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.

We have lug nutz image consultants.

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)