
looked at Pong again and slowly shook her head. They turned in
unison to look at the men standing behind them with faces filled with
unconditional love and empathy for them. Several had tears
running down their faces. They rushed back to Trey Vinceeth and
each took one of his hands. They rubbed their scent from the
glands on their faces onto his hands. It was a pure, sweet,
slightly spicy fragrance. It was the smell of love mixed with the
joy of surprise and gratefulness.
“They’re
thanking you, Captain. It’s the greatest act of love their race
can bestow on another specie is to gift him with their personal
scent. By sharing their scent with you, they have bestowed the
honor upon you of making you family. It’s a rare privilege and a
great honor. They want you to know how humbled, honored and
grateful they are.” Waco explained.
Trey knelt down
and took them both into his big arms and hugged them. He spoke
directly to them.
“I was just
doing my job, friends. We rescued them about a month ago.
It was the right thing to do. I hoped you would be pleased.
They will tell you their story, and I’ll tell the others over supper
this evening. Go with our love and enjoy.” With those words
he send them on their way. Jack and Jill waited for their parents
before they approached the group. It was terribly moving to
everyone who witnessed Ping and Pong meeting each and everyone of their
new family. It was all very formal. There was much
bowing. They would bow to each other and hold their stance for
minutes at a time. It was like they all knew the same greeting
and meeting rituals. It was like a courtly dance. Jack and
Jill were taught manners but never had a chance to use them
before. Ping and Pong were proud of their kits. They
handled themselves with dignity and grace.
“Where the hell
did you find them, Trey?” Lazarus asked quietly.
“It’s a long
story, Admiral, but well worth the telling. I’ll tell everyone
this evening. In the meantime, the short version is, they were
marooned on a derelict freighter of the Grays. They were the only
survivors of a space battle fought several generations ago. A
couple of thousand of their forefathers and mothers were kidnaped by
the Grays. They were being transported to the Reptiles for
food. They also happened to be one of the Gray’s favorite
foods. They were exceedingly clever to salvage enough of the
wrecked cargo ship to maintain a colony onboard for so long. They
lived there for several generations. Since we knew Ping, and Pong
and their kits, we recognized them immediately. We brought them
here along with the winged ponies.”
“I was sure Ping
and Pong were the last of their kind.” said Lazarus, “We shared worries
they might be faced with inbreeding if they had family, but with Jessie
and the Krysallians they probably could’ve altered their chromosomes
just enough to create hybrids for a new genetic pool. Now we
don’t have to worry about that. There’s enough gene pool up there
it won’t be a problem. Congratulations, Son, you done it
again. With this one you managed to blow this jaded old spacer
out of the galaxy. Your father, grandfather and great-grandfather
would be proud of you.” Lazarus pumped Trey’s hand and slapped
him on the back.
“We were just at
the right place at the right time, Admiral. They were way out of
the normal space lanes and their ship had fallen into orbit around a
small, insignificant class ‘M’ star. It was fortunate for them
they had enough light for growing several species of plants for food,
recycled moisture, and oxygen.”
“Do you really
believe it was just by chance you came upon them, Son?” Lazarus
asked Trey.
“No, Sir.
Not any more. My mate told me the other night we were told to fly
out of our regular path to avoid detection from the Grays. We
didn’t want any confrontations while carrying such precious cargo as
the winged horses. Rescuing the ring-tailed critters only
contributed to the value of our cargo.”
“It seems like
the ancients are gathering together the beauties and greater
intelligence of the universe for the final exodus from Earth. I
guess you found out for yourself just how intelligent them critters
are.” Lazarus said.
“Absolutely.
I’ll tell you later, but I wouldn’t mind having several permanently
assigned to the Banshee to give us a hand.”
“I ain’t never
been sorry I rescued Ping and Pong and took them on for
companions. We’ve been through a lot together and traveled
countless miles through time and space. They saved my hide too
many times to count. A man couldn’t have no finer company or
companions.” Lazarus allowed.
Soon the
ring-tailed critters began to come up to the huge, naked Captain who
rescued them and each, in turn, took his hand and gifted him with a
small amount of their scent until everyone had bestowed the gift of
family upon their hero. They did the same with Waco and then
moved to Lazarus and Charlie. Waco and Lazarus could speak to
them with their minds and welcomed them to Mars. The critters
expressed their great joy and happiness to meet Captain Vinceeth’s
mate, his Admiral and Waco’s father. They felt so much safer
knowing the Captain and his men had such close and wonderful
family. It meant they entrusted themselves to good and honorable
humans. Meeting Ping and Pong and their kits went a long way to
convince them they made the right decision by leaving the only home
they knew from birth and throwing their lot in with another specie with
whom they were unfamiliar.
Everyone was
having such a good time, no one wanted to return to the upper level for
lunch. They didn’t have to. The androids anticipated as
much and brought picnic baskets for everyone which including large
cloths they could spread on the lush grass of the savanna and eat their
lunch sitting on the ground. They had a wonderful time and many
of the animals stood around watching them eat. The kids made
friends quickly and would slip a morsel to one of their favorites
thinking they were being clever. Everyone knew what they were
doing but nothing was said. No one scolded them. They were
allowed to feed the animals.
The kids were
led by the coyote gang and they tried riding anything or anyone who
would let them. They particularly enjoyed the big elephant-like
creatures and the Kentaurians. The Kentaurians could speak and
made many of the younger children happy riding them around. The
coyote kids could talk with the animals, and had been around their
cowboy brothers long enough they could charm the balls off a billy
goat. They shared bits and pieces of their peanut butter and
jelly sandwiches they found in their lunch baskets for dessert with the
Mammoths and Mastodons
* * * * * * *
As the day
progressed Basil Troubadour couldn’t help but sneak a glance at his
date from time to time. Brett Jones unnerved the young man
several times by looking directly at him without guilt or shame.
It was like he was drinking Basil in like a clear drink of water which
seemed to only temporarily quench his thirst. Basil couldn’t be
sure, but each time he looked at Officer Jones he could swear he began
to look better to him. His ears seemed to be smaller than when he
first met him, and his face began to look downright ruggedly
handsome. ‘How could that be?’ he thought to himself.
‘Maybe it’s the power of love or infatuation. No, don’t even
think about it.’ he chastised himself, ‘This is just a social setting,
and he’s just enjoying your company. Let yourself go and enjoy
his company without trying to sink your fangs into the man. You
ain’t starved, girlfriend. You got lots of friends and an
occasional partner. He’s much too important and much too good for
the likes of you. Don’t mistake his goodness, his kindness for
including you for anything more than what it is. He’s just a
generous and gracious man.’ he warned his heart.
Jones requested
a lunch basket for two from one of the androids and thanked him after
the droid spent sometime finding one for him.
“You’re welcome,
Sir, but you don’t have to thank me. I’m just an android servant,
a machine. It’s my job to see to your needs and comfort while you
are visiting Mars.”
“Yes, but you’re
an intelligent machine who’s capable of understanding
appreciation. It is the least I can do as a human to express my
gratitude for your position, your effort to please and your service.”
“Thank you,
Sir. You thanks is greatly appreciated.” The android bowed
smartly and went about his business.
Basil was blown
away by Brett’s humanity and his humility. He was more and more
impressed and charmed by the big, somewhat ugly, sometimes ruggedly
handsome man who seemed to change from moment to moment. He was
confused. Officer Jones handed the basket to Basil as if he knew
the younger man would know what to do with it. Basil didn’t
hesitate and proceeded to make a pallet, remove the food and placed it
around for them. They were away from the other groups but had a
couple of Evanescent children with them and several critters grazing
nearby. They shared their meals with the children and gave them
their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to enjoy.
“May I ask you a
question, Officer Jones?”
“Yes, if you
agree to start calling me, Brett.” he replied.
“Thank you,
Sir. I was brought up in a strict Southern Baptist home where any
man older than I, or even if I was in doubt as to his age, I must refer
to him as 'mister' or by his official title until he told me
otherwise. If I failed to show proper respect I was severely
beaten. Old habits and traditions run deep. My question may
sound strange, but I’m confused about something.”
“What’s ‘zat,
Son.”
“When I first
met you... I don’t know.... I thought you looked different than you
look now— now that I’m getting to know you. I make it my business
to memorize faces, especially those I work on, and I spent an hour or
more making you up for your video. I memorized your face and
features. I even dreamed about you and recalled your face in
detail. You don’t look the same to me now. Maybe it’s
because I’m getting to know you and like you more. Maybe that’s
it, but you seem to be better looking now, but just as attractive to me
as when I first met you. It seems like I’m contradicting
myself. Does any of this make sense to you, or am I being a
stupid
child?”
“I understand
completely, Basil, and no, it ain’t you what’s being a child.
It’s me. The face you worked on and memorized is my real
face. The child, the little boy inside me wants you to like me,
but he’s got issues about his looks. He keeps changing my
appearance even though I’ve been fighting him. Here, let me show
you. Turn your head away from me for a moment.”
Basil did as
instructed and looked away. Jones told him to turn back and
look. Basil turned a looked then gasped.
“My God!
That’s the face I memorized. How did you do that?” he
asked. Brett related everything Jesse explained to him and how he
is now a separate specie halfway between human and Evanescent.
“That’s
incredible. You mean you’re like them? You can become
anything you want?”
“Yes,
essentially, but I’m so much more than either specie. I’m still
learning to control it. It’s all so new to me. I don’t know
everything I can do yet. So you see, the kid in me wants you to
like me, but I’ve been fighting changing myself to look more handsome
to you. I made my ears smaller. I don’t know if you
noticed, but I changed the size of my penis several times to get your
attention. I feel like a prairie chicken doing his mating dance
for an available hen fluffing his feathers and strutting to make
himself more attractive, so she’ll like him enough to mate with
him. Mind you, I don’t think on you as a hen. I’s jes’
using it as an analogy. I know I’m doing it, but it embarrasses
me, so I make myself go back the way I was. I don’t want to be
something I ain’t. It would be hypocritical of me. Besides,
h’it ain’t right for me to assume I could make myself attractive enough
to please you anyway. It weren’t my purpose to invite you along
on this trip so’s I could seduce you. I jes’ thought we might
enjoy each others’ company. So far I ain’t been wrong, have I?”
“No, of course
not. I’m enjoying myself very much. I think you’re too
honest to try to seduce anyone under false pretenses, Sir. You
mean you can change yourself to look like anyone you choose, Brett?”
“Yeah, pretty
much. Is there anyone you’d like me to look like?”
“I’d like to see
you do it. Can you look like Captain Vinceeth?”
“Yeah, he’s
easy.” Brett began to change right before Basil and a moment
later he looked like a double for Trey Vinceeth. Basil looked
over where Waco and Trey were sitting to compare. He couldn’t
believe Brett Jones looked like a double for the captain.”
“Hoe-lee shit!”
he exclaimed, “Excuse me, Brett. Please forgive me. I know
you’re a man of God in your beliefs. I should really be more
careful.” Brett instantly changed back to himself with his huge,
Dumbo-like ears.
“That’s all
right, Basil. I ain’t no man of God. Back in the Holy City
my brother officers affectionately refer to me as Dumbo Jones because
of my big ears. I guess it’s true, ‘cause like Dumbo, I learned
how to fly. I’m basically jes’ a simple, humble man who’s been
given some unusual gifts for what purpose I don’t know. It’s all
new to me. I’m just now understanding there ain’t nothing sacred
about my powers, but I’m trying to learn how to use them the best I
can. If I have a little fun with them, I don’t think the powers
that be will fault me none for it. All I know is to keep doing
what I’m doing, try to live as good a life as possible and help those I
can along the way.”
“You don’t have
to be somebody else around me, Sir. Just be yourself. I
think there’s great beauty in you no matter who you look like, but I
will have to admit the idea of a man what can adjust the size and
length
of his penis is a major turn on. Can you do the same with your
balls?” Basil challenged.
“I can make them
so big I can tie ‘em in a knot and fling ‘em over my shoulder like a
sailor’s seabag.” Jones smiled and winked at him. Basil
made a mime of fanning himself and rolling his eyes. They shared
a much needed laugh.
* * * * * * *
The afternoon
wore on and it began to grow dark. Many had already taken the
train back to the lodge, but there were still a few stragglers.
The coyote gang couldn’t get enough. There was always one more
critter to meet and spend some time with. They wanted to stay the
night with the lummox and Evanscent children. Lazarus and Arlen
put the kibosh on that. So did Ranger Gibbons his wife
Mary. Bobby and Elsie Jessup agreed with their
master. Even coyotes need food and a good rest for the
night or they tended to be cranky the next day. Their parents did
'okay' the coyotes to stay the night with Jack Hall, Buck, Warren
Steele and Horse along with some of the critters.
Everyone had to
get back for the evening meal. There was to be some announcements
and some entertainment. The journey back on the train was not
quite as exciting as the trip down, but it was a pleasant ride.
Everyone hurried to their rooms to clean up and dress for supper.
Dress was not formal. They were on a small vacation so casual
clothes and Western wear were perfectly acceptable. Most of the
Captain’s men were staying on board the Banshee which was docked in the
main Mar’s port bay. There were a few officers and a couple of
line mates who were given permission to stay with their cowboy partners
in the lodge. Only those Visallians staying at the lodge joined
the group for supper. Keekepata and her court were being wined
and dined by her fellow countrymen on board the Banshee. It was a
great treat for the crew to have her dine with them.
Supper was
delicious and prepared by the team of androids taking care of the
lodge. It was served family style. There were platters and
steaming bowls of good food, enough for everyone to have as much as
they wanted. Everyone had enough to eat, and no one walked away
hungry. A few of the grownups had a little wine with dinner grown
in the vineyard in one of the great caves used for agriculture.
It wasn’t a great wine, but it had its moments. Charlie announced
the birthday boys who reached their sixteenth birthday were allowed one
glass if they wished. Waco ordered one glass, took a sip and
passed it around to his brothers so they all could have a taste.
Little Bear declined. Lazarus looked at Charlie and smiled.
“A taste ain’t
gonna’ hurt ya’ none, Son.” Charlie said quietly. All eyes
were on Little Bear. They knew for all his bravado about not
caring to see his dad, he was hurting inside.
“Thank you,
Master Charlie, but I will make you, Admiral Long and Master Angus a
commitment and a promise. I will not repeat the sins of my
father. John Tin Penny is no longer my father. I am no
longer his son. I would not keep the last name of Tin Penny were
it not for my beloved grandfather and my honorable uncles who have all
been good to me and loved me without measure. One day, if I am
ever granted my freedom, I will choose a father for myself, a man who
will be proud to call me his ‘son’ and whom I will be honored to call
my ‘dad.’ We will be joined through blood bonding. Until
that time, I have no dearth of male role models to aspire to. I
neither have enough fingers nor enough toes to count the men at this
table who I consider exceptionally worthy adult role models to emulate,
but above all, the good and wise Chief of our tribe will guide my
spirit and my steps into manhood.”
There was a
deathly silence around the table. Waco rose and slowly started
clapping for his brother. One by one every man, woman and child
rose from their seats to applaud the young man for his words. The
old Chief was distraught and in tears as he was the last to stand and
put his hands together for his grandson. Everyone had been
worried for Little Bear, but his words told everyone he was growing up,
he was overtaking his father and would soon leave his memory behind,
even though he knew his dad would become Master Angus’ slave.
At the end of
supper Trey Vinceeth stood and told the story of rescuing the flying
horses and how later he and his men rescued the ring-tailed
critters. It was another moving moment and everyone stood and
applauded for the captain and his men. Ping and Pong and their
kits weren’t present. They opted to stay the night with their
kin. There was much to catch up on and many things to tell their
relatives about new possibilities for their futures.
“And now we have
some entertainment planned.” said Trey. “I talked with the Kodaly’s and
our young officer from the Holy City and asked if they would gift us
with a song or two this evening. So now I will turn our program
over to Johauk Kodaly. Johauk?” Trey motioned for the
young man to rise and come forward. Basil turned and looked
at Brett Jones in a questioning manner. Brett rose from his
chair, leaned over, kissed Basil behind his ear and whispered,
“Wish me luck, cowboy.”
“Break a leg,
Officer Jones.” Basil smiled.
The Kodaly
family gathered around an electronic keyboard synthesizer Johauk
programed to sound like a cathedral pipe organ complete with unnicked
pipe chiffs. It sounded for all the world like an ancient baroque
pipe organ Bach might have played. They performed a couple of
works, one by Bach for lyric baritone and chorus, another by Franck,
‘Panis Angelicus,’ but the last one they performed brought the folks to
their feet. It was the wonderful song ‘Time to say
Goodbye.’ It was originally for tenor or treble voice, but Johauk
transposed it down to a baritone range. At the very last minute
Brett leaned over to the fine, young musician and spoke to him.
“Let’s do it in
the original key, Maestro.” he smiled as he made his request with
confidence.
“Are you sure,
Sir?” Johauk looked puzzled.
“Trust me,
friend.” Brett smiled at him. Jones found out on the Bach
piece, which always was a stretch for his tessitura, he could handle it
better than he ever could before. He found he could shorten his
vocal cords to accommodate any range in which he wished to sing.
About halfway though the song there wasn’t a dry eye in the room and
when he finished with the chorus of the Kodaly family backing him up,
the room erupted in applause. Everyone was on their feet cheering
for the young officer they had all come to love and admire in such a
short time. Basil was stunned. He had no idea his friend
had such talent. All in all, Brett Jones had many talents Basil
Troubadour wanted to experience if he could. The more wonders he
found out about the big man, the more insignificant he felt himself to
be. What did he have to offer this man? Everyone settled
down and took their seats. Trey Vinceeth rose again and thanked
the Kodaly family and Officer Jones for the wonderful music. He
joked he was a little disappointed he didn’t get to see Officer Jones
float in the air while he was singing.
“I’m sorry,
Captain. I’ve learned to control it, but I don’t need to be
singing anymore to rise in the air.” Jones stood, spread his arms
and rose a little higher than the table. Everyone gasped and then
applauded again for him. He smiled, nodded to everyone, then
lowered himself to the ground and sat down again. He was blushing
and laughing at the look on Basil’s face.
“I told you I
could fly.” he said.
“I never... I
thought you were joking, Sir.” Basil replied and shook his head
in wonder.
“I can’t wait
any longer, Son.” Lazarus directed his comment to Captain
Vinceeth. “What is the final surprise you have for us?”
“You’ll have to
wait until morning to find out, Admiral. I’m not trying to be
mysterious, but it will take a trip of an hour or so by sub-train
(subterranean) to get to the place where we found the final
surprise. Not everyone will be allowed to go. Only the
adult males, including those over sixteen years, and the androids in
charge of the planet when we’re not here. I promise you, what we
found will be well worth the wait. Nothing you have seen or
experienced so far will prepare you for our last surprise.”
End of Chapter
47 ~ Waco’s Lummox
Copyright 2007 ~
Waddie Greywolf
All rights
reserved ~
Mail to:
waddiebear@yahoo.com