by Jay Mason
“I know you paid my parents a great deal of money to relocate here,” said Alex. She gripped her glass of white wine, so hard she feared it might shatter. She concentrated on her breathing. So far she thought she was doing okay.
“You have finished the medication I gave you, haven’t you Alex?” asked Straker. “It wouldn’t go well with wine. I should have …”
“She’s been off it for some time,” interrupted Rusty. “Not that she ever needed it.”
“I didn’t realise you were a medical doctor,” said Joe.
“I practice psychiatry from time to time. To keep my hand in you understand.”
“And Alex was your patient?” Joe said, raising an eyebrow at Alex.
“A favour to her parents,” said Straker, waving his hand dismissively. “She had a hard time adjusting to her new college. Nothing really. Especially when you consider over 80% of Americans are on one type of antidepressant or another.” He smiled at Alex, and this time it was a real smile. “Well done you, for getting off them.”
“I had help,” said Alex. She clenched her jaw to stop herself shaking.
Joe looked bemused.
“So how is the film going?” asked Straker. “All on schedule.”
“Yeah, we should wrap up here in about two weeks,” said Joe.
“Will you be sorry to go,” said Straker, flicking his gaze in Alex’s direction.
Joe took a deep swig of whisky. “I will. This is a fascinating area.”
“Really?” said Straker. “I wasn’t aware that other than a small town and some cornfields there was anything much around here.”
“Well, you might not know this,” said Joe, “but this area is a hot spot for UFO sightings.”
Rusty and Alex stiffened in their seats.
“No, I did not know,” said Straker. “Tell me more, Mr Trend. We have a little time before dinner. This all sounds fascinating. Have you always been interested in UFOs or did this come up as research when you were learning your script?”
Joe took another glug of whisky. Straker reached over, picked up the crystal decanter and refilled his glass. “I do promise not to bore you on the subject,” he said as Alex and Rusty mimed ‘no’ behind Straker’s back, “but to be honest it is a lifelong interest. You see I happen to think I was abducted when I was very little.”
“Indeed,” said Straker. “And why is that?”
Alex and Rusty exchanged puzzled glances. Alex leant forward and touched Joe lightly on the knee. “Hon, maybe you should slow down on the whisky. You know you don’t usually drink alcohol.” said it with as much tact as she could manage, but she still saw Rusty wince. However, Joe didn’t take offence. Instead he slipped his arm around Alex’s waist and pulled her against him. “Isn’t she a darling,” he said. “Always looking out for me.” He kissed Alex on the nose or tried to. He missed and kissed her cheek instead. “I’m not on call tomorrow. After three months off, I think I can indulge a little. This is outstanding whisky, Dr Straker. From Scotland I assume?”
“Bowmore,” said Straker. “I have it imported specially.”
“Then the very least I can do is tell you my story,” said Joe and he began a long and rambling tale about waking in the night when he was very young and seeing eyes hovering in the dark. The story progressed with similar events happening when he crept out of his room at night at nine years old to explore and even side tracked to seeing eyes when he was playing hide and seek with his friends and hiding in a cupboard.
During Joe’s discourse, Straker ushered them over to the dining table and discreetly dressed waiting staff appeared and placed elegant portions of nouveau cuisine before them. Rusty regarded the steaming main course with mistrust. He tried a round pinkish ball of something and his eyes widened in surprise when he found it to be cold. “Liquid nitrogen,” whispered Alex to him.
“I am most interested in gastronomic adventures,” said Straker. “I hope you will find each course as surprising as it is tasteful.” Then he turned to Joe. “I am sorry, Mr Trend. We had, I believe reached the part where you had hidden under the bleachers. Let me refill your glass. And the children’s,” he said smiling at Rusty and Alex. “It is a very fine champagne.”
Joe continued his story for a further twenty minutes. He mentioned seeing eyes in multiple places, but much to his chagrin he never encountered an alien. “They must have drugged me when on was on their ship. I’ve been looking ever since,” he finished suddenly. His expression drooped. “Nothing. Even in the cornfields. Even in the empty grave. Even his little sister has seen the Howardsfield Horror.”
Alex happened to be looking at Straker when Joe said this and saw his fork freeze for a moment on the way to his mouth. Straker quickly covered the hesitation by putting his fork back down on the plate. “Howardsfield Horror? Whatever can you mean?” he said.
Rusty tried to kick Joe under the table, but only succeeded in bruising Alex’s shin.
“I was over having dinner with Alex’s parents — who by the way can really put it away for a pair of scientists — when …”
“Can you tell me where the restroom is please,” said Alex springing to her feet.
Straker frowned. “Of course, one of the staff will show you.” He beckoned to a shadowy corner and a waiter appeared. “This way, madam,” he said.
“Think of something,” Alex hissed in Rusty’s ear as she rose.
“So, Dr Straker,” she heard Rusty say as she was shown from the room, “this is an amazing house. Did it take long to build? I presume you had it built to your own design?”
“I’ll give you a tour later,” said Straker. “We must let Mr Trend explain.”
****
After dinner the three of them sat in the back of a large car. Joe leant back in his seat and fell asleep. A glass panel separated them from Straker’s driver. Alex risked speaking quietly. “I take it neither of our diversions worked?” she said.
Rusty shook his head. “Straker was determined to hear Joe out.”
“Did he tell Straker everything,” said Alex.
“Oh yes, even the bit about Nellie Hill’s grave. And by the way when were you going to tell me about that?”
“I thought Cat had got over her fear. I didn’t want to bring it up again.”
“You were investigating with Trend,” said Rusty. “I thought we were a team.”
“I was trying to keep a lid on him,” said Alex. “Once he knew something was going on, then I thought if he was with me he’d be under control. I didn’t want to draw attention to us.”
“That’s worked out well, hasn’t it?” said Joe. “He damn near told Straker all about us. He only left out the bit about Beyond Belief Investigations and your c0nundrum friend.”
“Because he doesn’t know those bits,” said Alex.
“So you’ve not brought him in on everything?”
“Of course not,” said Alex.
“Is this the reason you’ve spent so much time with him?” said Rusty.
“Not entirely,” said Alex. “I do like him, but …” She stopped. She had no idea how to tell Rusty how the kiss in the cornfield had gone. She wanted to tell someone. It should be him, but something stopped her.
“I knew you weren’t the kind of girl to go gooey over a film star,” said Rusty.
The glass panel slid down. The driver said, “We are at Miss Morgan’s house. Would you like me to escort you up to the house Miss?”
“What? No, it’s fine thanks,” said Alex.
“Email me,” said Rusty meaningfully.
“I will,” said Alex. She opened the door and got out of the car. The driver had parked at the foot of the lane. She couldn’t blame him. Ice covered the ground and driving along the short country lane would be difficult. She waved to Rusty and started off. A few moments later she heard the car door slam behind her and the sound of running footsteps. She turned and saw Joe heading towards her.
“Wait up,” he called. “Can’t let a lady walk home alone.
”
“Joe, you’ll miss the car.”
“Oh he’ll wait. Besides I need the air. I think I might have had a bit too much tonight.”
“You think,” said Alex. “I’m surprised you’re not slurring your words and staggering.”
“Oh, I was laying it on a bit,” said Joe, coming up and linking his arm through hers. “Got what I wanted though. A personally guided tour of that Centre whenever I wanted. I’m only sorry I couldn’t have got you in on that invite.”
Alex’s porch light shone just ahead of them. When they were almost there Alex stopped. “Look Joe, I know I don’t have any right to say this, but please don’t go to the Centre. Straker isn’t a man who can be trusted. He has secrets.”
“I know,” said Joe. “And I want to find out what they are.”
“He’s a very clever man,” said Alex carefully.
“Darling, if I can survive in Hollywood I can deal with the odd PR executive. He’s an agent for scientists that’s all. And I can deal with agents. Don’t worry.”
And then unexpected he brought his face close to hers and sliding his arms around her kissed her. Taken by surprise, Alex gave in to the kiss without thought and so this time their embrace was much more successful. When he broke off away they were both breathing heavily. “Damn, that was good,” said Joe. “How heavy a sleeper are your mum and dad?”
“Alex? Joe?” Rusty stood a few feet away. By the light from the porch Alex could see his face was red.
“Better go,” Joe whispered in her ear. “Can’t very well come in now.”
He walked over to Rusty. “How you doing, mate?” he said, clapping him on the back. “Lovely night isn’t it?” He turned Rusty round and walked him away down the lane. Alex put her key in the lock. But before she could open the lock, Rusty appeared at her side.
“I’m a fool, aren’t I?” he said.
“It’s all been about Joe, hasn’t it? Even the Howardsfield Horror stuff. You were only doing it to keep Joe interested.”
Alex felt herself blushing. “He’s an actor,” she said. “They kiss everyone.”
“Not like he kissed you,” said Rusty.
Alex had no idea how to answer him. Rusty waited for a few moments. Then he said a curt, “Good night” and headed back down the lane.
6. Not the Joe We Knew
The next morning Alex didn’t email Rusty, because she didn’t know how she felt let alone what she could say to him. She sat in her room, letting her coffee get cold, and staring out the window at the trees losing their leaves. Downstairs she could hear her mother working in her home lab. Strange smells wafted up the stairs. Occasionally there came a muffled bang of something exploding. In an odd way she felt comforted. When they lived in Britain her mother had blown things up at home all the time, even when she was not cooking.
Alex thought about emailing c0nundrum, but what would she say? All quiet at present. It wouldn’t be the kind of message to invite a reply. With a sigh she turned to her text books. The film had taken up enough of her time that she needed to get her head down to catch up.
She didn’t hear from Joe. The day dragged on and on. Outside the sky hovered grey and leaden. Alex turned on the lights to read and created that unfortunate mix of gloom and electricity that induced a soporific feeling. By the time evening came around Alex would happily have hugged an alien abductor. Boredom claimed her. As soon as she heard her parents go to bed, she climbed out the window and scampered down the tree.
The clouds covered the stars, striping the sky in gradually deepening shades of blue. Alex heard the owl call once, but nothing else. Last night the ground had been crunchy with frost, now her feet slid in the thawing mud. Everything felt out of focus. Alex slowed as she reached the end of the lane. Something had changed. It took her a couple of moments to understand what she saw. The cornfield stood bare, blacken roots exposed to the elements. It had been cleared. Whatever Cat had seen there would be lurking in the corn no longer. The case of the Howardsfield Horror was well and truly over.
****
Unable to bear another day of tedium at home, Alex went into college even though she had no classes scheduled for that day. Rain drizzled miserably on her all the way there. Slimy piles of leaves covered the ground and the trees dripped steadily. When Alex reached the college she noticed how quiet the film set had become. She recalled Joe saying they were leaving shortly. A spasm of panic ceased her and she diverted towards the trailers.
A set of blinds in Joe’s trailer sent out yellow lines across the steps. Alex jogged across and up the steps. She knocked on the door. Joe’s voice called out a chirpy, “Enter.”
She found him sitting at his desk shuffling through a pile of papers. He looked up and grinned. “Thank God,” he said flashing his best smile. “Company! Weather’s cancelled everything today. I thought I’d have to head back to the hotel.”
“Don’t you like it there,” said Alex, drawing up a chair.
“Oh, it’s nice enough,” said Joe. “But there is nothing to do.”
“You could learn lines,” said Alex.
“Not likely. The crew will be playing drinking games and they can get very loud. Nothing more disruptive than a bunch of drunken techs.”
“Will Ronnie blow anything up?”
“Possibly,” said Joe. “Another reason not to go back. Plus Leonda has been hanging around rather too much. I think she thinks a fling would be good publicity for the show.”
“Oh,” said Alex.
“Yeah, oh,” said Joe. “There is nothing more predatory than a young female actor on the make. They terrify me.”
“I could hang out with you for a while,” suggested Alex.
“Yeah, that would be cool. I could actually run some lines with you.”
“Or we could watch a movie,” said Alex. “You promised me one called Satan’s Moons or something?”
“Not in the mood,” said Joe.
“I could do popcorn.”
“Another time.”
“You okay,” said Alex. “You’ve never turned down watching a movie with me before.”
“It’s not you,” said Joe quickly. “I don’t have anything here I want to watch.”
Alex glanced over at the piles of sci-fi movies Joe had yet to watch. “So what are you in the mood for?” she asked with some misgiving.
“I could tell you about my tour yesterday,” said Joe. His face lit up. “What they are doing at that Centre is fascinating. Did you know they are working to eradicate genetically transmitted disorders and diseases?”
“I’d heard something like that,” said Alex. “I didn’t think it would interest you. Did you learn any secrets?” she added with a grin.
“Secrets?” echoed Joe blankly.
“You know like you were talking about at the dinner party at Straker’s.”
“Oh god, that,” said Joe. “I was so drunk. I owe you a huge apology, Alex. I apologised to Straker yesterday, he was good about it. He’s a good guy. I like him. Apparently he does a lot of PR work, sometimes on the TV. He has a real photogenicness about him and a hell of a stage presence for an amateur.”
“I hadn’t noticed,” said Alex sitting down on the couch. “What did you see?”
“Mostly I met loads of kids. All undergoing treatment for stuff. Brave little guys. Made me feel like I wanted to do something for them. Straker had some papers sent over this morning.” He gestured to the desk. “I’m having a look through to see what I can do.”
“You mean a donation?”
“Maybe, but Straker seemed more interested in my aligning myself with his work. He has plans to open Centres all over the place. We talked about my being some kind of health ambassador.”
“So I guess your time as a paranormal investigator is over?” said Alex with a smile.
“I don’t remember playing one of those.”
“The Howardsfield Horror,” said Alex. “We were researching that together?”
“Oh that,” sa
id Joe. “That was me trying to get close to a pretty girl — you! I never thought there was anything in it, did you? I thought you were trying a different approach from the fans I usually meet. And it worked.” He flashed his best smile again. “Congratulations.”
“About that,” said Alex. “I’ve been thinking we should take things slow.”
“C’mon Alex, we had some fun. We can be friends, but I need to focus on this movie so I can wrap it up and move on to doing something serious with my life.”
“You’re dumping me?” said Alex.
“Slowing things down,” said Joe, “like you said. You are several years younger than me. It’s probably not a good idea for us to sleep together.”
“Okay,” said Alex.
“Don’t be disappointed,” said Joe. “It’s not you. It’s me. I need to concentrate on moving on. Want to run some lines with me. I’ve been thinking I should put more nuance into my work. I mean, I know this is a second rate movie. I’m praying it doesn’t go straight to DVD. But it still gives me an opportunity to show what I can do.”
He thrust the script at Alex. “I’ve outlined the scene I need to practice. If you read me in.”
Alex glanced down. She turned over three pages. “But you only have to say ‘fire’ and ‘take me to your commander’ in all of this.”
“I know,” said Joe. “That’s what makes it so important. It’s all about how I say it. After that I have some tapes on acting I want you to watch with me. I want you to be honest and tell me if I can nail the techniques.”
****
“He spent half an hour on the word fire,” Alex told Rusty. To her relief Rusty laughed. She had met him on the way to the library, after her visit to Joe, and it hadn’t taken much persuasion to get him to detour to the canteen.
“Did it get any better?”
“I couldn’t tell the difference,” said Alex. “I mean sometimes he said it louder than others and sometimes he stretched the word out, but the tone all sounded the same to me.”
“Did you tell him that?” said Rusty.