The Fell Good Flue

by Miller, Robin

  The wolf barked again.

  Laurence came to the front gate saying, “I knew it must be you out here, it was in his bark, was that your shoot I heard?”

  I said, “a new rifle and a dead dear, the scope has a good range.”

  Jacob, “and so does he, we were on the roofs near the stream.”

  Laurence, “that’s a fair distance, the shells must be big, I hope you make every one count.” I said, “I’ll try to. How are the horses?”

  Laurence, “rested up from their trip already, enjoying some free run of the yard. I have milk for you if it’s not too much cargo.”

  I said, “I’m not traveling light today, a bag for Brandy would be enough, and maybe some of that cheese.”

  Laurence, “of course, would I ever let you go with less that you would carry?” Jacob, “that was before we got horses.”

  I said, “I’m not taking a horse back, they still don’t have their wings yet.”

  Laurence, “when they do, we better all carry shovel, both as head guard and ready tool.” Jacob, “that’s more than I care to think about.”

  We went inside and Laurence got a fresh sack of milk off a hanger and some cheese, then offered us a drink.

  Jacob, “you always have the good stuff, I don’t know how you keep it in stock when you pull it out every time we are here.”

  He said, “I trade word of your visits for new supplies.”

  I said, “he probably dose, this one can sell words like cargo, and get a good return.” Jacob, “when just a few words gets me cargo, I gladly trade them, then drink to them as well,” and he took a drink.

  Laurence, “well put, and glad to trade, another day of adventure I see is on hand.” I said, “as little as I can, just a test of a gift and meat for another day, the wolf liked his taste.” Laurence, “better than the rats he has been eating I suppose, but then it’s all a gulp to him, if there’s not a wiggle afterwards it’s soon forgotten.”

  I said, “the licking of his lips say it will be remembered for a long time. How are the goats doing, are they still milking well, with him here?”

  Laurence, “oh yes, there’s smart enough to know he’s less of a threat where he is than stalking them from the outside. I’m even surprised they haven’t started to nose the wire by his cage yet, just to rub his face in it, they can be petty beast.”

  Jacob, “if they put their nose near his fence he may take it off for them.”

  I said, “I’m sure it will be love at first sight.”

  Jacob handed me the bottle and I took a drink, then passed it back to Laurence who said, “you mean love at first bite,” then he took a drink.

  I loaded my things saying, “that’s the way it was with Brandy and me, I let her bite me and have been feeding her ever since.”

  Jacob, “I thought it was the other way around, at least that’s the way I have been telling it.” I said, “keep up the good work on that.”

  Laurence, “that’s a nice crossbow strapped to yourarm, a new toy?”

  I said, “yes, made while I was gone, I haven’t tried the thing out yet but it travels well.” He said, “things that don’t often get lost before travels end, may all your cargo get home safe.” I said, “and quickly, before I draw wild dogs to my heals.”

  We went out and I said my goodbye to the wolf, then it was off to the lift lines and the roofs again. Before long Jacob and I split up again, and I was home, landing on the roof with my load. Then down the stairs and to the kitchen I went, to wash and put meat over to soak. I set the pack down and laid my rifle on the table, then washed my hands.

  Brandy came to the room and said, “that didn’t take long, and from the shot I heard and blood on your hands, I would say it went well.”

  I said, “it’s a fine weapon, true and with good range, a dear as requested.”

  Brandy, “you must have the rest being taken care of, how is the wolf?”

  I said, “looking good, he thought the taste I gave him was delicious, and I brought milk and cheese.”

  Brandy, “no rips in your pants today?”

  I said, “not a sign of a dog, I think just the scent of wolf is keeping them away.” Brandy, “then he is doing his job, better than the others did.”

  I put the meat in a bucket of water and said, “that could probably use some salt.” Brandy, “dry your hands, I’ll take care of that.”

  So I used a towel then took my rife to my chair, wiping it off as I went. Then sat down and took the crossbow off, and put it to one side. I opened the still half full bottle of wine and poured a glass, then took a sip and looked out the window. The sun was moving again, and long shadows stretched out on the streets. A mirror sent a message to me that my meat was hanging and the hide would be tanned, so I picked up mine and returned the flash.

  Brandy said, “it was nice of them to help you with that, such a lucky find then cargo movers made it swift work.”

  I said, “yes, but I think I still have a ringing in my ear, next time I’ll use a plug.” She said, “just don’t use a bullet, you don’t know how stable they are, the shockwave may blow your head off.”

  I said, “I have no intentions of putting a bullet in my head, with or without a shell, a wad of wax will do.”

  Brandy, “easy enough to come by these days with honeycomb in town.”

  I said, “things find a way of getting around, I’m glad the rifle found its way into my hands.” Brandy, “yes, we must thank TT for it and the rest.”

  I said, “how much salt do we now have?”

  Brandy, “more than enough.”

  I said , “good, ever pound I need not bring soon makes my loads lighter, I’m glad the coal was also one that made it across town without me.”

  Brandy, “and the fish, as well as the barrels that were filled with water last night, they alone made a big difference in your future loads.”

  I said, “no bringing it when the garden has more of a need than the sky, yes, I would say that’s a load off.”

  Brandy, “it is also easier to filter for drinking that stream water, when I remember TV and ads for clean bottled spring water, they never showed an animal taking a shit upstream.” I said, “the sky has the best filtration system there is, even the ground itself has no match, but we boil our water when needed.”

  Brandy, “it’s a small thing, but they add up over time, and lots of small things can become big over time. I have no complaints when it comes to breaking a sweat to keep from doing it another day, you never know when you might just need the time to do something else.” I said, “and I have no problem in moving some cargo for more latter, or sharing some to get it moved, when people trade fair work can be spread around.”

  Brandy, “TT also put a bucket of fresh peanut butter in with the other things sent, I tried it when you went hunting and it was very good.”

  I said, “some of that on a slice of bread would go good right now, the peanut farmer must have had a early crop.”

  Brandy, “I’ll get you some, I think they roasted it just right, and the grind was smooth.” So she got some bread out and made us sandwiches, then cut cheese to go with it, and we sat eating by the window.

  I said, “have you heard news of if TT is planning another movie night?”

  Brandy, “no, but he pulling out all the stops to make Stan feel welcome, and I don’t think he has seen one for some time.”

  I said, “If the night is clear he could show it in the secured square by the pool, or inside the hall if need be, both have batteries nearby for when the wind is not making power for the projector.”

  Brandy, “you haven’t been watching many movies lately, are you bored with the ones you have found?”

  I said, “even though we now have power to run things like that from time to time, I still like to get away from being entertained by the past. Few days give you a free step to open your lungs and make your feet move, and then listening to the streets can be entertaining enough at times.”

  Brandy, �
��yes, I often feel the need for some solitude to hear the streets or excitement not of the past, then you come home.”

  I said, “that would be listening to the streets for me to come home to give you some excitement.”

  Brandy, “that’s what I said.”

  I said, “I once told you things would never be dull around me, as long as you had an imagination.”

  Brandy, “and I told you I had a great imagination, so much so that you never get bored.” I said, “no, just tired out.”

  Brandy, “you handle that on your own the way you run around: catching a wolf, killing a bear, running a load, and shooting a dear, with the way you party in between.”

  I said, “and with that brick of hash, the party has hit home for a long time.”

  She said, “you are the hardest working hippie I know, and well deserve it, a better provider in this town has never seen.”

  I said, “I do what I can with what I have, and the world left us much, using it wisely is the daily quest.”

  Brandy, “if you were not so good at it, you would not have survived the plague or aftermath that cut our cities numbers to five hundred or so, and I would not of chosen you to give me a baby and take care of us.”

  I said, “because you are also such a survivor, I thought it was the other way around, or at least I’m telling it that way.”

  Brandy, “we do take good care of each other.”

  I said, “Sage seems to think so, I’ve never known a more content child.”

  Brandy, “he enjoyed flying with you, and had a good time at the pool as well.” I said, “so did I, and your getting much better at the high platform, both in climbing and diving.” Brandy, “and your breath control under water was good as well, the morning exercise must of centered you.”

  I said, “I was quite focused, but now feel rather distracted, you do that to me.” Brandy, “it’s because I have an imagination, keeping you distracted is my distraction.” I said, “I can focus on that.”

  We joined our attention to one another and some of the hash, then worked each other’s muscles until we were both very relaxed, the hours passed quickly. Soon the sun was starting to set, and we heard drums that TT was having a movie new tonight. A flag went up for cargo to come over, and I pulled the trip line. A dear hide was sent over, scraped and clean, as well as more meat. I told Brandy we could salt this down more and have it tanned latter, and she said to take care of that while she got something to eat ready. So I took it to the roof and my work area. There I brushed in a good helping of salt and rolled it up tight again, then packed it to go off to the tanner. After cleaning up I came back down to the smell of meat frying and garlic. Brandy was chopping up some vegetables, and water was boiling, so I asked for a tea. Brandy, “which kind? We have a choice now.”

  I said, “the one that was fruity, the zinger I think, and some ginseng would be good.” Brandy, “I also have nutmeg now, and cinnamon.”

  I said, “we are getting stocked up, good, I hate to run out for some little thing I want. It’s a thirty story drop and half way across town for some things, when you can get to them that is, much nicer to have them here or delivered.”

  Brandy, “we may not live in a castle, but I have furs and jewels, as well as food and a king.” I said, “that makes you a queen and Sage my prince, the goat park my stables, and our pet a wolf. This kingdom is getting spread out a bit, but it’s certainly interesting, and the royal smoke for the day is hash. I guess when people work at it, good things can get around, and stay around if we try hard enough.”

  Brandy, “no one can say they try harder than you, even those with more, for they still owe you. TT is good at working the people, but you get things done. Many have meat and cargo, as well as their safety because of your deeds.”

  I said, “yes my queen, the affairs of state have been heavy of late, but now we feast!” We ate as the sun went the rest of the way down, and the darkness took hold outside. The tea tasted good, and I had another while we enjoyed an after supper smoke, then we made plans to go to the movie. TT had a warehouse of DVD’s that had been saved from the fires, and some of them never sold or seen, true big budget films with special effects and speakers that could bring dust off the buildings. It was much better than watching one at home on my wall size plasma, my sound system did not use so much power. So when we were ready, I got my traveling things on, and the zip lines felt our weight. Lights were on the landing pads and wires as well, the city looked like a web of light from the air, and the way was fast and clear. To the hub of the action we went, zipping in with many others heading for the music. We put our gear in a place where it would be watched for us, and went down to the yard. One large wall had a screen on it five stories tall, and two story tall speakers they were warming up. A BBQ was going on in the back, and lights were on all around, with people dancing wherever they could. We found a second story balcony to set in above the BBQ, so the speakers would not blow us away, and eat some nuts we brought with us. A bottle was passed around, as well as the smoke, and people were having a good time. Then on the small stage in front of the screen TT stood an said over the PA, “welcome to movie night!”

  The crowd cheered and he said, “we have a good one tonight that I don’t think anyone has seen before, and it’s lucky to have made it this far, from another time when such was the norm I give you tonight’s entertainment.”

  Then the yard lights went down and the speakers started to rumble, a flash of light hit the building and a blast of sound sent hats off of people near the front of the yard. Everyone yelled with a great voice and cheered, the movie had begun.

  Brandy said, “I’m glad we sat back here, last time up front some bottles broke.” High above us the projector was sending its image across the courtyard, and the dust that filled the air from the sound-blast and smoke mixed with the film. Some of us had movie glasses that could refract the light and make it like fireworks, and others had 3D glasses, TT was set up for that as well. This one was in 3D and things started to jump off the walls and float above in the smoke as the light worked its way through. We were all psyched, and extra 3D glasses got passes around, as well as wine. Popcorn with honey was in bowls that also made it our way, and little Sage had his hands in the air, reaching for things both from the screen and the bowl. Space ships appeared and warriors did battle before us, as cheers from the crowd echoed in the large courtyard and mixed with the big speakers that blasted the experience. Meat from the BBQ below us was passed, and we melted into a feast for mind and body. I’m not sure of the name of the movie, but it was in an apocalyptic world such as our own, and all were fighting for freedom. Each of us saw places from books or maps we had, blown up and destroyed before our eyes as the characters struggled against all odds, and wondered if some of this really happened. This would for sure make the digital download request list, for many would want to see this one again at home, yet despite its realism few guns were fired during the movie. Brandy, “TT sure picked a good one tonight, I don’t think anyone has seen this before.” I said, “and yet it seems all too familiar, like a dream I once had.”

  With no power interruptions the illusion sweep us away for hours, and near three hundred of us were having the time of our lives. Then the ending came and many stayed to see the credits or request a download, others just wanted to party some more, my family headed for the pack drop area. Along the way Brandy snatched a bag of popping corn, with the smile of the maker. We passed Jacob and Stan on the way, and they were having a great time, even Laurence was there. As we got our packs Billy was saying to me that one scene in the movie looked like when TT blew up three blocks of main street, and I said the that the rest looked like how the world destroyed itself. We both agreed this was one of the best we had seen in a long time, then the girl Billy was with dragged him off and I turned to see Brandy ready to go home. So we hit the lift and were carried away into the night that brought us. Soon home we turned a few more lights on and Brandy took care of Sage. I looked my pr
actice area over and retied a few lines I had cut, then looked at my supplies for plastic rodto replace the jumping sticks with. My shop had another level below with many things saved from over the years, and I could build most anything I needed. But now was not the time to start, I just wanted a pitcher in my head of the job to come. So after some poking around, I went down and headed for my chair again. Brandy said, “that sure was a good time, I like movie party night, the place really rocks.” I said, “ yes, he cranked up the power a bit tonight, I think he was trying to impress the newcomer.”

  Brandy, “Stan sure looked as if he was having a great time.”

  I said, “he has been having a great time from first he got to town, even the run for cargo was just a party to him. The man knows how to enjoy himself alright, and this city has just what he needs.”

  Brandy, “two at a time by the way he’s going, and I haven’t seen the same two yet, he’s making the rounds alright. But before long one of them will fight hard enough to keep him, then he will be captured by love, and chained to its heartstrings.”

  I said, “the one that tries to chain that Wildman will have to be a beast to tame one.” Brandy, “I tamed you, and I’m not as much of a beast as some here.”

  I said, “I keep telling you it’s the other way around, at least that’s the way I’m telling it.” Brandy, “and you just keep telling it that way, until I unchain the beast.”

  I said, “now I’m not sure if you mean me or you.”

  She said, “I’ll tell you when I’m ready.”

  I said, “that’s what I’m afraid off.”

  Brandy, “don’t worry about me, I always keep you in good shape.”

  I said, “yes, but you were me down doing it, even a massage from you can become a marathon.”

  She said, “are you telling me you don’t like my massages?”

  I said, “if I did I won’t get one.”

  Brandy, “your training is coming along well.”

  I said, “and now I sense my training will continue, so I will listen well.”