by Matt Musson
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Chapter Thirty-One – The Arrow Returns
Less than an hour later we were back in the Museum Director’s office, explaining to Walter Yellow Horse why ‘The Arrow That Would Not Miss’ was suddenly and unexpectedly returned to his care.
“So, George hit fourteen Royal Flushes in a row? Why that’s impossible,” he exclaimed.
“You’re right,” Charlie agreed. ”It can’t be done.”
Realization flashed across the Museum Director’s face.
“Okay,” Walter said. ”If it can’t be done… then George must have had help. So, how did you guys do it? Did you hack into the Video Games?”
“Heck no,” said Bogdon. “That would have been hard. It would have taken days to do something that complicated.”
“Well, how did you make George win?” Walter asked.
“It’s simple really,” Bog replied. “George did not really win. It just looked like he did.”
“You mean like an illusion or some sort of mass hypnosis?”
“No,” explained Bogdon. “I mean like an ultra thin plastic video screen that George had under his cape. When George leaned against the poker machine, he slapped the plastic screen over the video display that was there. The microchip underneath the plastic display kept playing the same program that showed a Royal Flush being drawn. When George moved to another machine, he slapped it on another video screen.”
“Oh,” Bog continued,” and Thor was in the lobby with a video camera that had a laser hidden inside. When he fired the laser at the lights on top of the machines, the electrical surge caused them to flash and the bells to ring.”
Walter Yellow Horse shook his head in amazement. ”Well that explains it,” he said. “For a minute there, I thought maybe The Arrow was some sort of lucky charm.”
“Of course it is,” answered George nonchalantly. “But, I am not about to use it on some penny ante poker machines.”
Dr. Walter Yellow Horse, PhD chuckled uncomfortably. He was not sure if the old Indian was joking or not.
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With The Arrow That Would Not Miss back in safe hands, we called the Limo driver and set up our return trip. George blessed us all once more and we took off on the long road back to Granite Falls. I got to the house just in time to have dinner with the family. Even after our adventure, it was good to be home.
We did not hear from our Cherokee friends for the next couple of weeks. But, one day registered letters came to each of our homes inviting us to the opening of the new Museum display of The Arrow.
The museum was going whole hog on this celebration. They were putting us up in high roller suites at the Casino and even our families were invited to come along.
When I passed on the invitation on to Mom and Dad, they were excited. Mom was looking forward to a two day break from housework and Dad was hoping to catch the Tammy and George show he had been hearing so much about on the radio.
Unfortunately, they both insisted we did have to take Jenny along.
Oh, and as a post script. George was having some success figuring out the secrets of The Arrow That Would Not Miss. You may have read about the Old Indian from Cherokee North Carolina that won $112 million in last week’s Power Ball lottery.
You remember? The guy that gave all the winnings to his Tribe?
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Chapter Thirty-Two – The Ongoing Battle
It was that same moonlight night in the deep forest and I was on that same granite boulder jutting out from the mountain. But this time it was me, Jeep Muldoon, and not the Lynx.
I sat there staring, looking out across the valley and admiring the forest in the silver moonlight.
George noticed me waiting there, so he walked over and sat down beside me. He could tell that I was troubled.
“It’s good to see you, Jeep,” he said in soft Cherokee. “Why are you here?”
I was distraught and the words did not come easily at first. But finally they began to spill out.
“I need your help,” I explained.
George leaned in closer, but said nothing.
“It’s this crazy dream,” I admitted. ”Over and over, night after night, I dream the same dream. I am standing on this very rock and bright moonlight illuminates the forest around me. And, right in front of me are two enormous wolves. One is white and one is black.”
I paused.
“And every night there is a fierce battle?” George suggested.
“Yes,” I agreed almost sobbing. ”Each night it is savage. The wolves rip into each other. It’s vicious and terrifying. And, I just want them to stop!”
It was quiet for a minute. Then George put his arm on my shoulder.
“It’s okay, Jeep,” George explained. “The same two wolves battle within each of us.”
I looked up and saw the moonlight illuminating the old medicine man. For a minute, it looked like his eyes were glowing.
”The black wolf is Evil. He is anger, sorrow, resentment and arrogance. The white wolf is good. He is truth, generosity, kindness and faith.”
George shook his head. ”This battle will take place over and over until one wolf finally prevails.”
I exhaled in relief. I was not going crazy! The battle would eventually come to an end.
But, then it struck me like a hammer. Bam!
My voice cracked as I asked the ultimate question. I trembled.
“But which wolf is going to win the battle?”
My panicked words hung in the air, and I looked over to see George. He was smiling.
Moonlight twinkled in his eyes and the old Indian reached over and laid another reassuring hand on my shoulder. He quietly gave me my answer.
“Whichever wolf you feed, Jeep. Whichever wolf you feed.”
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About the Author
Matt Musson was born in Austin, TX and grew up in San Antonio. He earned two degrees at the University of Texas and moved east to work for Ross Perot as a Systems Analyst. He has developed systems for Planters Peanuts, LifeSavers Candies, Sara Lee, and Bank of America.
Matt is currently in North Carolina developing banking software and working part-time for the Charlotte Bobcats. He has four incredible children: Skye, McClain, Granath, and Chandler. Matt collects vintage rodeo belt buckles and Indian jewelry when he is not prospecting for Carolina gold and emeralds.
He is a contributing author to the non-fiction anthology Sports in the Carolinas: From Death Valley to Tobacco Road. He has two baseball novels available online: The ’51 Rocks and Batboy on the Worst Team Ever. Other Jeep Muldoon adventures include The Mystery of Merlin’s Magic and WhaleQuest!