The Everett’s
This is not much of a TG story as it more about two people in love, and a little magic, as told by a grisly old timer while sitting around a camp fire, in his deep gravelly voice. Now pull up a log and let me tell you a little story about The Everett’s
What some people will do for love.
Cledus and Mabel live in a trailer park outside of Miller Landing off of HWY 45.
It’s not much of a town, out in the middle of farm country, and Cledus and Mabel are a like day and night. Mabel is a go getter. Mabel can be seen tending bar, and while setting up a bookkeeping and management business. Cledus on the other hand, is a hard worker, when he wants to. Cledus seems to be a certified couch potato, drinking beer, watching sports. He and his friend “Elwood” have been friends, and thick as thefts from grade school on. In and out of trouble, nothing major, just enough for the local sheriff to come talk to them if anything major is going on.
Mabel figured that she had spotted Cledus friend “Elwood” at the annual picnic. The person she was looking had potato salad stain on the T shirt that he must have worn for the last two weeks, plus the fact, he started to hit on her without saying his name. It took her twice and showing her marriage ring before he caught on. They raise them dumb in his family. About that time Cledus shows up and got the whole thing straighten out. This led Mabel to believe, between Cledus, his friends, it was going to be an interesting marriage.
Now you never know it, but they are madly in love with each other, ever since the time with a six pack of beer and in the back of Cledus father car. Battling it out like cats and dogs. The things Mabel has a special gift that she had inhered from her Grandmother Ruth, magic. I kid you not! That made Mabel mother Maxine angry and it must have skip a generation as Maxine had none. Over the years Mabel in reading Grandmother’s Ruth De magia libris, (magic books), stared to Learn some interesting spells. Maxine couldn’t help but notice it, and figuring out there might be some money to be made and be able to own a house without wheel under it. Now all she need to do is get past that no count beer drinking shiftless husband of her, she would be on easy street.
As for Cledus you have to give him marks for getting out of doing steady work, while not be the brightest bulb in the box, however, with that being said, he comes up with these get rich schemes. One of the biggest mistakes he has made to date, is to bet and lose on several sport games. Not so much as loosing, but to lose to Mr. Russo. If you lose to Mr. Russo and don’t pay, you best have a great hospital plan. You need to understand Cledus life expectancy just gets shorter and shorter each day he didn’t pay, to make worst, Cledus as borrow out of Mabel rainy day funds. WRONG! If you are in the local bar at Miller Landing and see this good looking woman doing a pole dance or a certain trailer on the outside of town and looking for a good time for a price, it seems Mabel has come up with way to keep Cledus out of sight and to make back the money Cledus as borrowed from her, and along paying off the gambling debito to Mr. Russo. If you see a new girl tending bar, working at the local bar, ask her if Cledus give up his gambling ways. Oh m-a-n.
What is love
Suzy-Q (Cledus) wave bye-bye to the last client of the night. While doing is not Cledus had in mind to pay back Mabel and get out of debt with Mr. Russo, but this is why he did it. Also the four hundred dollars was a good compassionation for predicament he has gotten himself into.
It had been a long night, and Cledus was anxious get back into his true form, take a shower and ask Mabel a question that had been nawing at him for a long time.
Finally the lights of the old pickup shined into his/her eyes, signaling it was time to get in and start for home.
Heading out of Rainbow Trailer Park, where Suzy-Q did her business, and to the manager of the park and to who was ever on patrol that night, a little hush money. Still Suzy-Q made a sizeable amount.
Cledus/Suzy-Q tried to kiss Mabel, but was block, with Mabel reminding Cledus/Suzy-Q this was a small town and gossip travel’s fast.
Finally, Cledus/Suzy-Q work the nerve to ask Mabel the question that was bother him/her so much.
“The first few time I did it as a woman, shoot, it was fun, but lately after so many of the boy’s, it’s getting more and more like drinking a flat beer, is that happing between us?”
Mabel look over at Cledus/Suzy-Q with a knowing smile and said. “When we first hook up together and hump like two rabbits in heat, it was fun.” “I think we got to the point we don’t need to do it like tomorrow in not going to come.”
Cledus/Suzy-Q had to stop and take that all in, as that was some of the deepest thought he head, since the announcement who was going to play at the world series of poker. As they passed the old mill, Cledus/Suzy-Q in a bit of a worried voice, “does this mean we are falling out of love?” “No darlin” Mabel said. “it just means we are secure in are relationship we don’t need to prove nuttin to each other.” “When you get change back and cleaned up, we can play ride em cowboy if you want.”
In a heavy overcoat and hat Cledus/Suzy-Q made a dash into the trailer. There Cledus/Suzy-Q was change back into Cledus, and then went in to take a shower and wash the advents of the day off of him. Thinking about what Mabel had said, wanting to make it right with Mabel, Cledus stretch out on the bed, waiting to Mabel to climb in between the sheets, before he knew it, Cledus was dreaming about who was going to win the world series of poker.
The next day Cledus woke refreshed and ready to face the new day at the trailer park. After getting something to eat, Cledus started to do the chores that he had promise Mabel on the condition of being change back. While finishing up, Cledus had some time to think. An Ideal! Later that day, as Mabel open up the front door, tired from the day’s work, came over a gave Cledus a quick kiss. Then Cledus with a big silly grin, said “I have a surprise for you.” What now thought Mabel. With that, Cledus pulls out a large pizza box from Tony’s and said “surprise, I got it just the way you like it, everything on it, extra cheese, and no anchovies.” Sitting down at the table, Cledus put a bottle of Dago red wine on the table, and they both began to eat. “So what this all about,” ask Mabel. “You haven’t getting into trouble again?” “Hell no little darlin, I was just thinking about what say about how we don’t mess around like that anymore.” “Beside what said I love you, but a good pizza from Tony’s.” Right then Mabel gave Cledus one of her infectious smiles she was famous for. Later that night, after Mabel got ready for bed, in pop Cledus with a big bowl of popcorn, the rest of the bottle of wine, and a DVD.
“What is all this?” ask Mabel. “This here part of what I have been thinking about. “If we don’t the hot and heavy like we use to, it doesn’t mean we can’t do some neck’n.” Cledus said, as he put one of Mabel sappy movie into the DVD, then climb into bed next to her, and with a big blow of popcorn, red wine and a good woman beside him, Cledus couldn’t help but to think, who is going to win the world series of poker?
Late that night in another part of town.
“You don’t think Cledus will get mad at us?” Ask Johnny, as he turned away from his computer. “Na,” said Elwood. “Me and Cledus pull stunts on each other all the time.” “Ya, but showing Cledus fooling around with a four-hundred-pound woman, then sending to Mabel phone, don’t you think that over the top?” Ask Johnny. “We will all have a good laugh and drink some beer,” said Elwood. “After all what could go wrong?”
Elwood
Elwood is the type of person could have a tree hit him in the middle of the desert. He considers himself some sort of Romeo, if you can imagine a romantic dinner, a bucket of chicken and a bottle of very cheap wine that reminds you of cleaning fluid.
Elwood first met Mabelle (Mabel) at the Mills Landing annual picnic. Being a little drunk and not know who she came with, Elwood decided his luck with her. Without properly inducing himself, he began to unload a bunch trash talk, about how great he was. It first, first Mabel thought this was kind of funny, after a while it got boring and obnoxious. Mabel was getting a little fluster as she tried explain twice, and showing her ring, realizing she was getting nowhere with this box of rock, up comes Cledus. After hearing some of the conversation as he approaches, he calmly explains to Elwood she was married to him, and if he didn’t settle down, he would pound him into a pile of mush, which he could do. Being this is batting average with picking up women, Elwood decide to try his luck elsewhere and staggered off in search of the fairer sex.
As time went by, and with his usual luck, except for the ones that look like twelve miles of bad road. Elwood start to hear about a new girl in town, it seems to be Mabel cousin, staying with Mabel, while Cledus was doing some driving over Cedarville. One night, while visiting the local, Bob’s Bar and Gentleman Club (what a crock), there she was, a goddess, a George peach. On seeing her, and it was lust at first sight. Elwood was goggling at her so hard, he nearly dropped his beer, and that would have had been sacrilege! Immediately in his little fog shrouded brain, he hatches a plan, just keep begging her to go out with him or he gets his clock cleaned, which ever came first.
The first thing was to find out where she works at, that was easy, just ask his friends. The second is to show up and sweet talk her.
First it was Sally Café, then it was over at Bob’s Bar, then at the Eat Them Up convenience store. This was getting on Cledus/Suzy-Q nerves, as he/she might slip up and let the cat out the bag. One day it would be a half of dozen donuts from Sally Café, then a large tip at Bob’s (in a sleazy manner) or all the junk food known to man from Eat Them Up. The money was good, however, it was getting tiresome being hit on all the time. “We got to do something about Elwood!” said Cledus in his true form. “Sooner or later he is going to bring down the heat on us!” “I know…I know, but what?” Mabel ask. “I don’t want to hurt him, just slow him down.” Cledus said. With that they drifted off to a trouble sleep.
“The old saying when rains, it pours.” And the storm clouds are about to come over the Everett’s. Being that Suzy-Q “Midnight Rendezvous” base of word of mouth, it was sooner or later that Elwood would find out, and find out he did. One evening while Suzy-Q was tending bar, Elwood came in and swagger over to where Suzy-Q was working, and with that stupid grin of his, and said “I understand you do some night entertainment if you know what I mean?” on hearing that Suzy-Q stomach hit bottom. Later on, back at the trailer, there was a very interesting discussion. “What should we do now!” Shouted Cledus. “Not so loud, the neighbors can hear you.” Hiss Mabel. “It bad enough to know how sloppy of a lover he is, from what I have heard, but to be on top of me and Suzy-Q…I don’t think I can go through it.” “And if spill the beans about what happen at the Rainbow Trailer Park, I don’t even the payoff will help, said Cledus.” “let me check with Grandmother Ruth said, there might be know something that would help us.” said Mabel, and with that she made a call.
A few nights later at the Rainbow Trailer Park, Elwood had showed up after having a few beers at Bob’s, and after Suzy-Q got off shift, to his credit, stop by his house and took a shower and changed cloths. With a knock on the trailer door, Suzy-Q got herself psyched up, sooth her clothing, put on a false smile and answered the door. “Hay good looking, ready for some action.” Said Elwood. Suzy-Q just sighed, roll her eyes, and thought, “I can get through this, and it show time.” Suzy-Q in a neutral voice said, “got the money?” in which Elwood flash out a wad of cash. After collecting the money and setting up the ground rules, Suzy-Q led Elwood to the back of the trailer, where she planned to setup Elwood, and told him to strip. As Elwood strip, he heard a grumbling from his stomach. Thinking it was just Nacho he had for lunch, he snugs it off and proceeded to get undress. As he laid there in his boxer shorts, he couldn’t help to feel there was something wrong. Later Suzy-Q in a teddy came over and laid on top of Elwood and proceeded to take the boxer shorts off.
As Suzy-Q began to take the boxer off in a sexy manner, she begins to giggle. “what so funny” ask Elwood. “nothing,” giggles Suzy-Q, “Just I haven’t see one that small since I accidently step into the Bathroom after my little brother was done with his shower.” With that Elwood lifted his head up, and look between his legs, and got the shock of his life. Instead of his throbbing manhood, was this…this, well it’s something he does not want to talk about, even to this day. Suzy-Q look at it and then begin to stroke it to see what happen, when nothing did, this set Suzy-Q in to another fits of giggle. Poor Elwood just laid there turning beet red, and thought “what am I going to do now?” Suzy-Q getting some composer, said to Elwood, “it kind of reminds me of plum puddin. And with that Suzy-Q lost it again, and at that point Elwood between bouts of gaseous noses, got dress as faster than a trucker though the scales, and made his out of the trailer. Suzy-Q called out as Elwood left the trailer, “No refunds darlin.” At that point Elwood just didn’t care. A few days later, at Bob’s Bar, Elwood quietly came in and ask for a beer. Suzy-Q was working that shift that night, and she said “here you go,” and in a low voice “Plum Puddin!”
Maxine
John and Maxine Sebastian were the proud parents of a wonderful little girl. John was a long distance truck driver; Maxine was a beautician. Things seems to well at first, at time went on, and John explained before they got married, he would on the road a lot, I guess Maxine didn’t truly understand, and from time to time would have a gentleman friends over to keep her company. John tried to be understanding, but things came to a head one day when he cut his trip short and came home to surprise Maxine. The only problem, was John caught Maxine in bed with another man. John didn’t say much, just loaded up what he wanted and walked out the front door. Mabel being so young, didn’t understand why could never see daddy again, and all the strange men who came in and out of her life. This made her life difficult at school with all the teasing she got, and never know what she might find when she went home from school. Any other person might have crack under that strain, but not Mabel. She worked hard to keep her grades up as her mother, an alcoholic sleep around, she didn’t want to be like her. Mabel dad (John) didn’t forget her. He would spend time with her by taking Mabel on some of his trips, or simply called on the phone he gave her and meet up and have a lunch or dinner away from her mom. The other person she would spend time with especially during the summer was Grandmother Ruth.
Grandmother Ruth has a strong Irish-German background, going back before the founding of America. While on one of the few trips to the big city, she met and fell in love and married an investment banker by the name of Karl Hockstetter.
It took some time and his doctor advice to get out the high stake game of investment banking, as it was slowing killing him. They move and settle into the town of Pine Flats and there did a modest amount of investments, more to keep his hands busy that anything else. There they live a happy life until Karl passed away quietly in his sleep. While Ruth was saddened, this was not unexpected as he did have a heart condition from birth.
It was at this time that Mabelle or Mabel came into her life. At first there was some rough spots in their relationship b ut in time, with the John, Mabel father helping, thing stated to get settle in. Ruth was a strong person and knew of her daughter free spirited life style and didn’t want Mabel to go down that path. One of the things that Ruth did, was to introduce to magic. Nothing dangerous mind you, just some simple parlor tricks. Ruth could feel just how much Mabel wanted to learn magic, but Ruth warned it came at a price. You could never use for evil as men in black would track her down, and she would end up in a government experimental center in the middle of nowhere. The second, as Grandmother Ruth handed her a book that was old as time to Mabel. As Mabel carefully look through the book, she couldn’t understand a word of it. Mabel looked with puzzlement at Grandmother Ruth, gave a knowing smile at Mabel and said “it’s old Latin,” “Te discere intelligere est.” and with that handed Mabel a beginner book on Latin. “Let’s see just how bad you want to touch the cosmos.” And with that, Grandmother Ruth got up and left the room, to allowed Mabel to ponder about it. From then on this was one of Mabel driving forces in life, alone with working to get good grades in school, as she didn’t want to go down the path of her alcoholic mother.
With her grades she manages to get into the local colleges, again, she applied herself to her grades and the learning of Latin and magic. It’s about this time that Mabel felt it was time to get and socialize more. With all that was happing at home, and not wanted to get a reputation of being easy, like her mother, she only dated here and there. At one of the local parities where she met or could feel an aurora in a cetin young lad. He wasn’t much to look at and would probably be a truck driver or farm hand for the rest of his life. But still there was something.
As time went on and they began to date. Mabel talk her long plans and goals in life. Cledus for the most part drank beer, belch and watched the local sport program, but this did not deter Mabel. Sooner or later it had to come. Cledus decided to invite Mabel up to Miller’s overlook just you know, to see the sites and do some neck’n. Maybe it was the night, or maybe it’s was the beer, what started as a little harmless spooning, got hot and heavy, as Mabel had a lot of pent up emotions.
A few days later Mabel decided to introduce Cledus to Grandmother Ruth and see where the chip fall. To Mabel great surprise and relief, Grandmother to a shine to Cledus. Its seems she could feel the same aurora off of Cledus, that Mabel had.
As time went by Cledus decided to make Mabelle an honest woman. With a little fortification from Budweiser, he got down his knees and purpose, to his surprise, Mabel leaps into his arms and say yes, just before she knocks Cledus over in a fit of love. The first few years where touch and go, with Mabel finishing up her business courses and Cledus finding work where ever he could its look like they were going to make it.
But then again there was “the practical joke on Cledus on the I phone” incident, but that is a different story. This is where we meet unfortunately Maxine again. You see Maxine was a lush, but she had a few brain cells that would connect together from time to time, and she also knew when she hit twenty-five, she would be hitting into her inherence, and Mabel wouldn’t forget her poor old mother would she?
Now how to get pass Cledus. The first time they met, it didn’t go well, not all. Maxine and Cledus got into a heated argument, at which time Mabel step in and pull Cledus out of where Maxine live and into the local bar and got Cledus good and drunk, and little love maken didn’t hurt.
As time passed and Maxine was at her wits end on how to get pass Cledus, an ideal. Maxine bide her time and watch the coming and the going of Cledus and Mabel. The funny thing is when Cledus was gone up to Cedarville to do some hulling, her cousin by the name of Suzy-Q would appear and when Suzy-Q disappear, Cledus would show up. Strange!
Maxine has some friends up in Cedarville that she could call on. After a few phone calls, no one has seen Cledus up there, not driving truck, not at the local watering holes. Something didn’t smell right?
After staking out the trailer and finding nothing, Maxine decided to do something that could get her into serious trouble with the law, however, she was out of ideals. Waiting until no one was home, Maxine found a spot where she could duct tape a I phone onto the glass without it being seen. This was the easy part, not wait and hope the batteries last. Sneaking back a few days later, she found the phone in the same location, and with that she headed for home.
After getting home and grabbing a cold one, she turned on the phone. At first there was not much to see, then she something that she couldn’t believe her own eyes! Mabel had change Cledus into Suzy-Q! She heard rumors of magic running in the family, just a story to tell around the campfire, however, here is proof in the pudding! With this she started planning where her house was going to be and the new car she was going to pick out.
Maxine called up Mabel and needed to talk to her and Cledus together, it had something to do with their future. So on a Friday night, came a knock on the Muller’s door. There stood Maxine with a paper bag and a cat caught the carney smile on her face. “What do you want.” Ask Mabel in a guarded voice. “is that anyway to talk to your mother.” Replied Maxine. “I have something I need to show both you and Cledus, or I can show the news media” said Maxine. They went in and sat at the kitchen table. First Maxine put some beer on the table, and then she produces the phone with the pictures on it. Cledus went quite, Mabel when white as a sheet. “So how long have you been doing this, and dose anybody else knows?” ask Maxine. “Not long and just the three of us.” Answered Mabel. “so what do you want.” Ask Mabel, In a very flat voice. “Nothing much, just to have you help me buy a house and new car.” Answered Maxine. “Were are just pulling enough to pay off some bills.” Said Mabel. “Then you just need to move up in the world.” said Maxine.” “If I need to, where could I dump her body,” thought Cledus. “Mom I think it’s time for you to go.” Said Mabel in a stern voice. “All right, but I will be back here next Friday night and I want an answer and I have copy of the picture stash away, so don’t plan any funny business.” Said Maxine in a warning voice. With that she left the trailer. Mabel sob and turned into Cledus arms and ask, “what are we going to do?” “We will think of something” said Cledus, “the best thing to do is get some sleep, and called your Grandmother tomorrow.” And with that they went to bed.
The next day, after a short and explosive phone call, Cledus and Mabel went over to see Grandmother Ruth. They were met at door by person with a very displease look on their face. “Why did you do such a bone headed stunt like that Mabel.” As they got settle in the living room. “Not quite all Mabel fault.” Said Cledus. “You schuss.” Said Grandmother Ruth, “I will get to you in a minute.” In a stern voice. “Yes ma’am.” Cledus said. “O.K. young lady, explain too one more time, and don’t skip the details” said Grandmother Ruth. With that Mabel started from the beginning, of how Johnny, one of Cledus and Elwood friend was put up to put a picture of someone that look like Cledus fooling around with a four-hundred-pound woman into her phone. How she had change Cledus into Suzy-Q and have him to pole dancing to teach him a lesson. One thing lead to another and he was out at Rainbow Trailer Park entertaining some of the local gentlemen. The money was good, Cledus sort of went into a fog through the whole assorted thing, and we would be getting some of the back bills pay off along with a debit to Mr. Russo. At that point if look could kill, Cledus would have been a dead man. Then Grandmother Ruth, began to smile, then chuckle and then an outright laugh, and after calming down a bit, Grandmother said “I would have given good money to see Cledus that way, it still doesn’t excuse for doing that, it could have had serious repercussions,” said Grandmother Ruth in a guarded tone Feeling both Cledus and Mabel were off the hook for the moment. Now what to do about Maxine. It took some time and a lot of tea, but a plan was hatch out.
Around 8:00 P.M. Maxine showed up at the Everett’s front door, after ringing the door bell, Mabel answered it and invited, trying to stay as neutral as possible, there she was escorted to the kitchen table where a bottles of Maxine favorite imported beer sat in a bucket of ice. that was not all, there was a large with everything on it pizza from Tony’s. Maxine felt a certain triumph that thing is finely go her way. As she chugs the first of many beer and dug into the pizza. Mabel announce the floorshow was about to commence.
Putting a CD into the player and with low stripper music (DAVID ROSE "THE STRIPPER.") from out of the back bedroom out glided one of the beautiful woman she had ever seen. Dress in garter and heels and corset came Suzy-Q/Cledus, looking like a young man wet dreams. And to the beat of the music, did a sensual dance. This went on for about five minute, all the time Maxine was getting drunker and drunker while wolfing down more pizza.
Mabel announced “there will be a short intermission before the next act.
Shortly after out came a well-endowed mahogany beauty in a set of red corset and garter, she moved to and fro, stopping from time to time to shaking her. booties as this was almost too much for Maxine, thinking in her alcohol haze the high life she was going to have off of Mabel magic and Cledus being the main attraction.
Last but not least came out this oriental beauty, with long straight black hair. she was in a silk dress that fit like a glove, and with the exotic movements she did, could have brought down the house.
As Maxine needed help to the bathroom to deposit some of Tony’s pizza, it was decided to cancel the belly dancer for the night.
Mabel and Cledus bundle Maxine into her car and proceeded to take her home, as she was bliss to the world.
The next day, with filtered lights slower falling across, the bed, greeted her to a new day. With her head pounding, and the muscles protesting. she manages to defy the laws of gravity and got up. slowly ever so slowly got out of bed and paddle across the rooms. As I look down she could see a red corset, stocking and a garter. As she went over kitchen table, Maxine saw three hundred dollars and her phone. After taking some aspirin, a tomato beer, and then a cup coffee she causally looks at the pictures on the phone. As she picks it up to get a better look. It’s seems that Mabel has sent her some picture from down at the Green River park.
There as she can’t believe her eye, standing in front of the camera is Mabel, Cledus and Suzy-Q! As she studies the picture, she can see them laughing, and playing in the water. How can that be? After all Maxine can’t seem to remember any family member by the name of Suzy-Q, and she though she knew them all. As she moves on to a different set of pictures, in this darken bar, was an out of shape, over the hill pole dancer. Maxine could hear in the background some laughing, some cheering and other snide comments. And she looks closer at the pole dancer, she recognizes the dancer, and the dancer was her! Maxine was in shock and nearly drop her freshly made tomato beer! So that where the money came from, and the clothes on the floor! With that Maxine had to ponder if she ever shows her face in her favorite water hole again!
Meanwhile back at the Muller’s place, Cledus and Mabel where spooning together, eating a bowl of popcorn, watch a rerun of “One Crazy Summer.” Where the good guys defeated the evil father and son. With a little help from Johnny and no question ask, as he owed Mabel, they had created a fake pole dancer scene and posted to Maxine phone. Mabel while in the strong arms of Cledus ask a question. “Do you think she will ever catch on?” Cledus replied “Na, if see ever thinks about it we still got lots of compromise pictures of her, besides being the person she is, is would be too embarrass to do so.” “honey pass me another beer.” Mabel said, and with that, another chapter closes on this unique town
Johnny and the men in black
Johnny Cunningham is a bright young man. Frank, Johnny father was a cold distance man, who wasn’t interested in the raising of his son. One the other hand his mother June, was a warm and loving woman, not that Johnny was a momma’s boy, far from it, it’s just was the balance to help him get through life. Frank Was a mid-management accountant, who dreamed to being important one day, but never came and had the bad habit of blaming everyone for his failure. June, Johnny mother would comfort him, and said “someday people are going to look up and admire you.”
Uncle Louie gave Johnny on one of his birthday, a used Tandy TRS-80 computer, from their it was love at first sight. From then on Johnny spent his time learning about programing and how computer works. Years later and after a few computers, Johnny manage to graduate from the local community college with a degree in computer science. To the dismay of his father, Johnny didn’t want to go into a big college or to move to the city. He was more than happy to setup a small business and work part time at North Valley Distributing. By word of mouth, he started to get some local fame for ability to program.
Johnny had two close friends. One was name Cledus, and the other was name Elwood. The only two had when it comes to computer, Cledus its was sports and with Elwood it was pornography. Even with their different views on computers, they were fast friends. We all have a bit of a dark side, and Johnny dark side was hacking. With Johnny it was more to see if he could get past the security code more than anything else. Johnny also belong to one of those underground hacking circles, called “The Dark Cellar.” This group was not for beginner or the faint of heart, as they like to go after government installation, the more secure the bigger the challenge. One that been the rumor mill was a top secret that would put Area 57 to shame. One evening a cryptic message came from someone known only as the shadow catcher. After Johnny finish reading it, he realizes that could be the holy of holies, the greatest of all the hacking adventure to date. After grabbing some dinner, Johnny sat down, flex his fingers and began to start to work the key board.
Meanwhile at a very secure meeting room, Agent Evans ask a question. “Sam, is everything is in place?” Agent Richard said, “the traps have been baited and our controlled sources have been leaking out the false web address, so it just a matter of time before we start to round up the members of The Dark Cellar.” “I hold no malice towards there people,” Sigh Larry, “but they have become a security risk, a large security risk. The things we have here could change the course of human events, even might set the next series of wars,” said Sam. “Four hours from now, start operation candle light.” With that they both inserted their keys and turned to the right.
Johnny had been putting all of his spare time into solving the mystery. One step forward, two steps back. Whoever set up the security knew his business as he followed more than one blind alley. It was getting to the point of frustration and made Johnny wanting to quite, that was part of the hunt. If it was easy it would be no fun at all.
Johnny sat down at his computer and check his E-mails, he got one from the Crypt Keeper himself. Johnny open it up expecting good news on the quested, instead he got the shock of his life. The message stated, “the site has been compromise, destroy at once your hard drive, paper, zip drives and anything else that might tie to this site, and the end of the message, the web site, The Dark Cellars will be terminated.” Thinking about it, he had heard less and less of the other hacker on this site and these were the regular’s ones, with that, Johnny pull out his hard drive, gather up all the notes and paper with the zip drive he could find and went out back to a makeshift incinerator he had built for a purpose such as this, and destroyed anything that might incriminate him. After the sludge had cool off, he took it to different dumpster and dispose of it.
As he setup his computer with a new hard drive, Johnny decide to swear off Hacking as it was now just too dangerous.
A few days later, two men check into The Valley Motel, and each got separate rooms. It not uncommon for people to come and go as this was an agricultural community, but something wasn’t quite right, that odd feeling, as if someone just step over your grave. What made them stand out was there haircuts, they both has the same style of haircuts almost military. Also there close where nearly the same, as almost an informal uniform. First they stop into Sally Café, for a bit to eat, and after taking a stroll through the town, over to Bob’s Bar and Gentleman Club, to see what sort of action it had. They manage to strike up some conversions, with their cover story being with The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers doing an informal survey, but it seems that had memorized than actual experience. But what you can lean with few pitchers of beer from the locals.
Johnny was start to get a little nervous about things. He couldn’t be certain but it seems his shop had been rifle through. He felt that way after coming in one morning and find out things seem to be out of place. If this had been a professional search, nothing would have look like had been disturbed. Johnny was guessing a was somebody way telling him, he was being watched. It was time to pack up and leave. At this point Johnny was certain his phone had been tap, as were checking his bank account and his credit cards. He has some cash for this eventually, but how long would it last? How long could he stay underground before the money ran out?
Beside what to do with all of his equipment? He had thousands and thousands of dollars invest in it. He just couldn’t walk away with nothing to start over with.
Johnny started to think this thing out. The two he trusted the most was Elwood and Cledus. With Elwood he had one problem, is when drinks he like to tell stories and might become a liability in the long run. Cledus now that he is a happy married man, has settle down a bit, but still, a strong back, weak mind. However, there was Mabel. Mabel was bright and good at focusing on the job at hand, Johnny knew that from experience in teaching how to use a computer, she even manages to surprise him by doing a little programing.
One Saturday night when Cledus and Mabel where out at “The Tavern,” that other bar in town, there he manages to spot the two, just listing to the music and occasionally doing some dancing. Figuring this was good time as any, Johnny approach the table they were setting, ask if he could join them. After sitting with them for a while, making small talk, he finally worked the nerve tell them the trouble he was in. As he talks and Cledus and Mabel listen to his story, Johnny scanned to place to see who else was there. His heart almost stops for sitting at a corner table with two of the local girls were the two men in black. He didn’t know if it just coincident, or was he being watched? This pushed Johnny into thinking he needed to do whatever it takes to shake these two guys.
Cledus knew something bad was just around the corner, but it was Mabel knew that Johnny was in dire straits. It was arranged for the next Tuesday day night for Johnny to come over and give her weekly computer lessens, this would throw off suspicion that Johnny was on to them. After a while Johnny got up bid his farewells and disappeared into the night.
A day or so later, while Cledus made himself comfortable in front of the television, with a beer and a bowl of popcorn. First Johnny pour out his heart about how fun it would be to play “pin the tail on the donkey,” except the donkey could kick back. At that time Mabel got up and went over to the refrigerator and got two beers, one for herself and one for Johnny. After that, she went to talk to Cledus and discussed an ideal she had. Before discussing the plan, Cledus got up, went to the bathroom and then got a beer before going back to Mabel. While Cledus was not the quickest thinker in the universe, but their times when warning bells would go off in his head, and this was one of them. “Mabel I think you might want to run it by Grandmother Ruth before explaining your plan to Johnny,” said Cledus. Mabel sigh, took a deep breath, and said “I know it’s risky, and what Grandmother Ruth has taught me about them, is there are like a set of hound dogs and only to shake them, is to throw them off of the scent.” “O.K., if Grandmother Ruth approve of this I am in. If not, we will just need to think of something different,” said Cledus. With that Mabel made a phone call.
After making the initial contact and first the pleasantry, and then the are you out of your mind speech, Mabel and Grandmother Ruth settle down into a heavy serious discussion. Grandmother Ruth reminded Mabel, it this went wrong, they could all be at some Government experimental faculty for the rest of their lives.
A few days later after Johnny had come over then left for home, with Mabel driving and Cledus in the passenger seat, they were off for Grandmother Ruth the start of the trip was uneventful except for a set of eyes that were tracking them and noting the time and direction they left.
After a half hour or so they arrived at Grandmother Ruth house. Grandmother Ruth was just finishing up working outside in her yard, tending to her flowers and herb garden, and invited them inside for some refreshments, before getting down to business at hand. As Cledus stood in the middle of the living room. Mabel began to cast some incantations, slowly in a swirl of color light Cledus began to change. Faster and faster and brighter and brighter the light became, when all of a sudden the light was gone, in place of them, was a shorter and thinly built man wearing Cledus clothing! Mabel broke the silence by introduce Johnny to Grandmother Ruth. With a slight smile, Grandmother Ruth spoke up. “So this is the young man you were talking to me about.” Then Johnny working up the courage, speak to Grandmother Ruth. “I am sorry for getting you in to this, but when Mabel was telling be about magic, I thought she was pulling my leg.” “Now you know the truth that there is a force called magic, young man” said Grandmother Ruth. “As you were saying when we were talking on the telephone, you have something the might have Johnny hide in plain sight,” said Mabel. This is only to be use in case of an emergency and this seems as good a time as any.” Said Grandmother Ruth.
“The main reason I am willing to help, is to throw of the scent and have them leave the area once and for all,” said Grandmother Ruth. “They are a danger to all the special people on the face of the planet and soon was we convince the ones they have found are a fluke, the safer we will all be.” And with that, went back into one of the rooms and brought back a strongbox, and upon opening it up, after saying a counter spell, were some different official documents. Birth certificates, driver licenses and other assorted forms. “For the time being, with a little help of magic, we will make you into a new persona, just as long as they don’t dig too deep, these will stand up to scrutiny and should be O.K.” Said Grandmother Ruth. Taking a deep breath, Johnny, ask “When do we start?” “In a day or so, we need to make sure all of our bases are covered,” Said Grandmother Ruth. And with that, all three went over the details.
A few days later as the men in black under the guise of doing some survey work, check in one where Johnny business was. To their astonishment was a large U-Haul that was back up to where Johnny business was and loading up the boxes of parts tables, chairs and testing equipment, this was being done by two men and a woman that was supervising.
It’s seems while the men in black were focus on a faux Johnny at “The Tavern,” the night before, the real one had slip into Mabel truck and both were headed up to Grandmother Ruth for phase one. Phase two. Later that night a tow truck from Grower’s towing and storage had pick up Johnny van and headed back to the storage yard. Once their it was put in the back, and put it on blocks and swipe out the plates with one that had been dismantle some month before. Now for phase three.
Later the U-Haul stop by Johnny apartment and began loading up boxes and furniture, giving the apartment a rudimentary cleaning before leaving. Later the U-Haul stop by the county land fill and drop some of the boxes of electronic parts and the furniture from the apartment.
After the U-Haul had departed, the men in black dug through the boxes and inspected the furniture for any hidden clues. The boxes contained nothing but old or broken electronic parts and the furniture was basically junk. At that point, the men in black assumed that Johnny had given them the slip. And with the van gone, the bank account cleaned out and all the bills payed off, there was nothing left to do. After shrugging their collective shoulders, it was time to call headquarters and give the bad news. The news was greeted with some disappointment, but his was not uncommon in their line of work and sooner or later their subject would reappear, after all Johnny was nothing special, as they were hoping he would lead them to bigger fishes. After finish up some details and packing up their belonging, the men in black headed back to base for a new assignment.
A few days later a bus roll into the town of Miller Landing and deposited just one passenger, a young lady approximately 5’6” with auburn hair. She was 22 of age and after taking care of her mother up to the time of her death. Now she wanted to start afresh. She wasted no time by, first getting a room at the local room and board. The second was to go over and apply for a job at Bob’s Bar and Gentleman Club as a hostess. Her name was Cindy-Lu and soon became a hit on Friday and Saturday nights, she even might be found at Rainbow Trailer Park from time to time. As far as computer goes, other that turning them on and a few other things, she was dumb as a rock to do anything else with them. When she got enough money together, she planned to move on and maybe try college.
Back at the Everett’s, sat Cledus and Mabel. After finishing off a Tony’s pizza, were now curled up in front of the television watching an old sappy movie with a bowl of popcorn between them.
Being careful about what they said, as was not known if there any hidden mic planted in the trailer, Mabel ask in cryptic way about the Johnny. “It’s hard to say,” said Cledus. “I understand the new girl at Bob’s Bar is a real looker and quite a hit, if you know what I mean.” Chuckle Cledus. Playing with that thought, Mabel said, “where he is right now, I should hope he has leaned his lessen and won’t try to hack into any more sites.” I am sure he will, unless he likes his new job and life style.” said Cledus with a knowing thought. And with that they both turned their attention to the move, cuddle a little more. And so goes another day at the trailer park in Miller Landing.
