WACO’S LUMMOX
Waddie
Greywolf
Chapter 11
The only sound in the RV was the soft drone of the
air-conditioning as it pumped out cool air like a holy blessing on
such a hot evening. JR had Hank Morgan’s rapt attention as he
carefully described his previous evening. Hank listened in awe to
what his son was telling him. Even with a prior admonishment from
his master, what his son would be telling him was true, Hank had a
hard time believing, but in the back of his mind, strangely
enough, it all made perfect sense. It better explained the mystery
of Lazarus Long. “But the best part, Hank,” JR looked up into the
big man’s eyes he was now leaning up against, “Captain Long said
with slaves being given the option of living much longer lives,
their sentences must be reconsidered accordingly. If a man knew he
could live for ten to twenty times longer than the normal life
span, who would want to live as a slave for that length of time?
He said they had to make it worthwhile for a man to want to live a
longer life. So that means you might not have to be a slave
forever, Hank. Master Charlie’s a good master, he would honor a
decision made to grant you freedom after a decided period,” JR
said.
“That would be an incentive, but you’ll forgive me if’n I don’t
get my hopes up, Son. I been a slave too damn long to believe in
pie in the sky. You chose to take the longevity shot, Young
Master?” Hank asked.
“Yes, sir. My brother and his slaves were all gonna’ take it. I
didn’t wanna’ be left out, Hank. Mr. Goodnight said he’d tell ma
for me. He said he’d tell her he made the right decision to allow
me the choice. Captain Long didn’t force none of us. As fearful as
ma was about Ox’s milk maybe we shouldn’t tell her about it right
away, but look what Ox's milk done for me, Hank? I ain’t had me no
headache since I been drink’n it, and what I experienced with my
brothers on Captain Long’s ship, I would a’ had a split’n headache
for sure. I think whatever was wrong with me is gone. It’s like a
miracle, and I’m so thankful not to have them damn headaches no
more.”
“We’re happy for you, Son,” Hank told his boy, “I think I’ll talk
with Master Goodnight about what and when to tell yore’ ma about
this. Master Goodnight has a way with yore’ ma nobody else does.
He can git her to see reason when I cain’t sometimes. So you say
Master Long, my new ramrod, is the captain of a spaceship what
will take us away when things git bad here on Earth?” Hank asked.
“Yes, sir. There’s a lot more, but we all got a part to play. It’s
jes’ so exciting to me, I had to share it with somebody I love who
I know loves and understands me. I couldn’t think a’ nobody
better’n you, Hank,” JR said.
“I’m glad you did, Son. I do love you, JR, more’n you’ll ever
know. Just the idea I might git to be around to watch you grow up,
have a family of yore’ own, have little ones, why, that’d be
incentive enough for me to wanna’ live longer. I got a feeling
this may work out to everyone’s benefit. I wonder when Master Long
will ask us slaves if’n we want the shot?”
“As soon as you let Master Goodnight know you’ll volunteer, Mr.
Morgan. Captain Long thinks you’re a good man, sir. It was him
what told me he thought I should tell you about my evening on his
ship. Oh, Hank, I hope you do decide to volunteer. I want to see
you walk as a freeman one day. I’ll do ever’ damn thing in my
power to see it happen. I love you that much, Hank,” JR said.
“You think this old love-starved slave could have me another one
a’ them sweet buckaroo kisses, Son?” Hank asked tenderly.
“You can have all you want, Hank, anytime you want ‘em. All you
gotta' do is ask real nice-like,” JR replied and giggled.
The men kissed another sweet and gentle kiss, but this time the
emotion was too great for them. Hank enfolded JR in his big arms
and started weeping. JR was sobbing with his head resting on
Hank’s broad shoulder. “God, I love you, JR. Yore' momma couldn't
a' made you no finer,” Hank said as he held his boy tight.
“I love you, too, Hank. I don't never want to do without you in my
life,” JR replied quietly.
* * * * * * *
Their talk over, JR turned off the air-conditioner, and the men
slowly walked back across the compound. This time Hank reached
down and took JR’s smaller hand in his as they walked together.
They walked slowly like they didn't want their time together to
end too soon. As they reached the middle of the huge compound they
saw Charlie and Lazarus come out of the big house and walk down
the porch steps toward them. Charlie raised his hand to
acknowledge the men and have them wait for a minute. JR gently
squeezed Hank’s big hand to let him know it was all right with him
to be holding his hand. Hank looked down at him and smiled. He
squeeze his hand back, and they stood waiting for Charlie and
Lazarus. “Two mighty fine look’n men, wouldn’t you say, Ramrod?”
Charlie asked his new foreman.
“Right handsome, Boss, right handsome, indeed,” Lazarus replied.
“You men have a good talk?” Charlie grinned at Hank and JR.
“We did, Master Goodnight, and thanks for yore’ warning,” Hank
said.
“You’re welcome, Hank. If’n I hadn’t a’ seen it with my own eyes,
I don’t think I’d believe Waco if’n he’s to come to me and told me
a tale like ‘at.”
“How much do you think we should tell Miss Ida, Mr. Goodnight?”
Hank asked.
“Oh, Lord. It might be easier coming from you and JR, Hank. Tell
her you done talked with me, and I confirmed ever’ thing JR told
you. You plan on staying with her this evening?” Charlie inquired.
“She’s invited me, sir, if’n you don’t mind,” Hank said humbly.
“You know I don’t mind, as long as it’s all right with Ida. Lord
knows I wanna’ keep that woman happy,” the men shared a laugh,
“We’ll see ya’ll for breakfast in the morning, then. Come, we’ll
walk that way with you. I’m taking our new ramrod down to look at
the foreman’s house. I ain’t been in there in a several years. We
ain’t had us no foreman since old man Dobbs and his wife decided
to retire right after my daddy died. They moved in with their
family down Harlingen way. Ida keeps it clean and dusted once a
month, but I thought we’d take a look at it. Maybe Lazarus would
like to use it. After all, it comes with the foreman’s job.”
“Sounds like a fine idea to me, sir. Looking forward to working
with you tomorrow, sir,” Hank spoke to Lazarus.
“Won’t be much different from the way we been working, Hank,”
Lazarus chuckled, “Don’t expect no big changes. I’d like to speak
to the men in the morning after Mr. Goodnight, talks with them. I
wanna’ assure ‘em things will continue as normal, and I ain’t out
to make no radical changes. There will eventually be some changes,
but they won’t be nothing what’ll upset nobody.”
The men reached Ida’s cottage and said their goodbyes. JR held the
door for Hank as they strolled into the cottage hand in hand. JR
only dropped Hank’s hand to go to his mother to give her a quick
hug and a peck on the cheek. Ida Wallace could tell something
powerful happened between her men. Women are that way. They know
about their men. She could tell they’d been crying, but they had
the biggest damn smiles on their faces. They were laughing and
joking with each other like they always did, but she never saw
Hank and JR holding hands before. That really piqued her
curiosity, but Ida was satisfied they had a good time together.
Ida invited Hank and JR into the kitchen for some left over
chicken and other stuff from the big dinner. JR begged off saying
he ate so much at dinner he was still full. He asked if he could
be excused and go to his room to watch TV. Ida told him he could.
He hugged and kissed his mom goodnight. Then he went to Hank and
threw his arms around him to hug him. Hank blushed, but slowly put
his big cowboy arms around JR. JR gave him a gentle kiss on the
cheek. “Goodnight, Mr. Morgan. I meant ever’ damn word I said this
evening, Hank. If’n you need me, I’ll be in my room. I got chore'
back, Cowboy,” JR said firmly.
Hank went weak in his knees, but he managed to give JR a quick
peck on his cheek. “I meant ever’ word I said, too, Young Master,
and it’s good to know you got my back covered,” he smiled and
winked at JR. JR giggled and left the room. Hank sat down in one
of Ida’s kitchen chairs and looked at her with tears in his eyes.
“Thank you, Woman, for him. I could never do enough for you or
give you enough to show you how much you and him mean to me,” Hank
said. He put his head in his hands and began to sob; something he
never did in front of any woman let alone the woman he loved.
Ida went to him, held him, and comforted him. “There ain’t nothing
you could give me, Hank. There ain’t nothing we want from you but
yore’ love, Sweetheart. I think our little man is growing up,” she
allowed.
“He is Ida Mae. Ain't no doubt in my mind. He’s beginning to wake
up to things he’s jes’ accepted before. He knows something ain’t
quite kosher with his relationship with you, me, Master Charlie,
and Waco. He gimme’ a big hug and a kiss this evening and told me
he thought on me as his pa. He like ta’ ripped my old heart out,
Ida. He looks just like I did at his age. H’it ain’t gonna’ be
long before he puts two and two together,” Hank said.
“I know. I been noticing him watching you and trying to do
ever’thing jes’ like you do it. He’s even got chore’ walk down
pat. He looks like a little you when I see him walking across the
compound. I know I told you to let me tell him one day, but I
changed my mind about that, Hank. If and when he asks, I jes’
know, after tonight, it’s gonna’ be you he comes to for the truth.
It wouldn’t be right for you to lie to him. He might think you was
trying to deny him, and you two have grown too close for that. If
he asks, Hank, I want you to tell him the truth,” Ida Mae
insisted.
“Oh, God, I don’t know if’n I can, Ida Mae,” Hank said through his
tears.
“Of course you can, Hank Morgan. JR is your son. He's your flesh
and blood. Don’t matter to him none you’re a slave," Ida tried to
console the big cowboy.
“I know, he told me this evening he didn’t care. He was so loving
and sweet he had me in tears, Ida.”
“He’s coming to an age he’s gonna’ need his daddy more, and h’it
ain’t right we put it off on Mr. Goodnight. I know he’d do it
without giving it a thought. Master Charlie's been too darn good
us, Hank, to give him extra worries.”
“I agree, Hon. I think when he does discover I’m his pa, he’ll be
able to keep it quiet. I’ll jes’ impress on him the necessity of
playing a role to keep him from being enslaved. I’ll tell him how
wonderful a man Master Charlie is to have done what he done for
him and us. I don’t think he’ll have no problem. He don’t even
have to give up being Waco’s brother. I think Waco would have
some’um to say about that. He idolizes JR.”
“They been awful good to him, Hank. I noticed he ain’t had no
headache in almost a month. I was wrong, I apologize. You were
right to want him to try Ox’s milk. Still hard for me to think on
it, though.”
“He won’t have no more problems, Sweetheart. He was exposed to
some critters what healed him the rest of the way and removed
every blemish and wart from his body. I didn’t believe him at
first, but he showed me his hands and feet. Honey, he ain’t got a
mole or a wart on him no wheres. His skin is flawless. That big
wart what was on the back of his neck that give him so much
problems is gone.”
“What? How, Hank?”
Hank told Ida about his conversation with Charlie Goodnight and
his conversation with JR. Ida was stunned. She would shake her
head like she didn’t know if she believed it or not, but she knew
neither Hank or JR were prone to make up stories. Each was about
as down to Earth as you could get. JR inherited that quality from
his dad. “A spaceship, huh? Flew ‘em to Mars and Venus you say? I
know’d there was some’um different about that man. For all his
cowboy ways, Mr. Long is too intelligent and understanding a man
to be a drifter cowboy. He ain't hard, stoic, and cynical like
most cowboy drifters. I remember that big ship flying overhead the
evening of Waco’s birthday and later Mr. Long and them critters
come walking up. It all makes sense now. I don’t know’s I like the
idea of him giving JR that shot.”
“Do you think he’d hurt JR, Sweetheart? Besides, he gave all the
men with him the shot. Master Charlie said to tell you JR asked
him, and he gave his permission. We’re gonna’ be offered it as
well, Darlin.’ I’m gonna’ take it. If what Mr. Long says is true,
they can’t keep me as a slave for thousands of years. Even if I
have to work as a slave for another fifty years, it’d a’ be worth
it to know one day I could ask you, as a freeman, to be my wife,
Ida.”
“Oh, Hank, that would be wonderful. I’ll have to think on it some.
The idea of not growing older has a lot of appeal, especially to a
woman,” she smiled.
“According to JR, he ain’t gonna’ force nobody to take it. You’n
me, how many times we talked about spending eternity together in
the afterlife, Ida Mae? You know I’d walk by yore’ side for an
eternity, and that ain’t no cowboy bullshit, neither. What if we
had the possibility dropped in our laps in this life to spend a
thousand or more years together? Do you think you’d grow tired of
me, Woman?”
“God, Hank, I can’t git enough of you now. After a thousand years
we’d jes’ be warm’n up,” Ida said and giggled, “I spend all week
thinking about us being together on the weekend. To be able to lie
in the same bed with you, as my husband every night, would be
heaven itself, my love.”
“Would you really make me your love slave and make me run around
without no clothes on?” Hank chuckled.
“Bet chore’ sweet ass I would, Cowboy! You don’t know how close I
come to asking Master Charlie to play a joke on you and order you
to stay naked all weekend and be my love-slave,” Ida declared and
howled with laughter.
“I would a’ done it, too," Hank shot back, “I’d worship at yore’
feet, Woman.”
“Aww, Hank, I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, Ida Mae. You made me a man again and gimme’ the
greatest gift a woman could give a man. You gimme’ a fine son, who
I’m so proud of and love so much I could shout it to the heavens.
I git down on my knees ever’ damn day after work and thank the
good Lord for Master Charlie, you, and my boy. Now, I'm probably
gonna' have to add Ramrod Long's name to my list.”
* * * * * * *
The door to the foreman’s house wasn’t locked and Charlie held the
door for Lazarus to enter. There were three other houses in a row
next to Ida Mae’s cottage but the foreman’s house was the biggest
and at the end of the four. The men walked into the living area
and nothing was out of place. It was exactly as the former
occupants left it. The furniture was covered with old sheets and
Charlie took off a few to show Lazarus it was old but clean and
serviceable. He led Lazarus into the small kitchen and showed him
a pantry back of the kitchen. There was a hallway which led to the
back porch. Right behind the pantry on the porch was a washer and
dryer. They were covered, too. Charlie pulled the sheet from the
washer.
“These are brand new. I bought ‘em the year the Dobbs left. Ain’t
been used since.”
“Nice,” Lazarus commented.
Charlie took him back into the hallway and opened a door on the
other side that opened onto a large room with a full bath
attached. It was a maid or cook’s room. Lazarus was surprised the
house was completely furnished. There was a nice double bed,
dressers, and highboy, one overstuffed wing-back chair and an old
rocking chair. It had a huge braided rug on the floor.
“Everything’s immaculate,” Lazarus observed.
“It’s Ida Mae. She keeps it this way. I don’t think she spends
more’n one day a month in here, but when she does she make a full
day of it. I always pay her extra for it, though.”
The house was two stories and Charlie led Lazarus to the stairs,
but before he did, he opened another door under the staircase and
there was a huge area for storage. Directly across from the stairs
was another door. Charlie opened it and flipped a light switch. He
led Lazarus down into a basement the same area as the house. It
was huge.
“Wow!” exclaimed Lazarus, “Even the damn basement is clean. I
don’t know how that woman does it. It’s spotless.”
“Why do you think I do ever’ thing I can to keep her happy,
Brother?” Charlie laughed. It was the first time he’d ever called
Lazarus ‘brother’ but he like it.
“There’s still jars of preserves and food down here and what looks
like wine.”
“Yeah, the old man had some grape vines and made wine ever’ year.
No tell’n how old some of them bottles is.”
“I’ll bet he labeled each bottle with the date.” Lazarus picked
out one and sure enough, it had a handwritten label showing the
date of bottling. It was ten years old. “This one’s just
coming into bloom. Jes’ ripe for pick’n,” Lazarus chuckled, “this
is fantastic!” he exclaimed again.
“H’it gits better,” Charlie laughed.
They left the basement and climbed the stairs. There was a long
hallway, and to the right was the master bedroom with a full bath.
The bedroom was a big room, took up half the upstairs area and was
on the front of the house. Once again it was spotless and the huge
four poster bed was a beautiful antique to behold.
“They just walked off and left all this?” Lazarus asked.
“E'aup! They didn't take nothing but their clothes and personal
knick-knacks. Dad helped them buy most of the furniture for the
house, and it was their way of thanking him and me for their stay.
It weren’t no agreed upon thing; they just chose to do it.
Besides, I don’t think their kids wanted any of it. They got their
own stuff.”
“It sure is comfortable look’n, Boss. It looks like a country home
should look,” Lazarus said almost like the 'amen' of a sacred
prayer.
“I thought you might like it.”
"Like it? How can you not fall in love with a house so inviting,"
Lazarus replied.
Charlie showed him the other three upstairs bedrooms. The bedroom
next to the master bedroom didn’t have a bath. It was obviously
meant to share the enormous bath at the end of the hall. The big
bath had three doors. One entry from the hall and two on each side
entered into the larger bedrooms on either side. Each room had a
private entrance off the hall as well. The two end rooms were
obviously meant for siblings who would share the bath. The final
thing Charlie had to show him blew Lazarus away. There was another
stairs between the master bedroom and the smaller guest bedroom
which went to a huge attic. Like the rest of the house everything
was in perfect order and it, too, was spotless. There was all
sorts of furniture and old trunks with mysteries from a different
age calling out to be rummaged through to discover their hidden
secrets.
“Unbelievable!” exclaimed Lazarus in a hushed voice.
“E’aup, I’ve always been kind a’ fond of this old house myself,”
Charlie confessed, “It sort of has a comfortable, lived-in kinda
feel about it; like it was made for family and wraps its love
around you like a pair of big arms to welcome you home."
“I agree, Boss, it's amazing," Lazarus allowed.
“You interested, Ramrod?” Charlie asked as they walked back down
the stairs.
“Very much, but let’s take things one step at a time. I don’t
wanna’ overburden Ms. Wallace. I don’t want her think’n she’s
gotta’ clean my quarters as well as take care of yore’ house, you,
Waco, JR, her own house, and all her other responsibilities. For
right now, I’m comfortable in my little bedroom off the kitchen.
Would you mind if I bought me a slave for a houseboy?”
“Not at all, but I thought you was pretty much anti-slavery?”
Charlie said.
“No, I ain’t. At least not the way you and yore’ brother treat
your slaves. The problem with slavery is the mean spirited and
senseless brutality what can easily arise from such a system,
where one man has unchecked or unchallenged power over other human
beings. I don’t care how the Theo-cons legislate slaves to be
considered livestock or non-human, the bare-ass truth of the
matter is, they’s still human. You can’t legislate a dog into a
cat no more’n you can a human into livestock. I'm sure you know
masters what take their absolute power of their slaves to the
extreme, Boss; to the point of criminal abuse and sometimes abject
neglect.”
“Unfortunately, I do, Ramrod,” Charlie lamented, "and the largest
percentage of them is them radical Fundigelical bastards," he
added.
“What I want is a young boy, about chore’ boy’s age, what is
intelligent, will fit in here, can be easily trained and will work
hard to keep me happy. I ain’t interested in sex from a young’un.
I ain’t no pederast," Lazarus said with conviction.
“Could I volunteer for the job, Ramrod?" Charlie looked Lazarus in
the eye and grinned.
“Ah, Hell, Boss, you already done got a good position with me. We
jes’ gotta’ be careful we don’t git no Jesus-patrol freaks stick’n
their noses into our bedrooms,” Lazarus said softly like they
might be overheard as they walked away from the house. “I’ll check
out all the houses in the morning for bugs, but I’ll check yore’s
out tonight. Anyway,” Lazarus continued, “it’s just a matter of
time. We’ll put the word out with your brother, his foreman,
Cotton, and Hoot, and we can tell Mr. Gibbons tomorrow evening. We
can even alert the Sheriff and Mr. Tennent.”
“That’s a good idea. You know, if’n we travel over to Ranger’s
tomorrow, we’re gonna’ have to take the family posse with us,”
Charlie stated as fact.
“I expect to. I think Mr. Gibbons needs some cheering up and
Travis needs to visit his folks in their home. They also have
something important to tell him,” Lazarus said.
“Do you know what it is?” Charlie asked.
“I didn’t at first, but ma’ boy and Waco put me on to it the
Fourth of July, and shore’ ‘nuff there’s an extra heartbeat in
Elsie’s body.”
“Oh, my God, how wonderful. Ranger asked me what I thought about
allowing Bobby and Elsie to have another kid. I told him to go for
it. Travis seemed to bring so much happiness to everyone over
there. Mary Gibbons loves Travis like her own son. Well, damn, I’m
glad he decided to do it. Bobby and Elsie didn’t wanna’ raise
another child as a slave. Ranger done promised them this child
would be raised free. I hope it’s a little girl. I know Elsie
wants a little girl so bad. Speaking of children, Father Long,
what about your two servants on the ship? Do they have enough to
do or could you set up a portal and have them take care of the
house for you until you find a slave?” Charlie asked.
“You wouldn’t mind?” Lazarus asked.
“Of course not. When the house is shut up, no one can see what’s
going on inside no ways. Besides, I might get to look at them
occasionally,” Charlie smiled, “ Could the electronics be easily
detected?" he asked.
“Naw, sir, it works on an entirely different scientific principle
them suits ain’t got no concept about. It works on harmonics, and
they ain’t looking for no music. Lemme’ think on it. For a while,
or until I git settled in ma’ new job, I got enough on my plate,"
Lazarus mused.
“I agree. I guess I jes’ wanna’ see my ramrod happy and
comfortable.”
“‘At ain’t nothing to be ashamed of, Boss. It’s what makes you the
man you are. Besides, staying in the big house for a while makes
it all the more easy for me to help my boss scratch his itch.”
“Sounds good to me, Ramrod,” Charlie smiled.
* * * * * * *
Lazarus checked the big house that night and found electronic bugs
in every major room including the bedrooms and baths. He even
found a sub-miniature video camera with sound chip in the kitchen
where the men ate breakfast most of the time. He disabled
everyone. There was nothing the suits could do about it if their
electronic plants malfunctioned. Ida Mae asked him if he would
check her cottage, but he only found one in the living area.
Charlie and the boys went with him and couldn’t believe the places
they found bugs. Lazarus put a sign on each phone to remind
whoever was using it, their conversation was probably being
monitored.
The next morning at breakfast, Lazarus once again warned the men
about guarding what they say and then speak in soft tones. If they
wanted to talk about something sensitive, turn on a radio or TV
loud enough it could drown out their whispered conversation.
Either that, or in the boy’s case, use their minds to communicate.
They agreed they were sufficiently shocked by what they found.
After breakfast the men found several bugs in each barn and tack
room. They even found a couple in the slave quarters though the
suits claimed they didn’t believe a word a slave said. Lazarus
checked the RV but found nothing there. He then checked all three
of the extra houses and found several in each house including the
foreman’s house. Fortunately, he and Charlie didn’t say anything
incriminating. Lazarus told Charlie he’d make another sweep after
work that evening to make sure. He would take Ping and Pong with
him. They could sniff out any device that shouldn’t be there.
Before work, Charlie formally announced to the slaves Lazarus was
their new foreman. They knew it already, but it was a matter of
formality. They cheered and applauded for Lazarus. He spoke to
them next. Lazarus’ speech was short and to the point. He told
them pretty much what he told Hank. Things were going to continue
about the same and any changes would be made slowly and over a
period of time. He did, however, want his men to come to their
crew leaders if they had a problem, and they would come to him. He
expected them to follow protocol. The first day went smoothly
enough. The slaves were astounded when Lazarus worked right by
their sides, and at the end of the day, he was as dirty as they
were.
They were even more taken aback when he still ate his lunch of
slave chow and a biscuit with them. They thought that was pretty
neat. It said to them he wasn’t going to get all high and mighty
with them and become aloof. They had the opportunity to express
their opinions and ideas with him. Once in a while someone would
say something about work, and he would tell them they must take
that up with their crew leader. He made a separation of being one
of them and being their ramrod. They knew to show him the proper
respect his new position was due and called him Mr. Long, Ramrod,
or Foreman. He wouldn’t let them call him 'Boss,' because he
explained to them Mr. Goodnight was the Boss. They respected him
for that.
They couldn’t have been happier with him, and at the end of the
year, Charlie’s profit margin was fifty percent higher than in
past years. He could only attribute it to Lazarus’ leadership and
work ethic. He couldn’t have been more pleased with his decision
to make Lazarus his foreman and felt it was money well spent. It
also gave him more time for other things and to be with Waco and
his slaves. Charlie enjoyed the boys and Rabbit became a regular
bunk partner for him, but Charlie was as adamant as his brother,
he wouldn’t do anything with the chief until he was a little
older. Angus and Charlie agreed to set a date, the chief’s
sixteenth birthday. Chief was getting all he wanted and could
handle from his young master. He only had to say the word and Waco
was only too happy to plow his lower forty for him. Waco learned
to divide his time equally among his slaves. Once in a while, he
had to be alone with his Lummox and give him his undivided
attention. Those were the times Waco could relax and enjoy himself
to the max. His beast took good care of his young master.
* * * * * * *
The work day was over around noon in the summers, due to tropical
hours. The men were up several hours before the sun came up and
put in a full eight hours by the time the sun was highest and
hottest in the sky. Lazarus cleaned up and later, in the cool of
the evening, joined Charlie, Waco and his posse, including JR, in
the barn. They decided to go on horseback to the Gibbon ranch
rather than drive over. By truck it was a twenty minute trip, but
on horseback it was about an hour. Ox walked along side his young
master in his new outfit. His high boots offered him much needed
protection from the choya cactus. Choya has hooks, almost like
fish hooks, that embed themselves into the skin and can only be
removed with a pair of pliers; however, many times the hook will
break off in the skin and have to be dug out with a small
penknife. They called ahead and Ranger Gibbons, his slave-foreman
and his wife were expecting them.
They arrived about six in the evening. There was much rejoicing,
hugs, and kisses. Mary, Ranger’s wife, was quite ill and couldn’t
have many visitors, but after Charlie explained why they were
there Ranger consented to let several folks into the room. He
wanted Elsie to be with her, because she had a calming effect on
Mary. Ranger told Mary about Ox, but he didn’t know how she might
react to him. He also allowed Charlie and Lazarus into the room.
The men paid their respects and Charlie introduced his new ranch
foreman to her, Mr. Lazarus Long. Mary could see the Lummox
standing behind the men with the most gentle golden eyes with
red-orange flecks in them. He was looking at her with great
sympathy. She wasn’t the least afraid of him. She held out her
hand to him. Ox slowly moved next to the bed, leaned over, and
took her smaller hand in his.
“So you’re the giant I’ve heard so much about,” she said softly
and smiled.
Ox smiled at her, but continued to hold her hand. He almost got
tears in his eyes, but choked them back. He could feel everything
in her frail body and knew it was almost hopeless. He was in
contact with the Kryscellians, and the big monster was feeding
them the information they needed to make a decision whether she
could be saved or not. “He don’t speak, Mary,” Charlie told her.
“Yes, he does, you just can’t hear him. I hear him loud and clear.
He has a good heart, and he knows how I’m feeling. He’s in contact
with some life forms I’m unfamiliar with. They aren’t from our
planet. Neither, is he,” she smiled at Ox, he returned her smile,
and nodded. He carefully dropped her hand, bowed to her, and moved
away. The men excused themselves and wished her well. Charlie
promised to get over more often to visit.
“What’s all this about aliens and Ox not being from our planet?”
Ranger asked when the men were out of the room.
“It’s a long story, Brother, we’ll tell you about later, but for
now, what does Ox say, Ramrod?” Charlie asked. Ranger smiled when
he heard Charlie call Lazarus ‘ramrod.’
“He says she’s eaten up with cancer and no amount of chemotherapy
or drugs are going to help her, not even a bone marrow transplant.
The Kryscells tell us they could only postpone the inevitable for
possibly three to four years, more or less, but she will finally
be overwhelmed with the disease again and succumb rapidly to it.
With their help, her illness will appear to doctors and you like
her cancer has gone into complete remission, but it won’t be
total. It has damaged her bone marrow to such an extent it will
continue to remain dormant until her immune system can’t support
her any more. Then, she will have to go through the suffering and
loss of strength a second time, but she will go more quickly,”
Lazarus told Charlie and Ranger. Ranger looked devastated.
Everyone felt bad for him.
“Now for the alien part, Brother,” said Charlie gently, “my
ramrod, here, invited us men to the desert to camp out for the
night after the Fourth of July party at my brothers. He, also,
invited my big brother, his ramrod, and my youngest brother, his
slave. We didn’t know we were being taken to his spaceship, the
one we saw fly over on Waco’s birthday. It’s currently resting
inside them blue granite mountains in the Northern portion of my
property. He took us for a short trip through our solar system. We
orbited Mars and Venus, returned and spent the night on board.
Turns out, my son’s slave, our fine looking Lummox, is Captain
Long’s Godson. Ox has his own personal stateroom on board Captain
Long’s ship, the Bandersnatch, and in his room he keeps silicon
crystal life forms called Kryscells. Ox was in communication with
them as he examined Mary a minute ago. They have remarkable
healing capabilities to repair carbon based life forms like us.
There’s a possibility they could bring them here to expose Mary to
them or perhaps it would be better to take her to them through a
portal Captain Long could open in Mary’s bedroom. You could go
with her, of course. We all would. It is possible they might be
able to prolong her life for a few years, but of course, the final
decision is up to you and Mary.”
“What is Mr. Long doing here on Earth?” Ranger asked.
“It’s all good, but would you trust your brother to answer your
questions as we go? You and Mary have to make a decision. Lazarus
tells me he can have a gurney here instantly to transport Mary to
his sickbay. It should be little or no trauma for her," Charlie
said.
Bobby Jessup was listening to all this with his mouth open. He
dropped his arm around his boy and looked down at Travis as if to
ask if he was with them. Travis smiled and nodded his head. He
raised his shirt to show his dad his flawless skin. There was no
blemishes of any kind, and being a ranch kid, he had his problems
with warts. Bobby was stunned. Waco, JR, and Rabbit raised their
shirts to show the men their bodies were also free of any
blemishes.
“How can he take her to his ship from our bedroom?” Ranger asked.
“Magic, Brother, trust me. I’ll explain later, Ranger. It’s all
very Star-Gate, advanced technology. Go in and talk with Mary.
Tell her what we said and give her a choice.”
Ranger Gibbons just shook his handsome cowboy head, looked
worried, but he knew his brother wouldn’t lie to him or put him
on, especially about something as critical as his Mary’s health.
He turned and walked into the bedroom. Elsie was sitting holding
Mary’s hand. “Mary, Darlin,’ them men got the most outrageous
proposition for us to make a decision about. The life forms you
spoke about are on a spaceship what belongs to Captain Long.
According to them they have the power to heal some illness we
have, but as you probably know, they examined you through the
giant Lummox. They said the cancer was too much with you to cure
you completely. They think they can give you three or four more
years, but eventually you will relapse as your immune system
weakens and you will go more quickly. Depending on our
decision, they can take you to them immediately through a portal
Captain Long will set up in our bedroom.”
“I know about them, Sweetheart. I was just telling Elsie I’m not
crazy. I heard the giant beast talking with them. I heard what
they said. They didn’t try to hide or whitewash anything. I trust
Ox, and I trust them. They say the cancer will go into remission
for several years but return with a vengeance. If it means I’ll
have several more good years with you, Ranger, I want them. My
only regret about leaving this world is, I love you so much I
can’t bear the thought of you being alone. Do you want me to hang
around, Sweetheart?”
“Oh, God, Mary, you know I do, with all my heart. I’d give them
anything they asked of me just to have you with me a couple more
years. I would if they only gave me six months, Darlin,’” Ranger
started sobbing and held Mary’s hand tight.
“Tell them we’d like to try, Sweetheart. Whatever they can do for
me is more hope than the doctors give us. Elsie, will you go with
me?” she asked.
“Of course, Mrs. Gibbons, you know I will.”
Ranger leaned over and kissed Mary on her sunken cheek then left
the room. “She wants to do it,” he said when he returned to the
men.
“Good! Three or four years is better than losing her right now,”
said Lazarus, patting Ranger on the back. Okay, I need to contact
my ship and open a portal directly to my boy’s stateroom,” Lazarus
said as he pulled a tiny box out of his shirt pocket and spoke
into it, “Cable? Son, send me the coordinates for Garron’s
stateroom. Forgive yore’ old man, I’ve forgotten them. I need to
open a portal. We’re bringing a sick woman to see the Krycellians.
Get David and Jonathan to accompany you and bring an anti-grav
gurney as soon as I open the portal. The men heard a reply like
someone was in the room with them.
“Right away, Father. I’ve sent the coordinates. They're in your
remote. David and Jonathan are with me. We’ll be in Garron’s
stateroom when you open the portal. We have no clothes, Father.”
“Don’t worry about clothes, time is of the essence. Thanks, Son,”
Lazarus responded.
“Your son, Captain Long?” Ranger Gibbons asked. Charlie chuckled.
“You might say so, Mr. Gibbons. Prepare yourselves, Gentlemen,
they will be nude. When we don’t have guests, my son’s are always
naked.”
“No problem. Mary and I are used to naked slaves,” Ranger replied.
“We’ll that’s good, but these men ain’t no slaves. It would be
hard to classify them. I’ll let your brother do that for you,”
Lazarus winked at Charlie, laughed, and the boys laughed with him.
Bobby Jessup didn’t have a clue. “Now, if you’ll show me into the
room.”
Ranger motioned for Lazarus to walk into the bedroom. Lazarus went
to the far wall of the room, far enough away from any major
furniture in the room for maneuvering a gurney. He took a small
button out of his pocket which looked like the butt end of a rifle
cartridge and pressed it into the floor. There was a small ‘whump’
sound that vibrated the floor and rattled bottles on Mary’s
dresser. He pressed a button on his remote and a door sprang up.
It had a bluish tint to its surface, but you couldn’t see through
to the other side. The men gasped including Charlie and the boys.
It was like magic to them. Mary smiled knowingly.
“Stand back, Gentlemen. Boys, you and Ox wait outside for a
minute. I’ll come get you to go with us when we’re ready,” Lazarus
instructed them.
He no sooner got that out when a naked Cable came through the
portal pulling a gurney with no wheels. It simply floated in the
air about waist high. He was followed by two more naked men, David
and Jonathan.
Everyone gasped again at the sight of the men. “My, God, these men
are your sons, Captain Long?” Ranger Gibbons asked.
“Indeed, they are, Mr. Gibbons,” Lazarus replied. Cable, David,
and Jonathan smiled to be called Lazarus’ sons.
“Amazing! They’re so perfect. They’re the most handsome men I ever
seen. They look like what I would imagine angels to look like!”
Ranger exclaimed.
“Why, thank you, Master Gibbons," Cable said for the three men.
"Thanks a lot, Cowboy. Angels, indeed. Now, I ain’t gonna’ be able
to live with ‘em for several months,” Lazarus laughed and slapped
Ranger on his back. Lazarus had the men leave the room while his
bi-odroids got Mary onto the gurney. They covered her with a
couple of lightweight blankets and were ready to go.
“Mrs. Jessup, will you come with us? She will need an attendant to
remove her clothing so the rays from the Kryscells will do the
most good.”
“Yes, sir, Captain Long, I’m ready,” Elsie answered.
“Mr. Goodnight, please get the men. I think we’re ready to go,”
Lazarus said. Charlie hollered out the door. Cable and his men
were already going through the portal as the men returned to the
room. Lazarus motioned for Elsie Jessup to follow the gurney and
she did. He motioned for Ranger and Bobby to follow next. The boys
were veterans by now and followed their Lummox through without
fear. Lazarus bowed slightly and motioned for his boss to pass
through. “Thanks, Ramrod,” Charlie said quietly with sincerity.
“You’re welcome, Boss,” Lazarus said, followed him through, and
closed the portal. They were in Ox’s stateroom. Cable and David
moved Mary over to the glass where the Kryscells were and adjusted
the gurney's height to be level with the bottom of the case.
“Us men will leave you now, Mrs. Gibbons. Mrs. Jessup, remove her
clothing and let her lie flat on her back on the gurney,” Lazarus
told Elsie.
“Can my husband stay with me, Captain?” Mary asked Lazarus
quietly.
“Sure, won’t hurt him none, Mrs. Gibbons. They won’t hurt you
either, Mrs. Jessup, but they’re going to ask you to remove your
clothes, too. You can leave your underwear on if you wish. Just
let them have maximum exposure to your skin,” Lazarus explained.
The men left though another portal and found themselves in the
galley. Cable, David, and Jonathan had treats and coffee for the
grownups and fruit juice for the boys. Bobby Jessup didn’t let go
of Travis’ hand for a minute. He was fascinated by what he was
seeing. He couldn’t take his eyes off Cable, David, or Jonathan.
The boys were pretty taken with them, too. Charlie still couldn’t
believe how beautiful they were in every detail. He had to give it
to his new ramrod; the man had good taste in men, and he tasted
pretty good himself.
“Daddy...” Travis spoke quietly to Bobby, “Cable, David, and
Jonathan are, for lack of a better term, bio-droids. They are
bio-mechanical men Captain Long contracted to be created by an
advanced race of people, but they are so much more than simply an
artificial creation. They are sentient beings. Like us, they have
intelligence, and they reason. They have feelings and emotions
like we do. They know what it is to hurt, and they know the
meaning of love. They live and work for Captain Long because, in a
greater sense he is their father, and they are his sons. He loves
them and they love him. That’s why it was difficult for Captain
Long to explain his relationship with them,” Travis told his dad.
“You mean they’s robots?” Bobby asked softly like he didn’t want
to insult the beautiful men serving them.
“No, Dad, the ranch truck is a robot. You get in it and tell it
what to do. It has no intelligence of its own. It will never
decide it’s hungry and drive itself to a gas station for a fill
up,” the men smiled at Travis’ simple but accurate explanation to
his dad, “You may be fond of it, but h’it ain’t never gonna’ beep
its horn to tell you it loves you in return,” Travis smiled.
“I understand, Son. I’m afraid yore’ old man’s just an uneducated
hick slave. I didn’t mean no disrespect to the men. I admire them
too much,” Bobby replied.
Cable leaned over and spoke directly to Bobby Jessup, “No
disrespect taken, Mr. Jessup, we’re happy you find us pleasing to
look upon and to have raised such a fine, intelligent, and
compassionate young man as your boy, Travis, you couldn’t be a
hick, sir,” Cable told him.
Bobby blushed.
“You ain’t uneducated neither, Dad. You taught me so much I
couldn’t a’ learned no wheres else. I’m proud of my old man. These
men are the product of an advanced technology we ain’t got much
concept about. Believe me, we’re just as baffled and amazed by
them as you are. They are incredibly handsome men, and any man
would be proud to call them his sons,” Travis concluded. Waco and
the boys agreed with Travis.
* * * * * * *
The Kryscellians began to glow and radiate their light. Ranger and
Elsie stood behind the gurney and clearly heard the Kryscells in
their mind invite them to remove their garments. Ranger looked at
Elsie, and she shrugged her shoulders, “Well, I am ya’ll’s slave,
Master Gibbons. You and Mistress Mary’s seen me naked many times.
Let’s go for it. If there’s anything wrong with me having this
pregnancy so late maybe they can correct it,” Elsie said.
“You got a good point, Elsie. Is it all right with you, Honey?”
Ranger politely asked Mary.
“It’s fine, Dear, we're family here,” she smiled at him.
“Okay, let’s do it, Elsie.” They quickly removed their clothing
and stood close to the Gurney. Somehow, it just seemed right to
the three of them. There was no reason Mary should be naked or be
embarrassed by herself. They felt it was the right thing to do.
The rays from the Kryscellians got stronger and stronger
penetrating every inch of their bodies. It was beginning to feel
wonderful. Mary was holding on to Ranger’s hand and squeezing it
gently from the ecstasy she was feeling from the penetrating rays.
Each light spectrum seemed to be doing something different. The
blue crystal seemed to be the most healing and comforting of all.
He seemed to be uniting and directing the others.
“Do you hear that?” Mary asked.
“I do, Mistress,” Elsie smiled at her, “They’re singing to us.”
“My, God, I hear them, too. I just thought it was my imagination.
This is too fantastic to be believed. They're such beautiful
creatures. They’re filled with love,” Ranger said with tears in
his eyes.
After being exposed to the warm, healing rays of the Kryscellians
for over an hour, they began to subside until the lights in the
cabin came up again. Ranger and Elsie rushed to put on their
clothes. Ox notified Lazarus the Kryscells told him they were
finished, and the men could return. They returned to Ox’s
stateroom and found Mary fully dressed in her nightgown covered in
the light blankets Cable provided for her.
“How’s she doing?” Lazarus asked.
“She seems fine. Probably a bit tired,” Ranger replied.
“I’m fine, Captain Long,” Mary held out her hand for Lazarus to
take, “This has been a wonderful experience. I’m glad to have the
chance to meet the Kryscellians. They are wonderful creatures and
very beautiful. Thanks for sharing them with me. I already feel
stronger,” she allowed.
“That’s what we're hoping for, Mrs. Gibbons, and you’re very
welcome,” Lazarus replied graciously.
“Please, call me ‘Mary,’ Captain Long.”
“Thank you, Mary, it would be an honor, ma’am,” Lazarus gently
squeezed her small hand and released it.
He pressed the button on his remote, the portal opened again and
he told Cable, David, and Jonathan to take Mary Gibbons back to
her bedroom. The men followed them through in the same order they
arrived. After the biodroids helped Mrs. Gibbons back into her bed
Lazarus thanked them. Ranger was a bit more demonstrative and had
to hug and kiss each one. It didn’t make any difference to him
they were naked. The three biodroids popped a boner at Ranger’s
display of unbridled emotion. “We were just doing our father’s
bidding, Master Gibbons. Glad to be of service, sir,” Cable
assured him.
Bobby Jessup shook their hands and Elsie kissed each one on his
cheek. They left through the portal pushing the anti-grav gurney
before them. Lazarus clicked a button on his remote and the portal
was gone. He reached down and picked up the small metal button and
put it back in his pocket. It was his turn to receive Ranger’s
thanks and affections. Lazarus assured him it was his brother who
suggested it to him. Ranger had a big hug and a little more than
brotherly kiss for his neighbor. The big cowboy was in tears
Charlie loved him enough to think of him in such a giving way. He
would always be in Charlie’s debt. The men said their goodbyes to
Mary. She was exhausted from her ordeal and wanted to sleep. She
dismissed Elsie and thanked her graciously for her concerned help.
They left her alone to see the men off.
Bobby Jessup didn’t want to get very far away from Travis, and
Travis was eating up his dad’s attention. “Son, your mother and I
got something to tell you,” he said quietly.
“I already know about it, Dad. Ox knew the Fourth of July there
was another heartbeat inside ma. I’m so happy for you and ma. I’m
gonna’ have me a baby brother,” Travis said.
“We's kinda hoping for a little girl, Son,” his mother said.
Everyone laughed. “Ox can tell what gender the baby is?” Elsie
asked.
“Yes, ma’am, Ma. Like I say, I’m gonna’ have me a little brother.
Oh, and by the way, Master Waco and I are bringing you some
special milk every week to drink. You must drink it all and not
share it with dad. Well, you can let him have a glass or two, but
mostly it’s for you. It will help you through your pregnancy and
the baby won’t have no problems.”
“You certainly have grown in the last couple of months, Travis.
You’re growing up way too fast, Son,” Bobby Jessup said, “We love
you, Boy.”
“I love you, too. We better be git’n on back to the Goodnight
Ranch,” Travis replied.
Ranger and Bobby followed them to the barn to get their horses.
Lazarus turned to Ranger. “You mind if I leave a portal marker
here in yore’ barn, Mr. Gibbons? ‘At way we can be here in minutes
if there’s an emergency.”
“Really? That would be great, Captain Long,” Ranger said.
“I’m only 'captain' on my ship, Mr. Gibbons. Away from my ship I’m
the Ramrod or Foreman of the Goodnight Ranch,” Lazarus reminded
him.
“I understand, sir,” Ranger agreed.
Lazarus put another brass button down into the ground next to one
of the end stalls away from the main entry. As he pressed it into
the dirt, it made the same ‘whump’ sound and the ground shook
under the men's feet.
“Will it get lost or swept up when we clean the barn, sir?” Bobby
asked.
“You couldn’t get that thing up with a bulldozer without my remote
tool, Son. It’s embedded in bedrock hundreds of feet beneath us.
H’it ain’t go’n no wheres.” Lazarus smiled at Bobby Jessup.
“Lemme' guess. Now, we can jes’ walk the ponies through to our
barn,” Charlie said and grinned.
“I done told ju’ you’s a smart man, Boss,” Lazarus laughed with
Charlie, “However, it’s such a beautiful evening, I think we
deserve to take the time for a leisurely ride back through the
desert in the moonlight. I know the boys are up for it, and ma’
big boy could use the exercise running along 'side his young
master's pony."
“I agree, Ramrod,” Charlie smiled at Lazarus’ romantic notion.
"'Sides, I ain't installed one in your barn yet, Boss," Lazarus
grinned.
The men said their goodbyes and left Ranger, Elsie, and Bobby
waving as they departed. Bobby filled in Ranger and Elsie on the
parts they missed he learned about when the men were waiting for
the Kryscells to complete their work. After experiencing what they
just did, it was easier for them to accept; however, Ranger
refused to believe the handsome naked men were droids.
* * * * * * *
The men were mostly quiet returning to the ranch. There wasn’t
much to say. They felt good they were able to help someone they
loved and cherished. Charlie and Lazarus lagged behind the other
men and talked quietly. “You know why Mary was so willing to try
something unknown, don’t chu’?” Lazarus asked Charlie.
“Hell, I would if’n I knew the doctors give up on me, I was
looking death in the face, and there was even a slim chance I
could have a few more years with somebody I loved. I would’ve
given anything to have a few more years with my wife,” Charlie
said sadly.
“I’m sorry for your loss, Mr. Goodnight. Mary has in mind giving
Ranger the son he thought he would never have with her,” Lazarus
said quietly.
“But how, Ramrod? Wouldn’t that take a lot out of her? Would the
child be born with cancer or a genetic propensity for it?” Charlie
asked.
“Damn, you really are smart, Boss. I would’ve never thought of the
genetic thing, but it ain’t so far from a possibility. The fetus
acts like an invading parasite. It takes over the functions of the
host body like few parasites do. It makes a woman’s body produce
what it needs to survive, and yes, it can be very hard on a woman
and her immune system. It all but cancels out her immune system so
it won’t see it as an invading organism and reject it. If she
tries it, I doubt she’ll live very long after she gives birth. She
might even die in the final trimester, or giving birth might be
too much for her. Either way, she’ll be cutting off the possibly
of perhaps two more years she could spend with Ranger, but the
urge to procreate is sometimes stronger than the urge to survive.”
“But what about the baby, Lazarus?” Charlie asked.
“With Ox’s milk and another visit to the Kryscellians, they can
insure the child’s safety. If she can keep it through part of the
final trimester, we can keep the child alive without her. We have
some advanced techniques on board the Bandersnatch your doctors
can only dream about.”
“Oh, Lord, do you really think that’s what she has in mind?”
Charlie asked.
“Ain't no doubt about it, Boss,” Lazarus said.
* * * * * * *
Mary sprang back to health in no time. The doctors couldn’t
believe the miraculous change in her condition. They could find no
trace of the cancer. It seemed to have gone into total remission
almost overnight. They were dumbfounded. Only Mary and her family
knew the truth. Mary was not one to sit around and worry about
details or the future. She was given a second chance. She was
going to make the most of what time she had left with her beloved
husband, her high school sweet heart, the captain of the football
team, the only man she ever loved. Mary had big plans. After only
six weeks of ever increasing strength and well being, Mary was
pregnant with Ranger Gibbon’s son.
* * * * * * *
Charlie and his ramrod put out the word in the community Lazarus
was looking to buy a young slave for a houseboy. Lazarus was
flattered a couple of the younger cowboy slaves offered to take
care of his house for him on their off hours. He couldn’t help
wonder if there was more than generosity in their motive. He often
looked upon them as attractive and stimulating, but he graciously
declined and told them he wasn’t moving into the big house until
he could make sure it could be taken care of properly.
Ida Mae volunteered to take care of it for him, but Lazarus saw
what she was responsible for and wouldn’t consider it, even if he
paid her good money. Lazarus decided for her, she needed her time
with her family more than she needed the money. After all, life
shouldn’t be lived for the quantity you can accumulate, but for
the quality of your life. What does it mean to gain the fortunes
of the world only to die a lonely old man or woman. It is a far
greater gain to be honest and love your neighbor than to cheat him
out of a grain of wheat.
* * * * * * *
Sheriff Don Lassiter, whose boy Ox and Waco saved from the
Thunderbird, was a wise man. He was a free thinker, but he also
knew his political base was the extreme religious-right who
elected him. He knew all the words, cited scripture and verse to
their delight, but underneath his participation in the ridiculous
dog and pony show organized religion became, his heart longed for
something more simple, something that didn’t require him to feel
like a hypocrite. The truth was, he hated all the unbending, rigid
dogma and ignorant beliefs of the common folk. The Sheriff didn't
think he was more intelligent or felt himself or his family better
than them – well, maybe just a little better – he felt some of
their beliefs and practices were just short of pagan or even
barbaric. Therefore, he tried to conduct himself as a man of
understanding and mercy rather than one misguided by rigid
evangelical beliefs.
Being Sheriff, he could get away with a lot with no fear of being
put under the watchful scrutiny of the Jesus Patrol, sometimes
known as the Righteous Rangers. They were a local Neo-nazi S.S.
type organization who were like bulldogs sniffing out and exposing
those they believed were nonbelievers or heathens in the name of
God and Jesus, only to garner encouragement and promote
endorsement for their nefarious purposes. They mostly left Sheriff
Lassiter alone. They tried one time to topple him from his
position as Sheriff of the county only to find themselves on the
opposite end of the nefarious stick. Sheriff Lassiter could be
ruthless when his world (i.e., his livelihood and consequently his
family) was threatened. The Jesus Patrol members who tried to do
him in found themselves facing charges of treason, distortion,
character assassination, and terrorism. The five of them were
actually glad to have gotten off with the sentence of lifetime
slavery, and only got that because of a last minute plea from the
Sheriff himself for mercy. They were looking at the death penalty.
Lassiter had eyes and ears in all parts of the county. Good folks
who had little or nothing to do with his fundamentalist political
base. He was kept in power by the fundies and kept safe from their
insanity by the good and reasonable folks in the community who
were more rational and liberal thinking. To say he was
Machiavellian wasn’t quite fair to the Sheriff. He was far more
concerned to do good where he could and protect good people no
matter their religious beliefs. He fought a constant battle
against the extreme right trying to decide for him how he should
do his job. Naturally, like all extremists, they wanted him to
throw the book at their enemies and overlook their glaring crimes.
Sheriff Lassiter became an expert at walking a tightrope. By far,
his favorite folks were the ranchers and farmers. He was of their
stock, and they responded to him in kind. They helped him out of
more tough spots than all the extreme right put together. They
offered him encouragement and gave him emotional succor when he
didn’t think he could take another day of the Jesus freaks. They
were unrelenting. The Jesus Patrol made the early settlers of
Salem, Mass., look like flaming liberals.
A strange cultural phenomenon occurred shortly after His Holiness
G. W. Bush was crowned Supreme Deacon of the newly formed United
Theocratic Republic of America. (Even though they accepted Howdy
Doody Bush as their supreme leader, that wasn't good enough for
the extreme religious right wing of Texas. They unsuccessfully
tried to secede from the union and form the Independent Republic
of Jesusland.) Farmers and ranchers in rural areas began to
secretly withdraw their support from the right wing loonies. It
suddenly came crashing down on them; they bet on the wrong pony
and lost.
Before Reagan they always were middle of the road Democrats until
the Republican party came along with their sound bites and endless
prayer meetings. Now they saw their country was no longer the
strongly democratic nation it once was and was now a despotic
theocracy ruled by a little man who had lots of power but very few
brains. Unbeknown to them, it had been planned and carefully
executed since John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Kennedy’s death
was the beginning of the end of the great country formally known
as the United States of America.
The Sheriff got word Charlie Goodnight's new foreman was looking
for a young slave-boy for a housekeeper and personal body slave.
He met Lazarus on several occasions at the Goodnight ranches and
was impressed with his cowboying at their small town rodeo. He
liked the man. Don had a young boy in his custody for whom he was
trying to find a home. He was the youngest of six brothers who
lived with their widowed father on one of the largest farms in the
county. For its size and capabilities, it wasn't very successful
because the old man was a drunk, and he didn’t know how to control
his boys. He let them do pretty much what they wanted, except
lately he started threatening them with selling them into slavery
if they didn’t straighten up and fly right. The boys were putting
up a front of making a conscientious effort. The old man caught
his youngest son sucking his second oldest son’s penis and went
ballistic.
Don Lassiter called Ramrod Long and explained the situation to
him. "I got a young boy I'm holding in custody, mainly for his
protection, until I can get some help for him or get him to a
place of sanctuary. I don't know if you're looking for a kid as
bad off as him, but I thought I'd give you a call and apprise you
of his situation. From what I can put together the kid has been
kept in a cage most of his life and was treated worse than a
slave. I think his dad and brothers treated him like a retarded
animal. He was born with a cleft palate, but the family never
bothered to have his condition corrected, probably because his old
man didn't wanna' spend the money. He's almost blind in his left
eye supposedly caused by a sports accident when one of his
brothers hit him up-side his head with a baseball bat when he was
just a toddler.
“As a result he needs an operation to repair a muscle what holds
his eye in its correct position. I'm not sure, but I suspect his
older brothers repeatedly raped him and made him their sex slave
from an early age; however, when his old man, Elam Stamper, caught
him sucking the others off, it weren't them he became enraged
with. He went bananas and took it out on his youngest boy and beat
the living crap out of him. Consequently, the kid has a broken
arm, a dislocated shoulder, a broken leg and ankle, at least four,
maybe five broken ribs, and if that ain't enough, he has a massive
contusion on his head. I won't shit you none, Mr. Long, the kid is
a basket case," Don Lassiter said. He sounded really down but
genuinely concerned for the boy.
"Old man Stamper tried to take the boy to Mr. Tennent, the slave
dealer, but he refused to accept him in his condition. For a scum
bag like Tennent to refuse the boy, you know he has to be in
pert-damn bad shape," the Sheriff laughed at his description of
Mr. Tennent, “Tennent said the most he could get for him was to
sell him for dog food. The boy would be sold by the pound, they
would remove his teeth and hair, pull out his fingernails and
toenails with a pair of vice-grips, throw him into a huge grinder
and in less than ten minutes he would be dog food being squeezed
into small tins to be automatically sealed and heated to sterilize
the contents," Don Lassiter finished, not even considering Lazarus
Long might be interested in the boy, but a voice inside him told
him he had to try.
Lazarus was devastated by what he heard and wondered how any
father could treat his child that way. “How old is he, Sheriff?"
Lazarus asked.
“He was twelve years old the Fourth of July, Mr. Long,” the
Sheriff replied.
“What’s the going rate for a slave sold for dog food, Sheriff?”
Lazarus asked.
“Tennent mentioned ten bucks per pound. We weighed him and he only
weighs about eighty pounds. He ain’t real big, and I think he’s
slightly retarded. We can’t git nothing out of him. He jes’ keeps
rocking back and forth. We can’t even tell if he’s in any pain. He
so traumatized I think he's almost in shock.”
“So the most Tennent could git for him is eight hundred bucks?”
Lazarus asked rhetorically thinking out loud.
“Yes, sir, I think that’s the price he mentioned,” the Sheriff
confirmed.
“Has he been taken to a doctor or a slave vet?” Lazarus asked.
“Naw, sir. His dad refused to pay for either. He says he don’t
care what we do with him. Called him a godless cocksuck'n heathen
and said he just wants some money for him, even if he's sold for
dog food,” the Sheriff said.
“Is Tennent gonna’ handle the sale for the old man?” Lazarus
asked.
“That’s my understanding, Mr. Long,” Sheriff Lassiter replied.
“Can I see him, Sheriff?” Lazarus asked.
“Of course, Mr. Long. You and Mr. Goodnight are welcome here
anytime. I heard Ox is your Godson. Any friend of that big man is
a friend of mine, sir. My family worships the ground Charlie and
Waco Goodnight walk on, Mr. Long,” the Sheriff said.
“They’s mighty fine folks, Sheriff. I tell you what, I’ll get Mr.
Goodnight to drive me in to see the boy. If’n I want him will Mr.
Tennet trust me for his money until tomorrow?” Lazarus asked.
“I don’t see why not. I hear'd you just become Foreman of Charlie
Goodnight's ranch, so we know you ain’t going no place, and
besides, h’it ain’t that much money I couldn’t float chu’ a loan
for a couple of days,” Sheriff Lassiter offered.
“Naw, it ain’t nothing like ‘at, Sheriff. I just gotta’ get my
money out of another bank. All I’m interested in is git’n some
immediate medical help for the boy, and I have a fine slave vet in
mind to take care of him. You think Tennent would take a thousand
dollars for him?” Lazarus asked.
“Sounds like a fair price to me, Mr. Long. More’n he’ll git
selling him for dog food,” the Sheriff replied.
“I tell you what, offer him twelve hundred so Tennent can make a
few bucks on the deal,” Lazarus said.
“'At’s more’n fair, I’d think, Mr. Long. I’ll be here all evening.
If’n I ain’t, have my desk Sergeant page me. I’ll be here as quick
as I can. Either way, he can show you in to see the boy,” Sheriff
Lassiter said.
“Thanks, Sheriff, for think’n ‘bout me. I can’t say for sure I’ll
buy the boy. I’d like to examine him first. I might bring Waco and
his slaves with me. Will that be all right?’ Lazarus asked.
“Oh, Hell, yes! Them boys is welcome here anytime,” he replied.
“See you this evening, Sheriff.”
“Look forward to it, sir.”
Lazarus talked with Charlie, and it was decided they would travel
in after work that evening. When Lazarus came in from the range,
he hurried and showered. He put on his best cowboy clothes and was
surprised to find the boys and Ox decked out in their finest.
Charlie looked really sharp, but then Lazarus was beginning to
think Charlie looked good in anything he wore. He was sure Charlie
would be a knockout in a gunny sack. They made the thirty-five
minute drive into town. Charlie took his check book. He told
Lazarus he would buy the boy if he wanted him, and he would take
it out of his pay a hundred a month. The men shook on it. A hand
shake was all they needed to seal the deal.
When they got to the Sheriff’s Station the Sheriff was there. He
made over Charlie, Waco, Ox, Travis, and Rabbit. He knew Rabbit
well and knew his father and grandfather. He told Rabbit his
granddad was doing well and had a message for him he’d tell him
later. The Sheriff welcomed Lazarus and shook his hand. He led
them to the single cell where he was holding the boy. He wasn’t
lying on the bed, he was rolled up in a ball in the corner of the
cell as far away from the bars as he could get. He wasn’t asleep,
but he had a dull look on his face, like the lights were on but no
one was home. Lazarus was afraid he might be in shock. The big
cowboy squatted on his boot heels beside the boy. He didn’t move.
Lazarus reached out with his mind and touched the boy’s. He felt
pain all over his body. The kid was in agony. Lazarus spoke gently
to him in his mind. << Don’t be afraid, Son. The voice you
hear in your head is coming from the man squatting down next to
you. Can you hear me, Boy?” >>
<< Yeeee, yes sir, I can hear you fine. If I don’t move it
hurts less, >> he replied.
<< Can you let me see yore’ face, Son? >> Lazarus
asked.
<< I’m ugly, sir. My brothers call me ‘catfish’ because my
mouth c'ain’t never close. H'it stays open like a catfishes.
>>
<< I don’t care about yore’ looks, Boy. I’m interested in
buying a young boy for my personal slave. >>
The boy managed to slowly turn his head slightly so Lazarus could
get a good look at him. He was badly beaten. His face was bruised
and swollen. It didn’t look like much of a face. It looked more
like a lump of raw meat with what once might have been a nose.
<< Why, you ain’t so bad look’n a' tall, Boy. Way you's
carying on, I expected to see me a monster. I done already got
myself a monster for a Godson. Can you see that big furry man
standing behind me? >> Lazarus asked.
<< Yes, sir. He be huge. He don't look like no man I ever
seen, >> he replied.
<< Yore right, Son. Now, I gotta’ know some’um. I’m looking
for a young boy what will keep my house clean. I’m foreman on a
big ranch, and I live alone. I ain’t got me nobody to clean house
for me, so I’m looking to buy a slave what will do it for me. Are
you interested? Do you wanna’ be my slave, Boy? >>
<< I ain’t good enough to be no man’s slave, sir. My daddy
tells me I’m stupid and ma’ brothers call me a retard. Hell, I
don’t even know what a retard is. >>
<< Do you think you could be taught to change sheets on a
bed, make my bed in the mornings, make coffee for me, run a washer
and dryer, keep my boots cleaned and polished, learn to run a
vacuum cleaner and clean a bathroom? >> Lazarus asked.
<< I already done them things for my brothers. That’s all
I’s allowed to do is be a slave for them. I guess I got me, what
chu’ call, on the job training, sir. I can do all them things, but
wouldn’t you want a better looking slave than me? >> he
asked.
<< Naw, I ain’t look’n for no pretty slave. I’m look’n for
one what’s willing to be trained and do what I tell him without
question. When I give an order, I expect it to be carried out
swiftly and to the best of his ability. Besides, your daddy is
selling you cheap. >>
<< I ain’t got me no daddy no more, sir. Ain’t got me no
brothers, neither. They been so mean to me, I don’t want nothing
more to do with ‘em. I'm alone in the world. I’ll be your slave
if’n you want me, sir. I’ll be a damn good slave for you. Hell,
it’s gotta’ be a better life than what I’s living at home. I’ll
take good care of you, Mr – >>
<< Long, Son, just call me Master Long. Okay, I’m gonna’
give you a shot what’s gonna’ make all the pain go away. My
Godson, that big monster of a man, is gonna’ carry you out of
here, and I’m gonna’ take you to a slave vet to fix you up. Do you
understand, Son? >>
<< Yes, sir, Master Long, I understand, and thank you, sir.
You’re the first man what’s ever been nice to me in a long time.
The Sheriff is a good man, but he’s all business. He means well,
but he ain't got time for the likes of me. >>
"Don't never underestimate Sheriff Lassiter. He called me about
you to see if I'd be interested in buying you to become my slave.
He jes' may have saved yore' life, Son. Yore' daddy was gonna'
sell you for dog food," Lazarus said. The boy let out a painful
sob.
Lazarus gave the boy a heavy shot of demerol to put him in a
twilight sleep. It took effect immediately. Ox scooped up the boy
like he was a feather and began to sing to him as he cradled him
in his huge arms. The boy relaxed and a smile came across his
distorted face.
Mr. Tennent said he would be happy with twelve hundred for the
boy. He promised Charlie he would tell the boy's old man he
couldn't find a buyer who wanted to spend the money to fix up his
son and had to sell the kid to the rendering plant. So Lazarus and
Charlie reckoned the old man got eight hundred and Mr. Tennent
took the rest. Lazarus allowed it was just as well. He didn't want
the family, who treated him so horribly, coming around looking for
their little brother anyway. The Sheriff said he'd go along with
Mr. Tennent if the old man asked him where the boy went.
The Sheriff didn't blame Charlie and Lazarus for wanting to keep
the boy's whereabouts a secret. It made perfect sense to him.
Lazarus slipped the Sheriff a couple of hundred bucks to make sure
their stories were the same. Charlie wrote a check for Mr. Tennent
and left it with the Sheriff and his staff. The men left the
Sheriff's station and rode back to the ranch. Charlie knew without
asking Lazarus would take the boy to his ship to his med-bots and
bio-bots. He also knew Lazarus had once been a doctor himself. He
would supervise the boy’s care and recovery. He only wished he
could be by Lazarus’ side to see him in action. “Would you like to
accompany me and Ox to the ship when we return, Boss?”
“Were you just reading my mind?” Charlie asked and smiled.
“Naw, sir, just thought you might like to see what I plan for the
boy,” Lazarus replied.
“I’d like that very much, Ramrod,” Charlie said.
“We need to leave the boys behind this time.” There were groans
from the posse. Ox was still cradling the boy in his arms in the
camper shell of the truck. He had him wrapped in a soft warm
blanket the men brought with them.
“Now, cut that out, Guys,” Charlie admonished them, “you’re
included in everything. With fewer men there's less confusion. I
agree with our ramrod. I’m sure he’ll take you to visit as soon as
the boy comes around. He’s gonna’ need encouragement and
understanding from men his own age. You can help out then.”
“On this receipt we got, it says his name is Caleb Stamper. Caleb
ain’t a bad name, but I think I want him to have a new name. If'n
his family thinks he went to the dog food factory, I don't want
him keeping the same name. Besides, when I git though with him, he
won’t look like he does now. He certainly won't look like no
'Stamper' boy. He’ll look like Ramrod Lazarus Long’s slave,”
Lazarus said firmly.
“I’ve always liked the name Lucas,” Charlie said.
“Lucas? Lucas Long. I kinda like the sound of that. Thanks, Boss,
that'll be his new name.”
The men arrived at the ranch, and Ox carried the boy to the barn.
Lazarus took his remote and opened the portal he set after the
men's visit with the Gibbons. Once again Cable came through
without clothes pushing the anit-grav gurney. Ox gently lay Lucas
on the gurney and Cable slowly moved the boy’s arms and legs to
their correct position. The big biodroid looked at the boy and his
condition. Charlie was moved when he saw a tear run down Cable’s
cheek. Cable looked up at Charlie, smiled and winked at him.
Charlie chuckled at his own stupidity as he followed Lazarus and
Ox though the portal.
The med-bots were ready for the boy. They didn’t take X-rays. The
ship had advanced systems which showed everything wrong with boy.
What they discovered amazed even the med-bots. They claimed, by
rights, the boy shouldn’t even be alive. Almost every bone in his
body had been broken at one time or another and there was no
evidence he was ever taken to a doctor to have them set. Some set
naturally, others didn’t. To make the boy whole again they would
have to do major reconstructive surgery on him to say nothing of
the corrective surgery required for his face and mouth.
“Okay, everyone, listen up. Ain't no doubt this boy is in bad
shape. We been up against as big or bigger problems. Remember how
bad my boy here was when your other father and me brought him to
you? You men have come a long way since then and are vastly more
experienced than you were then. Let this boy be a challenge for
you to accomplish several things: to test the current levels of
your skills; greatly increase your knowledge base; and, improve
your techniques. Beside, you men been want'n a major project for
some time now. It will be a great opportunity for David and
Jonathan to increase their medical skills and several other of the
more sentient bio-droids might be considered as apprentices. We
may need them in the future. We’ll keep him in twilight sleep
until we have him where he can start to heal. Then we’ll ask the
Kryscellians if they will be gracious enough to help us with him.
"They’re due another exposure to the sun soon, and they’ll be at
maximum power. As far as his face is concerned, Ping, Pong, and I
will do a digital work-up of how we want him to look. Take skin
and bone samples immediately and start growing them. I want some
bone added to his chin. I think I want a dimple in there, too. I
want him to look like a Long boy. I want his jaw more square and
his forehead raised. I’ll get a digital picture to you by
tomorrow. In the meantime, lets start on his immediate needs.
Let’s weld his bones back together and start them healing. I don’t
see any internal organ damage.
"Check out his testicles and make sure they're working. His penis
will probably grow more as he matures, but what the Hell, you got
my penis on file. Make his a younger copy of his new master's. He
ain't got no foreskin so grow him one. We got the Dalek's
technology on file. We got more surgical talent on board this ship
than the whole of the Dalek empire. We can do this, Gentlemen. We
can rebuild him and make him better than before. I want this boy
as perfect as my other sons on this ship. From what he's been
through, don't you think he deserves it? Make me proud of you,
Gentlemen. Your father has full confidence in your abilities,"
Lazarus said firmly.
All the med-bots and androids agreed. They seemed thrilled to have
a new challenge. Charlie stood with his mouth open watching and
listening to Lazarus take charge and tell his staff what he
wanted. He saw another side of his gentle, well met cowboy ramrod
he never imagined. This was a revelation for him. He saw before
him a man who was, indeed, Captain of his ship, and would except
nothing less from his crew than their very best.
Lazarus continued, “After you correct his mouth and face, check
his teeth as you go. If they need any work, do it during his
period of twilight sleep. I don’t want him going through the
trauma of dental work. If he needs teeth, take a DNA sample and
start buds to grow him some new ones. If some are beyond repair,
replace them. With his bones what ain’t healed properly we will
surgically correct each one. I don’t want him walking with the
slightest limp. When 'nat boy walks out of here with me, I want
him as perfect as we can remake him.”
On and on Lazarus continued with his staff. He made sure he had
plenty of pictures of the boy’s face to have Ping and Pong do
digital work-ups of just how Lazarus wanted Lucas to look. Ping
and Pong appeared in the sick bay. Charlie could tell, they were
distressed by the look of the boy. Lazarus motioned for Charlie to
follow him, Ping, and Pong. They went through another portal and
were in a huge processing room with giant screens all around the
room. The whole place came to life and a giant face of a fine
looking man looked down at them.
“That’s my partner, Arlen, Boss. The on-board evolved intelligent
processor decided to take his appearance for his own so he could
remind me of him when we're apart. Over the years, he's even
processed some of my mate's personality and can do a perfect
impersonation of him; however, he's managed to create his own
personality which is decidedly different from my mate's,” Lazarus
explained.
Charlie was impressed. It was the face of a cowboy who was a great
bear of a man, but had the most disarming ice blue eyes. He was
very handsome and rugged looking. “Good day to you, Kyron,"
Lazarus greeted the huge image.
“Good day to you, Captain,” the image responded.
“Kyron, this is my boss on the ranch where we're staying. I jes'
became his new Foreman. His name is Master Charlie Goodnight.”
“Welcome, Master Goodnight.”
“Thank you, Kyron, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Thank you, sir. It's an honor to meet you.”
“Have you received the pictures from sickbay of the face of our
patient?” Lazarus asked the processor.
“I have, Captain. Putting them up for you now, and may I say, sir,
he looks awful,” Kyron said with a hint of empathy.
All around the room huge pictures of the boy’s battered and
misshapen face came on the many screens. They were overwhelmingly
disturbing.
“You may, indeed, say that, Kyron, and I certainly agree. He does
look terrible. We hope to correct it for the boy. We need to
create a new face for him, but I need a composite work-up from you
for the med-bots as a guide for them to remake him. You know my
preferences of male facial types, Kyron. I think you have files of
men’s faces I’ve worked on or thought were attractive. Would you
put them up for us, Son?”
“Done, Captain," the intelligence replied. Immediately there were
hundreds of men’s face on the screens, each one more handsome and
attractive than the next.
“Help me pick one as a template, Boss,” Lazarus encouraged
Charlie.
Charlie chuckled. “How? They’re all damn good looking men, but the
more I look at them several begin to stand out.”
“I agree. Kyron, please remember the ones we pick.”
“Of course, Captain.”
Lazarus and Charlie picked out almost fifty faces, and they were
displayed on fifty separate large screens around the room.
“I don’t see your face up there, Ramrod. Kyron, would you please
add your captain's picture?”
“Certainly, Master Goodnight. Right away, sir, and may I add, an
excellent suggestion, Bossman,” Kyron replied.
It took Lazarus and Charlie the better part of an hour discussing
the merits of one facial type over another. Charlie wanted to
start with a template of Lazarus’ face. His argument was, if the
boy was going to have a penis like Lazarus' he should resemble his
master. It might also make it easier to explain Lucas Long if he
looked a little like his master. Lazarus humored his boss, but
added he didn’t think of himself as handsome. Charlie laughed at
him and assured him he was quite handsome. They finally arrived at
a composite they agreed on and turned it over to Ping and Pong to
overlay the face onto the boy’s and determine how much surgery and
how it might be accomplished. Lazarus left the boy in good hands
with Cable in charge. He would see his father’s every order was
carried out. Charlie and Lazarus said their goodbyes and left the
ship. As they walked across the compound to the house the boys
came running out to greet Ox and ask Lazarus about the boy.
“How long do you anticipate for his recovery before he can begin
training, Mr. Long,” Waco asked.
“Humm, probably about three months. He has a lot of surgeries to
undergo, but you won’t recognize him when he returns. You may
start to visit him in about a week. He will still have a long way
to go, but your encouragement will help a lot to hasten his
recovery,” Lazarus assured them.
“Have you decided on a trainer, Mr. Long,” Waco asked.
“I think so. I was going to contract with Master Birdsall, but I
don’t know I agree with his ‘baby slave’ technique, especially for
a young boy. I’ve talked with Master Austin, and I think he and
Master Daniels will do well by the boy. I think when they get
through with him, he’ll be able to hit the ground running. I’ve
considered contracting them to train him for three months after,
but not until he's completely healed,” Lazarus guesstimated.
“Gosh, that’ll be six months 'afore we get us a new brother,” Waco
lamented.
“I don’t know’s you should think on him as a new brother, but I do
plan to have him attend school with you boys. I know you’ll look
out for him.”
“Of course we will, Ramrod Long. We won’t let nothing happen to
one of our men,” Waco assured him.
“You wanna’ take another shot at that, Ramrod?” Charlie put the
back of his hand to his face to cover his grin. Lazarus shrugged
his shoulders and grinned real big.
“What the Hell, of course you men got chore'selves a new brother,
but his first duties are to his master. You must impress on him
you understand he has to take care of me first. We can always work
around schedules," Lazarus grinned.
Charlie almost laughed his ass off at Lazarus. He was beginning to
know the man and knew from his dealing with his bio-droids and
crew members he acted like a benevolent monarch. He was firm, but
he was compassionate and loving. The new slave didn’t have a clue
what a fine man and master to whom he now belonged. Charlie
imagined the boy would look better than any of their boys, and he
was right. Lucas turned out to be a stunningly handsome young man
in his Master's image.
* * * * * * *
While Lucas was being remodeled, Lazarus was content to stay in
his small room and entertain his boss a couple of weekend nights
per month. He also started arranging to get away from the ranch
and back to his ship at least one weekend per month. He didn’t
want to appear to leave the ranch too much it might arouse
suspicion. Those weekends he would relax in the arms of his bonded
mate, and they would sate themselves with each other. Arlen Jones
was a big man. He was a foot taller than Lazarus and his fine,
chiseled body was covered with hair. He looked like a smaller
version of their Godson, Garron. He had a dark, ruddy complexion
with piercing ice cold blue eyes. They were startling when you
first met him, but once you did meet him you never forgot his
eyes. He was also raised as a cowboy in the old tradition.
Lazarus rescued him from the early eighteen hundreds when Texas
was little more than a bold frontier. He was being chased by an
outlaw gang. Somehow, he managed to come upon their camp when they
weren’t there, found their stash of money and gold and made off
with it. They had him cornered in a box canyon when Lazarus
spotted him with one of his robo-cams. He was immediately
attracted to the big cowboy and thought he was too damn good
looking a man to die at the hands of the robber scum who were sure
to kill him. When Lazarus tells the story he emphasizes he never
believed in love at first sight until he laid eyes on his cowboy
buddy. All shooting stopped as a huge air ship, the likes of which
none of the men ever saw before, hovered over them.
The robbers watched as their loot and the man who stole it from
them slowly rose into the sky and into the belly of the ship. They
fired their guns at him only to have their bullets bounce off the
shield that surrounded him. To say they were pissed was an
understatement. Lazarus gave the man a choice. He could stay with
him and become his partner, or Lazarus would beam him back to the
rocks, and he could take his chances in a shoot out. Arlen was no
dummy. He didn’t have enough cartridges left and at least with the
tall man he had a chance to live.
“Hell, yes, I’ll be yore’ partner. For save’n my cowboy butt like
‘at, I’ll bend over, grab my ankles, and whistle like a pig fer
ya,’ Mister. You like the tune 'Dixie'? Hell, I even know'd
'Buffalo Gals' if you like 'at better,” he said and grinned.
Lazarus roared with laughter at the man and almost lost his
concentration.
“Okay! Good, but first you gotta’ return the money to them folks
it was stolen from,” Lazarus told him.
“Aww, do I have to? They ain’t gonna’ miss it none. Besides,
they’s gonna’ think I’s one of them robbers.”
“No, they won’t, and yes, they will miss it. That money represents
the holdings of poor folks as well as rich who expect a bank to
protect their money. They ain’t got no guarantee their life
savings is safe in a bank, and if they lose it, they’ll all
suffer. They’ll be so glad to get their money back they’ll believe
you. Just don’t tell ‘em you expect a reward or accept one if’n
they try to give it to you. Insist you were just doing yore’
Christian duty. You won’t need no money with me no ways. You’ll
find out there’s more to life than money or wealth. If’n they lock
you up in jail, don’t you think I got the power to git chu’ out,
Cowboy?”
“I don’t know, sir, I’s jes’ a dumb cowpoke. I ain’t never had me
no school’n. What the Hell do I know?” Arlen asked like a plea.
“It’s your choice, Cowboy,” Lazarus replied.
“Okay, I’ll do it. Ain’t nothing good ever happens to me no how.
Jes’ once in my Goddamned fucked up life I’d like to fall into a
bucket of roses instead of cow shit. I thought I already done done
it ‘til you come along,” Arlen lamented.
“Jes’ remember, Cowboy, I heard it said, when God closes one door,
he usually opens another.”
“God don’t care nothing ‘bout no worthless dumb-ass cowboy,” Arlen
said bitterly.
“You might be surprised to find out yore’ net worth, Cowboy. Here,
put this coin in yore’ pocket and don’t lose it. It might be your
only means of git’n out of another tight spot, understand?”
Lazarus asked.
“Yes, sir, I think so,” he replied.
Lazarus flew over the town, from which the money was stolen, and
in the wee hours of the morning, sat Arlen down on the main street
within a hundred feet of the bank. Arlen waited until the bank
opened, walked in, and set the money on the counter. “Here, I
think this belongs to you, sir. I found it while I's roaming
around out in the badlands, and come upon an outlaw camp. They's
all down to the creek, butt naked, bathing theys'selves. I found
their loot, decided to do the Christian thing and bring it back to
you. They tried to follow me and shot my pony. It died, and I had
to walk the rest of the way into town,” Arlen didn’t say anymore
and turned to leave.
“Thank you, Young Man, what’s your name, Son?”
“Arlen Jones, sir. I’s just a two bit cowpoke what believes in the
Code of the West and The Cowboy Way.”
“Well, Mr. Jones let me give you a reward, at least for your pony,
sir!” the banker demanded.
“Thank you, sir, but where I'm going, I been told I don’t need me
no reward. A man ain’t suppose to be rewarded for doing what’s
right noways. Lot’s of poor folks need their money. I’s jes’
think’n on them,” Arlen poured it on, all the while his heart was
killing him to give the money back. He walked out of the bank and
down to the end of the street. The banker rushed from the bank to
offer to buy him breakfast and watched as the cowboy slowly rose
into the sky with his arms lifted upward to heaven. He watched as
the cowboy disappeared into the clouds. The banker hit his knees
with tears running down his cheeks. He was sure he just witnessed
an act of God Almighty and his angel was a young hairy buckaroo
with the most unusual cold-blue eyes. The banker never denied any
cowboy an account at his bank after that and became known as the
most fair and honest banker in the West. He became a wealthy man,
all because one young cowboy returned his stolen money.
Years later when they followed up on the story and investigated
the man’s life, Arlen and Lazarus shared a laugh about the man
relating how a cowboy angel returned his money when he was going
to have to close his bank. He only came in that morning to see how
many accounts he could set right from his own money before he
announced bankruptcy. His name was Jessie Fargo. Unwittingly, by
his acceptance of Lazarus’ offer, Arlen Jones finally fell into
his bucket of roses and became a man worth far more than all the
money in the state of Texas.
End Of Chapter 11 ~ Waco’s Lummox
Copyright ~ © ~ 2006 ~ 2017 ~ Waddie Greywolf ~ All Rights
Reserved
E-mail to: Waddie Greywolf <waddiebear@yahoo.com>
WC = 16,460
07/17/2006
02/04/2017