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Post by sbester on Jul 25, 2009 11:28:43 GMT -5
EPISODE FIFTEEN: FINALE
Jack awoke with a long stretch and a loud yawn to start his day. This was not just any other ordinary day for this farmer, though, this was a very special day indeed. Today, Jack’s father would make his return to the farm after two and a half years of not seeing his son to inspect the farm and judge him on his progress. Jack, of course, had forgotten all about the long awaited return, and would go about his day like any other.
“Whaaahhhh!” came a wail that echoed off the walls just as Eve made her way into the house from a long morning of shopping.
“Is that my little baby crying?” Eve sounded delighted to hear the sound of her newborn. She shut the door and turned around to see that it was not the baby that was crying, but Jack himself. “Wh…what are you doing, sweetie?” she tried to remain calm.
Jack pointed at his mouth and made a sound, he was obviously hungry.
“You know, dear, you really don’t have to copy the baby to get what you want all the time.” She instructed.
“It’s called bonding!” Jack scowled.
“…Cute,” Eve was obviously not amused by this at all as she walked over to the cradle that rocked their baby slowly. “And how is my baby!” she gushed and giggled.
“Indabox is fine, stinks more than Ruff does though.” Jack struggled to find the energy to rise from his bed.
“I told you we are NOT calling him Indabox!” Eve yelled as she picked the child up and cradled him.
“We’re not calling him Stinky!” Jack tried to be clever.
“He needs a normal name, like William or Joseph.”
“He needs a diaper change and that’s all!” Jack stormed out of the house for no apparent reason.
“Wait!” Eve called after him and ran out the door.
Jack turned to his wife and got ready to tune her out once more, but instead she gave him the baby to hold and warned him to be careful.
“What’s this for?”
“You promised that you would take him to the park today before your father came to the farm.” Eve reminded him.
“I did?” Jack was stunned.
“Yep, you did. I’ll see you when you get back. Oh, I almost forgot! We need some flower from the market, can you pick some up while you’re out?”
Jack knew that he really did not have a choice in the matter so he grunted and left. On his way he tripped and almost fell on top of “Indabox”… that would have been a funny story to tell, he chuckled to himself.
“Okay, Indabox, it is time I left you on your own to become a man. Now, I wouldn’t think you were old enough to be all alone already, but it was clear that you mother thinks so when she said to take you to the park. Lesson one, never argue with Eve.” Jack cursed her name. With that, he set the little fellow down on the park grounds and left to go to the market.
It was a bright summer day, and Jack was pleased to be out for a nice walk, still in his pajamas. He wondered what his father would say about his new life, and if he would allow Jack to stay in the little town with only four television stations. It then occurred to Jack that perhaps this was not the place that he wanted to stay for the rest of his existence, and that his newly settled life here was a mistake from the beginning! Panic struck quickly and Jack found himself hyperventilating…
“What is wrong, my dear boy?” the mayor had been out on his early morning stroll and had come across the unstable farmer.
“Can’t… breathe…” Jack gasped for air.
“Wh…what is the matter? Are you sick? Jack, speak to me!” the mayor was now scared for his life.
Jack tried hard to think about the question, but couldn’t remember what the answer was in the first place. His panic attack slipped away just as fast as it had come and Jack was on his way to the market, forgetting that the mayor was still standing there in a panic of his own.
Intermission
Jack entered the market store and looked around. What was it Eve wanted me to get…? He thought hard. Oh, I think she wanted a flower! An odd thing to ask for, but he was sure that it was what she had requested.
He walked up to the counter, “Do you have a flower?”
The baker looked at him strangely, “Uh… no, you would get that from the flower shop.”
“I hafta get it here.” Jack insisted.
“I… I’m sorry, Jack, we don’t have those here.”
“Well maybe you should!” Jack suggested sincerely.
“But, then we would put the flower shop out of business and…”
“See? More money for you! Now say thank you.” Jack told him.
The baker was at a loss for words. “Jack, I…”
“Don’t be rude!” Jack was getting angry.
“Thank you! Thank you! Now what do you want?”
“I already told you.” Jack stood still, refusing to remove himself from line until he acquired the item he wanted.
“I… I can go get you one from the flower shop and return with it here so that you can buy it from me?” the baker offered.
Jack considered this for a moment, wondering whether this would be okay by Eve’s standards. “I guess.”
Without another word, the baker was running across town to the flower shop to buy a flower. Unfortunately, Jack’s extremely low attention span caused him to forget about his purchase completely and he was soon on his way back to the farm.
On his way back, Jack couldn’t help but think that perhaps he had forgotten something… or some ‘things’.
“Jack!” came a loud yell from the farm entrance.
“Who are you?” Jack stared at the older stranger in front of him.
“It’s me! Your old dad!” his father laughed out loud.
… ‘old’ dad… I have an old dad and a new dad? I have two dads! Jack concluded. He stared blankly at the gentleman before him.
“Well, aren’t you happy to see me?” his father questioned.
“…Yes?”
“Hahaha, my boy! You’ve done such an amazing job with the farm! And your wife is beautiful and so pleasant, I never expected you to achieve so much! How on earth did you manage this?”
Jack looked back at the last 2 and a half years and thought hard about how he had accomplished such things. There were many answers that he could have given, but it would have taken all day to say them all.
“I would have to say… when I murdered the elves.”
His father laughed, “There’s that wacky sense of humor again, your mother and I just never understood it. To tell you the truth, we were afraid that you were retarded beyond comprehension, but seeing how much you’ve done on your own it is clear that you were just misunderstood.”
“Understooooooood!” Jack repeated. He liked that word, it was fun to say.
“Hahaha, so tell me what has been happening all this time! Your marriage, your child, your earnings, your livestock…” his father was clearly excited.
That is when it finally occurred to him…
“Oh my God!” Jack panicked.
“What is the matter?” his father had a look of concern on his face.
Jack could not believe he had not thought of it sooner, “Where is Eve?”
“Uh, she went out to the market to bring you back her to see me.” His father explained.
“Phew,” Jack sighed. “Oh my God!” Jack was in a panic again.
“What is it this time?”
“I forgot to get Eve a flower!” Jack was suddenly running all the way back into town without an explanation to his father.
“Wow… you can really see the change in him. It’s no wonder he has done so well for himself, he is so dedicated to everything he does.” His father smiled contently as he let himself back inside the farmhouse.
Intermission
Jack finally made his way back to the market and pushed his way through the lineup of people to the counter.
“I need a flower!”
“I got you one but you were gone when I came back.” The baker explained innocently.
“Gimme, gimme, gimme!”
The baker handed over a daisy to Jack and he threw down whatever change was left in his pockets. With that, he was on his way back to the farm.
“I’m surprised at you, baker!” came a voice from the crowd. The baker turned to the voice to see that it came from Nina’s mother, the owner of the flower shop.
“I…I… It’s not what you think! Really, I!” the baker tried to defend himself. Nina’s mother inspected the change on the table.
“(gasp) 2 gold! You are buying flowers from my shop and reselling them for a lower price? You will put me out of business, sir! How could you do that to me! This job is all I have, you know that!” she slapped the baker across the face.
“Please, just let me explain!” the baker begged.
The line of people roared with disgust, and soon the was total chaos in the little shop. The people went crazy, throwing items across the room, screaming at one another, fights breaking out between them, and heavy furniture was thrown against the wall with disasterous results.
“Please! STOP!” The baker could no longer be heard through the crowd.
…
Meanwhile, Jack had made his way back to the farm once again. Inside the house, Eve and his father were sitting at a couch and talking over a cup of coffee, surprisingly enjoying each other’s company.
“Oh, Jack! I couldn’t find you when I went to town.” Eve was relieved to see him. “I didn’t see you in the market, nor in the park… wh… where is the little one at?” she looked at Jack suspiciously, the panic rising in her eyes.
The little one!
“Uh…” Jack stalled. He is out visiting with the mayor and his wife!” Jack made a fine excuse.
“Oh, well I’m sure your father would like to meet his grandson. I’ll just walk over and get him now.” Eve started to get up.
“No! I can do it!” Jack yelled.
“But Jack, you and your father have so much catching up to do,” Eve reasoned.
“Well with all do respect,” Jack’s father cut in, “I would really like to get to know the woman who captured my son’s heart, if Jack doesn’t mind making another trip back to town?” he looked at Jack questioningly.
“… She did WHAT to my heart!” Jack felt so betrayed.
The two laughed at the supposed joke (as they always do, it seemed), and Jack stormed out of the house in a torrent of rage. He put a hand to his chest and felt a heartbeat. LIARS!
It was no matter, he had a mission to do. It was time to find the little one. His legs were starting to hurt from walking back and forth so much by now, but he would do whatever it took to find him! Back in town, all hell had broken loose! Apparently, the chaos that had ensued at the marketplace had spread all across town to the rest of the shops. Fires had started, fights had broken out all over town, the once happy little village was no longer a safe and wonderful place.
Across the way, the mayor could be seen on the ground, cursing this day and crying for mercy from the harvest goddess.
Jack walked towards him and warmly put a hand on the mayor’s shoulder, “She hears your prayers, you know.”
The mayor looked at him, tears soaked his face and his eyes were glazed over. But it had been Jack’s loyal words that had given him some comfort, and hope could be seen in his face.
“Do you really think so?” the mayor asked softly.
“I know so.” Jack was sincere.
A smile slowly spread across the mayor’s face, “I prayed for this nightmare to end.”
Jack stared into the pitiful man’s eyes, “Oh well, though, she won’t answer. She’s a total bitch and I think she likes you least of all.” Jack completed his thoughts and walked away, glad that he could offer some helpful information to the leader of the town. The mayor watched as he walked off, stunned and confused, as he usually was after talking to the lad.
Intermission
Jack searched for a long time, and Eve and Jack’s father were starting to worry. It was no use, however, the little one was nowhere to be seen.
Facing his fears, he walked back to the farm to confront his wife and father. But by some miracle, the one whom he searched for was crawling around at the gates to the farm having a grand old time.
“I found you!” Jack ran over and picked him up, giving him a big hug and sighed in relief.
He opened the door and set the little one down on the floor, “Here he is!”
Eve and her father-in-law stared down a moment, utterly confused.
“You have a dog, I see.” Jack’s father mused.
Ruff lay on the floor looking at his two inspectors, looking back and forth wondering what it was that was expected of him.
“Where’s our baby, Jack?” Eve was getting furious.
“… You said you wanted me to get… the… little one?” Jack shied away in embarrassment. Eve began to panic.
“Where is he, Jack!”
“Uh… at the park!” he remembered.
“ALONE?” Eve was getting even more upset.
Jack considered the question carefully, “… Yes.”
“WHAT?” she screamed.
“I mean no! No!” Jack corrected himself.
“Who is the little guy with?” Jack’s father inquired. Jack looked down at Ruff questioningly.
“The baby, Jack! The BABY!” Eve tried to keep him focused.
Jack stared in a panic, he knew he had left him alone. “I left him with… the… baker!”
Eve sighed and seemed to calm down a little. “I am going to get him.”
“No! I will!” Jack did not give her time to object as he raced out the door.
“Is he, uh…?” Jack’s father looked at Eve with a worried look.
“He does this sometimes… must be the heat.”
Of course, it was not the heat at all.
Jack raced to town towards the park, but when he had reached the outskirts he could hear the battle cries of the crazed townspeople even louder than before and fire and smoke was all that could be seen of the little town.
Black smoke covered the atmosphere and it was a struggle to get anywhere without bumping into other people. He reached the park, but there was absolutely nothing left of it. Fire had caught on to the only tree they had, and it was now in ashes.
It was no use, Jack was never going to find Indabox in all this smoke and ember. Most likely, the child had been crushed underneath one of the lunatic townspeople after a lost duel. Turning back to where he thought the town exit was, he walked at a slow pace, defeated.
“Jack!” a voice was heard through the hellish ruins of the town. He could barely see 3 feet in front of himself, but eventually the image became clear. It was Maria, in a nun’s uniform. “Jack! Help me!”
He was about to ignore her and walk away as he usually chose to do, but he saw she was carrying a baby in her arms. He ran over to her as fast as he could.
“Jack, please help him! Do you know whose baby this is?” she asked.
Jack nodded wildly, tongue hanging out.
“You must get it to somewhere safe! It will surely be killed in such craziness!” she pleaded.
Jack took Indabox in his arms, almost dropping him, and ran back to the farm as quickly as his tired legs would go. Looking back as he reached the outskirts, it was evident that the town was now completely destroyed… maybe forever.
Intermission
Eve ran to Jack and took the baby in her arms right away.
“Told you I knew where he was.” Jack smiled proudly.
“He’s beautiful,” his father gazed. “Why is he covered in black?”
“He fell into some baking stuff.” Jack lied.
“Oh, that reminds me! Did you get the flower?” Eve asked.
Reaching around to his back pocket, Jack pulled out the daisy he bought from the baker earlier in the day.
“Aw, that’s sweet!” Eve took it from him. “You do know I meant baking flower, right?”
“…aren’t they poisonous?”
“Well, Jack,” his father intervened, “I suppose you’ll be staying in town for a long time to come.”
“Um, no.” Jack disagreed.
“What? But why not?”
“Yeah, honey, I thought you loved it here.” Eve kissed his cheek sweetly.
“Nope.”
“But… where will you go? What will you do? You have this huge farm and all this money and a family of your own!” Jack’s father could not contemplate what was going through his son’s mind.
“I think it is better if we find a new village to live in.” Jack smiled at Eve, and she smiled back.
“Why? Why when you have everything you need right here?” his father continued.
…Four channels on TV! He thought to himself.
“It would be a new beginning! A new adventure!” Eve answered the hard question for him. She always would.
Jack’s father stared at the three happy family members in silence for a few moments, then smiled to himself and knew that it was truly the best thing for them. His son had become a man, and a great farmer, and it was his turn to make a life decision of his own now.
“Then so be it.” His smile could not have been more sincere. Jack reflected on the events of the past two and a half years, and knew that he had achieved more than he could ever have hoped for. Everything was finally…
Perfect.
“Well, we hafta go now.” Jack announced.
“What, now?” Eve asked surprised.
“Yeah, the fire will catch soon.”
Year: 3 Month: 3 Day: 1
We moved to a place called mineral town! Eve is teaching me how to spell stuff and it is good. Indabox is not called that anymore. We call him Inthebox now. I think it is a stupid name.
I don’t know much… but I do know one thing is true…
I forget.
THE END
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