Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Monday, November 20, 2017
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Redemption. IV
It was dark and cold as Scratch appeared and walked down out of the alley and back onto 42 street. He stared out in amazement at the lights and the movie marquees. Everything here was different. There wasn't any porn movies or sex shops. There was a Disney shop and a new wax museum. As he looked around, a fellow came out from one of the newly remodeled theater ringing a bell dressed as Santa. Scratch laughed, this guy knew nothing really about Santa. This guy was begging for change. That was something the real Santa would never due. Especially now with Christmas so close. He was far to busy for that.
"Ho ho ho!!" He said as he rang the bell. "Merry Christmas!!"
Scratch gave him a mad look than flipped a small coin into the red pot the man set up beside him.
"Merry whatever." He said as he passed by. Moving on, again Scratch couldn't understand. He had a contract on this area. He didn't understand how it got so clean. It had to be that god damned new Mayor. There were no porn shops or porn theaters. No hookers or pimps. There was kids here playing. What a disguising thought. Times Square had always been the devils playground. The crotch of the world. His place. Every vice known could be found here. He saw no reason that should change. He would have to pay more attention to things outside of Hell more often.
But for now, he needed to handle this 42nd street thing, and that would mean putting the corruption back into New York City. There was one sure way to do that. He would have to open a new shop right here at 42nd and 8th. It would be a porn /needful things shop. A double porn shop. Nick smiled at the thought. With a snap of his fingers, the shop blinked into existence. It had a loud neon red and yellow sign with the shape of a naked girl on it. The front was all black with loud music and a bunch of homeless people out front handing out flyers. There was a flashing light and a girl in a bikini dancing on a pole. This was perfect. He thought. In a week he would open 4 more shops here on the same street. Drug dealers would move in and start selling their products. Things would start moving again in the right direction.
"You know I'll never let that happen." The man in the Santa suit said. "I just got 42nd cleaned up and you think I'll let you just move back in?"
"I don't see you have much of a choice, old man." Scratch smiled. "I have no contract for this area, you know that."
"Things change." Santa said with a loud HO HO HO!! "Look around. Your people aren't even here anymore."
"They'll be back." Scratch said. "Give me a week and I'll have it business as usual."
"No." Santa said. "I'll give you 24 hours. You will have to re corrupt 42nd street all over again."
"That sounds like a challenge." Scratch said as he lit up one of his Cigars and blew out a cloud of smoke.
"Ho ho ho!!" He said as he rang the bell. "Merry Christmas!!"
Scratch gave him a mad look than flipped a small coin into the red pot the man set up beside him.
"Merry whatever." He said as he passed by. Moving on, again Scratch couldn't understand. He had a contract on this area. He didn't understand how it got so clean. It had to be that god damned new Mayor. There were no porn shops or porn theaters. No hookers or pimps. There was kids here playing. What a disguising thought. Times Square had always been the devils playground. The crotch of the world. His place. Every vice known could be found here. He saw no reason that should change. He would have to pay more attention to things outside of Hell more often.
But for now, he needed to handle this 42nd street thing, and that would mean putting the corruption back into New York City. There was one sure way to do that. He would have to open a new shop right here at 42nd and 8th. It would be a porn /needful things shop. A double porn shop. Nick smiled at the thought. With a snap of his fingers, the shop blinked into existence. It had a loud neon red and yellow sign with the shape of a naked girl on it. The front was all black with loud music and a bunch of homeless people out front handing out flyers. There was a flashing light and a girl in a bikini dancing on a pole. This was perfect. He thought. In a week he would open 4 more shops here on the same street. Drug dealers would move in and start selling their products. Things would start moving again in the right direction.
"You know I'll never let that happen." The man in the Santa suit said. "I just got 42nd cleaned up and you think I'll let you just move back in?"
"I don't see you have much of a choice, old man." Scratch smiled. "I have no contract for this area, you know that."
"Things change." Santa said with a loud HO HO HO!! "Look around. Your people aren't even here anymore."
"They'll be back." Scratch said. "Give me a week and I'll have it business as usual."
"No." Santa said. "I'll give you 24 hours. You will have to re corrupt 42nd street all over again."
"That sounds like a challenge." Scratch said as he lit up one of his Cigars and blew out a cloud of smoke.
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
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The day was September 12, nothing really special was going on. Jeff Tamber was out somewhere he wasn't suppose to. He was driving down Mercy Avenue looking for someone he knew that he could buy an 8-ball from. It need been a really stressful week. His boss ragged on him again about the update of the Pillenger file. It was going to be late again and Cole Taylor would put it all on him even though it had been all Cole's fault. If he had been at his desk working instead of screwing his secretary in the ladies room, the report could have been done. Jeff should tell the CEO everything, including why his wife disappeared from the Christmas party last year. He thought about ratting Cole out, but with his luck, the boss wouldn't believe it and give Cole a promotion and me a pink slip.
Friday, May 26, 2017
Redemption III.
It was late in the fall when Thomas Harris sat on a bench and stared out at the evening sky. The stars were just starting to show themselves in the random pattern over the orange and reds of the descending sun. This was Thomas favorite time of year. It was cool but not cold. You could wear a lite jacket, but it was to warm for a heavy coat. The trees had that beautiful array of colors going from green to brown and all the shades in between. The time of year was perfect, He felt good. For some reason his ALS hadn't been bothering him much. Thomas had hoped that the diagnosis was wrong but the pain and the second doctor had put his hopes to rest. He really had ALS and his wife and children would have to be told. Dr. Regis, his neurologist told him the disease was in its second stage. He would have severe pain in his arms and legs leading into spasms and convulsions. All this would be starting in the near future. He had given him the name of a specialist who he had been in contact with to take over his care. Dr, Regis said he was sorry, but there was no cure. He had maybe a year and he should get his affairs in order before it was to late. That had been the day that Thomas opened his eyes and finally looked around him. He had a wife who was so distant that he wasn't sorry if she would care at all. He had three children who he had tried his best to ignore for most of their lives. In reality he had no one that cared and he only had himself to blame.
For years Mary had begged him to slow down. To stop working so hard and enjoy his family. But Thomas would have no part of it. There was always a new company to start or to destroy or some lease he had to take. To him, money meant more then the love of his family, so he kept on working until his family left. His name was now on five buildings and there was two hospital with his picture in the lobby. But in the end what really mattered? None of these hospital could help him. It didn't matter how many buildings bore his name. Ne was alone now and it was all his own fault.
As Thomas got up off the bench, he dropped his medical reports in the trash can next to the bench. To say he was depressed was an understatement. He was sad and sorry. He thought back to the days when him and Mary were dating and the first few years of married life. He had that old Chevy that smoked like hell if its oil was low. He didn't have much. White Castle was the only place he could afford to take her to. It wasn't much but it was good memories. Watching fireworks from a blanket in the park and using tin foil for Christmas decorating in their first apartment. He didn't have money for a gift back then but that never held him back from making Christmas special. Those carriage rides through the park and bottle of wine they shared while watching the skaters on Messingers Pond.
As he thought back, he wondered how he managed to chase away the ones he love the most. And what was he to do now without them?
As the tears rolled down Thomas's face he walked deeper into the dark part of the park. He knew this was a dangerous place to be, but who cared? Maybe death was the best thing he could do for his family. Mary and the kids were still the principal holders on his life insurance. Maybe his death could bring them the peace he had always wanted them to have.
As Thomas walked down the lane in the dark park, he heard something behind him. It sounded like foot steps. As he turned around to look, something slammed into his head and he was out.
"Thomas?"
"Thomas, wake up"
Grogging Thomas opened his eyes. He was in Messinger park laying in a pile of leaves. Moaning he sat up rubbing a lump on his head.
"What happened?" He asked looking around. There standing beside him was a young girl with amazing red hair. It was shades of copper with streaks of auburn and golden highlights. She looked to be in her teens with a beautiful smile on her face. At Thom sat up, she lent him a hand to keep him from falling back.
"What happened."
"My name is Clare. " She said with a smile. "You were mugged. Bashed in the head. He took you wallet and all your money."
Did you see where he went?"
"It doesn't matter." She said. "You have more important things to worry about."
"Like what?" Thom asked.
"Life and death. She stood up and let her gown shine out. Thom was dazzled by the light reflected off her dress. Speechless. Thom looked up at her. He could almost see wings on her back and a halo floating above her hard.
"Am I dead?" Thom asked.
"Yes and no." She said in her sweet voice. "You said this would be better for your wife and kids. Did you mean it?"
"Yes." He said looking away. "I'm sick. Very sick and I've been a ass for years. I don't have a wife and kids anymore. What I have is a big house and alimony and child support. I don't even get visits with my children. I gave that all up. I made such a mess on my life ts not worth living. Death is all I have to look forward to."
"Yes." He said. "No one cares about me. All they care about is the check in the mail ever month."
Looking down into Thom's sad eyes, Clare could feel the sadness rolling out from him. She had this one chance to save him before Scratch got here and to him his way. But she would have make him lose all the self doubt and depression.
"Have you really looked at your life? Clare asked. "Have ever looked at what your family really means?"
"No." Thom said. "I haven't done a thing to help make this a better world. All I've done is destroy people's lives and steal away what some of them worked their whole lives to make. My life is useless and I mean nothing."
With a smile, Clare reached down and helped Thom up on his feet. Now she knew what had to be done. She had to show Thom what the world would without him.
"Come with me." She said as she took his hand. "The world is made up of many different possibility. and you my friend have caused many changes. Come with my and I will show you how much you mean to the world."
With a wave of her arm, a great cloud of smoke appeared around them. It had a sweet shell like freshly bloomed flowers. As they walked, Clare to them to their first destination.
Stepping out of the cloud they emerged at the building where Thom and Mary had first lived after they got married. It was there old apartment down on Benard St. But it was different. It dark and dirty with garbage piled everywhere. With her finger to her lips to keep him silent, Clare lead him in through the busted and graffiti covered door.l From the entrance, she lead him up to the second floor and into their old apartment.
All the furniture had been smashed and it smelled like a urinal in there. Thom held his nose as the moved from room to room. The place was full of junkies fight each other over wine and scraps of food. In the living room, two junkies were shooting up. And in the made bedroom, the was a woman laid out on a dirty mattress. Her eyes were closed and her pants were half way down exposing bottom half for everyone to use and see.
"This place is disgusting." Thom said turning away. "Why am I here? This place means nothing to me."
"Look." Clare said pointing to the girl on the bed. "Do you recognize her?"
Thom looked closer. There was something about her that looked familiar. As he got closer, he looked at her face". Surprised he jumped back. It was Mary Andrews his wife.
"Its Mary!" He said. "What happened? why is she here?"
"She's here because she never met you." Clare said. "This is her life now though I doubt she'll be her much longer. She'll be dead in a few weeks."
"Can't you help her?" He pleaded. "Can't you do something?"
"Me?" Clare looked at him with a shocked look on her face. "You did this not me. I can't fix it."
As they stood there watching, an old junkie came in the door. He dropping his pants and crawled over to where she was laying. Thom tried to jump on him and drag him away, But his hand went right through them. Mary was raped right there while they were watching. Covering his eyes, Thom run out of the room.
"Do you still think you didn't mean anything?"
"Its not my fault if she couldn't make her life worth some." Thom said with red eyes. "She's one person."
"One person who once meant a lot to you. Can you leave her for this to happen? If you can, your not the man I thought you were."
"What about my kids?" Thom asked. "I'll bet their lives are much better."
"Kids?" Clare started do at him. "What kids? You don't have kids remember. You were never born so there are no kids. And that's a shame. Your kids were going to have suck a great future. You son Micheal was going to be the president of your firm and he was going to clean Trigon Bay and save and the whole shrimp industry by himself. He was going to do so much good in his fathers name. Yes, in your name. You got him started in the Environmental changes, but none of that matters now."
"What about my daughter Julie?"
"Well she would have gave you five Grand children. Three boys and two girls. One would have even bore your name."
"Then I did make a difference?" He said with a smile. "I really did matter."
"Yes you did." Clare said sadly. "But all that's changed since you were never born."
"No!" Thomas said with pleading eye. "I want to be born. I want Mary to have a better life then that. Please tell me I can fix this. Tell me its not to late."
As the sun shined down behind Clare, she reached down and took his hand to lift him up to face her.
"I can give you a choice." Clare said. "I can live things the way they are without you, Or you can join your family and live out your last year. There will be a lot of pain, but you will have a family that loves you. You must choose."
"I want to live." Thomas said with his eyes filled with tears. "I want to see my daughter walk down her wedding aisle and I want to be there to give them all what they deserve. I want to live.
"Your wish is granted."
"Dad?" A voice slipped into his unconscious mind. It was a familiar voice. A voice he loved since the day he was born.
"Please wake up Dad."
Thomas slowly opened his eyes and looked up to see his wife and the kids standing around him. He smiled to them weakly
"Dad?"
"I'm here Chris." Thomas said. He reached out and took his hand. With a tearful smile Chris buried his face in his father's shoulder and cried.
"I'm here. No more work," He said as he stroked the boys blond hair. "I'm not going anywhere ever again."
For years Mary had begged him to slow down. To stop working so hard and enjoy his family. But Thomas would have no part of it. There was always a new company to start or to destroy or some lease he had to take. To him, money meant more then the love of his family, so he kept on working until his family left. His name was now on five buildings and there was two hospital with his picture in the lobby. But in the end what really mattered? None of these hospital could help him. It didn't matter how many buildings bore his name. Ne was alone now and it was all his own fault.
As Thomas got up off the bench, he dropped his medical reports in the trash can next to the bench. To say he was depressed was an understatement. He was sad and sorry. He thought back to the days when him and Mary were dating and the first few years of married life. He had that old Chevy that smoked like hell if its oil was low. He didn't have much. White Castle was the only place he could afford to take her to. It wasn't much but it was good memories. Watching fireworks from a blanket in the park and using tin foil for Christmas decorating in their first apartment. He didn't have money for a gift back then but that never held him back from making Christmas special. Those carriage rides through the park and bottle of wine they shared while watching the skaters on Messingers Pond.
As he thought back, he wondered how he managed to chase away the ones he love the most. And what was he to do now without them?
As the tears rolled down Thomas's face he walked deeper into the dark part of the park. He knew this was a dangerous place to be, but who cared? Maybe death was the best thing he could do for his family. Mary and the kids were still the principal holders on his life insurance. Maybe his death could bring them the peace he had always wanted them to have.
As Thomas walked down the lane in the dark park, he heard something behind him. It sounded like foot steps. As he turned around to look, something slammed into his head and he was out.
"Thomas?"
"Thomas, wake up"
Grogging Thomas opened his eyes. He was in Messinger park laying in a pile of leaves. Moaning he sat up rubbing a lump on his head.
"What happened?" He asked looking around. There standing beside him was a young girl with amazing red hair. It was shades of copper with streaks of auburn and golden highlights. She looked to be in her teens with a beautiful smile on her face. At Thom sat up, she lent him a hand to keep him from falling back.
"What happened."
"My name is Clare. " She said with a smile. "You were mugged. Bashed in the head. He took you wallet and all your money."
Did you see where he went?"
"It doesn't matter." She said. "You have more important things to worry about."
"Like what?" Thom asked.
"Life and death. She stood up and let her gown shine out. Thom was dazzled by the light reflected off her dress. Speechless. Thom looked up at her. He could almost see wings on her back and a halo floating above her hard.
"Am I dead?" Thom asked.
"Yes and no." She said in her sweet voice. "You said this would be better for your wife and kids. Did you mean it?"
"Yes." He said looking away. "I'm sick. Very sick and I've been a ass for years. I don't have a wife and kids anymore. What I have is a big house and alimony and child support. I don't even get visits with my children. I gave that all up. I made such a mess on my life ts not worth living. Death is all I have to look forward to."
"Yes." He said. "No one cares about me. All they care about is the check in the mail ever month."
Looking down into Thom's sad eyes, Clare could feel the sadness rolling out from him. She had this one chance to save him before Scratch got here and to him his way. But she would have make him lose all the self doubt and depression.
"Have you really looked at your life? Clare asked. "Have ever looked at what your family really means?"
"No." Thom said. "I haven't done a thing to help make this a better world. All I've done is destroy people's lives and steal away what some of them worked their whole lives to make. My life is useless and I mean nothing."
With a smile, Clare reached down and helped Thom up on his feet. Now she knew what had to be done. She had to show Thom what the world would without him.
"Come with me." She said as she took his hand. "The world is made up of many different possibility. and you my friend have caused many changes. Come with my and I will show you how much you mean to the world."
With a wave of her arm, a great cloud of smoke appeared around them. It had a sweet shell like freshly bloomed flowers. As they walked, Clare to them to their first destination.
Stepping out of the cloud they emerged at the building where Thom and Mary had first lived after they got married. It was there old apartment down on Benard St. But it was different. It dark and dirty with garbage piled everywhere. With her finger to her lips to keep him silent, Clare lead him in through the busted and graffiti covered door.l From the entrance, she lead him up to the second floor and into their old apartment.
All the furniture had been smashed and it smelled like a urinal in there. Thom held his nose as the moved from room to room. The place was full of junkies fight each other over wine and scraps of food. In the living room, two junkies were shooting up. And in the made bedroom, the was a woman laid out on a dirty mattress. Her eyes were closed and her pants were half way down exposing bottom half for everyone to use and see.
"This place is disgusting." Thom said turning away. "Why am I here? This place means nothing to me."
"Look." Clare said pointing to the girl on the bed. "Do you recognize her?"
Thom looked closer. There was something about her that looked familiar. As he got closer, he looked at her face". Surprised he jumped back. It was Mary Andrews his wife.
"Its Mary!" He said. "What happened? why is she here?"
"She's here because she never met you." Clare said. "This is her life now though I doubt she'll be her much longer. She'll be dead in a few weeks."
"Can't you help her?" He pleaded. "Can't you do something?"
"Me?" Clare looked at him with a shocked look on her face. "You did this not me. I can't fix it."
As they stood there watching, an old junkie came in the door. He dropping his pants and crawled over to where she was laying. Thom tried to jump on him and drag him away, But his hand went right through them. Mary was raped right there while they were watching. Covering his eyes, Thom run out of the room.
"Do you still think you didn't mean anything?"
"Its not my fault if she couldn't make her life worth some." Thom said with red eyes. "She's one person."
"One person who once meant a lot to you. Can you leave her for this to happen? If you can, your not the man I thought you were."
"What about my kids?" Thom asked. "I'll bet their lives are much better."
"Kids?" Clare started do at him. "What kids? You don't have kids remember. You were never born so there are no kids. And that's a shame. Your kids were going to have suck a great future. You son Micheal was going to be the president of your firm and he was going to clean Trigon Bay and save and the whole shrimp industry by himself. He was going to do so much good in his fathers name. Yes, in your name. You got him started in the Environmental changes, but none of that matters now."
"What about my daughter Julie?"
"Well she would have gave you five Grand children. Three boys and two girls. One would have even bore your name."
"Then I did make a difference?" He said with a smile. "I really did matter."
"Yes you did." Clare said sadly. "But all that's changed since you were never born."
"No!" Thomas said with pleading eye. "I want to be born. I want Mary to have a better life then that. Please tell me I can fix this. Tell me its not to late."
As the sun shined down behind Clare, she reached down and took his hand to lift him up to face her.
"I can give you a choice." Clare said. "I can live things the way they are without you, Or you can join your family and live out your last year. There will be a lot of pain, but you will have a family that loves you. You must choose."
"I want to live." Thomas said with his eyes filled with tears. "I want to see my daughter walk down her wedding aisle and I want to be there to give them all what they deserve. I want to live.
"Your wish is granted."
"Dad?" A voice slipped into his unconscious mind. It was a familiar voice. A voice he loved since the day he was born.
"Please wake up Dad."
Thomas slowly opened his eyes and looked up to see his wife and the kids standing around him. He smiled to them weakly
"Dad?"
"I'm here Chris." Thomas said. He reached out and took his hand. With a tearful smile Chris buried his face in his father's shoulder and cried.
"I'm here. No more work," He said as he stroked the boys blond hair. "I'm not going anywhere ever again."
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
The Jefferson Endeavor.
I'm sorry it took me so long to write but I have been busy. Really busy. Last week I took my final exams in stellar cartography, warp theory and biochemistry. The stellar cartography wasn't bad. I do pretty good in that area, but warp theory is a little harder. I'm pretty sure I passed. I've been getting tutored by Sopak. You remember me telling you about him, he's my Vulcan room mate. With his help I think I made a B average on the exam. I gotta tell you if it wasn't for him, I'd be on the next transport out of here instead of graduating and getting assigned to duty on the USS Thomas Jefferson. That's right, I said the Jefferson Starship. I could hardly believe it, Its a new ship coming right out of the ship yards just out from Mars. Its not a really big ship. I was told it will hold only 75 crew members and I'm one of them. Me, Adam Parker an Ensign on a Starfleet saber class fast frigate.
Our captain is Evan Taylor. I don't know very much about him except the fact that he was captain to one of the ships destroyed by the Dominion. From what I heard, he was very badly injured. He had burns on 60 percent of his body and a broken legs but he and 5 others managed to set the self destruct and get to the life boats as the Jem 'Hadar were boarding the ship. I heard the blast lit the Bajor night sky. He was in the John Glen lunar station for 5 months recovering.
I have a lot to tell you and I'm not sue where to start. I might as well start from the beginning.
After graduation, me Sopak and Orin Ren my Bajoran room mate were invited to a graduation party by David Mastetson. You remember him, he's the son of Admiral Masterson. You know, invited isn't the right word. Actually we were trapped into going. You know how I feel about Dave Masterson from your last visit. He was always an arrogant ass showing off and using his fathers name to get what he wanted. Well, he might be in it deep this time because he didn't get the assignment he was always bragging about. Let me explain. For the last five months Dave kept bragging about how his father had gotten him assigned to the officer's training academy in Norfolk. He told us that after two years of training he would be promoted to lieutenant and assigned to one of the constitution class ships in the fleet. For that to happen, Dave had to keep up a 4.0 to a 3.67 average. Well, he was a good student, but he wasn't a genius and as you know, Dave was never one to pass up a good party.So even with his father's influences at Star Fleet academy, he could only manage a 3.32 average. Unfortunately that wasn't good enough. His application for entry in to Arihan academy was denied. No officer training for David Masterson. Instead he was to be assigned to a ship as an ensign just like the rest of us. If he was going to be on the road to command, he'd have to earn it the hard way.
That will be enough about graduation and Dave's party which was a total drag. Let me tell you about our first day on board the Jefferson.
After a night of party hopping, Sopak, Orin and I reported to Cape Grissom where we were to catch a shuttled to the moon that get a flight out the the ship yards where the Jefferson was still docked. At the lunar station we met up with a few others heading out to the Jefferson. There was Lt. Carlson, who was to be the chief engineer and Lt. Graz the ships security chief. Lt. Graz was a joined Trill. He was pretty hot and kept smiling at me as we lifted off from the lunar base. Afterward he came over and we had a chance to talk.
The flight from the lunar base to Utopia Planitia took about three hours. After we docked we were met by Lt Commander Zach Archer. Curious thing I learned a few weeks later. Commander Archer's great grandfather was the first captain of the USS Enterprise. He had joined Starfleet following in his family's tradition of service to the UPF. Commander Archer was tall with dark hair with a very handsome face. He was dressed in an immaculate clean red and black uniform with three pips on his collar showing his rank.
Anyway, as Commander Archer joined us at the spaceport he introduced himself.
"Welcome to your first day of service to Starfleet Command. I am LT commander Zachery Archer, first officer and second in command of the USS Jefferson. I will be escorting you to the ship. Is everyone here?
"This is everyone sir." Lt Carlson said. "Everyone from the Lunar base."
"Then we only have to wait for three member to arrive from Betazad Prime." Commander Archer said. "While we wait I will tell you what the Captain and I expect from you. You will report to all your duty stations on time. We run a very tight ship and will not accept tardiness of any kind. You will keep my ship clean and in order. We house three members to each room and there will be absolutely no fighting among the crew, do I make myself clear?"
"YES SIR!" Echoed from each crew member.
"If you work hard there will be a chance for advancement, but if me or any of the senior officer see anything we don't like, you will be put on report which may be one step closer to your expulsion from Starfleet."
Jake looked from Orin to Sopak. They were both looking straight ahead as they listened to the Commander.
"Now the Artllies isn't suppose to dock for another hour." He said as he checked his time piece. "This will be your only chance to see this station. One hour, be right back here. Dismissed."
Once dismissed, Sopak, Orin and I headed straight for the promenade it see what the station had for entertainment. There were a large number of shops. An Andorian tailor, the shops windows were covered in different and exotic types of clothing. There was a Klingon weapons shop filled with Klingons and Nausicaans bantering over prices on various weapons. We were going to go in, but changed our minds after seeing the Klingon at the door with a bat'leth. There were restaurant that catered to many different species. Klingon, Bajoran, Bolian, and believe or not, Ferengi. Yeah there were Ferengi here. Which didn't shock me since there were also two Ferengi casinos on the station.
After stopping for Bajoran jimji sticks, we wandered on to the port side of the station to look out to the construction of the new ships. There were two constitution class ships and a few smaller battle cruisers under construction. Sopak explained to us what he knew about the construction of a starship. He talked about the propulsion, weapons and the shielding on each class of ships. Mostly about warp theory which I now understand much better. The weaponry and the different types of deflector shields. It was interesting but what we really were looking at was the different Aliens on the station.
We saw the usually Vulcans, Andorians and Tellerites. The three core members of the federation. There was three Bajorans haggling with a Ferengi dealer over the price of a used impulse regulator. An adult female Caitian dragging a stubborn cub from in of a restaurant where two rodent like Cassiains were eating. And a group of Cardassians heading into a Ferengi casino for a night of gambling. Orin suggested we go into and take advantage of the casino's holodeck, It was good idea, but Sopak said we didn't have time. The Artillies would be docking in less the ten minutes and we shouldn't be late reporting in for duty. So off we went to find the Jefferson and start our careers in Star fleet.
Finding our way to the ship wasn't hard. Lt Commander Archer was waiting at the docking port for everyone to take us all on a shuttle up to the Jefferson. As we arrived at the shuttle bay, the Commander nodded as he checked our names off his duty roster. I was glad we we're the last to report in. After another fifteen minutes we were all together and ready to board the shuttle. One by one we filed in as the Commander checked our names off. I have to tell you, you have no idea how exciting it was. I felt like a kids on his first flight off planet. As we took our seats, I felt the shuttles impulse engines kick on. Commander Archer took his seat just as we lifted off and headed up to the shipyard in orbit out over Mars.
As we gazed out of the shuttles windows, we passed a few ships still under construction. First the Prometheus a constitution class ship. It was huge with its twin nacelles and saucer style section. We could see the three lead phaser ports and the twin torpedo bays on each side of the saucer section. We were told that class would have eight phaser ports and six torpedo bays. It was also going to be equip with the most powerful multi resonating unimatrix energy shields and a new cloaking system just like the Jefferson.
As we came around the engineering section of the Prometheus, there it was. It was small, half the size of Voyager but three times as fast and powerful. The Jefferson was mostly saucer section with two nacelles on each side. It had a arrow shaped upper deck with twin phaser banks forward, aft and in the center of each nacelle. It was smooth, sleak and could turn on a old earth dime. While we stared admiring the features of the ship, the shuttle came around the aft compartment and sled into one of the ships two decking bays. Once the shuttle sat down, The bay indicator flashed red. We heard the ringing of the claxon's indicated air was being pumped into the docking bay. As the light flashed green we all started to exit the shuttle.
Looking around the bay area, Sopak explained the different features in the bay area. Each bay held two shuttles
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Redemption II.
Well, it’s
that time of years again. Its Christmas the season of joy and goodwill. I mean joy for some
of us. For me it’s something different. My name is Jason Stockard and I have a
tale for you. Christmas lately has been pretty depressing for me. Don’t get me
wrong, as a kid I use to love Christmas. I would walk the dog and make my list and mail it to
the North Pole every year. I tried to be good, but sometimes like all of my
friends, I’d screw up and get in some kinda trouble. But during September
through December, I was a poster child for good behavior. I even went Christmas caroling which my friends all frowned upon. One year I worked a
clothing drive for our local Salvation Army. My mother said I was over doing it
but, what the heck, It had been fun and it was for a good cause.
As I got older it changed. I guess at around 12 I stopped believing in Santa
Claus and Christmas. That year my parents died in a plane crash and I was sent
to live with my Aunt Fran. I loved my aunt Fran, but at that time in my life, I
was a hand full. We use to sneak beer from a friends dad and get blasted. One weekend I got so drunk, I woke up in the park with no pants on. That one was tough to explain
to the police that found me. Aunt Fran was so disappointed in me, she barely
talked with me for almost two weeks after that one.
After that, you would think I’d calm down and change my behavior. But not me. No sir not me. I cared more about my drinking and not getting caught. High school for me was crazy. Yeah I did well in my classes but my behavior was off the wall. I started treating Aunt Fran really rudely. Now that I’m looking back, I can't see how she put up with me, I got toasted almost every weekend. I know she had to carry me in and put me to bed more then I’d like to admit. I would apologize of course but be right back in the bottle the next week.
Somehow I managed to get accepted at Rutgers University. I did OK there. I pledged Kappa Iota Pi and tried my best to stay on the straight and narrow. I was doing well until the night I saw the most beautiful blonde I’d ever seen in my life. I nudged a friend and found out who she was and that she was new here at Rutgers. She was a sociology student here to finish her Bachelor’s degree. She was here tonight with a few of her sisters from the Delta Lamda house. It took me more than an hour to work up the courage to approach one of her sisters to get an introduction.
I stood and watched from the other side of the room as Cara approached and whispered in her ear, all the sound in the room for me stopped. All the music, the talking and laughter for me stopped. All I heard was a buzzing in my ears as she turned, smiled and waved at me. I put down my beer and pushed my way through the crown to go and say hi. Right there and then, I know I had just met the girl I would love for the rest of my life.
For the next four years we dated on and off. We would break up and get right back together. It’s funny because no matter what we did, we couldn’t seem to stay apart. I guess we were meant to be together.
After we graduated, we moved to a small town in Vermont. I got a job in the BMC bank as an associate, while Irena took a job teaching in one of the local middle schools. We were doing OK. The bills were getting paid, we ate out occasional and keep in touch with close friends and family. One night we were lying in bed, Irena was grading papers and I had just finished some paper work. I closed the folder and looked over at Irena. She looked so beautiful and innocent, I almost stared crying. At that moment I knew I couldn’t bear to live without her. I reached over and too the folder from her hand and told her I loved her. She smiled and kissed me saying she knew that. Then I asked her the most important of our lives. I asked her to marry me. She looked back at with those deep blue teary eyes and said yes. We made intense love that night. The most passionate ever. I didn’t know it but that was also the night Christopher Ryan Stockard was conceived.
Three months later we stood together in front of all of our friends and family and said our vows to be faithful and to love each other for the rest of our lives. There is one small detail I forgot. Our wedding day was on Christmas. Yeah it sure was. We had it at the city park in the evening during a lite snow storm. Everything looked so beautiful. The park was covered with the years first snow. There was white roses and carnations and lilies spread all around the altar we had brought in. I was dressed in a white tux with white over coat. Irena looked so beautiful coming down the aisle, it took my breath away and I completely froze up for a seconds.
After that, you would think I’d calm down and change my behavior. But not me. No sir not me. I cared more about my drinking and not getting caught. High school for me was crazy. Yeah I did well in my classes but my behavior was off the wall. I started treating Aunt Fran really rudely. Now that I’m looking back, I can't see how she put up with me, I got toasted almost every weekend. I know she had to carry me in and put me to bed more then I’d like to admit. I would apologize of course but be right back in the bottle the next week.
Somehow I managed to get accepted at Rutgers University. I did OK there. I pledged Kappa Iota Pi and tried my best to stay on the straight and narrow. I was doing well until the night I saw the most beautiful blonde I’d ever seen in my life. I nudged a friend and found out who she was and that she was new here at Rutgers. She was a sociology student here to finish her Bachelor’s degree. She was here tonight with a few of her sisters from the Delta Lamda house. It took me more than an hour to work up the courage to approach one of her sisters to get an introduction.
I stood and watched from the other side of the room as Cara approached and whispered in her ear, all the sound in the room for me stopped. All the music, the talking and laughter for me stopped. All I heard was a buzzing in my ears as she turned, smiled and waved at me. I put down my beer and pushed my way through the crown to go and say hi. Right there and then, I know I had just met the girl I would love for the rest of my life.
For the next four years we dated on and off. We would break up and get right back together. It’s funny because no matter what we did, we couldn’t seem to stay apart. I guess we were meant to be together.
After we graduated, we moved to a small town in Vermont. I got a job in the BMC bank as an associate, while Irena took a job teaching in one of the local middle schools. We were doing OK. The bills were getting paid, we ate out occasional and keep in touch with close friends and family. One night we were lying in bed, Irena was grading papers and I had just finished some paper work. I closed the folder and looked over at Irena. She looked so beautiful and innocent, I almost stared crying. At that moment I knew I couldn’t bear to live without her. I reached over and too the folder from her hand and told her I loved her. She smiled and kissed me saying she knew that. Then I asked her the most important of our lives. I asked her to marry me. She looked back at with those deep blue teary eyes and said yes. We made intense love that night. The most passionate ever. I didn’t know it but that was also the night Christopher Ryan Stockard was conceived.
Three months later we stood together in front of all of our friends and family and said our vows to be faithful and to love each other for the rest of our lives. There is one small detail I forgot. Our wedding day was on Christmas. Yeah it sure was. We had it at the city park in the evening during a lite snow storm. Everything looked so beautiful. The park was covered with the years first snow. There was white roses and carnations and lilies spread all around the altar we had brought in. I was dressed in a white tux with white over coat. Irena looked so beautiful coming down the aisle, it took my breath away and I completely froze up for a seconds.
As the
minister spoke, I never took my eyes off of her. I was so lost in my loves
eyes, I really didn’t hear much of what he was saying. Her smile was just so
beautiful, I could’ve stood there forever. After the I do’s we were all off to the reception. It really was an amazing
night that I will never forget.
OK, so finally we were married and off on our honeymoon which I don’t have to say was awesome. We did a week in Paris strolling around looking at museums, eating at little cafes, drinking wine and eating cheese. On our last night we spent the night at a little cafe at a table watching gondolas under moon lite. It was really romantic.
After we returned home, life went on at a pretty normal pace. Irena was pregnant so she stared getting bigger. She had the strangest of cravings. She turned into a Mexican food junkie. I was in every Mexican restaurant in Vermont. For 6 months it was either Mexican food or sardines in mustard. YUCK!!! She ate cases of the stuff. Sometimes I think I can still smell it.
OK, so finally we were married and off on our honeymoon which I don’t have to say was awesome. We did a week in Paris strolling around looking at museums, eating at little cafes, drinking wine and eating cheese. On our last night we spent the night at a little cafe at a table watching gondolas under moon lite. It was really romantic.
After we returned home, life went on at a pretty normal pace. Irena was pregnant so she stared getting bigger. She had the strangest of cravings. She turned into a Mexican food junkie. I was in every Mexican restaurant in Vermont. For 6 months it was either Mexican food or sardines in mustard. YUCK!!! She ate cases of the stuff. Sometimes I think I can still smell it.
Two months
before Christopher was born, the bank transferred me to Stonington Maine. With
the transfer, I also got a raise. I was to be the associate vice president of
the office in Stonington. There was a pretty big party that night. Everything
just seemed perfect for us. We bought a nice house which Irena loved
decorating. I have to say she did a pretty good job. It wasn’t lavish at all. She
stay on budget except for the baby’s room. There she went all out. But that was
OK. As long as she was happy, I didn't
mind. Christopher Ryan was born on the 7th of June. You should’ve seen how nervous I was. I ran around that hospital like a lunatic. I even managed to get myself lost somewhere on the 5th floor. Don’t know how I did it since the Maternity ward was on the second floor. I ended up having one of the security guys escort me back down. I made it just in time for my son’s birth. You think I was nervous at the wedding? You should have been there when they put the baby in my arms. I swear he was the most beautiful baby ever born. I cried as I took him in to his mother. This was my family. All mine and I couldn’t believe how much I loved them. It was my job to provide for them and keep them safe
Three days later, we took Christopher home to a house full of friends and neighbors. Irena looked like a proud Queen showing off her new Prince for the first time. I have to admit, I was pretty proud to. He looked like angel sitting there in her arms. That day I swore nothing would ever hurt my family. Not if I can help it.
Days and weeks passed by and turned into years. We were all pretty happy. Christopher got bigger and bigger. I watched as he went from a baby to a toddler, then it was his first day at school. Irena and I packed him a little back pack and took him crying out to his first day of Kindergarten. I have to tell you it was hard watching him cry telling us he didn’t want to go. I just couldn’t convince him that it was only for a few hours. But I did it. I stood there with Irena and watched as he was taken inside and the doors were closed. That day I had taken the day off from work. I wanted to be there to pick him up when school was over. My boy had the biggest smile when he came running out of the playground. He grabbed me and held me as tight as he could. Again, I almost burst into tears right there.
That was his first day, after that it was a lot easier. It seems he liked school and made friends pretty easy. Over the years we were in Cub Scouts then the Boys Scouts. I had a ball taking Chris and his troops out for different activities. With my help and on his own, he received a lot of merit badges. I was really proud of the boy I raised. We had a pretty good life, until the third week of June in 2013. That was the day our lives went to hell.
mind. Christopher Ryan was born on the 7th of June. You should’ve seen how nervous I was. I ran around that hospital like a lunatic. I even managed to get myself lost somewhere on the 5th floor. Don’t know how I did it since the Maternity ward was on the second floor. I ended up having one of the security guys escort me back down. I made it just in time for my son’s birth. You think I was nervous at the wedding? You should have been there when they put the baby in my arms. I swear he was the most beautiful baby ever born. I cried as I took him in to his mother. This was my family. All mine and I couldn’t believe how much I loved them. It was my job to provide for them and keep them safe
Three days later, we took Christopher home to a house full of friends and neighbors. Irena looked like a proud Queen showing off her new Prince for the first time. I have to admit, I was pretty proud to. He looked like angel sitting there in her arms. That day I swore nothing would ever hurt my family. Not if I can help it.
Days and weeks passed by and turned into years. We were all pretty happy. Christopher got bigger and bigger. I watched as he went from a baby to a toddler, then it was his first day at school. Irena and I packed him a little back pack and took him crying out to his first day of Kindergarten. I have to tell you it was hard watching him cry telling us he didn’t want to go. I just couldn’t convince him that it was only for a few hours. But I did it. I stood there with Irena and watched as he was taken inside and the doors were closed. That day I had taken the day off from work. I wanted to be there to pick him up when school was over. My boy had the biggest smile when he came running out of the playground. He grabbed me and held me as tight as he could. Again, I almost burst into tears right there.
That was his first day, after that it was a lot easier. It seems he liked school and made friends pretty easy. Over the years we were in Cub Scouts then the Boys Scouts. I had a ball taking Chris and his troops out for different activities. With my help and on his own, he received a lot of merit badges. I was really proud of the boy I raised. We had a pretty good life, until the third week of June in 2013. That was the day our lives went to hell.
June 17th
started out just like e very other day. Irena woke me at 8am. I yawn and kissed
her good morning, then went into the bathroom to do my morning business. I
pissed, washed my hands. I brushed my teeth and was ready to take on the
day. After leaving the bathroom I went to wake Chris up. As I stepped into his
room, I looked down at him as he slept. I smile as I heard him snoring. I loved
that boy so much, I hated to wake him, but he had school. Gently I shook him
and called his name. He woke up and stretched as he looked up at me.
“Good morning Ducky.” I said. “Time to get up, you have school today.”
“Morning Dad.” He sat up and swung his legs over the bed. “Are you working today?”
“Yeah.” I said. “I have a meeting at 10 so if you want a ride you’d better get a move on.”
“Will you be busy all day?” He asked as he went and grabbed the clothes his mother had set out for him last night.
“Not really." I said as he started for his bathroom. “Why, is there something you need me to do?”
“The guys and I noticed that Shawn Kirby was going to be at the bookstore signing his book.”
“And?” I asked.
“Well. We need and adult to come with us.” I heard him say from the bathroom. “I told the guys you would do it.”
“Don’t you think you should ask me before you volunteer me to do something? I mean what If I was busy?”
“I didn’t tell them you’d do it.” He said. “I told them I would ask. Josh is asking his dad too.”
“If Mr. Bush can’t do it.” I said. “I guess I can take a few minutes. Besides there’s a new Adam Osbourne book out I want. This will give me a chance to browse the shelfs.”
“That’s great.” I heard the shower come on. “It’s after school. We’ll be waiting at the Gym.”
“You better hurry in there.”
“I will.”
I smiled as I left is room and went and showered. Irena was downstairs. I could smile the bacon cooking. It smelled good. I better hurry so I can eat.
As I undressed and stepped into the shower, I heard our door bell ring. I wondered who it could be this early. As I soaped myself up, I heard Irena calling my name.
“I’ll be right down.” I said as I stepped from the shower and dried myself off. I went into our room and put on clean underwear and a T-shirt and jeans. Today was going to be a casual day. I wanted to be comfortable. After slipping on a pair of running shoes I made my way downstairs.
As I walked down the stairs, I noticed the two police men standing in my foyer.
“Good morning.” I said. “What can I do for you?”
“Are you Jason Stockard of the BMC bank?” One of the officers asked “Yes.” I said. “What can I help you with?”
“Good morning Ducky.” I said. “Time to get up, you have school today.”
“Morning Dad.” He sat up and swung his legs over the bed. “Are you working today?”
“Yeah.” I said. “I have a meeting at 10 so if you want a ride you’d better get a move on.”
“Will you be busy all day?” He asked as he went and grabbed the clothes his mother had set out for him last night.
“Not really." I said as he started for his bathroom. “Why, is there something you need me to do?”
“The guys and I noticed that Shawn Kirby was going to be at the bookstore signing his book.”
“And?” I asked.
“Well. We need and adult to come with us.” I heard him say from the bathroom. “I told the guys you would do it.”
“Don’t you think you should ask me before you volunteer me to do something? I mean what If I was busy?”
“I didn’t tell them you’d do it.” He said. “I told them I would ask. Josh is asking his dad too.”
“If Mr. Bush can’t do it.” I said. “I guess I can take a few minutes. Besides there’s a new Adam Osbourne book out I want. This will give me a chance to browse the shelfs.”
“That’s great.” I heard the shower come on. “It’s after school. We’ll be waiting at the Gym.”
“You better hurry in there.”
“I will.”
I smiled as I left is room and went and showered. Irena was downstairs. I could smile the bacon cooking. It smelled good. I better hurry so I can eat.
As I undressed and stepped into the shower, I heard our door bell ring. I wondered who it could be this early. As I soaped myself up, I heard Irena calling my name.
“I’ll be right down.” I said as I stepped from the shower and dried myself off. I went into our room and put on clean underwear and a T-shirt and jeans. Today was going to be a casual day. I wanted to be comfortable. After slipping on a pair of running shoes I made my way downstairs.
As I walked down the stairs, I noticed the two police men standing in my foyer.
“Good morning.” I said. “What can I do for you?”
“Are you Jason Stockard of the BMC bank?” One of the officers asked “Yes.” I said. “What can I help you with?”
“You’re under arrest for bank fraud and grand theft. Please put your hands up.”
As one of the officers stepped behind me and put cuffs on, the other started reading me my rights. Irena walked of the kitchen and saw this going on, she ran to my side. One of the officers strong armed her to keep her from interfering.
“What the hell is this about?” I asked. “Bank fraud? What bank?”
“You are the Jason Stockard from BMC bank. Correct?”
“Yes.” I said. “I work there.”
“This morning the president of the bank reported that there was a robbery last night. You were the last one there. It was your code that was put into the vault to open the door.”
“Dad!” Christopher called as he ran down the stairs. “What’s going on? Let my dad go!” Irena grabbed him before he got to me.
“Let me go Mom!” He cried. “We have to stop them!”
“No Chris!“ I said. “It’s ok. There’s been some kind of mistake. I’ll go with them and straighten this all out. I’ll be home in a few hours.”
That’s what I thought as they took my away. From the backseat of the squad car, I watched my family as they took me away.
That was the beginning of three years hell. When we go to the station, I was official booked. They took my photo and my prints placed me in a cell. I was there for two days until my arraignment and I pleaded not guilty to the crime. Thankfully my bail wasn’t too high and my lawyer was able to get me out.
Don’t ask me how, but the night before someone used my vault code to take $50.000 from out of the back. I was fired and arrested for the theft. As I worked into the bank after my release, no one would look at me. They all thought I had done it. I made my way to my office and found it locked. From there I went to the bank president’s office to try and get some answers. Before I could get there, bank security stopped me and handed me all my personal things and I was asked to leave.
That was two years ago. Since then everything went downhill. Since the only proof they had was my code being used, the bank dropped all the charges. But my life was ruined. I was fired and couldn’t get a job anywhere. From that day on people treat me like a criminal. I lost all my friends, Chris’s school asked that we remove him and place him somewhere else. He lost all his friends, none of the parents wanted their child to associate with us. Day by day I could see the anger and depression moving in on him. He know I didn’t steal the money, but we were still treated like outcasts. Luckily, Irena was about to keep her job, but it wasn’t enough to pay the bills and keep up with the mortgage. We lost the house and had to move into a small apartment on the west said of town. Every day I was out job hunting, but where do you go when everyone thinks you’re a crook? I couldn’t even get a job mopping floors at a Mc Donald’s. It was getting that bad.
A few weeks ago I was waiting for word after another dismal interview when I looked out the window and saw my car being towed away. FUCK! I thought to myself. I put $2.00 worth of change in the meter, I can’t believe this was happening. I jumped up and ran the door just as the tow truck was driving away. Could my luck get any worse?
Then I heard someone behind me call my name. It was the personal manager that I had been waiting for and he didn’t have a very nice smile on his face.
“I’m sorry Mr. Stockard but we don’t have anything for you. We’ll give you a call if anything opens up. Have a nice day.”
As he turned to go back to his office, I saw him drop my application in a waste basket.
As one of the officers stepped behind me and put cuffs on, the other started reading me my rights. Irena walked of the kitchen and saw this going on, she ran to my side. One of the officers strong armed her to keep her from interfering.
“What the hell is this about?” I asked. “Bank fraud? What bank?”
“You are the Jason Stockard from BMC bank. Correct?”
“Yes.” I said. “I work there.”
“This morning the president of the bank reported that there was a robbery last night. You were the last one there. It was your code that was put into the vault to open the door.”
“Dad!” Christopher called as he ran down the stairs. “What’s going on? Let my dad go!” Irena grabbed him before he got to me.
“Let me go Mom!” He cried. “We have to stop them!”
“No Chris!“ I said. “It’s ok. There’s been some kind of mistake. I’ll go with them and straighten this all out. I’ll be home in a few hours.”
That’s what I thought as they took my away. From the backseat of the squad car, I watched my family as they took me away.
That was the beginning of three years hell. When we go to the station, I was official booked. They took my photo and my prints placed me in a cell. I was there for two days until my arraignment and I pleaded not guilty to the crime. Thankfully my bail wasn’t too high and my lawyer was able to get me out.
Don’t ask me how, but the night before someone used my vault code to take $50.000 from out of the back. I was fired and arrested for the theft. As I worked into the bank after my release, no one would look at me. They all thought I had done it. I made my way to my office and found it locked. From there I went to the bank president’s office to try and get some answers. Before I could get there, bank security stopped me and handed me all my personal things and I was asked to leave.
That was two years ago. Since then everything went downhill. Since the only proof they had was my code being used, the bank dropped all the charges. But my life was ruined. I was fired and couldn’t get a job anywhere. From that day on people treat me like a criminal. I lost all my friends, Chris’s school asked that we remove him and place him somewhere else. He lost all his friends, none of the parents wanted their child to associate with us. Day by day I could see the anger and depression moving in on him. He know I didn’t steal the money, but we were still treated like outcasts. Luckily, Irena was about to keep her job, but it wasn’t enough to pay the bills and keep up with the mortgage. We lost the house and had to move into a small apartment on the west said of town. Every day I was out job hunting, but where do you go when everyone thinks you’re a crook? I couldn’t even get a job mopping floors at a Mc Donald’s. It was getting that bad.
A few weeks ago I was waiting for word after another dismal interview when I looked out the window and saw my car being towed away. FUCK! I thought to myself. I put $2.00 worth of change in the meter, I can’t believe this was happening. I jumped up and ran the door just as the tow truck was driving away. Could my luck get any worse?
Then I heard someone behind me call my name. It was the personal manager that I had been waiting for and he didn’t have a very nice smile on his face.
“I’m sorry Mr. Stockard but we don’t have anything for you. We’ll give you a call if anything opens up. Have a nice day.”
As he turned to go back to his office, I saw him drop my application in a waste basket.
With a sad
face I turned and headed out the exit. I had to keep trying. After all, it
can’t rain every day. Sooner or later the sun has to come out, right?
As I walked away, it started to rain. Damn it! I had an umbrella, but it was in the back seat of the car that was towed away. As I looked up at the gray stormy cloud, I screamed out in my head.
“Can it possibly get any worse?”
That’s when I heard the horn as a car ran right into me and knocked me back off my feet and into the park bushes and I saw stars.
It was dark when I woke up. There wasn’t much traffic on the streets. I sat up and shook my head to clear away the cobwebs. Where was I and what was I doing laying here in the wet grass? Then I remembered what had happened and where I was. I had been hit a car and knocked out flat. As I looked up at the gray clouds, I wished it had killed me. Then Irena and Chris would at least get the $75.000 from my life insurance.
Down and depressed, I made my way north from the park and into the city. I was getting desperate. Somewhere he in this city, there had to be a job for him. He would take anything. He didn’t mind mopping floors or washing dishes. Anything would do.
As I walked, my mind was elsewhere. I was thinking more about the bills that were piling up then where I was going. The next month’s rent, the power and water bills. Thank god they didn’t have cable anymore. That was a $200 problem he didn’t miss at all. Through Chris did. He had walked in last night and saw him lying there in front of the old flat screen looking depressed. I apologized to him and told him I would try getting it back on next month. He smiled and said it was OK and that he could do without it. Sadly I turned and went back to the front porch to wait for Irena to return from the food pantry. Once a month, either me or Irena would go out to the four charity food programs to bring back what groceries we could gather.
As I stepped off the curb, a tan Grand Prix shapely made the turn and for the second time today, I was almost hit and knocked back down on my ass. The driver screamed out the window for me to watch where I was going. Yeah, sure I thought not that it really mattered. Maybe death would be a good thing for my family. It would pay the bills and give Irena and Chris a chance to have a better life.
As I walked past a brightly lit porn shop, a man dressed in a dark Zoot suit stepped out to block my way. I said excuse me and tried to walk around him when he held out his to stop me. Confused, I looked up at the shape dressed man as he smiled and took of his hat and bowed to me.
“Please allow me to introduce myself, I’m a man of wealth and taste.”
“Huh?” I stared at him confused.
“Sorry.” He said. “It’s just an old joke. My name is Scratch, Nicolas Scratch and I think you’ve been looking for me.”
“I’m sorry.” I said. “You’re who?”
“I’m the man you’ve been looking for.” He said. “I’m the answer to all your problems.”
I looked at him closer. He was dressed in an Immaculate black suit and white suit with shoes that shined some much they were like mirrors.
On his head he wore a black fedora with a long pheasant feather trailing behind him. I have to admit he looked shape in that suit as swung his keys on the golden chain. But what did he want and how could he answer any of my problems?
“I think you have the wrong person.” I said as I stepped back to turn away.
“Jason Michael Stockard right?”
I nodded my head as my mouth dropped open in shock. He had a devious grin on his face like he knew everything.
“I’ve been watching you and your family for a long time. I was even there the day your son was born. Really cute kid I have to say.”
I can’t believe this. Whoever he is, he talks like he actually knows me.
“Excuse me Mr. Scratch.” I said. “But are you telling me you’ve been watching me and my family?”
“Yes.” He said. “I knew this day would come and you would need my help. So here I am, ready to give all that you think you deserve. The job, the money, the respect of others. I can even tell you who it was that set up for the bank robbery. I knew you’d like that.”
I looked at the slick smooth operator. He smiled at me as I watched the flames dance in his eyes. I could almost feel the heat from where I was standing.
“And what do you want for your help?” I asked.
As I walked away, it started to rain. Damn it! I had an umbrella, but it was in the back seat of the car that was towed away. As I looked up at the gray stormy cloud, I screamed out in my head.
“Can it possibly get any worse?”
That’s when I heard the horn as a car ran right into me and knocked me back off my feet and into the park bushes and I saw stars.
It was dark when I woke up. There wasn’t much traffic on the streets. I sat up and shook my head to clear away the cobwebs. Where was I and what was I doing laying here in the wet grass? Then I remembered what had happened and where I was. I had been hit a car and knocked out flat. As I looked up at the gray clouds, I wished it had killed me. Then Irena and Chris would at least get the $75.000 from my life insurance.
Down and depressed, I made my way north from the park and into the city. I was getting desperate. Somewhere he in this city, there had to be a job for him. He would take anything. He didn’t mind mopping floors or washing dishes. Anything would do.
As I walked, my mind was elsewhere. I was thinking more about the bills that were piling up then where I was going. The next month’s rent, the power and water bills. Thank god they didn’t have cable anymore. That was a $200 problem he didn’t miss at all. Through Chris did. He had walked in last night and saw him lying there in front of the old flat screen looking depressed. I apologized to him and told him I would try getting it back on next month. He smiled and said it was OK and that he could do without it. Sadly I turned and went back to the front porch to wait for Irena to return from the food pantry. Once a month, either me or Irena would go out to the four charity food programs to bring back what groceries we could gather.
As I stepped off the curb, a tan Grand Prix shapely made the turn and for the second time today, I was almost hit and knocked back down on my ass. The driver screamed out the window for me to watch where I was going. Yeah, sure I thought not that it really mattered. Maybe death would be a good thing for my family. It would pay the bills and give Irena and Chris a chance to have a better life.
As I walked past a brightly lit porn shop, a man dressed in a dark Zoot suit stepped out to block my way. I said excuse me and tried to walk around him when he held out his to stop me. Confused, I looked up at the shape dressed man as he smiled and took of his hat and bowed to me.
“Please allow me to introduce myself, I’m a man of wealth and taste.”
“Huh?” I stared at him confused.
“Sorry.” He said. “It’s just an old joke. My name is Scratch, Nicolas Scratch and I think you’ve been looking for me.”
“I’m sorry.” I said. “You’re who?”
“I’m the man you’ve been looking for.” He said. “I’m the answer to all your problems.”
I looked at him closer. He was dressed in an Immaculate black suit and white suit with shoes that shined some much they were like mirrors.
On his head he wore a black fedora with a long pheasant feather trailing behind him. I have to admit he looked shape in that suit as swung his keys on the golden chain. But what did he want and how could he answer any of my problems?
“I think you have the wrong person.” I said as I stepped back to turn away.
“Jason Michael Stockard right?”
I nodded my head as my mouth dropped open in shock. He had a devious grin on his face like he knew everything.
“I’ve been watching you and your family for a long time. I was even there the day your son was born. Really cute kid I have to say.”
I can’t believe this. Whoever he is, he talks like he actually knows me.
“Excuse me Mr. Scratch.” I said. “But are you telling me you’ve been watching me and my family?”
“Yes.” He said. “I knew this day would come and you would need my help. So here I am, ready to give all that you think you deserve. The job, the money, the respect of others. I can even tell you who it was that set up for the bank robbery. I knew you’d like that.”
I looked at the slick smooth operator. He smiled at me as I watched the flames dance in his eyes. I could almost feel the heat from where I was standing.
“And what do you want for your help?” I asked.
“Nothing
really” He said. “I’ll give you three things. I’ll make you a success, you’ll
have riches beyond belief, and you’ll be famous. For these three things, all I
want is your soul.”
At that moment I knew exactly who it was that I was talking to. This shape man standing in front of offering me the world was the Devil. Satan, Diablo, Lucifer the fallen angel and the master of hell. I took a step back as he through back his head started laughing.
“The master of hell?” he reached into his lapel pocket and took out a pack of cigarettes. He took one out of the pack and put in his mouth. With a snap of his finger, the end burst into flames. With a wink at me he took a drag and blew the smoke out.
“Now as I was saying. I’m prepared to give you all you life’s dreams and all I want is your soul. It’s such a small thing. It’s nothing really. What do you say?”
For a minute, I thought about it. This would solve all my problems. Irena wouldn’t have to work so hard. Chris could get back into Excelsior Prep with his friend. It’ll be like nothing had ever happened. I could even be the president of the BMC bank.
“You should think higher than that.” He said. “You could own that bank if you want. All you have to do is sign on the dotted line.”
In a flash, there was a roll of parchment paper in his hand. He held it out to me along with a pen. As I reached for it, I suddenly felt the chill of a cold gust of wind.
“Stop right there!!” A voice said. “Do not sign that!”
As I dropped the contract, an older gentleman dressed in red stepped between us. Mr. Scratch looked and him and rolled his eyes in frustration.
“Oh no!” Scratch said. “Not you!”
“Yes you dirty old thief.” The gentleman said. “It’s me here, and I’m here to stop you from taking another innocent soul under your hellish wing.”
“Who are you?” I asked.
“You don’t remember?” He looked at me with surprise in his eyes. “We were such good friends when you were a kid. You sent me all those letters and never once did I slip up and bring the wrong gift. You always got what you wanted. I’m one of your oldest friends. I’m Santa Claus”
“What?” I looked at him confused. He frown and stepped in closer.
“Look around you.” He said raising his hands. “Don’t you know what season it is? It’s Christmas. The time for good cheer and peace on Earth.”
“Oh go blow it out your hole!” Scratch said with an annoyed look. “There is no peace on Earth. You grab what you can and kick the other guy out of your way.”
“Is that how you feel Jason?” He looked at me over his spectacles.
“That’s not the same boy that caroled for three years and worked so hard at the clothing drives. I know the real you. The passionate one.”
“Santa Claus?” I said in surprise. “Is this real? Are either of you really here or am I just having a dream?”
“Sign this and nothing he says will matter.” Scratch held out the contract. “You can be the king of your own world.”
“And what about his family?” Santa said. “Will you take care of them too? Will you grant Irena and Chris their wishes to?”
At that moment I knew exactly who it was that I was talking to. This shape man standing in front of offering me the world was the Devil. Satan, Diablo, Lucifer the fallen angel and the master of hell. I took a step back as he through back his head started laughing.
“The master of hell?” he reached into his lapel pocket and took out a pack of cigarettes. He took one out of the pack and put in his mouth. With a snap of his finger, the end burst into flames. With a wink at me he took a drag and blew the smoke out.
“Now as I was saying. I’m prepared to give you all you life’s dreams and all I want is your soul. It’s such a small thing. It’s nothing really. What do you say?”
For a minute, I thought about it. This would solve all my problems. Irena wouldn’t have to work so hard. Chris could get back into Excelsior Prep with his friend. It’ll be like nothing had ever happened. I could even be the president of the BMC bank.
“You should think higher than that.” He said. “You could own that bank if you want. All you have to do is sign on the dotted line.”
In a flash, there was a roll of parchment paper in his hand. He held it out to me along with a pen. As I reached for it, I suddenly felt the chill of a cold gust of wind.
“Stop right there!!” A voice said. “Do not sign that!”
As I dropped the contract, an older gentleman dressed in red stepped between us. Mr. Scratch looked and him and rolled his eyes in frustration.
“Oh no!” Scratch said. “Not you!”
“Yes you dirty old thief.” The gentleman said. “It’s me here, and I’m here to stop you from taking another innocent soul under your hellish wing.”
“Who are you?” I asked.
“You don’t remember?” He looked at me with surprise in his eyes. “We were such good friends when you were a kid. You sent me all those letters and never once did I slip up and bring the wrong gift. You always got what you wanted. I’m one of your oldest friends. I’m Santa Claus”
“What?” I looked at him confused. He frown and stepped in closer.
“Look around you.” He said raising his hands. “Don’t you know what season it is? It’s Christmas. The time for good cheer and peace on Earth.”
“Oh go blow it out your hole!” Scratch said with an annoyed look. “There is no peace on Earth. You grab what you can and kick the other guy out of your way.”
“Is that how you feel Jason?” He looked at me over his spectacles.
“That’s not the same boy that caroled for three years and worked so hard at the clothing drives. I know the real you. The passionate one.”
“Santa Claus?” I said in surprise. “Is this real? Are either of you really here or am I just having a dream?”
“Sign this and nothing he says will matter.” Scratch held out the contract. “You can be the king of your own world.”
“And what about his family?” Santa said. “Will you take care of them too? Will you grant Irena and Chris their wishes to?”
“Sure
I will.” Scratch said. “All they have to do is sign with me and they can be
kings and queens too. They can have any dream they want. For a price.”
“Yes.” Santa said to me. “Any dream the want until the contract is due. Then you all go to hell. Is that what you want for your family? To suffer with them in hell. Don’t you think they deserve better?”
I looked at the contract in my hand. It was so tempting. If I sign I can write my own ticket. I could own an airline, or a string of banks. I could be the richest man in the world. Then I looked into Santa’s blue eyes. I saw Irena and Chris in a firer cavern naked being raped by Demons.
“It doesn’t matter. Scratch whispered in his ear. “It’s all going to happen anyway. Why not enjoy it while you can.”
“Noooooo!!” I threw the contract in Scratch’s face. “You can’t have them! That’s my family and I have to protect them! Take you contract and go to hell!!”
As I screamed at him, Scratch started to change. He went from the slick dressed man in the zoot suit, to a demon with horns, a forked tail and hooves. Behind him I saw the cavern of fire and tortured souls. I could feel the flames of hell blasting heat at my face. It looked like Scratch was going to take us down to his blasted hole radiating out at me. Just then, Santa came and stepped in front of me and wrapped his arms around me. Suddenly I knew everything would be alright.
“You’ve lost another one Scratch.” Santa said as he pushed me behind him to keep me safe. “Why don’t you just give up and go back to your dark, dirty underworld were you belong. There’s nothing for you here. You will never stand against the Christmas spirit.
“I’ll go.” Scratch said frowning. “But I’ll be back. There’s a great big world out there and you can’t protect them all!”
In a great flash of fire and smoke, Mr. Scratch vanished leaving nothing behind except the echoing sound of his laughter.
With Scratch gone, I turned to Santa with big sad eyes. If he hadn’t stopped me, I would have signed his contract.
“Yes.” Santa said to me. “Any dream the want until the contract is due. Then you all go to hell. Is that what you want for your family? To suffer with them in hell. Don’t you think they deserve better?”
I looked at the contract in my hand. It was so tempting. If I sign I can write my own ticket. I could own an airline, or a string of banks. I could be the richest man in the world. Then I looked into Santa’s blue eyes. I saw Irena and Chris in a firer cavern naked being raped by Demons.
“It doesn’t matter. Scratch whispered in his ear. “It’s all going to happen anyway. Why not enjoy it while you can.”
“Noooooo!!” I threw the contract in Scratch’s face. “You can’t have them! That’s my family and I have to protect them! Take you contract and go to hell!!”
As I screamed at him, Scratch started to change. He went from the slick dressed man in the zoot suit, to a demon with horns, a forked tail and hooves. Behind him I saw the cavern of fire and tortured souls. I could feel the flames of hell blasting heat at my face. It looked like Scratch was going to take us down to his blasted hole radiating out at me. Just then, Santa came and stepped in front of me and wrapped his arms around me. Suddenly I knew everything would be alright.
“You’ve lost another one Scratch.” Santa said as he pushed me behind him to keep me safe. “Why don’t you just give up and go back to your dark, dirty underworld were you belong. There’s nothing for you here. You will never stand against the Christmas spirit.
“I’ll go.” Scratch said frowning. “But I’ll be back. There’s a great big world out there and you can’t protect them all!”
In a great flash of fire and smoke, Mr. Scratch vanished leaving nothing behind except the echoing sound of his laughter.
With Scratch gone, I turned to Santa with big sad eyes. If he hadn’t stopped me, I would have signed his contract.
“No.”
Santa said with a smile. “I know you were tempted, but you would have thought
of your family and that would have stopped you. You don't have an evil bone in
your body.”
“No.” I said. “Not evil, but I am a pathetic loser who can’t even keep a job to fed his family.”
“No." Santa said as he patted me on the shoulder. “Losing you job wasn't your fault, Scratch took it from you. But moving on is up to you. What you do from here on is your choice. You just need a little help from a friend.”
He stuck his hand into a pocket and pulled out a card and handed it to me. I took it and read the name on it.
“No.” I said. “Not evil, but I am a pathetic loser who can’t even keep a job to fed his family.”
“No." Santa said as he patted me on the shoulder. “Losing you job wasn't your fault, Scratch took it from you. But moving on is up to you. What you do from here on is your choice. You just need a little help from a friend.”
He stuck his hand into a pocket and pulled out a card and handed it to me. I took it and read the name on it.
Mark T Randle and associates.
Employment Services.
555 675 2112.
Stonington Maine.
“This is a friend of mine.” Santa said. “You can trust him. He’ll give you a fair shake.”
“I don’t know how to thank you.” I said through tears of joy. “I won’t let you down.”
“I’m not worried at all.” He said as he started to fade away as he backed away into the storm. “Just tell Mark I sent you. And one more thing.
“MERRY CHRISTMAS!”
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