Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 30

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 30

(1:48 pm Nov 30, 2006)

"Life is for the living so carpe diem." (CB Desiray Ingraham : DT Omar Ferguson)

(2:11 pm Nov 30, 2006)

Well, gentle reader, it is the thirtieth of November in the year two thousand and six. This is the last day of the two thousand and six National Novel Writers Month and also more than likely the last day that I will be writing for you in this book 'Sayings' for a good while. I do want to try and keep writing at least something everyday though even if not at this level of verbiagalogical output. I have wanted to for the previous two years as well, but Novembers can be burn out experiences. I am hurting now. Let's hope I don't crash and burn and tomorrow find me a smoking wreak.

I want to go take a nap but I will try and keep writing. Please try and keep reading as it may encouragerize me enough to finish up quickly.

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty one, twenty two, twenty three, twenty four, twenty five, twenty six, twenty seven, twenty eight, twenty nine, thirty, thirty one, thirty two, thirty three, thirty four, thirty five, thirty six, thirty seven, thirty eight, thirty nine, forty, forty one, forty two, forty three, forty four, forty five, forty six, forty seven, forty eight, forty nine, fifty! Ready or not, here I come!" said Nipps.

Nano laughed, this game was really getting out of hand now. He headed off to the north at high speed. So far Nipps had found him no matter where he thought to hide. This time he decided not to try and hide anywhere. This time he decided to hide in speed. If Nipps could never get close enough to see him then he couldn't find him then could he. What a plan.

(2:23 pm Nov 30, 2006)

Bing, Boom and Drake were still following that baggage train. Well, they weren't exactly following it any more, they had grown bored and decided to catch it up and ride on the back of the last baggage car. It was a good thing that 'Two pay' had a built in ice chest fully stocked with comestibles of the type normally transported in foil down in the islands. Without that, they would all be starving.

The had talked it over, but they couldn't decide if the train was just super slow, it hadn't seemed that way when crossing the hangar last night, or if the tunnel they were now in was just super long. If the train was moving at a reasonable rate of speed, where must they be now?

(2:33 pm Nov 30, 2006)

Petro and Loqui were on their way to London. On very short notice I might add.|

Petro was at work this morning when he got a call from Chloe saying she was on the ramp out at the FBO at Windsor Field, and that he should get out there as soon as he could. He was stunned and laughed. He got her number and said that he would call right back.

"Six to one and half a dozen to the rest." (CB Hope Shelly-Ann : DT Andrea Sawyer)

Petro had called Loqui right away and let her know what was going on and asked her if she could get away if he squared things with Chloe. Loqui then laughed and said yes, why not?

Petro had called Chloe back and put his plan to her. At first he sensed some reluctance and disappointment in her voice, but it had lasted for only a second or two. She had said, sure, just get out here quick and within an hour, they were airborne and heading out over the blue Atlantic bound for England.

(2:42 pm Nov 30, 2006)

Nano was laughing to himself as he continued North at high speed, so far, Nipps hadn't found him. The haze seemed to be clearing up a bit ahead.

Nano hit his air breaks! What the... The air ahead was clear, the gently rolling hills covered with grass gave way to gently rolling hills made of piles of luggage. Bahamascare baggage handlers were "busy" unloading a huge long luggage train and piling the luggage into new hills.

Nano stopped for a while and watched in amazement.

Bing, Boom and Drake were jostled as the train came to a stop. Why were they stopping here still in the tunnel? They decided to go ahead and investigate.

(2:50 pm Nov 30, 2006)

(3:04 pm Nov 30, 2006)

Da bruddahs and Drake could see light ahead. They picked up speed and made for what they could now see was the end of the tunnel. Yes, gentle reader, they really could see the light at the end of the tunnel.|

Just as they came out of the tunnel into the light...

"Ouch! Nipps! Why do you always do that? Can't you just find me? Why do you have to go and bite me every single time you find me?"

"I don't know Nano, I just have to, I think it's in my genes or something like that. I see you there and I just have to take a bite."

"Well at least next time don't go biting so hard then. That hurts!"

"I bet it did, you deserved it this time though."

"What do you mean I deserved it?"

"Jumping slick on me like that. Trying to hide in the wind. Don't think I didn't figure it out."

"You may have figured it out, but you would never have found me if I hadn't come upon this."

"What this... Oh! What in the world is this?"

"You tell me. I have no idea. Well, I mean, I see what it is, but what is it?"

(3:11 pm Nov 30, 2006)

"Nano, do I see what I see? Are those guys really making hills out of luggage? Why in the world would they be doing that?"

"No idea, Nipps, no idea."

They heard a loud yell coming from way off in the distance in the direction of a large hill covered in grass. "That sounded like Nano!" yelled Drake. "Nano! Is that you?"

There was no response. "I'm going to see if that was Nano, are you guys coming?"

"We might as well. Let's go."

"If a fish keep his mouth shut he wouldn't get caught." (CB Dion da Butcha : DT ??)

(3:17 pm Nov 30, 2006)

(8:06 pm Nov 30, 2006)

Well, not quite a temporal black hole, more like a break. I tried to take a quick nap and then went over to band practice. Then back and a dinner that I rushed too much.

Well, gentle reader, I guess I need to back track here for you a bit and fill you in on what happened earlier. Rewind the clock mentally, I will not rewind it in fact and put in altered times, just pretend we did it and I will tell you about this afternoon.

When da bruddahs and Drake came out of the tunnel, there was a large part of the baggage train already out of the tunnel and an even larger part still in the tunnel in darkness. Handlers were already taking luggage off of the exposed baggage cars and adding them to the growing hills of luggage and starting new hills on the empty flat tarmac that stretched to the horizon where the hills ended.

Drake thought he heard Nano and called to him but got no response. He headed towards a large hill in the distance where he thought Nano's voice had come from. Da bruddahs had followed on 'Two Pay' but could not keep up which surprised them. 'Two Pay' was fast.

(8:14 pm Nov 30, 2006)

When Drake got nearer the hill, he saw Nano and Nipps rowing with one another. He increased his speed even more and swooped down and tackled Nano and the two of them went tumbling down the hill like Jack and Jill. Luckily, there were no crowns broken. No bones at all as a matter of fact.

The two ended up at the bottom of the hill, laughing and shouting. Da bruddahs landed next to Nipps and the three of them looked on as the two dragons did a little dragon celebration and started a few fires that threatened to get out of hand before they got involved and calmed things down some.

"Where did you come from?"

"What do you mean, where id we come from? Where did you go? Where have you two been?" said Drake.

"We don't know where we are, or where we went to or where we have been, except we know we came from south of here. Back that way, a long way, over vast distances of these rolling grassy hills." replied Nano.

(8:24 pm Nov 30, 2006)

"Do you know where we are?" said Nipps, "Where did you come from?"

"You see that train coming out of that tunnel over there? We came out of that tunnel, at the other end is a Bahamascare under sea air base at the bottom of the tongue of the ocean. That's where we came from. Do either of you know what's going on here? Have you been watching this long?" said Bing.

"Only what you see," said Nano, "we just got here a little before you guys found us. The best that I can guess as to what's going on is that these guys are piling luggage into hills and then covering them up with grass. But if that's what's going on, that's totally crazy. There must be so much luggage back under those hills to the south. There's just no way. Plus, what's the point?"

(8:30 pm Nov 30, 2006)

"Live the life you love, Love the life you live, And most importantly, Leave people business alone." (CB Natural Empress : DT ??)

"Time out!" yelled Drake, "Let's just all go home. We can come back here later if we want to figure out what's going on. I just need to get back to the lair and get some sleep."

"You know something," said Nipps, "I second that motion. All in favour, say Aye!"

"Aye!"

(8:40 pm Nov 30, 2006)

"The ayes have it, let's go," said Nipps.

With Nipps joining da bruddahs on 'Two Pay' and the dragons leading the way, they small band headed back to the tunnel entrance.

(9:14 pm Nov 30, 2006)

Now that, gentle reader, was unfortunately a little time warp, temporal black hole, event horizon type event right there right then. Almost a time vacuum cleaner. Or even a time whirlpool, swirling and pulling time down to the bottom of the ocean. Perhaps even down to the bottom of the tongue of the ocean.

And as we have seen, strange things happen down at the bottom of the ocean's tongue...

And now the end is near... Less than half a thousand words to the day's goal. And then... Shut down. Soon after...

Petro and Loqui are safe in London. They are on some corner where people keep taking pictures of themselves walking across a zebra crossing.



Earlier in the day (night) they had conducted a study on the packing densities of holes. This had proved entertaining for a while.

Bill Techero, remember him gentle reader? Big Bill is sitting on his front porch. Sitting on his duho. Unfolding time that has just come in on the mail boat from Andros. From the big yard. Come in in the sacks normally used to ship Andros crabs to the capitol.

(9:37 pm Nov 30, 2006)

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty one, twenty two, twenty three, twenty four, twenty five, twenty six, twenty seven, twenty eight, twenty nine, thirty, thirty one, thirty two, thirty three, thirty four, thirty five, thirty six, thirty seven, thirty eight, thirty nine, forty, forty one, forty two, forty three, forty four, forty five, forty six, forty seven, forty eight, forty nine, fifty! Ready or not, man I'm done!"

"Don't spit in the wind, it'll come back in ya face." (CB Colyn grant, aka Mo : DT ??)

"That's all she wrote." (CB Colyn Grant, aka Mo : DT ??)

Yes, gentle reader, I think I just heard Gussie start to sing.

Good night.

(9:47 pm Nov 30, 2006)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 29

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 29

(5:03 pm Nov 29, 2006)

"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." (CB Wendell Gardiner : DT Laverne Gardiner)

Just getting started... Late... Suffering... And... Life interrupts art. Dogs need walking... Back soon...

(5:38 pm Nov 29, 2006)

Gentle reader, I am feeling really washed out as a result of yesterday, therefore, I may be totally out in left field for the rest of the day and perhaps tomorrow. We shall see.

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty one, twenty two, twenty three, twenty four, twenty five, twenty six, twenty seven, twenty eight, twenty nine, thirty, thirty one, thirty two, thirty three, thirty four, thirty five, thirty six, thirty seven, thirty eight, thirty nine, forty, forty one, forty two, forty three, forty four, forty five, forty six, forty seven, forty eight, forty nine, fifty! Ready or not, here I came!"

Nipps began his hunt for Nano. Now you may not know this, gentle reader, but playing hide and seek or kick the can, or any other game involving hiding or having certain other aspects when one of your opponents is a dragon can be very challenging indeed. Extremely challenging and this was the task that Nipps found himself faced with.

Nano and Nipps had not been found and had not figured out where they themselves were since those clouds had closed in about them yesterday. They found themselves in some hazy, indistinct place with gently rolling hills covered in waving grass. Gray, foggy-hazy clouds left the sun diffuse and almost cold.

(As an aside gentle reader, have I just discovered a great new NaNo padding trick? Or has this one been done before? Either way, I can see how it might be a life saver in certain situations.)

Now, the problem with playing these sorts of games with dragons is that they often will not restrict themselves to playing fair. How are you supposed to find a dragon who simply shrinks down out of site while you are counting instead of going and hiding like any normal player would?

(6:04 pm Nov 29, 2006)

Where did that block come from?

Let's leave Nipps and Nano to their little time killer and check in on Drake.

Drake is still flying search patterns. Ever widening search patterns. He tried calling BASRA and the US Coast Guard, but they refused to take him seriously when he reported a dragon and a sand fly lost over the tongue of the ocean. Then a thought hit him! Bahamascare! The tongue of the ocean! That underwater base! He was off like a flash. It took him a while to get back up to the tongue as he was down Inagua way when the idea struck.

Drake got over the tongue of the ocean just west of New Providence and then realised that those two soldiers hadn't actually spelled out exactly where this undersea airbase was. The headed in to Nassau to try and hunt Bing and Boom up.

(6:13 pm Nov 29, 2006)

"It'll be better before you get married." (CB Gina Knowles : DT Her children)

"Zotz, can you tell me whee to find Bing or Boom or do you know exactly where that Bahamascare base they told you about is?"

"Hey Drake. I don't know where the base is. I am not sure where those two are, but I think they may be over on PI getting a bite to eat over by the marina."

Thanks Zotz, do you know which restaurant? Which marina even?"

"The new marina I think, I don't know which restaurant, but those two like deli food and burgers so try those places first. Careful in those places though. This country doesn't need you scaring off the tourists. I really don't think they would like to see or smell a dragon on their vacation."

"Sure thing Zotz, I'll be careful. Thanks for the hints. Listen, I can't tell you how much I am worried for Nano, are you sure you can't do more for me to help me find him?"

"Drake, are you tired right now?"

"Zotz, I'm so tired it's not even funny."

"Right, me too. They'll be alright. I have a feeling that things will work out just fine. You may be surprised, but just keep looking."

"OK, I'm off to hunt up those soldiers."

(6:26 pm Nov 29, 2006)

(7:38 pm Nov 29, 2006)

Oops.

Drake finally tracked Bing and Boom down at a little known local pub that operated out of the the old light house on the western tip of PI. I will not bother you with the details as to how he managed this feat.

"Bing, Boom, can one of you tell me how to find that Bahamascare base you two discovered the other day?"

"What tonight?" said Bing. "Why do you need to go there tonight?"

"Because NaNo and Nipps are still missing and I think that that place may be somehow related to their disappearance, that's why. Can you tell me where to find it?"

"Gee, Drake, I don't know if I could find it again at night. What do you say Boom."

"Drake, it is not gonna be easy, but I think you might have a chance if we went with you. I don't think there is any chance at all if we just try to tell you."

"Would you go with me? I have to try."

"I don't know Drake, we are both really wiped out after that rescue last night, are you sure it can't wait until the morning. The base will be easier to find in the day anyhow."

"What rescue? I need to try tonight. Please."

"It seems that Loqui and her cousin were caught in some strange storm yesterday on the way back from Pimlico and their engines and all of their electrical and electronics systems shut down on them. We came across them last night and had to tow them in. We need to sleep."

(7:57 pm Nov 29, 2006)

"It's like deja vu all over again." (CB Monty Roberts : DT ??)

"Guys come on, Nano may need my help. I gotta try find him. You're not the only tired ones either, I have been flying around trying to find him since yesterday. I am dead on my feet here too. Let's go. Now. Please!"

"Bing, let's go with him. We can crash tomorrow or the next day. I think we may be able to find it. Hey! I just had an idea Bing. You remember that captain Edgecombe who used to fly for Bahamascare but who was sort of forced to retire after that incident a long time back. I used to know his son quite well. I wonder if he knows where that base is and if so, if he would tell us."

"Boom, brilliant! Is he still alive though? Is he still around here?"

"Both, he lives out in the back of Cow Pen Road down a dirt road that end near Bonefish Pond."

"Let's go then!"

The soldiers hopped on 'Two Pay' and Drake leaped into the air and spread his tired wings.

(8:11 pm Nov 29, 2006)

Drake had a hard time keeping up with da bruddahs on 'Two Pay' but he managed. before long, they were swooping down on a little cottage at the edge of a swamp. There was a man sitting on a porch smoking a pipe and reading a book with the light from a lantern.

He looked up startled as they came into his field of vision.

"Hey captain. Remember me? Your son used to play with me years ago."

"Ya know, you do look familiar. Were you that soldier that used to win all the races?"

"Not all the races, but yeah, that was me." said Boom.

"Captain, listen, we have a problem that we wonder if you may be able to help us with."

"Always happy to help with problems if I can boys, what can I do you for?"

"It's like this. Drake here has a friend Nano who went missing yesterday in a strange storm over the tongue of the ocean. He heard that we had found a Bahamascare base down there at the tongue of the ocean the other day. Drake thinks that the the base may somehow be tied in to his buddy's disappearance."

(8:28 pm Nov 29, 2006)

(8:42 pm Nov 29, 2006)

My how time flies.

The good captain was unwilling to give away much, but he gave enough of a hint that sent them on their way. A large hint. he told them to go and line up the western point of the triangle made by the Windsor Field runways with the western tip of Lyford Cay. Then go out four point two miles from that same tip of Lyford Can and head down. He told them that that might help in their search but that he could not give an guarantees.

As soon as they had this hint, they were off like one of those proverbial bats that like to hang around the caves out in the western end of the island.

"True, true!" (CB Noelle Roberts : DT ??)

Well, the base was not on the bottom where they went down and they wondered at first if they had miscalculated or misunderstood.

It wasn't long though before they gave a silent prayer of thanks for the good captain. They were within sight of a flight path oh the planes landing.

(8:54 pm Nov 29, 2006)

When they entered the hangars to begin their search for Nano and Nipps, they were completely taken aback. The soldiers had been astounded from the outside, but from within, things were even more unbelievable.

The number of planes lined up inside were an order of magnitude greater than the number they had seen outside on the first day. What in the world could Bahamascare need with all these planes? The scale of the operations was astounding.

After looking around in a fairly aimless fashion for a short while, they saw some lights coming towards them from way down a long corridor.

The lights got closer and closer and they ducked behind some filing cabinets that were standing inexplicably in the middle of the floor near where they were.

Soon they could see that the lights were on the front of an enormous, wheeled baggage train. It was pulling hundreds of huge baggage cars with each car loaded to the brim.

(9:01 pm Nov 29, 2006)

It came out of the one corridor and across the vast hangar space only to enter another corridor on the other side of the hanger. They decided that they might as well follow it.

(9:11 pm Nov 29, 2006)

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty one, twenty two, twenty three, twenty four, twenty five, twenty six, twenty seven, twenty eight, twenty nine, thirty, thirty one, thirty two, thirty three, thirty four, thirty five, thirty six, thirty seven, thirty eight, thirty nine, forty, forty one, forty two, forty three, forty four, forty five, forty six, forty seven, forty eight, forty nine, fifty! Ready or not, here I came!" said Nano.

Nano grinned as he began his hunt for Nipps. That little sucker did not give up. No wonder sand flies tormented humans and other animals so much. They just did not give up. It had taken Nipps hours to find Nano, but find him he did. Even when Nano had resorted to moving his hiding locations to ones where Nipps had already searched, shrinking down to almost nanometre sizes, becoming translucent, whatever. It did not seem to matter. Nipps just kept right on looking until he found Nano. And then, after all of that, he refused to tell how he had done it. It was frustrating in the extreme. Well, Nano planed to make up for it by finding Nipps in record time.

(9:20 pm Nov 29, 2006)

And here I must leave you tonight gentle reader. I have a project that I mentioned earlier that I have to work on for my friends in the band. It needs to be done before practice tomorrow.

Good night, gentle reader.

(9:21 pm Nov 29, 2006)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 28

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 28

(5:38 am Nov 28, 2006)

"Whe you is?" (CB Janet Turnquest : DT ??)

Good morning, gentle reader, are you awake yet?

I wish I wasn't. I woke up this morning before the three changed to a four on my clock. Try as I might, I have been unable to go to sleep again.

And so I write.

The dogs have been let out, the kettle has boiled, the tea is steeping, the dogs have been let back in on account of barking and kindness to the neighbours.

And so I write.

(5:54 am Nov 28, 2006)

Bookkeeping.

Tea is ready and first sips have been sipped.

(6:19 am Nov 28, 2006)

Ouch.

(3:52 pm Nov 28, 2006)

So here I am again at the bookstore, gentle reader, mid week this time, we shall see if anyone else shows up. I really should be doing a better job as a municipal liaison.

Maybe next year if I get to do NaNo again. I would like to if it works out, we shall see. Will you join me and write your novel too?

Petro was feeling antsy. He wanted to leave work early today so that he could get home and get ready and get to Loqui's place by six or six thirty at the latest.

The problem was that several things were going wrong that needed his attention. For some reason, the DNS server was acting up again. Then, there was an issue with the PBX and voice mail combined with call forwarding.

He also had taken on a little support contract for a cousin over in Key West recently and the cousin wanted help with some web site and XML issues. Rains. Pours. Pours.

Should he call Loqui now and tell her he might be late? Should he change his plans with her? Should he put off everything except the Key West work until tomorrow? Could he put it all off until tomorrow?

He decided to call Loqui now to give her a heads up and also to put off all he could. he didn't see his cousin in IRC so he sent him an email message and an instant message. He would give him until four thirty to get back to him.

(4:11 pm Nov 28, 2006)

That was cutting things close. Loqui wasn't answering her phone. Plans. best laid. Oh well. What could a body do?

Danger was up in Green Turtle Cay today. She had arrived on the ferry in the middle of the day and was an instant hit.

The school children were enchanted by her stories. Many were especially interested in her stories of Scotland as Danger had traveled that country extensively before her, what shall we call it, island adventure. It turns out that Danger had learned a little more of the history of these islands during her brief time in the islands so far. She was a consummate story teller and held the children spell bound as she entertained and educated them as well.

Tonight, Danger was due to provide an evening of story and song and traditional dancing at a local establishment on one of the island's hills. Since you can't get there for the event in time, gentle reader, as this is once again an asynchronous writing time for me, I will not specify which establishment or even which hill. Asynchronous writing time. Long hand. Typing to come later. (Which is now... 9:32 pm same day.)

"Zotz, have you seen Nano?"

"Drake, how are you doing? You look worried! No, I haven't seen Nano. He is normally with you. What happened?"

"Zotz, we were flying in from Andros. When we took off, the sky was clear and visibility was great. Then, not long after we were airborne, well, not long after we got out over the tongue of the ocean, the sky started turning a strange green colour and reddish purple clouds closed in on us."

"Drake, this ain't going to be some long, rambling story where you end by pulling my leg is it?"

"No Zotz, this is not a tall tale, this is serious. I'm worried about Nano!"

"Drake, Nano is an old dragon. I am sure he can take care of himself. He'll be OK. Don't worry."

(4:36 pm Nov 28, 2006)

"Two wrongs don't make a right." (CB Timothy Nottage : DT ??)

"I hope so Zotz. It took me six hours to fly from Andros to Nassau. I can normally make that flight in eight to ten minutes. Cruising. Something is not right. Do you have any of your special ways that you can use to check up on him for me?"

"Drake, I'm sure he'll be fine. Look, give it a day or two and if he doesn't show, I will pull out all the stops for you." I just need to keep going here for a bit."

(4:43 pm Nov 28, 2006)

"Whatever you say Zotz, but don't let anything happen to Nano or you and I are gonna fall out. And I will hound your characters for the rest of my natural born days. Plus for the rest of my unnatural born days as well."

"Drake, why are so many of you making threats towards me this year?"

"I don't know Zotz, maybe you just aren't treating us like you should this year. Some times I get the feeling that we are just after thoughts for you this year. Like we don't really matter. It's not a nice feeling at all."

"Well, you're probably half right Drake. You guys are somewhat after thoughts sometimes these days. But it's not that I Don't care about you. Not at all. It's just that I'm preoccupied and even more than that, I am rushed all the time this month. I feel like I shouldn't be, but I am."

"Yeah well, I don't know how much I am going to be able to help your right up in now myself. I feel like I am going to be too preoccupied until Nano is back safe."

"Well Drake, that's understandable. Listen, go look for him if that's what you feel you need to do. I think I can at least get through the day so long as Doc and Nipps come through with at least a little bit of help."

"Zotz, you're not gonna like this. Doc and Nipps were hitching a ride with Nano. I haven't see them since we got up in those clouds earlier."

"Drake, you should have told me. Man! What am I doing to do? Three characters missing in mysterious circumstances. Listen. I am sure they will be fine. I just don't know how I am going to manage for the next few days until they show. Let's hope it doesn't take a few days. If we're lucky, they may show up in an hour or two. Look, Drake, can you do me a favour and see if you can find Bing and Boom for me before you start your search for the missing?"

"Zotz, I would like to do that for you, but the sun will be setting soon and I really want to do a little searching while I still have some daylight left. Would it be OK if I didn't?"

"Sure Drake, you go ahead. If I can round them up, I will see if they will join you in the search as well. I need you guys to help me finish up this book this month. Good luck. Where should I send da bruddahs to search?"

"I am going to try and re-trace my route and then fly a grid coming back. Why don't you send them in a big wide circle leaving in a south west direction?"

"Will do Drake, take care and good luck!"

(5:13 pm Nov 28, 2006)

"If you have one good friend in your lifetime, you are blessed." (CB Camille Roberts : DT Jack Graham)

(5:19 pm Nov 28, 2006)

Ah gentle reader, what can I do? Three characters missing. And this part of the world is not one of the better parts of the world to go missing while flying or at sea. I have a feeling that Drake might be able to pull a rabbit out of a hat though. The two soldiers might have some success on their new carpet as well.

Petro is still stuck at work. He got caught up in that Key West job and couldn't get away. To make matters worse, he still couldn't get Loqui on the phone. It seemed like chances were good that this night would be bad. That it would not work out anything like he had planned. Mice and men again. Mice and men.

Loqui and Big Byte were getting more than worried. They were adrift in a go fast boat that Bit Byte had borrowed from a friend for a day trip up to Pimlico. On the way back, they had run into a strange storm which had shut down their engines and messed up their radio and other electrical and electronic systems.

They had drifted for several hours in water that looked deep enough that they did not want to throw out the anchour. Finally, they had passed over a reef that rose out of the depths. Big Byte threw out a grapple and let out enough rope to give a decent ratio. Then they waited, scanning the horizon for passing vessels. So far, they hadn't seen any. Darkness was deepening.

(5:43 pm Nov 28, 2006)

(5:50 pm Nov 28, 2006)

Mini block and time warp there, gentle reader.

Bing and Boom are cruising at eight thousand feet. they are making about two hundred and twenty knots and scanning the waters below and the sky around them with powerful search lights that they have loaded aboard their cool new rug. They have nicknamed it the 'Two Pay'.

They have been flying around the islands for the last couple of days looking for evidence of sunken wrecks. They had remembered some old maps that they had come across in the cellars when they were playing hide and seek as children. When they had found them years ago, they had played with them for days, playing pirates some days and on other days, dreaming themselves to be great adventurers on the trail of pirate gold. One day, one of the adults had almost discovered them with their find though.

They had hidden the maps away again in what they were sure was an even better hiding place, but they must have gotten involved in other childhood pursuits as they had forgotten the maps until a few days ago when Boom had remarked that you could see a sunken pirate ship from the vantage point of the carpet. When Boom said that, something fired in Bing's memory...

They had been flying search patterns ever since. Mostly just on a lark and to enjoy the flying. They knew that they didn't have much chance of finding anything until their new equipment arrived.

(6:04 pm Nov 28, 2006)

"Come clean even if you come rough dried." (CB Steven Nottage : DT ??)

(7:25 pm Nov 28, 2006)

Well, gentle reader, I am back in my cave at my computer. I am not in IRC mode though because I am once again typing this into AbiWord. Once again, I don't want to put off writing new words while I type previously written words from my paper to my computer. I never thought that choosing the IRC experiment this year would complicate the process so much. I expected some difficulties with lack of full screen editing abilities, but not all of these other complications. Oh well, live and learn.

(8:00 pm Nov 28, 2006)

Time is getting slippery again. Creative Commons mailing list emails instead of fiction, oh my!

Mmmmm. Guava duff.

"Hey Boom, do you see any thing over there on the horizon? I think I saw a flash."

"Where Bing?"

"Look, at ten o 'clock, see? There."

"Where... Yes. I think I see a glow."

"Let's go see what that is."

They change their direction and headed towards the light.

"Boom, I think that is a flare."

"Take us down and closer man, there must be a boat in trouble down there."

Loqui and Big Byte had seen the lights in the sky and fired off a flare. They cheered when the plane changes direction.

Neither of them know what to think when a carpet swooped down out of the sky and circled around thirty feet over their heads.

They were even more dumbfounded when the carpet dropped lower and they saw two soldier crabs hanging on to the fringes at the front. Hanging on for dear life amidst all the lights and gear piled on the top side of the carpet to overflowing. There was even gear hung from the underside of the carpet.

The carpet came to rest in midair tend feet off the surface of the sea and ten feet from the boat on the port side. An LED sign of the sort used to advertise in store windows lit up and words began to scroll by...

"Do you want us to throw you a line and try and tow you in, or do you want us to notify BASRA and let them send a boat?"

Big Byte and Loqui took a while to get over their astonishment and then talked it over for a while. They were hard pressed to reach a decision. It felt somehow wrong to get towed by a flying carpet, besides that, would it even be able to tow them. On the other hand, they had been out here way too long already and the seas were far from calm. Rolling at anchour was not the best thing when it came to sea sickness. In the end, they decide to chance a tow and Big Byte yelled their decision across to the soldiers.

"OK, throw us a line and get ready to pull up your anchour aw we pull you up to it."

"Can you believe this Loqui, rescued by two soldiers on a flying carpet, lit up like some UFO and talking to use with an advertising sign. We are gonna have some serious stories to tell that no one will believe after this."

(9:03 pm Nov 28, 2006)

And good night.

(11:00 pm Nov 28, 2006)

No, really. Good night!

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 27

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 27

(3:15 pm Nov 27, 2006)

"Hard head, soft behind." (CB Jamal Rodgers : DT ??)

Yeah, but at least ya een ga make good soup.

(4:04 pm Nov 27, 2006)

As you can see, my fingers are flying, my brain is hitting on all twelve cylinders, my words are flowing, ideas weaving themselves into a tapestry of great beauty and grandeur.

Well I fried it and baked it.

I done stirred it and shaked it.

And I have authenti-faked it for sure.

(4:24 pm Nov 27, 2006)

So I am supposed to be writing, but instead I am watching #rivendell at irc.freenode.net learning a lot about scheduling and logs and the like.

At least I think I am learning.

Oops, life interrupts art again, troubles at the station, gotta ssh in and troubleshoot. Be back in a bit. Hopefully.

(4:43 pm Nov 27, 2006)

Done. I think the DNS server was a bit wonky there. Stopping and starting bind seems to have made things better. Let's hope it lasts.

Art imitates life and life interrupts art. I hope this guy Art knows what he is doing.

Temptation. Frustration. Temptation. Libation. Ovation.

These words come tripping over one another. But there is not fantastic light to be seen here anywhere just now. Perhaps later in the night. Perhaps a lamplighter will join us.

Words that come. Agree. Disagree. Words that go. Around and around. Words that hide. When you want them. When you need them. Desperately. Desperately. Desperately indeed. You need them soft and smooth. But they're not there. Nowhere to be found. Gone and long gone. Will they ever return. Perhaps, next year, a proper plot and outline will entice them to gather and stay.

Dare I hope for a theme? Or is that the essence of hubris and over reaching.

Is it indeed better to shoot for the moon and perhaps at least fall among the stars?

(4:59 pm Nov 27, 2006)

(5:39 pm Nov 27, 2006)

(6:36 pm Nov 27, 2006)

A theme, per chance a dream. Ah, to know roughly where the story was going before beginning, to know what scene to write next. To know my character's backgrounds and motivations. To even know what my characters look like! What luxury. next year, gentle reader, next year. I make no promises mind you. I do hope to try though.

Life is really doing its best to completely derail the art train tonight. Rivendell keeps beeping at me. Mailing lists are very active with interesting posts, all calling to me for immediate attention. Phone calls, family, oh my!

"Bing! Boom! Where are you guys? I need help! Can you hear me?"

"Zotz, what are you doing calling on us for help? You were like nowhere to be found when we called for you urgently yesterday and now you are calling for us?"

"Yes guys, yes I am calling on you. I need major help here. Go out and see if you can buy me any words at the market tonight. There may be some left on the shelves over in Florida after the big sales recently."

"Florida? You think they're gonna let us in the US? We can't get visas Zotz. And you don't wanna see our police certificates. I'm not sure you could lift either of them to tell you the truth. Hehe."

(6:55 pm Nov 27, 2006)

"Two heads are better than one." (CB Tamika Brice : DT ??)

Ouch gentle reader, I just remembered that I don't have the remaining two sayings that I need for the night. Trouble.

"Listen guys, could you see if you can round me up some sayings from around the country and I will see if I can scare up Nano and Drake for the Florida excursion. They have been scarce lately."

"Alright Zotz, but only because we go way back. Oh and you can find Nano and Drake over in Andros if you didn't know."

"Thanks guys. Good luck to us all."

"Sure, later on mabeezo. We're out."

(7:10 pm Nov 27, 2006)

"Zotz. Are you there?"

"This is Zotz, who is trying to get me? Nano or Drake? I was just thinking of you two, I need help."

"No Zotz, this is Fryer Tucks. There are some crazy things going on out here that I think you need to know about. Can I patch you into a video feed?"

"Yeah, I think we can manage that. What do you need me to do?"

"Well, first, what's your IP address?"

It would be easier if you can just contact me at Zotz.dynamicbind.nut please."

"Yeah Zotz, I can get you there but what are you doing in the .nut domain?"

"Well, I thought about the .bs domain but I thought I would prefer to go with .nut!"

"Yeah, I could see that. OK, I am pinging you now. Listen, could you open up port 12354 on your firewall if it isn't open already?"

"I can open the port, but I don't run services on the firewall so what good is that gonna do?"

"Oops, sorry, I need you to go to http://code.google.com/p/drsoundwall/ and download that program from there."

"Tucks, that is my program, what good is that gonna do you? I have that here on this box already."

"Zotz, I know it is your program, what you are unaware of is that I have made certain key changes to it which you may not have yet. just get it and we can proceed."

(7:29 pm Nov 27, 2006)

"OK, just a sec... Right, I have it, now what?"

"Run it please."

"OK, it's running. What next?"

"Right, listen carefully, click on edit mode, and the button should change from red to green, then click on the button on the bottom right, Cut:C9:R9, click Set Button Label, change Cut:C9:R9 to foodoo and click set, then close those two small windows, then click back to play mode, then click on the foodoo button."

"Man, that's a load, OK, I think I have it, now what?"

(7:51 pm Nov 27, 2006)

"Go in da bush an bruk um, shuck em and gee um." (CB David Darville : DT ??)

(8:09 pm Nov 27, 2006)

"Zotz, are you there, hello?"

"Sorry Tucks, had to run out in the car for a while there. I'm back now though. So, ah, what do I have to do now?"

"Well, if you still have the soundwall program running, there is now a server running on that port I told you earlier so just forward that port from your firewall to the box you are running the soundwall program on."

"OK, what was that, port 12345 right?"

"Close, port 12354 is closer though."

"OK, just a sec, let me log into my firewall and change the configs."

"Shout when you are done."

"AHHHHHH!!!!"

"Zotz! What's wrong? Oh, funny. Here comes the video feed then. Let me know when you start getting it."

"OK, a window just popped up, yes, I've got video."

"Right, if you click on the help button on the main soundwall window now, it will save the video feed to a file for you."

"Cool, but how in the world did you get access to my account to make these changes?"

"I've got a few tricks up my sleeve Zotz, let's just leave it a that."

(8:17 pm Nov 27, 2006)

"Listen Zotz, while you're watching, would you like me to shoot you some notes and stored video as well?"

"Yeah, Tucks, you might as well. You want to email them or what?"

"No, I will just send them down the same link that the video is coming in on now. I have that ability with the client I have running at this end."

"Fire away then. So what is this I am seeing now, Is this the room where the meetings have been taking place?"

"What, the microwave oven room? No. That room is much bigger. This room here couldn't hold all the people at those meetings. I have been snooping around and I have found this room here where a sub-set of the players meet secretly-secretly to make even more secret secret plans. I don't thing they want the larger group to know what they are planning."

(8:30 pm Nov 27, 2006)

(9:00 pm Nov 27, 2006)

"Tucks, this is amazing stuff, i am gonna have to take some time to try and digest and process this stuff. This is explosive. The thing is, I don't think anyone will believe this if I just put it out bald like this."

"It sure is, listen, if the feed happens to drop or bog down, don't worry. I am riding on these guys sat link and my program monitors their bandwidth usage moment to moment and shapes its traffic accordingly. Since I have been here they have never stopped using prodigious amounts of bandwidth so it is easy for me to hide my stuff in there without throttling."

"Well, how in the world are they using that much bandwidth out on the high seas?"

"Zotz, these boys have their own bird up there from what I can tell. They are doing so much from this ship it boggles the mind."

(9:11 pm Nov 27, 2006)

"Gone for dat!" (CB Patrick Turnquest : DT ??)

Wow, gentle reader, the action in #rivendell is still hot. I think I have learned a good amount today from that channel despite how much it has hindered my art and my time with you."

(9:31 pm Nov 27, 2006)

Time is getting slippery again, gentle reader, and, as everyone knows, what gets slippery soon get out of hand. And when time gets out of hand... Watch out! For some people. Just kidding, I know that is out of context.

So, Petro and Loqui are really beginning to hit it off. All of that concern earlier in the month over whether they would ever get together and things just seemed to have worked themselves out in that department. Obviously we can't say for sure yet if she will indeed is the future Mrs. Stone as Petro thinks, but things are looking so much better now than before that I could actually see it happening. Wish them luck, gentle reader. Oh, an I know Loqui look good an erryting, but don't go try an roach Mr. Stone OK? leave him be for a few months at least to see what he can accomplish.

"Zotz, are you there?"

"Tucks? You don't sound right! Is that you?"

"Who's Tucks?"

"Never mind, who you is?"

"Zotz, dis me now, Doc."

"Doc, where you is? Is Nipps with you?"

"Zotz, me an Nipps is down here in Andros with Nano and Drake. What you been up to?"

"Yinna down in da big yard wit' da dragons? What yinna doin'?"

"Zotz man, we just down here recuperatin' like. We catching some a dat R an R along with some a dat B an B. Plus soakin' in some a dat di hydrogen monoxide. Ya know, dat H2O!"

"Yes, but where is yinna exactly?"

"Well, I can't exactly say exactly, I een gat ma GPS. One ting I know, we is way back in da bush. I never been dis far back in da bush before Zotz, tings is even a little spooky back up in here. But dis blue hole soakin' is proper though. Ya can't get enough a dat. I tell you dat!"

(9:49 pm Nov 27, 2006)

"So listen Doc, can you let Nano or Drake shout at me for a sec?"

"Sorry, Zotz, no, not now. Those two are out at some local crab races they they hold in secret down here in da back a da bush. I think they have laid out a scale replica of the old Hobby Horse Hall in Nassau down here an dey race crabs as da horses wit' wasp fa jockey. I tell ya Zotz, I haven't seen this many dream book fa long time."

"Well listen Doc, I really need those two dragons, after tonight, I have three more days of writing to finish up this contest, but I mays well tell ya, tings is tough. I need big time help. Tell dem two shout at me as soon as dey reach back."

"Sure thing Zotz, listen, I'm off to the races now my own self, have a good night."

"Doc, if I could get some decent sleep, it will be a good night. You got any diagnosis for me Doc?"

"Now Zotz, you know I is not ya family doctor. Later fa you."

"Good night Doc."

(10:04 pm Nov 27, 2006)

Good night, gentle reader.

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 26

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 26

(3:40 pm Monday Nov 26, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Well, gentle reader, trying to get started here. There may be band practice tonight so this may prove a tough day. Time will tell.

(3:50 pm Monday Nov 26, 2007)

Little things that burn your time. Sure, just a bit of housekeeping in connection with yesterday's words, but there goes a bunch of time.

Precious time.

Irredeemable time.

Unless I can manage to come up with a time factory... Perhaps in time for next year.

Oops... I am in trouble now gentle reader... Deep trouble...

I have just caught myself going back into prior day's writings and making little corrections. A real gigantic no-no during NaNo time. That person they call the inner editor must be kept away at all costs.

Now he can some in and vacuum up all your time much worse than any temporal black hole. Watch out for that fellow. Oh, he comes around acting all nice.

"Here, let me help out with that."

"That little correction will not take long and you should do it now where you have it in your mind. You may miss it when you get around to 'official' editing time"

"Can you believe you made that silly typo?"

"Oops, just a little transposition there, let me get that for you."

Helpful points all, I am sure, but don't let him start. And if you find he has started somehow despite your best intentions, run him off right away. Right straight away. Use whatever means necessary.

Mock him if you must.

Tell on him. Yeah, that's right, rat him out to the Fearless Reader.

Tell him there is a leaky pipe in the back yard and ask him to go take a look for you and report back... Then lock the door on him when he goes out to see.

(4:05 pm Monday Nov 26, 2007)

Put your head down and write and write and write while saying 'la la la la la la la...' in your head so you cannot hear his siren call.

(4:34 pm Monday Nov 26, 2007)

Whoosh! A bunch of time just went down the drain there. Do you see how it is the same fight each day gentle reader? The same fight, the same struggle. The same issues.

Where to now?








*** Shack Near Beach

Jack, Mandy, Sarai, and Ronnie are sitting on the front porch watching the waves roll in.

"OK, so you ladies can have the shack, Ronnie and I will string some hammocks and a tarp out back. Not the greatest shelter, but better than a bivouac in any case."

"No, Jack, we can get a room at some hotel and you can have your own room and you own bed."

"You see how bad it gets Ronnie? I can't even talk a woman into sleeping in my bed even when I am not going to be in it. Do I have fleas or something these days?"

There is tired, groaning laughter all around.

"Look, Mandy, I know you can get rooms, but it would be more convenient if we could cut out the travel time and spend the time we save talking and doing what planning we can. It's alright, really. Sometimes in the summer, we sleep out in the hammocks and leave the rooms empty.

(4:46 pm Monday Nov 26, 2007)

"Well, we can discuss that later then, right now, let's get down to business. And Ronnie, thanks again for sending out the smack boats to look for us."

"I am just happy that you all didn't drown and that they spotted your fire."

(5:24 pm Monday Nov 26, 2007)










*** A Lonely Room

Well, there is band practice tonight at six thirty and I need to figure out and eat some dinner before going over there as well. Can I pull off a mini sprint about some of these story lines before then?

We shall see.






*** Shack Near Beach

"OK, so where are we now?" says Jack.

"Well, my people are sending down a team and some new equipment and we are going to take another run at those jokers. If they think they can go around sinking ships, they have another things coming."

"Ah, Mandy..."

"Yes Ronnie?"

"I am not so sure that Sarai's yacht was blown up by the people you think did the deed."

"What?"

"The reports that came in said they the other vessel went down in the same way."

"What!"

"Seems so, so unless you think they scuttled their own vessel as well as yours, there may be more to this whole mess that you think."

"Wait, their vessel went down? The one we were on?"

"If you were on it, yes, that one. The one near the Yacht when the yacht went down."

"How can that be? Who? Wait, what about survivors from that one? Was anyone picked up?"

"No reports of anyone being picked up from her. Dead or alive."

"What's up with that?" asks Mandy.

"No one seems to have any real ideas," says Ronnie.

"Well, I think I want to dive on that wreck and see if we missed something in our brief visit."

"I'm all for that." Jack butts in.

"You know, I am thinking that perhaps it was a mistake to involve you two in that part of the operation. Sarai, wait, before you object, you know you and Jack are civilians. it is not right for me to ask you to risk your lives in such an operation when I have a team coming in to work with me now."

"You are not going to get rid of us that easy," says Jack, "we are deep in this now and I, for one, want to see it through."

"I don't think I can let you."

"I don't think you can stop us!" spouts Jack, "I would like to see you try."

(5:41 pm Monday Nov 26, 2007)

"Sarai, can you speak some sense to this man? You know things are getting too dangerous. What if we are not so fortunate next time."

"I am not so sure Mandy, the two of us are in deep now. And we may be civilians, but we go back a long way and I can tell you that we have been in some tight spots before and Jack has always handled himself well. And I am not all that shabby myself if I may say so."

"Great! Two hard heads on my hands. What am I going to do with you two? I suppose you two might try to go out wild on your own if I didn't take you along."

"You got that right!" says Jack.

"I could always pull some strings and get you two locked up temporarily for your own good."

"Don't even try that!" says Jack standing up in a huff.

(5:49 pm Monday Nov 26, 2007)

(7:38 pm Monday Nov 26, 2007)







*** Band Practice Room

Well, the first song just started. Let's hope this goes well tonight.






*** 38' Cheoy Lee Ketch - Up Around Nun Jack, Abaco

Well, Fred just barely made it to shore with the bull shark snapping at his heels. But make it he did.

Golden Child didn't know who was more afraid there. Fred for himself and his feet, or her for her man.

"What in the world were you doing out there Fred?'

"I saw this box floating way out there and I swam out to see what it was."

"Why in the world would you go swimming out there with this shark hanging about?"

"He hasn't been around in a while and I kind of forgot about him. Then too, this thing looked interesting floating out there. And I probably wasn't thinking right because I was still pretty upset with you."

"Well, don't do that again my love! I don't think I could handle losing you at this stage of the game."

(7:53 pm Monday Nov 26, 2007)

They lay down on the beach to catch their breaths and soon burst out laughing.

"I think I am going to kill that beast soon. Do we have something back on the boat to catch him with?"

"I think we should have something. Why do you want to kill him?"

"He is getting on my nerves. Plus, this isn't natural. I have never seen an animal act the way he is acting. It is almost like he has something personal against us."

"Maybe he has been watching too much 'Jaws' lately," laughs Fred. "I normally don't like killing animals for no real reason, but I think he has given us enough reason, so, if you want to, I am with you in it."

"So, what's in the box? Let's open it up lover. No sense in you risking your life and your beautiful limbs and us not even bothering to see that it is that you got."

Well, they got up and tried to open the box but the effort proved to be a non starter. So they decided to take it back to the ketch and open it there.

The bull followed them back around the point and was waiting at the beach near the dinghy when they got there. Patrolling back and forth along the beach.

"You know Goldy, you are right, we need to be done with this brute. He has to die before he puts a hurting one one of us or on someone else. I wonder what has gotten into him?"

(8:29 pm Monday Nov 26, 2007)

*** Band Practice Room

Well, gentle reader, this is really slow going right now. I am almost tempted to give up on the writing for the duration and try to knock it out when I get home later.

That way, I could just kick back and relax and enjoy the music for the rest of the practice.

Sounds good. But do I want to be up till midnight when I get home. And I am getting sick as it is and probably shouldn't even be here tonight.







*** A Lonely Room

(9:34 pm Monday Nov 26, 2007)

Seems I gave in to that temptation.

Well, gentle reader, back from band practice but still having a hard slog of it. Having to do some phone tech support for work right now too.

Once again...

Life Interrupts Art.








*** Shack Near Beach

The planning is over and the night has settled down to one of fun and relaxation. Sam and his wife dropped some steamed steak and white rice off earlier along with some Johnny cake. That went down well.

After dinner, they sat around telling jokes and stories and relating their recent adventures again for Ronnie's benefit. Then Jack went in and put on some music and they began to wind down in earnest.

He put on some classical and followed that up with some easy old island songs. They kept up the conversation over the music until 'Why Fight The Feelin' came on.

(9:47 pm Monday Nov 26, 2007)

(10:17 pm Monday Nov 26, 2007)

when you're home and lonely
on a friday night
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

when the days grow longer
and the night's too bright
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

when your best emotion's
either fight or flight
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

when your heart comes crashin
to the ground at night
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

They all had a great time singing along with that one and after it was done, 'Mary, Quite Contrary' came on.

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o

When it came on, Ronnie jumped and went inside and they could hear him rummaging around looking for something. He must have found it since he let out a yell in celebration and then the song went off and he came running back out on the porch with some sheets of paper in his hands.

"Here, everyone, take a copy, I wrote some new words for that tune. Sing it with me."

"You gotta put the music back on for us to sing it."

"That wont work, those words will get mixed up with these. Come on... Let's just try singing it alright?"

"We need the music, Ronnie," explains Jack a little exasperated.

"Does anyone have a guitar?" asks Mandy, "I think I could play along. Would that work?"

"Jack, do you still have that old beat up thing in the closet?" asks Ronnie.

"Yeah, but its out in the shed now, you should be able to find it."

So Ronnie is up and dashing around the side of the shack in a flash.

They hear him rummaging around out there for a while and then another yell of celebration and they hear him returning.

"I have to warn you Mandy, the thing is pretty beat up," says Jack before Ronnie returns.

He comes around the corner and up on to the porch almost at a run, "Here you go, do you think it might be in tune?"

"Do pigs fly? Not to worry though, I think I can tune it if it can be tuned in this condition."

Before long, she has it tuned and she starts trying to play the music to the song.

"How's that?" she asks.

"That sound OK," says Ronnie and he starts to sing along almost under his breath.

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o

After that they all join in.

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o

Hey now Peter, pumpkin eater,
Had a wife but, he couldn't keep her
Well he put her, in a pumpkin shell
Then he kept her,
So very well

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o

By now, they are having a great time and laughing and singing along and cutting up some.

Mother Hubbard, went to her cupboard
Get her poor dog, a little bone...
But when she got there, that cupboard was bare...
Well that poor dog he... aint got no bone...

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o

Well Miss Muffet, sat on her tuffet
She was eating... her curds and whey...
Come this spider, sat down beside her
Well he frightened... Muffet away...

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o

Well William Winkie... runs through the town
Up stairs and down stairs, in his night gown...
Peeking in windows... tapping on doors
That boy goin be up, quarter to four...

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o

Mary had a... little lamb
Had a fleece was... white as snow... o
Every where that, young Mary went...
Well that lamb he... surely follow...

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o

It ends and they all bust out laughing.

"That wasn't half bad Ronnie. I think you are going to need to keep working on the words in some places, but it is fun. When did you do that?"

"About a week ago now I think," says Ronnie, "I liked you playing Mandy. Thanks for jumping in like that."

"Thanks, I used to dream of being a rock star when I was younger, but my parents sort of side tracked me. Anyway, that is another story for another time. I am getting tired. Can we turn in now?"

And they do.

(10:39 pm Monday Nov 26, 2007)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 25

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 25

(3:14 pm Sunday Nov 25, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Hey there gentle reader... well, you are looking at an official NaNoWriMo 2007 winner. Four straight now gentle reader. I feel great, and feel drained.

I want to sleep.

But for your gentle sake, I will try and find another two thousand or more words some where today.

I was reading back in last year's "Sayings - Deterred Bahamian Novel" earlier today and I saw where I was searching for a word factory last year. I thought that perhaps a word wholesaler would have served.

I could use a word factory today, that's for sure.

Or a time factory. Buy a few more hours to tack on at the end of... No! in the middle of the day. Stick them at the end of the day and I may be too tired to use them. It's the little details like that in life that can really mess you up.

You finally get what you ask for but it doesn't do you any real good. Watch out for situations like that gentle reader. They can get you even when you are in your guise as Fearless Reader!

(3:20 pm Sunday Nov 25, 2007)

You know, two thousand words should be a breeze to write. I just did over two hundred right there in about six minutes. If I could keep up that pace, I could do the two thousand in an hour, say an hour and a half to be generous.

Why, then, these four and five hour days. And those are just estimates. It is taking so long, that I don't have the time to go back and figure up more accurate times for each day.

At least you have managed to stick it out with me gentle reader and I really appreciate that. Lots.

It would be even more lonely here in this lonely room if I could not share the experience with you as I write each day.

You know, I don't actually recall ever reading a novel before where the author takes the time to share the actual experience of writing the story with the reader. If you know of any gentle reader, let me know. I would be interested in looking them over.

Well, except for my own poor attempts... And some of those I have written but not read all the way through in one sitting...

(3:25 pm Sunday Nov 25, 2007)

Gotta take a little break here and do some minor housekeeping with respect to yesterday's work. Not editing mind you. What I do is break each scene out of the one big leo node it is in and put each scene in its own node. It makes it easier to go back and look at what went on and continue that thread.

Be back in a bit. Or BBIAB as we say in IRC.

(3:42 pm Sunday Nov 25, 2007)

Back. Well, I ended up having to do one or two other things. Once again, life interrupts art!


*** 38' Cheoy Lee Ketch - Up Around Nun Jack, Abaco

"Look, just don't press me Fred!" shouts Golden Child, "I don't know what to do! There is no way for me to do the right thing now and it is driving me CRAZY! At least I cannot see any way to do the right thing."

Golden Child was in trouble. Between that old rock and hard place.

"If you would just tell me what was going on, I may be able to help you figure out the right thing to do."

"Fred, I am going crazy! Please stop asking me to tell you. I have to and I can't and that is a big part of the problem right now! Please don't ask me again. Let me try to think it out again."

Fred stand up abruptly, angry and confused, "I'm getting out of here! Take your time, I'm going to swim in to the beach and take a walk. I will be back later, or you can come and find me if you sort things out. Later."

He is up the ladder and taking a header into the water before she can even tell him to watch out for that shark. They haven't seen it again since it left that night, but the whole episode had left her a bit spooked.

She heard him stroking strongly for shore and resumed her fretting, confused, thinking.

Why did we have to find this treasure? Something that should be such a joy. Really, why couldn't we have found the treasure and not the map?

She wanted to share everything with Fred, all that she was, all that she had, but she couldn't share this. But she wasn't prepared to let this come between them.

She needed to let her sisters know about and see this new map. It could be the very key to all their efforts for so long. But the very rules of the sisterhood prevented it. Once a sister went outside to live with a man instead of bringing the man in, she was forever forbidden to contact her sisters in any way from that day forward. And they were very strict with those rules.

She had to tell them, and she couldn't tell them.

And she couldn't tell Fred why. More sisterhood rules. A sister could leave and go outside, but she was forbidden to mention or give any details of the sisterhood or her former life. They were very strict with those rules too.

A rock and a hard place.

If she wanted to do the right thing.

(3:58 pm Sunday Nov 25, 2007)

The easy thing would be to just keep the treasure, and to use her memory of the first map along with this new map and for her and Fred to go off and find the new treasure together and live happily ever after. Sure, happily ever after, knowing that it would doom the efforts of her beloved sisters and maybe even bring down the sisterhood for all time. And maybe get her and Fred killed if they ran into their enemies along the way. enemies Fred knew nothing about.

What to do? She was going crazy. She had to come up with some answer soon. Or at least some plan of action. She needed action. Deep in her soul. the thinking was getting her nowhere fast. Perhaps action was the answer! She would go and get Fred and they would take action! Together! And come what may they would stay together. She would not let this tear them apart.

She went up the ladder to the cockpit and slipped out of her cutoff jeans and her t-shirt and was about to dive in headlong and swim for the beach when a blur streaking in the corner of her eye sent a stab of fear into her heart.

She looked but didn't see anything. There was a lot of turtle grass over that way though. That bull could be camouflaged over there just waiting for her to enter his realm.

"Fred!" she yelled at the top of her lungs, "Fred, can you hear me? We need to talk! Can you come back?"

Nothing. Could he have gone that far already? Which way would he have gone? Probably down around the point and into the cove. That was his favourite spot on the island. And she could understand the reason why. It was lovely in that cove.


(4:16 pm Sunday Nov 25, 2007)

"Fred!" should she take the inflatable dingy in? That shark bothered her. He could puncture it if he got aggressive. Or tip her over into the drink. Not something she wanted to contemplate. "Fred! Come back!"


*** Beach On The Far End Of Nun Jack, Abaco

Fred could hear her calling in the distance but her was still a bit too upset to answer. let her come find him if she needed him that bad right now. He still needed to walk off some of his frustration.

(4:29 pm Sunday Nov 25, 2007)

Something in the tone of her voice made him almost turn back but he steeled his resolve and continued on down the beach.

What was that ship still doing out there? Could they be treasure hunters? Nah... Something closer in caught his eye. What was that floating over there? It looked interesting. He decided to swim out and bring it in to see what it was.

(4:44 pm Sunday Nov 25, 2007)


*** A Lonely Room

Well gentle reader, I was going really good there for a decent while, but I feel myself slowing down for some unknown reason. I really need to try and ramp up the speed again.

Where to now gentle reader, where to?


*** A Smack Boat Out Of Spanish Wells, Headed For Nassau

Our three friends are aboard. Rescued! The crew of the smack had been looking for them since the word came to the boats from home. They had spotted the fire last night and picked them up from the beach. They were too weak to really celebrate but they were felling better today.

They are all feeling a little more like humans today though.

They are standing on the bow, leaning on the railing and talking quietly together.

(5:02 pm Sunday Nov 25, 2007)

(5:59 pm Sunday Nov 25, 2007)

"So, what are we gonna do now?"

"Well Jack, when we get back, we're gonna hit the sack, Jack. How's that, Jack?"

"That's whacked mac!"

"Enough of the rhyming you two," says Sarai with a commanding voice "I've lost my yacht, we have almost died, can you stop with the clowning around and let's talk some serious talk here please!"

"OK, OK, Sarai," says Mandy, "well, I am going to get in touch with my people in Washington and see if they can scrounge us up another boat and I think we should head back out and see what we can see. Those jokers are not gonna get away with this. But we really should probably rest up for a day or two before going back out. I am sure this has taken a lot more out of us that we feel right now."

(6:48 pm Sunday Nov 25, 2007)


*** 38' Cheoy Lee Ketch - Up Around Nun Jack, Abaco

After too long, Golden Child decides to risk the dinghy. The bull has not made his presence certain, but she senses he is still out there and thinks she sees hints of his presence out of the corner of her eye every once in a while.

She goes to the stern grabs the painter and pulls the inflatable in close. Carefully she descends the ladder and gingerly steps into the bottom and gets the dinghy settled down and quiet in the water before transferring her full weight off of the ladder and into the boat.

She reaches up and un-cleats the painter and drops it into the bow. Just as she is about to sit down and start up the engine, something hits the bottom hard, almost sending her into the water.

"Ahhhh! Don't you mess with me you nasty fish, I will see you drying in the sun before tomorrow is done if you don't clear off and leave us in peace!"

She manages to get properly seated in the stern and gets the little engine started.

She gases it and heads straight in to the beach.

Straight in to the beach. She doesn't slow down until the last minute when she deftly cuts the throttle, kills the engine and tips it up.

The dinghy runs up on the beach and she is up and out over the bow, grabbing the painter as she passes.

The bull almost runs up on the beach after but manages to turn himself around while making a commotion splashing and twisting in the shallows.

(7:09 pm Sunday Nov 25, 2007)

She runs down to the water's edge and screams in rage and picks up sand and shells and throws them angrily in the direction of the shark. "I am not joking with you, you malevolent guppy! I will gut you and hang you out to dry if you don't cut it out.

She goes back to the dinghy and pulls it further out of the water and stakes and our in the sand and ties the painter to it. Then she heads off down the beach in the direction of the cove to the west.

She sees the bull following along about seven yards off shore.

"I am warning you! Are you hard of hearing or what?"

She picks up speed, breaking into a slow trot.

The shark keeps pace.

When she comes around the point, she sees Fred out in the water trying to being some floating to shore and the bull takes off like a bullet in his direction.

"FRED!" she yells, "Get out of the water! The bull is back! get out."

He looks in her direction and waves.

"Shark! get out!"

"What?"

She waves her arms in a motion that she hopes he understand means to get out of the water. "Get out of the water! SHARK!"

He must have heard something, "Shark?" he starts making his way to the shore.

"The BULL!" she yells as she sees his dorsal fin come out of the water much too close to Fred.

(7:27 pm Sunday Nov 25, 2007)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 24

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 24

(4:21 pm Saturday Nov 24, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Ah well gentle reader, you might think the joy and elation of winning might carry over and lead to some serious over achievement for a day or so after. Alas, not so in my case this year it seems.

Life interrupts art.

Let's just see if we can avoid a total collapse shall we?

(4:38 pm Saturday Nov 24, 2007)

Well yeah, sure. It would be nice but how.


*** 38' Cheoy Lee Ketch - Up Around Nun Jack, Abaco

Well that mean bull had bothered them for the rest of the day and into the night. You would think he had a personal beef with either Fred, Golden Child, or maybe even the Cheoy Lee...

Several times during the rest of the day, he had wondered off and faded from sight in the turtle grass in the distance, only to come streaking back in when Fred had dared to get back in the water in an effort to dive up the chest sitting right there on the sandy bottom below the ketch.

Fred didn't bother trying to get back in the water after nightfall, but the bull still kept showing himself and bumping the bottom and messing about with the anchour rhode every once in a while.

So, come morning, when there was no sign of the bull for an hour or two after sunrise, Fred decided to try and dive up the chest once again.

Golden Child stood watch while he slipped quietly into the water, took a breath and flipped his legs and fins up into the air and propelled himself to the bottom taking a line to the bottom with him.

Working quickly, he tied the rope around the chest and secured it as best he could in a rush, and then headed back to the surface.

So, once back in the cockpit, he and Golden Child pull the chest up with the rope. It is dicey for a bit, almost coming out of his efforts at securing it, but he manages to grab it just before things go completely south.

They take it down into the cabin and put it on the table on a folded beach towel.

Describe the chest here... old... odd metal in good condition... maps engraved on the surface...

Excitement shows on both of their faces, their breathing is shallow and a bit ragged, Golden Child gets a large flat head screw driver from the tool box and tried using it as a crow bar to break the lock of the chest.

She works at it for a while without making any major progress and then Fred takes a try at it as well. He struggles mightily for a good while with little progress to show for his efforts except for a beginning blister in the webbing between his right thumb and index finger.

Golden Child went back to the tool box and got some lubricant spray and sprayed it in the lock and then sat down with various bits of metal from the tool box and the kitchen drawers and tried her hand at picking the lock.

Fred left her at it for a while trying to sit patiently but getting more and more impatient as time wore on. He finds he can't take it and goes searching about the boat looking for something else to attack the lock with.

He is up in the cockpit looking under the seats when he hears a victory yell come from Golden Child down below.

It doesn't take him long to get back below.

"You got it!"

"I got it baby. I got it."

"Well, let's see what we got then."

(6:26 pm Saturday Nov 24, 2007)

They lift the lid together as they stare expectantly towards the box. As the lid goes up their faces get closer and closer, peering into the box to discover its contents.

At first they both experience a bit of a let down. Sure, it is a treasure of sorts. Some gold coins that neither recognize at first, some golden jewelry with some gem stones down on the bottom, but not much compared to the size of the chest.

Fred starts to carefully take the contents out of the chest a piece at a time and rest them on another beach towel on the table. When the chest is almost empty, He removes a small purple felt bag with draw string top. "I wonder what is in here?" says Fred as he picks it up.

"Open it up then and let's see."

(6:39 pm Saturday Nov 24, 2007)

Golden Child draws in a sharp breath of surprise as Fred takes a small silver cylinder out of the purple felt bag. "What is it Goldy?"

Golden Child is struck dumb. What to do. She can't tell him what she knows, but she can't hold back on her new life partner. "Ah... Um... Ah..."

"What?"

"Open it up and let's see what's inside."

"Do you know what this is?"

"Just open it please Fred. Don't ask me any more questions until I have a chance to sort things out in my mind after I see what's inside."

"What do you mean what's inside? This opens up?"

"Can I have it please? Pass it over and I will show you."


"OK, knock yourself out," he says handing it over to her.


(7:36 pm Saturday Nov 24, 2007)

Golden Child fiddled with the cylinder for a while but didn't seem to be able to open it. Fred got a little antsy and went over an put on the radio.

when you're home and lonely
on a friday night
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

when the days grow longer
and the night's too bright
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

when your best emotion's
either fight or flight
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

when your heart comes crashin
to the ground at night
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

"Yeah! Got it!" exclaims Golden Child as the cylinder comes apart in the middle and she opens it and takes out a rolled up bit of vellum inside with some notes and drawings one one side and a map on the other side.

"Let me see."

"Hold on, let me look at it a bit first."

(7:57 pm Saturday Nov 24, 2007)

(8:56 pm Saturday Nov 24, 2007)


*** A Lonely Room

Where does the time go? Slithering down some temporal black hole like snake that opens its maws to swallow your life whole. Don't let it! Hold your shinai sideways if you have to.

Each moment is precious. Don't let it get away.

Yeah, right, Fearless Reader. That may be all well and good and true, but what a fight that is hey? What a fight...


If only I could get in the flow more this year. If only. If only... One of the chief opponents. If only. And you can tell Mary I said that if you dare.

I just can't get any speed going tonight at all. Think. Think. Think.


*** Marshy Areas On The Eastern Part Of Grand Bahama Island

When our three friends awoke, they were in dire straights. Dehydrated, hungry, not knowing where they were. But Jack was happy. Cheerful even. This made Mandy and Sarai a little more than peeved to say the least. Mandy felt like throwing him back in the ocean and letting him float away until he could float no more. Sarai wanted to dig him a shallow grave and invite him to take a rest.

Jack was oblivious until they spelled it out for him.

"Jack! Cut it out!"

"Cut what out Mandy?"

"Being so cheerful!" said Sarai, "What is wrong with you?"

"Wrong with me? Nothing is wrong with me. What is wrong with you?"

"Oh, I don't know, one or two little things I am sure."

"Right, little things, but look at the big things that are right with you. Buck up girls, we need to get moving."

"Moving, where to? We don't know where we are."

"Well, while you two were getting your beauty rest, I did a little exploring, off to the east there is nothing but a lot of water for people who have boats as large as the ones we are carrying. Off to the west, there is a creek with some more land. I say we head west."

"Jack, I say we stay put and try to find something to make a signal fire tonight when the sun goes down."

"I really think we should get going Jack," says Mandy again, "what do you think Sarai."

"As much as I hate to say it, and as much as I would just like to lie down again and sleep forever, I think Jack is right. BUT Jack, when the day starts to wind down, we need to keep Mandy's idea in mind. We need to start gathering something to burn and stop in time to gather more and try setting a fire tonight as a signal. Someone may be looking for us and see it?"

"OK, let's gather up our gear and head out then."

"Do we have to? What good are fins and masks going to do us on a land trek?"

"We are going to come to a creek soon, Who knows what else we will have to cross before we get some where we can feel safe again."

"OK, you win."

"Here, everyone have a sip of water before we move out."

"Jack! Where did you get water?"

"A man has to have his little secrets ladies. Have your sip and let's get a move on. Don't drink too much, we may need to make it last."

After they each have a small sip, they all feel a tiny bit better and shuffle off to the west along the beach, single file, down near the water's edge.

(9:31 pm Saturday Nov 24, 2007)


*** Shack Near Beach

so, no sigh of them yet?
nope, no sigh. they say they will keep looking though.
ok, well, let's hope they get lucky. it has been too long already
yes it has, but you say your friend Jack is good in the water?
yes, he's good, now if it was my other friend down here sam...
he can't swim?
oh, he could swim, just not too good like
and you haven't give him lessons yet
i tried, he doesn't want to learn that from me it seems
well, tech him anyway, island people needs to know
you tell him that, he is a lot bigger than me
tell im? i'll tell im. put im on?
he is not here now brad, but i will be sure to let you speak to him soon
you do that cuz.
later
later fa you cuz, later fa you

Ronnie goes back to his extended brain dump session. It is almost as if he is obsessed with capturing his every thought and inspiration for some reason he cannot yet pin down no matter how much he tries. So he keeps dumping.

---

I want a salt water woman
To sail with through this life
Find me a salt water woman
To be my salt water wife

---

I need some new... love
Red white and blue... love
How do you do... love
From a true American Girl

---

He feels a great tiredness in his very bones, but he doggedly keeps the dump going.

---

I will sing you a song in the night
I will sing dear and try sing it right
Let the words flow and wander where they might
I will sing you a song in the night

I will take you to see true delight
I will show you this note if I might
Let the tune free to wander where it might
I will take you to see true delight

---

(9:54 pm Saturday Nov 24, 2007)


*** A Lonely Room

And Out!

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 23

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 23

(2:48 pm Friday Nov 23, 2007)

(3:08 pm Friday Nov 23, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

I seem to get off to flying starts like this on way too many days gentle reader.

But today, that's OK. Why? because if all goes well and the electrickery company does not mess with me, I will cross the fifty thousand word marker by the end of the day, submit my file and become an official winner for the fourth year in a row. All the years I have entered.


2007 - Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel
2006 - Sayings - Deterred Bahamian Novel
2005 - Tings - Anuddah Bahamian Novel
2004 - Conch - a Bahamian Novel

So far, I think none are very good, but Conch is the best. If I can find a plot for it, it might even turn out half way decent after rewriting.

The others? Well, other than their world class greatness, I don't hold out much hope for them. There are things in each that I really like mind you. But...

Well, you tell me...

I must tell you, getting these words out today just feels really sweet. It is not that I am going any faster. Not that they are flowing with any more ease. Not that I have had some flash of inspiration today that was lacking on other days. No. no to all of those. In fact, things have been better on some of the days so far. no, what feels so sweet is that I can feel it in my bones. Fifty thousand is close at hand.

Close at hand and with each word that comes creeping out of my fingers and enters my computer through my old and ragged keyboard brings me one word closer to that lofty goal. A keyboard with a space bar that often decides not to actually work. A decimal point on the numeric keypad that is equally problematic, and a few other quirks.

Lofty for me in any case.

(3:20 pm Friday Nov 23, 2007)

And so it just feels really sweet today. There is a smile trying to break out on my face right at this very moment. Well it just did! Along with a silent chuckle. Sweet. Sweet! SWEET!!!

(3:37 pm Friday Nov 23, 2007)

*** Marshy Areas On The Eastern Part Of Grand Bahama Island

After being in the water for way too long for comfort. Tied together to avoid getting separated, our three water logged friends washed up on a bit of land out on the eastern part of Grand Bahama Island.

They are in a bad way, but alive. There is a chance they would be gone now had it not been for their wet suits and dive gear. They wash up, not knowing where they are and with no sign of civilization in sight.

At least they are alive.

They stumble up the scraggly beach and fall down in exhaustion. Sleep claims them despite the bright sun.

(5:26 pm Friday Nov 23, 2007)


*** A Lonely Room

Wow, time slipping away again and I need to correct it gentle reader, but... like I mentioned,it does not mess with that underlying simple joy that comes from knowing the the goal is so near.

The tortoise and hair race was a good addition to this novel this year. A race to the finish but this one where everyone who crosses the line under the time limit are all winners.

Such an excellent race concept. I need to explore other areas where such racing conditions could make for fun and excitement.

Let's go now and look in on the Cheoy Lee Ketch up around Nun Jack gentle reader. yes, they are still up there. Wonder what they have been doing up there all this time? I will leave it up to your imagination gentle reader. They are newlyweds and all after all.

I think it safe to say they have managed to get closer than the dance though.


*** Beach On The Far End Of Nun Jack, Abaco

(5:34 pm Friday Nov 23, 2007)

Well, the lottery did not pay off for Fred, largely on account of his not having purchased any tickets. Well, even if he had bought a bunch, it is likely that it would not in any case, but you never know. As to the other matter though... The strangest thing happened...

He and Golden Child had been walking hand in hand along the water's edge on that fine, fine white beach around the corner to where they were anchoured when they had spotted a forlorn can of spam sitting up amidst the sea weed just above the high tide line.

"Oh look, a can of wild spam, careful, it may attack!"

"Goldy, I's a man is a true 'conian, I been hunting these wild spam and their fresher kin since I was a boy. One lone can of wild spam is not enough to worry me my sweet."

Fred starts to walk toward it boldly.

"Honey no! Be careful, it may be a boar can. Its family may be around here too. If he is protecting his sow and spamlets, he could turn really mean!"

Fred laughs and bends down to pick up two sticks of drift wood and an old conch shell. He passes one of the pieces of wood back to Golden Child, "Here sweety, you keep a sharp eye out and warn me if you see anything out of the way. You have my back now, I am counting on you."

(5:47 pm Friday Nov 23, 2007)

Fred crouches down in a hunter's squat and approaches the dangers can of wild spam crab wise, his drift wood in his left hand and his conch shell in his right. When he gets within four feet of it, he motions Golden Child to be quiet and to get low. He slowly inches closer...

Closer... Then he pounces. He misses the spam by the barest fraction of an inch with the conch shell but manages to stun it with the follow on blow from the drift wood.

A vigorous tussle ensues, sand flies everywhere. The sounds of a pitched battle ring out. Grunting, whooping, wild screams. Fred is on top for a brief moment and attempts to put the spam into a lock, but then is reversed.

Golden Child comes to his rescue but he warns her back, "No! Goldy! It is too dangerous right now, stay back.I need room to operate."

The spam makes a break for the brush above the beach, seeking escape but Fred is up in a moment and in hot pursuit. he catches it well before the beach runs out and manages to stun it with the drift wood again. He howls a wild howl of glee and it is all Golden Child can do not to break out in howls of laughter.

After a bit more wild and loud struggle,the spam now makes a break for the water, "Get it honey, before it gets away! it is almost to the water!"

Laughing, Golden Child takes aim with her piece of drift wood, using it like a spear. She lets fly with amazing power and accuracy. The wood hists the spam hard and dead centre. It goes right through the can and deep into the soft sand of the beach below. It makes a strange sound when it comes to rest.

Fred sits up with surprise on his face.

"What was that?"

"Nothing. I just got lucky I guess."

"No. What was that sound?"

"What the stick hitting the spam can?"

"No, the other sound that came after that one. I think the stick went in and hit something down in the sand," says Fred dashing over and dropping to his knees and starting to dig with wild abandon using his hands to throw up large amounts of sand in a steady rhythm. It is obvious that he has dug on beaches before.

It is not long before he uncovers a small chest, still intact though looking much the worse for wear.

Golden Child looks on in delight and wonder. "What do you think it is?"

"I don't know. Let's take it back to the boat and open it up and see."

(6:09 pm Friday Nov 23, 2007)


*** 38' Cheoy Lee Ketch - Up Around Nun Jack, Abaco

They swim the chest out to the Cheoy Lee and Goldy climbs up the ladder while Fred holds on to the ladder with his right hand and to the chest with his left.

Golden Child stands up and turns around getting ready to reach down for the chest when she spots a large dark shape out in the clear water, streaking towards her new husband, "Fred! Drop the chest and get up here as fast as you can!"

There is something about the tone of Golden Child's voice that causes Fred to drop one of his childhood's fondest dreams and climb that ladder as fast as he can. No arguments, no questions.

It is a good thing too because a good size bull shark comes streaking in and getting very aggressive around the boat. it attacks the rudder and the keel and then proceeds to attack one of the anchour rhode.


*** A Lonely Room

(7:08 pm Friday Nov 23, 2007)

Well, gentle reader, the electrickery company struck. Another case of the No Voltage Blues today. The same as yesterday. Bam, it goes off for no reason. Shut everything down including turning off the UPS. Only to come on withing ten or twenty minutes. Now, don't get me wrong, I am very happy that it was not off for longer, but why in the world would it need to go off for such short periods both yesterday and today?

Here you go again:

The No Voltage Blues

I got the no voltage blues
I got the no voltage blues
Yeah, B.E.C. is messin with me
I got the no voltage blues

My U.P.S. is beepin
It wakes me from my dream
And man she was a sweet ting
Ate least thats how it seemed

I got the no voltage blues
I got the no voltage blues
Yeah, B.E.C. is messin with me
I got the no voltage blues

My A.C.'s sittin quiet
My room is gettin warm
I lie right here and sigh it
Aint no sign of a storm

I got the no voltage blues
I got the no voltage blues
Yeah, B.E.C. is messin with me
I got the no voltage blues

I'm tryin to write my novel
In thirty short, short days
And now just like the last year
Gots to pray they change their ways

I got the no voltage blues
I got the no voltage blues
Yeah, B.E.C. is messin with me
I got the no voltage blues

Welcome to my world as I often tell my wife.

(7:18 pm Friday Nov 23, 2007)

Getting oh so very close to fifty thousand right now gentle reader, probably just passed it somewhere in here. Let's see shall we?

Just a second...

Yes! SWEET! In this draft I am now officially over fifty thousand words by my count using wc here. I guess I better see what the NaNo word counters say so give me another second if you would be so kind.

Yes! The NaNo counters tell me I have fifty thousand and sixty seven words and my progress bar is now GREEN! Woot!

SWEET!

Celebrate! There is a smile on my face and I am laughing. That feels good!

(7:50 pm Friday Nov 23, 2007)

Wow, cross that line and slow right down...

(8:00 pm Friday Nov 23, 2007)

And basically come... to... a... complete... stop...

Noooo! Not quite enough for that complete stop just yet gentle reader. Close, but if I can just manage to squeeze out another sentence or two, I should be good to go.

This is a good news night all around I guess. I crossed the NaNo line and got my green bar, and I just had a phone conversation about a house that I have been "selling " for years. It looks like it may be all done from my point of view in a week or so. Hopefully before the month is out.

If that happens, it will certainly be a time to have a little party.

(8:08 pm Friday Nov 23, 2007)

And now I really can come... to... a... complete... stop...

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 22

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 22

(9:12 am Thursday Nov 22, 2007)

(1:34 pm Thursday Nov 22, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

How bout them apples, Fearless Reader?

It is a good thing that when we went to see that Tortoise and Hair race over The Other Other Other Far Side Of The Galaxy way that none of that hair had such finely developed procrastination abilities or we might have still been over there now.


OK, that was a panic...

I was just doing some leo chapter re-arranging of this book and I thought I had lost a day's work. I found it though, just mis-placed. The other day I actually had deleted it and had to go pull my backup off of another machine on the far side of the internet to get back what I had lost...

So, Fearless Reader, should you ever decide to become a Fearless Writer, a fearful writer, or if you already are a writer of any sort, I caution you not to be a Fearless Writer when it comes to making backup copies of your work.

I mean, sure, it is ONLY a book, and in this case, a simple NaNo book, but the fear that blossoms inside when the thought that you have lost a goodly part of it is not a pleasant feeling.

I truly feel for those poor unfortunates who actually do lose their writings. I really hope I shall never find myself in that position again. I know I have already lost some of my works from earlier years for one reason or another.

Say ninety plus five and a quarter inch floppy based backup sets that were not much good years later after sitting around in these semi tropical parts.

I had hoped to do a double word day today and be any to hit a NaNo Winning fifty thousand words tomorrow, but that is not looking too likely at this point.

(2:00 pm Thursday Nov 22, 2007)


*** A Decaying Orbit Around Mars

(Now, I don't know if you have ever been around a decaying orbit before, but it reeks I can tell you that!)

So the slightly green postage stamp on the luscious pink envelope are in this decaying orbit and things are not looking so rosy despite this being the Red Planet and all.

In fact, things are beginning to stink. And the envelope is not all that amused by the situation I can tell you that.

I mean, traipsing all about the place with a slightly green postage stamp riding shotgun and providing motive power is one thing, but having to stick it out for days in a decaying orbit was quite another thank you very much and if you please sir. And so she was making rumblings and threats about getting ready to bail on the whole situation and pull a return to sender ploy if things did not improve drastically... and pronto!

The slightly green postage stamp thinks that the luscious pink envelope sounds fairly serious about about this return to sender ploy so he pulls them out of a decaying orbit which was really only a slightly decaying orbit and puts them into a steep dive towards the surface of the red planet.


(2:18 pm Thursday Nov 22, 2007)



*** The Surface Of The Red Planet

The women of the colonization team are engaged on tunneling into the surface of the red planet so as to keep their colony from being discovered by the probes of the various space agencies who are becoming more and more interested in this particular planet.

So, imagine how surprised they are when the the slightly green postage stamp on the luscious pink envelope zoom by so fast that they left only the barest after image in the women's peripheral vision.

The all stopped what they are doing and looked around, trying to see what they thought they had seen.

"Did you see that sister?"

"See what sister?"

"I don't know it, but did you see it?"

"I am not sure, but I think I saw something. Look! I think we all think we saw something" she says, keying up her long range radio mod. Did any of you see what that was?"

No one had, no one was even sure that they had actually seen anything. No one, that is, except for a teen aged member of the group that said she had an impression of mail.

Well, the other misunderstood her and thought she said male and were instantly on their guard. They had not come this far and invested so much to have things derailed at this point by males.

When she corrected the misunderstanding, they all broke down laughing.

"Mail! Going that fast!" and they all burst out into a fresh rounds of laughter.

(2:33 pm Thursday Nov 22, 2007)

(2:50 pm Thursday Nov 22, 2007)

They all laughed and cracked up and made jokes about the speed of mail and mail vans with flashing lights on top and the fruit cake that was sent off from ancient Egypt just before the ancestors of the children of Israel moved down there in the first place. Now this fruit cake was being sent by Pharaoh to a Chinese emperor what he had met at a frat party at college. So he put on the proper postage and sent it off by camel post.

Imagine the surprise caused by that cake when it finally got delivered to the Albert Hall just before a sold out concert by the greatest rock band ever. Now that was something.

After they finally settled down and caught their breaths, and the stitches in their side eased up, they got back down to work.

(3:10 pm Thursday Nov 22, 2007)

The slightly green postage stamp on the luscious pink envelope settle down lightly on a craggy cliff overlooking the women's work site to watch the goings on for a while.

*** Shack Near Beach

(3:33 pm Thursday Nov 22, 2007)

Ronnie had fallen asleep at five am still in brain dump mode and fallen out of the chair to slumber on the floor.

He woke up in the afternoon feeling like death with major serious dragon breath. You might wonder if Nano and Drake were about. They may very well be. We will have to see what develops as we go along.

He crawled into the bathroom and brushed his teeth with a toothbrush that could use replacing soon and some baking soda that he dumped out of a box he had found in the fridge. It tasted a bit odd but he had run out of tooth paste a few days ago and had not made it to the store yet.

He jumped into the shower for a quick rinse and then toweled off. He wrapped the towel around his waist and went to the kitchen to look for a bite to eat.

He fried up some bologna and sliced up some tomatoes and cheese and some unsliced bread and made himself a sandwich and headed back over to the computer to dive back into brain dump mode.

---

Well I don't know if I love you any more
Said I don't know if I love you any more
No I don't know if I love
Yes I don't know if I love
Well I don't know if I love you any more

Well I don't want your hugs and kisses any more
Said I don't want your hugs and kisses any more
No I don't want your hugs and kisses
Yes I don't want your hugs and kisses
Well I don't want your hugs and kisses any more

---

(3:49 pm Thursday Nov 22, 2007)

---

He pops into his leo program to make some random notes...

---

Things to do:

Read those novels online by that whacked out guy by the name of drew... the one who goes by zotz most places online where he shows up.
Try and come up with some topics for this month's bslug meeting which has been put off until next month. typical Bahamian play.
Work on that podcast / bittorrent publishing platform.
Try and get freecast running for the Free NetRadio Station.
get rivendell installed and set up on that new box.
Research innovative four step business plans.
Get a dspam filter working to cut down on all this spam.

---

(4:02 pm Thursday Nov 22, 2007)

Sam shows up and interrupts...

"Hey Donny, have you heard?"

"Heard what Sam?"

"The yacht Jack was one went down, most of the crew made it OK, but Jack, Sarai and that new woman he met recently, Mandy were all out doing something when it happened and they did not make it with the others and they haven't been found since. It doesn't look good."

"Are they out looking? Who is doing what?"

"Well, BASRA is out and the US Coast Guard has sent a cutter and some choppers. The flying club has some planes up, but so far, nothing."

"Is there anything we can do?"

"We can pray Donnie, that's one thing that could help."

"I did too much praying at the end of a stick to want to do much these days Sam, but for Jack's sake I may offer up one or two in the night."

"I am sorry you still feel that way Donny, but I would be happy to know you are doing what you can."

"Look, I think I may put a call in to my people up on the island and see if any of our boats are in the area and if they may do a little looking for us."

"Let's do all we can Donny, I have a dinner with the Prime Minister tonight. I am going to ask him if he can get the defense Force involved. I tried calling him on his cell, but NaTelCo seems be down."

"You are going out to dinner with the Prime Minister?"

"No, he is coming over to my mother's house. She has known him since they were children and they still get together for old times every once in a while."

(4:38 pm Thursday Nov 22, 2007)

"I didn't know that Sam. You think he might do it?"

"I don't know Donny, but I am trying most everything I can think of. Look, I have to run. I am going by those friends of Jack's who have planes to see if they can take me for a search tomorrow."

"OK, I am going to try and raise my people as soon as you head out to see what they can do."

"Later."

"Later Mabeezo."

Sam leaves and Ronnie fires up his Ekiga and tries to make a sip call up to Spanish Wells.

(5:09 pm Thursday Nov 22, 2007)

The phone answers and his sister is on the other end, "Hello?"

"Hey Josie, I need you to do me a favour."

"Ronnie, is that you? Let me call momma."

"Josie! No!" but it was too late she was gone. He can hear her calling his mother in the distance.

"Momma. Momma! Ronnie is on the phone from Nassau!"

"Ronnie? Hum coming. Tell im I vill be there soon. tell im don't ang hup."

"HOK, momma." she says and then picks the phone back up. "Ronnie, she will be here soon. She says don't hang up."

"I heard her Josie, but I need to speak to you before you put here on. Please, this is important. Promise me. If you put her on I will not get to tell you thin for an hour or more. Please sis!"

"OK, promise, what is it?"

(5:26 pm Thursday Nov 22, 2007)

Before he can begin he hears his mother arrive in a rush on the other end.

"Josie, hum ere. Give me the phone."

"He says he needs to tell me something important before I put you on momma."

"Don't be such a fool girl, more important than his momma, give me the phone."

"Momma, he made me promise."

"Girl, give me that phone." Ronnie hears a little struggle and then his mother comes on, "Ronnie, baby, ow you dohin?"

"Mom, please put Josie back on, this is important."

"Ronnie, I haven't spoken to you in weeks and now you don't wanna talk to your Momma?"

"Mom! Of course I want to talk to you, I just need Josie to do an important favour for me and then while she starts on that, we can talk all you want to!"

(5:34 pm Thursday Nov 22, 2007)

(10:35 pm Thursday Nov 22, 2007)

"Ronnie, don't talk to you mother like that. You have been doing that since you were a young boy and I kept telling you that having attitudes like that would get you in trouble. Did you listen to your momma? No! And look at all the trouble you have ended up in in your life so far from not listening to you momma."

"Ma, sorry, I gotta go, bye, I will call you another day soon." says Ronnie as he clicks on an icon and disconnects from his mother. He hated to do it, but sometimes there is no stopping her for hours once she gets going and he really did not have time for that tonight.

He would just have to call someone else up there on the island and see if he could get someone else to look into things for him.

Who?

He decided to try his cousin Brad, but Brad did not have a sip line. If only his sister had not gone for his mother first thing. He sat back down to the computer and went into the rare_squoper channel on IRC (server not specified on account of security considerations) and saw that Brad was at least showing as being there and so he pinged him.

ping noBradjustfact
yo da Don - what is going on with you cuz?
look, cuz,I have a friend who has gone missing, the yacht he was on went down and he is missing along with two other people.
sorry to hear that cuz, why did you ping me?
well, i am checking to see if any of the Smack Boats are out over Abaco way where they could maybe take a look for them for me.
I will do some quick checking and get back to you soon, can you hang here until then
sure, ping me when you are ready, I am gonna keep working in another window while I wait
will do, bbiab
no probs cuz, thanks

(10:58 pm Thursday Nov 22, 2007)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 21

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 21

(4:02 pm Wednesday Nov 21, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Well Fearless Reader, I am starting my writing day totally pooped out. My eyes are weary and hurting. How shall I pull this off today. I must be sounding very much like a broken record at this point.

(6:19 pm Wednesday Nov 21, 2007)

I have got to find some motivation and some inspiration. What ever happens tonight Fearless Reader I am going to try and write semi steadily and reasonable quickly. Even if I have to write mostly nonsense. I will have to take the fix it on rewrite attitude. My need for sleep must take precedence over the need for anything approaching quality.

(6:31 pm Wednesday Nov 21, 2007)

Yeah right, big words from a man prone to interruptions and bouts of procrastination. And I just got wind of another.

(6:40 pm Wednesday Nov 21, 2007)

OK, so that is out of the way. Now let's see what we can do shall we.

*** The Water Near Mores Island, Abaco

Well, Rising Tide didn't actually explode like it might have in a movie explosion, but there was an explosion on board and she did go down, and quickly. They watched it from afar. It looked like the crew managed to get the tenders launched and get away safely. But the wind had started kicking up and although they came for a brief look, but could not find them in the churned up sea and had to leave as conditions looked to be getting worse.

(6:55 pm Wednesday Nov 21, 2007)

*** A Decaying Orbit Around Mars

A slightly green postage stamp on a luscious pink envelope are laughing together and having a good time. Some how they had ended up in this general vicinity and had been on their way to the lovely looking blue planet when for some strange reason, the desire to visit this red one first had leapt unbidden into the thoughts of each of them at the exact same moment.

And not just any exact same moment. No, the famous, proverbial almost exact same moment.

Now I am sure that some of you know what I mean when I say that, but I dare say there may be others of you who are not yet sufficiently clued in to catch on. For the sake of those of you who find yourselves in that boat, I will endeavour to elucidate and explicate the conundrum for your benefit.

Here is the thing. Think back to all the times in your life when you have read at the exact same moment or heard someone use that phrase in a story, Or been watching a movie or a play where something / somethings happened at the exact same moment...

Well, here is the secret and it may just be one of the most profound secrets of the universe. Due to an odd configuration of space-time, all of those exact same moments are really... the exact same moment. You heard it here first in Danger, there is one and only one exact same moment. Now I know that is at least a little mind bending if not mind blowing as a concept for those of you running up on it for the first time, but that's the way it shakes out... To tell you the truth, I still cannot really wrap my mind around it properly even after all these years.

(I will leave you to ponder that in the back of your mind while we get on with the story Fearless Reader. Of course, if you are so shocked as to be unable to continue reading at this point, feel free to put this book down and come back to it a bit later. As for me, I need to keep on keeping on due ti that aforementioned deadline and those previously referred to tired eyes.)

(7:19 pm Wednesday Nov 21, 2007)

(7:19 pm Wednesday Nov 21, 2007)

And now that they were here at this Red Planet, they were quite happy that they had had that odd notion at that special moment.

You see, there were interesting goings on down on the surface here. Interesting goings on indeed.

*** Shack Near Beach

Ronnie was at the computer again and into serious brain dump mode...

I aint gonna let you

Touch me any more

I aint gonna let you

Kiss me that's for sure

I aint gonna let you

Close my open door

Uhh huh baby

Caint touch me any more

I aint gonna let you

Ride up in my car

I aint gonna let you

Run my tab at the bar

I aint gonna let you

Shoot down my star

Uhh huh baby

Caint ride up in my car

I aint gonna let you

Cut my heart in two

I aint gonna let you

Sip my mountain dew

I aint gonna let you

Walk a mile in my shoes

Uhh huh baby

Caint sip my mountain dew

I aint gonna let you

Stay right up to the end

I aint gonna let you

Drive me round the bend

I aint gonna let you

Love me every now and then

Uhh huh baby

Can't drive me round the bend

---

He caresses

Her tresses

Expresses

His wishes

His missus

At dishes

Says this is

Too much

---

But I don't wanna!

Dude, you're digging a well!

---

Didn't he Rambo?

---

Authentic Replica

Live Recording

Numb Feeling

Rolling Stop

Work Party

Jumbo Shrimp

Pretty Ugly

Old News

Government Budget

Plastic Glass

Sweet Pepper

Bend Straight

Plastic Wood

Smooth Sandpaper

Smooth Shave

---

Bahamian Dances:

The Duppy Strut

The Segillian Swirl

The Retail Shuffle

The Sidewalk Slide

The Hallway Dodge

---

It's always something

Indiana Bones

Munchie Jumping

Poetic Injustice

Nuthin Butt (A Hound Dog)

Past Experience

Science Friction Stories

It's just a matter of lime

It's just an arrow of time

A manioc depressive

Peabo in the sky

The Youth In Asia Movement

Snake and the Flatman

Poetry in Lotion

Spin Doctors in Tubs

You aint just whistlin, Dixie!

My Eyes Explored You.

Rap City in Blue

The Centerville Festival In A Toga

Living in a one room country

Bach by popular demand.

Rhombi Rhythms

Danger at the Roach Motel

I know dem long time

Stranger then Friction

Yugo Girl!

The wavy Adventures of Particle J. Peet

Someone Else's Honey

Running on Empties

Straighten up your fly right

Strangers to Diction

Scrubs in Rockets

Pardon my lips

efooleh.com

I'm trying to remember to forget

Mervin the Mad Mung Bean

Tragically hick

The enemy of my enemy is my enemy's enemy

ishopushopeshopvshop.com

My inlaws are all outlaws

Midnight in my mind

Your passport picture looks better than you.

Cream puff Casanovas

The colour of nothing

Another shade of boo

An every day lonely knight

Syncing with Sarah

The colour of broke

Deep in the hole of taxes

Fer-de-lance and Isabumma

Down town with Mingo Brown

Aren't I Ronic?

Despite the warning, Rikki lost that number!

d'Wanda Ovit

---

Then he got a bit side tracked and went off surfing the web. He ended up reading some guys National Novel Writing Month novel from a year or two ago and came upon a song that the guy had written for NaNo. He thought he might like to get some guys together to take a shot at recording it some day. It had a license that he could live with.

The NanoWriMo Song

Copyright 2005, Bruno da Beat.

I'm gonna write me a nano song.

Not too short and not too long.

Not too weak and not to strong.

I'm gonna write me a nano song.

I'm gonna play me a nano tune.

Along the lines of the cow and the moon.

Hey mister fiddle what became of the spoon?

I think I need him for my nano tune.

I'm gonna throw me a nano ball.

Wine and women and that's not all.

Lot's of beef and hot salsa for all.

Come and dance at my nano ball.

I'm gonna write me a nano book.

Thirty days to write it won't you take a look.

Like my tune there's gonna be no hook.

You can read it in my nano book.

I'm gonna play me a nano game.

There in the forums where some are lame.

Looking for my quarter hour of fame.

I'm gonna play me a nano game.

Won't you sing me my nano song.

I would do it but it'd turn out wrong.

Record it for me and send it along.

Won't you sing me my nano song?

Please sing me my nano song?

Won't you sing me my nano song?

Well, you only figured out that it was a Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike version 2.5 license if you checked the novel it was a part of. The character in the book that was supposed to have written it did not think to list the license near the song itself in the book.

---

The complete idiots totally moronic guide to ignorance for dummies, a fifty cent illustrated guide.

---

I forget what I wanted to put here...

---

Fee, FIFO, fum

I'm in the QUEUE

With and English MON

Be he a Drive

Or be he a LED

I'll grab his cache

And take his threads

---

I went down to Motown

Kissed me a pretty little girl

I went down to Motown

Kissed me a pretty little girl

She kissed me right back yeah

Put my heart all in a whirl

I went up to Memphis

Saw me the king there on his throne

I went up to Memphis

Saw me the king there on his throne

He looked torn and tattered

Said he just wanted to go home

I went east to LA

Where the stars fall from the sky

I went east to LA

Where the stars fall from the sky

Then three stars stole my lyrics

Now I'm just barely getting by

---

all the colours of your rainbow

were drippin from the sky

when i saw you that bright morning

falling down from a night time high

i don't need no information

cause i am barely getting by

and all the colours of your rainbow

are drippin from the sky

---

(8:58 pm Wednesday Nov 21, 2007)

---

i'm down to nothing baby

that's what i am

i needed something baby

to be your man

but i'm down to nothing baby

even lost my tan

said i'm down to nothing baby

that's what i am

---

if i still loved you

like i loved you

when i loved you

you'd still be mine

you'd still be mine

if i still kissed you

like i kissed you

when i kissed you

that would be fine

so very be fine

but i don't love you

like i loved you

when i loved you

end of the line

end of the line

---

there were five segillian singers

tryin to form a rock and roll band

young white boy blond hair dreamers

singing bout the sun and sand

---

one down two to go

and i

need some

one ta show me just

how love's supposed go

cause it's

one down and two to go

I said...

one down two to go

and i

need some

one ta show me just

how love's supposed go

cause it's

one down and two to go

---

dat gal need ta go

dat gal need ta go

you say you love her so

but dat gal need ta go

she all over town

she flirtin all around

da people stop an stare

dat gal need ta go

dat gal is fa me

dat gal is fa me

oh she love me so

dat gal is fa me

---

give me some time to get you off a my mind

give me some time to move you out of my heart

give me some time to get my act together

give me some time to make a brand new start

cause you were the one to always treat me special

you were the one to always treat me kind

you were the one who up and broke my heart

you were the one to make me lose my mind

---

i live in dreams

and my days end

i don't know why

i try again

when morning comes

and i'm alone

i live in dreams

no telephone

---

i really think it's raining sunshine baby

somewhere deep inside my heart

i really think that i could love you baby

if you would just make the start

i really really think i want you baby

somewhere by the ocean tonight

and you would really really love it baby

and you could be my true delight

i'd take you to see ah places baby

places that we'd never been

and if you'd walk right here beside me baby

i'd show you through a young man's dream

---

(9:11 pm Wednesday Nov 21, 2007)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 20

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 20

(4:16 pm Tuesday Nov 20, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

At least it is not currently a white room gentle reader, a padded white room.

(4:33 pm Tuesday Nov 20, 2007)

And so it begins again, that long daily struggle, this year, often deep into the night, that struggle to write and write and write.

And once again, last night, time conspired to keep me from writing scenes that needed to happen yesterday and so we must take a little trip on that literary time machine once again.

I guess I could try the flashback game with you gentle reader instead of asking you to go back with me to yesterday and experience it live as it were... Still, all in all, this seems best for now.

Who knows what will happen should we ever go to rewrite. Would you stick with me through that long struggle gentle reader?

Would you prefer to be called fierce reader, or fearless reader?

Fearless Reader, you know, that has a nice ring to it doesn't it Fearless Reader?

Good. Sorry for that mistake up until now. Well, perhaps is was not a mistake at all, perhaps I have just learned a new facet of your being today. Perhaps it has always been evident to me that you were a gentle reader and now, perhaps on this day when I consider the real possibility of our going through the valley of rewrite together I finally learn that you are not only a gentle reader but that you are also Fearless Reader?

Perhaps... no... it couldn't be, could it? You are not like one of those super type people with two identities are you?

Normally a mild mannered gentle reader who likes nothing better than to sit outdoors in a sidewalk cafe on a pleasant sunny day and read inspiring works of great literature with none the less high entertainment value. Only to step into a dark corner of a used book store when the time calls for it and, in an instant of whirling and flashing lights and strange sounds, turn into the caped and masked Fearless Reader. That piratical ninja of a reader who will read anything, anywhere, boldly, and with perfect diction whether, silently, under the breath, or out loud as the situation demands!

I am so happy to meet this other you today Fearless Reader. Welcome to my ever so humble novel... Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel. I hope you enjoy reading it at least as much as I am enjoying writing it. I hope that it will prove at least a little bit easier to read as it has been to write... Ain't that a loaded statement?

(4:49 pm Tuesday Nov 20, 2007)

(6:57 pm Tuesday Nov 20, 2007)

(7:14 pm Tuesday Nov 20, 2007)

Well, I wanted us to take a trip on the literary time machine, not fall into a temporal black hole.

*** Inflatable Dingy Some Where Off Mores Island, Abaco

"This is about as close as we ought to get to her on the surface," whispered Mandy. She lowered an anchour over the side. They put on their fins and masks and slipped over the side and swam along the lines back to their scuba scooters which they had been towing.

"OK, remember, these re breathers are not for depth, stay above twenty of thirty feet, no need to go that deep really. Let's stay together. Follow my lead when we get there."

Jack and Sarai gave the OK sign and they all went down.

Jack concentrated on his breathing and keeping Sarai in sight. They had a light line between them, but he wanted to keep close and not run the risk of having the line break out here underwater at night. He tried not to think about sharks.

He went into a zone and was surprised when he almost bumped into Sarai ahead of him. The three of them got in close to each other. Mandy let down a small anchour on a rope and tied their scuba scooters together and hooked some ballast from each to the anchour line and let it go thus giving the scooters a mild positive buoyancy. She signaled them to follow and they kicked off after her, Jack again bringing up the rear. Alert.

(8:35 pm Tuesday Nov 20, 2007)

They climbed in over the stern and made their way quietly along the port side.

(8:51 pm Tuesday Nov 20, 2007)

Here's how it worked out.

They explored the whole ship but found no one aboard. They found nothing much of interest at all. They had a discussion as to whether they should call the Rising Tide over to pick them up or go back the way they came.

In the end, they decided to go back the way they came and slipped quietly over the stern and under water.

*** A Lonely Room

Ouch Fearless Reader... For some reason I am really having trouble with what is supposed to be happening at this point in the story.

Listen, if by some strange chance, you end up reading this before I write it, and you can get to send me an email to give me some of you input on what I am doing right or wrong right here in this part of the writing, please do.

mailto:zotz@100jamz.com

I could use all the help I can get right now...

(9:01 pm Tuesday Nov 20, 2007)

*** Shack Near Beach

We find Ronnie back at his computer messing about with serious multi tasking again tonight.

Although right now, he is leaning back in his chair with his feet on the desk and his eyes closed. Listening to a bit of the song he was messing with last night and which he went over to a friend's house today and did a rough recording of.

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o

He sits up and clicks on the stop button on his ardour program. Something needs fixing here but he is not sure what. He marks out a region and sets things up to play it as a loop then starts things playing again. He notes with satisfaction that there are no xruns in jackd so far today.

(10:24 pm Tuesday Nov 20, 2007)

He gets bored and frustrated. He can't put his finger on what is bothering him and that is bothering him. Go figure.

He gets up and goes to the fridge to look inside and see what he can see. He checks down low and finds an apple sitting lonely and bored like he is so he grabs it and rinses it off in the sing and then dries it on a paper towel. He takes a bite and then starts to walk back in to the computer. Just as he gets out of the kitchen door, he gets the bright idea to perhaps brew himself up a cup of tea.

Should he do it? Should he risk being up into the night from the caffeine? Would it give him the energy he needed to get this stuff done tonight? He picked up the kettle and shook it. It felt ans sounded a little empty so he went over to the water cooler and put some room temperature into the kettle before putting it back on the stove and lighting the burner under it. He grabs a mug from the cupboard and a tea bag from the container on the counter. Throws in some cane sugar and decides to step out onto the porch to wait for the kettle to boil.

The air was cool and the sky was clear with a few small clouds high up there. The moon was large and high in the sky just a bit to the west of overhead. The stars were beautiful. He sat down and enjoyed listening to the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks and the waves rolling up the sand of the beach. He got a notion to run down for a quick swim but put it out of his mind.

He jumped up and dashed inside and put on some music and then came back out and sat back down.

You and I we used to dance
In the days before romance
Young hearts never took the chance
To get closer than the dance

Then came love with all its fears
And my nights of endless tears
Nights I'd wonder when or where
You might once again be near

You and I have one more dance
Perhaps in England perhaps in France
Wiser hearts should take a chance
Perhaps get closer than the dance

That had a nice sound to it. Now he liked how that one was working out. He really though that this virtual band spread out all over the world might have some legs.

The kettle started to boil and he went inside and poured the water into the mug and put the whole thing under a tea cozy to let it brew for a while.

The phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hello, is that you Ronnie?"

"Yes, mom, how are you tonight?"

"Your mother is lonely tonight Ronnie. When are you going to come up and visit again? You know you can come up on the boat in the morning and spend the day with me and then go back that night, or even spend the night and go back the next morning or the next night. Is it too much to ask that you should come and visit your mother once in a while?"

"No, mom, it is not too much to ask. It is just that I am busy now. Maybe in a few days or by next week at least I think."


"Why can't you come tomorrow or the next day son?"

"Because Jack is away and I told him I would house sit for him while he is away and keep an eye on things. I don't think I should leave this place empty with all that has been going on around here lately," says Ronnie before he realizes the mistake that he just made.

"What? What all has been going on Ronnie? You are not getting into trouble again are you son? Are you sure this is not another bad crowd you have fallen in with? You know you always used to have that problem growing up. Always running with the wrong crowd and letting them influence you."

"No ma, I think these guys are OK this time. Plus you know those boys mother's used to tell them I was the bad one and that I was being a bad influence on them."

"You were a good boy Ronnie, a little misguided perhaps, and too easily influenced by the wrong set, but you were a good boy."

Ronnie smiles to himself, mothers, you gotta love them.

"Mom, I may have been that good little boy, but I was often the ring leader when it came to getting up to trouble. But thanks for the kind thoughts."

(11:07 pm Tuesday Nov 20, 2007)

"Ronnie, who is watching your house while you are looking after someone else's house?"

"Mom, how many times do I have to remind you, I do not have a house. I am renting a car port from a different friend that he has converted into a studio apartment."

Ronnie remembers that he has tea brewing. Well, that was too long. he is definitely likely to be up all night if he drinks that tea, but he hates to waste stuff so he resigns himself to a long night of work at the computer.

*** Shack Near Beach

We find Ronnie back at his computer messing about with serious multi tasking again tonight.

Although right now, he is leaning back in his chair with his feet on the desk and his eyes closed. Listening to a bit of the song he was messing with last night and which he went over to a friend's house today and did a rough recording of.

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o

He sits up and clicks on the stop button on his ardour program. Something needs fixing here but he is not sure what. He marks out a region and sets things up to play it as a loop then starts things playing again. He notes with satisfaction that there are no xruns in jackd so far today.

(10:24 pm Tuesday Nov 20, 2007)

He gets bored and frustrated. He can't put his finger on what is bothering him and that is bothering him. Go figure.

He gets up and goes to the fridge to look inside and see what he can see. He checks down low and finds an apple sitting lonely and bored like he is so he grabs it and rinses it off in the sing and then dries it on a paper towel. He takes a bite and then starts to walk back in to the computer. Just as he gets out of the kitchen door, he gets the bright idea to perhaps brew himself up a cup of tea.

Should he do it? Should he risk being up into the night from the caffeine? Would it give him the energy he needed to get this stuff done tonight? He picked up the kettle and shook it. It felt ans sounded a little empty so he went over to the water cooler and put some room temperature into the kettle before putting it back on the stove and lighting the burner under it. He grabs a mug from the cupboard and a tea bag from the container on the counter. Throws in some cane sugar and decides to step out onto the porch to wait for the kettle to boil.

The air was cool and the sky was clear with a few small clouds high up there. The moon was large and high in the sky just a bit to the west of overhead. The stars were beautiful. He sat down and enjoyed listening to the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks and the waves rolling up the sand of the beach. He got a notion to run down for a quick swim but put it out of his mind.

He jumped up and dashed inside and put on some music and then came back out and sat back down.

You and I we used to dance
In the days before romance
Young hearts never took the chance
To get closer than the dance

Then came love with all its fears
And my nights of endless tears
Nights I'd wonder when or where
You might once again be near

You and I have one more dance
Perhaps in England perhaps in France
Wiser hearts should take a chance
Perhaps get closer than the dance

That had a nice sound to it. Now he liked how that one was working out. He really though that this virtual band spread out all over the world might have some legs.

The kettle started to boil and he went inside and poured the water into the mug and put the whole thing under a tea cozy to let it brew for a while.

The phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hello, is that you Ronnie?"

"Yes, mom, how are you tonight?"

"Your mother is lonely tonight Ronnie. When are you going to come up and visit again? You know you can come up on the boat in the morning and spend the day with me and then go back that night, or even spend the night and go back the next morning or the next night. Is it too much to ask that you should come and visit your mother once in a while?"

"No, mom, it is not too much to ask. It is just that I am busy now. Maybe in a few days or by next week at least I think."


"Why can't you come tomorrow or the next day son?"

"Because Jack is away and I told him I would house sit for him while he is away and keep an eye on things. I don't think I should leave this place empty with all that has been going on around here lately," says Ronnie before he realizes the mistake that he just made.

"What? What all has been going on Ronnie? You are not getting into trouble again are you son? Are you sure this is not another bad crowd you have fallen in with? You know you always used to have that problem growing up. Always running with the wrong crowd and letting them influence you."

"No ma, I think these guys are OK this time. Plus you know those boys mother's used to tell them I was the bad one and that I was being a bad influence on them."

"You were a good boy Ronnie, a little misguided perhaps, and too easily influenced by the wrong set, but you were a good boy."

Ronnie smiles to himself, mothers, you gotta love them.

"Mom, I may have been that good little boy, but I was often the ring leader when it came to getting up to trouble. But thanks for the kind thoughts."

(11:07 pm Tuesday Nov 20, 2007)

"Ronnie, who is watching your house while you are looking after someone else's house?"

"Mom, how many times do I have to remind you, I do not have a house. I am renting a car port from a different friend that he has converted into a studio apartment."

Ronnie remembers that he has tea brewing. Well, that was too long. he is definitely likely to be up all night if he drinks that tea, but he hates to waste stuff so he resigns himself to a long night of work at the computer.

*** The Water Near Mores Island, Abaco.

They got back to their scuba scooters and headed back to the inflatable dingy. When they got back to where it should have been, it wasn't there any more.

"I know this is where we left her, what happened?"

"I don't know Jack, but I agree this is the spot too, look some more, she may have dragged her anchour some."

Jack decides to swim a widening spiral to see what he comes across. He soon finds the dingy, awash and with all of its chambers punctured with what must have been a dive knife. He did not like the implications of that.

They decide that they should get back to the Rising Tide as quickly as they can and head out on their scuba scooters. The thing is, these things are not super speedy.

They are making slow progress when the Rising Tide explodes...

(11:18 pm Tuesday Nov 20, 2007)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 19

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 19

(3:10 pm Monday Nov 19, 2007)

(6:07 pm Monday Nov 19, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

You like that gentle reader? Almost three hours gone. Yes, the time really does keep slipping into the future. Except when we hop in the literary time machine, bot that works for in novel time and not 'in lonely room' time...

I must tell you too that as of right now, gentle reader, I have very little motivation. I am feeling down and low. I am actively seeking ways to shirk tonight even though if I do it may prove a minor disaster.

Well gentle reader, I think I may have found a way to skive out tonight. The band is, or at least a part of the band is, practicing tonight. I may just go ever there and hang out for a break. If I do, I will trey write some longhand on paper for you but I should warn you that the last time I tried that, I wrote basically zero wards while there. (I think I may have told you that back when it happened. So... Just in case your memory sometimes operates like mine is doing right now, I am telling you this here...

I am burning too much time on mailing lists the last few days as well. The Creative Commons Community list and the Linux Audio Users list.

Plus, at work today I was working on a Drupal site for one project and on getting FreeCast working for a related project. This is for my Radio Station job. Lots of fun working for that group.

(6:31 pm Monday Nov 19, 2007)








*** Shack Near Beach

Ronnie is at the computer again multitasking as it were. He is reading some posts for some mailing lists he is subscribed to. He is working on his blog. He is working on some lyrics for a song that popped into his head this afternoon. He is in an irc channel on freenode chatting with some friends, one of whom is in Guana Cay in Abaco.

Oh and he was eating his dinner while doing all of this. Curry pepper pot with brown rice spiced up with a nice local pepper sauce made in Abaco as a matter of fact, and a nice salad of lettuce, tomatoes, and onions with a olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing. It would have probably went well with a nice glass of red wine, but he pushed such thoughts from the front of his mind.



(7:18 pm Monday Nov 19, 2007)


There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o

Hey now Peter, pumpkin eater,
Had a wife but, he couldn't keep her
Well he put her, in a pumpkin shell
Then he kept her,
So very well

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o

Mother Hubbard, went to her cupboard
Get her poor dog, a little bone...
But when she got there, that cupboard was bare...
Well that poor dog he... aint got no bone...

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o

Well Miss Muffet, sat on her tuffet
She was eating... her curds and whey...
Come this spider, sat down beside her
Well he frightened... Muffet away...

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o

Well William Winkie... runs through the town
Up stairs and down stairs, in his night gown...
Peeking in windows... tapping on doors
That boy goin be up, quarter to four...

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o

Mary had a... little lamb
Had a fleece was... white as snow... o
Every where that, young Mary went...
Well that lamb he... surely follow...

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
said somethin bout pretty maids
in a row... o


(7:38 pm Monday Nov 19, 2007)


Ronnie was in the flow getting his new version of the song down and having a good time when he was interrupted by a repeated beeping coming from his IRC client.

It was a buddy of his from Guana Cay trying to get his attention. He clicked on the tab that was calling for his attention.


da Don, you there?
come on da Don... where are you?
da Don, you there?
come on da Don... where are you? come on... stop ignoring me here now.
da Don, da Don, da Don, da Don

So he responds...

hey jack leg, what is up my brother?
what are you up to tonight?
a bunch of things really, i was just working on a new version of that contrary mary song.
what are you doing with it?







*** A Lonely Room

Well, gentle reader, I am over at band practice and they are playing some nice songs tonight.

And for the first time this year I am actually writing something while with them.

And what happens? My pen runs out of ink! Luckily, I found a spare in my bag.






*** Shack Near Beach


(7:58 pm Monday Nov 19, 2007)

well i am writing some new verses for it. i think i may like hot is is turning out too.
can you send me a copy?
well i will probably put it up on my blog later tonight.
come man, send me a copy now!
no man, i need to go over it and make sure i have it down. i think i may need to fix some parts still.
come man Donnie, now you are being a jack leg your own self... send it to me! at least send me a sample of it then!
ok. man, you re sure pushy tonight. here it comes.

Mother Hubbard, went to her cupboard
Get her poor dog, a little bone...
But when she got there, that cupboard was bare...
Well that poor dog he... aint got no bone...










(9:30 pm Monday Nov 19, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Well gentle reader, I finally managed to write some over at band practice tonight. Plus, at the end, the band messed about a bit with one of the songs that is in the book this year. Changed it up a lot but it was fun...

I actually got over five hundred words written on paper in long hand while I was over there. That leaves me around a thousand to go for the evening.

We shall see.






*** Shack Near Beach


dude, that is lame! a nursery rhyme?
look, just because you have no imagination, you don't have to get down on everything.
yeah right, what are you gonna do next, the spider and the fly?
what is you problem? your girl friend dumped you again? gone fishing with a fresh water boy?
no, we are doing fine thank you, we are going to the club dancing a little later for your information.
if you see Fred up there tonight, tell him i said hi.
dude! you didn't hear? fred got married the other day and is off sailing on his honeymoon.
what! fred! fred got married? no way! you have got to be pulling my leg.
not on this my friend. some mega yacht was anchoured off the north beach for a few days. fred met this gal from on board and the next thing ya know...
wow! i would not have though that that boy would go getting hitched before he was much older. that must be some special girl. did you meet her?
just for a short while. fred was kind of keeping her away from the boys from the break. she is a good looking gal that's for sure. and she seemed nice enough for the short time i did get to sit with them and chat.
well, tell him i say hi when he gets back.
sure thing. what else are you up to these days?
man... wow! some crazy things happening around lately. Jack has been on the wrong end of an attempted kidnapping twice now at least. Plus, we think he may have actually been kidnapped the first time either by the people who were chasing him or someone else, we are not sure. all we know is he was gone for a while and no one knows where and he doesn't remember anything much at all. then he actually was kidnapped along with some women while he was out riding horses but everyone managed to get away after not very long.
are you pulling my leg now?
no. then his mother was kidnapped. then we captured on of the bad guys and kept him for a couple of days questioning him before we let him go.... man it has been really crazy! let me tell you!

Just then, Ronnie's speaker beeped again, someone from #rivendell had used his name so he clicked on that tab.

da Don, are you awake tonight?
hey bruce_ph, everything good with you tomight?
i need some help with the built in scheduler in rivendell, have you used it much?
not really, have you checked the list archives or the wiki? the manual and release notes?
you have a link to the wiki page?
let me have a quick look for you...
thanks.
here you go: http://rivendell.tryphon.org/wiki/index.php/Log_Creation
listen, I am busy with someone else right now in another channel, good luck. gotta run.
thanks again, i will give this a read and shout at you later if i need more help.


(10:15 pm Monday Nov 19, 2007)

jack leg, you here?
right here, right here. sup?
i asked if you were here, not how you were doing.
very funny. so, that sounds crazy, is everyone ok though?
so far so good.




*** A Not Quite So Mega Yacht 'Risin Tide' Some Where Off Mores Island, Abaco

They have finally found their target near Mores island. After the sun set, they waited until it got properly dark and then moved in closer to where the ship was lying at anchour.

"So, are we all ready? Every one know what to do?"

"Mandy, I am happy to go with you, but I don't think you should ask Sarai to do this, it is too dangerous. We don't know what we are going to run into out there."

"Look Jack, I am coming with you guys. There is no way I am letting you two have all the fun while I sit here bored."

"Suite yourself Sarai, but I really think it could be too dangerous out there."

"I can handle myself, but it is sweet of you to concern yourself like that. Sweet, but a little chauvinistic huh Jack?"

"Sure is chauvinistic of me Sarai, I mean, we all know that women just aren't up to jobs like this, that is why I keep telling you and Mandy to let me do it alone... Let a real man show you how it's done." Jack says, then turns to Mandy, "OK, let's get this thing in gear."

They check all of their gear and equipment one last time before slipping into the inflatable and heading off towards their intended target.





*** Shack Near beach

(10:58 pm Monday Nov 19, 2007)

Ronnie was back at his computer after being interrupted for a while when Sam and his wife had come by to check on how he was doing.

jack leg, you here?
right here, right here. sup?
so, tell me some more about ma man fred and his recent adventures...
well, this big mega yacht was sitting off the ocean beach like i say. people are saying that it was only women aboard of her. anyway, i can tell you that there were a lot of good looking women on it, that's for sure. man donnie, even the older ones were looking fine and you know i don't go for older women.
so anyway, no one was sure just what they were doing around these parts, but they were exploring the place, that's for sure, why or what for, no one can tell.
so, one day, this young one, golden child, comes ashore and some how hooks up with fred. next thing you know they are all snatch up. then dancing all night, long walks on beach, marriage. what can you say about something that happens so quickly?
so how was the wedding?
well, that's another odd thing. they got married on that ship and none of the people from the settlement were invited... that got some people upset, i can tell you. but anyway, fred put on a nice reception afterwards and that kind of calmed most people down.

(11:42 pm Monday Nov 19, 2007)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 18

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 18

(2:05 pm Sunday Nov 18, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Welcome to another day of labour gentle reader. I hope you will find some enjoyment and something to think about today. Perhaps, if we are both lucky, even something that you can build upon...

I had once again wanted to get an earlier start on the writing day, but once again failed. Best laid plans... Mice and men... And all that...

(2:20 pm Sunday Nov 18, 2007)

(2:54 pm Sunday Nov 18, 2007)

I really wish I could have a few days without such ultra productive stretches like I just had... They hurt...

It is hard sometimes to figure out how I actually manage to pull them off.

I think I am going to have to take you back to yesterday for some action gentle reader so hop on into that old literary time machine with me again and let's get a move on...

*** Shack Near Beach

Ronnie was still working on the computer. Jack had left about ten minutes ago. Ronnie decided he needed a bit of fresh air and a stretch so he stood up and walked out to the porch.

A limo wsa driving towards the shack. Ronnie did a few stretches and took some deep breaths and waited for the limo to arrive. Which it finally managed to do, stopping in a minor cloud of dust.

After the dust settled a bit, the driver rolled down the window and asked if Jack was ready.

"What? Jack was just picked up by someone else about ten minutes ago."

"Listen, something must be wrong, I am going to see if I can catch up to them, you call him and see if you can warn him as to what is going on and ask him to take all necessary precautions."

"I'm on it!" Said Ronnie turning to head inside as the Limo left in a cloud of dust and spinning tires.

*** Back Seat Of A Limo - On A Lonely Road

Jack's cell phone rings and the driver lets out a little laugh.

"Hello?"

"Jack, Ronnie here. I need you to listen carefully and don't speak out loud until you fully understand what I am telling you."

"Uh huh."

"Jack, you may be in trouble. About ten minutes after you left, another Limo showed up for you. I think you may have been waylaid there pardner."

"Mmmm."

"Is there any way for you to get out of Dodge?"

"You sure about this?"

"All I can tell you iswhat I told you. The limo driver asked me to warn you and ask you to take all necessary precautions, I will leave it up to you what they might be. Good luck Jack. Do the right thing."

"OK, I should see you next week then," says Jack, hanging up.

The driver looks back over his shoulder, "Is everything OK?" he asks.

"Honky Dory ma man, it's all copa copa."

The driver faces forward again but Jack can sense him checking out the situation in back in his rear view mirror from time to time.

This makes Jack think that Ronnie might have the situation right and starts running over his options in his mind.

It isn't long before they get caught behind a slow moving truck hauling a load of cement blocks with a line of oncoming traffic and a large bend ahead.

As the get about halfway through the bend, Jack opens the door of the limo and jumps out onto the weeds of the verge. He hits the ground fairly hard and rolls several times and then is up and running into the bush beside the road.

The limo driver hits the brakes and swerves off to the side almost causing a pile up as the car behind was following too close.

Jack stops and watches from e little rise in the bush.

It looks like the driver is torn between coming to look for him and not leaving his vehicle unattended by the side of the road. He reaches in to the car and takes out a cell phone and opens it and dials.

Jack sees him talking and gesticulating wildly with his arms for a bit before he hangs up, gets back in the limo and drives off.

Jack sits down to think and catch his breath and to make sure he is mostly uninjured before he takes out his own cell phone and calls Mandy.

Jack stands up and heads back for the road figuring to try and catch a ride. Mandy answers. Caller ID.

"Jack, are you crazy?"

"What are you talking about? Do you know what I have just been through?"

"Yes, probably, but I will not pretend to understand it. I mean, why on earth would you jump from the limo?"

"Wait! How do you know I jumped from a limo?" asks Jack with a bit of an uneasy feeling beginning to creep into his belly.

"Because my driver called me and told me what you did, that's how I know. Why did you do it?"

Just then, Jack spots another limo coming down the road. Moving at an in between pace and with a driver looking for someting or someone.

"Uh oh!"

"Uh oh what?"

"Listen Mandy, I can't talk now, I gotta go," says Jack as the driver of the other Limo spots him just reaching the road.

"Hey Jack! Jack Kato! Are you alright? I am glad you got away, I am here to take you to Mandy."

Jack turns and runs back into the bush. The Limo burns rubber getting to his bush jump off spot and then burns more rubber stopping.

This driver does not hesitate in leaving his limo parked in the road with the door open and heading after Jack at full speed. "Jack stop!"

Jack does not stop but puts on more speed, careful with his breathing though. It is almost like deja vu all over again he laughts silently to himself.

"Stop or I'll shoot!"

Jack zags to the right but does not stop.

(4:04 pm Sunday Nov 18, 2007)

A vague childhood memory of a blue hole in the are comes to him and he heads in the direction he remembers it.

A short while later, he breaks from the bush and there is the blue hole ahead of him, the water all brown with a green scum here and there on the surface. It is deja vu all over again he thinks... He hears his persuer in the bush behind him. Here goes nothing. He keeps running and dives headlong into the brown water that he remembers a blue from his childhood. It is about eight feet down to the water.

He enters the water and swims down about thirty feet and sees what he is looking for. There is an opening in the limestone wall and he swims in.

He does not like taking risks like this, but he does not like being shot at either.

The passage angles up and soon his head breaks the surface and he takes a much needed breath, careful not to make much noise.

He is in a little under ground chamber. It is very dim. The air is sort of fresh, but damp and earthy. The light and fresh air is from a few very narrow passages that reach the surface via several twists and turns. There is not way to see the surface from in here and no way to see in here from the surface.

As soon as his head breaks the surface, Jack takes his phone from his pants pocket and lifts it above the surface of the water and sets it to vibrate. He hopes that it will still work but he seriously does not want anyone up there to hear it ring right about now.

(4:33 pm Sunday Nov 18, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Well, gentle reader, we have spent too much time in yesterday now. We really should be getting back to today. The question is, where...

(5:26 pm Sunday Nov 18, 2007)

Where indeed.

*** Rising Tide - Between Nassau And Hole In The Wall

Jack and Mandy are standing up on the bow watching some dolphins that have joined them and are cavorting in the bow wave. A group of flying fish get disturbed and break out of the water and fly off to the port. Jack always gets a little thrill seeing them do that, or seeing the houndies go skipping along the surface.

"So Jack, why wont you tell us how you got away?"

"I did tell you."

"Jack, I can tell that you are leaving out key details. Why wont you come clean?"

"Secrets can be important to survival my dear, surely someone accustomed to secrets like you are should understand that Mandy."

"OK, then, you are one hard headed man, you know that?"

"Sounds good to me, I never wanted to end up as soup in any case."

"Let's go to the bridge and have a session with the captain and Sarai shall we?"

(6:54 pm Sunday Nov 18, 2007)

(8:21 pm Sunday Nov 18, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Honestly, a major block seems to have snuck up on me unawares and taken me captive. Too bad I did not have a blue hole of my own to dive into and escape...

How am I going to pullthis off tonight at a good clip and finish up early so that I can try and get a reasonable night's sleep. Definately something I am in need of and have been getting too little of.

*** Rising Tide - Between Nassau And Hole In The Wall

Sarai, Jack, and Mandy are on the bridge, talking over options on what to do should they encounter the people Mandy is after.

They have apparently been operating several craft in the area of the Abacos. There are reports that at least one is a research vessel that has been seen operating from Hole In The Wall along the coast to Sandy Point and out to Gorda Cay and even as far as Mores Island.

There is another one that has been described as more of a exploration and salvage vessel that seems to be operating all along from Green Turtle Cay up as far as Allans-Pensacola Cay.

Intercepted and decoded traffic indicated that the research vessel had made the first progress but that the salvage vessel may have made some more recent and perhaps more important finds.

"So, what do you want to do Mandy," asks Jack.

"Well, I say let's try and get close to the research vessel and see what we can see. After that, if we want to check out the other one, I can get a copter in to take us if it seems like we need to rush, or we can head back around and see what we can see with them."

"Is that doable?" How can we learn anything without giving ourselves away?"

"Well, I have some ideas, but to be honest, I am not all that worried should we give ourselves away. It might be a good thing to make them a bit nervous. Perhaps they will be more likely to make a mistake."

"Are any of you hungry?" asks Sarai, "I am famished. Why don't we head down to the galley and see what we can scrounge up?"

"That sounds like a plan, Sarai, you have any conch aboard?"

"Jack, you know me when I am in the islands, I always try and have a good supply of conch close at hand. You feeling like a little salad?"

"Feels like too much work right now. How about a quick scorch though?"

"Are you gonna make it for us?"

"I can do that. Let's go."

And so they head on down to the galley, Jack's mouth is already starting to water. Sarai's is already starting to burn. She has had Jack's scorches before.

(8:51 pm Sunday Nov 18, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Now gentle reader, by a very strance co-incidence, just as our three friends were heading down to the galley of the Rising Tide to make themselves a scorch, Fred had just finished making some for Golden Child uo at Nun Jack.

*** 38' Cheoy Lee Ketch - Up Around Nun Jack, Abaco

Golden Child is sort of laying off in the cockpit. Her back is against the cabin and her feet are towards the stern.

Fred comes up from below carrying a bowl in one hand and a jug in another.

"Look what I got for us baby... Some fresh scorched conch and some just squeezed sour orange ade. You want some?"

"I'll certainly take some of what you got my love. Come over here and sit with me. Can you rub some lotion on me please?"

Fred goes over and rests his load on the cockpit floor and sits beside his bride. "I thin I can mamage that," he smiles, taking the lotion from her and pouring some into his left palm before rubbing his palms together to warm the lotion. "Come sit here."

Golden Child moves on the seat and turns so that he can lotion her shoulders and back. "Fred?"

"Yes Goldy?"

"What do you think that boat is doing out there? Do you think they may be looking for treasure or something like that?"

"Could be sweet, there have been rumours of treasures floating around here ever since I was a little boy, I imagine a lot longer that that. People seem to want to try their luck from time to time, but we mostly figure that there is not a whole lot of success on the part of too many of them. I sometimes think of going and looking for some myself. It would really be a trip to find some, don't you think?"

"It might be fun, yes! Could we go look together some time?"

"Sure, some day, but let's not get our hopes up. I sometimes think of buying myself a bunch of lottery tickets too. I sometimes wonder which project would have better odds of success."

(9:07 pm Sunday Nov 18, 2007)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 17

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 17

(5:56 pm Saturday Nov 17, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

And how did this day come to this gentle reader, How did the whole day pass by with nary a word written until almost six in the pm?

(7:42 pm Saturday Nov 17, 2007)

Is that some top notch procrastination or what? Well, perhaps not world class but not bad.

Now how to get back on track and try to sprint right through the day's quota. Will that be possible? I have had day's like that in previous years, but so far this year I have not even come close. Except for the day that I sprinted through close to zero words. I feel like having another such day today but am trying to resist the temptation.

(7:56 pm Saturday Nov 17, 2007)

Sprint my eye. I need to go and read the tortoise and the hare story from our own neck of the woods and take some counsel from that tale.

*** Shack Near Beach

The phone rings and Ronnie answers it, "Hello. What's your pleasure?"

"Hello? Is this Shack Near Beach?" says a female voice at the other end of the line.

Ronnie is enchanted, "This is surely Shack Near Beach, what can I do for you my sweet?"

"Is Jack there? I need to speak to him on a matter of some importance and urgency."

"Are you sure you don't want me instead?"

"Look, who ever you are. I need to speak to Jack right away, so please call him to the phone if he is there or tell me how I can get in touch with him right away."

"OK sister, don't get all worked up, I was just trying to be nice is all. Look, Jack is over by the pond looking for gold shells, he should be back in an hour or so, is that good enough for you?"

"No, not really, is there no way to get him now?"

"You could try his cell, he may have it on him. Do you have the number?"

"No, can you give it to me please?"

Ronnie gives it to her and she laughs, "Thanks, I will call him now."

She hangs up and Ronnie laughs too. Jack's cell number often gets that reaction from people who were around back then.

A song started playing, one that matched Jack's cell number and Ronnie laughed again, "Well I guess she will be calling back," he said to himself and decided not to answer Jack's cell.

*** A Not Quite So Mega Yacht 'Risin Tide' In A Marina On Paradise Island

Sarai and Mandy are on the sun deck, Mandy has her cell phone to her ear. "Come on Jack, pick up." But Jack does not pick up.

"He must not have his cell phone on him." says Mandy.

"Call back to the Shack and ask that guy to try and go get him for you," says Sarai.

"I will," says Mandy, dialing the number at the Shack again.

(8:37 pm Saturday Nov 17, 2007)

*** Shack Near Beach

The phone rings and Ronnie answers it, "Yes... alright... I will go and try hunt him down for you and bring him back here."

"Well, could you take a cell phone to him please so I can speak to him sooner?"

"OK, I can take his cell to him, if I can find him. I think I know where to look."

*** A Salt Pond

Jack is squatting on a thin, muddy beach on the shore of a salt pond. He is about twenty yards away from a cut where the water is flowing swiftly through the channel between the island he is on and the other shore. The cut is only about twenty feet across and about three feet deep. Fish swim against the current in the cut, unmoving.

Jack likes this spot.

He is digging in the muddy sand looking for gold shells. He makes jewelry from them which he sells occasionally but mostly gives away. He has always been fascinated by these tiny shells from the day he first encountered them so long ago during his childhood years. His father had brought him and some of his young friends to this very cut to fish and swim one day when he was about nine or ten. It was the first time he had been to this pond, but he knew from the start that it would not be his last.

"Jack! Jack!"

He looks around but does not see anyone.

"Jaaaaack!"

Is that Ronnie? He listens more carefully.

"Jack! Where are you?"

That does sound like Ronnie, "Ronnie! Is that you? I am over on the island, almost to the cut" he shouts near the top of his lungs.

"Yes, it's me, you have an important call!"

Jack stands up and walks down to the water's edge, the water here is only a few inches deep, and bends down and washes the sand and mud off of his hands. Then he stands up again and puts his right hand over his eyes and looks in the direction that Ronnie's voice seems to be coming from. There are two main routes to take to get here from the shack, both take about the same amount of time to cover but each gets here from a different direction. The thing is, here on the pond, the sound does not always come from where it seems to come from. It can be very tricky at times.

Yes. There. He sees a speck off in the distance. Ronnie must be running, he thinks to himself, that looks like spray he is kicking up. I wonder what has gotten into him?

(9:04 pm Saturday Nov 17, 2007)

Jack figures something important must be up to get Ronnie moving like this and so he begins gathering up his gear and his haul. After he has every thing ready to go, he begins jogging along the little beach towards Ronnie.

*** A Lonely Room

Just in case you are a bit confused as to why Jack would be out in a salt pond at night, gentle reader, I want to let you know that he isn't. He is actually out in the pond during the day. Remember a while back I pointed out that the times in the Novel this year represent the times that things are being written here in this old lonely room and not "in novel" as it were. At least not necessarily "in novel" although, at times, it matches the "in novel" time as well, just not right now for Jack in the pond.

(9:10 pm Saturday Nov 17, 2007)

A little free cell brainstorming session that actually proved to be nothing more than a tempest in a tea cup...

*** A Salt Pond

Jack and Ronnie meet in knee deep water between the other end of the island and the main shore. "Ronnie, what's going on? What lit a fire under your tail like this?"

"Not what, Jack, who."

"OK, who lit a fire under your tail like this?"

"Some woman claiming to be with the DEA and claiming to be working with you on some project. She kind of persuaded me to take her seriously and to come and get you. Here is your cell phone, she wants you to call her right away, just press redial. She had me make sure your cell could get through to hers before I left the shack."

"Thanks, Ronnie," says Jack taking his cell from him and hitting redial before putting it to his ear." It rings twice and then Mandy answers.

"Hello? Jack, is that you?"

"Hey Mandy, yes, it's me. What's up? Must be something important. if not, Ronnie is going to take some real sweet talking on your part, let me warn you."

"Oh, it's important Jack. You know that group I was talking to you about? Well, I think they may have found what they are looking for, or at least some of it."

"What! How so quickly?"

"You must give good directions Jack. In any case, we need to move fast. How soon can you get here? Do you need someone to come get you?"

"Well, this moke I am driving these days is no speedster. never was, even in its better days. Tell you what, if you can send someone, please do. If traffic is not too bad, they may even get to the shack before Ronnie and I get back there."

"OK, Jack, listen, when you get back to the shack, pack a bag for a couple of days at least so that you can be ready when my driver gets there."

"Will do Mandy, see you soon."

(9:28 pm Saturday Nov 17, 2007)

(10:41 pm Saturday Nov 17, 2007)

*** 38' Cheoy Lee Ketch - Up Around Nun Jack, Abaco

"Hey Fred, can you get me some water please?" calls down Golden Child from the cockpit.

"Sure thing my love," calls out Fred from down under, "just give me a second."

A short time later, Fred's arm comes up the hatch holding a glass of water, "Here you go Goldy, I will be up in a bit with the fish."

Golden Child tends some vegetables grilling on a small grill clamped to a stern railing.

She hears Fred moving about below and music comes up.

She was a real beauty
An Out Island beauty
She looked so fine in the sun

The sea wind was blowing
Her blond hair was flowing
As along the wild beach she would run

I saw her crying
As my turbot was frying
So I told her we could have us some fun

She slapped me silly
Said I wasn't Willie
Said her heart was reserved for just one

Ten years later
I started to date her
Seems Willie had married for mun

Yes Willie was silly
He ran off with Millie
And left me a piece of the sun

After a short while, Fred comes up the ladder with a bowl of turbot fillets soaking in lime and red pepper. He also has a baggie of flour seasoned with salt and black pepper.

"Hey, how are the veggies doing?"

"They are almost done, get the fish ready and let me put it on and we should be good."

Fred takes the pieces of fish out of the lime one at a tie and dips them in the flour before passing them to Golden Child who puts them on the grill.

(11:04 pm Saturday Nov 17, 2007)

*** Shack Near Beach

Ronnie is sitting in front of a computer laughing to himself. A car drives up and stops by the front porch. A horn blows.

"Hey Jack, your ride is here," calls Ronnie.

"Right there," calls Jack coming out of the back room with a duffel bag in his hand. "See you when I get back Ronnie, tell Sam I will try and call him if I can in the next few days."

Jack walks out the door and Ronnie goes back to his computer and laughing to himself.

He is writing an email to a list he is subscribed to. People are kicking around the idea for a virtual band to make Free music with Free tools. Some have been throwing ideas back and forth for the name of the virtual band.

Ronnie has seen some good ones show up in his mail box so far today. He is working on his own list to contribute at the moment.


Here are some more band name possibilities I have come up with:

Naturally Sophisticated
The Fairly Unique Band
Endless Summer
Always Winter
Never Sleeps
Never Sets
Tone Def
2hotbbPerfect
proKrastination
Later!
The Discoverators
Who Dat? (From the saying... (Who dat say who dat when I say who dat? Who
dat?")
How You Akin?
Gone Den

Endless Summer, Always Winter, Never Sleeps, and Never Sets are all references
to a world wide band...

Let me know what you guys think...

Da Don

(11:47 pm Saturday Nov 17, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Well, gentle reader, it is late, midnight approaches and my eyes hurt. Still, another day of making quota. I hope you have enjoyed at least some of today's words.

I have enjoyed writing some of them for you despite the struggle.

Out.

(11:49 pm Saturday Nov 17, 2007)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 16

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 16

(2:30 pm Friday Nov 16, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Yeah, right, what a coincidence. But I am not really going to get to start just yet. I have to make a school run in a bit gentle reader.

(3:32 pm Friday Nov 16, 2007)

Love is for losers and young beauty queens
That's what she told me but what did she mean
I figure the mystery lies somewhere between
Those lovers and losers and young beauty queens

Hey there, gentle reader. The beginnings of another lyric came to me while I was making my run. I will have to work on it some more and put it in the book somewhere for the characters to listen to sometime before the month is up if things work out.

(9:42 pm Friday Nov 16, 2007)

You see the problem I am facing now tonight gentle reader? How in the world am I going to do this?

(9:52 pm Friday Nov 16, 2007)

What blazing speed! I will surely finish soon. I may just have to write a little slower so you can catch up with your reading gentle reader.

*** 38' Cheoy Lee Ketch - Up Around Nun Jack, Abaco

Golden Child and Fred are snuggled up down below decks. After the little reception, Fred called a friend in Hope Town and borrowed the ketch for a little getaway for the two of them. They sailed up the next day and anchoured and spent the time since then getting to know one another better and doing a lot of talking.

It was a bit awkward as Golden Child was unable to speak of so much of her past life.

Fred had no problem and told her most everything and filled in a number of silences that had threatened to become a bit too drawn out.

He hoped that some day she might find a way to tell him more about herself and her early years, she assured him that she never would but that he should not take it personally.

He wondered if this situation would cause a problem in the future, but decided that now was not the time to worry over such things and that they could get by together no matter what.

For her part, Golden Child had not figured on the heavy price she would have to pay over such a seemingly simple matter. But when she had to look in Fred's eyes as she refused such a seemingly simple request on his part, his obvious inability to understand the situation and his obvious pain cut her inside. Deeply. But she figured that they could find their way through together and had no regrets despite the pain.

And it was by no means all pain. No, the joy was tremendous. Overwhelming almost. And, to tell the truth, almost non-stop.

*** Shack Near Beach

The phone rings and Jack rolls over and answers it, groggy. He had turned in early tonight, exhausted.

"Hello?"

"Hey tiger, where have you been? You have been hard to track down these days. Did you forget me?"

"Sue? Listen, sorry, I have been meaning to call. Things have just been crazy busy and complicated."

"That's OK, I am glad I finally got a hold of you though. So, are we gonna go out dancing tonight then tiger? How soon can you make it here to pick me up?"

"Dancing? Uhhh... Look, the thing is, I am already in bed, asleep... Well, I was asleep, the phone woke me up. I am bushed. I think I may be coming down with something too. I feel a little something in my throat. I really should just go back to bed. Can we go out sometime next week instead?"

"Sure thing tiger. Do you need me to come over and take care of you?"

"Sue, thanks, but I think I just need to get some more shut eye."

"OK, then. I think I may just go out dancing with the girls tonight then. I am sure we can find some guys willing to dance if we look hard enough."

Jack does not really hear her, he is already falling back asleep. "OK, Sue, have a good night, see you later." And he is gone. Out like a light.

*** 38' Cheoy Lee Ketch - Up Around Nun Jack, Abaco

"Fred," says Golden Child, rubbing his foot with hers, "I am so happy. I can hardly believe we're married."

"You and me both sweets, I surely didn't figure I would be married for a long time, if ever. I don't know what you did to me, but you did it good."

"Me? You are the one who hooked me, you expert angler," she giggles as she jumps on him and pretends to try and pin him.

He gets loose with a fair amount of skill she notes with inner satisfaction. He has some ability there she thinks to herself. "Fred, will you get me some more of that wonderful conch salad you cut up today?"

"Right away sweets. I feel like some more my self. Was that hot enough for you, or do you want me to add some more pepper?"

"It was fine baby, but if you want to add some more, a little more would be OK with me."

Fred smiles, "What a woman I have for myself. She's hot and she's hot and she likes it hot. Mmmmm, mmmmuh!"

As he goes to the galley, a shaft of moon light strikes his face from a hatch, Golden Child catches her breath, she cannot believe how she can love this man so much in such a short time, but she does.

He puts on some music and adds some more goat pepper to the conch salad and then takes up two bowls, one for each of them.

I been checkin you baby
Vision's drivin me crazy
I used to be lazy
Now I'm workin real hard

Cause you to look my way
A long drive on the highway
We could park in the byway
Oh I'm workin real hard

Two hearts they could fly way
Way up in the sky away
My love's for real 'll not f-f-f-f-fade away
Oh I'm workin real hard

Come Monday or Tuesday
Everyone with a clue say
He don't know what to do hey?
Mmmm, I'm workin real hard

I been peepin you baby
Beauty's drivin me crazy
Got no time to be lazy
Yeah I'm workin real hard

They eat the salad and talk and laugh and kiss as the music plays and their lips begin to glow.

"Baby, I think you might taste even better than this salad."

"Well, I think you might even be hotter that this salad, so what do you say to that?"

"I like it."

Guess who just got back today
with Gill and Gussie from the Golden Gate?
Well she was looking good and I could hardly wait
to touch her.

She was walking on that crescent beach
with hair so blond she was out of reach
But her lips were rosy - I could hardly wait
to kiss her.

Now we're sitting on the sloping sand
she's leaning in, we're hand in hand
and the moonlight rides come rolling in
to greet us.

They finish their salads and Fred rests the bowls back in the galley and returns. "Come here sweet, I can't wait to kiss you anymore either."

Golden Child grabs him and pulls him back down into the berth.

*** A Lonely Room

Well gentle reader, it is still looking a bit bleak, but not as bleak as it looked a while back. Though I have not yet reached the day's quote, I have managed to get a decent number of words down on this virtual page for your reading pleasure, and, depending on your gumption, perhaps even for your financial benefit. You never know.

I have been thinking of working on the new ultimate slashdot business plan the last few days. ~;-) I can't remember the last ultimate slashdot business plan I came up with off hand, but it was a good one.

You may or may not be wondering about this slack use of the genteel word 'ultimate' gentle reader. If you are, you might be fairly unique in your wondering and if you are, you might now also be wondering about this misuse of unique as well. Well, are you really that naturally sophisticated?

So here we go:

1. Come up with ultimate, viral, mlm, slashdot business plan.
2. Put plan in sig on slashdot posts.
3. ???
4. Profit!

Tops, don't you agree gentle reader? Simply tops.

*** Shack Near Beach

Jack wakes up in a cold sweat, his covers are drenched and he feels hot and feverish. His dreams have been disturbed, he knows that in his bones, but try as he might, he cannot remember them.

He gets up and goes to the bathroom and brushes his teeth before using the loo. he washes up and splashes some water on his face. It feels cold. He pads out to the kitchen area and looks for something liquid in the fridge.

He looks out of the window to the bay and sees that Ronnie has Sam out fishing. Those two are a mis matched pair of friends, but they have both proven to be good friends lately. And mostly dependable. Jack figures he is lucky to have friends like them. Especially with what he expects to be coming up in the near future.


*** A Lonely Room

Well, gentle reader, I am getting seriously desperate. It is time to pull out all the stops, dig down in the old bag of tricks. Let's see here...

*** 38' Cheoy Lee Ketch - Up Around Nun Jack, Abaco

Wake up and sing me a song
And tell me that you'll love me all day long
And through the night until the morning comes again

Rise up and play me a tune
The kind of music makes a young man swoon
And pledge his heart beneath the summer moon again

Step up and give me a kiss
Soft and sweet from tender lips I've missed
Then turn right round and kiss me again and again

Jump up and give me your heart
Give it all I don't want just a part

"Mmmmm."

"Mmmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm."

"Come here big boy."

"Mmmmmmmmmmm."

(11:43 pm Friday Nov 16, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Well, I am trying, but the old grey matter is a bit dry. I need something to lubricate the thoughts. To get the juices flowing. To get the words flowing...

Pouring out of the inner vastness that is uncharted mental territory. Well, let's just agree to refer to it as a vastness even if it, technically, may not be vast at all. It just sort of sounds cool, OK? Plus, it helps with the word count. I have to pull them out somehow. By hook or by crook.


(11:48 pm Friday Nov 16, 2007)

I am getting there gentle reader, one word after another. Right around a hundred more to go before I can afford to pack it in for the evening. More like for the night, but let's not quibble.

What now, what now?

*** Shack Near Beach

Jack decides to brew up some of his granny's special tea. He goes under the sink for some twice boiled Abaco water and pours some in the kettle on the stove. He lights the burner, right rear, with a safety match.

Then he goes into the cupboard above the stove and takes down some mason jars with various dried concoctions and begins preparations in earnest.

*** A Lonely Room

Whew! Done!

Just in the nick of time too...

(11:57 pm Friday Nov 16, 2007)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 15

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 15

(2:30 pm Thursday Nov 15, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Here we go again. Another day, another dollar.

(3:44 pm Thursday Nov 15, 2007)

*** Shack Near Beach

Ronnie is sitting on the porch working on his laptop...

Vee Be Lug Nutz

Friends! Welcome to Vee Be Lug Nutz.

You number one and only source for all your lug nut desires.

Now friends, there are other places around that might do a passable job of fulfilling most of your lug nut needs. Yes, granted. But can they fulfill your lug nut desires? Can they fulfill your lug nut dreams? No!

Friends, that's why you need to come to Vee Be Lug Nutz for all your lug nut desires. We cam meet and exceed all of your expectations when fulfilling your lug nut desires.

Now friends, some people in this world are on the down and out. They can't really afford the luxury of having lug nut dreams or lug nut desires. And so they have to settle for meeting their lug nut needs.

Now friend, if that is where you find yourself today, don't go messing about with those other guys. Sure, they may be able to meet your lug nut need today. Or they may not. Why take the chance? Why waste your precious time? Why pay more? Come to Vee Be Lug Nutz, we guarantee that we will meet your lug nut needs for less than the rest. Or your money back. Mumble, mumble, mumble very fast like.

But friend, maybe you are no longer on the down and out, or maybe you never were on the down and out, maybe you were even one of those born with that proverbial silver spoon in your mouth.

Friend, have you moved beyond the mundane realm of thinking only of your lug nut needs? Are you ready to move into the exciting realm of Lug Nutz desires?

If you have moved into that lofty realm of Lug Nutz desires, don't even bother thinking about Lug Nut City or House of Lug Nuts. Why waste your even more valuable time? Come direct to Vee Be Lug Nutz. Sit down with one of our professional Lug Nutz Desire Engineers. Together with our engineer's complete desire team, you can come up with a plan for fulfilling your Lug Nutz desires. Our engineers have a full desire staff on call should they be needed.

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We have lug nutz makeover specialists.

We have lug nutz performance enhancers.

We have lug nutz historians.

We have lug nutz financial specialists.

If it matters in the world of lug nutz desires, we have them and our lug nutz engineers can call them in to the meeting at a moments notice. We have an iron clad, no delay, guarantee.

So, let your lug nutz desires run wild, don't be seen driving around town with run of the mill, utilitarian lug nuts for another day. Come and see us at Vee Be Lug Nutz. We will give you a Lug Nutz Kustom upgrade today and Kustom build you a set of lug nutz to meet your personal lug nutz desires in one week or less after you give the go ahead to our engineer.

Come on in today friends. You will not regret it.

Make a statement as you drive around town. Let your Lug Nutz tell the world that you are someone to be reckoned with.

And for you who are one of those rare few who in earlier days might have been robber barons, or even barons and earls, we have our very special luxury lug nutz department.

Sam is reading over Ronnie's shoulder. "Donny, ma man, you are seriously weird. What in the world is that all supposed to be about?"

"Sam, this is a script I am working for a new video I want to shoot and put up on the net video sites. What do you think?"

"I think you should try and do something more worthwhile with your life is what I think."

"Just because you like to be up the top of poles all day long in the sun, that does not mean some of us don't have larger dreams and aspirations you know Sam."

"Oh, I have dreams Donny, just not lug nut dreams like you."

(4:11 pm Thursday Nov 15, 2007)

"You say right there with your negative, no can do attitude, Sam. Me, I's a man who takes a progressive view these days. People are making good money on the internet these days doing all sorts of things. Blogging, writing, music, videos, there is so much p2p-tential out there that it is staggering. Virtually staggering. I een ga be doing these passin time jobs fa the rest a my natural born days. I am making plans and progress."

"Man, you are one serious pie in the sky thinker, I give you that."

(5:41 pm Thursday Nov 15, 2007)

(5:51 pm Thursday Nov 15, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Ten minutes, gone. Gone where? To some temporal washing machine in the sky? To disappear like some sock knitted from the fabric of time, while its twin remains to baffle the laundry man for the rest of time?

Gentle reader, I need to ask you to take a trip back in my literary time machine, let me take you back to last night over on Paradise Island. We need to go back and re-join Jack and Sarai, getting ready to to eat a nice, fresh cooked meal.

*** A Not Quite So Mega Yacht 'Risin Tide' In A Marina On Paradise Island - the night before

Jack takes a deep breath through his nose, enjoying the aroma. He is about to take a nice bite of fresh tuna that he has seasoned just right with sour orange and goat pepper.

"Permission to come aboard!"

"Jack and Sarai look down to the dock to see Mandy standing there with her right hand at her forehead in a salute, grinning ear to ear.

"Permission granted!" laughs Sarai, returning the salute.

Jack is struck dumb. For a while.

Mandy climbs up the stern onto the after deck and Sarai indicates a chair beside Jack. Mandy plops down. Jack looks at her and then at Sarai and then back at Mandy. They are both grinning ear to ear.

"Someone got some secrets they haven't been sharing?" asks Jack.

"Not me," says Sarai, all innocent like.

"Never. Well, not that I will admit to at least."

"Wait, you two know each other?"

"Not exactly." says Mandy, who turns to look at Sarai, "You are Sarai Andersson, right?"

"Yes, and you must be Mandy, I was told I might expect you tonight, would you please join us for dinner?"

"You are too kind, I would love to, that is, if Jack here can manage having dinner with me two nights in a row."

"Don't mind him, the food is right and he will be fine," Sarai replies, pouring another glass of Asti for Jack.

"I hope you are not driving again tonight Mr. Kato."

"Oh, I'm driving alright, but not until a lot later. It may be tomorrow by then."

(7:11 pm Thursday Nov 15, 2007)

this aint california anymore
this aint california anymore
this aint california
this aint california
this aint california anymore

this aint oklahoma anymore
this aint west virginia that's for sure
this aint south dakota
this aint south dakota
this aint carolina anymore

"There you go again Mandy. How do you do it? You made some kind of super spy copy of my player and memorized all the lyrics or something? Did you use that as a way to meet me?"

"Jack, get real, I wouldn't take you for some paranoid person."

And then 'Baby Why Fight The Feelin" came on and they all stopped eating and joined in singing and playing air guitar. Well more like air band. Mandy played air guitar, Jack air bass, and Sarai, air drums. The captain came out and played air keyboards for them. They really rocked it out. Some people in the marina stopped to watch.

when you're home and lonely
on a friday night
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

when the days grow longer
and the night's too bright
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

when your best emotion's
either fight or flight
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

when your heart comes crashin
to the ground at night
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

(7:22 pm Thursday Nov 15, 2007)

The song ended and they all laughed and sat back down to finish their dinner.

"So, Sarai, I think I have Jack convinced to help me out with a little project, I want to ask you if you might be willing make Rising Tide available for a few weeks to help out with the project as well."

They spent some time talkin and making plans and it ended up sorted and amicable. Good. Jack took his leave and left the two of them talking at about midnight.

(7:53 pm Thursday Nov 15, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

So, gentle reader, I need to let you in on what happened with Golden Child and Fred Malone.

It went back and forth for quite a while. Finally, Golden Child realized that she did have a preference after all and that she would prefer to stay with Fred and never see her people again.

She came to this realization when she figured out that if they were to take the other option, they would likely be sent to the moon or even on the mars mission. This is something she knew in her heart that she did not want to do. And so she let Fred know of her desires and he let her know that, while he was willing to have things go either way, he preferred to stay home at least for the time being and that her choice made him very happy.

They were married this morning aboard the yacht, it having put out into international waters. In the afternoon, they were put ashore on the beach on Guana Cay and the Yacht put to see amid tears and joy. Fred pulled together a reception on the beach with his friends and family. Shocked the whole settlement. No one ever figured him for the marrying kind.

(8:55 pm Thursday Nov 15, 2007)

(9:24 pm Thursday Nov 15, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Oops. Well gentle reader, a bit of procrastination there. Looking up trivia on the movie Help which my daddy was in according to family stories. Parts were shot here. My dad is supposed to be the batter in the softball game if my memory wires aren't crossed.

I guess I need to get my hands on a copy and go frame by frame in that scene and see what I can see.

I was trying to find the location of the ball field on sat pictures on the net. Again, if my memory circuits aren't all crossed up, it was somewhere out off Thompson Boulevard. On the left before you get to Prospect Ridge, heading west.

I have a vague childhood memory of being taken out around caves point when there were still caves there as that had some connection to the shoot. Not sure about that either. Very dim memories.

Gentle reader, if you happen to know more, please fill me in.

(9:30 pm Thursday Nov 15, 2007)

*** Shack Near Beach

"So, Sam ma man, you wanna star in my new Vee be Lug Nutz video?"

"Don't be such a fool Donny, you know I am not into things like that, get Jack."

"Please, Sam. You expect me to buy that line? Come to think of it, Jack would be better for the part though. Yes. Yes, you really aren't right for the part."

"What do you mean I am not right for the part?"

Ronnie laughs...

(9:44 pm Thursday Nov 15, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

And that's all for tonight gentle reason.

(9:44 pm Thursday Nov 15, 2007)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 14

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 14

(1:17 pm Wednesday Nov 14, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Well gentle reader, here we are again. Another November day. Another two thousand words to write in a rush. Without a plot or a plan. And with other things to do.

So, gentle reader, I am going to have to ask you to get in my literary time machine with me and let me take you back to last night over on Paradise Island. We need to go back and re-join Jack and Mandy and see what transpired after we went off to check on Golden Child and Fred.

Come on in. Watch your step and your head as you come in through the hatch please. You can sit right there. Here, let me help you strap in. Literary time travel can be tedious at times and dangerous at other times. Always best to be a little extra careful unless you are taking chances for thrills.

*** A Sidewalk Cafe on Paradise island - Last Night

(1:42 pm Wednesday Nov 14, 2007)

So, Jack and Mandy finished their dinner, moving between periods of tense silence and other periods of tense conversation. Finally Mandy asked Jack to take a ride with her after dinner so that they could talk things over some more.

Jack wonders if this has anything to do with the odd look and the odd question from earlier in the evening.

Mandy calls the waiter over and asks for the bill. He brings it over and she hands him plastic. Jack tries to sneak a peek at the card... Mandy catches him at it and smiles, shaking her head in a bemused sort of way. He looks away. The waiter leaves for a while and comes back for Mandy's signature in a short time.

Mandy takes the card and the receipt and looks it over, putting the card away. She finds no problems and signs with a flourish. The woman has style, Jack has to give her that.

They stand up to go and Mandy reaches out and holds his right arm at the elbow, "Jack, let's ride in my car, but can you bring your tunes? I like your tastes tonight."

Jack decides to play a bit of a rake, "Hey, I taste good too," he whispers, holding her heft arm above the elbow and leaning in to her ear.

She put a sharp and well placed elbow in his ribs.

"Ouch! Why did you do that?"

"No bright ideas from you please, let's just keep things moving shall we."

(2:12 pm Wednesday Nov 14, 2007)

"Hey listen, why don't you grab the power adapter for my player from the moke for me, I need to run to the rest room."

"Sure Jack, but why don't you drive the moke across the bridge and we can save a trip back over when we are done?"

"You are forgetting that I came over this way to have dinner and then to see a friend later. I still want to see her so I will need to come back over anyway."

"OK, meet you at my car then, I will get it running and warmed up."

Jack gives her a funny look, "OK then." he heads off to the rest room.

Once inside he looks for the waiter, they used to play ball together down at the fort years ago. Well, not together exactly, they were on different teams. Jack didn't remember his name though.

He saw him coming out of the kitchen and got his attention. "Hey, mabro, you still playing ball? Listen, I need a quick favour. Can you tell me the name of the woman who ate dinner with me?"

"Jack, Jack, you having dinner with someone and you don't even ask their name?"

"Oh, I know she told me her name was Mandy. I want to double check is all."

"Sure thing Jack, just a sec." He goes over to the manager and whispers in her ear. She laughs and winks at Jack. They talk for a bit, she looks at some paper and says something. The waiter comes back over. You're in luck Jack, she checks out. Her name is Mandy Mitchell."

"Thanks, I owe you one," says Jack heading for the men's room.

(2:23 pm Wednesday Nov 14, 2007)

Jack comes back to the car, Mandy is sitting inside smiling with the engine running. "Here, plug in your tunes and let's go."

Jack takes his player out of his pocket in plugs in the power cord from the adapter. He turns the player on. Music starts playing right away. it surprises him.

Mandy smiles and winks, "Just a good guess," she says backing out of the parking space and catching a bit of rubber pulling off. "Are you happy with the results of your under cover work?"

"What under cover work?"

"Come now Jack, what's my name?"

"Oh, you mean that under cover work, Mandy Mitchell."

"Yes, that under cover work."

"Well, let's just say it eases my mind the tiniest little bit," he laughs.

well my heart's been shattered,
my dreams torn and tattered
and my minds bout nearly blown

Jack is amazed to hear her singing along with this song as well.

i drank too much excess
way down in Texas
they done had.. to ship me home

She is really rocking to this tune.

i had rock star plans
thought i was a guitar man
but three cords wont get it done

"So, Jack, you ever have rock star plans?"

so when i reach home
i bought a new cell phone
and i been brownin in the sun

(4:40 pm Wednesday Nov 14, 2007)

"No, but I done some of my own browning in the sun. You?"

"Well, I was in a band once back in high school. Does that count?"

"Only if you want it to Mandy. Only if you want it to."

(5:06 pm Wednesday Nov 14, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Well gentle reader, things were going along OK word count wise for a while, but they seem to be running into a spot of trouble right about now.

(6:44 pm Wednesday Nov 14, 2007)

Well, I definitely seem to have run up on brakes. I hope I don't get any reverse back ideas.

Here we go.

Well, perhaps not. Interruptions.

Here we go again.

*** A Not Quite So Mega Yacht 'Risin Tide' In A Marina On Paradise Island

When Jack had finally been dropped off at the marina by Mandy late last night, Sarai, his friend had a notion to go out for a night cruise. Jack was invited to go and asked where they were off to. Sarai didn't care, she just wanted to cruise so Jack suggested he be the one to give the captain some direction.

She agreed and so Jack went off to get things sorted with the captain. He gave him a file of way points that he had stored on his ogg player earlier in the day. Just in case.

And so they spent the night following roughly the same course he had flown the other day in the float plane. He had asked to captain to run the sonar and store the results for him for future processing.

(6:59 pm Wednesday Nov 14, 2007)

'Risin Tide' had just docked a short time ago. Sarai had sent some of the crew out on Risin Tide's fast tender fishing during the day and they had done well. She invited Jack to stay for dinner aboard - fresh fish cooked on the stern deck.

Jack had no other plans so so agreed.

He offered to play DJ for the dinner and took his player in and hooked it up to the yacht's sound system.

well i have cried in new dimensions
while i was lying on the floor
then i grabbed my best intentions
and i ran down to the shore

He came back out and sat on a nice chair on the deck. Sarai had just opened a bottle of Asti and she poured him a glass.

where i stuffed them in a bottle
and i flung them out to sea
girl some day you may just find them
and perhaps remember me

"I had a nice time today Jack. It was an interesting choice of a route. You looking for something in particular?"

"Sort of Sarai, but I would rather not say just yet. I might fill you in later on and I may need your help or at least to borrow your little boat."

as the boy whose heart you played with
through those long summer days
as the boy whose heart you tore up
when in fall you went away

"Jack, you know I don't lend out Risin Tide, not even to you, unless I tag along for the ride."

"I know, but I have to ask every once in a while just to be sure nothing's changed."

(7:59 pm Wednesday Nov 14, 2007)

The cook finally came out and set up some sort of wok on the port stern rail.

A second chef set up a grill on the rail on the other side of the stern.

Some chef magic and a short time later, an fantastic vegetable and noodle meal was served with grilled tuna steaks. Fantastic.

(9:12 pm Wednesday Nov 14, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

You see what's happening gentle reader. Every time I start to get ahead, I somehow get behind. The flow is gone. It only shows up sporadically this month for some reason.

And that will not do. It will not do at all. I must get some words down on this virtual paper. Not e-paper mind you, just virtual paper. Or a paper stand in as it were.

I have to find a way to pull these words out of thin air and get them fixed. Fixed and thus probably copyrighted. Automatically. What a mess that is. You make something original enough and it gets copyrighted automatically, whether you want it that way or not. Whether you indicate that it is supposed to be copyrighted or not.

And so, these days, all this stuff is floating around the world and the virtual worlds, almost certainly copyrighted but not marked as such.

And then they want to make copyright infringement a criminal offense. With jail time. Odd situations arise on account of this stuff. Very odd indeed.

And so some resort to copyleft. A try to reverse some of the unpleasant consequences for those who think them unpleasant. As for the others. Let's see if they want to compete honestly in the Free market... or the free market... whatever... ~;-)

(9:31 pm Wednesday Nov 14, 2007)

But the words sometimes think they are some precious, rare gems. Or some exotic, rare blooming flower that only deigns appear in the night.

Well, words, are you listening? It is night now in case you haven't noticed. Please tell them gentle reader. It is night now words, show yourselves.

Bloom with joy. Come on words. Bloom.

(9:52 pm Wednesday Nov 14, 2007)

It is just not happening. No... No... Bloom why don't you? What is the problem? What are you waiting for? Some knight in shining armour to come along and woo you on a moonlit evening? Some hero of fable? Some Canterbury gent? Pray he hasn't run amok yet like I am about to if you don't show up soon my verbal playthings.

I think I am just gonna have to try and sprint home with a major limp and collapse at the finish line tonight gentle reader. There will be no extra oomph. No great inspired scenes. No. Just a collapse at the finish line.

I need to get to know that old tortoise.

Closer and closer to the goal. Inching up on it ever so slowly. Slowly and with dogged determination. Like some hard headed Rotti with a tennis ball in her mouth that she is determined not to part with. Closer and closer. I can feel that I am close now and relief is building...

(10:02 pm Wednesday Nov 14, 2007)

Annnnnnnndddddd.... Good Night Gentle Reader...

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 13

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 13

(2:39 pm Tuesday Nov 13, 2007)

(6:53 pm Tuesday Nov 13, 2007)

(7:00 pm Tuesday Nov 13, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

And a slight temporal black hole issue...

Ouch. This day's writing is not starting off well gentle reader. Partly due to a severe case of the block and partly due to the procrastination block from what I can tell.

Bone tired.

But here we go and where call this lead...

*** The Streets of New Providence - A Moving Moke

Black Jack is just driving around tonight, seeing what he can see and thinking about things. Listening to music on his portable, solid state ogg player.

There goes Mary, quite contrary
asked her how did... her garden grow
she said silver bells
she said cockle shells
somethin bout pretty maids
in a row...

He had to find a way to get untracked, to come unstuck in time to get to the treasure first. But as it was, life seemed to be contrary for him right now. Maybe Mary was running things these days behind the scenes...

He had seen those guys put on a little show up on the beach at Rose Island earlier in the year. He liked their stuff.

Take a message for myself
turn around i'm someone else
left my dreams up on the shelf
and I need someone to help me
get away
get away, get away
yes i need someone to help me get away

Who could help him get unstuck, that was the question of the moment. He was approaching the turn off to the new Paradise Island bridge and on the spur of the moment he decided to head on over to the island. The thing was, he was in the right lane. And the right lane was the wrong lane for the left turn that he needed to make. But he didn't feel like making the loop. So he did himself what he didn't like when he saw other's do it. He quickly checked the traffic situation and hung a left onto the bridge from the right lane just before the light turned red. Ouch. He felt guilty and a bit of a hypocrite driving up the middle lane and promised himself that he would not do that again.

when you're home and lonely
on a friday night
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

Yeah man, he was tapping his hands on the wheel, tapping his left foot, and singing along. He came up to the toll booth that made change and handed them a twenty. The toll booth attendant looked at him funny at first and then heard the words and joined in laughing as she handed over the change and threw the token into the basket for him.

when the days grow longer
and the night's too bright
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

The bar lifted and he smiled and waved and drove off singing. He drifted over to the right lane for the light. A good looking gal who he took for a tourist gal pulled up in the lane beside him in a fancy rag top, with the top down, sporting SD plates. She looked at him and smiled and joined in the singing.

baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

Her head was bopping to the beat. She gave a sign that he took to mean crank up the volume and so he obliged. She matched his speed and drove beside him. He wondered for a bit how a tourist gal came to know the words to this new local song.

when your best emotion's
either fight or flight
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

They went around the round about together and hung a right into the parking lot of the little shopping centre. There was a parking space ahead and a car next to the empty space was just pulling out. Jack pulled the moke in and she pulled in beside him and turned off her car. Still singing. She gets out of her car and comes an slips in beside him in the moke. "Hey, I'm Mandy, I like your music."

"I'm Jack, are you hungry, can I buy you dinner?"

when your heart comes crashin
to the ground at night
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

"I was going to ask you that," she laughs. He looks at her surprised and laughs. Then an odd thought flits across the back of his mind. Could she be hooked up with those horse women somehow?

"Here on the sidewalk? Or do you like the place out on the point?"

baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright
baby why fight the feelin
ya gonna be alright

"Here on the sidewalk, I feel like a pizza. Tell you what. I'll flip you for it."

"You're on."

She takes a doubloon out of her purse and flips it up into the air smiling.

Jack calls it, "Heads."

Mandy wins and laughs beautifully. "Let's go Jack, are you brave enough to let me order as well as pay."

"If you are ordering pizza, sure, I think I'll risk it."

They walk over and choose a table under the stars. The waiter comes over and Mandy orders a pizza with pepperoni and onion. Jack laughs and orders himself a Tom Collins. Mandy gives him an odd look and asks him an odd question, "Do you know something I don't?"

Jack gives her an odd look in return, "I am sure I know a lot of things you don't know, what do you have in mind though?"

"Do you normally drink and drive?"

"Never actually, I don't plan on driving for a good while."

"That's what I had in mind. You drove here. How do you plan on leaving."

"I don't, well, not soon in any case. When I am done with dinner, I planned to walk on over to where the big boats are and see a friend."

"Makes sense. OK."

"So?"

"So, what?" asks Mandy.

"So, what did you think I was thinking?"

"I didn't really know, that's why I asked."

"Are you a lawyer?"

The pizza comes and they start to eat.

"So, how do you come to know that song and what brings you to town?" asks Jack looking into her eyes.

"Well, I like a lot of the new island music to answer your last question first. And I came to town to see you," she says looking into his eyes in return and smiling with a twinkle in hers.

This hits Jack like a slap in the face, "What do you mean you came to town to see me? You don't even know me. You are with those horse women aren't you?"

"Jack, I am not with any horse women, I don't even know what you are talking about any horse women."

"OK, then, who are you with?"

"Well, officially, for this assignment, I am with the D.E.A. but you know, life's complicated."

"And who are you with for other assignments?"

"Jack, don't ask. Let's not talk about this any more until after we finish dinner."

Jack is not sure he likes that suggestion, "No, let's clear it up now please. And can I see some ID?"

"No Jack, you can't see my ID. I just need you to trust me on this one."

"That's a bit much, don't you think, Mandy, if your name really is Mandy. Is it?"

"Yes Jack, trust me. You want to talk business over dinner? OK, we'll talk some business."

"OK, then, fine."

"Well, we need you to work with us on a little project we have going right now."

"I am sorry, I have my own little project going right now and I can't really spare the time."

"I am sorry to hear that Jack, you see, I have instructions to the effect that if you should take such a tack, that I should insist. So, I am going to have to insist."

"Insist? Mandy, you do know you are in the Bahamas don't you? I mean, I know we refer to Florida as out shopping mall, but we are not a part of the US you know."

"Jack, don't be naive."

"It i you who are naive if you think that an agent of the US government can come into our country and insist that one of our citizens co-operate in anything against their will."

"Jack, Jack, we have a very good working relationship with your government, surely you know that."

"Not from what I see in the papers and hear on the streets."

"Jack, do you always trust those sources? But you are right, we don't always have such a good relationship, but normally, when there are issues, they come up because there are locals involved. In this case, that is not the deal. Look!Just hear me out and then tell me what you are thinking."

"OK, fine." Jack agrees partly because she is good looking but more so because there is something about her that he likes. He can't put his finger on it yet, but he can sense it.

american stars
you know who you are
you're gonna go far
in your new car
american stars

american dreams
are not what they seem
shiny and green
never too mean
american dreams

Jack notices that he and Mandy are both tapping their fingers to the beat of this song as they eat their pizza.

"So, Jack, we have our eyes on a group that is running drugs through this country into ours. We know that the group is interested in you for some reason and that you have had contact with them recently."

Jack gets up, angry, "Listen! I don't know who you think you are or where you get your bogus information, but I don't have anything to do with drugs, you hear me!" Jack hisses out between clenched teeth.

"Jack, not only have you had contact with this group recently, you have had one of them living with you for a while now, so don't try to play all innocent with us! But stop running ahead. Right now I just want us to deal in facts please, you can bring your emotions into this later."

Jack sits back down, "OK, go ahead, let's hear your bogus facts."

"Jack, from what I heard of you, I expect better than this from you. Get a grip will you!"

baby kiss me
like in hollywood
honey hold me
like a lover should
stand beside me
like a wife who would
love forever
till the end of time

Jack closes his eyes and listens to the music and breathes deeply for a while, trying to find a calm centre in this difficult situation.

honey baby
take this heart of mine
only you dear
can make it shine
like the noon day
or the pale moonlight
honey baby
you can make it right

When Mandy can see that he is calmer, she takes another chance and proceeds, "Jack, we are not talking motives here yet, just facts. Clear?"

"OK, go on already."

"Fact, there is a group running drugs through your country into my country."

"Fact, this group is interested in you for some reason."

"Fact, you have been in contact with this group recently."

"Fact, you have had one Reg Pyfrom, a member of this group, staying at your place for a while now."

"Fact, since your contact with this group, their activities have picked up greatly."

"We want to know more, and we want you to help us."

give me all your truth
give me all your lies
give me all your half baked
alibis

and i will take you in my arms
kiss you down to size
give you all my heart
on a summer night

oh yeah,
oh baby oh yeah
sweet baby oh yeah
mmm baby oh yeah

"So, what kind of help do you want? These sound like dangerous men."

"Jack, you can't imagine how dangerous. These are not men you want to mess with."

"I never like to mess with dangerous men Mandy, but sometimes, dangerous people don't leave you much choice. Know what I mean?"

"I know what you mean said Mandy," thinking that he might have meant more or he might have meant less. Time would tell.

(10:26 pm Tuesday Nov 13, 2007)

*** The North Shore Beach on Great Guana Cay Abaco, across from the settlement.

Golden Child and Fred are walking along the beach hand in hand. Golden Child has been crying, "What should I do Fred?"

"Golden Child, I can't tell you what to do. I know what I want you to do from a selfish point of view, but I can't tell you what you should do."

They had been going around in circles like this all day now. These women certainly had an odd point of view to Fred's way of thinking. He had never heard of anything like this before in his life. He could not see what the big deal was. Why all the drama?

Why was everything so urgent? Why was everything so strict?

Moon Daughter had grilled him for a good long time last night. She must have at least liked his responses some. At least, Golden Child seemed to think so.

After the grilling, she had put some options to him...

He could leave his home for good, never to see his people again and come to live amoung her people.

She could stay with him for good, never to see her people again.

"That's it."

"No more options?"

"No more options."

And a single day to make the decision.

Golden Child had indicated that she couldn't believer that Moon Daughter had been so generous in giving them so much time to decide and in letting them decide together.

He told her that if she wanted, there was at least one more option, he could become hard to find and she could stay with her people.

Golden Child assured him that that would not work. She tried explaining that because of what she had one, that there were only the two options that Moon Daughter had explained to him.

He pressed her and asked her what would happen if he vanished for a while.

She said that he did not want to know.

When he tried insisting that he did, she had broken down in tears. He couldn't take that. She had too much of his heart already.

A song drifted down to the beach from the club up on the dune...

well i'm runnin low in abaco
i think i need to take a break
head somewhere where life is slow
man i can't take this hectic pace
in abaco no mo
said i can't take this hectic pace
in abaco no mo

Was that lyric trying to tell him something? If so, what?

While he was walking hand in hand with her and pondering the meaning of that lyric for his life, another drifted down on the heels of the first...

if i'd a known just what i'as doin
i wouldn't a done just what i did
i wouldn't a shot the sheriff and his deputy

i'd a spent more time a lovin
and a lot less time a fightin
might a been someone else and maybe not just me

if i'd a known just what i'as doin
i wouldn't a done just what i did
and maybe i wouldn't be facin that old tree

That one gave him even more to think about.

Golden Child was thinking along the same lines in respect of the last lyric. But when she was done thinking, she realized that she would have done just what she did.

She didn't want to tell him just yet until she got a better read of his feelings on the issue, but she realized that either of Moon Daughters options would be fine with her. As long as Fred chose one of them freely and fully.

(10:53 pm Tuesday Nov 13, 2007)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 12

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 12

(3:02 pm Monday Nov 12, 2007)

*** Shack Near Beach

Ronnie walks up from the beach tossing a bottle back and forth from hand to hand. Jack, Sam and Reg are sitting on the porch.

Ronnie tosses the bottle in Jack's general direction, "Think fast."

Jack catches the bottle by its long green neck, "What is this all about?"

"I found it floating in the water, is it one of yours? There's a message in it."

"I don't think so, I can't recall ever using a bottle like this before. This looks like a very old bottle. Let me get a knife and a corkscrew and let's see what it has to say."

"I'm already up, I'll get them and be right back," says Ronnie opening the door to the shack and going in.

A short while later he returns with the implements and hands them over to Jack who promptly gets to work. First he uses the knife to remove a waxy substance from the top of the neck and then he gets to work with the corkscrew.

Soon he has the bottle upside down and is shaking it smartly trying to get it to give up its treasure.

The bottle is having none of that.

"That's not gonna work, now I gotta get some tweezers or something," says Jack, getting to his feet and heading inside.

He is soon back out on the porch and poking about down the neck of the bottle trying to extract its contents.

"Just break the thing already Jack!" suggests Sam with impatience.

"That.... is.... not.... gonna.... happen...." Jack manages to get out as he concentrates.

Then he decides on a new approach. He takes a few deep breaths and lies down on his back. He puts the bottle above him in the air and pokes the long tweezers up into the neck and begins working on the object inside.

After a while longer, he begins to have some initial success and then soon manages to get the contents out.

"Jack, is that what you are doing to all those people who get the bottles you send off? I feel sorry for them."

Jack smiles and starts gently trying to flatten out the treasure.

(3:35 pm Monday Nov 12, 2007)

(4:20 pm Monday Nov 12, 2007)

(5:23 pm Monday Nov 12, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Wow! Double Wow! The block is strong right now.

*** Shack Near Beach

"Jack, come on! Don't be ridiculous! There is no way that note is from your ancestor and meant for you."

"How do you explain it then Mr. Science? How do you explain that I just sent off a note in a bottle yesterday. A note I wrote yesterday to my famous ancestor, Isamu Kato, and now today, here comes a note from that same Isamu Kato, floating up to the same spot where I sent my note off from. Explain that if you think you bad!"

"Jack, you don't even know that the message is from Isamu Kato much less being to you, much much less being a response to your note yesterday."

"Go on then! Let's hear your explanation Mr. Science!"

"Jack, listen to yourself, do you know how crazy you are sounding right up in now?"

"We're waiting for your brilliant explanation Mr. Science... waiting.... waiting....."

"Jack, think about it. You send off a message in a bottle. Right? A message in a bottle. The message is written to an ancestor of yours who used to roam these waters hundreds of years ago. Now today, a bottle floats up with a message in it. Now I grant you, that is a big coincidence right there. You have never had a message in a bottle show up the day after you have sent one off before have you?"

"No, never. This is the first time."

"OK, so you get this message that reads more like a fortune cookie in a hole in the wall Chinese restaurant than a letter to someone. And now all of a sudden you are convinced that it is a response to your letter from yesterday, from someone who died hundreds of years ago. So, what happened? You bottle fell into some sort of time warp, went back in time, your ancestor found it, figured it was from you and wrote a reply which he put in a bottle and threw overboard. Now that bottle has been, what? Floating about in the oceans of this world for all those hundreds of years and just happens to wash ashore on the day after you sent your message off? That is some serious wave mail fu you figure went on my man. And all because of what? Some faded out smudge at the bottom of the message which you say is your ancestors name?"

"Look, it is his name! OK? And what you call some Chinese fortune cookie message give me a clear answer to my letter to him yesterday. Say what you like, I am going to take it seriously and respond accordingly."

"Man, we need to call Sandilands for you now."

"It may sound crazy but I still don't hear any alternate explanation..."

"Look guys, I have been feeling stuck for days. Every time I try to get untracked, I make a little headway and then things grind to a halt again. I feel defeated and down. My mind has not been clear, my sleep has been troubled. Something is not right. I am uncentred, out of whack, off kilter. So yesterday, I was sitting out on my spot doing my breathing thing and I started to feel a little better. So I wrote a letter to Isamu and asked for his advice and help. Should I stay the course or try heading off in a new direction? Did I have a chance of success? What should I watch out for?"

"And you think that message today answered those questions for you?"

"Let me read it to you again:

My son,

women from the past can present obstacles to your goals.

If you have been walking east, running north may bring refreshing wind.

Broken ground and secret generals are to be avoided without sure preparation.

Strike with stealth and with power and victory is yours.

Surely you can see that that is an answer to my questions."

"Jack, that is just some sort of mumbo jumbo riddle paper. Admit it."

"Later, guys, I'm gone. And let Reg go after I leave. He is not going to cause us any more trouble."

"Hey," says Reg, "can't I go with you?"

"No offense Reg, for one of the bad guys, you seem like a nice enough guy, but I don't know you or trust you."

"You must trust me some Jack, you just said I wouldn't cause you any more trouble."

"He's right Jack, you did just say that," teases Sam.

"Look, I know what I just said OK. I just said to let him go after I am gone and I just said I don't trust him. Let's let things stand like that please."

(6:41 pm Monday Nov 12, 2007)

(7:28 pm Monday Nov 12, 2007)

*** In The Very Spacious Salon Of A Mega Yacht Anchoured Off the North Shore Of Great Guana Cay, Abaco

"Sisters, we have a big problem on our hands. We need to deal with this quickly and move on. Bring Golden Child and the man in please," says Moon Daughter.

Horse Rider and Dirge Singer leave and return a short while later with Golden Child and Fred Malone. They have Fred under guard.

"Moon Daughter, is this really necessary?" pleads Golden Child.

"Well, it would not had been if you had not been so impulsive little sister. You know the rules. Why did you have to go and do this?"

"I can't explain it Moon Daughter. It just sort of happened. Haven't you ever lost your heart?"

"I have never been in the position to allow myself that luxury little sister. Golden Child, I want you to examine you heart very carefully and make sure that you really have lost it to this local boy."

"Oh, I have Moon Daughter, I am sure of it," smiles Golden Child without hesitation as Moon Daughter tries to hide a grimace.

"No, I want you to take some time and examine your heart very carefully. Will you do this one thing for me little sister?"

Fred is sitting in a chair, loosely bound and under guard, but smiling and unreasonably happy. There are some noise canceling head phones taped to his head and laying tunes so he can't hear what is being said, but everyone except Golden Child looks very serious and quite upset.

Golden child looks beautiful and radiant.

Not that the other women in the room don't look beautiful as well. In fact, thinking about it, Fred cannot ever remember being in the presence of a group of women who looked more beautiful than these ever in his life. And he had been around some beautiful women in his time. He had done a stint in his younger years as a location finder for photo shoots for some of the world's top models. Some serious beauty around then, that's for sure. He took his time and looked around again, smiling all the while. There was just something about these women though. He just couldn't put his finger on it yet though.

(9:31 pm Monday Nov 12, 2007)

What a trip the day had been for him so far. The last few days really, but today especially.

He and Golden Child, he still felt a bit funny calling her that, but that's how she seemed to want it and he was happy to oblige, had been walking along the beach at dawn, holding hands and talking about their lives and dreams. Then these female, seal types had come up silently out of the surf and captured them. He had tried to resist at first, but he noticed that Golden Child did not seem to be too worried and he had eased off in the struggle department. Good thing too he soon realized. These women certainly seemed to know their business.

"Yes, I will do it for you Moon Daughter."

"Thank you little sister. Now, please leave us for an hour or so, I want to talk to this Mr. Malone of yours."

"Yes, Moon Daughter. I will be up on the fly bridge should you need me," says Golden Child getting up to leave.

She smiles and waves at Fred as she passes in front of him.

He sees this change and begins to get tense. He is very alert and starts to struggle against his bonds. He sees the woman who seems to be in charge here motion with her head and the music dies and the woman behind him removes the headphones just before Golden Child leaves the room.

He calls out her name and she turns and smiles, "I wont be gone long Fred, Moon Daughter just wants to ask you some questions. Just tell her the truth and everything should work out fine. Please trust me with this."

He decides to do as she asks and relaxes, "OK, I will, come back soon."

And Golden Child slipped silently out of the room. Little did he know that it could very well be and out of his life depending on what happened in the next hour or so.

(10:05 pm Monday Nov 12, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Well gentle reader, it doesn't look like I am going to get the day and a half done today unless things pick up tremendously for some crazy reason. It does look like I might get the day's quota done by a reasonable hour and try and get a decent night's sleep. Perhaps tomorrow.

(10:14 pm Monday Nov 12, 2007)

When Jack walked out of the shack earlier in the day, he had taken the borrowed moke to the airport and parked in the lot by civil aviation. he walked out to his friend's plane and checked it out.

Now he was hight in the air and cruising around in the dark, mostly just thinking, but doing a little scouting at the same time.

(10:26 pm Monday Nov 12, 2007)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 11

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 11

(1:35 pm Sunday Nov 11, 2007)

(3:52 pm Sunday Nov 11, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

And time is having its way with me again today I see gentle reader.

*** Shack Near Beach

A song is playing on the stereo again.

Well I got me some new, time to kill
Got it from a man just over the hill
I'll take it and grind it
Down at the mill
Yes I got me some new, time to kill

Well I got me some fresh, time to waste
I'll waste it on you baby out on a date
Yeah I'll pick you up at seven
Or maybe at eight
Yes I got me some fresh, time to waste

I got me some extra, hours to burn
Light em up bright baby, never learn
Sparkling stride baby
Smooth groove turns
Yes I got me some extra, hours to burn

Well I sold him some new, time to kill
Don't need it no more, just went over the hill
Let him take it and grind it
Down at the mill
Yes, he's got him some new, time to kill.

The guys are sitting around listening and playing "I spy" and drinking swicha.

(3:57 pm Sunday Nov 11, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

I guess the guys at the shack are having a day sort of like the one I am having. Well, At least I am not sitting around playing "I spy" but I wouldn't mind having some swicha now my own self.

Well, I guess I will get a cup of tea soon instead. I hope I can sleep tonight.

(4:23 pm Sunday Nov 11, 2007)

Yes indeed, time is a mess again. I think the writer's block is what keeps messing up the time. I wish I had me some new time to kill for my own self right about now. Wouldn't that be just the luxury.

I really must learn to plot novels if I intend to keep doing these thirty days in November writing sprees. I guess I need to try and develop some ability with characters as well. That might help too.

Theme might be something to consider as well. Other than the pointlessness of some things that is.

There is a famous guy in literature who has come unstuck in time. I could name the guy for you, but I wont. If you don't know off hand, ask around, someone is likely to. Or call up your friendly school librarian. Or head on down to your favourite search engine and see what you can scrounge up.

I seem to remember having to read, or at least reading, that book in high school.

One question that has been in my own mind this month of November in the year two thousand and seven is if I will come unstuck in time. I really do need to come unstuck in time myself.

Don't misundertake me though. I do not need to come unstuck in time in the same way.

That famous literature person came unstuck in time in the sense of being cast loose from his mooring on the sea of time. And so moved back and forth on that sea if I recall correctly.

I have no wish to come unstuck like that at this point in my life.

No, I am stuck in this writing quicksand. I keep trying to get unstuck but sinking deeper in the earth. So will I manage to get unstuck in time to succedd at this project this year?

See what I mean gentle reader? A different kettle of fish all together now. (No mention of bugs or things down under needed.)

(6:18 pm Sunday Nov 11, 2007)

*** Beach Near Shack Near Beach ~;-)

Well, really the rocks west of the beach near the shack near the beach.

Jack is sitting cross legged on a little wooden platform he has constructed out of hand carved drift wood. He collected the wood himself while taking lonely, solitary walks along this shore. He carved the pieces himself. He built the platform himself. he is the only one who comes to this particular spot and sits on this platform of his.

His friends know that it holds some special place in his heart and psyche and so they leave it for him alone. He does his best to come here at least once a day and to sit and talk to himself and to his ancestors. Not in any mystical way. More or less, just to sort out things in his own mind and learn about himself.

He sometimes even wrote letters to his ancestors using a little hand made writing desk he kept under the platform. Whenhe did, he wouldput them in bottles and throw them in the ocean. He often felt like a litter bug for doing this, so he made sure to collect and recycle at least twice the number of bottles he sent to roam the world's oceans.

(6:57 pm Sunday Nov 11, 2007)

*** Shack Near Beach

Sam and Ronnie are sitting on the porch watching the water, listening to the music from the stereo, talking, watching Jack sitting on his platform from time to time. looking over at Reg sleeping in a hammock around the side of the shack.

"So Sam, what do you think about our boy? Is he a bit too obsessed with this treasure he is hunting?"

"I don't know Donny, he does worry me sometimes. I wish he would think about eternity more. And he does concern me sometimes with how he talks to himself and his ancestors so much. He needs to read his bible more. Shoot, I need to read mine more too so what am I talking about. Still, he does worry me some with that."

"Sam, you think too much about the bible for your own good. You know that don't you? It must come from being alone up the top of those poles all day. If anyone needs to worry about anyone, it is Jack and I that need to worry about you. I mean, how would it look for a good christian boy like you to get fried? Someone might think you were secretly playing for the other team."

"You shouldn't joke so much about things like that Donny. These are serious, long term, life time things. And besides, I am not a good christian boy by a long shot. I may wish I was, but I fall far short of that."

"Don't you mean, long term, post life time things, Sam?"

"You may be only joking with me on that one, but you are right. I do mean long term, post life time things. At least, post this lifetime things. Eternal life things."

"Well, you know that's all beyond me right now Sam. I am just trying to get things right for this life time, I don't have time to work on the next lifetime yet."

"I keep tellling you you are looking at things wrong, but you never listen do you?"

(7:27 pm Sunday Nov 11, 2007)

*** Rocks Near Shack Near Beach ~;-)

Jack has been sitting talking to himself for a long time now. But things are not getting any clearer for him today. He decides to write a letter to his piratical ancestor, Isamu Kato.

Honoured ancestor, I am searching for a greater connection with my past and I need your help and guidance.

(8:08 pm Sunday Nov 11, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Ahh gentle reader. You find me still in need of great help. Still in great need of great help. I have had a slog today with some joy. I have learned a bit more about my characters and the background of this story, and it even raised my spirits for a while. Yet, I find that I don't yet know enough to make the writing flow. If only I could get ahead, perhaps I could take the time to explore the as yet uncharted regions of this story and that could make it easier to get even further ahead.

Oh, if only.

I am currently north of thirteen hundred words for the day, but I had wanted to do at least three thousand words and be fully caught up for the near zero word day on Friday gone. I managed to get above three thousand words yesterday and catch halfway back up as you know, but I needed another three thousand word day to be fully caught up. That looks like it is going to be hard. I will try.

So far, I see no gentle reader help on the blog site for the book though:

http://dangernovel.blogspot.com/

So remember to leave me any helpful ideas that you can before the month is out. If you do choose to leave ideas though, make sure you are cool with the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike licenses before doing so.

(8:23 pm Sunday Nov 11, 2007)

*** In The Very Spacious Salon Of A Mega Yacht Anchoured Off the North Shore Of Great Guana Cay, Abaco

Moon Daughter is speaking to the assembled women, "Sisters, we are making good progress in out search for our goal but just today, I have received some disturbing news. It seems that Black Jack is not the only other party who we are in competition with in reguards to finding the hiding place of the lost treasure."

"It seems out old aquaintences, The Club, are in the game and hot on the trail as well. In fact, if what I hear is fully accurate, they may well actually be ahead of us at this point."

"How can that be sister? We have the only known copy of the map in existence. How can anyone else be ahead of us?"

"Well, it seems that our friend Black Jack has a better memory for graphics than we imagined. And a softer spot in his heart for his mother. We certainly can't fault him for the latter."

"What does his mother have to do with it?"

"It seems that The Club had his mother and traded her for a hand drawn map that Jack made. They were unsure of its quality but they made the trade and have been following where it leads. Our sources tell us that they are growing more and more confident in their copy of the map as each day goes by."

"But we have the original map, surely we should be ahead than them using the real thing."

"You would think so," muses Moon Daughter, "but there may be more to this than we are taking into account."

"Like what Moon Daughter?"

"Well, sisters, I would like your help with that, but I have been thinking about it all day, ever since I first got word of this. I have two vague thoughts in my mind. One. It may be that The Club has some extra private information in their possession that we do not have and that, combined with the map that jack drew, that is giving them the edge."

"That could be a possibility."

"Thanks you sister. Two, if you take a look on the back of the map, you will see that it was made by one Isamu Kato. I find myself wondering if perhaps he made a slightly inaccurate map. One that can be corrected by one knowledgeable in his family's lore. I find myself wondering if perhaps, subconsciously, Jack made the corrections when making his copy so that the copy is more accurte than the original."

"Surely that is too far fetched Moon Daughter!"

"You are likely right sister, and I am likely grasping at straws, but I have to consider every possibility we can think of so that is why I want all of you to take an hour to think and then meet me back in the salon in an hour for a brain storming session."

"Yes Moon Daughter," they say in unison, getting up to leave.

"And sisters, I want you to bring me everything, even if it is ten times more far fetched than the second idea I just put forth."

The women file out and head off to various locations around the yacht. One lowers a small speedboat from the front deck and descends a ladder and boards it.

She lowers the engine and starts it before casting off the mooring line and heading in to the beach.

(10:50 pm Sunday Nov 11, 2007)

*** Top Of A Sand Dune - Great Guana Cay, Abaco

Golden Child should have been back on the Yacht long ago, yet here she sits, enjoying herself and feeling guilty at the same time.

For the first time in her life she has met a man who fascinates her. Fred Malone. She figures that it is a rather plain name for such an interesting individual.

Little alarm bells are going off in the back of her head but she pushes them down deep. She has been warned about letting something like this happen with outsiders. She pushes the thoughts down deeper and look into Fred's blue eyes in the candle light.

He smiles at her and looks deeply into her eyes, "Hey beautiful, you want me to go get us another round? I know the bar keeper and he is giving me two for one specials all night, I could ask him to play another song for us as well, how about another slow dance?"

"Anything you say Fred," she sighs.

Fred gets up from the table and walks over to the bar. He and the bartender shake hands in some elaborate way and exchange some words and laugh and smile. The bartender hands Fred a three ring binder that he spends some time looking through and then they talk some more.

All the while, the bar tender is mixing up some of those lovely drinks. Fred Looks over her way and winks at her. Golden Child blushes. Her cheeks feel a bit hot. She smiles at him and waves.

He walks over and hands her her drink, "Here you go my sweet, sex on the beach, just like you like it."

She blushes again and takes the drink. Such a lame joke, but he says it with such a flare and how could she resist that smile. She sips it. The name may leave a lot to be desired, but the taste. That is a different matter. He takes a swallow from his drink and then grabs her hand and pulls her to the dance floor as a new song starts.

One particular ocean
One particular bay
One particular sailboat
Every wind blowin my way

Their bodeis sway to the music and she is enchanted. He looks into her eyes and keeps whispering what she thinks is called sweet nothings into her ears. She could dance here with him all night.

One particular moment
One particular day
One particular girlfriend
Every thing going OK

One particular lover
One particular play
One particular ending
Now I've nothing more to say

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 10

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 10

(7:23 am Saturday Nov 10, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

And the day ran away with the time.

Yes, gentle reader, the day ran away with the time...

And time is messing about again. Twisting and turning, hemming and hawing. Folding into shapes inspired by some Japanese expert. Rushing forward and then stopping cold. Messing about with the brains of authors all over the world I would venture to say. Certainly messing about with the brain of this particular in this particular lonely room here on this rock.

(10:55 am Saturday Nov 10, 2007)

*** Shack Near Beach

I could use another lover,
But I don't need another friend.
Just someone for undercover,
Every now and then.

Cause I've had too many heartaches,
And I've shed too many tears,
And I spent too many lonely nights,
Over all these years...

Since my one true love left me
On a cold and balmy night
And the waves came crashin round me
And now I just can't find the light.

Well I wont be your part time lover,
And I wont be your part time friend,
What I need is you forever -
If you want to be my man.

So don't come round me with your lines
And your slippery fake man plans
Cause I'm looking for a real man
Who's not afraid to take a stand

(11:14 am Saturday Nov 10, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

It looks bad gentle reader... I may need your help. This is trying to be one of those days. Not quite as bad, one of those days as yesterday was, but one of those days none the less.

These words, these oh so precious words are playing games and getting on my nerves. And the procrastination bug keeps trying to bite. To stick his proboscis into me somewhere tender and suck out all of my valuable time and energy, leaving me a shambling husk of a man. A wordless being of despair.

This lack of a plot and lack of a plan this year is really putting a wall in front of me each day. I think I may really need your help to get by this problem this year. I tell you what. If you are reading this safe book before it is finished then it would be wonderful if you could add your thoughts and comments and plot suggestions. That way, if this bug keeps biting me, I may be able to slog through the swampy jungle despite the setbacks. I may even be able to come through the swampy jungle at some point and climb into the cool, fresh air of the lofty mountains where the words flow in cool streams of thought. bright, sparkling streams of healthy, fresh words.

Ah, what a lovely dream as I slog through the mud, muck, and mire here in this dismal swamp. The heat is oppressive. The bugs like monsters. The light dim and inconclusive. Fear and loathing blossom. Help! help, gentle reader. I need a rescue. Where, oh where have my true words gone?

(11:26 am Saturday Nov 10, 2007)

*** Beach Near Shack Near Beach ~;-)

After the song had ended, Sam and Reg had decided to go down to the beach for a swim.

Now, Sam was not sure why. They started out at an easy pace heading west, around the point and along the rocks. After about a mile, Reg had picked up the pace and Sam had struggled to keep up.

"Hey! Slow down! I am not a fish like everyone else around here always seems to be. Let's take a rest."

"You rest up Sam. I think I see something interesting just a bit further on. I am just going to check it out and will head back in a bit."

And that was that really. Reg went on and Sam stopped to rest. Standing on the grassy bottom and breathing deeply. He kept his eyes on Reg swimming smoothly along the rocks.

When was he going to stop?

Then Reg disappeared from sight around a small point.

Sam waited, but he never came back.

Finally, Sam got worried that something had happened to him. Perhaps he was hurt? Perhaps he had run into a shark? Everyone made fun of Sam with his thoughts of sharks, but he could not help it. Those fish grew large and they had sharp teeth. Even the small ones could take a nice bite out of you if you didn't take care. The big ones could pretty much do what they liked with you. Thinking about them never made him feel good.

Never the less, Sam set off to the west again at a slow and steady tortoise pace. After a good while, he rounded the small point but Reg was no where to be seen. Sam began to have uneasy feelings. He was feeling spooked. He headed in to the rocks and gingerly climbed out of the water. He did not want to be lunch for any fish today. No thank you. This was gonna hurt. Just climbing out up the sharp rocks hurt already. The thought of the pain ahead, getting home over that stretch of sharp rocks almost tempted him back into the water, but then a mental image of a mouth full of teeth opening and getting closer to him changed his mind for him. Not today thanks.

(12:22 pm Saturday Nov 10, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Nooooo! What is going on today? Why can't I find a groove? Why all the distractions? Oops! Here's another one now. Be back in a bit gentle reader...

Back. I almost forgot that my cup of tea was steeping. It was sitting there for so long that is is just barely luke warm right now. Oh, well, I guess it will boost me up with that extra strength. (Well, we shall see about that.)

(12:27 pm Saturday Nov 10, 2007)

*** Shack Near Beach

Sam finally made it back to the shack to see jack sitting on the porch catching the breeze.

"Hey Sam, what's up? I thought Reg was supposed to be here with you today. Did Ronnie come by and get him for some reason? Ouch, your feet look like a major mess. Why have you been walking over the rocks? Are you OK?"

Sam practically threw himself down onto the porch groaning.

"Reg and I decided to go swimming. We sent west along the shore. You know me and swimming. I got a bit tired and stopped for a short rest. Reg was out ahead of me a bit. I told him to wait up but he said he saw something just a bit ahead and went on to see what it was. He got a bit out of sight around a point. After he didn't come back, I swam around there myself but didn't see him. I got a spooky feeling like something bad was up so I got out quickly. Jack, I think a shark might have taken him. I'm sorry."

"You and your sharks Sam. More likely, he saw his chance to get away and took it."

"He wouldn't do that Jack."

"Sam, you are too trusting. I keep telling you that."

"Don't give me the hair and palm story again Jack, I have heard it enough."

"I would have figured you had heard it more than enough too Sam, but from the looks of things, I may need to tell it to you a whole lot more."

"Whatever you do, just don't tell me again now please."

(12:52 pm Saturday Nov 10, 2007)

Jack went in and mucked about inside for a while while Sam lay on the porch and tried to enjoy the cool breeze while groaning in pain on account of his feet.

After a while, Jack came out again with a pan of water. Steam was rising from the surface of the water. He rested it down on the porch in front of a bench.

"Here Sam, sit down and soak those feet in one of my granny's secrets."

"What's in that water Jack."

"Your mind must be going from the pain. Have I ever told you one of my granny's secrets?"

"Gotta try Jack, gotta try. Anyway, your granny's secrets are nothing to my granny's secrets."

"Sam! Wake up!" shouts jack as he slaps Sam in the face.

Sam looks at him like he is crazy. "Why in the world did you do that Jack!"

"I just figured you must have been dreaming to say such a stupid thing is all Sam."

"One day you are going to hit me too hard when you are messing about like that Jack, ma boy, and then... Thass all she wrote."

Jack goes to slap him again but he is ready and blocks the blow. Unfortunately, his swift counter strike comes no where near its intended target, Jack's nose.

Perhaps one day he would get in a lucky blow on that joker. He hoped that when that day came, it would be hard enough to leave a memory but not hard enough to do any permanent damage in the physical sense. He wouldn't mind putting a permanent hurting on that guys self assurance mind you. Jack was just too elusive.

(1:08 pm Saturday Nov 10, 2007)

*** The Andros Barrier Reef, A Mega Yacht Lies Anchoured On The Edge

The yacht is seemingly deserted. No one is aboard.

*** A Lonely Room

Now gentle reader, what comes next may strain some of your literary powers. You will perhaps need a well developed ability to suspend your disbelief for what follows.

Sorry about that. But sometimes these things happen.

*** The Andros Barrier Reef, A Mega Yacht Lies Anchoured On The Edge

The women are not on the yacht. But this is not some Bermuda Triangle mystery - well, not as most people understand such mysteries. Sixty feet down the wall here there is an opening in amongst the corals that looks very much like many other such openings is such walls. But this one is different.

You go in, you go down, you go right, you go left, you go up. You come to a dead end. It is what is behind the dead end that is interesting.

A well concealed air lock. Large enough to hold a party of twenty fully kitted out divers all at once.

Behind the air lock, things get even more interesting.

Back here is what was obviously one of the famous Bahamian underwater cave systems, but this one is no longer flooded. Back here is a wonder land of stalactites and stalagmites. But it is more than just a natural wonder land here. It is a man made wonderland as well. A careful examination of the construction will reveal something strange though. Some of the construction had to have been done before the formation of the stalactites and stalagmites. Very strange, very strange indeed.

As to the modern construction, there is a great hall, a palace of apartments and communal sleeping quarters. Recreation areas, kitchens. There is also a command centre and a most modern network operations centre.

Most of this vast underground/underwater complex is also deserted. The women from the yacht are the only ones down here at this point in time. They are all currently in the NOC.

This room is amazing for its location and time. The ceiling must be fifty feet above the floor. One wall is a semi circle. From a height of about ten feet up to twenty feet, there is large screen upon larger screen of computer displays showing graphs and pages of tabular numbers and text.

In the center of these screens are even larger screens showing views of the earth, the moon, and mars with transparent bars and data overlaid upon the images.

Above the computer display area, is a huge video wall area. While the screen area below shows obvious individual screens, this area seems all in one.

(2:38 pm Saturday Nov 10, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Well, gentle reader, I have managed to get to today's minimum self assigned quota. Now I have to get at least half of yesterday's missed quota out of the way, preferably the whole of yesterday's missed quota. Wouldn't that be nice? It would be even nicer if I could not only do that but also do the double weekend quota that I was hoping for before this month started. Honestly though, that is seriously unlikely to happen. It would take some sort of major breakthrough for me to get anywhere even close to such a word count today.

Especially with how I am feeling right now and how things have been going this month.

(2:43 pm Saturday Nov 10, 2007)

*** Underwater Network Operations Centre, Andros Barrier Reef

Moon Daughter speaks to someone outside of a base on the dark side of the moon, "Sister, I need that work there finished up before another week passes. We are running into unexpected issues here in the islands and we need to finish things up here and get out of here until things quiet down again. Unfortunately, we can't leave here until you finish up where you are."

"We should be able to finish up in another two or three days Moon Daughter, then we will head out and join our team on the Red Planet."

"Good, let me know when you think you are twenty four hours from completion."

"Will do sister, good luck to you down there."

Moon Daughter watches as her sister turns and enters a sort of hatch in the surface of the moon. The hatch begins to close but before it can close completely, what looks to be a pot cake scoots in behind her sister in the nick of time. Moon Daughter smiles to herself and sits for a minute in silence.

"OK, sisters, reports."

(3:22 pm Saturday Nov 10, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

Hey, gentle reader. This is still tough. Just when you think you might be getting on a roll, BAM! You run up on brakes again. It really hurts. And it is mentally draining to boot.

*** Shack Near Beach

Jack and Sam have moved inside the shack. Ronnie shows up with Reg in tow.

Music is playing on the stereo.

See me there in your mirror
Turn around and I'm gone
Meet me there in your memories
Though the pain lingers on

See me there in the valley
Turn around and I'm gone
Meet me there by the river
Though the pain still flows on

See me there on the hilltop
Turn around and I'm gone
Meet me there in the morning
Though the pain lingers on

See me there in the moonlight
Turn around and I'm gone
Meet me there by the sea shore
Though the pain lingers on

See me there in your mirror
Turn around and I'm gone
Meet me there in your memories
Though the pain lingers on

When Sam sees Reg, he struggles to his feet and makes for him. "You are gonna wish it was a shark that got you when I am done with you mabeezo."

Reg, tries to head back outside, but Ronnie blocks the door. "Shark, what shark?" smile Reg. "What are you talking about Sam?"

"Where did you hight tail it to. Answer me that Reg. Why did you never come back? Huh? Trying to run off after I trusted you?"

"Excuse me Sam. I am the kidnap victim here and you guys are the kidnappers. That's a pretty heavy crime to have hanging over you isn't it?"

Jack laughs. LOUD!

All eyes turn to him. "What?" says Ronnie?"

"He is right, you know," says Sam.

"Right! Right my left foot!" says Jack. "He is about as right as wrong can get maybe, but that is far from right."

He turns to look directly into Reg's eyes, "And you my good man, don't try pulling anything like that again. And don't try to play the innocent one. It is you and your crew who came around bothering me and mine and you are not going to change that fact. Not for all the tea in China. Do I make myself clear?"

I'm not afraid of Tuesday night
And I won't love a woman
Who can't pick a fight

Tuesday is fine but Wednesday is right
And I can't love a woman
Who won't end a fight

Fish on the left and birds on the right
There's dogs in the sky
Love's fading from sight

No I'm not afraid of Tuesday night
And I won't sit alone
My heart is too bright

Now you're here with my, Saturday night
You're smelling so fine
And I'm feeling alright

Jack heads outside and down to the beach, thinking that those guys must have been a bit whacked when they wrote that one.

(6:20 pm Saturday Nov 10, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

How is that for some world class procrastination gentle reader? And it gets worse. I had just fully decided not to go with the band to the gig tonight and called my buddy to tell him as I was making dinner. I stayed home alone while my family went out to dinner just so I could try and write and get ahead. So I cut some bread and put it in the toaster oven and was going through my sandwich ingredients options while calling. I get him on the line and tell him I am not going and what happens? Not hard to guess is it? Not too much suspense right?

He talked me into going.

At least I will get a nice dinner that I don't have to cook for myself. I think I will take something to write on in case I feel like slipping out of the ball and writing in some quiet spot.

I have to be ready by about eight pm. I have to shave, shower, and dress before then. So I have to write fast if I want to at least make one and a half days worth of words before I go.

Just in case I can't find a place to put pen to paper down at the hotel tonight.

Hmmm, what to take to write in? This clip board sitting in front of me will not do.

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 09

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 09

(4:51 pm Friday Nov 09, 2007)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 08

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 08

(4:55 pm Thursday Nov 08, 2007)

Luckily, the pine trees did not go too hard on Jack. Plus, his air bag helped. His mini? Well, that was a different story. The mini was in a bad way.

Neither of the racing cars stopped to see how Jack was doing. No one was around to see what had happened and Jack happened not to be recording at the time due to what is sometimes called a technical malfunction.

A woman in a later vehicle stopped and offered assistance. She found Jack still in a daze and called nine one nine. By the time the ambulance arrived though, Jack was recovered enough to say that he was feeling better and refuse a ride.

His cell phone got busted in the crash up though so he asked the lady if he could use her phone to call for a ride for himself and a wrecker for his mini. She handed over her phone and offered him a ride. He accepted both. He truly hoped that this would be the last time he needed a wrecker for a good long time.

He figured it was no use trying to arrange the planes in person any more for the night and asked to be dropped off at a friend's place out in Gambier.

(5:10 pm Thursday Nov 08, 2007)

When he got to his friend's house, there was a party going on. Every one made quite a fuss over him. He guessed he must have looked worse than he felt.

They asked if he would like to join the party, but he said that he would just like a quiet room and a working phone if that was possible.

What he got was a semi-quiet room in the guest cottage at the back of the property. He got a working phone. He made some calls. Both planes were available. Bingo!

He had a restless night of non-sleep. He took too many pain killers and other various pills, trying to ward off the pain and the wired feeling from the crash. he hated popping pills like that.

He awoke, if you could call it that, early the next morning feeling like he had been run over by a truck. He had been hit by a tree, so he figured that was close enough.

He walked across the street and took a swim in the water that was too cold for his tastes but he came out feeling more alive and with it.

After his swim, he went back to the house and rinsed the salt off with a hose in the front yard and then went into the house through the pool door and walked on in to the large kitchen. Bits of last night's party were still in evidence this morning. Including living bits.

(5:27 pm Thursday Nov 08, 2007)

The cook, who had been with the family at least since Jack was a little boy, was making a major Bahamian breakfast. Conch souse, chicken souse, tuna and grits, steamed bologna. That good, thick stuff that you cut for your own self from the stick. Johnny cake. Eggs and bacon. Fresh squeezed orange juice.

By about nine am, he was full and feeling a lot more human. He decided he felt good enough to make a short flight at least and he asked to borrow the old moke that was kept out in a shed and barely ran.

He drove over to the lake house and had to wake his friends up to let them know that he was taking the plane.

(9:13 pm Thursday Nov 08, 2007)

*** Lake Cunningham And A Float Plane

The plane went easily down the smooth waters of the lake and into the air. Jack was in the seat beside the pilot. He had planned on flying himself, but his buddy had wanted to fly today and Jack decided it might be better if he could concentrate more on what he was looking for so things worked out well.

Plus, he was only just beginning to realize how sore he was from that crash last night.

He asked his buddy to head across the tongue to the Northern tip of Andros and then to follow the edge of the shallow water north and then back east and north again around the Berries.

From there he wanted to head on over to Hole In The Wall and then over to Spanish Wells and then back down to Nassau via The Current and the chain of islands. That was the plan.

(9:39 pm Thursday Nov 08, 2007)

He was not sure when he started out just what he was looking for. He had spent a lot of time on the water for his whole life, and a good amount of time in the air in his late teenage years, but was not in the air as much lately. Something about that map he had found had tickled a vague memory somewhere in the back of his head though. He had a feeling that getting back in the air may help to bring things into focus. Or might spark some further memories at least.

Once they crossed the tongue of the ocean, they brought the plane down low and slow for a bit until Jack figured out that he probably should stay higher to give himself a bigger picture and more information for the first pass so they took her up some again but kept things slow.

Jack remembered how much he loved the view from above. He really should try to get up more. Make the time, that was the ticket.

When they reached Hole In The Wall, he almost asked to be re-routed up to the area of the Sand Bank Cays and Dun-Ja-May for a trip down memory lane and for the chance to have some good luck rub off on him.

He had found his first sunken treasure around those islands and he always felt enchanted when he was in the area. That, plus he like the chance of seeing the dolphins.

(9:58 pm Thursday Nov 08, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

A lonely room where a tired eyed author is nearing the half way point to quota for the night. Well, where he probably just passed it unless he passed it before due to the inaccuracies of hand counting longhand writing. Technology and the lack thereof.

The rain is falling gentle reader, the rain is falling on the roof outside. I used to live in a house where the rain spent a lot of time inside but I now live in one where the rain is not so welcome within.

Let me see if I can find you some nonsense to highlight the trip around the islands that Jack took in the float plane.

Nassau

Dis potcake name a Big Jack
Got a bruddah dey call Daddy Mac
Dem two all about
Tippin garbage can out
Den runnin away round da back


Andros

This boy from Congo Town way
All he liked was to play and to play
Now his mummy say "Son,
You best try to run
If you don't come right away like I say!"

The Berrys

There was an old man of the Berrys
Who was no longer really that hairy
It had migrated down
To his back from his crown
That balding old man from the Berrys

Abaco

This young man from old Abaco
To West Palm decided to go
But the smack boat went down
And all hands they did drown
Such wailing in old Abaco

Spanish Wells

There was a young blond head Sigillian
By seventeen, made his first million
But by twenty three
He'd lost it you see
Wine and women, mostly Brazilian

(10:20 pm Thursday Nov 08, 2007)

Ah, gentle reader, even the tricks are not working well tonight. I am really out of it. Woozy. Beyond the need for sleep. That's a laugh. Really, seriously, in need of deep sleep is more like it.

And getting the words out is like pulling teeth today. All this while my wife and son are long since tucked away in bed and out like lights.

But not I. No, I sit and labour at my desk. Alone in this lonely room. No company except my yawns. And you gentle reader. What would I do without you here to keep me going?


(10:30 pm Thursday Nov 08, 2007)

*** Beach Near Shack Near Beach ~;-)

Jack is back at the shack and settling in for the night. It has been an enjoyable day, but he feels like he has either missed something that should have been obvious today or... or what?

He puts a CD in the player and goes out to lie in the hammock on the porch and try catch a quick nap.

Well, I think I'm gonna be a big groovy star
With my drop top love
And a jazz guitar
Find me a big top woman who will
Take me far away.

Or perhaps he is missing something obvious and today was a total waste of time from the get go. Perhaps it was a blind goose chase down a dead end street past the point of no return. He yawns and nods off.

One roach with a surname of Roach
Try to ride with ma gal in a coach
I tell him "Now son,
You may think it's fun,
But I een ga get roach by no Roach."

Jack drifts in and out of sleep for a bit and then comes slightly more awake and hears A Hot Night play.

A hot night, and muggy
We're laid out and luggy
And nobody cares anymore

Down at the station
There's tears and elation
But back here we're starting to snore

You know we had some old loves
But they've grown cold
We had some old dreams
But they've been sold
And we may try
But we'll never ever get them again

So crank up the volume
We sure love those old tunes
And this free bird is dying to soar

Something is not right. That song is not on the CD he put in... He comes fully awake but lies still and keeps his breathing steady, straining his senses to see if the can figure out what is up.


(10:43 pm Thursday Nov 08, 2007)

*** Inside of a sub-sub-basement, deep below a huge new house on the eastern end of Paradise Island.

The room is in darkness and we cannot make out any of the occupants with any clarity whatsoever.

"Gentlemen, I trust that your trip was comfortable. I know I had asked you to complete that job down in Panama for me, but the local talent here in these islands leaves a lot to be desired."

"I need you to keep tabs on a certain Jack Kato for me. He tends to be know as Black Jack around town. He is after something that I want and I want you to see too it that he makes as little progress as possible and that he gets no where near the goal."

"Is that clear?" says a man from the shadows.

There is a general chorus of "Yes, it's clear," and a few ragged "Sir!"s following on.

"Good, You will each find an envelope with your name on it under your chair. In it you will find resources for your mission... Money, identities, credit cards, driver's licenses, and information on the target including several recent photos. Do your homework on him. This is an important mission gentlemen."

(10:58 pm Thursday Nov 08, 2007)

The phone is ringing and Jack rolls over and answers it... "Hello?"

"Hey tiger, what happened to you tonight? You were supposed to take me out dancing. Did you forget me?"

"No baby, I just sort of got held up. Listen, things have just been all up in the air lately. I just can't seem to get it together. I am on to something big, but I just can't seem to catch any breaks for the last week or so."

"That's no excuse tiger. You were supposed to be here at eight thirty to take me to dinner and then dancing. I went out and bought a new outfit for tonight. I went and got my hair done. I took the day off work. I waited and waited. No Jack! You shouldn't treat me like this Jack."

"I know baby, I'm sorry. I haven't been myself lately. You know you are the only one for me. I knew it since that first night we danced together at your friend's beach bash party."

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 07

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 07

(4:25 pm Wednesday Nov 07, 2007)

Time passed.

(5:33 pm Wednesday Nov 07, 2007)

Time passes. And here is the thing. They say time passes swiftly when you are having fun. I am going to let you in on a little secret gentle reader. It has the habit of passing swiftly when you are in agony with writers block as well. You have a deadline and a quote and you don't have ideas, you lack a plot, your characters are AWOL or laughing at you. Theme? You are kidding. Right?

*** A Deserted Stretch Of Paved Road Somewhere In The Bush

Black Jack got his mother back. The he arranged for her to go and visit her mother's aunt down in Cat Island. No, the aunt was not ancient. Funny thing is, her mother's aunt was younger than her mother. Things like that can happen.

Jack felt she should be safe down there and hoped that things here in Nassau could get cleared up before long and she could come back in time for Junkanoo. His mother did not like to miss Boxing Day. Jack normally preferred New Years for some reason, but his mother was a Boxing Day woman.

Jack is leaning on the hood of his Mini Cooper. Original, thank you. He is watching some guys getting in some pegging practice. One of the big pegging contests of the year is Saturday coming. Some of his boys said they were in it and were practicing here in this lonely place today. They had invited him to come and watch and get his ming off of things.

He needed it.

Now, as you may or may not know. Pegging is an underground sport these days and the contestants are unknown and masked. So, Jack was not sure if his boys were really in the game or just messing about and having some fun, but being out here in the middle of nowhere with old friends suited him just fine either way.

Now, when I tell you that this is a deserted stretch of paved road somewhere in the bush, this is how things shape up...

This particular stretch of road was at one time going to be a part of a subdivision. The roads were paved, lots were sold, the developer vanished into night. Turns out he never had title to the land and the lot buyers were in a pickle. The entrance to the subdivision was blocked with a few loads of rocks and that was that.

There was some fuss for a while. Political promises made. But in the end, nothing came of anything. Bush did what bush does. It grew.

In time, all evidence of the development vanished from the view of those on the roads. After a long while, there was not even much to see from the air. The tree branches spread overhead and shaded the streets.

Jack and his buddies had found the place in their late teens and it had become their weekend party spot when they weren't in the clubs or at the beach.

These days, they had a back way in via a dirt track around the back which they concealed very carefully.

(6:03 pm Wednesday Nov 07, 2007)

Jack had the stereo in his car playing some tunes.

I'm leaving Cleavland
And the heart of Rock and Roll
Yes I'm heading down
To see my Latin Love

She lives in the Gables
And when I reach
I hope I'm able
To show my heart
And Maybe bare my soul

Cause one more night in this town
Will freeze me to the core
So I've hit the road
I'm heading south
And I won't come back no more

Yes I'm leaving Cleavland
And the heart of Rock and Roll
Yes I'm heading down
To see my Latin Love

We'll sail to the islands
Maybe spend a night in 'Briland
Then Exuma bound
We'll restify our souls

Cause one more night in this town
Will freeze me to the core
So I've hit the road
I'm heading south
And I won't come back no more

Jack's foot was tapping and he was humming and smiling and day dreaming.

Not much had been happening on the pegging front for a good long while. Then things began to liven up.

First one top had a nice hole put in it. Naturally, this did not sit well with that tops owner. So the next time the attacker was down, there was some serious concentration and effort and the former attacker was split in two. Things ran a little hot.

Jack figured that if these guys really were top top pegging contestants that at least these should not be their prime fighting tops. It didn't seem like you should be risking your top tops when things weren't really on the line. But then again, did one need to hone their skills wit the real tops or could a stand in do just as well. That was a good question and one where there was no real way to get a real answer short of getting in the game for oneself. Sure you could ask, but could you trust the answers you might get?

Also, perhaps peggers were in that category of thrill seekers and anything short of all out would bore them.

Another song came on.

Free the Art and
Free the Artists
Let's break loose and
Let's get started

Change the world and
Make it better
There may be crying but
We'll cry together

Tired of waiting on
Promised changes
Come together and
Let's rearrange it

Quite a number of Jack's friends were into that sort of thing. Free Software, Free Art and the like. Copyleft. Jack was intrigued by the whole thing and had decided to experiment a bit with such things with some of his stuff. He was considering producing some instructional books and videos of various martial arts techniques and trying various licenses and monitoring the results. He figured it was worth a try.

(9:37 pm Wednesday Nov 07, 2007)

Time time time... Ouch.

Wasn't there some band recently that did a set your own price download for their new album and raked in a decent pile of cash doing so? He didn't think that they had used a Free license, but couldn't one get similar results while using a Free license? He figured it might be possible and wanted to try the waters. Not that he figured his stuff would be any where near as popular. No. But relatively speaking...

I could use another lover,
But I don't need another friend.
Just someone for undercover,
Every now and then.

Cause I've had too many heartaches,
And I've shed too many tears,
And I spent too many lonely nights,
Over all these years...

Since my one true love left me
On a cold and balmy night
And the waves came crashin round me
And now I just can't find the light.

So many new songs by local artists running around these days. That was cool. Now if only the live music scene would flower and grow to what it was rumoured to be back in the day. To hear the older set speak, the music scene must have really been something around here at one time.

(9:45 pm Wednesday Nov 07, 2007)

*** In The Very Spacious Salon Of A Mega Yacht Out On The Waters

The yacht is moving through the sea at a steady clip. A bow wave with dolphins adding to her beauty.

(10:03 pm Wednesday Nov 07, 2007)

The yacht anchours off Goulding Cay and not long after, several people enter the water. The leave the surface and descend, but no bubbles rise to the surface.

(10:10 pm Wednesday Nov 07, 2007)

*** Inside of an unspecified dark space.

The space is in darkness and everything is indistinct, there is a faint, greenish, biological glow here and there about the walls.

There are people hear in the darkness.

"Ladies," says a familiar voice, "we have made good progress over the last few days, but we will soon reach a point where we will have to reach a decision. I know that so far, we have not been able to agree on how best to proceed, but we must choose a course of action soon."

"What do you suggest sister?"

"Well, we knew this treasure map would surface again one day and that we would have to act when it did. Luckily, we were able to head things off very early in the game. Still, I fear we may ultimately have been too late to cover things over once again. Naturally, the treasure is not the issue. If it was, we could just let these men have their toys and be done with it. Sure, it would hurt to lose that amount of our treasure, but it would not be a real problem. It is the danger of the other things that the treasure hunters might discover that is my chief concern."

"I say we eliminate the problems at the source."

"No,that is not our way! I say we find a way to move enough of the treasure far enough away to eliminate the danger and let an alternate map be found."

"Sisters, we have had these discussions. And we know there are really no good solutions for us. Either of your suggestions is fraught with dangers of the first order. Surely we can imagine some other solution to our dilemma."

(10:22 pm Wednesday Nov 07, 2007)

*** Inside Of A Mini - On the Road Somewhere

At a high rate of speed. Too high really.

Well I been some places
I shouldn't oughtta been last night
And I seen some things
I shouldn't oughtta seen last night
And I done some things
I shouldn't oughtta done last night
But then I came home to you
And you made everything all right.

Jack had the windows down and was enjoying the cool air on his face. It helped him think. He felt good. He felt alive. He had reached some decisions tonight and he was moving forward. He was on the way to Windsor Field to see a friend and arrange some time in a plane. Then he would swing over by another friend's place on the lake and see if he could arrange for some time in a float place as well. Might as well shoot for the moon at this point. Not that there was much of a moon about these days.

Wake up and sing me a song
And tell me that you'll love me all day long
And through the night until the morning comes again

Rise up and play me a tune
The kind of music makes a young man swoon
And pledge his heart beneath the summer moon again

Step up and give me a kiss
Soft and sweet from tender lips I've missed
Then turn right round and kiss me again and again

Jump up and give me your heart
Give it all I don't want just a part

Screeeeeeeechhhhhhhhhhh......!

Jack came around a bend and came face to face with some car in his lane side by side racing another car in the other lane. Jack got acquainted with the pine trees.

(10:35 pm Wednesday Nov 07, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

A lonely room where a tired eyed author is nearing quota for the night. And once again this is not likely to be a day of romping merrily past quota. There is a good chance that this is going to be a hit the quota and stop kind of day. Sort of like Jack and the Mini and the pine fresh scent.

Poor Jack, he just can't really seem to get untracked.

And what are these women on the mega yacht planning?

And who is this man in the basement?

Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Zero. Blast off!

(10:40 pm Wednesday Nov 07, 2007)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 06

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 06

(4:25 pm Tuesday Nov 06, 2007)

*** Inside of Shack Near Beach

Jack let everyone but his upside down guy go late last night after getting about all he figured he could get out of them which was not much, next to nothing by his reckoning. Upside down guy he held on to.

Before letting them go, he let them see him take Mr. Upside Down outside, unlock a jail house door under a sheet of plywood, and put him down into a pit of water up to his chest and then lock him in and cover him over, leaving him in darkness, screaming. There were things in the pit with him.

For a number of reasons...

He wanted to give the boss something to think about.

He wanted to have the others spread the word about what had happened in a way that might spread a little extra fear around. Fear had a way of changing the game.

He wanted to keep an eye on Mr. Upside Down for a while to ensure that he was totally OK.

He wanted to administer a partly bogus remedy to Mr. Upside Down to further mix things up when he finally decided to let him go as well.

He wanted to see if he could learn a bit more over a longer term basis.

Mr. Upside Down turned out to be called Reg. He found that out after the other guys high tailed it out of the area.

Reg had surprised Jack with his toughness last night. Jack had never met anyone before who could take that much "Cat Island Touch". He had used the touch once or twice as a teenager when his wild ways had gotten him involved in some tight squeezes and he had not had enough skill to get himself out any other way. Most people completely gave in after just the first touch, everyone except his family after the second touch. Up until last night that is.

Jack supposed that might have been another reason for his decision to keep Reg back. He wanted to find out a little more of what made him tick.

"Here Reg, drink another cup of this tea I brewed for you. Then once more after this and you will have no permanent damage from what you went through last night, mental or physical."

"You never said mental before! I could have permanent brain damage from what you did to me!" shouted Reg rising to his feet.

"Calm down or I may have to touch you again and that could surely lead to permanent trouble for you. I didn't mention mental before because the tea works best with a calm mind. But you kicked up such a fuss over the last cup that I figured I need to give you the whole picture for encouragement."

Jack felt really bad today about what he had done last night. But when they had threatened his mother, he had lost it some. It was the first time he had ever gone that far in life when his life was not directly on the line and he very much hoped the last very time as well.

Jack remembers his plans for Reg's cell phone.

(5:49 pm Tuesday Nov 06, 2007)

*** Inside of a sub-sub-basement, deep below a huge new house on the eastern end of Paradise Island.

The room is in darkness and we cannot make out the sole occupant who is standing at a desk. The phone rings and he looks at the display to see who is calling before picking up the hand set, "Is that you?"

"Who is the you that you are asking about?" says Black Jack.

"Who is this? How did you get this number?"

"Well, you see, what I do is, everyday, before I decide what numbers to buy on that day or the day after sometimes, I like to dial a few combinations of the numbers I have in mind and see if I get any good feelings chatting with the people I reach," says Jack with a slight sound of mirth in his voice.

"How did you get that phone?"

"Look, let's cut out the games. You need to stop messing with me. I will keep this man of your's for a few more days and then let him go. Just back off or you will end up regretting it. And stay far away from my family or the trouble will be double, ya follow?"

"You can keep him for all I care. He has done me no good so far. Now you listen, here's the deal... You have something that I want and I have something that you want and we can arrange a trade," says the man from the shadows.

Jack thinks that his voice has a bit of something familiar to it, "I think you are wrong on two counts there. You just indicated that you don't want Reg here, so I can't really have anything that you want, and there is no way you could have anything that I want."

The man in the shadows pushes a button on his phone and we can hear a woman's strong voice, "Don't listen to him Jack! He is a filthy man! He tries to come across all cultured and sophisticated, but he is nothing but a guttersnipe! I will be fine, He knows not to mess with me, I showed him."

The man in the shadows rubs his jaw, he hears Jack draw in his breath sharply, "I know why you think I don't want my former servant, but I am surprised to hear you admit that you don't want you mother."

"If you! I told you not to mess with my family, now I"

"QUIET!," shouts the man in the shadows, "First things first, you do have something that I want, and now that I have established that I have something that you want, we have the basis of a mutually satisfying business deal. If you are interested, ask me to tell you more."

"OK, tell me more."

"Please. Please, where are your manners?"

"Tell me more please." grits out Jack.

"I have reliable information that several days ago you came into possession of something that I have been trying to track down for the last twenty three years of my life. You have it... And I want it. We can swap. Your mother for a small silver cylinder with something important inside of it."

"Well, I hate to break it to you, but while I may or may not have had such and item or items, I certainly have nothing like that in my possession now."

"Don't play games with me Jack, are you really so willing to play fast and loose with your mother's well being?"

"Number one, you heard what she told me. She told me not to listen to you. Number two, I am not lying to you. I don't have anything like that in my possession at this time."

"Don't take me for a fool! You think you can play word games with me? What? Are your fingers crossed? Did you put the cylinder under a rock in the bush just outside of your property so that you can tell me you don't have it in your possession? Stop messing with me I tell you! My patience is running thin!"

"OK, here's the deal! Anything remotely like you describe that may have come my way recently must have grown tired of my jokes and decided to leave me and run off with the sea one stormy day a few days ago. You get my meaning? I don't have anything like that and I don't know where it could be, other than lost at sea."

"What!"

"So, let my mother go and let's try not to run into each other at parties for at least a year or two. That sound good to you?"

"If you are telling the truth about not having what I think you have, I may let your mother go if you give me a detailed copy of what it looked like and what was in it."

"What, you think I had time to make photocopies? No way, some goons chased me off a cliff into a hurricane sea where I lost my find, I didn't get any copies made."

"Fine, did you take any pictures with your cell phone, can you draw something from memory? You have to give me something if you want me to release your mother."

"No pics, I could try drawing something sure, but I... Sure, I could draw something."

"But what?"

"But nothing, I will draw you something, Where are we going to meet for the exchange?"

"It had better be accurate young man, I do know where your mother lives after all."

(9:10 pm Tuesday Nov 06, 2007)

*** Inside of Shack Near Beach

Jack finishes up making the best drawing he can from memory which is honestly not that good but he hopes it will do. As much as he has wanted this treasure for a long time, it is not worth messing about with his mother's well being. Plus. after she is safe, he can still make a race of it.

A song is just finishing up.

Just put my dreams back in the box
Give me the key and snap the locks
Then head on out and leave me all alone
You know you don't love me no more
I saw you last night by the shore
With your new boy friend
And the top down on your ride.

He goes over and cuts off the stereo. Then he goes to the closet and gets out some rope, "Sorry Reg, I hate to have to tie you up and leave you here alone, but it will not be for long. Sam was supposed to be here by now, but something must have held him up and I have a meeting to make. I'll leave the lights on for you."

"Jack, don't do it please. Haven't you done enough to me already? You can trust me, I will stay until Sam gets here."

"No, Reg, I can't trust you, sorry. So, let's do this the easy way, please."

"Don't do it Jack, I can't take it. Plus, what if something happened like a fire or something. Look, take me with you then man."

"What, and have you mess up the meeting? Sorry, no can do."

"OK, then, take me with you and when we get near the meeting, lock me in the trunk."

"Man, you are one crazy dude. You don't want to be left here tied up but you are OK with being locked in a trunk? No, you could still make too much noise in the trunk and blow the deal."

Just than a car pulls along the track leading to the shack and gives a little toot as the engine shuts down and the lights go off.

"Saved by the bell Reg, that should be Sam now."



(9:23 pm Tuesday Nov 06, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

A lonely room where a tired eyed author, in fact, your tired and bleary eyed author, dear reader, has come to this. But not as tired as last night and not quite as desperate. Yawning none the less.

So, gentle reader, how do you like it so far? Are you enjoying yourself at all? Anything in particular that you liked so far? Suggestions for improvements?

You are aware that this is under a copyleft license are you not? You need to check out the license, but that does mean that you can do your own improved version if you feel like it.

Then you could go from gentle reader to gentle writer. Sort of like moving up to a higher belt as it were. Or perhaps not, perhaps more like switching styles.

In any case, have a go if you wish.

Now, gentle reader, perhaps you have other talents that I am unaware of at this point in time. Perhaps you can write music and feel like you might be able to do something with the lyrics you have read so far. perhaps there is even a tune to match some words going through your head at this very moment. (Well, your 'this very moment' not my 'this very moment' - they can only be the same if time and space is very warped right now in these regions.) Take a look at the license and take a run at it. Hey, if you record something gentle reader, The Internet Archive will be happy to host it for you with the license I have chosen. If you put it there, send me a link, I will take a listen.

Now, gentle reader, perhaps you are even more ambitious still. Perhaps you can see yourself filming scenes from this very book and putting them up on some video hosting site. Go for it. Or perhaps animating some scenes. power to you. Just follow the license.

You might even be able to make a buck or two from something you do.

And so the lonely writer reaches quota and shuts down, hard and fast. Goodnight gentle reader. Think about what I have just said.

(9:38 pm Tuesday Nov 06, 2007)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 05

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 05

(3:28 pm Monday Nov 05, 2007)

*** Skiff On Water Near Head Near Shack Near Beach ~;-)

Jack is hand line fishing. Partly to catch some dinner, but mostly to give himself some time to think.

That was really something yesterday. He has never seen any style quite like the one those women used on those jerks yesterday. It was also obvious that they had trained together for joint operations and probably had carried out a goodly number as well.

He was glad that he had been able to play his cards close to his chest. The less some of his particular skills and abilities were know,the better he like it.

When they had returned to the stables, their horses were already there and people seemed surprised to see them come walking back. The women asked who had brought their mounts back, but no one seemed to have any knowledge. Very odd that.

The stable crew wanted to know why they had let the horses loose to return on their own.

For some reason the women seemed reluctant to give out the details of what had happened and Jack was quite happy to leave things that way himself.

He wondered about the local women though. Had the other women talked to them without his noticing? Or did they too have reasons of their own for keeping the recent happenings under wraps? Interesting.

He felt a nibble on the line and yanked! Got one! Yeah baby! He loved this feeling.

Jack fought with the fish for a while before pulling in a good sized turbot. He dropped it in a bucket and took the hook out of its mouth being careful not to let the dog bite him. Then he baited up his hook with another piece of conch and threw out his line again.

Good eating there.

Jack thinks that, if these women really are the ones behind his map being taken, that it will be quite a difficult project to get his property back from such a well disciplined group.

(4:39 pm Monday Nov 05, 2007)

*** Inside of a sub-sub-basement, deep below a huge new house on the eastern end of Paradise Island.

The room is in darkness and we cannot make out the sole occupant who is standing at a desk and talking on a conference phone.

"Listen, you gentlemen need to understand this, it is getting late. I still have no sign of my needs being met. What are you up to now?"

"Sir, we have him in sight. He is out on a little boat hand line fishing."

"And how do you plan on getting him to me?"

"He can't be going to stay out much longer in that little tin can. We plan to get him just After he lands at the beach."

"Brilliant plan gentlemen. Call me as soon as you have him well secured."

The shadowy figure pushes a button on the phone and a light goes out. He sits down in a nice, ergonomic leather chair behind the desk and sighs to himself. "Idiots! Will someone deliver me from these idiots?"

(5:07 pm Monday Nov 05, 2007)

*** In The Very Spacious Salon Of A Mega Yacht Anchoured On The Andros Barrier Reef

"Ladies, things are going well, but we need to be on our guard. I don't like it that he turned up yesterday like that. He must suspect something. And he is deep waters if you ask me."

"What do you mean Moon Daughter?"

"Well, there was no panic in him yesterday during that little incident. I noticed that he was alert but calm after we were captured and that he seemed ready for action at all times, Dirge Singer, if only I could have watched him during our operation, I think I might have learned more useful information. As it is, I think I saw him take out one or two of the jokers when he thought no one could see him but I am not sure of it. Certainly, I have never before seen anyone do what I thought I saw him do yesterday. I think he could be a very dangerous man. We need to be vary careful with him from now on. Very careful indeed."

(10:14 pm Monday Nov 05, 2007)

*** A Lonely Room

A lonely room where a tired eyed author, in fact, your tired and bleary eyed author, dear reader, has come to this.

Yes, it has come to this. A desperate need to reach a certain word count for the day.

Combine that with a current lack of ideas.

Combine that with the lateness of the hour.

Combine that with this particular author's skill at procrastination.

There you have a dangerous brew.

So, gentle reader, while I should have been writing and plotting this evening, what was I doing? I was over at a friends house, sitting in on a practice session for a band that a number of my friends are in. No, it is not Barry And The Cudas, that band is, at this point at least, at least semi fictional. I will decline to name the real band at this time unless they should request to be named herein.

I knew I needed to write and plot mind you. But I hadn't been to a practice in a very long time. What to do? What to do? I told myself that I would do some plotting while I was there. Good idea! Right? Wrong! At least it turned out wrong. Turns out I developed plotter's block when I got there. Go figure.

So then I come home well after nine in the pm and I still have to shower and change for the night. Now I could write and try and make quote before the shower, but that is a dangerous road.

So here I am, having this little chat with you and running up the word count.

You know, gentle reader, when you have some idea of where things are going, words can flow, you can get in a zone. Your fingers fly. Life is good.

Then you hit times like these. In times like these, I count myself lucky to have you here to help out gentle reader. I would be lost without you here to help out in these dire straights.

I would feel marooned, lonely out in space.

I might be tempted to hop in my car and drive around town, perhaps even to the other side of the planet. You can do strange things like that in the world of literature.

(10:27 pm Monday Nov 05, 2007)

*** Inside of Shack Near Beach

Jack is squatting beneath a hoodlum that he has trussed up and hanging by his feet from the rafters of the shack. There are a couple of other hoodlums from yesterday's little bit of fun well tied up and stacked against one wall so that they can see what is happening in the centre of the room.

"OK, gents, the easy time is over, I must admit, you all have held out longer than I would have thought, but things are going to get a little more serious from here on in. Please do yourselves a favour and don't make yourselves undergo any unnecessary pain."

He goes over to the stereo and puts on a CD.

I sing my songs with broken heart
But Oh, my love, I've made a start
So if you give me one more chance
I'll be your knight of true romance

He starts swinging the upside down guy gently back and forth to the beat of the music.

"Do you like that song? It has a nice easy beat to it, don't you think?"

He lets him sway like the pendulum of a grandfather clock for a while before changing his tactics and sending him out more in a circle as it were.

"Listen, tell me what I want to know. I can assure you that one of you will give me answers tonight. Why should you suffer only to have your friend over there tell me what I want to know after it is too late for you to change your mind. The pain. It will not be able to be undone I can assure you."

He paces around behind the guy, whispering to him gently and explaining certain things to him in a general way, things that he certainly hopes he will not be tempted to do to him here tonight. Things he doesn't think he could bring himself to do here tonight. Things he wants to convince this guy that he would be happy to do here tonight.

The guy continues to surprise him though. He can tell that he has made him afraid, but he is bucking himself up and holding out.

"OK, let's try a little game of twenty questions. One. Is the person or are the persons who sent you female?"

Knight Of True Romance is about to end and he knows Two Dollar Bill comes on next and he decides to use it.

"You are going to like this next song. You have heard Two Dollar Bill on the radio right? I like it a lot. Here is the thing... After each verse, and then after each chorus, I am going to give you a chance to answer my simple questions. If you answer, great, if not, well, let's just say that I will give you a gentle little loving touch."

At this, he does his best to give an evil laugh. He doesn't want to do what he has decided to do, but he has decided that he will if he doesn't get an answer.

What he has in mind is something that is referred to as the "Cat Island Touch" in his family. It is not dangerous. It is not even really painful. It is more surprising and unexpected and to tell the truth, scary than painful.

When he was young, he and his siblings used to use it on each other as a prank until his father found out about it and put a stop to their mis use of their knowledge.

Knight Of True Romance ends and the first verse of Two Dollar Bill comes on...

I got a two dollar bill in my pocket
I got two more miles to go
I been waitin too long to see you tonight
And baby its starting to show

The verse ends. "Time's up. Ready to answer? Or are you ready for some fun instead? Five, four, three, two, one, zero..." There is no answer and so he reaches out and touches the guy on the inner part of his upper left arm just above the elbow.

"Ahhhhhhhh! What the! What did you do to me?" His guy is breathing fast and has broken out in a sweat.

"Just a little something I picked up while traveling. You like it?"

So darling try to be ready
Yeah get ready to go
We'll shout and we'll dance
And try a little romance
And later we can jump in the flow

"Time's up! Ready to answer? Or are you ready for a little more fun instead? Five, four, three, two, one, zero..." There is no answer and so he reaches out and touches the guy on the inner part of his upper right arm just above the elbow.

"Ahhhhhhhh! Stop! Don't do that again!"

"Sure thing, just answer the question."

The guy just grunts and sets his face.

I got a three dollar bill in my pocket
And there's three things I want to know
Will you kiss all night, choose to love or fight
And baby how's your garden grow

"Time's up! Ready to answer? Or are you ready for a little more fun instead? Five, four, three, two, one, zero..." There is no answer and so he reaches out and touches the guy on the sole of his left foot, under the arch.

This time the guy lets out a prolonged yell and starts to curse at him.

"You ever had Thai food? You know how their pepper is not like ours. You get a nice conch salad heated up nice with a mix of goats and birds. You put some of that in your mouth and that is instant fire and pain. Thai food is not that way. Yeah, it starts hot, but you figure you can handle it. But it builds with each bite. You know what I mean? This is sort of like that Thai food. I suggest you answer before the heat builds too much."

So darling try to be ready
Yeah get ready to go
We'll shout and we'll dance
And try a little romance
And later we can jump in the flow

"Time's up! How bout now? Female? Yes or no?"

He turns to look at the guys on the ground who are wide eyed and looking a bit wild.

"How about you guys, have pity on your buddy? You are next anyway. You might as well cave now and say it was out of compassion for your friend."

He spins quickly and he reaches out and touches the guy on the sole of his right foot, under the arch, twice in quick succession.

This time the screams and curses go on for quite a while. If he hadn't been through this so many times as a child, he probably wouldn't be able to keep this up. From the sound of the guy, you would think this was really serious. Jack knew that the guy wasn't so much feeling pain as experiencing a very odd and unknown sensation. That was why it was important to keep telling him how painful it was. Don't give him a real chance to analyze the feeling in any detail.

I got a half dollar bill in my pocket
And I have to let you know
I been waiting this long for the time to be right
And Mary its starting to flow

The verse ended and Jack simply reached out without warning and touched the guy twice on the back of his neck. He screamed and passed out. Jack was halfway expecting this though and grabbed a glass of cold water and woke him up. "What, you think you deserve a warning every time? It doesn't work that way you know."

So darling tell me you're ready
Say you're ready to go
Well we shouted and danced
And tried a little romance
And now its time to jump in the flow

"Time's up! How bout now? Female? Yes or no?" Jack made like he was reaching out to touch the guys eyes and he freaked. jack did his best to laugh hysterically.

Yes we shouted and danced
And tried a little romance
And now its time to jump in the flow

You know its time to jump in the flow
Mmmm Mary its so sweet in the flow

"Time's up! Song's over, you're out of luck my friend. One last chance..."

"Male! It was a guy who sent us alright! Leave him alone."

Jack turned and stared in surprise at the tall, wiry guy on floor and smiled, you just never could tell he thought to himself. That's why you always had to stay alert and cover all the bases.

(11:36 pm Monday Nov 05, 2007)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 04

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 04

(10:51 am Sunday Nov 04, 2007)

*** Beach Near Shack Near Beach ~;-)

Sam comes to the end of the beach and stops running. He stretches up to the sky and then shakes himself before laying himself down and starting to do sit ups looking out to sea.

Jack and Ronnie appear from around the point, swimming strongly, the sunlight glinting like missions of diamonds on the water.

Soon they come in to shore and come out of the water and plop down beside Sam. "You really should give up running the beach and swim with us instead you know," says Jack.

"Yeah, right! You guys are crazy! You know that don't you?" says Sam looking at them as if they have lost their marbles. "We just get the first nice cool air this morning after the long hot summer and I man am supposed to go in that water with you two fish? No way is that going to happen. Not as long as Granny Rolle's favourite grandson has any sense left in his head. And you jack, you have totally lost it, you should still be in bed."

(1:00 pm Sunday Nov 04, 2007)

*** Inside Shack Near Beach

The three friends are sitting at a table by an open window playing tonk and talking.

"OK, so you were being chased by you don't know how or what. You running through the bush down some long forgotten path and then you come out of the tree line into a clear are abut then the path ends at a cliff. The people or things chasing you are getting closer and closer so you decide to jump off the cliff into a raging sea with a hurricane slightly complicating the issue. So far so good?" Sam looks at Jack who nods.

"Good, so you jump into the water but you don't drown. Yet you admit that you only remember going down and some pain and then nothing until you are back here. Well, how did you make it in the sea all that time? And who helped you out with the breathing contraptions?"

"All good questions, I am sure Sam, but I don't have answers for you. I only know that I had just found something very import from my family background just before I called you guys and set up the meeting. The on the way here, I got run off the road on purpose and bullets started ending up too close to me to make me happy so I jumped into a ditch and started running. Plus, I know I had my item when I went into the water and I don't have it now. And I don't think I lost it in the wash."

"So you are saying that at least one, maybe two people or groups are somehow after your find? Have you been watching too much "Tin Ferl Hat Guy" on the net? I mean, how could you just find this thing and have people on your tail right away?"

"I have no idea Ronnie, but that's what it feels like to me. I have to get that little item back."

"Two things Jack, what is this mysterious thing which you seem so reluctant to name? And how do you plan to begin to get it back?"

"Well Ronnie, I know you know of the rumours of old pirate treasure surrounding my family, well, I didn't tell anyone, but after my father died a few years back, I have been going through the attic in his house in my spare time, just poking around and seeing what I could see. We used to play in that attic as kids, anyway, after a long time I got to thinking that there must be more attic up there and started looking for the extra space. I found a way into an area that us kids never knew about and started going through things in there. I found a small silver tube the other day that had a map in it that I think might show me the way to that fabled treasure. I want us to try and find it. I had that tube well secured to my leg when I went into the water and now I don't have it."

"And as to how I plan on getting it back, I have no idea, so I guess I will go riding later today and tomorrow morning. I haven't been on a horse in ages. You think these women might show up again?"

"I don't know Jack, but you might as well. None of us have any better ideas. Where did you go off the road? I can call my buddy who has a wreaker and we can take the car to your house for you."

*** The Other Other Other Far Side Of The Galaxy

(1:50 pm Sunday Nov 04, 2007)

A slightly green postage stamp on a luscious ping envelope whispers to her, "What did I tell you my sweet, was that tortoise and hair race interesting or what?"

The great race is over, the winning tortoises have been given their crowns and medals and been feted and their exploits celebrated. The owners of the hopeful hair have all stood up and filed off of their field of dreams and returned to their perhaps mundane lives.

Their hair goes on with their dreams of migration in the case of male hair contestants and of bouncing in the case of the female contestants.


*** Horse Stables on the Eastern part of the Island

(2:42 pm Sunday Nov 04, 2007)

As Jack arrives he notices some women getting their horses ready and overhears that they are planning to go on a road and trail ride. he goes over to someone who looks like they may know something and asks if her can get in a ride of of the property this afternoon.

He chose well, "Yes, I think those ladies there might not mind someone joining their group, let me ask them for you, if not, there may be a group going out later if you care to wait, just a moment."

Jack walks over to look in the rings at the horses while the man walks over to where the women are just about to mount up.

He is startled when the man starts speaking way too close to his right shoulder, "You are in luck sir, They are willing if you can be ready in a few minutes and I can get you ready in a short while. You have ridden before have you not?"

Jack backs off a bit, uncomfortable talking to someone from such a close distance, "Sure, I rode a lot when I was younger, I should be fine if they are not going to go wild."

"Good, well, I asked them of their intentions and they assured me that they would be taking it easy today. You should be fine then, let me go and saddle up Lucky for you."

*** Horse Trail in the Eastern part of the Island

(3:15 pm Sunday Nov 04, 2007)

Jack has managed to place himself in the middle of the line of horses and is having a quiet conversation with the woman in front of him while doing his best to overhear the other conversations that are going on up and down the line.

"You really look familiar, are you sure we haven't met?"

"Well, I don't think so, it always seems odd to me too when I meet people who I don't recall meeting before on this little rock, but I don't think we have. What school did you go to?", asks Jack.

"I was born here, but I didn't go to school here. My Father's job took the family to Panama just after I was born so I went to school down there when I was young and then they sent me to New York for high school and I went to college in Colorado. What about you?"

"I bounced around between several private and public schools before my parents pulled me out and tried home schooling. That went a little better, but I dropped that as soon as I could manage it and went to sea for a few years. I grew up some at sea and then, after my dad got sick, I came home to help out with the family business."

*** Inside of a sub-sub-basement, deep below a huge new house on the eastern end of Paradise Island.

(3:57 pm Sunday Nov 04, 2007)

The room is in darkness and we cannot make out any of the occupants with any clarity whatsoever.

"So, gentlemen, Black Jack is indeed still alive and yet I still have not managed to welcome him as a guest to my humble abode. Do I need to bring in some foreign contractors to try and get the job done to my satisfaction?"

"We'll get him boss, we should have him by tonight, tomorrow night at the latest."

*** Somewhere in the deep vastness of interstellar space.

(4:19 pm Sunday Nov 04, 2007)

A slightly green postage stamp on a luscious ping envelope are moving along at a nice clip. A large multiple of the speed of light, actually, for long, no, very long stretches of distance. Now you might be wondering how a piece of mail can reach speeds of over twenty miles per hour on average despite the Post Office's trickery of putting revolving and flashing lights on the top of some of their mail vans. As if anyone would actually believe that they ever feel compelled to get a piece of mail somewhere and resort to flashing lights and exceeding the speed limit to meet some mail deadline. No, probably, the mail carriers union simply insisted on the lights so that their employees could use the lights to get to lunch or their latest snatch in a hurry in heavy traffic just like so many other government workers. Well, let's just call them government employees then and avoid that discussion, shall we?

*** Horse Trail in the Eastern part of the Island

Jack is really beginning to enjoy himself. It is a beautiful, cool, sunny day and as the ride has progressed, his rustiness has fallen away and he feels more and more at ease. He had forgotten how much he likes to ride horses and thinks to himself that he needs to do this more often.

Then too, while not all of the women are strikingly beautiful, none of them are hard on the eyes and a few are. Then too, he has found the conversation interesting to this point.

He also observes that, while all of the women seem accomplished riders, several seem almost like they were born on horseback.

Time and distance passes.

Jack has keen ears. This is a good thing he thinks once again as he overhears a whispered conversation from the front of the line of horses.

"What is he doing here? He could not have traced us here already!"

"Shhh, I don't see how he can trace us at all. He has no evidence to use in tracing us at all. Let's be calm about this. No need to panic."

Jack smiles to himself. So, Ronnie was right to suspect some connection with the horse women. That guy did come through from time to time.

The horses come out of the bush and into an open field and Jack has a flash back to the day of the storm. He gets a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach and Lucky seems to get a little nervous. Something definitely does not feel right he thinks to himself.

They cross the open area and the lead horse is about to re-enter the tree line when armed people come out of the trees and rise up from the ground to the side of and behind the riders.

Jack is surprised at how calm everyone remains in the face of this unexpected twist. That too seems a bit strange.

Guns pointed at the riders, the new arrivals shout, "Everybody stop and stay calm! Hold your horses all of you!"

Jack smiles inside. That guy has probably always wanted to make a stale joke like that in a situation like this and just could not resist.

"Everyone dismount," says a tall, brown haired man standing at the rear, "keep your eyes forward."

Jack has already turned and caught a brief glimpse of him before he manages to get this instruction barked out. Jack figures he must be the leader of this happy little band as he turns his head and looks forward again before dismounting with everyone else.

"You three, get all the horses," he says to three of his men. "OK, ladies and gentleman, please proceed down the path that you were just about to enter.

He sends most of his men off with the horses back the way the riders had come and he and the rest escort their captives under guard into to bush and along the path.

They walk on for a while until they come to a sort of open space that is not open to the sky above. Spreading limbs and leaves high above a provide cover.

Some of the captors make low untoward remarks to the women from time to time. Making promises they are not likely to be able to deliver on if called to thinks Jack to himself. He is paying close attention to everything around him at this point.

The captors begin to sort out their captives according to what seems to be some sort of pre existing plan. Jack notices that some of the women seem to be watching the goings on closely and making what they think are unnoticed signals to one another. He smiles and narrows his eyes and draws in a slow, deep breath. It is the same women that seem to have been born on horseback. he senses that something is about to happen. He readies himself for action.

In a blink, it begins. There is a blur of action and coordinated movement. Then it is all over almost before it has really begun. The true horse women have subdued their captors and have them securely tied up.

Jack squats down and draws in the dirt and smiles. He found that he had not needed to really get involved and so he had held back. Oh, he had delivered a few swift and well placed, let's just call them touches, shall we. Only when no one was looking of course. He always liked to keep something in reserve and out of sight if possible. The women had everything in hand and he really should probably have not done anything, but some things are hard to resist.

(8:41 pm Sunday Nov 04, 2007)

The room is in darkness and we cannot make out any of the occupants with any clarity whatsoever.

"Wait! You mean to tell me you had him, but then a bunch of women... no, a bunch of unarmed women, just somehow managed to take all your guns away from you and all that without any shots even fired? is that what you are trying to tell me?"

There is some general hemming and hawing... "Yes sir. That is about what happened. Then they just calmly walked off and left us tied up in the bush."

"You should be ashamed of yourselves. Getting disarmed by a bunch of horse women, unarmed women. I think I am going to have to bring in help from outside of the country."

"Boss, we will get him! By tomorrow night. We will be more careful next time. Do you think those women might have been some body guards he has brought in? They seemed like they must be some kind of trained fighters the way they handled themselves."

"Don't you mean the way they handled you?"

"That is mean sir. And unnecessary."

"You are right, that is beneath me. No, I do not think there is any connection between them. I don't think that there is even any real connection between the two groups of women that were out on the trail. One group is local women who ride together often and sort of run in the same social circles. The other group, and I would wager that it is the second group that gave you the trouble are from out of the country. They have been in town for a while now. They are all living on a mega yacht that docks at one of the marinas here on the island. I will have to do a little more research into them. Just to cover all the bases."

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 03

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 03

(12:05 pm Saturday Nov 03, 2007)

*** The Other Other Other Far Side Of The Galaxy

So, by the next day the tortoises are spread out over the idyllic countryside. Some hither and some yon, all depending on their relative speeds and their open country routing skills.

Back in the stadium, everyone is till having a grand old time and watching carefully to see if they can discern any actual progress race wise on the part of the hair.

And they are still singing that song...

Well I'm not a man who likes to run,
But I find myself waiting for the - STARTER'S gun,
And some day baby when my race is done,
I'll kiss you before I fall.

And consuming way too much of everything. To the chagrin of their bankers and non-race loving spouses should they have either.

Now you really should know that, so far as anyone have ever been able to determine, no hair has ever made any actual race moves in all the long history of the famous tortoise and hair race days. Sure, on a windy day, some of the longer heads of hair might be seen to display a good amount of movement indeed, but not race movements as it were. not moves that would indicate progress along the course of the race track.

I think you will not be overly surprised to learn that in all the years that the race has been contested, not once has any hair made even one lap of the track, much less made it out of the stadium or finished the race. Well, no, not quite, there was that once, but no one believes it to this day. That once time exists in a sort of agreed social amnesia. We may speculate as to why at some later date.

(3:59 pm Saturday Nov 03, 2007)

*** Beach Near Shack Near Beach ~;-)

Most everyone is having a meeting under the coconut trees again, or is it the same meeting...

Ronnie, with his keen seafaring eyes spots something offshore in the waves.

"I think that is someone out there by that head, one of you come with me and let's go check it out."

He is up in an instant and heading for the back of the shack where they keep a small aluminum skiff. Sam is right on his heels.

They drag the skiff down to the water and set out, Ronnie pulling strongly at the oars, well, as strongly as he can manage in his now weakened condition, still they let him pull instead of Sam as even in his weakened state, his skill and Sam's clumsiness with the oars more then offset the difference in their strengths.

As they get closer to the head, it becomes clear that it is indeed a body in the water but it is not yet clear if it is a living or a dead one. Then Ronnie thinks he spots some signs of life and redoubles his efforts even though he is nearing the limits of his endurance. There is a small white hot anger down in his core at his current physical state. How could he have done this to himself?

They get closer and are confused by what they see. It becomes clear that the person is alive, but they are face down and unmoving as far as swimming goes.

The skiff pulls alongside and Sam grabs an arm and lifts the person out of the water and drops him face down into the bottom of the small boat.

Sam flips the person over and they are both floored to see that it is Jack, with some sort of contraption stuck in his mouth and taped on so that it will not come out.

"What the..."

"Are you kidding me!" says Sam, reaching down to rip the tape off and the device out of Jack's mouth. He lifts Jack into a sitting position and hits him on the back with the flat of his hand.

Jack coughs and his eyes open to rad slits and he moans from deep in his being.

"Jack. Jack! Can you here me? Where have you been? Are you alright?"

Jack moans again and plops down into the bottom of the boat and closes his eyes.

"Ronnie, cut out the questions and get us back to shore fast."

"Sorry Sam, you are going to have to take over, I am spent five ways from Sunday."

(6:20 pm Saturday Nov 03, 2007)

*** The Other Other Other Far Side Of The Galaxy

The tortoises are still making their swift way over the countryside in their quest for glory.

Meanwhile, back in the stadium, there is still no real evidence that the hair is making any race moves yet, this despite the strong encouragement on the part of the various persons on whose heads the hair happens to be growing. Or on the part of some, stern rebukes.

I must say that this lack of responsiveness on the part of the hair is none too surprising on the hair. I mean, after a life time of being treated the way hair gets treated, does it surprise you?

Regularly being cut with sharp instruments, tangled, yanked at, dried out as with hot Santa Ana winds. A regular dose of concoctions applied whether you like it or not, some natural, some harsh chemical mixes. No, it should surprise no one. Noe one at all.

And the song plays and the people stomp and romp.

Well I'm not a man who likes to run,
But I find myself waiting for the - STARTER'S gun,
And some day baby when my race is done,
I'll kiss you before I fall.

You would think they would adjust the verse now that the race is so well underway and the starter's pistol has long fallen silent, but they don't. That is just how things go over on The Other Other Other Far Side Of The Galaxy.

*** Inside of Shack Near Beach

(7:04 pm Saturday Nov 03, 2007)

Jack is laid out on a cot, squirming and moaning. His friends stand over him, concern on their faces.

"I still think we should call a doctor," says Ronnie, "he is burning up."

"He will be alright Donny, I mixed him up some of my grandmother's old Andros bush medicine and his fever will break soon, you will see. Put on some soft music and let's go sit on the porch to give him some peace and I will check on him once in a while to make sure he is doing OK."

"OK, you win, any requests?"

"Just pick something easy."

Ronnie walks over and flips through some CDs for a while before selecting one and putting it in the changer.

It is a recent song by Barry and the Cudas, come on down to Nassau Town...

Come on down to Nassau Town
And sing me a new brand song
Tell me that you love me baby
That you'll never do me wrong
Sing to me of starry nights
And a love that will grow strong
Yes come on down to Nassau Town
And sing your new brand song

Come on down to Nassau Town
And sing me a new brand song
We'll sit on sandy beaches girl
Drink switcher an eat conch
Then we'll get the lovin started baby
Don't tell me that we wont
So come on down to Nassau Town
And sing your new brand song

It plays softly in the background as Jacks friends sit on the front porch in the cool evening breeze and look out over the calm sea and talk quietly about the mystery of their friends disappearance during the storm and strange reappearance today in the waters near their shack.

*** Inside of a sub-sub-basement, deep below a huge new house on the eastern end of Paradise Island.

The room is in darkness and we cannot make out the sole occupant who is standing at a desk and pushes a button on an answering machine.

The machine speaks...

"Boss, where are you? I have been trying to reach you all day at your house and on your cell. The cell system must have been down all day though. I keep getting that 'all circuits are busy' message every time I try. And I can't get you at your house. I have called and called. I know you said not to leave messages, but I need you to know this. Black Jack has surfaced. Literally. Call me on my celly phone as soon as you get this message."

"That fool! He knows I told him not to leave any messages and so what does he do? He leaves a message! That's what! You just can't get decent help these days. Everyone is so full of themselves and buys all that poppycock about getting ahead by taking the initiative. What balderdash!"

He picks up a phone and dials a number from memory.

"We're sorry, all circuits are busy now, please try your call again later."

"Doesn't anything work right in this infernal country?"

(9:11 pm Saturday Nov 03, 2007)

He dials another number.

"Hello, good, it's you. I need you to get in touch with Reg and tell him that I cannot reach him on his cell phone and that he is to get in touch with me as soon as possible... Yes, I know, probably so, but if you too cannot reach him on his so called celly phone, then you must seek him out and give him the message in person. Then he is either to call me from the nearest working phone or come here if necessary... Yes, get started right away."

*** Inside of Shack Near Beach

Sam comes out of the shack and sits back down on the porch, "I told you he would be alright Donny, his fever is on the way down now and he is not tossing and turning so much, if he can sleep through the night, I think he will be feeling much better by the morning."

"That's good Sam, but we need to ask him what's going on. I have a feeling in my bone that something is just not right."

"You and your feelings, you are worse than the old people on the island. Plus, how many times do I have to tell you that it is 'a feeling in my bones' not 'a feeling in my bone."

"I don't care how many times you try and correct my english, how many times do I have to tell you that the feeling I get is not in my bones, it is only in one of my bones, this bone right here!" says Ronnie, poking his left shin bone with his right index finger.

"Like I say, worse than the old people on the island. Before I met you, I didn't know that people from such a small island could have crazy ideas as big as people from the Big Yard, but you take the cake."

A song ends and another Barry and the Cudas tune comes on. They both stop to listen.

"Oh, I like up 'The Only One' big time says Ronnie.

Everybody knows my name
But to me they're all the same
Darling you're the only one
That I want when the day's run
Its course

Everybody wants their fame
I only want what I can't tame
Darling you're the only one
That I want when the day's done
Of course

The force of your love
Is pushing me higher
The heat of your skin
Fuels every desire within
Our hearts and our souls and our brains
Like two runaway trains
Are rushing us on
We dare not remain
But fly on till dawn
Has come once again

Everybody wants someplace
I seek my own with calm and grace
Darling you're the only one
That I want the only one
I love

The song finishes...

"Yeah, I really like that one too," says Jack from the opening doorway, "how did I get here?

"That's what we want to know." blurt Ronnie and Sam at the same time.

"Well, what we really want to know is where you have been for two days, we fished you out of the water out by the big head earlier this afternoon. You were mostly unconscious and had what must have been some sort of breathing device taped in to your mouth." explains Sam.

"You what? I had what?"

"Exactly! You never showed up for our meeting two days ago and we have searched everywhere since then but there was no trace of you until you just sort of surfaced out there this afternoon," says Ronnie.

(9:41 pm Saturday Nov 03, 2007)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 02

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 02

(5:43 pm Nov 02, 2007)

*** Beach Near Shack Near Beach ~;-)

Sam, Ronnie, and some other people are sitting under a small grove of coconut trees down by the beach. The waves are rolling in from the south and breaking on the shore.

"OK, Ronnie and I were supposed to meet Jack here yesterday and he never showed up. By this morning, we decided it was time to look for him and called you all in for the search. Any joy on anyone's part?" Sam looks at each face in turn. No one nods.

"No one?" he looks around again and again gets no nods. "OK, then, no joy then, any hints, or odd feelings?" he looks around again and his cousin Frank catches his eye, "Yes Frank?

"Well, it is probably nothing, but you know how I work up at the stables in the morning, mucking out and doing odd jobs? Well, this morning, I was sitting over on the bleachers in the shade after I finished my work, waiting for my girlfriend to come and pick me up."

"Yes, go on."

"Well, like I say, it is probably nothing, but some of the women who ride in the mornings had some guests riding with them this morning. I have never seen these women around before. Anyway, I don't think they saw me over in the shade. I heard one of the new women whisper to one of the regulars about going swimming with a guy that sounded like he looked a bit like Jack yesterday. It didn't make any sense to me though. I mean, who would have been swimming in the ocean yesterday with the storm on?"

*** The Far Side Of The Galaxy

Meanwhile, on the far side of that galaxy, a slightly green postage stamp is trying to put the moves on a luscious ping envelope. A deep luxurious pink envelope. A well filled, pink envelope.

So he's all like, "Hey baby, I wish someone would lick me and stick me to you and send us off on a trip together, I could maybe take you across town or across country, maybe even around the world or even to the other side of the galaxy."

And she is all like, "I don't think you are not a big enough stamp for the job. You may be able to take me to the other side of the room if you are lucky, but I don't think you could even get me out of the window.

And so he is all like, "Baby, I could just blow on you gently and send you around the block."

And so she is all like, "In your dreams, skinny, you and your slightly green self with your picture of alien treasures and strange markings.

And so he is all like, "Whoa! Who told you my markings were strange and who mentioned alien treasures to you? Where did you come up with such a crazy idea?"

And so she is all like, "Do you deny it? I dare you to deny it!"

And so he is all like, "Forget it, let's go grab a bite to eat down at the diner, you feel like a gyro?"

And so she is all like, "I thought you would never get around to the important stuff, let's go!"

*** The Other Far Side Of The Galaxy

Meanwhile, on the other far side of that galaxy, it is still dark and not much of anything is going on. This being a place of no nocturnal activity what so ever.

No, really.

*** The Other Other Far Side Of The Galaxy

Meanwhile, on the other other far side of that galaxy, their version of the SETI project is about to get a big surprise from out own reverse SETI project.

Yes, there are more far sides of the galaxy than you might first imagine. More than I can discuss with you without some severe consequences for you as a matter of fact.

What is the reverse SETI project, you ask. You mean you have never heard of the reverse SETI project? Good.

So, on the other other far side of that galaxy, just as the listening shift is about to change, a radio signal is picked up from the deep reaches of space. And what was the signal that was picked up? Why the famous "Checkin You Baby":


I been checkin you baby
Vision's drivin me crazy
I used to be lazy
Now I'm workin real hard

Cause you to look my way
A long drive on the hiway
We could park in the byway
Oh I'm workin real hard

Two hearts they could fly way
Way up in the sky away
My love's for real 'll not f-f-f-f-fade away
Oh I'm workin real hard

Come Monday or Tuesday
Everyone with a clue say
He don't know what to do hey?
Mmmm, I'm workin real hard

I been peepin you baby
Beauty's drivin me crazy
Got no time to be lazy
Yeah I'm workin real hard

Well, that is what they would have heard if they spoke english, or rather that is what they did hear, but since they didn't speak english, it didn't mean anything much to them in the way that it now holds such deep meaning for you. if you catch my drift.

But, on the other other far side of that galaxy, when they picked up this signal, they new that it was far from random background space type noise.

And when they heard it they were all mighty excited like I must tell you. Mighty super duper excited!

In fact, had they been us, and could speak and understand english, that great and wonderful language that we like to think of as universal, well not all of as admittedly, but more than enough of us, I can assure you, even if I might not be in that more than enough number...

Well, in any case, they would have been whooping and hollering and jumping up and down for joy. They would have been crying tears of joy and hugging and kissing, on the cheeks, in a friendly sort of way naturally, except for these two who were on a bit more than friendly terms, well now, those two might have been kissing in a more unseemly fashion.

And they would have been breaking out the bubbly, and raising glasses in toasts unnumbered, well, at least three or four toasts at least, but who's counting?

And news flashes would have been going out around the world at the speed of light announcing this amazing discovery.

You get the drift, I am sure.

*** The Other Other Other Far Side Of The Galaxy

Meanwhile, on the other other other far side of that galaxy, the big tortoise and hair race day was just getting underway.

See what I mean about these multiplying far sides of the galaxy?

Now on this particular world, the tortoise was the fastest thing alive. Well, it wasn't a tortoise naturally, being unrelated to the actual tortoise, you see. And the hair, well, you know how slow hair grows. And especially when you are going a bit bald and using bush medicine concoctions to try and coax it into growing back in time for your high school sweet hearts return for the big forty year reunion shin dig.

Yeah. So naturally, once again this year, the tortoises were expected to win a clean sweep in all the events. Same as always. Every year since time began in these parts.

So here is how the tortoise and hair race works on the other other other far side of that galaxy.

There is a starting line.

Naturally. Races generally kind of need a starting line.

The starting line is generally located in a large stadium. one with a very large seating capacity as well as a nose bleed section with standing room only.

There is generally a large racing oval marked out in the field of this exceedingly large stadium. There are lanes marked around this racing oval.

The tortoises always get the odd lanes. Don't ask me why, it is just their custom in that part of space.

So the tortoises always take up their positions in their lanes first. They go through their warm up routines, their stretches, their jumping jacks, and whatever other ritual pre race practices they care to and then they all take their marks. After that, they all pull back into their shells for a bit of a siesta.

It is at this point that any other beings on this world that thinks they have hair that can grow fast enough to beat a tortoise make their way down to the field.

After some severe questioning by the race officials, mostly to determine if anyone has been using banned hair growth formulas, those chosen are led by the race officials out onto the track to the thunderous cheering and applause of the expectant race fans. the stadium rocks! And rocks hard man!

They are led onto the track, the officials being careful not to let anyone disturb the peacefully slumbering tortoises. They are taken to their respective even lanes and made to lie down with the crowns of their heads just touching the starting line and their feet pointing away towards the local equivalent of the west.

At the point when all is set, a gentle version of that famous song Peepin You is played softly to awaken the quicksilver tortoises.

Once those race veterans are awake, more stern music is played:

Well I'm not a man who likes to run,
But I find myself waiting for the - STARTER'S gun,
And some day baby when my race is done,
I'll kiss you before I fall.

The crowd generally goes wild again and sings along to every word. No one knows the exact significance of the song, but it has been sung on the big tortoise and hair race day, for as long as anyone can remember. Anyway, it does talk about running and a STARTER'S gun and

BANG!

They're off!

Well I'm not a man who likes to run,
But I find myself waiting for the - STARTER'S gun,
And some day baby when my race is done,
I'll kiss you before I fall.

After maybe a couple hours of this, the tortoises have made two laps of the field and have headed out of the stadium for the cross country part of the race.

To anyone's knowledge, no one has ever seen a single hair move, well except if there is a breeze, but we mean move as in a racing move. Kind of like the old "make a football move" incomplete pass rule in what passes for football in certain parts of our own world. Don't go trying to guess which football I prefer from that statement either.

*** Beach Near Shack Near Beach

Later.

Someone has been down by the water's edge skinning and cleaning some conchs for a salad while the other were sitting under the grove talking and making search and rescue plans and watching the sun set in the west.

The plans are all set for tomorrow and now the Friday night beach party is getting underway. Someone has a radio tuned in to that new station and a hot new song is on...

Girl you know I need a woman
To come and steal my heart
So I leave it on the front porch
Each night when it gets dark

Then I lay upon my pillow
And pray if God be kind
That he'd let you pass down my street
And that you'd stop and rob me blind

The conch salad has attained the perfection of fire tonight. Lips are glowing, foreheads and ears are sweating. And a splendid time is being had by all.

All except for Ronnie who is thinking about that song on the radio and how he could use a good woman to come and steal his heart. He wonders if he will ever be able to get it together enough to even make a good start at a family much less hold one together for the long run.

Tears run down his cheeks and he rubs his nose, but no one notices, they just assume it is the effects of the salad like everyone else.

(11:51 pm Nov 02, 2007)

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 01

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel - Day 01

(2:22 pm Nov 01, 2007)

*** Cliff Top and Sea

Jack looked out over the edge of the cliff to the churning waves crashing on the rocks below. A noise behind him caused him to turn around in an instant, concern, almost fear on his face.

There was a path over about ten yards of open ground which entered the bush beyond. A path he had just been running down. Running for his life. Running to the limit of his endurance. And then he had broken free of the bush into the open. And then he had reached the end of the line.

Whatever had been chasing him down that path was still chasing him, drawing nearer. Jack could see the trees moving further back in the bush, hear limbs cracking, as if some great beast was on his trail.

Something inside him changed and he turned towards the raging sea, the wind howling wildly all about and jumped into nothing.

It was a long way down and it took what seemed like a long time, and yet a long time that was over much too soon. And then he was in the water. In the water and under the water. Water of a sea that wanted to claim him for her own. Water that he could not breathe, must not try to breathe. Was being sorely tempted to try and breathe as his lings burned hotter and hotter, the CO2 levels rising in them with each passing moment.

He could feel blackness and panic each crying in the distance for his attention but he could not afford to give either the time of day as he struggled with every atom of his being to reach the surface with its life giving air.

He made it and swallowed a great lungful of air and almost swallowed another great lungful of salty water and then he was under again, a great swell passing over him on its way to the rocks of the shore. Rocks that would be more than happy to compete with the sea for the honour of ending his precious life. His precious and still much too young life.

His lungs still burned and cried out for fresh air.

He felt a stab of pain in his right thigh and then something grabbed his left calf and started to pull him towards the bottom. He thought seriously for a moment about calling back to panic before blackness claimed him.

On the cliff high above, his pursuers looked down into the raging waters with frustrated rage. There was some initial thoughts on pursuing Jack into the wild waters but when they saw him surface briefly only to go back down quickly and not come up again, those thoughts were pushed aside. They waited a long time on the cliff top watching. There were also some thoughts of climbing down the dangerous cliff face in the howling winds to search for a body but that plan was also nixed. In the end, they turned reluctantly and headed back down the path along which they had pursued the unlucky Jack.

*** Shack Near Beach

There is a shack on a small rise near the rocks, there is a beach, if you can call it that, off to the west. The hurricane shutters on the shack are in an undecided state, some down, some up, and some in between. The wind is howling through the trees and the waves are crashing against the rocks and trying their best to wash what little beach there is away.

There are other houses and shacks up and down the shore, most dark. There are lights on in the windows of this particular shack though and there is the muffled sound of a propane generator lost somewhere down in the wind.

There are some men sitting at a table in the shack and they are animated, it looks like they are having an argument. Nothing can be heard outside above the wind though.

*** Inside of Shack Near Beach

"Donny man, I een ga tell you again, stop playing that song, you are getting on my last nerve."

"I vill play hit hagain hif I vants, Sam, you know you his just mad cause hits true."

Ronnie gets up and goes over to the stereo on the side table made of cement blocks and drift wood and skips back a track and the No Voltage Blues Starts up again. "Take that Sam", he says, looking back over his shoulder with as hard a look as he can manage.

I got the no voltage blues
I got the no voltage blues
Yeah, B.E.C. is messin with me
I got the no voltage blues

"You think just cause people call you The Don that you can come around here and do as you like Donny? I gat news fa you, that een ga fly roun here."

My U.P.S. is beepin
It wakes me from my dream
And man she was a sweet ting
At least thats how it seemed

"Fly, valk, run, hor crawl, hi like hit, an hise ga play hit again, juss cause the truth his close ta ome, you don't ave to get hall vorked hup."

I got the no voltage blues
I got the no voltage blues
Yeah, B.E.C. is messin with me
I got the no voltage blues

"What you ga do is yuck up my vexation and catch yaself a bruisin and you know your tanned white skin will show those bruises for all the gals ta see," growls Sam.

My A.C.'s sittin quiet
My room is gettin warm
I lie right here and sigh it
Aint no sign of a storm

"Just cause you are blacker than night, don't think I can't bruise your hip if you try anything, they may not show, but you his goin feel them still," Ronnie says with a grin and almost a laugh.

I got the no voltage blues
I got the no voltage blues
Yeah, B.E.C. is messin with me
I got the no voltage blues

"Besides Donny, what is that outside right now? That is a storm."

I'm tryin to write my novel
In thirty short, short days
And now just like the last year
Gots to pray they change their ways

"Don't try going and getting all technical on me Sam, you know that it's an old song. It is not written about this exact night you know."

I got the no voltage blues
I got the no voltage blues
Yeah, B.E.C. is messin with me
I got the no voltage blues

The song ends and Ronnie starts to get up and head for the Stereo again. Sam is half expecting this move though and jumps up with surprising speed for a man of his size and grabs the CD out of the stereo and heads for the door. Ronnie tries to head him off but is too slow. Sam winds up and throws the CD out into the howling night. Ronnie howls and begins almost shaking with emotion.

Sam slips the CD into the back of his pants up under his shirt tail to hide it from Ronnie.

Ronie is not a small man and was once as strong as an ox from working on the boats, but his time with the drugs and the street have left him the worse for wear. Even in his best days though he would not have been a match for Sam and he knows it and he knows Sam knows he knows it. So he goes back over to his chair and throws himself into it in disgust. "Why on earth did you have to throw my CD away Sam! You know that was on of my favourites."

"Relax, man, I will get you another one some day. I warned you but you just wouldn't listen would you? Anyway, what are we going to do about Jack? He should have been here hours ago. He is not answering his cell and no one has seen him."

Ronnie pouts again and glares at Sam once more for good measure and they both burst out laughing. "You know Black Jack," says Ronnie, "he has probably found himself some tourist gal and is snatched up tight with her right now and will not blow until this wind blows over."


"Normally, yes, you might be right, but this meeting today was too important to all of us for him to miss it lightly. You know he would have been here unless something stopped him. Something must have gone wrong. Do you think he might have waited too late to come across on his boat?"

"He's no Seguillian, bet even he would know better than that Sam. No way that's it. I think we should go look for him."

"Not in this wind man, it is still way too dangerous."



*** Inside of a sub-sub-basement, deep below a huge new house on the eastern end of Paradise Island.

The room is in darkness and we cannot make out any of the occupants with any clarity whatsoever.

"What! You fail to bring him back alive like I ordered? That is bad enough, I needed to get some information from him, very valuable information."

"What could we do, he jumped off of the cliff. In the middle of a hurricane?"

"I don't know, let me think, you could have perhaps apprehended him before he reached the cliff. That might have worked! But worse, you fail to bring me his dead body and so I can't be sure that he is indeed dead. I need that information from him to help me obtain something I greatly desire. With him dead, it will be much harder to obtain the object of my desire, but at least I can be sure he will not get it before I do. But with no proof of his death other than your word..."

"But sir, he must be dead, no one could have survived in that sea! You would know if you had seen it."

"Kindly do not interrupt me when I am speaking please. As I was saying, but with no proof of his death other than your word, and you will note that I am talking of the word of those who only yesterday gave me their word that I would have him here alive before today ended. Need I say more? And I am to feel easy when those same reliable servants now give me their word that he is dead, and yet they do not bring me a body as proof, something which I stipulated only yesterday and something which was agreed to by all. Forgive me if I am not greatly comforted."

"But boss..."

"No buts! Get out! Leave me now, I need time alone to think. Come back early tomorrow morning and we can make plans over breakfast. Leave through the south tunnel please. And don't be seen."

"Yes boss. Good night sir."

A shadowy figure turns and exists through a sliding door while several others leave through a deeper shadow in another direction.


*** Inside of an unspecified dark space.

The space is in darkness and everything is indistinct, there is a faint, greenish, biological glow here and there about the walls. There is a dampness in the air and from time to time a faint drip. A figure with long, flowing hair sits quietly and looks down at another figure lying on a small cot, covered head to toe in sheets, nothing show of this figure at all, just an amorphous shape under the sheets.

There is a far away muffled sound of waves crashing against rocks with great power. We can hear the breathing of two people, one strong and deep, one shallow and laboured.

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel

Danger - A Safe Bahamian Novel

(You can use the daily works under a CC BY-SA 2.5 license for now and I will release the whole thing under a BY-SA 2.5 license when the month ends.)

Perhaps a boring and confusing Bahamian Novel, but a safe one none the less.

A Bahamian Novel being written in November 2007 AD.

Could this be a novel for the ages?

Could this be a novel for the trash bin?

Could this be the wrong novel?

Well, it could be a wrong novel, but it cannot be The Wrong Novel, that is another Bahamian novel by the same author. A pending Bahamian Novel it must be admitted, but The Wrong Novel in any case.

Now with less fat and no Transam Fats. No artificial sweeteners. Low in salt. (Well, except for many of the watery parts.)