Maggie responded, “Mommy said Uncle Giles is shooting blanks. Whatever that means.”
Reb was disgruntled by the comment. “Perhaps, your mommy and I need to exchange words.”
She used her baton to hobble toward the porch.
Priscilla defended herself. “Don’t kill me. She overheard a private conversation.”
Reb sat next to Priscilla. “It’s probably for the best anyway. I’m not really the mothering type and we’re busy with our careers. We’ve never had any tests done to see who has the fertility problems.”
“Like you said, it might not be part of God’s plan. Anyway, do you have any big plans coming up?” Priscilla asked.
“Actually, Giles and I are attending a Mardi Gras party in Louisiana next month.”
“No kidding? Gable and I were invited to a party too. Is the host Doyle Teague?” Priscilla inquired.
“That’s right. Do you want to know something funny? My parents were invited to the same party.”
“That’s a pretty big coincidence. Maybe your mother knew him. She was a huge actress years ago,” Priscilla offered.
Reb shook her head. “She said they never met. Honestly, I don’t know why a recluse like Teague would throw a party at all. I also fail to understand why he would invite a bunch of strangers.”
Priscilla was optimistic. “Maybe he’s tired of hiding. I don’t think Teague had very much human contact for the past several years. We should be grateful and see if he wants to make new friends.”
“You always had that southern hospitality. Well, it’s been ten years since our nation was nearly wiped off the map. This might be a good time to celebrate,” Reb admitted.
Chapter 5
One month later, it was time for the Mardi Gras festivities. Percy and Savannah tried to get comfortable on their flight. Percy checked the time on his pocket watch while Savannah adjusted the pins and feathers in her hat.
“You really like that pocket watch,” Savannah commented.
Percy flipped the watch’s lid closed. “It was custom made. A watchmaker put all of the gears, cogs, and springs in the right place. It’s almost like a work of art.”
“Would you say that monocle is also a work of art?” Savannah curiously asked.
“No. My eyesight just isn’t very good. You know how it went down. One of those explosions nearly put my eye out during the Apocalypse,” Percy reminded her.
Savannah carefully stroked the side of his temple. “I suppose it completes your look. It’s quite suitable for an intellectual man like you. At first, I had my concerns about human and metal grafting, but it seems to be working out well for most people who need it. Does this metal headpiece hurt?”
“Not at all. I hardly know it’s there,” Percy said as he took her hand.
Savannah thought about the party. “Normally I enjoy parties, but I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to celebrate right now. This is the ten-year anniversary of an event that changed history. Should we be drinking, dancing, and socializing like nothing happened?”
Percy reassured her, “Think of it this way. Ten years later, humanity rebuilt America. We did the impossible and created a beautiful land that fits the modern era. Mankind overcame the worst odds. I think it’s the perfect time to celebrate.”
Savannah understood his point. “It sounds reassuring when you put it that way.”
“We already spent enough time mourning the loss of people and our civilization. It’s time to focus on the positive aspects of our future,” Percy said optimistically.
Savannah held his hand. “Such wisdom. You always impress me with your insight and optimism.”
Their plane eventually landed at the airport in New Orleans. Percy and Savannah underwent the lengthy process of claiming their luggage and exited the airport. The pair wandered down the streets of New Orleans with their baggage. It was a very busy and spectacular scene, heavy with Steampunk influences. Most of the buildings and businesses combined the industrial Steampunk image with their traditional elements from jazz, urban city life, southern style, and other components from Louisianan culture.
The citizens of New Orleans celebrated Mardi Gras with flamboyant costumes, masks, beads, and other accessories. Most of the people wore Steampunk clothing, boots, hats, and jewelry. Percy and Savannah noticed that many denizens of New Orleans had suffered the loss of limbs from the Apocalypse. Several men and women had mechanical arms and legs that were made of iron or brass. One man had a rotary gun fastened to his shoulder instead of an arm. Another man had a giant power drill grafted onto his forearm. Some of the women had facial piercings and earrings that were permanently grafted on their heads. One man tried to impress a couple of women by lifting his shirt, revealing a decorative succession of chains that were grafted on his ribcage.
Percy was impressed with the atmosphere. “We’re not the only people who are ready for a party.”
“A lot of people here look intimidating. I certainly wouldn’t mess with any of them,” Savannah muttered while she hauled her roller bag.
“I think that’s the point. They want to be prepared in case more terrorists start attacking them,” Percy stated.
Savannah found the body modifications distasteful. “Well, I can definitely tell you that I’m not going to incorporate machine guns into my clothing lines.”
Before he could respond, Percy’s cell phone rang. He quickly pulled it out of his pocket and asked, “Hello?”
Gable answered on the other end of the line. “Dad, come and join us at the café. We’re behind you.”
Percy turned around and saw the rest of his family sitting at a table that was shaded by an umbrella.
He tapped Savannah on the shoulder. “Honey, the kids are over there. Let’s talk to them for a while before checking into the hotel.”
“They’re not fighting or killing each other yet. I assume they haven’t been here very long,” Savannah remarked, as they headed toward the café.
Percy and Savannah joined their family at the table, where they were eating an eclectic meal. Oliver and Maggie were occupied by their handheld game consoles.
“Welcome to the bayou,” Reb said, while she slathered mustard on an andouille sausage.
“Is that an andouille served like a hot dog?” Percy asked.
Reb smirked while she gathered a pile of napkins. “More like an andouille poꞌboy. Do you guys want a bite?”
Savannah promptly declined. “No thank-you. I abstain from ground up animal organs.”
“Say whatever you want. It’s not going to gross me out,” Reb said, before she took a bite of the tasty sausage.
Giles pushed a tray of fried catfish in front of his mother-in-law. “Try some catfish instead. You might like it better.”
Both Percy and Savannah took a piece of catfish. Percy noticed Gable’s fedora while they munched on the food.
“You’re a big casino tycoon who’s wearing a fedora. It makes you look like a mobster,” Percy commented.
Gable shrugged. “It’s a handy ruse. My competitors tend to be more compliant when they believe I have scary connections.”
“Truthfully, our entire subculture is intimidating. Steampunks walk around with metal graftings and weapons. The wire mesh in our clothes almost makes us bulletproof. People should be afraid of us,” Priscilla explained.
The entire Nelson family ate and socialized for a while. They were a quirky family who often disagreed with each other. The Nelsons had unique personalities and their own sense of fashion. However, all of them also had very dominant personalities. Despite their disagreements, they were loyal to one another and cared about each other’s safety. The Nelson clan’s tight family unit was one of the primary reasons why Americans appreciated them. Their styles varied, ranging from Priscilla’s southern femininity, to Savannah’s Hollywood glamour, to Reb’s British elegance. Percy, Savannah, and Giles were the children of European immigrants. Savannah’s family came from Italy. Percy and Giles had relatives from Great
Britain. Collectively, the Nelsons symbolized how different cultures should coexist.
Percy checked the time on his pocket watch again. “This is a very interesting conversation, but I think the two of us need to check into our room. We’ll catch up with all of you this afternoon and then we’ll see you at the party tomorrow.”
The eldest couple left while everyone else remained at the table.
Priscilla fanned herself with one of her signature fans. “Okay everybody, we have the rest of New Orleans to explore. What do you think sounds like a good idea?”
Reb offered a half-eaten sausage to Priscilla. “Andouille?”
That evening, Gable and Priscilla entered a cozy hotel room and put away their elaborate accessories.
Gable affectionately held her close from behind. “This would be a good opportunity to have some private time together.”
“Of course. I would love to feel your warm touch,” she cooed.
He kissed Priscilla’s neck and ran his hand down her thigh. The southern belle felt relaxed before she turned around and faced him. She planted a kiss directly on his lips and started to remove her gloves.
Gable took her hand and said, “Allow me.”
“Whatever you say,” Priscilla replied.
The casino tycoon slid the gloves off his wife’s hands and then affectionately rubbed her forearms.
“I just can’t get enough of you. It takes a real woman to satisfy my appetite and I’ve always felt like you were perfect for me,” Gable said as he held Priscilla.
“You’re such a romantic. I’m totally the right woman for you. Let’s keep it quiet though. I don’t want to wake up the kids next door,” Priscilla stated.
Gable glanced at the window. “There’s already commotion going on outside. People are partying hard for Mardi Gras. There’s quite a nightlife in this city.”
“I’m used to the commotion. After all, we live in Las Vegas,” Priscilla mentioned.
He started to unravel the bindings on her corset. “It takes a lot of effort to undress you.”
Priscilla smirked. “Think of it this way. It will build anticipation.”
While he continued to undress her, Priscilla took the opportunity to unbutton his shirt and vest. She disrobed his upper body and gently ran her hands down Gable’s chest. He finally removed her Victorian corset and dropped it on the floor. They hugged each other after she was stripped down to her undergarments. He delicately pushed one of Priscilla’s bra straps to the side and kissed the nape of her neck. Gable slid his hand down the crook of his wife’s back, and then he rested a hand on her rounded backside. After they finished removing their clothes, the couple crawled into bed. They firmly pressed their lips together while Priscilla caressed his strong back. Gable slid his hands down the curves of Priscilla’s body and he carefully clutched her robust bosom. She reveled in the scent of his expensive cologne while they enjoyed each other’s bodies.
Later that evening, Gable and Priscilla snuggled under the covers.
Gable thought about their lives together. “You know something? We had a lot of fun before the kids were born, but I’m really glad we started a family. Before the Apocalypse happened, I didn’t think kids would be a good idea with my career. I changed my mind in the aftermath because I felt like a family would make me feel complete. It’s also important to carry on the family name.”
Priscilla rested her head on Gable’s shoulder while they relaxed. “Yes, we had to pass on the Nelson legacy. I was thrilled when our firstborn child was a boy. That meant I didn’t need to keep having kids. However, I’m glad we have a daughter too. But I’m giving you a warning, if I got knocked up again tonight, you’re getting a vasectomy.”
Gable knew she was serious. “I believe you, dear.”
Chapter 6
As twilight fell, Giles finished the last touches on his face paint. He wore a black costume that was modeled after Baron Samedi. Giles looked like a Louisianan grim reaper in his black top hat, black robes, gloves, and a necklace that was laced with fake animal bones.
Reb had a completely different outfit. She wore a sparkling Mardi Gras costume with a mask that looked like a flamboyant bird. Both of them wore Steampunk attire underneath their costumes.
“How do I look?” Giles casually asked.
Reb found his costume oddly attractive. “Hot. I like the Voodoo reaper look.”
“Well, I wanted a manly costume. You’re certainly in the Mardi Gras spirit. What made you choose a bird costume?” Giles wondered out loud.
“Good question. I’ve seen a lot of Steampunks decorate their clothes with pins that look like wings. Aviator caps are popular too. I thought maybe I should give the aerial theme a shot,” Reb replied.
Giles understood her point. “All right. I can tell you put some thought into your costume. So, are you ready to crash the party?”
Reb took his arm. “Totally. Lead the way, tough guy.”
The couple strolled through New Orleans until they reached the pier where other celebrities were waiting. It was a private gathering that was taped off from the public.
Giles pulled out the invitation. “I think we’re in the right place. The invitation says a ferry will take us to the party.”
Reb looked at the crowd of socialites. “This is a ton of people. I’ll bet Teague invited fifty celebrities.”
“You’re probably right. Well, let’s socialize until the ferry arrives. This might be a good opportunity to find potential clients,” Giles mentioned.
They meandered through the crowd until they encountered a man and woman who they didn’t recognize.
The man smiled and shook Giles’ hand. “Hello, stranger. You have a very frightening costume. My name is Arnold Hartman. I’m an entrepreneur from the East Coast.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hartman. My name is Giles Hyde and this is my wife, Reb Nelson,” Giles said in a friendly tone.
“Your names sound familiar,” Arnold admitted.
“A lot of people call us the royal family,” Reb commented.
The label jogged Arnold’s memory. “Now I remember. You’re those entertainment lawyers. I also want you guys to meet one of my friends, Claire Duval. She’s an entertainer and that’s good, because she might benefit from people like you.”
Claire also had a friendly demeanor. “It’s nice to meet both of you. I know your family does a lot for the community.”
“Well, I suppose we try. So, you’re an entertainer? What type of work are you involved in?” Reb wondered out loud.
Claire tried to dodge the question. “A little bit of everything. You could say I’m experimental.”
“I see. If you find a specific direction, let us know. Maybe we can help you get started with your career,” Giles said, before he and Reb left to mingle with other socialites.
Among the crowd, Gable and Priscilla ran into his parents.
“Fancy meeting you guys here. You really have a thing for hatpins and feathers,” Gable said to his mother.
Savannah smoothed out her flashy costume. “I’m a flamboyant woman. You’re one to talk anyway. What’s up with the weird costume? Cards and poker chips are embroidered all over your outfit.”
Gable looked down at the casino print on his costume. “I wanted people to recognize me. After all, everybody is wearing masks and costumes today.”
“I guess there’s a subconscious element in our costumes for all of us. It looks like Priscilla is channeling the color of her peaches,” Percy mentioned.
Priscilla adjusted the new sun hat on her head. “Well, peaches are on my mind a lot. I make a lot of money selling them. Is there a reason why you’re wearing a brightly-colored costume? I can’t say that’s the most masculine color. A big, strong guy like you might be more suitable in blue or something darker.”
Percy shrugged. “I’ve always been a little eccentric. Anyway, we should take the opportunity to meet new people. It looks like Mr. Teague invited a lot of celebrities to the party
. Let’s take advantage of it.”
“I agree. You two can head further down the pier. We’ll head to the right. I also suggest that you find the kids. We don’t want them to pull pranks on any of these socialites. It could lead to bad publicity,” Savannah ordered.
“Works for me. Come on, Priscilla. Let’s find out if the kids are getting in trouble,” Gable replied.
While they walked, Percy noticed a popular politician. “There’s a big fish. I’m pretty sure that’s Bruno Keefer, the senator of Louisiana.”
“Good eye, darling. Let’s talk to him,” Savannah said agreeably.
They approached the senator with confidence.
“Good evening, Senator. I’m Percy Nelson and this is my wife Savannah,” Percy said while he shook Bruno’s hand.
The senator recognized them. “I know exactly who you are. You guys are America’s royal family. Let me tell you something, Percy. I love that Steampunk tablet that you created a few years ago. It’s fashionable and nerdy at the same time. Honestly, the Steampunk theme isn’t something I engage in personally, but I understand it’s a big part of American society.”
“Thanks,” Percy responded.
Savannah chimed in the conversation. “That’s what makes the United States so beautiful, it’s a cosmopolitan landscape with many cultures.”
Bruno scratched his left temple. “How did this Steampunk style become such a huge craze? I’d heard of it before, but never in this capacity.”
“Well, people wanted to change their identities after they survived the Apocalypse. It was a time of great loss and devastation. Fantasy and science fiction were the perfect escape from our desolate lives. People found influences from the past to build a better future. Maybe it was time to revive Victorian morality and move away from the 21st Century’s anarchy? More importantly, we needed another Industrial Revolution,” Percy explained.
Bruno shrugged. “Big changes make me nervous.”
“Sometimes, change is necessary,” Savannah mentioned.
“True. At least we have a civilization again. I feel good about that part,” Bruno commented.
The Post-Apocalyptic Society: A Nelson and Hyde Revolution Page 4