jrobertallen - Tumblr blog

jrobertallen · 2 years ago

Text

Melissa Ran Teddy ( 6 )

( You are the creator of your own destiny.

TY phelmly, Manager of Boeing aiAplanes, Renton. )

The dry summer air was warming just before it started sprinkling, the lightly moistened wind and sunshine placed the local atmosphere in the state of humidity. Then as the sun climbed above the convergence zone the lower overcast day started to burn off and was replaced with sunshine threatening the greater Seattle area with unusually nice weather.

Gloria was sleeping under a bush where the Somerset sports field met the green space behind the local Elementary School.

It was a free Monday due to teacher conferences. The district schools were out of session, a free day situation leaving Newport Highschoolers with a dilemma. Stay home and play online games, watch videos on their phones or go outside into the freshly washed morning air.

Not everyone had the luxury of going outside as there are those people who were always outside day and night, nor was everyone a student escaping the confines of their boring homes and online social rooms, some were old, very very old.

She wasn’t bothered by the sound of the early morning athletes using the field or even the occasional bug crawling across her face, but the smell of raccoon shit bothered her, and there was plenty of that somewhere nearby. Another smell that perturbed Gloria was the oder fly algeric mushrooms released as they crept up with their nobbs, poking their red and orange bulb heads through the top layers of the fertile earth, smelling of old stenchy yeast and spoiling potatoes.

Spying three girls setting down for lunch made her curious, especially the girl with the full, dark brown curly hair. She was so pretty and had something with her she didn’t deserve, nor presently wanted Gloria realised, so like a hunter zeroing in on a target, she set her full attention at studying the task at hand.

A distraction might work to get her closer to the girl she chose, much closer, close enough and cunning in the right way to be convincing, perhaps her truest friend could help! Where was he?

Using her sences and higher abilities Gloria snuffed the air from under her branch, whatever that group of girls brought with them smelled good, especially the peanut butter and honey sandwich one of them brought in her brown paper lunch bag, and the cheese! Oh how Gloria loved to nibble on a good hunk of cheese back when she ate regular foods.

From out of the sky a black dot circled the field, floating slowly downward in a spiral like a loosed kite until Melvin landed on a nearby soccer upright distracting that group of teenage girls who tried and failed at eating their picnic without unwanted interruption.

Oh, My God! Look at the size of that crow! Said Kelly, a blond girl wearing a blue jumper with self embroidered cartoons on the front pocket. The gathering was her idea and had brought the picnic blanket for herself and her two friends to sit on, but in lite of the visitor instinctively covered her sandwich with her hand. “ It’s like that gigantic bird from the movie! Oh. What was the name?

Her Asian friend Meeka carelessly flung a celery stick towards the Raven, hitting the upright but the big avian beast disregarded the offering.

I don’t think Crows eat celery Meeka, I’m pretty sure they eat things like bread and meat and seeds and cheese! Said Melly, the third girl of the group who sat with her best posture in order to properly demonstrate the schools cheer team sweater motto written on the back, “ Team Newport !” she was a smaller girl with larger more pronounced features typical of Arabic women her age.

The three laughed.

Meeka stood up and walk toward the Raven holding out a cheese stick. “Here ya go, come and get it!”

The raven, interested in the cheese, made clucking sounds while posturing itself ready for the feeding, but at the last moment Meeka pulled the cheese stick back, carelessly flinging it as far as she could into the fenced off wooded section behind the field. Meeka was all set to laugh but that ended as the Raven took off after the cheese, letting itself splatter Meekas front with its warm guano.

Meeka screamed, my shirt! My hair! Oh my God!

Kelly jumped up with her phone and nearly doubled over laughing, but she still managed capturing the whole event on camera along with the surprised look on Meekas face.

Meeka started crying and Kelly turned from producer to consoler, leading her stricken friend to the gymnasium bathrooms to help her clean up. She led Meeka away in a two person parade leaving smiling Melly alone to gather up Kellys picnic.

As Melley was stowing the food items she was surprised to see an old woman crawling out from under the shrubbery.

The woman was dressed in all black and was not very pretty by Mellys standards but she wasn’t scared at all until the woman, after brushing the leaves off her black dress with her wrinkled hand, looked directly at Melly with a jagged smile and started ambling over to share the picnic blanket.

Melly thought for a second that she might get up and find the others but, they had left their handbags and jackets in Mellys care. She couldn’t just abandon their gear.

The woman stopped just feet away from Melly and smiled as she spoke, Oh dear, oh dear! It’s a girl I suppose!

Excuse me? Melly answered, of course she was a girl, she absolutely did not look masculine in any way. Not built like she was with her long hair and feminine clothing.

You are pregnant, and it’s a female. How long? 13 weeks? Just perfect! The woman nodded knowingly.

How did you know? Melly asked feeling insecure about her secret, and turning around to make sure nobody overheard had instinctively covered her stomach with her hands.

Yes, it’s difficult she added. I suppose father, your father will be surprised?

Melly started to well up, a few tears forming as she relived part of the embarrassing scene that broughther to this predicament.

Oh, no child. I didn’t mean to scare you! The woman blew a kiss at Melly.

The smell of the kiss was like garlic as it entered Mellys nostrils, and although revolting it was also somewhat soothing like the smell of a puppy.

Melly started feeling a little strange, as if she were overcome with laughing gas, suddenly she didn’t mind her visitor because her mood was changing from anxiety to an easier feeling, similar to the sugary dopey daze she felt like after eating a big dish of grandma’s warm apple pie.

Melly found herself staring at a small curious heart shaped ruby and diamond broach the old woman wore pinned on her tunic.

Oh good, a young lady with good taste! said the stranger noticing Mellys fascinated gaze, do you like my diamond broach?

I’ve got another one for you in my pocket, if I give it to you then we can be just like old friends. Without asking she removed the jewel from her pouch and gently tied it to Mellys sweater string. A gift, I give you this, but you must let me help you out as friends always do!

Okay , Melly agreed thankfully while admiring her gift. Suddenly the woman no longer looked old, and she was prettier. Her smile and super dark eyes were very endearing.

May I touch your belly? Asked Gloria.

Sure! Please do! Melly said as she pulled up the front of her school pride sweatshirt showing her new best friend her stomach.

The visitor placed the palm of her cold hand on Melly’s little belly, her fingertips releasing a tingling sensation that crossed Melly’s whole abdomen.

Oh, that tickles, now Melly was over whelmingly joyful with her new acquaintance. As Gloria rubbed her belly Melly tried to think of ways to return a gift to the woman with something as nice as the broach.

Although Melly was somehow a little annoyed at how hot the woman’s hand was becoming, she only shifted slightly, letting her continue.

There, there my dear, almost done helping you!

Melly! A voice shouted, Melly’s attention was fixed on beautiful Gloria’s face so she didn’t hear her name being called.

Hi Melly! Yelled Kelley again who was returning with Meeka. Upon opening the side door of the school had noticed their lunch buddy was standing, facing a person neither one of them had seen before.

Something about the stranger was amiss, and the way Melly was pulling up her shirt was not something Melly whom they both knew as introverted and shy would do in public.

All done! The woman removed her hand, You gave me something and I gave you something back in return, give and take!

Melly ! They called again, what are you doing?

The woman turned and started walking towards the wooded area leaving stupefied Melly standing there with her shirt still awkwardly hiked up.

A moment later Meeka , hair wet and shirt changed grabbed onto Mellys arm and turning to face her, took one look and screamed, Oh my God! Melly What is that on your sweater !?

Melly, still buzzed from her encounter looked puzzled. She gave me this diamond broach, don’t be jelly, She was so nice!

Kelly was next to see Melly’s new ornament! She cuffed her hands over her mouth aghast from the sight of Melly’s sweater adornment.

Her sweatshirt string was tied in a small bow and attached to the end like a knuse was not the diamond brokade Melly believed her new old friend gifted to her, instead she found that hanging from her sweater like a prisoner swinging from the gallows pole, was a small dead field mouse.

Teddy was inside his office working on his laptop when the faint smell of a BBQ delighted his senses.

It was such a nice day outside that the fellers next door at the carwash must have decided to do something special. He imagined they set up their propane cooker like they have done on so many occasions to roast hamburgers and chicken so they could stay fed as they worked an endless stream of cars lining up for their services.

As he typed away Teddy imagined the three man crew taking turns eating and cooking in between customers waiting to use the automated car washing system when the smell of smoke intensified.

Teddy was struck with the thought that he could hear crackling sounds.

Teddy stood up and stretching his arms opened the window blinds. From his office he could clearly see the line of cars leading out of the carwash parking lot stretching into the street

Teddy was surprised and confused at bits of white ash falling like snow. Then an ember floated down followed by even more ash.

One of the carwash employees stepped around the corner of his building and pointed with a surprised look on his face.

What is he pointing at thought Teddy?

The car wash attendant seeing Teddy looking out nonchalantly from his office window yelled at him! Hey Man! Your garage is on fire!

Teddy rushed out of his portable office to see his garage doors open and the z car aflame. The burning car was chugging out black smoke with flames spreading to the building itself.

As Teddy rushed to the door of the garage, he was beaten back by the intense smell of burning plastic and the heat. A police car pulled up, the officer hurriedly poped his cruisers trunk and grabbing his emergency fire bottle quickly ran to the garage, activated the retardant and shot the inside of the garage with a white fire dispersing chemical fog.

A minute later a fire truck arrived deploying several firefighters who went to work dousing the small building with water, smothering the flames.

Everything happened so quickly that all Teddy could think of doing was calling his silent partner and Mom, but she didn’t answer. Then remembering giving his other phone to Ran, Teddy asked his A I Melissa to find rans phone and call him.

Ran brought Mary a fresh bouquet of flowers. She and Ran were having the best of times two people could have on the 4th floor recovery center at Evergreen Hostpital considering the circumstances.

Marys shoulder was improving and she hoped to be released later that day if her progress continued. The feeling in her left arm was predictably still gone due to post operation medication but some of the movement had returned after the surgery successfully connected her scapula to a newly installed shoulder joint.

Her new titanium shoulder was touted by her surgeon to be an improvement, with better range and flexibility than her old worn down joint she had before the gunman shot her.

Ran would of liked to visit Manuel today but that section of the Hostpital was restricted to family only. Marys brother was slowly coming out of induced coma after the surgery to extract bone fragments from his soft brain tissue. Mary, Manuel’s closest relative had just explained to Ran that the doctors didn’t think too much damage had occurred, and hopefully no life changing significant damage other than the loss of sight and unfortunately hearing on his left side would impact him going forward.

Bleep bleep!

Is that a phone? Mary said with shock. I thought you refused using one!

Oh, right! Answered Ran. He pulled out the phone from his backpack and hit the ignore call button.

It’s Teddy, he gave me his other phone. I don’t feel like talking to him right now. He can wait.

Bleep bleep! The call came again. What the hell?

You better answer it, Said Mary, might be important.

Ran almost refused but did as she asked.

Hello? Rans annoyed look changed to an expression of disbelief. No way! He said, was the car inside? What happened? How did it catch on fire?

What!!! Ran stood up, what? Who?

As Mary watched Rans mood change she became excited as well.

Ran clicked off the phone and stood up. I have to go, there was an emergency at the lot.

Did something catch on fire?

My garage apparently, well, it just burndown and Teddy is freaking out all over the place because there is a body inside

#ai #books #story #magic #horror #thriller

0 notes

jrobertallen · 2 years ago

Text

Melissa Ran Teddy ( 5 )

Ready to run

Teddy was with Ran overseeing the process of gently removing the manilla colored paper tied around the first package.

Unfortunately they didn’t find valuable drugs or money or bearer bonds that would make them instantly wealthy.

Maybe it’s the kind of diary you need a decoder ring for? Teddy said while speculating on the purpose for writing using symbols instead of letters.

Ran flipped through a few pages and found several neat rows of symbols similar to those written on the outside of the package.

What is with all these crazy markings? Teddy added, bizarre! Maybe its some kind of satanic stuff?

I agree, It doesn’t make any sense.

I never went crazy over dark magic and fortune telling and casting spells. It’s probably fine reading for a freak but to an actual grown up its on the level with believing in magic and mermaids. Do you think this really is some sort of voodoo or protection spell to keep the driver safe?

I don’t know anything about all that, answered Ran, sure is odd to go through all the trouble of hiding it in such a weird place, in car seats no less, he offered, maybe it’s some kind of race car magic code or something.

Zombey coding does and doesn’t surprise me little brother. The guy who owned this car before us was probably one of those tarot card readers you know, like the people who read horoscopes and plant beans on the full moon after the solstice and what not.

What do you think is in the other package?

They both stared at the sealed package they removed previously from the passenger seat.

That one has your blood on it! Ran poked fun at his wounded brother, and maybe it activated a tulpa, and when you go to sleep a muddy duplicate will take your place!

Oh great, Teddy laughed, I’m going to turn into a zombie! Well, I hope my zombie self don’t eat cats!

Ran peeled back the paper enough to see inside. It’s not another diary. Ran worked at separating the object contents from its wrappings and found a small paper box .

We still might be in luck, Ran, as long as it’s not a body part or filled with spiders we should be okay!

The box was made of cardboard stock, and like the diary it too was covered in strange symbols.

Ran gently removed the lid.

What’s inside? Hurry up, His brother begged impatiently.

Ran opened the cover and from inside he removed a strange looking cassette tape. What kind of machine plays this format? Ran asked his brother.

Oh, Teddy said, plucking the tape out of his brothers hand. It’s one of those old QIC-150 computer tapes, not used very often anymore but surprisingly they still made them until recently.

What does the diary book have to do with the tape?

You got me, Teddy admitted, it’s a super big mystery to me. One thing is for sure, whomever hid them in the car seats must have wanted to move them without anyone knowing, and they were never meant to be found by guys like us.

I think we better put them away for safe keeping, and get rid of this car soon as we can! Said Ran. Someone probably wants them really bad, bad enough to kill for them!

Teddy thought about it, you don’t think the shooter from yesterday wanted these do you?

Ran remembered the shooters words, how he was upset at the trick they used to get the car he obviously wanted.

Teddy, How was it that you managed to get this car so cheap? What did Melissa, your AI bot do to help you buy the car for less than we would have paid for it as a trade in? Especially from a well known online police auction no less.

Teddy folded his hands and ducking his chin meekly answered, you really don’t want to know the answer to that, it was seriously nothing that I want to bother you with! I do the computer stuff and you’re all about the screwdriver and wrenches.

Ran was a little steamed at his brother for not being willing to be truthful. I need to know because I was almost shot over the car, Teddy!

Teddy looked away, his eyes became glossy. He sniffed. Okay.

Ran waited for the answer refusing to say another word until it came.

There is more to Melissa than meats the eye, she is special, Teddy began.

What do you mean specifically? Like how? Tell me how she is different from all the other AI bots out there? She an AI with a monthly period? What?

I ripped her from a project without asking , or rather she was copied straight and I thought if I dumbed her down just enough and only used her for simple things that I or we could get away with, like using her to do things we needed like ordering our lunch, grabbing blueprints for free, saving money at auctions then nobody would be the wiser.

That’s not what I asked, where did you get the copy from?

When I hacked the DOD!

You are a mess! Ran admonished. After doing nearly 3 years for hacking and you already did it again?! Are you stuck on stupid, Teddy? They said they could give you what? 20 to life next time? You gave me a copy of Melissa and made me a criminal with you too!? Forced the phone on me!

No, no no, its not like that!

Then what? I’m listening!

I got out of prison early because I was pardoned. I was pardoned because I helped our government hack a Chinese spy company. I also backed up a copy on a separate server location so I could download it later for insurance, but I really didn’t expect anyone to leave that door accessible. Oddly when I tried it out 6 months ago there it still was, basically I got that version of the program from the Chinese spy company directly. Its not technically illegal, they had stolen the same program from the DOD a year earlier. So, I figured why not and I snuck a copy for myself and ditched the military stuff keeping only the pure nuts and bolts AI. I changed it just enough to make it untraceable.

Teddys voice was shaken, Ran could tell the subject hit a sore spot. Melissa can do things other AI can’t, like talking to other programs without the need to cross firewalls and tweaking programs to fit its own needs just enough to be helpful.

I don’t understand, how did that get us the Z car for $100 over first bid?

All the bids were online, so I made sure that when it came time to preview and bid on our pick, the Z only appeared on our schedule as active. Everyone eccept us could see it but only we and the Auction house knew it was selling.

Then to make sure, I only allowed other bidders to enter the minimum bid and limited their top bid to $50. We bid $100 over and got the car. Easily done! We got a huge discount!

A discount? Scolded Ran! Manuel has a hole in his head and Mary was shot in her shoulder. Our discount translated to another party paying full price for us!

Whoa! Teddy regained his verbal footing, Even if the shooter was after this car because of the data cassette and the diary, How were we supposed to know that from any other car? I picked the oldest car being sold that day specifically to try out and verify if my Melissa could handle it!

Ran was done speaking, he visited the corner of the garage where his Indian motorcycle was covered with a tan canvas tarp. He pulled back the cover part way exposing the nose of his motorcycle and front wheel.

Teddy tried again to explain, I suppose you wouldn’t understand, for me playing with code is an addiction. I find myself trying to sleep at night and looking up at the ceiling fan in my bed room, eventually my imagination takes over and im doing mental gymnastics writing code to design a fucking media port. It’s like any addiction except an alcoholic can stay off the booze by going to group, I can’t stop thinking about codes!

Instead of answering Ran pointed to the far side of the garage, Could you hand me that small box on the tool shelf behind you?

Teddy found the box while Ran peeled back the motorcycles tarp a little more, carefully exposing the handlebars and part of the seat and red gas tank. I understand he said, probably more than you think I do.

I’m not sure you fully get it Teddy answered, giving the small box to ran. You remember Jimmy Nanny our parts guy who moved here from Florida?

Yeah!

He started with just that one tattoo after he met his wife the first time, he did the one thing you never do and get a girls name tattooed on your skin, that was the night we all went for drinks and he spilled his drink all over her, next thing you know they got married! Look at Jimmy now, he absolutely covered himself in tattoos because he couldn’t stop at one, even his face is tatted up! Maybe that’s not a good example but you get the picture.

I’ve been working on this Indian Scout for 4 years, said Ran, only one part left to drop into the carburetor. That pursuit is my addiction, that and not using a computer or staying off grid! You and Mom and everyone I know keeps pushing your addictions on me! I never made you take a ride on my bike! Never asked for any help rebuilding it! I visited every parts yard in Washington State alone looking for this and that, I even drove to Oregon by myself hunting wheels.

I remember when you put that huge RC airplane engine with that dishplate sized three pointed propeller on that 10 speed Mom got you for Christmas, you were pretty smart for a kid. Teddy chuckled at the thought, You actually rigged it up and got it going and it even moved pretty well too, until the engine blew up and you lost control and ran into that car!

I still have the scar, Ran said as he looked at his knuckle. 6 stitches.

Mom was so pissed! But not that you destroyed your bicycle, she was worried because she thought you broke your shoulder when you ran it into the neighbors car! I tried so hard to get that dent out of the neighbors yellow car before she came home from work!

I remember that she scolded me for bleeding all over the kitchen floor and breaking my bike and denting the car.. What’s worth more a bike or a car?

The neighbor didn’t even notice. She wasn’t mad at You Ran, she yelled at you because she was mad at me! I was all she had keeping you safe and it upset her that I let you hurt yourself, she was upset with you but she was angry at me!

Ran opened the box and removed a Float Pin, last part he said.

Teddys eyes lit up. Serious? That’s the last part?

Yup, I broke down and ordered the rebuild kit because I wanted a new gasket. Last part is this float.

Well Damn! Exclaimed Teddy, this is going to be amazing!

Teddy put the float pin back in the box, not yet. I don’t want it to be over.

Ran, that’s not just irrational, it’s downright irresponsible! Please little brother, after you spent all those hours and hours and hours , driven hundreds of miles to get to this point and your almost there! Put the damn float in the carb thingy and ride the damn bike!

Carb thingy? Ran laughed. You see, I do understand the power of addiction!

To the dismay of the giant Dr Flower and a mountain of a woman named Nurse Beatrice, patient Anthony got dressed and walked out of the hospital feeling spry and clear headed.

He was checking out a full day before they recommended his already accelerated release against the hospitals wishes, and hopefully a few minutes before the Seattle police was scheduled to arrive unexpectedly to ask him a few questions about the day prior.

His new button down shirt and tan slacks fit perfectly, and to his surprise his gift clothes bag also included a baseball cap and a pair of cheap sunglasses.

Anthony checked his look on the mirrored walls of the elevator, adjusting his hat several times but never finding the perfect look. For one thing the mirrored wall made him look thinner and darker than he really was.

When the elevator opened on floor two, a security guard was there waiting for him with a wheelchair. For a moment Anthony imagined that he was going to be seated, strapped in and rolled back up to room 812 until his scheduled checkout time occurred.

The guard, a heavy set black woman looked Anthony over keenly, were supposed to roll you out for insurance reasons, but since the street access is near the other emergency door and I’m late for my break anyway….you get the privilege of a shorter ride with me from here to the lobby as my guest.

Oh, thanks I suppose my feet will work fine for the last 30 feet to freedom, that’s the door?

No, the out door is that way! She pointed to an exit arrows, and this is your chariot! She said gently caressing her blue ride. Do me a favor and humor me so I can keep my job. She looked up at the security camera and back at Anthony, please take a seat and let me do my thing.

Fine, Anthony agreed and took a seat, and to be friendly he even conversed with her during his short ride out. Tell me about your day so far, he mused, are the rest of the patients recovering well? Any other escapees?

Everyone is talking about you, she felt compelled to answer. I’m not sure how you pulled it off, but I for one didn’t expect to see you up and around at least for the next couple a days. You were a real mess when you arrived if I can say so myself!

Anthony wanted to be surprised at her sentiment but he wasn’t, yesterday he felt like he barely survived being smashed by a truck, two trucks, and today he was not even sore.

I think I looked allot worse than I actually was. I’m actually really fine right now. All better!

We don’t talk about our patients, but I heard through the grapevine someone said you went and healed yourself up overnight. I need to get me some of that energy! She laughed. My hip is bothering me.

Show me where Anthony pleaded

What? No I would have to undress and with the shape my body is in, uh no! Not to mention that I’m in uniform and at work, thank you dear!

Anthony didn’t know why he was compelled to help her, but he felt a sense of urgency.

You don’t have to take anything off, show me by placing my hand on your hip.

Are you some kind of faith healer? I dont do religion. I’m agnostic.

I might be crazy but maybe I can help, and I’m far from a religious person myself . Anthony pulled back his shirt sleeve showing her his track marks. When I was healed all this trouble went away.

She stopped pushing the cart and walked around and faced Anthony, You an addict?

Was, answered Anthony. I used to be called Skinny, that was my user name. Something happened to me, now I’m okay!

She picked up his hand and held it to her hip. Right there she said, do you feel the large lump? It’s growing and they think it could be a tumor. I work at a hospital but my insurance can’t afford real treatment., ain’t that a bitch?!

Oh, yes. He pressed his hand against the mass and simply said, Go away little bump!

His hand felt very warm, it started to feel as though it was burning her skin though her clothing.

Oh, ouch! She said as she pulled away. That hurts! What did you do?

Sorry. I just wanted to help.

She was angry now, how did she fool herself and let herself get fooled by a fool?!

She felt like she let her guard down too far by letting this bum touch her waist, so without saying another word She grabbed the chair again and started pushing.

When she let go of the chair to press the outside door button, her slight limp had improved. In fact her hip didn’t hurt anymore.

She placed her hand on her hip and felt the bump shrinking.

That’s crazy! She burst out laughing and turning to Anthony she found her wheelchair was lacking its occupant.

Behind the glass exit door, Seattle’s finest pulled up in a marked car, they would soon find out that their subject had already departed the hospital.

0 notes

jrobertallen · 2 years ago

Text

Melissa Ran Teddy (4)

Full motion hell

When Skinny opened his eyes again he found himself in a hospital bed. The side rails were extended to keep him from bailout and there was even a seat belt keeping him from presumably floating away somewhere.

Good morning! He said to himself.

Good morning a womans voice answered back unexpectedly from somewhere in the room. He wanted to rise up and see his guest but it was at that moment he found his arms were secured by leather cuffs attached to a bed belt drawn over his waste.

Skinny couldn’t see who answered him, but the high pitched voice sounded unique and vaguely familiar.

I don’t have my glasses and I’m blind as a bat without them. Are you a nurse, or a doctor?

No, nothing that prestigious Anthony.

Skinny, he interrupted the voice, call me Skinny. Even my parents call me that, Anthony is dead, he died and Skinny is all that is left.

How are you feeling today, Anthony, for a dead man?

Skinny was instantly pissed at the blatant contradiction coming from whomever owned the voice, he was belted to a bed like a test subject and didn’t require that kind of verbal hassle from a joker.

What is that? Skinny asked, your attempt at a comedy? We don’t have to talk if your not here to help then there is the door! Or restroom. If that’s any kind of door then you can see yourself out or flush yourself away, I don’t care, I’m okay.

Do you like the way smoking Oxy makes you feel? The voice interrupted him back. I bet smack withdrawals are a real humdinger!

Suddenly Skinnys body was writhing with pain, his stomach surged and he wanted to vomit. Every hair on his arms and head felt like small needles prickly and barbed grabbing at his skin in vibrating waves of anguish. His attitude changed from pissed-off to overwhelming depression.

Sounds painful, the voice agreed.

Ouch! He screamed! I need something to make it stop, make it stop!

Skinny’s symptoms were so sudden and intense that armed with a hunting rifle he would have thumbed the trigger right then to escape his burning skin, with a sickness so strong that if he was a prisoner in the French revolution he would have pulled the key cord himself, dropping the guillotine letting his own severed head roll into the catching basket in one final tumble of relief, if only to escape the feeling of overwhelming defeat while enabled with an explosive he would have gladly lit the fuse and held the bomb to his chest to make the suffering stop!

A hand grabbed his chained forearm, instantly the agony drained away, leaving only the feeling of peace and tranquility.

Anthony exhaled and fell back into his bed exhausted. Thank you, how did you do that?

The addiction in you is the person you call Skinny, the person you are on the outside has always been Anthony.

The hand released his forearm. Anthony couldn’t see through his blurry vision whom his visitor was, he only knew the voice was that of a woman, and the cold hand that touched his forearm took away his pain as much as it burned his skin. Even now he felt the hand mark on his wrist tingling.

I can keep the pain out, or return it whenever I choose. You on the other hand have a problem with making decisions. Without needing to smoke or injecting yourself with that excrement, you can live a normal life for a while. You have to choose it, Anthony, but my work has a price, a fee for the passenger, you can call it paying my toll for crossing.

Dammit! He shouted, my name is Skinny!

Before the words left his lips, waves of needle pricks brushed his skin, the sense of dread returning with a severe headache. Skinny cried out! I’m sorry, make it stop!

It didn’t stop, the sensation increased dramatically, his diaphragm hardened and he dry heaved.

Anthony or Skinny will be as you choose, I’ll give you one chance, she said as he squirmed, You can choose to walk on my pathway as Anthony or you can live as Skinny until you decide to end it yourself.

Stop! Stop! He yelled, Ok, my name is Anthony! I’m Anthony! Please!

Then sleep! She said.

Darkness fell.

When Anthony opened his eyes again, the pain was gone and his vision had somehow improved, he could almost see clearly without his missing glasses.

Looking around the room he found himself alone, but his body was still belted to the medical bed. A tube filled with a yellow liquid was taped to his thigh that ran over the side of the bed to a plastic collection bag hanging from a low branch on a medical tree, another tube was connected to a bag half filled with a clear fluid that ran through another tube into his arm .

Anthony assumed he was being helped intravenously and likely had a catheter.

Wires connected to plastic sensors were attached to Anthony’s chest, leading back out to a monitor that clicked every few seconds.

The door opened and a huge man entered. Dressed in a white lab coat the balding giant with a huge red beard looked to be somewhere in his mid 30s. He pulled up a rolling lab seat and smiled at Anthony as he positioned himself beside the hospital bed. I see you finally woke up! That’s Great news! Because frankly I wasn’t sure there for a while, you look like you took one hell of a beating, how are you feeling today?

Anthony remembered the night he spent in Stu’s garage. The memory of the beating he took while being hemmed up set him back for a moment, his heart rate increasing enough to activate the alarm on his heart monitor.

Woops! The doctor said as he cleared the alarm. Touchy subject.

I got my ass kicked up and down the avenue. Anthony lied because he didn’t dare mention what the Kings did to him, I’m happy to be awake let alone alive.

You spent the last 20 hours in a near coma like condition, I was worried you had suffered maybe a concussion or had a slight head injury. The odd thing is, only your body shows an injury. You have a few obvious contusions on your torso and limbs but no broken bones, remarkably your face neck and head are unmarked.

They beat my body up pretty good!

Im Doctor Flower by the way, nice to meet you, We couldn’t give you anything to help because, well, you have indications of needle usage on your arms and feet, so I think you went through some minor withdrawals last night without any medical help while you slept.

I actually feel pretty good, Anthony admitted, better than I felt in Years. Eccept waking up chained to this bed. Anthony pulled at his restraints.

I’ll get a nurse to unbuckle you, in the mean time can I order you anything to eat? Are you hungry? I also need to give you some information and I would like to ask you some personal questions.

Looks like I’m a captive audience, Doctor Flower, could you get the nurse first, I’d like to scratch myself if you don’t mind.

Doctor Flower pressed the nurse call button, a voice chimed through the room speaker and the removal of Anthony’s restraints was ordered.

Those are for your protection, but seems like your awake enough that I don’t have to worry about you falling out of bed anymore.

Who was the woman visiting me earlier, was she some kind of shrink?

Doctor Flower drew a blank. We don’t allow visitors on this floor, but I’ve got two nurses on rotation, Kevin went off about 5 hours after you arrived and is about to come back on, Beatrice is on rounds now, can you tell me what happened?

Just a weird conversation we had about changing my name, something about my nickname.

You were out cold like a stone, if you had a conversation with anyone it could have possibly happened in a dream state or as a memory surfacing.

Doctor Flower pressed the call button and asked for Beatrice a second time.

A moment later a mountain of a woman in her late 50s knocked on the door and entered. Well hello she said in a semi masculine tone, look who is finally up!

Anthony knew right away it wasn’t the shrink he spoke with earlier, but he still listened intently as she and Dr Flower spoke.

Was Anthony awake earlier?

Oh no, she laughed. His heart rate didn’t climb above 45 until about 20 minutes ago when I alerted you. How are you feeling, she asked her patient, did I hear you tell Dr Flower that Anthony was your name?

Beatrice unbuckled Anthony’s wrist straps. Well look at that hand mark on your arm, looks so small. Beatrice compared her own hand with the red mark on his wrist, it must have just came out or I would of noticed it earlier!

Anthony agreed with a head shake and said, maybe I was dreaming about a psychologist visiting, However he had a feeling that the hand print pointed to a different answer, someone was there.

Oh, she agreed, yeah, that happens. Subliminal dreaming can feel so real, was it a good one?

It was alright, just weird.

How are you feeling? Doctor Flower asked again. Any soreness? Have you ever been through withdrawals before? What is your drug of choice?

I used heroine and Oxy.

Oh, those can take some time detoxing, when was the last time you used?

Two days ago, but I’m fine now.

Generally when we see a patient coming down from either of those drugs the withdrawals can be pretty severe, often times it requires monitoring and sometimes methadone and there are other medications I can prescribe you to help ease your anxiety.

I actually feel pretty good and I’m actually hungry for once.

Well bless you! Beatrice beamed, do you prefer Chicken, beef or vegetarian?

Vegetarian please answered Anthony.

Beatrice left to get a lunch for Anthony.

I went down to the center and got you some newer looking used clothing, Dr Flower pointed to a brown paper bag neatly positioned near the bathroom door, surprisingly Anthony could read the letters on the side. Room 812.

I also got you a set of shoes, size 16?

Oh no, eleven, Anthony was shocked for a moment.

Dr Flower started laughing, just kidding. I actually got you 11s.

Oh, that’s actually funny Doc.

Beatrice returned with a lunch for Anthony and had an extra surprise, An orderly brought this up from the lobby, Someone left an envelope addressed to Anthony in room 812! She placed the card and meal on a tray next to his bed. Is there anyone who knows your hear?

I don’t suppose the guys that did this too you are the kind of fellows that write get well letters to their victims, Dr Flower speculated.

Beatrice helped Anthony by adjusting the bed so He could eat his meal sitting up.

Do you live close? The doctor asked while Anthony stuffed his mouth with a spoon full of peas and mashed potatoes.

No, ive been homeless for about 6 months. I was living in the back of my truck but I had to get rid of it to settle a small debt. I’ve got no plans or place to go.

Oh, have you thought about a shelter? There is a men’s home just 4 blocks from here. They allow 2 months as long as your not actively drinking or doing drugs.

I’ll figure something out, I’m never going back to a shelter. Last time I had everything I owned stolen from me.

Beatrice and the Doctor looked knowingly at eachother. Neither presumed Anthony had anything more then the bag of clothes the doctor brought for him.

Okay! Dr Flower agreed, Enjoy your food. Your welcome here for one more night and tomorrow we have to get this room ready for a new patient.

Would you look at that! Beatrice pointed towards the window. It’s that Raven again, he’s was pecking at that window last night.

Wow, said Dr Flower, He must see the food. Scavengers, they’re always on the lookout.

Beatrice walked to the window and pulled the blinds closed. Well we can’t have him scaring our guests

0 notes

jrobertallen · 2 years ago

Text

Melissa Ran Teddy (3)

Get ready to run!

Ran parked the little Z car in the small garage next to Teddys portable office.

Slowly guiding the car up the ramp while stopping every few inches Ran made sure the bottom wouldn’t scrape on his mechanics autolift and thankfully the wheels lined up perfectly as if the tool was made for it.

He wanted to meditate on what happened except the car seat was making him sore. The only complaint he had about the Z car was how uncomfortable the seats were.

He tried to recline in the driver’s seat because he wanted to sit in the car and think about the last 24 hours, only No matter what he did with the adjustment levers the seat wouldn’t fold back past the first position.

Ran wriggled and pushed and tried everything he could think of to force the seat to recline but the only thing that moved was the grizzly memories of yesterday’s shooting, filling him with the guilt of causing others to be harmed through his own self-centered actions.

The damn car was actually for sale, the shooter was correct, he could of let the smelly psychopath buy the damn thing if his own ego didn’t get in the way.

Everything was normal and then everything went to hell so damn quickly and Ran felt genuinely fortunate that he survived the robbery without getting shot.

This morning while fending off the car prowlers, he could have simply chased them away, but for some reason he assaulted them both with his stupid wrist rocket.

Ran felt like a bigger asshole than either the shooter or the pair of thieves, and what would have been worse if the prowlers were also armed, how stupid does stupid get, he could have been shot either time, twice in the last 24 hours.

A smile creased his face when he remembered how he blasted the masked person who was looking over the fence with his sling shot. He hit that dude in the forehead right between the eyes. Rans smile dropped when He remembered Mary and poor Manuel, they also got shot and Manuel likely is blind in one eye for life, if he lives and nothing more serious happens to him.

Marys brother was a big strong dude, but Ran felt like he caused the accident, and hoped like hell that Manuel was strong enough to survive a gunshot to the face and not succumb to his injury or from an infection. Hopefully the bullet or a fragment didn’t enter his skull and give him brain damage.

Ran winced at the image of Manuel holding his eye, the whole thing was terrible, and that made sitting uncomfortable even more irritating.

Ran didn’t mean to cause anyone any harm, he didn’t like seeing people suffer in any way at all, and his Mom was right about one thing and the last 24 hours proved her 100% spot on correct, the car was if anything a dark chapter, a veritable vector for bad luck.

Ran tried moving the seat forward and backwards and even when pushing his feet againstthe firewall it still wouldn’t tilt, recline or shift backwards.

Ran slid over to the other side of the car and tried the passenger seat, amazingly that seat was in the same un moving condition. How bizarre.

It's not like they were cheap either, they looked like top of the line off white leather high backs, they even had padded lumbar support. Great looking but neither operated.

The weather was changing from a neutral morning to overcast. A slight breeze came in from the Puget Sound blowing the haze up from the south and eastward. The roads were slicked with morning dew and he was sure the changing conditions were irritating the steady stream of drivers who were already hurriedly passing the car lot on their way to work.

It was a Sunday, why do people want to rush to work on a Sunday? Ran imagined that very few servers relished the idea of wiping down a customer counter and handing out coffee to snobbish assholes on a weekend unless they really needed the money.

Again Ran tried to adjust the drivers seat but it remained in the upright position.

Teddy slid open the office window that faced the garage. He was waiting for the right moment to spring something on his little brother.

Before Ran arrived, Mom called Teddy and had a thorough discussion with her eldest son, explaining to him how she seen the next few days working out. Either an agreement was going to be made, or consequences would follow.

Teddy was screwing up his courage to have a discussion that he knew Ran wouldn’t be overly happy with.

Ran! His brother yelled out his portable office window. Hey, could you please come to the office when you get a chance, I’ve got something you might be interested in, or rather there is something we have to discuss.

Sundays at the lot were closed. They were often there by choice but not to talk with customers, Sunday was catch up day so the open sign was turned off and the barricade chain was drawn across the entrance and pad locked to keep cars from driving through.

The inside of the office was low lit by choice, Teddy was sitting in his desk chair and Ran found one of the two customer chairs on the other side of his desk to stretch out in

Well? Asked Teddy,what do you think? He said, pushing a new phone across the table.

I dont want it, answered Ran.

You really need to think about that Brother, it’s not just your dignity on the lone here, it’s also my…it’s actually both of our livelihoods at stake here, its what Mom is asking us to do, what she wants from us in return so please, just take it for a while, give it a week.

You know it goes against the way I live, the way I am.

Listen, you don’t even have to pay for it, just keep it in your pocket.

Ran shook his head and held up his hands, and was about to give another reason why he shouldn’t be forced into doing something that egregious until his older brother exerted himself.

Mom’s name is on the deed for our business.

I know.

So, unless I can magically have my clean record restored, which I can’t or you somehow grow a credit score and you realy don’t have any. You have always refused credit so you don’t even have a score, then our only choice is that we get to grin and bear the responsibility of doing what Mom asks. Dammit Ran! I got you the same kind of top of the line traceless phone that I have. In fact it’s the newer model, and I listed it on my own network, loaded my own AI on It, I sandboxed it so it completely untraceable.

You just happened to have this today?

Ive had it in my desk for weeks, ive been putting her off, been putting off talking to you about it but Mom put her foot down on me today Ran, shes not kidding!

You and she, you both have been working on this behind my back for weeks?

What? No, it’s not like that at all. Mom wants to feel safe and giving you access to her with a cell phone fixes that problem and a few other problems like keeping the lot open.

Okay, Ran relented, I’ll hold the phone but I don’t promise you that I’m going to use it. I will take the phone so Mom will feel better.

Unless Mom or I call, you never need to pick it up! If Mom or I call will you please answer? Nothing will go wrong if you do, I swear!

Don’t say that.

Don’t say what.

Don’t promise me and say that you swear, you know how I Hate it when you tell me that you swear, because every time you do it comes undone.

You got your point, Ran, take the phone, please.

Okay.

Promise me.

Okay.

Say it.

No, no need, I’m not a liar.

You have never told me a lie, I never called you a liar before, have I ever said that too you Ran, that’s not it at all. Look little brother, I know this is hard for you. It’s even harder for me to ask you, you know I hate asking.

Ran shifted in his seat.

Are you okay.

Actually, I’m just fine. My back hurts because the damn seats in the Z won’t recline or move at all, instead of tilting back the seat backs are sticking nearly straight up. So if our talk is over I have to go to the automotive store and purchase a book.

Hold on, you want blueprints? Get ahold of this trick Melissa can do. You need to set up a password, but first check this out. Teddy clicked on Rans new phone. Melissa?

Hello , is that you Teddy?

Can you get blueprint drawings for the car my brother is working on, it’s the car we just got from the Police auction.

You call it the Z car? Melissa answered.

Yes, the seat needs fixed.

Okay, 1970 240 Z. This car is heavily modified so the results I can find may be inaccurate. There are two given options for seats, are they manually operated or electric ?

Manual.

Ran was listening intently, and surprised at the ease at which Melissa performed the request.

Okay, detailed blueprints. To see them, click the open tab or tell me to open them.

Teddy held the phone out to Ran, tell her.

Okay, open the prints.

Instantly the details appeared on the screen.

Swipe sideways to enable key.

What?

She means the arrows to move the page. Teddy did so for Ran.

Use two fingers like this to zoom in or out…wait, you do it.

Ran held the phone up and zoomed in and out.

Is that you, Ran? Melissa asked.

Ran clicked off the phone.

Hey, Ran! What are we getting for lunch today?

I’m not hungry.

Okay, no worries little Brother.

Ran went back to the garage and threw his new phone onto the floorboard of the Z car.

So, heavy modified? How did Melissa know that?

Ran then noted the steering system was not original. Maybe she’s right. Okay little Z , Ran smiled anxiously as he poped the cars hood to get a first look at the engine.

What in the world happened to it? Thought Ran. It’s been changed out!

The original engine was missing, in its place was an engine stamped with the letters RB26DETT. Almost the entire engine was chromed out, tip to tail.

I knew was fast, but I didn’t expect a skyline engine.

Ran grabbed a three button drop cord that was suspended from the garage ceiling and clicked the up button.

The lift slowly elevated the z and stopped at Rans eye level.

Well crafted aftermarket exhaust.. A fuel cell in place of the tank…shoots, is that a NOS bottle? Where is the switch?

Expensive stuff, maybe that’s why the mileage was so small He wondered, Most Z cars of this age were already decaying in a junk yard or smashed into a cube and sent to a Chinese based metal producer to be made into razer blades and soup cans. This car was different, it felt special, this car was really something fantastic!

Ran grabbed up an air lead and using his impact wrench unbolted the seat keepers.

A moment later Ran was pulling the off white leather drivers seat out, and placed it on the Shop table.

He tried several times to get the seat to operate on the table but it was still stuck. He flipped the seat on its side so he could work on it.

Ran noticed right away that the clamshell that held the back of the seat together had aftermarket screws attached to it and a glue line. The screws he started slowly removing with a screwdriver.

Two screws remained, those were stuck, the retainer clip was turning with the screw, Ran needed a third hand to get the last two screws out.

Ran picked up the phone and clicked it on.

Hello Ran, Melissa said.

Could you get Teddy to come to the garage?

A few seconds later Teddy came through the door bering a huge smile, you did it! You actually used the phone!

No, I made your AI use the phone for me! Ran knew it was the same thing but it somehow felt better saying it that way.

A moment later Teddy set himself up to help, armed with a set of needle nose grips he applied tension to the clips.

It took a lot of patience and about 5 minutes later the last two screws came out.

So your saying the Z has an aftermarket engine? Teddy asked, how much do you think its worth?

I don’t know said Ran, probably at least 20k in today’s money or maybe more if it was pro built. Maybe that’s why there are so many people interested? Grab that corner Teddy and pull back slightly.

I doubt it, Teddy insisted. Even a skyline engine isn’t enough to make yesterday’s shooter do what he did, besides, how could he know? I think when this is all over and the police bust him and we have time to count our chips everything will add up! We will probably find out that he was just some super crazy bastard who had a bad morning after he went off his meds. This corner appears to be glued on! I don’t want to ruin the leather by ripping it.

Using a scraper, while Ran held the car seat steady, Teddy began chipping away at the glue and separating the panel from the back of the seat.

Knock knock knock.

Three solid bangs at the garage door stopped their progress.

Teddy and Ran looked at eachother.

You expecting anyone? Ran asked. No, probably someone seen us working and ignoring the closed sign still wants to see a car.

Hold on, Ran said as he opened the door.

Looking out from the door he could see the front line cars, and most of the car lot but nobody was there.

Weird.

Who is it Teddy called.

Nobody.

Your kidding!

Three knocks again, and then a huge raven called from the roof just above the door.

Ran looked up and instinctively threw himself back. Holy Shit! Get a load of this giant crow!

Teddy hurried over to the doorway, and looking out and up got a great glimpse of the huge bird. It stared at the Brothers calmly, not intimidated in the slightest by either Ran or Teddys sudden appearance.

Caw! Caaaw!

What in the world! It’s as big as a cat! Teddy guffed.

Bigger than most cats agreed Ran. Have you ever seen one this close before?

Get off there! Mike shouted

The bird lifted one leg and stamped it back down, and then opened its maw grumbled at Teddy.

What do you think it wants? Asked Teddy.

With a chuckling sound the huge bird extended its wings.

Hold on! Proclaimed Ran. I want to get it something from the fridge. Ran went back inside, returning with a half eaten cold cut sandwich.

You shouldn’t feed it!

Why not?

Because, because it might stick around.

I don’t care, I like it. She’s beautiful, look at her!

The Raven cooed at Ran as he walked outside with the sandwich, setting the treat in the shadow of one of the back row cars. Then Ran clucked back at the huge bird.

You better hope it doesn’t take a full sized sandwich shit on one of our cars after eating that!

I don’t care.

I do!

Maybe it will chase the rats away Said Ran as he walked back through the entrance. Lets finish getting the back off the seat so I can fix it.

Those fucking things are evil. Teddy suggested.

So are black cats, yet you live with a what? A black cat!

Superstition, I get it, I get it! But that’s a wild animal.

Ran called from inside the garage, help me finish.

Teddy followed Ran back inside.

We could just buy new seats.

If I can’t fix these, we can do exactly that!

Teddy grabbed a dull knife and started scraping at the glue as Ran gently depressed a large flat head screw driver between the back plate and the seat, when suddenly the clam shell practically jumped off of the seat.

Ouch! Teddy called out , holding his thumb. I cut myself!

What happened?

Maybe that’s what all the glue was about, to keep the shell from popping off the back of the seat.

Don’t bleed allover the leather, Ran complained.

Too late.

Drops of blood had smeared the white leather.

Do you need stitches? Ran asked, Let me see.

I��m fine, answered his older brother , just a small cut. You finish while I wash this off and get a bandage

Teddy retured in a moment with his thumb covered with gauze and a bottle of rubbing alcohol to clean the seat with.

Ran had stopped working. He was staring at the seat. I got the rest of the clamshell off after you went back inside, Teddy, and I’m a tad stuck!

Your stuck? I never heard that one from you before, I thought you said you can fix anything!?

I can’t fix what I don’t understand, tell me what I’m looking at?!

Teddy got closer and tried to see what Ran was worried about. The off-white seat leather was neatly folded around the sub frame, previously hidden by the seats clamshell.

What am I looking at Teddy?

That’s simply fucking bizarre! Teddy answered. I have no fucking idea!

Looks like someone took out the reclining mechanism and created a small hidden compartment, Ran wanted to theorize a reason but he drew a blank.

I don’t want to touch whatever that package is. Looks like your blood got on it.

Great! It better not be something illegal, my dna is all over it now!

That’s been hidden in the car seat for probably the last 20-30 years, probably cocain!

That I wouldn’t mind so much, or, a money stash would be awesome!

Inside the small hidden compartment was a package wrapped in cloth. It was tied with brown twine string. On the surface were symbols, one symbol that Teddy immediately recognized was a pentagram.

I think the passenger seat is in the same condition because it also doesn’t move.

Before we touch whatever it is and get that voodoo all over us, Teddy Joked, let’s see if the other seat is also hiding something.

The Raven flew off the roof and landed next to the sandwich and began clucking as It picked out the meat, leaving the mayonnaise soaked bread, tomato and lettuce on the ground.

After gulping down the meal, She flew back up too her place on top of the garage satisfied from the sandwich meet and cheese. She began cleaning her feathers while listening to the brothers.

They quickly removed the passenger seat and clamshell exposing a duplicate void with a second package that was identical to the first except the symbols on the outside were different.

Blows my mind, Teddy said.

Me too, Ran agreed.

Ran grabbed a pair of scissors and was about to cut the brown twine suspending the packet inside the driver seat when his brother stopped him.

How do we know it’s not booby trapped. What if it explodes or something if removed the wrong way?

Ran studied his brother. I don’t think so, why would someone do that?

Maybe for the same reason someone stuffed an engine like that in that car?

What do you want to do?

I don’t know, put on your welding gloves or something, Teddy suggested.

No thanks, Ran clipped the twine. It’s obviously a stash.

Ran pulled put the small package. Feels heavy, like it’s stuffed with paper.

Maybe it’s money!

Ran removed the other package from the passenger seat, placing them side by side on the work table.

Are the seats going to work now?

I don’t think so, they look welded into that upright position. I think we have to replace them.

Shame, the leather is nice.

Knock knock knock

Your new friend is knocking again, probably wants more sandwich.

Wait a second Ran hushed his brother.

The closed shop door let a little light in from the outside, they could see a shadow moving at the bottom, it looked like someone was standing next to the door listening.

Teddy went to the door and yelled, “Were Closed”!

The person on the other side sounded muffled.

Sounded female, Teddy said with a surprise as he opened the door to meet a small elderly woman dressed in all black, she was wearing clothing similar to funeral attire, even her sun hat was black.

I’m sorry, Teddy repeated, Were not open on Sundays.

She didn’t act disappointed in the very least, that’s okay, I don’t want to buy anything, I’m looking for someone.

Oh, Okay. Teddy explained, It’s just me and my brother here working on a car at the moment.

Yes, hello! She greeted him.

Teddy noticed how black her eyes were, so much so that he couldn’tttell if she was looking at him or straight through him.

I’m happy to wait outside, she smiled. I’m always happy to be outside in the fresh air.

Wait for what?

No what, whom! She sort of laughed.

We really haven’t seen anyone besides ourselves today, were you planning on meeting someone?

Teddy felt a little concerned that the woman was senile, possibly even homeless. He was about to send her away when she asked, can I have a glass of water?

Water? He asked back. You want water? Hold on a moment.

Teddy closed the door on her and walking past his brother explained that a crazy woman waiting outside wants a glass of water..

There is a bottle of water in the fridge.

That’s what I was going to do.

A moment later Teddy returned, giving the old woman a bottle of water.

Oh, thank you! She said pleased at Teddys generosity.

I’ll pay you something for it!

Oh no! Teddy insisted. I don’t want any money, it’s on the house!

On the house? You don’t have anything but a basketball and an umbrella on the house, isn’t that funny!

Teddy was now confused. I suppose so. He didn’t understand what she was referring too. Basketball? Umbrella?

The little lady opened her purse and pulled out an envelope. This is for you and your brother, be well!

She said the last part in a very orderly manner, as if giving instructions.

Teddy received the envelope. I really don’t need anything.

It’s a prayer, I hope you can use it well!

A prayer? Okay, thanks I guess. We all can use a prayer, Teddy suggested, he was starting to feel like he was stuck in a conversation that he couldn’t get out of.

Do you need anything other than water? I want to get back to helping my Brother.

Of course you do! She smiled. Don’t hurt yourself.

Okay?

She turned and walked straight over to the half eaten sandwich. Oh dear, she said and bent over with a cloth handkerchief, started wiping up the mess.

Did Marvin do this!

Teddy was beside himself, horrified to see a homeless woman cleanup a mess his Brother made. He rushed out and grabbed the discarded sandwich makings from her and with his bare hands went about cleaning up the rest. I’m sorry, my Brother left that there, you don’t have to clean it up! Let me get this.

Oh, your so kind. I was hoping Marvin didn’t make the mess.

It wasn’t Marvin unless Marvin is a raven.

Have you seen my Marvin?

No, just a big black bird.

She smiled, I see now! Will it bother you if I stand over there and wait for Marvin? She pointed to a dry spot next to the corner of Mikes portable office.

How could he say no? No worries, but hold on!

Teddy went inside the garage and after dumping the sandwich remnants returned with a folding chair, he kindly placed the chair where she wanted to stand and offered her the seat. Please, sit here as long as you like.

She sat and without saying another word, stared at the cars driving past.

I’m going in the garage to help my Brother again, goodbye! Teddy waived bye to her. She gave him one last look and smiled back.

Inside Teddy found his brother slowly undressing the package. I waited for you to open it, did you make a new friend?

She is super nice but I think maybe she is having a senior moment. She kept saying she was meeting someone called Marvin.

Marvin?

That’s what she said. I also picked up the sandwich that your bird friend scattered all over the parking lot. He picked out the good stuff and left the rest in a mess. Wait a second, he removed the envelope from his pocket. She said to give you this prayer.

Open it! Ran laughed, probably some Jesus stuff.

Let’s open up the package, I don’t need a prayer right now. Teddy discarded the envelope onto the table.

Ran picked up the envelope and read the neat handwriting on the outside Don’t open until after dark? What in the hell?

Forget the envelope, let’s see what has been hiding in these seats for the last umpteen years!