As if he were dreaming, Ken gasped as the door was suddenly flung open and Jimmy appeared, immediately followed by Julie and Bill Huggins. Mars turned his head, but just in time for Jimmy’s fist to crash into his dimpled chin. Ken cheered as Julie leapt on top of Mars and clawed at his eyes with her fingernails. The chair crumpled to the floor, and Mars flailed at the air, trying to get to his feet and fend off Julie at the same time. He suddenly roared in pain, but even as Julie pulled her bloody hands from his face, Jimmy was pummeling that face with his fists. Ken watched as Bill tore the old-fashioned coffee pot from the counter; taking it by the cord, he began whipping Mars with the business end.
The beating continued for a very long time.
Julie stood over Mars with a butcher knife. He appeared to be unconscious, but she said she wasn’t taking any chances. Jimmy found the handcuff keys on the counter and unshackled Ken as Bill hacked through the heavy tape with a steak knife. Ken slowly got to his feet and rubbed his wrists. “You got here just in time,” he said, weakly. “How did you ever find me?”
“We got lucky,” said Jimmy, wrinkling his nose. “What the hell happened down here? It smells pretty funky.”
“That bastard was using me for target practice,” Ken said, pointing at the bloody form of Mars. “Rubber bullets. They hurt like hell.”
“I’m going to kill him!” Julie squealed and dropped down to one knee with the knife.
Ken surprised everyone by racing to her side and taking her by the arm a bare second before she would have stuck the blade into Mars’ exposed throat. “No!” ordered Ken. “We’re not cold-blooded killers. We’ll let the authorities deal with him.”
“But he raped me!”
“And he’ll pay for that,” Ken said, taking the wooden handled knife from Julie. “Trust me. I’ll make sure that he does.”
Julie reached down and took Mars by the ears and began smashing his head into the floor. “No!” she cried. “He’ll just get away and do it to somebody else. He has to be stopped!”
Ken flung the knife across the floor and took Julie into his arms. “Stop it, sweetie. Everything will work out; you’ll see. Let’s get out of here. I have to find my wife. Has anyone heard anything?”
Julie buried her head into Ken’s chest and shook her head. She sobbed as Ken hauled her to her feet and he held her there, stroking the back of her head.
Once they reached the surface, Ken decided that it was best that they sent Pluto back down to join Mars at the bottom of the mineshaft. He was battered and bruised, but besides his missing finger, he was still in one piece. They waited inside the shed which felt like the inside of an oven as the elevator delivered Pluto to his underground cell. Once the indicator reached the bottom, Ken disabled the elevator’s power by pulling the electrical breaker switch. “That ought to hold them until the authorities arrive,” Ken said, brushing his hands on his pants. “Don’t let me forget to call them, in a month or two.”
“Why call them at all?” asked Julie. “I say we just let them rot down there.”
Jimmy noticed that Sheldon was missing and asked Pops where he was.
“Too damn hot for him,” Pops said. “He went out to sit in the air conditioning.”
When they got out to the van, Sheldon didn’t seem at all surprised that they had returned with their prize. He merely switched off the radio and smiled. “Crazy world,” he said, cryptically. “You just never know what’s going to happen next.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” asked Pops.
“Nothing,” replied Sheldon. “Nothing at all.”
“Hang on a minute,” Ken said, nodding to Bill. “What have you got there?”
“Nothing,” Bill said. “So, how does it feel to be out in the fresh air, huh?”
Julie reached behind Bill and tried to snatch away what he’d taken, which was obviously a laptop computer. “Knock it off. I found it on the table, and those guys aren’t gonna need it.”
“That’s stealing,” replied Ken. “You had no right to take that. What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking that it might help us figure out what happened to all the people in Utopia. Doesn’t anyone else care?”
“He’s right,” Jimmy said, stepping next to Bill. “They aren’t going to need it where they’re headed. And personally, I would like to know what happened out there.”
Bill hugged the laptop close to his chest and raised his nose in the air. He spun on his heels and climbed into the van, returning to the middle seat.
“He’s nothin’ but a common thief,” said Pops, scratching his chin.
Ken shook his head. “I wouldn’t go that far,” he said, softly. “He means well, but he likes to write his own rules as he goes along.”
“I heard that,” Bill said loudly in a monotone voice.
“Well, it’s true,” said Julie, who followed Jimmy into the seat behind Bill. “You’re nothing but a common thief.”
“Listen, miss smarty-pants, I needed this computer. I haven’t checked my Facebook or email in two years!”
“Hello? Nobody has checked their Facebook or email. What makes you think you have any email to check?”
“I’m not going to listen to this all the way back to the cities,” Jimmy said. “I want both of you to mind your own business.”
Ken shook his head and sighed. Pops just shrugged and pulled open the door to the front passenger seat. Ken watched from the open side door as the truth finally dawned on him. He would be riding next to Bill. He looked to the sky, and after a second painfully climbed into the seat next to Bill who had already powered up the expensive-looking laptop.
“What do you suppose a guy like Pluto would use for a password?” asked Bill, his eyes brimming with excitement.
“I wouldn’t have the slightest idea.”
“How about Bill Huggins is a thief,” snipped Julie.
“How about can Julie Hartman shut her big fat mouth?” retorted Bill, adding: “Oh, no she can’t. Nope, that didn’t work either.”
“I’m warning you guys,” groaned Jimmy. “You’ve got to stop this.”
Sheldon turned in his seat. “How about another planetary name?” he asked. “Just a guess, but anyone who goes by the name Pluto is a little out there, you know what I mean?”
Bill smiled and nodded his head. “I do,” he said. “I’ll bet you’re right.”
Sheldon shifted the van into drive, and soon they were racing across the countryside. Ten miles outside Ely and not fifteen minutes into a four-hour drive, Ken turned to Bill. “For the last time, I don’t know what he might’ve used for the password. The same goes for everyone else. Now, I’m going to close my eyes and take a nap. If you so much as sneeze, I’m going to take that laptop and toss it out the window. Do you understand me? I need to get some rest.”
“Fine,” Bill said, turning his head to face out the window. “I don’t need your help, anyhow.”
“Then quit asking for it,” hissed Julie.
“Shut up. We weren’t talking to you.”
Julie started to say something, but Ken turned in his seat; the look in his eyes spoke volumes to both Julie and Bill. Jimmy could see that Ken was on the verge of exploding, and he put his arm around Julie, pulling her close. Ken spun back around and stared at Bill for a long moment, before crossing his arms at his chest and closing his eyes.
The rest of the drive to Minneapolis was made in absolute silence.
Chapter 45
“Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.” ~ Adlai E. Stevenson
With the evening sun just hitting the tops of the trees, Sheldon pulled the van off the freeway on County Road D in the suburb of Roseville and followed an ancient VW into a convenience store just off the exit ramp. Jimmy woke when he felt the van slowing, but he closed his eyes and fell back asleep as soon as Sheldon and Pops exited the vehicle. Before too long, the van doors opened and closed, and once agai
n they were motoring along.
When Jimmy opened his eyes again, it was nearly dark. He looked out the window and tried to find a landmark, but nothing looked even vaguely familiar. With Julie snuggled up next to him and Ken snoring softly in front of him, he decided not to ask where they were or where they were heading. He stole a look up at the front seats, and it appeared that Sheldon and Pops were nearly as lost as he was.
“We passed it,” whispered Pops. “You’re going to have to turn around.”
“No we didn’t,” replied Sheldon. “I think it’s up here.”
“You’re a stubborn old goat.”
“Maybe, but I’m also right. What does that sign say?”
“Lakeshore Drive,” muttered Pops.
“Oh really, do you still think I should turn around?”
“Shut up.”
Jimmy was wide awake now and wondered about the significance of Lakeshore Drive. The van slowly rounded a corner and turned onto a narrow frontage road. Jimmy could now see the lake and the spectacular sunset across the water. The sky was filled with every shade of orange and purple, and the water seemed to be on fire. A lone boat sat out in the bay, lighted at stem and stern. Jimmy could smell the lake as they continued to drive along the winding secondary road. Julie was suddenly awake next to him, and she stretched and yawned. She stared out the window, and her face registered her confusion. Jimmy shook his head and held a finger to his lips.
The van rumbled along, and Jimmy watched as Pops and Sheldon continued their silent argument from the front seats. They were lost; Jimmy was sure of it. The van was now lurching ahead and stopping at nearly every driveway.
“We need to find a gas station,” said Bill, breaking the silence. “I have to go to the bathroom.”
Jimmy groaned as Ken slowly shook his head and sat up in his seat. A moment passed. “Where the hell are we?” he asked. “I thought we were heading to Minneapolis?”
“You’ll see,” replied Pops. “Now pipe down back there and leave us alone. We need to concentrate.”
Jimmy looked out the window at all of the large and graceful homes, most of which were brightly lit by electric lights. There was money here, wherever they were. The streets were lined with contractor vans and construction trailers. Pops cracked his window, and Jimmy caught the faintest call of a loon.
“Stop,” said Pops. “I think we just passed it.”
“No,” replied Sheldon. “I think it’s right up here.”
“The gas station?” asked Bill.
“There’s no gas stations out here,” said Ken. “You’re gonna have to hold it.”
“Oh, that’s just great.”
“Shut up, Bill,” snipped Julie.
“Shut up yourself.”
“There… there it is!” shouted Pops. “That has to be it!”
Jimmy whistled as the van turned into a driveway lined with expensive-looking automobiles. There were three news trucks that he could see, and he was suddenly sure that they were here to break the story of Ken’s rescue. He quickly ran his hands through his hair and wished that the old guys had given him some warning. Up ahead, Jimmy could see some type of party taking place. Flaming torches encircled an area that contained dozens of long tables. There seemed to be literally hundreds of people outside on the lawn of the grand lake home.
“What the hell is this?” asked Ken. “I really don’t feel up to a party.”
“Sorry,” said Pops. “It’s too late for that. You’re going to have to suck it up.”
“That’s right, mister,” agreed Sheldon. “Careful, you just might enjoy yourself tonight.”
The van crept to a halt, and Bill slammed his way past Ken to the side door, the laptop clutched at his side. “Sorry,” he said, looking as if he genuinely meant it. He flung the door open and disappeared out into the warm night air.
“I really don’t feel up to this,” said Ken. “Jimmy, Julie, you guys know how I am. I don’t really care for parties.”
“Which part of suck it up didn’t you understand?” Pops asked. “Get the hell out of the van, now!”
“Okay, you don’t have to be an ass about it.”
“Quit acting like such a baby,” replied Sheldon. “We know what we’re doing. Now, move it, all of you!”
Jimmy watched as Ken crawled out of the van, his face registering great pain as he moved. Julie reluctantly followed him, shooting daggers at the front of the van as she did so. “Assholes,” she muttered. Jimmy followed her, stepping out just as the last bit of sun disappeared across the water. They were perhaps five hundred feet from the party. Big band music played from the house, and the sounds of countless conversations droned together like a swarm of bees. They watched as Sheldon made a three-point turnaround and the van roared past them out towards the road.
“Those guys are weird,” said Ken.
“I’ll say,” agreed Julie, watching as the van rounded the corner and disappeared.
“Can you smell that?” Bill asked. “Whatever they’re serving, sure smells good.”
Julie spun and stared at Bill. “Try not to embarrass us, please? And leave that stupid laptop out here.”
“Talk to the hand.”
“What did you say to me?”
“Will you two grow up?” asked Ken. “I’m not going to listen to this senseless bickering for another minute. You two can either learn to get along or you both can learn to get along without me. I’ve had it.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” said Jimmy.
There was an uncomfortable silence as Ken’s words hit home. Julie crossed her arms and stared into the woods while Bill stood with his head hanging low, holding the confiscated laptop like a serving platter. A loon called from across the bay as the band paused to take a break. The silence continued and was soon broken by the sound of approaching footsteps on the asphalt driveway. All heads turned to face two tall, gorilla-like shadows approaching from the house. Jimmy took a step back and suddenly felt very small.
“Excuse me,” said one of the voices, in what Jimmy thought was the deepest, raspiest voice he’d ever heard. “Can we help you?”
“This is a private party,” said the other man, in a monotone voice that hinted at a degree of deafness. “You will have to leave, now.”
“Look,” said Ken, stepping forward. “We don’t want any trouble. There must be some sort of mistake.”
The headlights to the van suddenly came to life and bathed the five of them in bright light. Jimmy stood with his mouth hanging open as he recognized the two men. Jessie Hogan and Arnold Conner had parlayed their fame into acting careers, and later both men had found their way into politics. Both were dressed in formal wear, and both wore dark sunglasses, despite the hour. Hogan suddenly smiled and rushed forward to take Ken’s hand. “I’m sorry,” he said, warmly. “I didn’t recognize you. I’m Jessie Hogan and this is my good friend, Arnold Conner. I’m so glad you found us. Mr. Dahlgren, will you and your friends please follow us?”
“That’s the Dominator,” whispered Bill, who had stepped behind Jimmy.
“We know who it is,” hissed Julie. “Do you think we’ve been living under a rock?”
“Come with me, please,” Connor said, and he moved behind Jimmy and Bill and placed a heavy hand on each of their shoulders.
“Can I have your autograph?” asked Bill.
“After you shower,” replied Conner.
“Yeah,” agreed Bill. “That’s what I meant.”
With Julie clutching his hand and Bill at his side, Jimmy was led over to what appeared to be a guest cottage by the lake. When they stopped at the door, Jimmy turned to see that Ken was gone. Arnold Conner, who had yet to smile, took off his sunglasses and motioned to the door. “Your friend will be fine,” he said. “You men get cleaned up in here. We’ll be back.”
“Jimmy?” Julie protested, her eyes growing large as Conner took her by the shoulder and hustled her away.
“Don’t worry,” Conner said. “Your things are in
the house.”
Jimmy watched as the bodybuilder whisked Julie away into the darkness. Bill opened the door behind him and found the lights. Jimmy gasped when he stepped inside. The cottage was small and furnished with rustic furniture, most of which seemed to be as old as he was. A cheese and cracker tray sat on a small kitchen table, and a blue cooler sat on the floor. From what Jimmy could tell, everything that Thrill and Katie had purchased for them was laid out in front of them. Bill stood there with his laptop and sighed heavily. “None of this stuff fits me,” he said. “What am I supposed to wear?”
“We’ll figure something out,” Jimmy said, scratching the whiskers on his jaw. “We’d better get cleaned up and dressed. We don’t want to keep them waiting.”
Jimmy regretted the words almost as soon as he’d said them. Bill was standing between him and the open bathroom door. He nodded, set the laptop down on the table, and shuffled into the bathroom and closed the door. After what seemed like an eternity, Jimmy heard the sound of the shower running. After carefully choosing his clothes and hanging them outside the bathroom door, Jimmy grabbed a beer out of the cooler and sat down at the table. And he waited.
Bill emerged nearly half an hour later, foaming toothbrush in his mouth, wet towel wrapped around his middle. He stared at Jimmy, unapologetically, as Jimmy brushed past him into the small bathroom. Before closing the door, Jimmy tossed Bill’s dirty clothes out.
The bathroom floor was littered with dirty towels. Pools of water sat on every surface, and the bottom of the bathtub was covered in soap scum. Jimmy groaned as he looked at the sink. Bill had obviously shaved, and the sink was full of creamy whiskers and tiny bits of something that looked like food. Bill had left him a hand towel and a washrag, and Jimmy silently cursed him as he stared at the two soiled bath towels on the floor. He quickly ran water in the tub and into the sink and found some spray disinfectant. After exhausting the contents of the can, he finally undressed and got into the shower. The hot water lasted less than two minutes.
Undeterred, Jimmy went through his bathroom routine and even managed to shave with the cold water without cutting himself. He dressed and was just tying his shoes as a loud knock came at the door.
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