“No, it was just a schedule conflict. We started shooting too late and another group was planning an event at the same park.”
“You can film in the meadow at the other end of the property,” said Star. “You’d have a clear space for the wolves to run and a backdrop of trees.” We had reached the edge of the woods, and Star paused, her hand on Felix’s arm, pointing to the expanse of meadow behind the yurt.
“I also filled in for the most celebrated Chihuahua to ever advertise Mexican food,” said Pepe.
“That would be ideal,” Felix answered. “Especially the eastern exposure. We’re hoping to shoot under the full moon on Monday night. But I would be concerned about working with these animals in an area that is so exposed. They will be under my control, but . . .”
“Don’t worry!” said Star. “The property is completely fenced. And our fences are topped with razor wire.”
“That’s quite impressive,” Felix said. “What are you trying to keep in?”
“Not in, but out,” Star laughed. “You wouldn’t believe how many people have tried to sneak into our grounds. Reporters hoping to get an inside scoop. Deprogrammers plotting to kidnap one of our devoted followers. Private investigators trying to get a message through to someone who has chosen to break off contact with their old pack.”
Was it just my guilty conscience or was Star looking straight at me when she said that? I tried to distract her by stepping forward and giving Felix a big hug.
“I’m just so glad you’re safe,” I said. “I was worried about you when you stepped inside that pen with the wolves.”
“I’m worried about you, too,” he whispered in my ear. “I wish I could be sure that you were safe.” Out loud he said, “Don’t worry about me. I’m a professional.”
“So are we,” said Pepe.
Chapter 21
“When do you want to begin?” Star asked as we headed up the steps toward the lodge.
“I’d like to spend the day with them tomorrow,” Felix said. “Just to be sure they’ll respond to my commands. If everything goes well, we could begin filming on Monday afternoon.”
“Will you give our wolves credit in your film?” Star asked.
“Of course. However you like.”
“Just a mention that they came from the Dogawanda Center for Enlightenment,” said Star.
“Sure. It never hurts to advertise.”
Star smiled. “There are many ways to spread the Word of Dogawanda.” She paused as we approached the front steps of the lodge. “In fact, I hope you will join us for the final session of our introductory seminar, which will begin in about an hour. You will be able to see our training principles in action.”
“Well . . . ,” Felix said.
I tried to jump in to help him out. “Perhaps Felix has to get back to—”
Star cut me off. “Your friend, Geri, or rather I should say her talented dog, Towering Cedar, will be the focal point of this ceremony.”
“It is bueno to be recognized,” said Pepe. “But I wonder what I am being recognized for?”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“I will be channeling this new spirit who comes through him,” she said. “It seems to be a feminine spirit. I wonder what we should call her?”
“Perhaps Wanda the Dog!” said Pepe.
“Perhaps Wanda,” said Star dreamily as she drifted up the steps. “Excuse me, I must prepare myself.”
“What is going on?” I said to my dog as Star left.
“What do you mean?” said Felix. “It seems pretty clear. The woman is loco.”
“You didn’t seem to think that when she was talking to you earlier,” I said.
“Geri, I was being polite,” Felix said. “Besides, I wanted to understand better what you are dealing with here. She definitely has some weird notions about dogs and their behavior.”
“All of her ideas come from Dogawanda,” I said.
“Come on, Geri,” Felix said. “There is no Dogawanda. She’s just making this stuff up.”
“I don’t know about that,” I protested. “She seems to hear something.” It seemed to be my dog. “And look at all these people.” I waved my hand at the green-clad Dogawandans. Every one of them was smiling. “Would they be here if they weren’t happy?”
“I wonder about that,” said Felix. “Perhaps the fence is to keep people in, not to keep people out.”
I pondered that. “I don’t think so. The Dogawandans seemed able to get down to town when the sheriff wanted to talk to them.”
Felix shrugged. “There are other ways to keep people confined,” he said.
“What do you mean?”
“Psychological control. Suggesting that everything that happens outside is dangerous. She seems to rule by fear more than by positive reinforcement.”
“You keep confusing having a relationship with a person with training a dog,” I said. “They’re totally different!”
“I certainly don’t think I’m training you very well,” said Felix. “If I were, we wouldn’t be here right now. We’d be in bed and you would be training me in how to give you pleasure.” He drew me into his arms and started to whisper into my ear suggestions about what I might like him to do to me.
“Geri!” said Pepe.
“Just a minute,” I said to him. I wanted to hear more of Felix’s ideas about how he would train me.
“Geri!” said Pepe again.
“Can’t you see I’m busy?” I snapped.
“That’s obvious,” said a deep, sexy voice. I recognized that voice. It was the voice of Fox Black.
I pushed Felix away, a bit embarrassed, as if we had been caught doing the things Felix was suggesting. I could feel my face flush with warmth.
Fox Black was standing a few feet away, his head cocked to one side. He wore ripped black jeans and a tight black tank top. “Who’s your new friend?” he asked.
“No friend of yours,” said Pepe.
“Hey!” I chided him, then realized Fox probably thought I was talking to him.
“This is Felix,” I said sternly. “He’s a Wolf Whisperer.”
Felix looked mortified.
“What’s a Wolf Whisperer?” Fox asked in a tone that was full of derision. Was he feeling some animosity toward Felix?
“I work with wild animals,” said Felix. “I tame them.” His dark eyes seemed especially piercing. His head was thrust out a little.
“I recognize the posture of male animals vying for dominance,” said Pepe.
“Why, Pepe!” I said. “You have an excellent grasp of body language. I do believe you could train humans.”
“Of course,” said Pepe. “All dogs train humans.”
“Of course,” said Felix. “It’s part of my training.”
“Of course,” said Fox. “It’s part of the training program.”
Apparently, Fox thought I meant him and Felix thought I was referring to him. They continued to face each other, fists clenched, bodies leaning forward.
I wanted to break up the tension. “At what level do you learn that?” I asked.
Fox broke off his gaze with Felix. I saw Felix toss his head back a little, as if to announce his victory in the eye-staring contest.
“Humans are so obvious,” said Pepe.
Fox turned to me. “At the beta level, we study body language extensively. I understand that you’re moving up to that level.”
“Yes, I am,” I said, casting a sideways glance at Felix, who crossed his arms.
“Star asked me to take you to the office so you could register. After the graduation ceremony, you’ll be moving to the beta den,” he said. “You and your little dog.”
“Tell him I’m not a little dog!” said Pepe.
“He’s not a little dog,” I said. “His name is Towering Cedar.”
“Well, then you and Towering Cedar.” He held out his elbow and I looked back at Felix.
“However, the beta pack headquarters is off-limits to anyone who has
not completed the introductory training,” said Fox, looking at Felix.
“It’s OK,” I told Felix. “It will only take me a few minutes to register. Will you meet me in the dining room? It would be great if you could stay for the evening session.”
Felix merely shrugged.
Chapter 22
“Geri, this is very good,” said Towering Cedar as we sat on a bench in the hall on the second floor of the lodge, waiting to meet Artichoke. It sounded like she was arguing with someone inside her office, but I couldn’t hear the other person’s voice. “We will soon be part of the beta pack, plus you have two males both trying to mark you as their territory,” Pepe went on.
“That’s not exactly how I think about it,” I said, though I had to admit I was really surprised by the unexpected attention from Fox Black. The fact that he had dialed it down a lot after we left Felix’s presence was disappointing, but since I assumed flirting was just part of his nature, I didn’t take it too seriously.
“Well, you can be sure that Felix is even more interested in you now,” said Pepe. “I could smell it on him!”
“Are you sure?” I asked. “He looked sort of annoyed. I wouldn’t be surprised if he left.”
“Oh no, he will stay around to claim his prize,” said Pepe. “Trust me!”
Just then, the door opened and Artichoke appeared. She wore a dark green velvet vest over a long, tiered green skirt.
“Ah, Crystal told me you would be continuing with us,” she said. “Come in!”
“How are you doing?” I asked as she waved me to a seat across from her desk. She did not seem like the distraught woman we had last seen. Her hair was braided and coiled in a tight bun on her head.
“I am in the Now,” she said, as if she did not know what I meant.
“I mean, after finding the body,” I said, leaning forward.
Artichoke pondered that for a minute. “Everyone passes away,” she said. “For Leaf, that time was yesterday. But she is now with Dogawanda on the other side. That is not cause for dismay or grief as it would be for those who are unevolved.”
OK. That put me in my place. Artichoke turned to look at her computer screen. I saw there was also a telephone on her desk.
“Oh, so you do have Internet and phones here,” I said.
“Yes, but I am the only one who has access. For others, it would be a distraction. It would take them out of the Now.”
Artichoke pushed some papers across the desk toward me. “This is our standard contract. If you will just sign here and there”—she pointed to some lines at the end of the three-page document—“and give me your credit card, I can get you out of here in time to have dinner before the evening session.”
“I’d love to read this,” I said, peering at the page of text, which was set in a tiny font.
“It just indemnifies us from any legal claim that might result if you were injured in any way by the training or some mishap that happened while you were staying with us,” Artichoke explained. “It also prevents you from disclosing anything you learn about while on our premises.”
“Has that happened?” I asked.
“Well, sometimes people leave. Sometimes we find they are not suitable candidates for Dogawanda’s wisdom. They may have some bad feelings as a result and sometimes they express their dissatisfaction publicly. Or someone thinks they can go off and create their own school, using Dogawanda’s wisdom. This document makes it clear that we will sue if either of those things happens.”
“You would think that Dogawanda would appreciate others spreading the word,” I said, my pen poised over the signature line.
Artichoke was not amused. “It’s important that the principles are presented in the right context. They can be easily misconstrued.”
“I do not agree to these terms, Geri,” said Pepe. “But as long as you are signing and not me, we should be OK.”
Artichoke took my credit card and wrote down the numbers. She had another form I had to sign to give my permission for the charge. Five thousand dollars for one week of beta-level classes. I hoped that Jimmy G would be able to recoup the cost from Mark.
“That is a lot of money, Geri,” said Pepe.
“How many others are continuing on?” I asked Artichoke.
“We’ll see after the dinner,” she replied. “That’s where we make the formal pitch. And sometimes candidates decide after the graduation ceremony. It’s very powerful.”
“So how come we got signed up early?” I asked.
“You’re very lucky,” Artichoke said, standing up to indicate our session was over. “Crystal has taken a special interest in your little dog. I understand he has a role to play in the graduation ceremony.”
“I am not a little dog,” Pepe said.
“He is not a little dog,” I said.
“He most certainly is,” said Artichoke firmly.
“It sounds like you don’t approve of him,” I said. I felt like I should defend my dog.
“Whatever Dogawanda wants is what I want,” Artichoke said crisply. “I’m just not convinced that Dogawanda would ever choose to speak through a Chihuahua.”
Chapter 23
I didn’t get much of a chance to talk with Felix over dinner. We were assigned tables; the idea seemed to be to pair up someone who had come for the introductory weekend with a beta-level and an alpha-level Dogawandan. If it was anything like our table, the goal was to persuade the prospect to sign up for the next level by talking about the benefits and wisdom to come. I saw checkbooks being handed over at other tables and credit cards as well.
Felix did not seem to be enjoying his dinner at all. In fact, he seemed to be arguing with the Dogawandans at his table, but I didn’t get a chance to talk to him again because Pepe and I were whisked away to the Longhouse to prepare for the final ceremony.
But Pepe was right; when Star ushered us out onto the stage set up at the front of the Longhouse, I saw Felix leaning against the wall in the back of the room. He was half in shadow, so I couldn’t really read the expression on his face.
Star took her usual place, sitting on a chair in the center of the stage. She had placed another chair beside her, full of pillows, and Pepe was posed on top of the pile, which made him almost as tall as Star. He had adopted a Sphinx-like pose, lying down, facing the audience with his paws in front of him.
I was supposed to sit facing the audience, at the left-hand side of the stage, where I had to crane my head at an awkward angle to see Pepe, but he insisted I remain close at hand. Fox Black was seated on the other side of the stage, and I could feel his eyes on me. I tried to ignore him since I didn’t want to give Felix the wrong impression.
The entire Longhouse was filled. The Dogawandans in the inner circle, like Terry and Artichoke, were sitting on pillows in the middle of the room, and the participants were lined up on the benches. Felix was all the way at the back.
“Greetings, loved ones,” said Star. She was wearing a cloud-white garment that shimmered in the light of the candles that were arrayed in glass jars at the front of the stage. A single floor lamp illuminated her teased blond hair and Pepe’s white fur, so they seemed to glow in the darkness. “You are in for a fabulous treat tonight, something that will be talked about around the world tomorrow.”
A whisper, a sigh, a gasp rippled through the crowd.
“Yes, after many years of channeling Dogawanda,” Star said, “I have the extraordinary privilege of introducing you to a new entity, an entity that I am able to channel because of this amazing being.” She waved her hand at Pepe and he sat up and took a bow.
There was a faint ripple of laughter in the crowd. “He may look small,” she said, “but his soul contains dimensions.” She folded her hands in her lap and bowed her head. She seemed to be falling asleep, and I didn’t blame her. It was dark and warm in the Longhouse and the air was thick with the scent of beeswax and incense.
“When do I get to talk?” asked Pepe.
“Hush!” I said, mo
tioning for him to be quiet.
Star’s head snapped up. In the gloom, her face seemed to elongate. Her golden eyes seemed to glow in the darkness. Her voice was gruff, almost like a bark.
“Dogawanda greets his servants,” she said.
“I didn’t say anything,” said Pepe.
Star seemed startled. She turned to look at Pepe, shook her head, then bowed it again. Nothing happened for many minutes, but everyone in the room remained perfectly still. When Pepe spoke again, I was sure everyone could hear him.
He said, “Greetings, followers of Towering Cedar.”
Star shivered slightly. Then she lifted her head, and this time her voice was lighter, more lilting than it had been when she channeled Dogawanda.
“Towering Cedar welcomes you!”
The crowd gasped as one.
“Yes,” Star went on smoothly, “I am a new entity coming to you through the channel of this Chihuahua.” She turned to bow to Pepe, who blinked. He always looks particularly wise when he blinks, although that usually happens right before he falls asleep. “And through my beloved vessel, Crystal Star.”
“So she can hear me, Geri!” said Pepe, looking at me.
“Yes, I can hear the words of this entity known as Towering Cedar as they form in the mind of this mighty creature,” Star declared, her voice growing in volume.
Pepe seemed to be waking up. “This is magnifico!” he declared.
“It is magnificent,” said Star, “as you are all my beloved followers.”
“I wonder if they will do as I tell them?” Pepe mused.
“Dear ones, I call you to follow my precepts. You must live in alignment with the divine order of the Dog,” Star said.
“Towering Cedar commands you . . . ,” Pepe began.
“And Towering Cedar commands you . . .” Star paused.
“You must all bark!” said Pepe.
“To bark?” Star looked at Pepe.
“Sí, bark like a dog!” said Pepe.
“To bark,” Star commanded, “and so align with the dog within.”
Immediately the room erupted in a cacophony of yips and yowls, ruffs and roars. Everyone seemed to have a different interpretation of what a bark sounded like. The only person I could see who seemed unmoved was Felix, who had his arms folded and his mouth firmly shut. I pretended to bark while turning to Pepe and glaring at him.
The Big Chihuahua Page 10