WACO’S
LUMMOX
By
Waddie Greywolf
Chapter
62
“Where
the wave of moonlight glosses the dim grey sands with light, far
off by furthest Rosses we foot it all the night, weaving olden dances,
mingling hands and mingling glances, till the moon has taken flight; to
and fro we leap, and chase the frothy bubbles, while the world is full
of troubles and is anxious in its sleep. Come away, my android
child, to the waters and the wild with your father, hand in hand, for
the world's more full of weeping than you can understand.” W. B.
Yeats (mostly)
After supper
Monty got Dexter settled in for the night. He showed Bobby how to
help him with his hookups. Since they had the standard one-ten
AC current, he used the old trickle charge battery charger. He
plugged it in and checked to make sure it was working
properly. Dexter knew how to connect himself, but he was used to
having someone help him. It became more of a ritual than a
necessity. It might be compared to a child who couldn’t get to
sleep unless he was tucked in and shown a little love by an
adult. Bobby took it upon himself to learn to help him. He
immediately assumed the role of older brother for the physically
younger bio-mechanical boy, and to Bobby’s surprise, Dexter responded
and began to bond with him.
“Dexter, if you
wake up during the night or have bad dreams you can’t come to the
bunkhouse to find me.” explained Monty, “I’m a slave now, and I got
responsibilities to Master Shane and my cowboy slave brothers.
Mr. Morris and Bobby have kindly agreed to look after you, and this is
where you’ll stay in the evenings. If you need someone during the
night go to Bobby, and he’ll help you. You should be all right,
but I know you have bad dreams once in a while. If he does,
Bobby, just hold him for a while, and he’ll be okay. Then hook
him back up to the charger, and he should be fine for the rest of the
night. He won’t get up in the morning until he senses you moving
about.”
Monty made
Dexter promise he wouldn’t come to the bunkhouse to try to be with
him. Monty explained to Dexter he understood when he came with
them there would be certain rules he had to live by. Dexter said
he understood and assured him he wouldn’t come looking for him.
He was now Master Goodnight’s slave, too, and he wanted to be a good
slave for his master. Bobby listened to all this and knew why
Monty didn’t want Dexter to come to the bunkhouse. Gil explained
to Bobby about cowboy love when he was old enough to understand such
things. Gil figured the sooner the better. He didn’t paint
it in a bad or disgusting light, he just told him as a matter of
fact. Rather than chew on it, Bobby accepted it as part of cowboy
slave life. Bobby was confused and a bit disturbed by the large
division in Dexter’s
understanding about things. While he was very smart, almost
brilliant about some things, he could be hopelessly naive about
others. Bobby was almost certain Dexter had no idea what his
companion or daddy would be doing in the bunkhouse other than sleeping,
and why he didn’t want to be disturbed; or, perhaps he knew and just
chose to ignore it. Either way there was a decided division in
his understanding and approach to life. Bobby wondered if he just
needed a big brother to explain things to him? Was it
possible no one ever took the time to help him connect the dots?
If that was the case, Bobby considered himself the right man for the
job.
The evening went
well for everyone. Monty never tried to satisfy two men at the
same time before, but he wasn’t against trying. He found it
interesting, but not something he’d choose to do on a regular
basis. Phil played the role of ringmaster and made sure
everyone had a good time. Monty spent the night with them, but
they didn’t demand sex all night. He got a good night’s
sleep and woke refreshed in the morning.
Cole rode his way to
cowboy glory with another one of his ten dollar fucks for his young
master and the two men slept the peaceful dreams of lovers.
Dexter never stirred the whole night and didn’t move until he sensed
Bobby awake and going to the bathroom. Dexter was trained to
remove all his clothing so he would be comfortable to accept a good
night’s charge. He set on
the edge of his cot for a while, naked. Bobby returned to the
room and saw Dexter was still hooked up to the charger.
“Here, buddy,
let me help you with that.” Bobby came to him and set down beside him.
“Thank you,
Bobby, and good morning.”
“Good morning to
you. Did you charge well?” he asked.
“I think so, I
feel strong and full of energy this morning. It’s good to get a
full meal, a complete, undisturbed night of feeding, because if I
don’t and I’m busy the next day, I get cranky in the evenings. I
ain’t like that Energizer bunny what jes’ keeps on going.” Dexter
giggled, “Sometimes, if I’m very busy, I have to have a quick snack— a
little pick-me-up, if you will— in the afternoon to keep me going ‘til
bedtime. Did you sleep well, Bobby?”
“I did,
actually. Thanks for asking." Bobby responed
cheerfully, "I been told I get cranky in
the
afternoons if I have a busy day, so most days, I try to recharge my
batteries with a brief lie down. A nice treat from Ms. Essmee
after a good nap will usually see me through ‘til supper. I feel
good this morning. Since Captain Shane healed me and I been
drinking lummox milk, I only have pleasant dreams. I seem to feel
better the next morning if I have good dreams.”
“How did Master
Goodnight heal you, from what illness, what’s lummox milk, and why do
you call him captain?” Dexter asked.
“I’m sorry,
Dexter. I forgit you ain’t been here and don’t know some
things. Can you keep secrets?” Bobby asked.
“Yes, I’m very
good at keeping secrets.” Dexter said.
“I can’t tell
you everything right now, but if you can keep a secret from your daddy,
I’ll share a couple of things with you, but if you betray my trust I
won’t never tell you nothing again.”
“Why can’t my
daddy know our secret, Bobby?”
“'At's a fair
question, Dex. Because
sometimes things have to happen in an orderly manner; in
sequence. From your programming, I’m sure you understand about
sequencing. There’s things about our foreman, your new master,
your dad can’t know right now. Things me and my dad didn’t know
for a while. They ain’t nothing bad; in fact, they’re very good;
it’s just they’s so remarkable and unusual, they take some time getting
used to. It took dad and me a while, but now we’re privy to
everything what goes on around here. We’s family. Dad and
me, we couldn’t be happier living here and working with Mr. Goodnight
and Mr. Potter. I say ‘with’ because it ain’t like we’s working
‘for’ someone. I don’t even think the slaves feel that way.
It’s
more like a team around here. We’s all part of a large family,
we work together for a common goal, but you’ll understand about that
later.
I had a
defective heart valve and almost died. I was dying when dad and
Mrs. Biddle brought me to Mr. Goodnight. Your new master is a
gifted healer, Dexter. He weren’t strong enough at the time to
completely heal me and called four of his good friends, close buddies
of his who
were also healers to help him. Together, they repaired my heart,
and with the help of some other wonderful folks, I began to get
better. When
he healed me, he exchanged some of himself with me, and I became a part
of him. We's like brothers now, and I love him and his pa with
all my
heart. Beneath
Mr.
Goodnight’s good-ole-cowboy, easy-going exterior is a highly
intelligent, compassionate and talented man; a strong man fiercely
dedicated to the concept of family. Cap’n Shane
recognizes your dad is different, but what
your dad don’t understand is, he and his new master are very
similar.
They are very much alike in many ways.”
“That’s what Mr.
Ong told my daddy. He said they were alike. I thought it
was because their hearts beat at the same frequency. I have
heightened hearing and can hear people’s heartbeats. I can tell
yours is exceptionally strong. So it would be reasonable for
Master Goodnight to wait to see if my dad opens himself to him before
he tells him everything about himself. After all, he owns my dad
and now me. I remember Master Goodnight telling my dad he needed
to know everything about him and all his secrets. Now I
understand why, but if I may share a secret with you, Bobby, my dad
keeps secrets from me. I think he doesn’t trust me sometimes.”
“Y’ain’t alone,
little brother, my daddy keeps things from me, but in your case,
I don’t think it’s cause yore' daddy don’t trust you, Dexter. I
think
sometimes you get carried away, you don’t process your thoughts before
you speak, and you don’t consider the consequences. Perhaps, even
though you can’t grow up physically, you can grow up mentally. If
you ever want people to take you more seriously than just being a cute,
six year old kid, you got to start adjusting your reasoning processes.”
“How do I do
that without an adjustment to my programing?”
“Practice.”
was Bobby’s short reply. “You have to work at it. How
old are you in chronological age, Dexter?”
“Fifteen years.”
“See, you’re
almost twice my age, but you seem stunted in your social development.”
“I’m plenty
smart, Bobby.” Dexter defended himself.
“Smarts don’t
necessarily equate to maturity, Dexter. Some very smart men were
social failures. Einstein was plenty smart, but he didn’t speak
until age three, and as an adult, he could barely tie his own
shoelaces. He would go for walks and forget how to get home.”
“You seem to be
maturing at a normal rate for your physical size, Bobby. Do you
think you can help me?”
“We could
try. I understand you tutored the Ong children for many
years. It takes a lot of my dad’s time and energy to home school
me. As it grows, the ranch demands more of his time, and
he sometimes don’t have time for my education. Could you teach me
what I need to know to survive in this world?”
“Of course I
can, and I can make it so entertaining you won’t even realize you’re
learning. Can that be part of my duties as Master Shane’s slave?”
“I’ll speak with
him. We’s like brothers, him and me. He loves me a lot and
would do anything for me what sounded like a reasonable plan.
That's the thing with Foreman Shane, you show him proper respect and if
you got something you want what's important to you, make damn sure you
got all yore' facts straight and clearly defined in your head, but most
importantly, why you think it would be a good idea. If'n you
don't try to bull shit him, nine times out of ten you'll get what you
want.”
“That's good
advice, Bobby. Thanks. I'll keep that in mind. Now,
what’s a
lummox?” Dexter remembered.
“Here, I’ll show
you a picture of one. Have you ever heard of a Sasquatch or
Bigfoot?” Bobby asked.
“Aren’t they
large mythological creatures, a furry primate from the
Northwestern part of our country?”
“Yes, but it
turns out they ain’t mythological. They are very real.
Look at this.” Bobby handed Dexter an eight by ten glossy photo he made
on his computer printer of him, Captain Waco, Captain Vinceeth and
Ox. In the picture Ox is holding Bobby in one big arm and Waco
has his arm around his beast. On the other side Captain Vinceeth
has his arm around Ox.”
“He’s huge but
handsome.” said Dexter. “And, you say he produces drinkable milk?”
“The best, my
friend. I still drink it regularly. It’s given me special
powers. I can communicate mentally with the horses, Maxine and Ox
himself. I may git me some today. He always offers, and I
never say ‘no.’ It’s just too darn good. His name is Ox,
and
he’s
the slave of the cowboy you see in the picture. That’s Master
Shane’s nephew, Master Waco. He’s a fine looking man.”
“He sure
is. He looks a lot like Master Shane, only not as big.
Who’s the huge man on the other side of Ox?”
“Mr.
Vinceeth. He’s a regular visitor to the Goodnight ranches.
He and Master Waco are close friends. He’s also a good friend of
mine.”
When he was
recovering, Shane gave Bobby his Captain Goodnight action figure.
Bobby kept it proudly and prominently displayed on his dresser.
Dexter caught sight of it and marveled.
“Captain Shane
Goodnight Action Figure? Is this why you call Master Shane
‘Captain?’”
“Why, yes, it
is.” Bobby jumped at the answer, “I was just getting around to telling
you about that.” he lied, “A toy company thought a big, handsome
cowboy like Master Shane would make a wonderful action figure for
kids. They gave him one, and he gave me his when I was recovering
from my bad heart. It’s one of my most prized possessions.”
“I can
understand why. It’s a remarkable likeness of him.”
“And his body,
too, it’s anatomically correct.” Bobby smiled.
“You
mean...?” asked Dexter in awe.
“Here, I’ll show
you.” Bobby deftly undid the action figure’s belt, undid his Wranglers
and pull them down slightly.”
“My, if that’s
proportional to the rest of him he’s quite big all over.” remarked
Dexter with considerable respect.
“It’s correct in
every detail. I had to lie close to him for a couple of days for
him to heal me properly. Then he slept with me every night for a
week. I would reach down and hold onto him
with my hands. When I touched him, it would stimulate him, his
penis would become engorged with blood and grow almost twice as
big. It’s called git'n an ‘erection’ when it happens to grown
men. I git one ever’ now and then, but h’it ain’t near as big as
Cap’n
Shane’s. His got really big and hard.” Bobby giggled, “He never
scolded me or nothing. He jes’ hugged me and told me to
hold on tight. He's an amazing man, Dexter. He knew it
brought me
comfort and a sense of security to hold
onto a part of him. When I held him I
didn’t feel so alone or afraid, and I knew I’d be all right. We
been swimming naked together in the creek many times, and believe me,
his action figure is an accurate representation.” Bobby bragged about
his friend.
Gil was getting
dressed for the day and stuck his head into the boy’s room.
“You ‘bout ready
to walk up to the big house for breakfast, Bobby?” he asked.
“Yes, Sir.
What shall we do with Dexter, Dad?”
“Bring him
along. He can sit and enjoy our company while we eat.”
“I did that
quite often with the Ongs, Mr. Morris; or, I could stay here and watch
Sunday morning cartoons and wait for you.”
“Oh, lord
no! That would melt your neural circuits, Dexter.” Gil
joked. Dexter understood the metaphor and laughed. It was
the first time
Bobby or Gil heard him laugh. The men walked to the big
house. Bobby and Dexter explained their plan for mutual education
and growth. Gil was impressed but wondered how successful it
might be. Maybe Dexter would be the god-send he was hoping for
after all. They got to the big house, went in and introduced
Dexter to Ms. Biddle. He never saw a black person before.
He knew they existed and saw many on television. He loved old
Oprah reruns but in Essmee Fay Biddle he found an exotic black
Earth-mother. He was wowed and overwhelmed by her. Like,
Mr. Potter and Cole, Mrs. Biddle underwent a physical transformation
from the longshot and was now back in her prime. She heard of the
young android and was amused by his amazement of her. While
Dexter was in awe of her he was, also, very polite and
considerate. He set quietly while the men ate their breakfast,
discussing plans for the day and the barbecue. Essmee was fixing
several side dishes for the occasion, but the men and cowboy slaves
would handle the
cooking. At one point Dexter called his new master ‘Captain
Shane.’ Shane raised an eyebrow, looked at Bobby and grinned.
“Dexter saw your
action figure on my dresser this morning, Sir, and I explained it’s
where you got the title.” Bobby came to Dexter’s defense.
“Why, yes, of
course.” Shane grinned and smiled at Bobby, “Well done, Bobby.” he
smiled his approval of Bobby’s quick thinking. Bobby got his
message and grinned. “Dexter, do you understand when you gave
yourself to me as my slave yesterday, and I accepted, you transferred
all personal allegiances to me as your new owner and master.”
“I did?” he
asked bemused.
“That’s the way
it works, Son.” said boss Potter officiously as the old judge. “Ain’t
no such thing as a half-way slave. You either is or you
ain’t. There are strict rules you must abide by.” Potter poured
it on.
“It means your
first loyalties now lie with me and not yore’ daddy. Now, that
don’t mean you have to stop loving your daddy or being the good son
you’ve always been, but it just shifts the perspective of everything
over just a hair.” explained Shane.
“Is that part of
me belonging to you, Sir?” Dexter asked.
“It is.” was
Shane’s short reply.
“I understand,
Master Goodnight. I asked to belong to you, I gave myself to you,
so therefore I must show you your due and respect you as my
master. Part of that is
my loyalty must be to you first and my daddy second.”
“Good boy,
Dexter, you’ll make a fine slave.” Shane played it up big for Dexter’s
sake. Bobby could see through the cowboy bullshit. He could
tell when Captain Shane was up to something. “Bobby, right
after breakfast I want you, your dad and Maxine to take Dexter through
the gate to meet with our friends. Tell them they can only have a
couple of hours to visit for the first time.” ordered Shane.
“Are you afraid
Dexter might tell his dad, Captain Shane?” Gil asked.
“Who is your
first loyalty to, Dexter?” Shane asked the boy android.
“To you, Master
Shane.” he quickly responded.
“You won’t say a
word to your dad about who you meet with Mr. Morris, Bobby and Maxine,
will you,
Son?”
“No, Sir.”
“I promise, I’ll
give you permission to tell him later, but we need to keep some things
to ourselves right now. Since you gave yourself to me, you belong
to me, you are now a part of my greater family and that supercedes your
ties with your dad.”
“Of course, you
are correct, Sir. I understand.” Dexter said.
“He won’t tell.”
Shane smiled at Gil. Gil just shook his head, smiled and returned
to his breakfast.
Gil, Bobby and
Maxine walked Dexter down to the old barn. Dexter had no idea
where they were going. He watched as Maxine scratched the post,
spoke her name and a big, watery looking door sprung up. It
frightened Dexter, and he almost jumped into Gil’s arms.
“Steady there,
cowboy. Ain’t nothing to fear. It’s just a doorway to
another place. Watch Maxine go through.”
“Ain’t nothing
to it, Dexter. It’s like going from one room to another.” she
said as she dashed through.
“Me next.” said
Bobby and he walked through.
“You want me to
carry you through, Son?” Gil asked patiently.
“No, Sir.
Bobby told me I had to start growing up. I can do this, but maybe
if you hold my hand, that might help, Sir.” Dexter looked up into
the big cowboy’s eyes, and Gil’s big heart melted. He chuckled to
himself. He flashed back to his first time to go through a gate,
took the boy-android’s hand, and they walked through together. On
the other side Dexter saw three beautiful, handsome naked men.
They were perfect in every detail, but there was something different
about them. He couldn’t detect a heartbeat. He could only
hear the small whirring sounds of micro-pumps circulating unknown
fluids through their bodies. They were hugging Bobby and playing
with Maxine. One gave Maxine a treat, for which, she graciously
thanked him. As Dexter slowly walked hand in hand with Gil Morris
his eyes started to water. It suddenly became clear to him, these
men
were like him. They were bio-mechanical men. He was stunned.
“Hello, little
brother, welcome to the Bandersnatch. My name is Cable and these
are my brothers David and Jonathan.” said the biggest and most handsome
of the three. Dexter went to him with his arms open. Cable
grabbed him up, hugged and kissed him. “We’ve been following you
for sometime on our videos, but it’s such a pleasure to finally meet
you in person. You are more wonderful than we could imagine.”
Cable made over him. David and Jonathan just had to touch
him. “We understand you’ve come to visit us for a while, and we’d
like to get to know you better.” Dexter never felt more
comfortable in his life than in Cable’s big arms. It was
like he was home and these were his people. He shed a few tears,
they comforted him and wiped his tears away.
“Can you
understand why your master might not want you telling your dad about
these men yet, Dexter?” Bobby asked.
“Absolutely,
Bobby.” he replied. “My dad would understand them, but he
wouldn’t understand about them.” he reasoned.
“You’re right,
Dexter.” Cable confirmed. “Everything will be revealed to your daddy in
time.”
“Bobby said
things must progress in an order of sequence. It’s not my daddy’s
time yet to learn about you men.”
“Exactly.”
confirmed Cable again.
“Who made you
men?” Dexter asked.
“Our father had
us made according to his specifications, Dexter. You will meet
him later today at the ranch barbecue and picnic. He works for
Master Charlie Goodnight and is the ramrod for his ranch. His
name
is Lazarus Long. We call him ‘father’ or 'Ramrod Long.' He
is
also the captain of this ship.”
“Is this a
starship?” Dexter asked in awe.
“It is, indeed,
little one.” agreed David.
“And,— my master
is the captain of his own ship.” Dexter put two and two together. “I
saw the spacesuit in the box of his action figure, Bobby.”
“You’re right,
little brother, yore’ master is captain of his own ship.” said Bobby.
“I often
wondered what it must feel like to win the lottery. Now I
know.
My daddy has no idea where he’s landed. He passed ‘go,’ collected
two hundred dollars, landed on 'free parking,' collected the jackpot,
and don’t even know it. I am so glad I’m
Captain Goodnight’s slave.” Dexter said in a reverent voice.
“So are we,
Son.” agreed Cable, then added, “You couldn’t have chosen a better man
to give yourself to,— and you wouldn’t be his slave without having done
so. By giving yourself to Master Shane, we suspect you triggered
within yourself a separate subset of ‘loyalty’ subroutines which will
allow you to become more than you ever dreamed possible, and we
understand you do have dreams.” Cable said with a smile.
“Yes, Sir, I do
dream. You must want to run tests on me to find out more about
me?” Dexter said rhetorically.
“We would like
that very much, but we won’t if you’re afraid or would rather wait
until your daddy can be with you.”
“You men
wouldn’t do harm to me if you know Bobby, Mr. Morris and my new
friend Maxine. Bobby said I need to start learning to act more
maturely. I shall start here and now. By giving myself to
Master Shane, I have been given the choice to reason and make a few
decisions for myself. If my master didn’t want this for me, he
wouldn’t have sent me to you, or he would’ve instructed me
otherwise. You may examine me, Mr. Cable.”
“Just ‘Cable,’
Son. We don’t have honorific titles here.” Cable told him.
"And your reasoning is impeccable, little one." he added.
They ran all
kinds of scans and test on Dexter, but none hurt him or were
invasive. They took off his very cleverly concealed skull cap and
hair to expose his brain and were amazed by what they found. It
was very different from themselves, but his construction had precedents
in their known universe and collective body of understanding. It
was a dense maze of a cloud-like material resembling finely spun glass
or angel hair which had tiny, micro synaps which lit up with different
colors when Dexter
thought about different things or conversed. It looked to Cable
and his men like the brains of the bladder whales Professor
Wanker
was studying on mars. They were impressed by other micro-motors
and microprocessor functions that could only have been put together by
a very advanced intelligence. They also discovered he had no
batteries in the common sense of the term. Instead, he had a
series of sophisticated crystals which were excited by every recharge
and held a steady resonance like a tuning fork, or as a crystal might
set the bit rate for a computer; only, their energy potential was
logarithmic. The sophistication of the small android was almost
circuit blowing to Cable and his men. Their report to their
father would be one of great excitement and awe.
In the meantime,
the Kryscellians heard the news through their close association with
the on-board intelligence and several others. They came floating
into sickbay. Dexter was fascinated by their beauty. They
began to sing to him, and unlike organics, he interfaced with them
almost immediately. They gave, and he gave back to them. He
downloaded his knowledge of the several dialects of Chinese he spoke
fluently. They found out just how vast his storage of knowledge
was and found he utilized his crystals much like them. He had a
direct family link with them. They were thrilled and sang great
and wonderful songs to him. Dexter was in tears. All too quickly
their two hour visit to sickbay was over and Gil insisted they had to
get back. They were under orders from Captain Shane to return
within two hours. There were many hugs and tears as the
bio-mechanicals said their ‘goodbyes.’ Dexter wanted to stay with
them longer, but his new big brother, Cable, reminded him of his new
dedication to Captain Goodnight. He was now his slave. His
first duty was to him. Dexter never wanted to belong to anyone
but his companion all these years, but he now found himself belonging
to another human. Dexter wasn’t sorry. His love and respect
for his new master multiplied a hundred fold. He knew what he
must do upon return.
* * * * * * *
Shane and Cole
helped Essmee in the kitchen of the big house after breakfast. It
was usually Bobby’s chore to help her. He was good about it, but
Shane sent them away to the Bandersnatch. Almost two hours passed
before the men got a chance to get away from the big house and stroll
over the hill to the
bunkhouse to check with the four cowboy slave cooks on their progress
for the barbecue. Everything seemed in order. They were
standing outside under some trees near the huge fifty-five gallon drums
converted to barbecue ovens, and the men were loading them with dried
mesquite
to get them going for the day. Monty came walking up with a
concerned look on his face accompanied by Phil, Eli, Bart and Telly.
“Has anyone seen
Dexter?” he asked like he was worried. “We’ve looked all over for him.”
“I sent him and
Bobby on an errand with Mr. Morris right after breakfast. They
should be back any minute.” Shane told him pulling his antique pocket
watch from his vest pocket to check the time. About that time,
Dexter, Bobby, Gil and Maxine came walking around the corner of the
bunkhouse laughing and chatting with each other. Dexter spotted
Shane and ran as fast as his little legs would carry him, right past
his daddy, fell to his knees in the dust in front of Shane and began to
lovingly kiss each of his big boots. Shane got a big, shit-eating
grin on his face and put his hand down for the boy. He wondered
if Dexter knew the slave ritual. Sure enough, Dexter found his
hand, lovingly kissed the back and placed it against his forehead for
further instructions.
“Come to my
arms, my small buckaroo slave, and show your master your love for him.”
Dexter jumped up, Shane lifted him onto his huge chest and the young
android gave Shane a passionate kiss. Shane let him and responded
in kind. It seemed strange to Shane to be kissing a machine, but
he knew this was something Dexter needed. Besides, it was
the message of the kiss, the symbolism, rather than a stimulus that was
important.
There is a kiss to convey almost all human emotions, including the kiss
of death. In Dexter’s case, it was a kiss of unbridled
happiness, joy and an awakening. The small android was announcing
to
his companion, his allegiance to his new owner and master. Monty
witnessed all this with his mouth open. He never saw Dexter so
passionate about anything. He almost felt jealous, but yet,
strangely enough he was proud of Dexter. Monty knew this was
major growth in his companion and recognized it as such. He just
felt a bit cheated he wasn't the first to set the example.
He told himself he better get used to it; this was a new Dexter he
never saw before. Dexter had his arms tightly around Shane’s big
neck, shamefully
stealing kisses and whispered to him,
“I'm your
devoted slave, Master Goodnight. Is it inappropriate for a slave
to tell his master he loves him, Sir?”
“No, not at all,
as long as his master may feel free to love him in return.”
“Of course you
may, Master. I’m yours, I belong to you.”
“Good point,
slave. Besides, we’s family now, ain’t we? H’it’s only
right I should love my little brother and he love me. You met my
other brothers this morning. You recognized them as your brothers
right
away, I’m told.” Shane asked softly so Monty wouldn’t overhear. “I have
it on good authority they fell in love with you. I’ll have ta’
keep my eye on them ole boys, so’s they don’t try’n steal you away from
me.” Shane winked and laughed. Dexter grinned at his nonsense.
“Don't worry,
Sir, I won't let them. You're right, I did recognize
them as being like me, Master, and my eyes have been opened.
Thank you
for having faith in me and including me in your family. I won’t
let you down, Sir. I won’t betray your trust, Captain
Shane. I understand now.” Dexter assured Shane.
“That’s what I
was hoping might happen, Son, and you’re welcome. I do have faith
in you, or I wouldn’t have shared my brothers with you. Now, you
must have faith in me.”
“I will always
have faith in you,
Master.” Dexter said in awe of the big man who held him.
“Excellent,
Son, I’m glad. I’m proud of you, slave.” Shane stole
another kiss then set him down.
Dexter ran to
Monty, hugged and kissed him. “It’s your turn, Father.” Dexter
smiled at him. Monty’s heart sank. Dexter was right, he
should have taken care of his duties before now. He handed
Dexter his hat, walked up to Shane and knelt in front of him.
“I feel
embarrassed and humbled by my companion, Master Shane. I should
have taken care of my duties as your slave and paid homage to you much
sooner. If you
will allow me, Sir?”
“It's never too
late." Shane said gently, "Go ahead, Son.”
Monty lavished
much love on Shane’s dusty boots and found Shane’s hand waiting.
They went through the ritual and Shane gave Monty an equally passionate
kiss as he did Dexter. All the cowboys were moved by what they
witnessed.
“Welcome to our
family, Son. I’m proud to call you my slave.”
“I’m proud to be
your slave, Master Goodnight. I’m honored to be considered a
small part of your family, Sir.”
That afternoon
was a new beginning for Monty and Dexter. Dexter no longer called
Monty ‘daddy.’ He was now ‘father.’ He explained he wanted
to become more mature and part of his plan was to show Monty more
respect. Calling Monty ‘daddy’ just didn’t show the same respect
to his creator as the honorific term ‘father.’ He would try to be
more thoughtful in his questions and his responses to people. He
would try to gather more information for himself to make an informed
decision before he spoke. Monty was wowed by his smaller
companion. These new revelations were outside Dexter’s
programing. It was as if the boy was struck by lightening
and scrambled some of his circuits for the better. He was always
special to Monty, but he became even more of a delight to be
around. The cowboys almost fought over who would have him sit in
their lap next. Dexter ate up all his new found attention;
figuratively speaking, of course.
The guests began
to arrive and there was a number of people from other ranches who were
being introduced around. Angus arrived with his wife, his ramrod
Jimmy Joe Russell and the ramrod’s mate Burt Stamper. Charlie
Goodnight’s crew arrived in several vehicles. Arriving with
Charlie Goodnight was his right hand man and ramrod, Lazarus Long, his
son Lucas Long and Lucas’ mate Commander Maddragon riding in the crew
cab. In the back of Charlie’s truck was Indigo/Blue Goodnight and
Travis Jessup with his mate Sergeant Major Sal Doggoral. Sitting
between Lazarus and Charlie in Charlie’s big truck was Miss Estelle
Potter. Lazarus convinced her one trip outside the colonies
wasn’t going to harm her, and he and Charlie would be her personal
bodyguards. She laughed at his overprotective nonsense and said
she would be happy to go with them.
Also arriving in
another truck was Charile’s son Waco, his mate Captain Vinceeth and
Waco’s slave Ox. Riding in the back with Ox was Little Bear Tin
Penny, Tex Olafson, Brett Jones, Basil Troubadour, and Commander
Hawkins. Another truck arrived from the Austin/Daniel’s Ranch;
Hoot and Cotton with Blake Tindell and the rest of the Stamper men were
in the back plus a couple of cowboy slaves, mate’s of the
Stampers.
Sam was with them to meet up with his commander. In another big
truck arrived Chief Tin Penny, a couple of his chiefs, their wives and
kids. Along with them was Doug and Brody Tin Penny with their
families. Shane didn’t expected such a large guest list, but they
had plenty of food for all and welcomed everyone.
Bobby pointed
out Ramrod Long to Dexter. He ran to him, fell to his knees and
began to make love to his boots. Lazarus was thrilled to see
such a perfect little bio-mechanical buckaroo paying homage to
him. The thought crossed his mind, after two thousand, two
hundred
and damn near thirty years, life still could have its
moments of surprises and unsurpassed joy. It was times like these
he was grateful his mother forced his last regeneration upon him and
stopped him from willing himself to die. The thought of having
missed the sweetness of the moment was almost unbearable to him, and
his eyes filled with tears. While he considered his time with
Charlie, the Grange and the great escape from Earth may be the last
chapter of his long life, it was proving to be one of the most
rewarding periods for him. He would have missed all this had his
mother not interfered. He remembered being angry with her when he
discovered he was alive. He blamed it on her selfishness, but
now he knew he was wrong.
He suspected a greater, guiding
intelligence in the universe but never gave it much thought. It
always smacked too much of religion and he was decidedly against
anything dealing with myths or hearsay. For Lazarus, religion was
a racket,
pure and simple. He saw over two thousand
years of the misery it could bring with little redeeming social value
other than a crutch for those who so greatly feared death. Maybe
it was because he was old and at ease with himself it all seemed so
comfortable to him now. All the pieces of the greater puzzles of
his life seemed to be coming together in something as small as the
little mechanical buckaroo on his knees before him kissing his
boots. He and Charlie received
a detailed report from his medical staff about Dexter before they left
the ranch. He reviewed videos his staff made of their findings,
and was as astounded as they were. He graciously went through the
ritual with the small android. After he and Dexter shared a good
kiss, he
hugged the boy to him.
“I met your sons
this morning, Sir. They were good, kind and gracious to
me. I feel like I have three new brothers.” Dexter spoke quietly
so no one else could hear.
“I know you met
them. They gave me a full report. They’re quite taken with
you. They’re very much in love with you, young man. Ain’t
very often one of their own kind comes along. I think you gained
yore’self three very fine brothers.”
“I’m so thrilled
to know there are others like me, Sir. I thought I was the only
one in the universe. Someday I would like to see more of your
ship.”
“I will
personally take you on a tour when we git yore’ daddy settled in and
share everything with him. There are many more out there like you
and my sons. I will take you to meet them one day soon.”
Dexter became
the hit of the afternoon. Monty was amazed at Dexter’s
transformation in one day. He was together and acted far more
mature than Monty ever saw him before. He seemed to hang with
Bobby and Gil Morris quite a bit. It was like they shared a
common secret Monty didn’t know about. Angus Goodnight was
particularly taken with Dexter and had him in his lap several times
talking with him. Angus was amused Dexter considered himself
Master Shane’s slave, and Dexter went on and on about how much he loved
Shane and wanted to be the best slave for him he could be. No one
who heard him had any doubts about his seriousness.
Little Bear
met Monty and the two men quickly bonded. Little Bear looked like
a young Coyote John Tin Penny only much better looking and not banged
up from barroom brawls, cigarettes and waking
up too many mornings in a dumpster with a hundred megaton
hangover. They talked openly about Coyote John.
“You were with
my dad for six months?” Little Bear asked rhetorically. Monty
didn’t answer. He just nodded. He knew Little Bear already
knew. “You spent more time with him than I have my whole life.” he
said sadly. Monty’s heart broke with empathy for his new
friend. He understood rejection.
“If it’s any
consolation, Little Bear, I grew quite fond of your dad. I would
even go so far as to say I fell in love with him.” Monty said quietly.
“I heard he
forced himself on you.” Little Bear challenged.
“He thought he
did, but I could’ve defended myself. I didn’t. I just
thought it might be easier and more pleasant for both of us if I
learned to please him. I knew I’s probably gonna’ end up a slave
anyway and would be expected to have male sex. It seemed to be
something he needed, and I never had much physical love of any kind
shown to me while I’s growing up. It was a new experience for
me. He was a good lesson. It takes a lot to please your
dad. I worked hard learning how to satisfy him; not only to
satisfy him, but also, to please him. The better I got, the more
he tried to satisfy me,
and the more affection he offered me. The last day I was with
him, I told him, for a hardheaded old Indian man he could be a
pert-damn good lover when he put his heart into it. I don’t think
he appreciated my words very much. He sees himself as the last of
the straight, macho cowboys. He thinks it’s all right to use
another man for his sexual needs, but to show him any affection would
make him a homo.” Monty grinned.
“Then you don’t
hate my dad?” Little Bear asked with some awe in his voice.
“No, not at
all. On the
contrary, I have only feelings of affection for John Tin Penny. I
know Coyote John might think that sounds queer as hell, but it’s the
truth. I don’t know any other words to use. How are things
going for him? I heard he went to another Goodnight ranch owned
by my master’s oldest brother.”
“I hear tell it
ain’t going too well. I guess you know Master Angus’
ramrod is the older brother of Billy Bob Russell, the cowboy my dad
tried to kill?”
“Sweet
Jesus! No, Little Bear, I didn’t know. I’m sorry, I had no
idea. That must be awful for Coyote. He must feel like he
done died and woke up in hell.”
“Only because my
dad’s such an ornery cuss. He created his own hell. I know
Master Angus well. He and I developed a mutual admiration for
each other years ago. I fell in love with that old cowboy when
I’s only twelve years old. He’s the first master I always run
to and pay homage to his boots. For years, I tried my dead level
best to eat them big boots a' his off a’ that cowboy.” Little Bear
laughed,
“Until
recently, I ain’t never met me no man what’s boots I’d rather pay
homage to than Master Angus. He became a father figure to
me. I can tell him the secrets of my heart, and he won’t never
laugh at me. He gimme’ a shit load a’ good advice over the
years. Even
though I’s a slave, he wouldn’t do nothing with me ‘til I turned
sixteen. Since I turned sixteen, he’s been fuck’n my ass
regularly like I’s
a two bit whore.” Little Bear laughed at his own crudity.
“Don’t git no ideas, though, I ain’t cheap no more.” he added with a
grin, “Recently, I done raised my price to fifty cents.” he
laughed.
Monty grinned.
“I know in my
heart Master Angus won’t let Jimmy Joe Russell do nothing to my dad
what ain’t standard practice for any other slave on his ranch.
Besides, I know Jimmy Joe Russell personally, if you know what I mean?”
Little Bear laughed again. “Us Goodnight cowboys would git invited to
Hoot and Cotton’s ranch for an afternoon like today. We’d catch
ole Jimmy Joe off by his-self som’mers, we’d rope, hog tie him and
carry him to the barn. We’d make bets who could suck him off the
quickest. I always won. Purdy soon we didn’t have to rope
and hog tie him no more. He would be wait’n for us boys in the
far barn with his Wrangles down around his boot tops, hold’n his big
old horse cock in his hand jes’ waving it at us. He’d laugh his
ass off at us boys when we’d fight to see who would be first in line to
suck his big dick. Because of my history with Jimmy Joe, I know'd
without a doubt in my heart he’ll be fair with Coyote. So,
whatever problems my old man’s gonna’ have, ain’t with his master or
his foreman; it will lie solely with him. I know h’it ain’t
gonna’ be easy on him, ‘cause he’ll fight ‘um ever’ gotdamn step of the
way.” Little Bear shook his head for emphasis.
“You still love
him a lot.” Monty said without nuance.
“Yeah, I don’t
never tell my granddaddy that, but I do. I always just wanted a
chance to love him and have him love me. I’d give my left nut to
have what you had with him even for one evening. How sick is
that?” Little Bear shook his head.
“I don’t think
it’s sick a' tall, brother.” said Monty.
“Of any man, I
guess you got more right than any to call me yore’ brother. You
probably got more of my old man’s seed in you than I do.” Little Bear
lamented, then grinned.
“Minimum, three
times a day for six months. Some days four and five. We
didn't have nothing else to do.”
stated Monty flatly.
“Damnation!
I didn’t realize my old man’s such a horny old fart.” Little Bear
laughed. “Yeah, and what’d I git? I got me one lousy
gotdamn sperm what fertilized my momma’s egg and an old man what sold
me into slavery when I’s only ten years old.” Little Bear grinned at
Monty. Monty felt awful and just shook his head. “But I
hear'd me a rumor you ain’t had no easy life neither, ma'
brother. I guess we
done got us some things in common.” declared Little Bear.
“I thank God for
Coyote John. I would a’ gone bat-shit crazy in that damn jail
without him.” said Monty. “I’d like to talk with Mr. Russell, but
I don’t know what I’d say to him. Maybe jes’ ask him to tell
Coyote ‘hello’ for me and tell him I’s think’n on him.” Monty said.
“You talk about
a horny fucker; I hear tell ole Jimmy Joe fucks his slave-mate or has
ole Burt suck him off three or four times a day and still takes care of
sixty or more slaves for Master Angus. Tell you one damn thing,
you’ll never taste a sweeter piece of cowboy meat than Jimmy Joe
Russell's cock. Why, that big thing’ll jes’ melt in yore’ mouth.”
Little Bear slapped his leg and roared with laugher. Monty
laughed at Little Bear’s enthusiastic cowboy bullshit.
* * * * * * *
Later in the
day, big Phil Pie came and got his baby slave and took Monty into the
bunkhouse to his and Eli’s room.
“Stay in here
for a few minutes. One of the freemen noticed you and would like
you to service him. It’s part of your job as a cowboy slave,
Son. It happens to all us cowboy slaves from time to
time. If a freeman wants you to service him, you ain’t got no
choice. You don’t never wanna’ say ‘no’ or reject him no matter
what he looks like or how bad he smells. If he tells me you
didn’t do your best to please him, I gotta’ tell our master, and he’ll
have to publicly punish you. Trust this old slave, you don’t want
that. Make yore’ master proud of you, Son, and you’ll make me
happy. He’ll be in here in a minute. Be sure to remember
your manners and pay homage to his boots first.” Phil coached him.
“I will, Poppa
Pie. I won’t let you down. I’ll make you, Dad Eli and
Master Goodnight proud of me, Sir.”
“You’re a good
boy, Monty. Me and Eli will be sitting in the mess hall having a
cup of coffee. We won’t let nobody disturb you.”
“Okay, Sir.”
Monty waited and
waited some more. Finally the door opened and one of the best
looking cowboys at the picnic, Jimmy Joe Russell, strolled into the
room. He took off his big hat and hung it on a peg near the
door. Monty didn’t say a word. As Jimmy Joe walked toward
him Monty hit his knees ready to pay homage to the good looking
cowboy’s
handsome, expensive pair of buckaroo boots. He lovingly kissed
each, but got no response from Jimmy Joe except to watch as he undid
his huge rodeo belt buckle, opened his Wranglers and shoved them down
to
his boot tops. He was a real cowboy, all right. He wasn’t
wearing underwear, and his huge dick flopped in front of Monty’s
face. Little Bear’s comparison of Master Russell's penis to a
horse’s cock wasn’t wrong.
“You know who I
am, slave-boy?” he asked quietly.
“Yes, Sir,
Master
Russell.”
“I hear tell you
wanna' talk with me. My young native American slave-buddy told me
you
might have a message for his daddy, but before we git to that I
wanna’ see if you’s learn’n to be a good slave and if you know how to
please a
master. Jimmy Joe didn’t say another word, took his cock in
his right hand, placed his left hand behind Monty’s head and pulled
him onto it. Monty didn’t hesitate to take him. Jimmy Joe
certainly wasn’t ugly, and he had the cleanest, most attractive,
masculine smell of any man Monty had been with; certainly better
than Coyote John who always reeked of stale cigarettes oozing from the
pores of his skin. John's come even carried a faint taste of
cigarettes. Monty chowed down on the fine piece of cowboy meat
before him like it was the main dish at a banquet set just for him, a
starving beggar. Jimmy Joe seemed patient with Monty at
first, but soon began to fuck his face driving his cock ever deeper
down his throat until Monty choked a couple of times. Jimmy Joe
would pull back and encourage the young man with a word or two.
“Easy,
Son. Lemme’ do the work. All you gotta’ do is jes’ relax
and take me. You got a ways to go yet. I know you wanna’
please me, so work with me. I ain't out to choke you to
death. I might wanna' fuck yore' handsome face again
sometime. It looks big, but I know you can take
me; many men have.”
He kept working
Monty’s throat until Monty was taking the full length
of Jimmy Joe’s ten and a half inches down his well stretched
throat. Jimmy Joe wasn’t mean, but he had a strength of purpose
that appealed to Monty; a masculine self-assuredness about what he
wanted and expected from the slave on his knees in front of him.
Monty found him exciting and the more Jimmy Joe demanded of him, the
more Monty tried to give until Jimmy Joe was fucking Monty’s face with
considerable force and abandon. Monty felt himself giving in to
the powerfully sexual cowboy and wanted more than anything to please
him. He had a deep need in his gut to satisfy the man and earn
his seed. Without warning Monty’s whole body began to spasm, and
he felt himself ejaculating in his Wranglers. Jimmy Joe could
feel the slave coming and smiled to himself. He managed one final
lunge and rammed his
cock all the way down Monty’s throat and emptied his big, full cowboy
balls into the young man’s gut.
He held Monty all the way onto
his dick. Monty’s lips were jammed tight into Jimmy Joe’s pubic
hair as his cock erupted wave after wave of his hot, thick, ropey,
cowboy cream down the younger man’s throat. Monty could feel
Jimmy Joe’s balls moving and squirming in their sacks as they hung from
his chin and emptied their filling goodness into him. Monty shot
again and started to feel like he might pass out from lack of
air. Jimmy Joe pulled out, and Monty gasped for breath. He
was well trained by Coyote John and when he got his breath, immediately
began to lick and clean
Jimmy Joe’s cock. Jimmy Joe reached down to pull up his Wrangles
as Monty finished cleaning around and under the his ample
foreskin. He carefully tucked Jimmy Joe’s cock into his Wranglers
as the large man zipped up his fly and put his belt buckle back in
place.
“Now, you may
pay proper homage to ma’ boots, slave.” he spoke quietly to Monty.
Monty was on
Jimmy Joe’s fine pair of boots in a minute and lavished them with his
love. Russell prided himself in being able to tell a slave’s
appreciation or dedication by the way he paid homage to his
boots. He was impressed by Monty’s genuine affection and
attention to detail in everything he did. Monty found Jimmy Joe’s
strong, weathered hand. He kissed the back and placed it to his
forehead.
“Come, slave,”
Jimmy Joe ordered, “show me your love.”
Monty was in the
cowboy’s arms in a hurry and kissed him. Jimmy Joe explored
Monty’s mouth with his tongue like he was trying to find the last
flavors of his cowboy spunk. He broke it off and held Monty in
his arms. A grin spread over Monty’s face.
“What’s ‘at grin
for, slave?” Jimmy Joe asked with a wry smile.
“Some’um Little
Bear told me about you, Sir.”
“Wha’t’s ‘at?”
“He said you had
the sweetest piece of cowboy meat I’d ever taste, and you’d jes’ melt
in
ma’ mouth. Danged if he weren’t right, Sir.” Monty allowed.
Jimmy Joe broke up laughing.
“He said that,
huh?” he laughed again.
“Yes, Sir, and
thank you, Master. Ain’t never tasted me no sweeter dick,
Sir. If you ever have a hanker’n to come by and try ma’ saddle
some evening, I’d be much obliged.” Monty invited.
“Count on it,
slave.” Jimmy Joe promised. “You’re as good as Coyote John said
you was, boy. You’ll make some cowboy a fine partner. He
begged me to fuck your throat real good and hard and tell you it was
from him. He said to tell you he misses you a powerful lot.”
Monty had to
check himself. He almost broke down in Jimmy Joe’s arms.
His words were so unexpected. They sort of hit below the
belt. The cowboy just held him tight. Monty wondered if
Master Russell said what he did to get a reaction from him.
“Now, what can
you tell me about Coyote John Tin Penny? I jes’ got him for a
baby slave. I usually don’t carry messages for a slave, but I can
see we’re gonna’ have a devil of a time with him. He’s asked
about you more’n a couple of times which tells me you made an
impression on him. He don’t wanna’ admit it, but he cares about
you. You’re the only person in the world he’s formed anything
resembling a bond of any kind. The thought occurred to me I jes’
might need me an ally to git through to that thick, hardheaded old
bastard. You could be useful to us. I thought fuck’n you
like I done and seeing how you responded to a message from him might
gimme’ some idea how to break him without having to cut his balls
off. What can you tell me?”
“Ain’t much to
tell, Master Russell. I spent six months with him in a cell, but
I can’t says I really know the man all that well. I learned to
please him rather than fight with him. It was jes’ some’um we
done to pass the time. I grow’d to be fond of Coyote John Tin
Penny, but I knew we’d part sooner or later. I never fooled
myself about him. I think he grow’d to like me and maybe even
respect me a little, but I don’t know’s I’d go so far as to say we
formed a bond. He ain’t the best man I ever know’d, but he has
some raw animal quality about him I found attractive. Mean’n no
disrespect, Master, but you got it, too. I ain’t ashamed a what I
done or how much I come to like it with Mr. Tin Penny. After
talk’n with my master, I ain’t afraid to tell you I think I might’ve
fell in love with Coyote John. I don’t know what you’re looking
for, Sir, but I’ve heard what goes on in breaking a slave. I
expect it to happen to me.”
“Son," Jimmy Joe
paused for a few seconds, "take it
from a ramrod master what’s been broken as a slave, seen the hardest of
slaves broken, and broken a few his-self, y’ain’t gonna’ have no
problem. There’s some men what take to slavery easier than
others. I seen some men what are born to serve other, stronger
men. They find a comfortable home being a slave. Some men,
what ain’t born to be slaves, jes’ know how to adapt better’n
others. I think you’re one of ‘em. You got a good attitude
without compromising yore’ masculinity; you wanna’ please; you got a
sense of humor, and you got the gift of cowboy bullshit. Them
things will take you far. You’ll do fine. Age makes a big
difference, too. It seems to be easier on younger men. It’s
older men like me and Coyote John what find it the hardest.”
“How long was
you a slave, Master Russell?” Monty asked respectfully.
“Twenty years,
Son. I was a baby slave for damn near three full months, but they
couldn’t break me. I guess it was the threat of being castrated
what finally done it. Like all slaves, once I give in and knew I
was broken, life got a lot easier for me. I think it’s the fear
that when a man breaks you, butt fucks you and makes you suck his
cock, you ain't a man no more, he robs you of your masculinity.
That just ain’t
true. It’s a false assumption. You’re fortunate, I kin tell
by the way you handle yourself, you
already know what I'm talk'n about. It took me a good while to
understand that simple fact, but when I finally did, I learned
how to reclaim my masculinity and then some. Truth was, as one
older cowboy told me, I never lost it in the first place. I
became the best damn cowboy slave Master Hoot and Cotton ever had, but
I’s still on my knees sucking their dicks and git’n butt fucked by them
regularly. Eventually, I got me a slave-boy lover on the side,
and they let up on me some.
Somehow, in the cowboy slave world
when you git chore’self a partner and pair up, it sort of becomes
sacred
ground. H’it don’t mean they stop expecting you to do your duties
to them as a slave, but jes’ not so often. After a while, Master
Hoot and Cotton come to trust me and made me a slave trustee. I
began taking my masters’ place fuck’n the other slaves when they’s too
tired or didn’t wanna’ take care of ‘em no more. I learned
masculinity and sexuality is all in a man’s head, Son. I’s a much
stronger man today than I was before I become a slave. I ain’t
got me no problems with my masculinity. You can’t never take that
away from a real man no ways. If it happens, a slave weren’t no
real man to begin with. Never question your masculinity because
you’re required to have sex with men. I know y'ain't gonna'
believe me right now, but you will; take it from me, Son,
you’re more a man than Coyote John Tin Penny will ever imagined
his-self to
be. It takes a real man to be able to control his-self and do
what you jis' done with me and walk away knowing he was in full contol
of the situation from the start; and, you was. I's jis' the
passenger. You be the train what hauled ma' load, boy. You
done all the work, and for yore' first time with a man you barely know,
you done a damn fine job. I don't usually compliment a new slave
'cause they's always room for improvement, but in your case I'll make
an exception. That was the best first blowjob a ever done got
from a slave. It took me damn near three years to get to where
you is right now. I jis' about imagine Coyote John's a
bullshitter with the best of them cowboys, so I didn't expect too much
when I walked in here. I was wrong. If anything he
underestimated your abilities to me. Be proud of yourself,
young'un, you won't have to go through what the Coyote's gonna' have to
experience. How hard or how easy a man is treated as a salve is
all up to him. It won't take you long to understand what I'm
tell'n you.
We ain’t had
Coyote but a few days, but I can already tell we’s gonna’ have trouble
with him. So far, he's done everything we tell him, but I can
tell
he’s jes’ wait’n for us to make a mistake so’s he can take
advantage. We’ll be able to tell more after his two week break in
period. If’n I can’t break him, I’m afraid it’s gonna’ come down
to castration for Coyote. Master Angus won’t hesitated to have
him clipped. It’s almost guaranteed to break any slave, but he
won’t have much spirit after that. Won’t git much work out of
him,
neither. I know Master Angus will ship his ass off to a Cheney
camp rather than fool with him. I know Coyote damn near killed
ma’ baby brother, but I don’t hold it agin’ him. I ain't got me
no grudge 'agin him. Thank God, my
little
brother recovered and is still alive. He's gonna' be okay, but he
was a
gall-durn fool to hang
around with a no-count like Coyote in the first place. I warned
him about Coyote John. He didn’t listen, and it damn near cost
him his life. Somehow, I got me a feel’n down deep in ma’ gut you
hold the key
to Coyote John’s heart and jes' might have the answer I’m look’n
for.
I’ll be back ever’ now and then to check on you; besides, I think I
jis' might
enjoy take’n me a nice, long, comfortable, slow ride in yore' fine
looking
saddle, boy.”
“I’m sure I’d
enjoy it, Master Russell. If you take care of my backdoor as well
as you done my front, I know'd I'm in for a treat. I’ll do ma’
best to give you a
good ride, Sir. I’s jes’ wonder’n, Ramrod, if’n you been a slave
for twenty years, you have to be... older.” Monty could
do the math but didn’t want to say Jimmy Joe had to be in his middle
sixties. “You don’t look a day over thirty-five or forty, Master.
How’s that possible, Sir?” Monty asked.
“Sex, boy!
And lots of it, young’un. The more sex you have the younger
looking man you’ll stay.” Russell grinned. He knew Monty wasn’t a
stupid man, probably wasn’t going to buy his bullshit, but he knew he
wouldn’t challenge him. “Is there a message you want me to take to
Coyote John, slave?” he quickly asked to change the subject.
“Yes, Sir.
Tell him I’d still be right proud to be his boy, even if he allows
his-self to be broken. It’ud jes’ be another one of our
secrets we won't tell nobody. He knows I always take good
care of my old hound dog." Monty smiled at Jimmy Joe.
“Damn, boy, that
just may do it; made my old heart skip a beat. I won’t ask what
secret you’s talk’n about.” Jimmy Joe grinned at him. “I jes’ got me
a feel’n about you, Son.” Jimmy Joe held Monty tight, made a little
more love to him
and left. He told him not to come around him for the rest of the
afternoon, because his slave partner was the jealous type. He
said he was working hard to get him over it without much success.
Monty
waited for a few minutes until Phil came back in to get him.
“You done good,
kid.” Phil told him, “When Jimmy Joe Russell gives you five stars you
can count on a repeat.” Phil patted him on the back as he gave
Monty a big hug.
“Suits me fine,
Poppa Pie. I shore’ wouldn’t mind me another big ole help’n of
his fine cowboy love’n.” Monty smiled at him. “He could
break me to his saddle any time he likes, Sir.”
Monty kept his
word and took big Telly to his bed that night. It was almost a
repeat of big Bart except Telly was about four inches longer and bigger
around than Bart, but my, didn’t the old cowboy feel nice way up
Monty’s nice clean butt? Telly fucked the poor kid half the
night. Phil and Eli decided something had to be done about the
singing bedsprings. They didn’t get a lick of sleep.
* * * * * * *
The barbecue was
a great success. Estelle Potter said she enjoyed getting out and
under the real sun for a while. There are artificial means of
providing vitamin D, but there is nothing like the feel of an old Sol
for the real thing. She wasn’t sure she’d feel comfortable being
out of the colonies, but Lazarus assure her there was a gate back to
the Bandersnatch within a short walk. Captain Shane installed it,
and he promised he would personally guarantee her safety. When
she heard her hero Captain Shane’s name, it eased her mind
considerably. Aside from seeing her cousin's ranch and a good
visit with him, she enjoyed meeting and mingling among the
guest. Many she already knew and recognized as frequent visitors
to Parsons. A few she met many times. It was nice to
renew old acquaintances and she was introduced to a number of new
people she never met before. She found Gil and Bobby Morris
delightful, but she found a treasure in Dexter. When she learned
he could speak and write seven languages, including her beloved Latin,
she was enthralled. They set together exchanging comments and
clever bon mots with each other in classical Latin.
“Your Latin is
very good young man. I understand your learning capabilities are
highly enhanced being of the same linage as Cable, David and Jonathan,
but who taught you?”
“My father, who
created me, brought home many books he found in the trash.
Sometimes our local library would throwaway books no one checked out
for several years. They would have sales, but when books were not
sold they were tossed in the trash. We would hook up a wild jenny
we befriended to a small, discarded tumbrel my father found and
repaired and we would rescue them, so to speak. Among the books
were the classics and we shared them together. We found a
beginning Latin grammar book and we learned the basics. From
there, it became a challenge to see how much of the language we could
learn. It was a way we could converse in front of people without
them knowing what we were talking about. I had to learn quickly
in order to teach him, but also, as his companion I needed to know what
he knew; otherwise, he might outgrow me, become weary of me and leave
me behind.”
“Mr. Dundee
doesn’t strike me as the sort of man who would do a thing like
that. Since he created you he would have to feel great
responsibility for you.” reasoned Miss Potter.
“It has been my
experience, humans can become bored with the greatest treasure unless
they are wise enough to understand happiness and satisfaction, Miss
Potter. I’m fortunate my creator considers these things, but I
began to feel less needed and not as important to him as he grew
older. When he met Shanna Ruggles, he would leave me for days by
myself, but he would always come home in the evenings. Even then,
we didn’t communicate much because his mind was always with her.
I was never programed for jealousy, so I took his lack of interest in
me
as a rejection. I kept myself busy and took care of our place for
us, but I felt very much alone. Then one day he didn’t come
home. Days went by. I almost went crazy worrying about
him. After a week, our Chinese brothers came to get me and told
me he would be in jail for a while until he had a hearing in front of a
judge. He was gone for six months. I became very
distraught. I couldn’t think of anything else but him being
locked away in a cage without his companion, and I would withdraw into
myself for days at a time.
My brain became
lodged in a loop, and it would fugue on the same depressing
themes. It would create layers of subjects with many themes
to become variations of the same call and responses, none of which ever
developed to their natural resolution or came to a satisfactory
conclusion. It created great mental logjams I doubt a
metaphorical stick of dynamite could have loosened. I became very
tired and weary from worry. It all seemed insurmountable. I
could sense my mental synapse burning out, one by one. It was the
first time in my existence I experienced pain. I was out of
control, but because my programming doesn’t allow me to act out, I
simply withdrew further. I became fearful I was dying and I might
pass into nonexistence without ever being able to say ‘goodbye’ to my
beloved creator. I began to
consider other options might be preferable to the slow agonizing death
of my mental processes. The Ong family worried about me, and
while I loved them for their empathy and concern, it only seemed to
reinforce and compound my sorrow. A horrible feeling would come
over me. It seemed as if I found myself at the bottom of a deep
well surrounded by a miasma of despair, and while I could see life
going
on all around me through the mist, there was no way I could crawl out
of the hole to join them. It taught me something I never knew
before.”
“What’s that,
Dexter?” Estelle Potter prompted.
“Even androids
get the blues. Several times, I considered perhaps he didn’t need
me anymore, and maybe, I should allow myself to power down. Monty
was my assignment in life, but since he was gone, I no longer
seemed to have a purpose.”
“Nonsense, my
boy, you have a great purpose in life, or to put it conversely, life
has a great purpose for you. Monty grew up. He was once
your brother, but later to cope and find a greater understanding of
your position in relation to him, you attached the role of ‘father’ to
him because he’s directly responsible for your creation. To my
way of thinking, that response sprang from fear and need rather than
sound
reasoning or logicical thought. The truth is, your brother and
your father, are one
and the same. Monty is still your brother and probably needs you
more in that capacity right now than a needy, dependant young
son. He’s going through a lot, learning to adjust to his new life
as a cowboy slave, and he shouldn’t have to worry about you right
now. Inside his mature body beats the same heart which beat when
he was your size. Your brother is still with you. He still
needs you; probably more now than ever. You only have to
recognize him, but you surely won’t if you allow yourself to become
myopic. Don't look at him for what you want to see, Dexter, look
at him as he really is. Remember this, your brother isn’t the
only human
child who ever needed a good tutor. If you keep that thought in
the forefront of your mind, your possibilities become limitless.”
“I know that
now, Miss Potter, but when your heart is broken, it’s sometimes
difficult to foresee a future with yourself in it.”
“I understand,
Dexter, but I hope you’re past that now.” Estelle Potter
encouraged.
“Yes,
ma’am. I gave myself to Master Goodnight to be his slave, and I
belong to him now. I love him very much, and my loyalties and
responsibilities are to him first and my brother second. Since I
gave myself to him as his slave, a whole
new world has opened for me. I foresee the possibilities as
endless. I will be tutoring Bobby Morris as part of my duties as
my master’s slave. Captain Shane promised, he will always have a
place for me.”
“Excellent
summation, I couldn’t agree with you more, young man, and I promise,
you can bank your last dollar on the good captain’s word. Let me
assure you, your love and faith in that man is not misplaced. He
is an excellent man, a hero to our colonies and a couple of other
worlds to boot. I take it they haven’t shared everything with
your brother?”
“Almost nothing,
ma’am.”
“I understand
they shared some things with you, the Bandersnatch, Cable, David
and Jonathan, and Bobby told me you know about Captain Shane saving his
life.”
“Yes, ma’am, and
I am overwhelmed.” Dexter said quietly.
“Have they
shared the colonies on the Bandersnatch with you, Dexter?”
“Colonies?
You mean there are cities and towns on Admiral Long’s spaceship?”
“Yes, I live in
one of the main towns called Parsons. It’s a lovely little
country town. I know it won’t be long before Captain Shane or
Admiral Long shares the colonies with you. When they do, promise
you’ll come visit.”
“I would be
proud to, Miss Potter. Thank you for your kind invitation, and
thank you so much for your astute insights. They are greatly
appreciated. I will consider your wise words. I’m sure they
will
help me form new neural pathways to better understand my
circumstances.” Dexter declared.
“That’s quite
all
right, my boy, you’re very welcome. I'm thrilled I could be of
some small help. I would enjoy getting to know you
better. Perhaps you could teach me the basics of the Chinese
language; get me started in the right direction. I’ve decided I
need to learn a non-romance language. Chinese will do nicely. ”
“It would be an
honor, Miss Potter.” Dexter was thrilled.
* * * * * * *
After several
conversations with Bobby and Gil Morris, Dexter decided it was time for
him to live his life separately from Monty; at least, for a
while. Like Bobby said, he sometimes spoke before he reasoned and
realized the consequences of his words. He was not about to
betray Captain Shane, Bobby or Gil Morris’ trust. Monty noticed
the difference. While Dexter was still as loving and generous as
ever when Monty needed his encouragement, he was not as forthcoming
with him in other areas as he was before. He was exhibiting a
great deal more maturity, and didn’t seem to try to suck Monty dry for
his love. On one hand, it was a relief to Monty. It freed
him to commit himself to his master and his fellow cowboy slaves.
On the other hand, he felt like he was losing a part of his soul.
How could that be? Dexter was within a stone’s throw from him at
all times.
He just seemed to be growing away from Monty. It
bothered and worried him. He saw Dexter bonding with and starting
to grow closer to Bobby as a little brother and to Gil Morris as the
father figure Dexter never experienced. He displayed a great
respect for Gil and wouldn’t do anything before he consulted with him
and gained his permission. Shane became like a god to
Dexter. Anytime Shane was around he held Dexter’s undivided
attention. Dexter would join
Bobby and throw off his clothes to play with the horses in the
pasture. Monty was amazed how quickly they accepted Dexter and
treated him with the same love they showed Bobby. They
would be playing in the pasture, Maxine would join them, the three of
them would disappear for a couple of hours and then reappear among the
horses again. Monty never gave it much thought.
* * * * * * *
At his Monday
luncheon with Judge Anderson, Boss Potter got everything signed and
then some. Shane commented it was nice to have friends in high
places. With the information from the Ongs regarding Monty’s
personal possession, Judge Anderson signed a writ of seizure claiming
Monty’s new master, Shane Goodnight, had full rights to everything he
owned. Anderson suggested to Judge Potter, Shane and Cole should
try to talk with the old man to find out about Monty’s past; who his
parents were and what happened to cause the old man to banish a young
boy of only five years to an old barn a half mile from the main
house. Nothing made sense. His actions amounted to neglect,
abuse and child endangerment, and he could be held accountable for his
actions. Now that the facts were known, the old man could be
facing
jail time or
even indenturement himself.
Anderson signed
a pro-tem order assigning Judge Potter a friend of the court to
investigate why this young man lived in such abject circumstances for
fifteen years. Then, Judge Anderson signed a second writ of
seizure, which basically claimed, now that Monty was Shane’s slave any
properties he was known to inhabit could be held by the state until
legal ownership could be ascertained. It could take weeks, months
and in some cases years to obtain a clear title. Those residing
on the premise would be forcibly expelled and not allowed to return
until the matter could be resolved. In old man Dundee’s case he
could spend that time in the slammer. Shane grinned at Potter.
“That should be
enough to scare the b'jesus out of him and light a fire under the old
man’s butt.” Shane laughed.
Cole just grinned and shook his head. He thought he would never
want to be on the bad side of these two men.
“So you will be
joining us Thursday?” Shane asked rhetorically.
“Wouldn’t miss
it for the world.” Potter laughed.
“Glad to have
you along, Boss. Nothing says official business quite like the
title of ‘Judge.’” Shane laughed.
“I still retain
the title even though I don’t hold the office any more; just like
ex-presidents. I can still function in a legal capacity as a
friend of the court. Since I’ve regained some of my former
physical glory, as it were, Anderson has asked me to consider taking on
some amicus work and sitting in for him when he’s away on vacation.”
“Great,
Boss. Congratulations.” agreed Shane and Cole.
“I was hoping to
get over there Wednesday,” Shane told them, “but Douglas and Brody’s
day off ain’t ‘til Thursday this week. I tried to contract with
them to give them each a hundred bucks for their time and the use of
the tribe’s big bobtail truck, but they wouldn’t hear of it. I
did talk them into letting me fill up the tank. I’ll send cards
to each of their wives and include the money as a ‘thank you’
gift. They said for us to come by the reservation on our way out
to the Dundee place and they would join us. Doug’s oldest boy
will drive the bobtail, and they’ll follow us in their sheriff’s patrol
car. A Judge with official papers and two sheriff’s deputies in
uniform should scare the crap out of the old man. Hope it
threatens
him enough he lets loose some information. We ain’t really
looking to take his property or put him away, are we?” Shane asked the
judge.
“Depends on how
forthcoming he is with us. You know me to be a compassionate man,
Son, despite our current governmental situation. Anderson’s the
same, I can promise you, but we have our limits. Neglect and
child abuse don’t sit well with us. If he’s guilty of a crime,
but he ain’t interested in confessing his sins to us, he jes’ might
find himself in a Cheney camp. It might be hard for us to
understand, but maybe the old man’s got some reason for his actions.”
“I don’t know,
Boss,— a five year old kid?” Shane shook his head.
“Well, if we
need them, we got sworn statements from Mr. Ong, the elder Ong, and Mr.
Ong’s four adult sons, and they’re all willing to testify.” stated
Judge Potter.
* * * * * * *
Monty had
limited experience as a cowboy. He befriended several wild
animals who wandered onto his granddad’s farm, had his own pony the
Ong’s were taking care of for him, but his granddad didn’t run the
place as a working farm or ranch for years. Much of it was going
to ruin and growing wild. It seemed like after his wife died and
Monty came to the farm shortly thereafter, the old man withdrew into
himself and gave up. He was sitting around waiting to die.
The only part of the property that was kept up to speak of was the
newer barn just before you got to the bridge across the creek where the
biggest of the four barns on the property was situated with Monty’s
shack on the rear. Monty used both barns and kept the grounds
around them in good order. His granddad rarely ventured forth
from the front house. The old man hired a string of cowboy
drifters who promised great things, but usually left after several
months. None stayed over a year. Monty befriended only one,
but he didn’t stay more than a
couple of months. The cowboy told him his granddad ordered him to
stay away from his grandson, ‘because he weren’t quite right in the
head.’
What Monty knew
about cowboy life was what he learned on his own or from helping the
Ongs every year on their ranch. He was having to learn many new
skills, and it made for long days from trying too
hard and not knowing how to get the most done with the least amount of
effort. Fortunately, he had patient tutors, and Monty had several
things going for him; his attitude and his learning ability. They
only had to show him once how to do something, and he could do
it. Phil, Eli and all the lead cowboys were protective of him,
but working as a cowboy became too much for the kid to work a full day
and try to entertain one of them at night. He needed his
rest. Phil cut his shared
sack time down to Friday and Saturday evenings. No one
protested. Not even Loud and Fuzzy were expected to ‘put out’ for
the other cowboys seven nights a week. The other time, Monty
spent
with his cowboy daddies. After being in jail with Coyote John for
six months, Monty didn’t like being alone.
Dexter began
working with Gil and Bobby. They had long conversations about
what Gil was teaching Bobby and listened to Gil’s frustrations about
always being interrupted when he was trying to teach his son
something. Dexter came up with a plan for Bobby and him.
They would come back to the cottage after breakfast every weekday
morning and work until noon. Bobby would be allowed an hour for
lunch, and then return to the cottage for another three hours of
classes five days a week. Dexter made a lesson plan and submitted
it to Gil for his approval. Gil was impressed. Dexter
planned to teach an hour of math, an hour of science, an hour of
history and social studies, and an hour of a foreign language.
Bobby expressed a desire to learn Spanish. After lunch he would
teach Bobby an hour of literature, English, and finally an hour of fine
arts.
It was a much grander scope than what Gil was teaching
Bobby, and he approved it immediately. The boys wasted no time
getting down to it. After the first day,
Gil had no doubts about Dexter’s ability to teach Bobby what he needed
to know. When class was in session, Dexter was the teacher and
Bobby was the student, but after the last hour their roles changed to
that of big brother and little brother. The more they worked
together the closer they became until sometimes they would become
involved in an impromptu learning session after supper in the evenings
or when either boy became particularly interested in a subject.
Dexter was good to his word, he made learning interesting and fun for
Bobby. Gil Morris was thrilled with Dexter. Not only was he
an entertaining companion for Bobby, he began pouring information and
knowledge into his son at an amazing rate.
* * * * * * *
Wednesday
afternoon the cowboys were relaxing in the lawn chairs and Monty was
sitting talking with Jack, Spence, Lester and Otis. He already
had an evening with Jack and enjoyed it. Jack wasn’t a
complex man. He liked his sex like everything else in his life,
simple, uncomplicated but plenty of it. In Monty, Jack found a
nice change from his mate. Jack was as faithful as an old hound
dog and would never consider bonding with another mate. Jack and
Spence had too much history with each other. Spence would be
Jack’s only mate, but Monty brought enough spice to their relationship
Jack became a better husband for Spence. To all who knew
them, there was no doubt Jack was Spence’s husband.
Monty was making plans to share an evening with the last of the three
lead cowboys. When they
finished making arrangements, he
got up and walked up the hill where Dexter was teaching Bobby the first
few moves of the Tai Chi. Monty joined them, and he and Dexter
did the complete exercise for Bobby. Bobby was impressed.
The cowboys stopped what they were doing to watch. They were
fascinated. When they finished Monty asked Bobby if he would mind
if Dexter took a walk with him; he needed to talk with him about some
things. Bobby didn’t mind and returned to his house to wait for
Dexter. As they walked in the beautiful meadow, Monty noticed the
horses began to gather to follow them. He was sure it was because
of Dexter.
“Should I still
call you ‘son,’?” Monty asked cautiously.
“Whatever you’re
most comfortable with, Monty.” was Dexter’s reply.
“What would make
you most comfortable?” Monty asked.
“Are you asking
for a clarification of our relationship?” Dexter looked up and smiled
at Monty.
“Yes, I suppose
I am. While I’m proud of you for your new found maturity, I feel
like I’m losing something.”
“How do you
think I felt for six months?” Dexter challenged. It cut
Monty to the quick.
“I know,
Grandfather Ong told me. He cried when he told me of your
despair. I felt so bad. I’m sorry, Dexter, but surely you
must know I missed you and the Ongs just as much. I wrote you
ever’ day.”
“That was mean
of me, brother, I apologize.” Dexter recanted.
“No apology
necessary. What you said was true, but my love for you is
constant. I wouldn’t have left you for Shanna. I told her I
had a little brother who I couldn’t leave behind. I insisted you
would come live with us. It was my hope we could live together as
a family. I think she understood. When I learned I was
going to become a slave, I didn’t think there was anyway I could bring
you with me. I was going to leave you with the Ongs until I could
become a freeman again. I thought you might be happy with
them. I failed to consider how sophisticated and sensitive you
are. In my misery I lost sight of how special you are to me and
how much we’ve shared over the years. It never occurred to me
Master Goodnight would allow you to come and live with us on the
ranch. It’s like a dream come true. I guess I just need to
know where we stand with each other.”
“I understand,
but I never figured out how you planned to have us all
live together when you never were honest with Shanna about yourself or
your gifts. How would you be able to explain to her about
having a little brother who wasn’t human, and you can do things normal
humans can’t? Coming from a background where her family taught
her to believe in myths and superstitions, I don’t think she would’ve
lived with us long. While love can be a great bonding element
between people, like everything else in life, it has its limits.
We’re far better off here with Boss Potter, Master Shane and Mr.
Jenkins. I’ve been forced to shift my thinking somewhat; not a
lot, just a hair. You built me, Monty, with assistance from the
Minniots, Rarebits, and Hommynids.”
“Do you remember
them, Dex?” Monty asked somewhat amazed.
“Yes, my
earliest recollections are of you and them working on me. They’re
programmed into my subconscious so I wouldn’t be afraid of them if I
ever needed their help again. I can see them quite clearly.
With their help, you initiated my creation, Monty. By definition
that makes you my creator, my father, but I was also created for you as
a
companion, to be your brother. I served my purpose well for a
number of years until you began to grow up; then, I began to feel
unsure of myself and our relationship. I tried desperately to
adjust, but I couldn’t keep up. I wanted you to remember you were
responsible for my creation, and therefore I reasoned, you owed me some
debt as your son. It was a selfish ploy on my part. It was
not clearly thought out. You never really owed me anything.
I created my own false reality. That’s when I played the ‘son’
and ‘daddy’ card. I felt like I was losing you as a brother, and
I had to set my hooks into you some way to hold onto you. I was
designed and built to be little more than a sophisticated toy for you,—
a tool to stimulate your learning processes. If I was no longer
important, I should have just powered down. You know it’s in my
optional subroutines?” he asked rhetorically, “I no longer feel that
way, but I didn’t override my basic programming in order to
survive. I discovered by accident, there is also a ‘hope’ clause
that can override all self-destruct subroutines.”
“Would that
‘hope’ clause, by any chance, contain the variable ‘Goodnight,’ little
brother?” Monty grinned.
“It was an
optional variable I was instructed to insert. It overshadows all
my destruct subroutines with a big sign in flashing red letters that
reads: “Don’t do it, Dexter! Your master loves you! He has
need of you!” Dexter giggled.
“May I ask who
instructed you to insert this interesting variable?” Monty smiled.
“You may not.”
Dexter smiled sweetly. It was the first time in their history
together Dexter ever denied his maker anything.
“It would have
to be someone more important than I.” Monty looked puzzled.
“Correction!
Of equal importance!” Dexter tried to sound flat like the Enterprise’s
computer from an old Star Trek episode. They shared a laugh.
“Someone on the
ranch?” Monty fished.
“No! Not
on ranch!” Dexter gave another flat computer response. He was
getting quite good at it. “No more questions, human!” he cut off
the conversation. Monty grinned.
“Why, you
arrogant ninny! You worthless, ungrateful little bucket of
bolts! I’ve half a mind to have you melted down and made into
something useful like belt buckles or tea pots! Oh, the
pain! The pain, you’ve caused me! I can’t bear the
pain!” Monty put the back of his hand to his forehead as he
hammed up his best Doctor Smith routine. Monty’s Doctor Smith
impression never failed to turn over Dexter’s giggle box. Monty
laughed with him. “Is there a message in all this horse-puckey
for your big brother, my devoted, and beloved little companion?” he
asked with some sarcasm.
“You had me at
‘devoted’ but I’ll gladly accept ‘beloved companion.’” Dexter
teased. “All bullshit aside, Monty, you must listen to your
companion as you never have before, brother. This may be the
greatest lesson I’ll ever have to teach you. It wasn’t until I
was instructed to insert the ‘Goodnight’ variable into my subroutines
did it open another expansive subset in which I saw a greater purpose
for us. It became clear my purpose was to instruct you to insert
the ‘Goodnight’ variable into your major program. You must let
our master run all your programs for a brief while. You must give
over to him all your routines to insure your survival as well as
mine. Trust me, brother, this doesn’t come from my imagination
database, it comes from a source which was downloaded and deeply
embedded into my routines while you were still creating me. I was
never allowed access to it before the ‘Goodnight’ variable was
introduced. It was a key that unlocked a hidden treasure, and it
wasn’t until I decided to give myself to Master Goodnight as his slave
was I cocked and loaded to accept the variable. Remember the
story of Pinocchio? How he was rewarded for his generosity and
selflessness? The Blue Fairy granted his wish and turned him into
a real boy?
“I remember,
Dex.”
“When I gave
myself to Master Shane as his slave, I unwittingly set into motion
events I couldn’t foresee. You have always owned me, but now, he
owns both of us. There is a difference in belonging to someone
because he bought and paid for you and belonging to him because you
gave yourself to him. The first becomes an imposed obligation the
second becomes a dedicated commitment. I’m not delusional,
Monty. I know life doesn’t work like fairy tales, but it has
analogues. I know I can never become human, but I have seen what
I might become, and it has triggered the ‘hope’ clause in me without
reservation. Remember what Grandfather Ong and Dad Ong told you:
you are like Master Shane? Although your hearts beat at the same
frequency, I was wrong about that being the reason. There is a
far greater connection between you. You are alike in many
ways. He is enough like you to be your brother. You must
trust him, Monty.”
“I do trust him,
Dex. I trust him with all my heart.” Monty pleaded.
“Ain’t good
enough! You don’t think I know about the secrets you kept from
me all these years?” Dexter accused.
“Only a couple.”
Monty admitted reluctantly. “Things I didn’t want others to know about,
and I was afraid you might unwittingly disclose.”
“Yeah, a couple
of major secrets. I knew about them, but I never told
nobody. I never let on I knew about them, either. I had my
secrets, too. One thing I purposely never taught you is, if a
little brother wants to find out his big brother’s secrets, he
will. It’s an immutable law of the universe and is a constant in
all species. My point is, you can’t play that game with Master
Shane, Monty. I will never betray your trust, but you must put
all your cards on the table with Master Goodnight. You must trust
him completely, but I promise, if you do, your rewards will be greater
than you could ever dream possible. Bottom line, brother, over
and above being his slave and excepting him as your master, you
must give yourself to him.”
“Wow, Dex!
Ain’t never heard you so passionate about anything. If you’re
that serious and adamant, then I guess I damn well better listen to my
little
brother.” Monty smiled.
“It’s about
time, bro.” Dexter smiled like he was relieved.
“Are we all
right, Dex?” Monty asked.
“We’re all
right, bro, but I promise, if you do as I ask, our relationship will
get even better.”
“I love you,
Dex.”
“I love you,
too, Monty.”
Monty took
Dexter into his arms and gently kissed him on his small mouth.
“Wow!
Thanks, big brother! That was unexpected, but greatly
appreciated.” Dexter exclaimed.
“I think we both
needed it, little brother, and you’re right, it’s about time.” Monty
said contritely, then added, “I accept your new title of ‘father’ for
me, but to be honest, I’ve missed being your brother.”
“Me, too,
Monty.” agreed Dexter.
* * * * * * *
The
Star Child ~ “You are Polaris, my one trustworthy star.” *
Shane announced
to his cowboy slaves he needed six big men to go with them to help load
and transport Monty’s leather crafting machines. He asked for a
show of hands. Every hand went up including Loud and
Fuzzy’s. Shane decided to pick the biggest men in case the
machines were heavy. He chose Bart, Telly, Phil, Eli, Jack and
Spence. He left Lester and Otis in charge. They took two
pickup trucks, Shane’s new truck and Boss Potter’s older truck.
It had a crew cab as well. Shane asked Gil Morris to go along
with them. Bobby and Dexter begged him to let them come along,
and
he
agreed. Monty said he wanted Dexter to come along in case he
forgot something. Since he figured they wouldn't get more than
one
shot at it, he wanted to make sure he got everything he needed to
start his new job.
Shane called Mr.
Ong and alerted him they would be going to the Dundee place Thursday
morning. Mr. Ong asked if he and a couple of his boys might drop
over for a brief visit to say ‘hello?’ They would walk down
behind the hill and over the creek at its most narrow so they wouldn’t
be seen by old man Dundee. Shane assured him it would be all
right with him. He would be happy to see them again and introduce
them to Judge Potter. Shane set everyone down in the bunkhouse
and
told them his plan for the day. They would arrive and Shane,
Cole, Judge Potter and the two sheriff’s deputies would go in to talk
with old man Dundee. They would probably be a while, but for
everyone to be patient and wait. No one, and that included Monty
and Dexter, was to proceed to the old barn without him, Cole and Boss
Potter. They all said they understood.
The men from the
Potter/Goodnight ranch left right after breakfast. They drove to
the Apache community and connected with Doug and Brody Tin Penny and
Doug’s oldest son who drove the bobtail truck. They made a
caravan to the Dundee farm and arrived about nine in the morning.
Shane wanted to be as early as possible in case the old man left for
the day and wasn’t home. He wanted an element of surprise.
They certainly surprised the old man all right. It looked like
his farm was being invaded. He was very defensive. He
thought he
could bluff his way through, and wasn’t even going to talk with them
until Doug Tin Penny told him if he wasn’t civil he would break down
the door and arrest him. He finally relented and allowed the men
inside. He showed them into his old kitchen and told them to sit
at the table. Shane started the conversation.
“Mr. Dundee, my
name is Shane Goodnight. This gentleman to my right is my
business partner Judge Clarence Potter. The gentleman to my left
is Mr. Cole Jenkins. I’m foreman of the Potter/Goodnight ranch
and Mr. Jenkins is my ramrod. We brought along Mr. Douglas and
Mr. Brody Tin Penny, deputies from the County Sheriff's Department,
because we have a signed court
order to seize the personal belongings of my new slave, Monty Paul
Dundee.”
“Harump!
So the boy done went and got his-self enslaved. Ain’t no surprise
here. I knew he weren’t no good. I’s jes’ waiting for
something lie'kiss to happen. I thought he done took off.
I ain’t seen hide nor hair a' him in over six months. I didn’t
know what
happen to him. Go ahead on! Take anything he’s got back
there. I don’t want nothing what was his no-ways. You won’t
find a hell of a lot.”
“There’s a
little more to it than that, Mr. Dundee. My partner, Judge
Potter, has been appointed by the court to investigate why you banished
a five year old child to a shack attached to your farthest barn more
than a half mile from your main house?”
“Ain’t none of
yore’ goddamn business, cowboy; his neither.” he said pointing to Judge
Potter. “I know’d who he is. He sent ma’ brother to one a’
them damn Cheney camps, and he died there. I’m a church go’n, God
fear’n Christian man. I don’t have to answer none of yore’
questions.”
“Sorry you feel
that way, Mr. Dundee. We were hoping you could explain to us, and
we wouldn’t have the officers arrest you and take your ass to jail;
furthermore, Judge Potter has a second writ of seizure what says the
state has the right to seize all properties where Monty was living
until legal ownership can be ascertained. That means your
immediate eviction from this property until the court has a hearing on
your case and assigns a team to look into the matter. You could
sit in jail from a week to six months. If you tell us what we
wanna’ know, maybe we can just take Monty’s stuff and leave you be.”
Judge Potter
handed him copies of both writs. They looked very legal and
official.
“This is
America. I’m a freeman. This is my property. You
can’t do this to me. Can they do that?” old man Dundee asked
Officer Doug Tin Penny.
“I’m afraid it’s
all very legal, Mr. Dundee. If you don’t answer the man’s
question, we’ll have to arrest you and take you to jail. If they
find you guilty of neglect, endangerment or child abuse you could be
looking at living out your final days in a Cheney camp. We’re
jes’ doing our jobs, Sir. We’s jes' here to enforce the law.”
Doug
assured him.
“What’da ya'
wanna’
know?” he broke.
“What happened
to Monty’s mother and why did you banish him to a shack on the back of
your farthest barn?” Shane put to him.
“His mother was
my daughter--- my only child. She died about a month after
bringing him
here. He ain’t no normal kid. He’s a monster. I
didn’t want a half human, half alien monster living in my house.
Even
when he’s little he done strange things.”
“What kind of
things, Mr. Dundee?” asked Shane.
“You wouldn’t
believe me if’n I’s to tell you.” the old man said with disgust.
“Try me, Sir.”
Shane challenged him like he wasn’t going away.
“He could talk
as good as you when he come out of his momma’s belly. He can move
things with his mind. He can make things disappear. He can
make his-self invisible. He can bend metal with his mind.
He learns faster than any kid ought a’ be able, and he never fergits
nothing. He can rise up off the ground of his own free
will. He can keep anyone from striking him if he wants to.
He can go for weeks without eat’n anything. He has imaginary
playmates what ain’t imaginary. What da’ ya’ want from me?
I give him a place to live. I bought him a sack of slave chow
several times a year. He done all right down to the old barn by
his-self. He grow’d up and lived to git his-self in trouble,
didn’t he? I don’t know what all the fuss is about. ”
“Why do you say
he’s half alien monster, Mr. Dundee?” Shane probed deeper.
“His daddy was
an alien who crash landed in his spaceship down on the lower
part of my farm. When his ship crashed it dug the second stream
bed
what goes around the back of my old barn down there. It caused
the creek to fork and flow around the barn in two streams and come back
together about a hundred yards beyond it. He managed to hide his
ship afore them government men got here and investigated ever’
thing. They didn’t find nothing, but I know'd where he hid
it. He was hurt in the crash. He weren’t nothing more’n
a blue blob of light, but my daughter, she said she heard him calling
to
her; she done pulled him out of the wreck. He looked into her
mind and took on human form. I stood there, scared out of my wits
and watched him form. Looked jes’ like the man she’s gonna’ marry
what got shipped off to one of them middle East wars and killed.
My daughter took
pity on him, and took him away in her van. She made me swear I’d
never tell what I witnessed. She and him was on the run from them
federal men for a good while. They wanted to find him in the
worst way. I never told them what he looked like. I don’t
know why. I probably should have, but I didn’t. They come
back around several times to see if we hear’d from ‘um. We didn’t
hear nothing. She nursed him back to health and about a year
later she come back with him. They stayed back there in the shack
hide’n out for a couple a’ weeks. He was real sick, and she told
me he was gonna’ die if’n he didn’t get home to his world. He
managed to git back on board his ship and signaled his people to come
rescue him. They come and got him, but he left my daughter
pregnant with his child. Them government men come and
investigated again, ‘cause they’s so many stories about strange lights
in the night sky and fly’n saucers and such, but by that time he’s gone
and my daughter done took off again.”
“Why didn’t you
tell the government men where he hid his spacecraft, Mr. Dundee?”
“I ain’t
crazy. I’s still able to run the place at that time. My
wife was still alive, and I didn’t want them bringing in big Earth
moving machines to dig up my property. That’s what they would a’
had to do because it’s buried several hundred feet below ground under
that rise back of the last barn on t’other side a’ the creek. I
lied and told ‘um it crashed miles from here. The stream covered
up the crash site. They didn’t know no better. Anyway, my
daughter left, and we never heard from her again for a long time.
A year after my
wife died, ma’ daughter show’d up at my backdoor with a towheaded
five year old boy by her side asking me to take ‘em in. I could
tell in his eyes what he was. He’s the spit’n image of his
daddy. He had a blue glow about his body like I done seen in them
old movies about sailing ships what gits surrounded by St. Elmo’s
fire. Some’um lie‘kat. I told my daughter to take him to
the shack on the far barn where she and that alien stayed when they’s
hide’n
out. I didn’t want the boy nowheres around my house. He was
the
Devil's spawn s’far as I’s concerned. Ain’t no law what says a
man
ain’t got a right to refuse the Devil entrance to his home.”
“Did you ever
witness the alien do anything unusual, Sir?” Shane asked.
“I shot me a
nice ten point buck and brought it home in the back of ma’ truck.
When I went into the house he breathed life back into it, and the damn
thing got up and run away. I know’d it was dead. It was
dead for hours. Ain’t nothing dead that long what can git up and
walk away unless the Devil's behind it.”
“What about
Jesus? It says in the bible he raised Lazarus, and he’d been dead
so long he stunk?” asked Shane.
“That’s
different. He was the Lord. He was the son of God. He
could do anything he wanted. This man weren’t no son of
God. He was from a different place, and his kid is the same damn
way. You ain’t got no idea what chu’ got on your hands,
cowboy. You’ll be sorry you ever bought him for a slave.”
“What did Monty
ever do to you, Mr. Dundee?”
“A wild ass, a
jenny, kept break’n down the fence to my garden. She thought it
was her personal supermarket. She’s eat’n my vegetables ever’
night, so I took ma’ gun and shot her. Killed her deader’n a door
nail. I left her there think’n I’d bury her the next day.
Come morning she’s gone. Next thing I know’d she’s up running
around like nothing ever happened to her, following that boy everywhere
and letting him hook her up to a cart like they’s best buddies.
She never et nothing out of ma’ garden no more, but she become his
familiar. He kept her down to the barn for years. She used
to come out of the barn and bray at me when I’s work’n in ma’ garden
like she’s laughing at me. Only dead animals come back to life to
associate with demons. I didn’t see him do it, but I know’d he
brung her back to life. He’s jes’ like his daddy. Would you
want the Devil’s child living in your home?”
“I can’t answer
that question, Mr. Dundee. I don’t have no answer for you what
you’d understand no ways. You’re too goddamn ignorant.” Shane
said
without nuance. Cole looked down into his lap and silently
laughed. Potter laughed and nodded in agreement.
“Fuck you and
the horse you rode in on, cowboy. You don’t know nothing!
You don’t know jack shit! I answered enough of your gotdamn
questions?” the old man insisted.
“Yeah, I guess
you have. You men got any questions for him?” Shane asked.
Potter just frowned and shook his head ‘no.’ Cole shook his head
negative.
“You don’t
believe me, do you?” Dundee spat out.
“Yes, Sir, as a
matter of fact, I do. I believe every word.” Shane said honestly.
“Liar!” said
Dundee like he didn’t believe Shane. Shane just smiled and shook
his head like he pitied the old man.
“H’it don’t
matter none, Mr. Dundee. All right, we’re through here. We
ain’t gonna’ give you no more trouble. We’ll drive down to the
old barn collect Monty’s things and be gone. I may need to ask
you a few more questions; if so, I’ll come by with my ramrod. By
the way, them official notices we give you are effective for ninety
days so if you refuse to cooperate with us, we can still have yore'
tired old ass thrown in jail. You want me to let you know when we
leave?” Shane asked.
“Naw, jes’ take
what you want. Hell, take the whole damn barn if’n it’ll git you
som'bitches off’n my back. I ain’t never gonna’ use it no
more noways. Then git the hell off my property and leave me
be. I don’t know if you brought the kid with you, but if you did,
don’t never bring him back again.” he ordered.
“Okay, Mr.
Dundee. You men ready?” Shane asked. They all agreed and
left. The men looked glum as they headed for their
vehicles. They got in and slowly drove down to the creek, across
the rickety old wooden bridge to the far barn and Monty’s shack.
End of Chapter
62 ~ Waco’s Lummox
Copyright 2008 ~
Waddie Greywolf
All Rights
Reserved ~
Mail to:
waddiebear@yahoo.com
* “You are
Polaris, my one trustworthy star.” from the song “Metaphor” from the
musical “The Fantasticks” Lyrics by Tom Jones; Music by Harvey
Schmidt