by Barry Slater
“So sweetie, what's it like to be married to a musician for twenty-five years?” Linda asked then turned up her glass.
Jean looked affectionately into Dwayne's eyes. “Like magic.”
Doc Martin smiled at Jean in approval.
“I did think that I was going to have to kill him,” Jean smiled.
“Tell us all about it dear,” Linda said.
“Yesterday,” Jean said. “Dwayne answered the phone. It was a man with a foreign accent offering identity theft protection and said that all he needed to get started was Dwayne’s social security number.”
“OK,” Linda said as she took another drink.
“Now,” Jean said. “I had been teasing Dwayne for being too paranoid about posting his personal information on the internet.”
“I was told by a very knowledgeable computer person never to do that,” Dwayne said in his defense. “No matter how secure the site claims to be.”
“So,” Jean said. “Dwayne proceeds to give this man his social security number, our address, our phone number, our email address, our passwords, our date of birth, my social security number, all our credit card numbers and then asked the man if there was anything else he needed.”
“Oh my God,” Linda said with her mouth agape. “Dwayne!”
“Right,” Jean said. “He gave all our personal information to a total stranger.”
“On the phone,” Linda said.
“On the phone,” Jean said.
“As the guy was typing on his computer,” Dwayne said. “I could hear dogs fighting in the background.”
“Didn’t you suspect anything?” Linda asked in shock.
“I figured if he was watching reruns of Lassie,” Dwayne responded, “then he must be a really good guy.”
“Oh my God,” Linda said shaking her head.
“Exactly,” Jean said.
“It was if the whole world had been lifted off my shoulders,” Dwayne said. “I felt so relieved. I had overcome my phobia. It felt good to trust people.”
“And then he proceeds to tell me that he made the whole thing up,” Jean said. “The whole time it was just a joke.”
“You are kidding me,” Linda said pronouncing each word individually as she looked at Jean. “I would have killed him!”
“Right?” Jean said. “Exactly my point. I could have strangled him.”
“I bet she doesn’t tease me about being paranoid anymore with our personal information,” Dwayne said.
Jean and Marcie laughed. Linda performed an extended session of smokers cough. Doc Martin shook his head and took a drink of his freshly poured Scotch. Captain Jack smiled as he looked at Dwayne.
“Written anything new?” Captain Jack asked hoping Dwayne would play his violin to entertain Marcie.
“A little,” Dwayne answered. “I've been working on a few things.”
Dwayne knew what Captain Jack was thinking. He took his violin from its case. He had hoped for an opportunity to entertain Marcie and everyone else.
“This is a genuine Stradivarius,” Captain Jack said to Marcie.
“I've heard that name before,” Marcie said. “But I'm afraid I don't know much about musical instruments.”
“They were made during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries,” Captain Jack explained. “They have a very fine sound, and are very expensive. Tell Marcie the story behind your Stradivarius, Dwayne.”
“My mother used to play her violin at a lodge on Shasta Mountain,” Dwayne began. “There was an old widower who was very well off financially. He would come to the lodge to hear her play. He loved music and she was a very beautiful woman, so naturally he fell in love with her. He never said anything to her about it but she could see it in his eyes, and the way he watched her play. She could feel his desire for her. She could sense the yearning for her in his heart.”
“Very intriguing,” Marcie said. “What happened?”
“One night, the old man brought a violin with him and asked my mother to play it for him. Of course she did and when she was finished the old man was gone.”
“And this is the violin he left,” Jean said.
“She never knew what happened to the man,” Dwayne continued, “or how he came about the violin. She never told my father. She told me the story only after my dad died.”
“Have you ever priced it?” Captain Jack asked.
“No,” Dwayne answered. “Is it strange of me not to want to know how much it's worth?”
“The value is in the music,” Jean said with a smile. “And in your hands, it's priceless.”
“So what have you been working on?” Captain Jack prompted.
“Here,” Dwayne said. “I'll play it for you. It's classical.”
Dwayne situated the Stradivarius beneath his chin and then pulled his bow across its strings. The music flowed from the Stradivarius like a hypnotic light from a fire. Everyone's ears tasted each note as if they were children taking their first bite of candy. The notes seemed to dance in the air. If they were visible they would be a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors.
Captain Jack, hoping Marcie would be entertained, was stirred by the flittering of butterflies in his stomach as she took his hand and scooted closer to him.
Jean was flushed with waves of ecstasy as she watched Dwayne play. She knew Dwayne had not been working on the music he was playing. It was completely improvised and totally Dwayne. He was playing for Jean and it was from his heart, as was all his music.
When he finished playing, Dwayne received a standing ovation.
“Bravo,” Captain Jack shouted in deep reverence for Dwayne. “Bravo.”
Dwayne bowed then looked at Jean and smiled. He motioned for Doc Martin to join him. Doc Martin, a long time piano lover, took a seat at the piano. He and Dwayne performed Romance by Wagner and received a standing ovation when they finished.
Taking a break from playing, Dwayne put on a CD then took Jean's hand. “May I have this dance?” Dwayne asked as the music started.
“Of course,” Jean responded. Her eyes sparkled. Her face glowed with love for Dwayne. Her mature beauty radiated from her like rays of the sun. She had never looked lovelier.
Dwayne wrapped his arm around Jean's waist then pulled her close. If Dwayne could have his choice of heavens, playing for Jean and dancing with her would be his paradise.
The couples danced, the ladies in their best evening wear and the men in their suits and tuxedos, to a slow, romantic tune.
Linda stumbled through the song but no one noticed, not even Doc Martin. He was used to it. Each pair had their mate locked in their gaze, each woman enraptured by their man and each man captivated by their woman. The evening had become magical.
#
As the hour drew late, Dwayne and Jean's guest began gathering their things.
“Goodnight everyone,” Jean said at the front door.
“Happy silver anniversary Jean and Dwayne,” Marcie said.
Captain Jack hugged Jean then shook Dwayne's hand followed by Doc Martin's.
Linda was slammed. Doc Martin held her steady while Jean slid Linda's arms into her fur coat.
Dwayne and Jean helped Doc Martin walk Linda to the car.
“Drive safe Doc,” Jean said.
Doc Martin nodded. “I'll see you next week.”
“Good night you two,” Dwayne said to Captain Jack and Marcie.
Marcie hugged Dwayne and Jean.
“He's a keeper Marcie,” Jean said.
Dwayne smiled. “She's a keeper Jack.”
“Good night,” Captain Jack said.
“Drive safe,” Dwayne said then waved.
After everyone left, Dwayne took Jean by the hand then led her upstairs.
“I have something for you,” Dwayne said in their bedroom.
“What?”
“It's something hard and round.”
“Well I certainly hope so,” Jean said with a smile.
Dwayne pulled a small box out of his night stand
drawer.
Jean held her hand to her mouth. With a smile Dwayne handed the box to Jean. She opened the box and covered her open mouth smile with her hand.
“Oh, Dwayne!”
Inside the box was a four-carat diamond cluster ring with a fourteen-carat white gold band.
“Happy anniversary my love,” Dwayne said as he slid the ring onto Jean's finger.
“It's beautiful.” Jean held her hand out to look at the ring and then smiled. She kissed Dwayne then pushed him onto the bed.
Looking into his eyes, Jean let her hair down. She pulled the straps over her shoulders and let her black dress slide slowly down her body to the floor. She helped Dwayne undress, took his hands and placed them on her breasts, then straddled his body.
The two made love until both came to an intense orgasm.
After a few moments of holding each other, Dwayne went into the bathroom and brought back a sleeping pill for Jean and a glass of water.
Jean washed the pill down and laid back.
Dwayne slid on a fresh pair of flower pattern boxer shorts and a white T-shirt. He picked up his violin and pulled his bow across its strings.
Miss Magnolia came out from under the bed. She jumped onto the bed then lay beside Jean and purred.
Jean's eyelids became heavy. The music helped her to forget the physical abuse she had suffered at the hands of her mother.
“Of all the superheroes,” Jean said. “You are my favorite one. You are my knight in shining armor. You are my Violin Man.”
“Happy anniversary, sweetheart.”
Jean Ellis
“Hi Pete,” Jean said. “How are you?”
“Fine,” Pete Winfield said. “How are you?”
“Fine. Is B.J. ready to go to his new home?”
“Big Johnson is ready,” Pete said solemnly. “It's a damn shame.”
“What is?”
“Real animals being replaced by computer images.”
“I just want to ask one question,” Jean said.
“What's that?”
“Do computer generated bears poop in the woods?”
“Hell no,” Pete laughed. “I do know for a fact that real bears shit in the woods, but only when they have to.”
“When do bears poop in the woods?”
“When they can't hold it any longer.”
“Where does a 1400 pound Kodiak poop?”
“Any damn where he wants to Jean,” Pete said with a smile. “Did I ever tell you about the two campers?”
“No. Tell me.”
“Two guys went camping. After everything was set up, they built a fire then settled down beside it and tossed back a few beers. A bear wondered into the campsite and the two guys ran into the camper and watched as the bear rummaged through their equipment.
“The bear found a can of gasoline and drank it.
“The bear went wild, tearing the camp apart like a Tasmanian devil. Just before it reached the camper with the two guys inside, the bear stopped.”
“Oh my God, what happened?”
“The bear ran out of gas.”
“Oh Pete, you’re a riot,” Jean laughed.
Pete's smile faded as he looked affectionately at B.J.
“Don't worry Pete, he'll be fine.”
“OK, let's get him rolling.”
Pete poured sweet oats into B.J.'s food bowl then led him into the animal trailer hitched to Jean's Ford one ton.
“My God. He's huge,” Jean marveled as B.J. walked by.
B.J. hardly noticed Jean as he followed Pete into the trailer. Jean chanced a feel of his gray fur. His paws were twice the length and three times the width of one of Jean's feet. Just his claws were as long as Jean's hand and scrapped the aluminum floorboard as he walked onto the trailer.
Pete loaded the last of B.J.'s food into the trailer's holding bins while Jean secured the ramp.
“Well,” Pete said. “That's about it. I am officially out of the animal business.”
“Do you have any plans?”
“I'm seriously considering selling everything I've got and moving to Oregon. Would you and Dwayne be interested in buying my place here?”
“No, we're good for now. Give us a call though if you decide to do that.”
“Do you need me to follow you home?”
“There's no need for you to drive that far Pete. Doc Martin will be at the habitat when I get there. He'll help me with B.J.”
“Tell Dwayne and that crazy Captain Jack I said hello.” Pete looked at B.J. one last time.
“You're welcome to come see B.J. anytime,” Jean said.
“Thank you.” Pete petted B.J. then stepped back from the trailer.
Jean waved as she passed through the front gate then headed north toward Lake Tahoe.
#
“Damn that's a big bear,” Doc Martin said as B.J. backed out of the trailer. “My God, he's huge!”
“I know,” Jean said with a smile.
B.J. passed gas. Jean and Doc Martin laughed hysterically.
“Wow!” Jean said. “What a relief that was.”
“I declare his digestive system to be functioning properly,” Doc Martin said.
“I second that,” Jean said.
“Was Pete alright?” Doc Martin asked.
“He took it pretty well,” Jean said. “My biggest concern right now is B.J.”
“Literally.”
“Exactly.”
“Let's see how he does in his new habitat.”
Doc Martin led B.J. through the gate to his new 10 acre habitat. Each habitat was individually fenced within the fenced preserve. Doc and Jean walked B.J. around the fence to give him a feel of his boundaries.
Jean unloaded B.J.'s food while Doc Martin watched B.J. explore.
“He's getting to know his territory. I think he'll be OK.”
“Thanks Doc. The check is in the mail,” Jean said.
“I'm giving you this one. I'll bill you for the next one.”
“Fair enough,” Jean said.
#
Jean packed for her business meeting in Los Angeles.
“I'll only be gone a couple of days,” Jean said. “Just long enough to pitch this new movie. Are you going to be OK?”
“Sure,” Dwayne said. “I got this covered. Besides, Doc is on call in case we need him.”
“Thanks for taking care of the animals.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
“You and B.J. OK?”
“That's one big frigging bear,” Dwayne smiled.
Jean laughed. “I would rather have him for a friend than an enema any day.”
“Right,” Dwayne laughed. “He's taking a liking to me. I figure he's a lot like you. I'll just play for him.”
“There you go,” Jean smiled. “That always works for me.”
Dwayne smiled then looked into Jean's eyes. “Be safe.”
“I will.”
#
“The story is already in novel form and can be easily converted to script,” Jean explained to Steve Lee, associate producer at Mecropolis Film Studios.
“I can bring Captain Jack Frost in for pyrotechnics supervisor and Bill Holland as stunt coordinator,” Jean added.
“The budget looks good,” Steve responded.
“Here are the storyboards. It's set a little bit into the future and it has the three P's: power, passion and politics.”
“How soon could you start filming?”
“As soon as Mr. Warner puts his name on paper. We are ready for production. We can start building the sets and writing the screenplay right now. 'Millennium Man' is the title. It's catchy. Everyone is looking for a real hero movie. I think this is it. I think this is what our audience has been waiting for.”
“I like it. Let me look it over then I'll pitch it to the Big Kahuna. Can you give me a week? I should know something by then.”
“Sure Steve,” Jean replied. “Just let me know. We can rock this one out in eight months tops.”
> “We'll have to work on the cast, maybe negotiate some salaries.”
“That's the beauty of the budget, it allows for some very marketable characters.”
“I'll get the ball rolling then.”
“Steve,” Jean said. “You know me; I usually don't stick my neck out unless I know something is going to work. You know I always come down on the right side. I've got a really good feeling about this one.”
“I know. I trust your instincts. If Mr. Warner doesn’t go for it, I'll give you a glowing recommendation to one of the other studios.”
“Thanks Steve,” Jean said as she stood up. “I'll just wait until I hear from you.”
“Tell Dwayne hello, and Captain Jack.”
“I will.” Jean looked at Steve. “Have you met anyone?”
“No. Not since Carol.”
“You should get out more, Steve. It's been over a year since the divorce. You two were like oil and water. Get back into the swing of things. Find yourself a good woman and keep her.”
“Thanks for the advice luv.” Steve gave Jean a hug. Jean gave him a peck on the cheek.
“I've got to get going,” Jean said as she looked at her watch. “There's inclement weather coming in at the lake.”
“Be careful.”
“I will.”
Jean left the studio building in time to make a brunch appointment with an old college friend.
The two met for cappuccino then Jean headed home. An early October snow advisory was in effect for the Lake Tahoe area.
#
The snow began falling.
On the way back home, Jean stopped at a station and fueled the truck, grabbed a gallon of milk, a carton of eggs and a loaf of bread.
At the register, the cashier was rubbing her eyes.
In line, several customers were coughing and sneezing. Everyone in the store was sick.
By the time Jean finished the trip she was exhausted. She was sneezing and could not stop rubbing at the dark circles around her eyes. She made her way into the bathroom and collapsed.
#
“How's B.J.?” Jean asked.
It had been several hours since Dwayne had found her on the bathroom floor and carried her into the bedroom.
“He's huge,” Dwayne said with a smile. “He's a great bear, a gentle giant.”
Jean smiled slightly. Dwayne wiped her brow with a cool, damp cloth.