Flight To Pandemonium

by Murray, Edward

  Mac pulled his journal from his coat pocket and began sketching. The lodge was an elegant, landmark building nestled into the highest hillside overlooking the lake. The concept was of gracious Craftsman era revival constructed with dressed stone, timber beams, finely crafted redwood, red oak, and maple, all beneath broad overhanging eaves. Three layers of progressive gabled roofs covered the entry stairs. A broad veranda surrounded the ground floor employed lacquered wood joinery and geometric iron metalwork supporting broad windows facing the lake.

  The ground floor veranda was supported by symmetrical clusters of tapered columns, each set on cobbled footings rising to a cap of dressed masonry at the railing six feet above the ground… with a grand view of the lake. A pair of stone chimneys rising through the roof enclosed a central grand entry. Dressed stone entry stairs descended from the ground floor to the first brick terrace where Mac stood sketching. A procession of ornate wrought iron light standards descended from the entry through stepped hexagonal basalt terraces and then centered within the wharf extending into the lake.

  Two overturned canoes rested on the wharf near a small fishing boat tied to a pier, surrounded by ice. The only hint of neglect was a floatplane severely listing to one side on a submerged float. Mac imagined cavorting guests emerging from the airplane gaily anticipating a wilderness adventure.

  When he finished his quick sketch, Mac said, “I’ve got an awkward personal question I need to ask you before we move on. You okay with that?”

  “Go.”

  “Wouldn’t this have been a lovely place for you and your tribe instead of us?”

  Looking into Mac’s eyes, he said, “You like to get to the quick of things, don’t you? When that flu bug didn’t bite me, I thought some of my people might have survived like I had. I intended to bring them all here… as a village. But, I’ve looked everywhere and I can’t find one of them alive. So… when I found all of you, I realized that if I really wanted to be surrounded by family, I needed to take a chance.”

  “Ahtna, I’m sorry. We share sadness for loss of our families but joy in coming together with your invitation.”

  “Yea, well…” He changed the subject to avoid revealing more emotion. “Inside is striking, but feels like an ice cave… even the aquarium is frozen.”

  “May I have a look inside?”

  “Sure, but the doors are locked and the lights are off,” replied Ahtna. “Someone overlooked the firewood pass-through, so I can get in. Meet you at the front door.”

  Natural light flooded the lobby revealing lavishly crafted finishes and furnishings everywhere they wandered. The central lounge soared three floors supported by cobbled fireplace chimneys. Coffered ceilings constructed of lacquered joinery displayed contrasting layers of redwood upon maple. Geometric patterned wood and glass balustrades at each floor blended into a broadly sweeping circular stair. Red-oak Mission style furnishings enhanced the lavish Craftsman revival style.

  A windowed veranda surrounded the foyer housing a projecting half-moon front desk and enclosed gift shop. An elaborate gold rush bar sporting an etched mirrored back-bar covered the northern wall. Beyond the bar, a library housed a collection of sportsman books, maps, an elaborate display of native hand crafted copper tools, emigrant artifacts, and a collection of Copper Valley minerals, garnets and a huge curved mammoth tusk.

  The northern veranda surrounded the owners’ sedately furnished quarters decorated with family photographs and memorabilia but without any other hint of their presence.

  The dining hall south of the central lobby was surrounded by scenic mural drapes covering segmented walls. A maple wood coffered ceiling supported suspended painted ceramic chandeliers giving the room a sense of intimacy. A commercial stainless steel kitchen, outfitted with a vast unlit vestibule of ovens, coolers and pantries, lay beyond.

  Long into the tour, Ahtna said, “Why don’t you explore the upper floors later without me? The second floor has ten unfinished suites in each wing with a lounge between. The top floor hasn’t been framed yet, so boxes of hotel furniture and bedding are stored up there. Use whatever you find. Knowing the owners, I’m sure they would have offered you everything they intended for their guests given what’s happened. Settle in any way you want but leave the southern corner room with the four poster bed for me.

  “I’ve unlocked the shop basement under the owner’s suite, but haven’t time to show you today.”

  “Then you’re leaving us?”

  Nodding, he said, “I need to set my trap lines in the Talkeetna foothills. We’ll need wolverine fur and warm coats for winter. Weather’s coming, but I should be back in three or four days. I’ll set two fires to warm up the place. You probably ought to be on your way or you won’t get back before dark.”

  “We’ll all be back here in the morning, I’m sure.”

  “I’ll walk you to the top of the hill.”

  Once there, Ahtna asked, “I need to ask a personal favor, fair enough?”

  “Anything.”

  “Talk to that old coot, will you? If he’s as difficult as I think he is, we’re going to have a hard time living under the same roof. I don’t deal well with being kicked around. My adoptive father told me I’m way too quick to jump to conclusions… a lot like that old man.”

  “Judy and I will work on Tony.”

  “Thank you. By the way, remember the firewood door. I’m going to leave the place locked when I leave.”

  “It’ll be a relief to settle into that beautiful lodge!”

  “It’s not just beautiful; you’ll find it’s full of useful surprises. Later then… hey, hold on a sec!” Eyes shaded, he slowly surveyed the country ahead. The black Lab was also pointed ahead, intently sniffing the air. “I saw something move.” He unslung his rifle, held it up and pulled off three quick rounds creating a deafening reverberation. Instantly, the woods were alive with wolves running helter-skelter through the trees and beyond.

  “Damn! I had no hint.”

  “Mac, while you’re walking, keep your head up. On your way back, follow our tracks by glancing down occasionally. Focus your eyes by picking out landmarks on either side of the trail, not straight ahead. You’ll see more that way… You’re prey, man!”

  “New way of thinking, I guess.”

  “No, not at all. Man has always been dodging predators. You’re just soft.”

  “Part of our lost lore?”

  “Exactly!”

  “I guess I owe you another one.”

  “Go… I’ll stay here until I hear your buggy start.”

  “Great.”

  When Mac reached the buggy, he found a riot of torn litter in the snow scattered among numerous tracks. Wolves had found their forgotten lunch and eaten everything. The vinyl satchel was all that remained.

  With a fervent wish, Mac pressed the starter button. He surged away nearly losing control. Fearing wolves, Mac reached the Lake Louise road before his nerves settled.

  Smiling broadly as a greeting, he was grimly confronted by Jack, “Well, the lost wanderer has returned.”

  Judy replied with flashing eyes, “Jack! Are we going to start all over again?”

  Tony joined in, “We were about to send out a rescue party.”

  “You two are incorrigible!” said Judy. “Mac, do sit down, have dinner and tell us what you found. Looks like good news we can sure use around here.”

  Pappy said, “We heard gunfire… trouble?”

  “After… he has something to eat,” said Judy.

  “Nothing but a bloody pack of wolves, so I’m too wound up to eat just yet. Give me some tea first, then I’ll tell all.”

  “Wolves after you?”

  “Naw, Ahtna saw some movement in the woods ahead of us while we were hiking back. He fired his rifle to scare them off… and a damn good th
ing, too. I didn’t see a thing and was about to walk right into ‘em.”

  “You were on foot?” asked Jack.

  “Why don’t we all gather around the fire? I can tell the whole story just once and get warm at the same time. Damn! Getting way cold again.”

  Everyone happily gathered around, except the miners who stood halfheartedly. Mac could see that he had a sales job ahead. Jack and Tony had to be persuaded to be sociable.

  Mac gave them the full story including his own early reservations. He told them the story of Ahtna’s brother and grandparents, and their plans to serve as guides for the lodge and its owners. He described the beautiful sporting lodge, the accommodations, even the listing floatplane. By the time he finished, his journal sketch had passed through every hand.

  Hirsh summed up the reaction with characteristic reserve, “The lodge should suit us just fine. I must admit, I had my doubts.”

  Judy replied, “Just fine? I think it’s perfect… and finally you’ll all have a chance to believe it when you see it!”

  “And a floatplane of all things,” said Pappy. “Too bad about the float, though.”

  “We can deal with that,” said Tony, positively anticipating a challenging task.

  Mac chose the moment. “My friends, there is one matter that troubles me most… one that we all need to take to heart. We got off to a very bad start with Ahtna. The young man is closely tied to that lodge, both personally and emotionally with the memory of his brother and the owners. He’s taken responsibility for the place, maybe even for a spiritual reason. He intended to invite his tribe to live there as sort of a village… until he couldn’t find any of them alive. Under the circumstances, his invitation was an amazing gesture of kindness and good will. We would never have known about the lodge without leading us there. But… he’s concerned about our ability to live together under the same roof for obvious reason.”

  Hirsh and the ladies nodded agreement. Hirsh said, “The disagreeable discussion we had this afternoon about giving orders makes that perfectly clear.” His glaring expression as he faced Jack was obvious even in the firelight.

  “As long as we’re clearing the air, I must tell you that up until this discussion, I thought I’d made a terrible mistake joining this group. People just won’t tolerate being treated rudely, especially not Ahtna. I’ve heard too much acrimony and harsh orders today. I won’t live with that. While I may have been lonely in town, at least I had peace of mind… and my library.”

  “Hirsh, this has been our worst day together ever,” said Judy. “Up until recently, we got along fairly well. The long road has taken a toll.”

  “That brings us back to Ahtna,” Mac resumed. “He’s a proud young man… no worse than any of us at that age.” Staring at the miners, “He’s also perceptive and articulate beyond his years. He doesn’t miss much, especially a slight. I think he’s a natural woodsman and knows this area. We sorely need him. So… he’s extended his welcome and we should all graciously… and I do mean graciously accept his offer. Let’s face reality. The alternative is to get back on the road.”

  “Well… everyone keeps looking my way,” said Jack, “and I don’t appreciate it. I’ve never even met the man. All along, I’ve been worried with one thing above all else… that’s our safety and survival. There can be no compromise with that. If he joins our band and accepts that, well… I can get along with nearly anyone.”

  “That’s not nearly enough,” said Hirsh quietly. “I think getting along comes down to social fundamentals which we haven’t discussed. We need to treat one another as equals. Not just graciously, not just get along… but as equal members of a new society however it may evolve. Anything less will be immediately perceived as a slight or worse and lead to another row. And another thing… in the future I want to be asked for my cooperation, not issued an order. Enough said for now.”

  “I entirely agree,” said Judy, “but I don’t think everyone heard Mac clearly. Ahtna’s not joining our band in some conditional capacity. We’re joining him! The same goes for Onita. Not one of you has ever asked for her opinion about anything, and so she keeps to herself… and why is perfectly clear in her mind. Even when you discovered that she had expertise in farming, you didn’t ask, you ordered her to help! It would be the same with me, except that I learned long ago not to accept narrow-mindedness and to speak up, even when it involved that sanctimonious nun.”

  “Hell… the old politically correct say-so is catchin’ us way out here… and after all that’s happened. And I’m gettin’ damned tired of lectures aimed my way!” said Jack.

  “Oh my God!” said Judy. “I guess I’ll just give up for tonight!”

  Mac said, “All right, but when we leave for the lodge in the morning, I just hope everyone is of like mind.”

  “So let our minds rest for tonight,” said the Captain, “How about a round of Scotch to mellow out a bit.”

  “I’ll drink to that,” said Jack with a snicker. Food, Scotch, the warm fire, and even grumpy company were a comfort after such a long cantankerous day.

  The little band was off early. Sleep and anticipation rejuvenated spirits. Tony smiled broadly and Jack made a recognizable effort to avoid giving orders. Cheerful teamwork replaced their recent lethargic manner of breaking camp.

  Reaching the creek, Mac repeated Ahtna’s warning about the deceptive ice cover. Nevertheless, the miners jumped down and brought a crow bar to break the ice and probe the modest creek. There was no need for the tool. As soon as they stepped onto the ice together, it failed. Tony plunged in waist deep while Jack just managed to save himself. They had their measurement. Tony emerged with his pants covered in mud. Clearly, the cat wasn’t going any further.

  Now they must carry everything they’d gathered through the icy creek and a mile beyond. Unwilling to accept such laborious duty, the miners were determined to cross the creek using the buggy and its farm trailer. Without assistance from those wandering about, the miners unloaded railroad ties, steel fence posts, framing lumber, heavy wire and hand tools. Even with Jack’s arm immobilized in a sling, the miners plunged into the water with a sledge hammer. Still without anyone else comprehending what they should be doing, the miners built a spaced deck bridge spanning the narrow creek. They brought the buggy train across, then their packs, weapons, a mound of clean clothes, and packaged food.

  They stored the remaining perishable food and clothes protected inside the cab of the cat for another trip. With a towering load on buggy and trailer, Mac drove the unwieldy quad at a crawl to avoid tipping. The miners walked alongside to help guide him over the terrain. The others walking faster, outdistanced them. As Mac neared the last copse of trees, he saw the others standing together pointing, exclaiming with surprise and delight. Even Tony gawked. Mac’s sketch of the lodge hadn’t done justice to what every mind’s-eye sought, the ideal village refuge, the quintessential I’ll know it when I see it.

  Mac drove the buggy onto the highest brick terrace and stopped at the short ascending stone stairs. Most stood gawking and turning, taking in the life saving spectacle of the pristine lake and a stunning sanctuary lodge.

  Jack ignored both and hailed Judy.

  “Tony and I are going to haul another load of food before wolves get there first. Just help us unload what we brought. While we’re gone, get everything inside. Don’t leave food outside for the critters. Mac said wolves are running about.”

  Judy frowned… Jack was still giving orders.

  “I’ll organize the work… and Jack… thanks for doing us all a favor building that bridge, but easy on that shoulder or you’ll be sorry.”

  “If I stop, I’ll be sorrier. Best thing for me is to keep moving.” Judy knew better than to challenge his iron man persona.

  Mac crawled through the firewood pass-through and opened the veranda door. Each of them carried a load o
f food following Mac’s lead to the kitchen. When the returning parade slowed to gawk, Judy pressed everyone to hustle and unload everything into the dining room. Jack and Tony departed, leaving everyone else to wander and wonder. Both fireplaces blazed brightly enhancing the refuge ambiance. A warm lounge beckoned weary travelers. They gathered exchanging hugs, all in a festive spirit, exclaiming their extraordinary good fortune, and then returned to wandering.

  When Judy and Onita discovered the owner’s quarters, they claimed the suite for their own. Judy searched for Ahtna seeking his approval, but couldn’t find him. She sought Mac and asked where the young man might be found.

  “He must have tended the fires, but he doesn’t seem to be around,” said Judy.

  “I forgot to tell you. He’s away for a few days laying his traps in the mountains. We’re to settle any way we want leaving him the corner room upstairs with the four poster bed.”

  “Apparently he didn’t occupy the owner’ quarters, so we’re claiming them. Imagine… a shower with hot water! So tell everyone to please give us some privacy while we take care of ourselves.

  “And Mac… tell the others we all have body lice, if they don’t already know.” Mac sure did! “We all need to delouse now before we contaminate our new home. Old clothes go outside so we can scald them clean. And don’t sit on the upholstered furniture in the meantime.” Infested with fleas, Darwin was relegated to the veranda awaiting a bath. Meanwhile, he whined pitifully to come inside.

  Thinking of ridding themselves of weeks of creepy itching appealed to everyone. Hirsh had just recently been afflicted, no doubt from his new companions. Since the only other shower in the building was incomplete, the alternative was to use the pot washing tub and sprayer in the kitchen. When the men found that the hot water was indeed hot, they enthusiastically took turns scrubbing, cutting and combing. When the hot water flowed undiminished through every shower, Mac was curious how that could happen.