Game of the Blues

by Kenn C. Kincaid

  “What’s on it?”

  “I feel bad killing that man, even if he was a criminal.”

  “Oh—I see.”

  “I’ve seen people die, but never that way. It was… Well, I contributed.”

  “Rick, who is really responsible for the man dying?” Who initiated the event?

  “I know. I didn’t pull the trigger. But, I was still part of it. I participated in killing a man.”

  “Well, first off, we acted in self-defense. We offered surrender. He started shooting knowing the risk. What else could we do? We responded in SELF-DEFENSE.”

  “I know. However, I can’t help feeling we backed him in a corner where the only option he saw was to shoot. What happened was to be expected. That doesn’t bother you?”

  “Absolutely not. He wasn’t acting instinctively. HE CHOSE the crime that put him there, HE CHOSE not to surrender, and HE CHOSE to start shooting. I lose sleep over a lot of things, but not defending myself.”

  “I felt good, until I got home and it hit me. What right did I have to do that?”

  “Let me show you something,” Dan said leaving to return with a Bible. “I call this the Handbook of Life. He gave it to Rick, “read what I marked.” Rick read it aloud:

  “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not causes of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.”8

  “Rick if you believed you evolved, then survival and self defense would be justification enough, but I know you don’t. You’re struggling with life being sacred because God created it, owns it, and He alone has the right to take it.”

  “I suspect that’s so,” Rick agreed.

  “In that case, this reading should settle your conscience. Governments, or police, are the agents of God acting in His behalf. The counterfeiters got their just deserve. According to the Handbook, God had a lot more to do with it than we did.”

  “I can see why they call you ‘Preacher.’ But I still feel lousy inside—sad—keep wishing we’d stopped it without killing him.”

  “We were all wishing for a peaceful surrender. It was out of our hands. Trust me, it’s normal, but you’ll get over it. Give it time”

  Trouble was at Rick’s feet pulling on his shoelaces. “I think he wants my shoe.”

  “Fetch will occupy him.” Dan handed Rick an old police saucer hat. Rick tossed it like a Frisbee, and the ferret scampered after it. He nosed it back to Rick’s feet. “Trouble never quits coming to you,” Rick said playing tug with the ferret to free the hat.

  “Give it a toss and we’ll sneak out,” Dan said.

  He accompanied Rick to the door. After Rick left, Dan fed Trouble, secured him in the cage, and retreated to the back porch to ponder Rick’s visit. As he backed into the hammock, Dan noticed yesterday’s paper lying on the floor. A woman’s picture caught his eye. “Marathon Runner.” I know this woman. He picked up the society page, and read:

  “Nancy Caudill completed the Chicago Marathon in 6 hours and 46 minutes. Her dedication was apparent in her willpower, adherence to strict training; and most admirably, her ability to resist happy hour. Congratulations Nancy Caudill on your achievement!”

  I know you from library last Wednesday! Presumptuous! Brash! Barging into my space! Alarmingly bewitching you were. Those white shorts and teasing neckline knit top, Oh—and those green as grass eyes, auburn hair, and glowing cheeks! Indeed, how could I forget!

  Dan had gone to research the structure of atoms, and chose a far table to study without interruption. Dan paid Nancy no mind until she pulled the chair out to sit. She opened her book, Spanish Phrase by Phrase. Dan kept glancing her way. Odd, she doesn’t look Spanish. Why study Spanish? Unless planning to travel.

  Unable to concentrate, he kept sneaking peaks, and it wasn’t long before she caught him. To hide embarrassment Dan whispered, “You planning to travel?”

  “No,” she said retuning to the book.

  “Why the Spanish if you’re not going to use it?”

  “Oh, I expect to use it. In ten years it’ll be America’s second language.” She answered in a low voice and continued reading.”

  “America’s second language! Why would the great ‘melting pot’ need another language?”

  “Since you ask…” Nancy replied, her voice irritated.

  You’re annoyed? You butted into MY table!

  “…I’m from Arizona. And as for why, I’ll give you three reasons. First, eighty percent of America’s immigrants speak Spanish. Second, their size encourages entrepreneurs to court their purchasing power. And third, the unlawful nature of migration, will force government agencies to deal with them.”

  “Interesting; people entering our country illegally and your solution; learn their language!”

  “Shhh,” the librarian interrupted. “The library is for reading. There are discussion rooms over there,” she said pointing.

  “Certainly,” Dan apologized. Then turning to his debater asked, “Shall we?”

  She picked up her books.

  Dan followed her to the reading room. The flopity-kaalumph’ her sandals across the hardwood floor would have annoyed Dan, but he never heard it. Double barreled trouble: Voice of Dietrich—body of Monroe! Why must beautiful women be offish?

  The small room contained a table with four chairs. They sat across from one another.

  “By the way, I’m Nancy, and I’m working on a degree in holistic medicine.”

  “I’m Dan, and I’m pleased to meet you. I work for the city. Nothing so dignified; I take large pieces of garbage off the streets.”

  Nancy leaned forward extended her hand and remarked, “Someone’s got to do it. Never forget, all work is honorable, even a tail-gunner on a garbage truck.”

  Cute! And with a sense of humor. Dan gave her hand a gentle squeeze, noticing a strawberry clean scent. “I’ll try, but it’s difficult at times. Now, where were we? Oh yes, patronizing criminals by learning their language instead of dealing with crime.”

  “Don’t assume a woman can’t think logically!” Her light freckled checks blushed as she replied. “I’ve earned a Bachelor’s in Health Sciences and…”

  “Whoa there! Formal credentials aren’t important. Your awareness of the topic intrigues me. I’m interested in what you think and why.”

  “Thank you,” she smiled. “I don’t condone their actions, but I’m realistic. Government reacts to crime. It cannot stop it, particularly this one. I accept this fact, and prepare to deal with it.”

  She’s so full of herself! But blast it, she’s right! Maybe I should learn Spanish. “Why do you assume so many immigrants will be involved in crime?”

  “You’re kidding, right? We are talking ILLEGAL immigrants?” she said. “Their goals differ from ours and they don’t accept our laws. Crime, as you call it, is not the problem. It is only a symptom of the problem.”

  “So, you don’t believe there’s a solution to crime? In fact, you are alleging it isn’t controllable.” Careful girl, you’re intruding in my field.

  “Not as long as we deny the human bent toward evil. People are survival driven not humanity oriented. 2000 years of history records us trying and failing to build a moral society.”

  “So, if we can’t eliminate crime, I must accept its reality, prepare for it, and deal with it? Unacceptable! Too much compromise for me! If we discover the cause, we can eliminate crime.”

  “Aren’t you the optimist? We’ve discovered cigarettes cause lung cancer and death. Can we cure it?
No. Why not? Because—people will not stop smoking!”

  Just that simple, is it? “If smokers know the risk and smoke anyway, why do we care? It’s not a crime. I enjoy my pipe. Smoke it in private. Why should I give it up?”

  “Because, it isn’t healthy! But you miss my point. You KNOW it isn’t healthy. It’s not a matter of ‘belief.’ You believe the risk and do it anyway. Why?”

  “OH, I see, Crime can’t be solved because it’s an addiction? Sorry Nancy, I don’t buy it.”

  “Crime’s not an addicting, it is a human condition; our response to our inborn self-centeredness. A baby wants to be satisfied. ‘I’m wet, change me. I’m hungry, feed me.’ From birth we have an ‘everything centers on me’ focus. Learning to regard others is about controlling ourselves. The baby naturally cries, the child cheats, and the adult commits crimes. It’s in our DNA. People break laws for many reasons. All of them selfish. Crime can be restrained somewhat, but never eliminated.”

  “It is the nature of criminal violence to escalate,” Dan pointed out. “When it reaches the point, police officers cannot protect themselves, how then will they protect society? If there is a cause there is a cure. If crime can be restrained, it can be reduced. If it can be reduced, why not eliminated?”

  “Society has the power, but not the will.”

  “And why not?”

  “Basically, because we’re self-centered greedy people. Some more than others, but we all go after what we want.”

  “You miss my point. People accept societal restraints for their own good. So, why do we violate what is in our best interest? Are we without reason?”

  Nancy stared blankly at Dan, “I don’t know. Do you?”

  “I believe it’s our world views on origin.”

  “What do you mean, ‘world views’?”

  “Where did I come from? What is my purpose? Where am I going?”

  Nancy peered past Dan in contemplation, “This is most interesting. What did you say you did for a living?”

  “I didn’t. You offered, ‘tail gunner on a garbage truck.’ It’s accurate enough.”

  “So, how’s a tail gunner answer those questions?”

  “I believe I was created by God. The purpose is disclosed in a manual of instructions for fulfilling it, which is my eternal destiny.”

  “I see,” she said with a kittenish smile. “There’s an opposing view called evolution, and the scientific community has very convincing arguments,”

  “Indeed, yet neither theory is provable. The reason they are ‘views’.” For my money, life demonstrates Creation more plausible. More important to our discussion are the consequences of denying our true origin. Where I came from determines my purpose, where I’m going and how I get there. Thus, view dictates behavior to achieve the goal.”

  “I can see they’re linked, but, cause of crime? Seems a stretch, Don.”

  “It’s Dan,” Purposely annoying, but intriguing.“Okay, say you deny a Creator. Then, to find purpose, you dull your consciences with a promise of a utopian society. But, in a short time see it unobtainable. What do you do then? Pursue your own goals, your own way? That’s consistent with crime and escalating violence.”

  Nancy raised her knees against the table pushing her chair back on two legs. “I can see how denial of hope would cause serious stress.” She paused for a moment, her chair rocking.

  Miss ‘confidence’ is going to dump herself on the floor.

  Nancy brought the chair forward and continued, “Actually, I can see myself rebelling.”

  I like her honesty.

  A glimmer of respect passed across Nancy’s face. “Crime and violence are conceivable by-products of a hopeless view.”

  More open minded than I expected!

  “Well, THANK YOU,” Dan acknowledged. “With evolution, there is no solution for crime because its life purpose is hopeless! This is why you sense society has the power to eliminate crime, but not the will. Do not athletes contend within the rules for the hope of the trophy? And, who, but a fool, goes to war for a known worthless cause?”

  “I think you may have something. I will think on it,” she said.

  “Does that mean I have gained an ally?”

  “No,” she said with a flip of her head. “You’re not all bad, though—for a tail gunner.”

  “Any chance I could get your phone number? In case I get a sudden urge to debate.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Two rides on the tailgate.”

  “You don’t work in waste collection. Your hands are to clean. And, I don’t know enough about you.”

  “You never will, unless you meet me at Scarborough’s for dinner next Friday—say seven?”

  “Say, not. You’re too secretive.”

  “It’s public. It’s a free meal. And, what better way to learn my secrets?”

  Nancy did not respond. She stood to leave.

  “Seven o’clock, Friday the tenth?”

  “Over a week away. You need that much time to get your story together?” she smirked turning away.

  “Nope, prior commitment.”

  “Another lady?” She said looking back her long hair whipping.

  “Yep, named the Sandpiper, I’m goin’ fishing.”

  Nancy paused at the door and Dan noticed her sleek athletic legs. She swiveled around and said, “Don’t bring your pipe and don’t be late.” Her full lips smiled.

  Dan watched her turn with the grace of a ballerina and walk away. You’re perkier than Trouble.

  An annoying bitter dryness in Dan’s mouth nudged him back to reality. Interesting woman! Staring at the picture he said, “So, crime is the result of our inborn self-centeredness!”

  Nancy, you may be a scarce commodity; good-looking woman with brains. I anticipate Friday. The unanswered question is can you be tamed?

  Dan went to the kitchen, poured a glass of milk and grabbed two cookies from the Donald Duck Jar. He washed down a bite of cookie.

  Nancy stumbled on the cause of crime, and what the ‘Handbook’ calls ‘sin.’ She is aware nothing can be done about it as long as we rebel against the dictates of the Creator.

  The assumed absence of sin provides denial of accountability. How often have I heard it, “Not my fault!’ However, there’s the rub! To deny sin we must deny God. Crime then is our free will ‘kicking against the goads’ of God’s restraints!

  Unsettled by the thought, Dan went back to the porch, picked up the Handbook of Life, and retired to the bedroom. lay on his side flipping through the pages. I know it’s here. Somewhere it says there is hope!

  “Yes here it is,” he brayed as if expecting the walls to cheer. “… (should)My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”9 He closed the Bible stood and shouted, “We do have a choice!”

  We do not comprehend our purpose! We aren’t sufficiently connected to understand it. Is it any wonder we are blind to the consequences of our ignorance? Intoxicated by self-indulgence, we violate our Creator’s laws. Then faced with the consequences, we curse the jailor in anger and beat our heads against the bars.

  Dan left an itch behind, but brought more than fish home. Aware mankind is a created thing which has neglected its purpose and forfeited its destiny, he had a new itch; Has God turned His back on us, as we have ours on Him?

  Nancy, I’ll deal with it, and the struggles within the cement jungle, in all the tomorrows. Things are not as destitute as I once believed. Dan went to his desk; there he opened his new friend, the Handbook of Life,and read:

  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.10

&
nbsp; Dan remembered a similar passage from when he began to investigate this book anew. He turned back to the first page:

  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.11

  Such an interesting statement, ‘In the beginning God…’ There is no dissertation of doubt. No need to debate. The scribe assumes it fact. It seems to be, we contemporaries have grown arrogant to think we possess greater abilities to know and verify the existence of God! When has man, how has man, climbed into the abode of God to question Him and prove He is or is not? I am now convinced God created this world. I am His wondrous handiwork.

  Dan’s heart was doubly encouraged; God’s ‘Handbook’ would reveal purpose, and he would see Nancy soon. Yes, Dan would be back to the grind, but it’d be Day Run. He’d continue his vigilance, because depravity would continue its assault. Dan would find time to laugh at every opportunity when the crying ended.

  Dan reclined in the hammock a smile on his face. Crime is not my fault. Its cure is far beyond me. We had the answer two thousand years ago and blew it. I’ll find my true purpose and chase it as sure as Trouble does a Frisbee. As for that ridiculously winsome woman, we have a date.

  ------------------------

  The exploits of Dan’s pursuit continue in

  The Darkness in Daylight, Day Run.

  Volume Two of the In A Pig’s Eye Trilogy

  8 Romans 13:1-4

  9 2 Chronicles 7:14

  10 John 1:1-5

  11 Genesis 1:1

  APPENDIX of TRIBUTE

  Ultimate tribute is given to the brave men of the shield of justice slain in the days of my watch. Greater love hath no man than this; he lay down his life for another.[John 15:13 - paraphrased]

  1972 -Detective Howard F Smith

  Killed by a shotgun in a bank robbery.

  1974 - Officer David L Cole

  Shot by two robbery suspects at a street stop.