Awake Asleep Dreaming Dead (11 page)

Wild Cat Mountain, Sam said. I think it’s a nice place. We should be getting close. If you see a sign for it, let me know.

Thirty minutes later, and after guzzling a can of beer, Holiday’s hand went up. There’s a sign for Wild Cat Mountain right there, he said, and pointed, then stuck his head out the window. Yeah, boy, will you look at that mountain. It’s big and steep. We’re in the cat mountains, boys! I wonder if we’ll see any big cats.

We’re almost there, then. What do you think Tom? Are you ready to camp under the stars tonight?

I like the stars. It’s a way to understand how big the universe is. I think it was Jack London who wrote in one of his books something like, We’re all in the gutter, but sometimes I like to look up at the stars. We all look up in wonder, and ask ourselves, What’s out there beyond the darkness? I think staring at stars is similar to looking into someone’s eyes. They twinkle and sparkle, hide thoughts and secrets from the past. A mind is an unknown universe waiting to be discovered.

You are right, old-timer, Holiday said. I couldn’t wait to see’em when I got out of the can.

Sam drove up a gravel road that led to a building with a big green sign with white lettering that said, INFORMATION.

I’ll go in and ask about camping here for the night. It shouldn’t cost too much to get a spot for the night. Be right back. I like looking at stars, too, but let’s get the camp set up before they come out.

That sounds like a plan, Holiday said. Be waiting right here for you.

Tom and Holiday got out to stretch and walk around. As they stood by the car waiting, Holiday pulled out a pack of smokes. Care for one, old timer?

Sure. I quit these things years ago, but guess it doesn’t much matter anymore at this point.

Well, here you go, Holiday said, and handed it to Tom, then took out a lighter, and lit it for him.

Tom took a drag, letting the smoke fill his lungs, then blew a cloud up in the air. Breathing in smoke, why do people do it? I think if enough people believe something the rest will follow. P.T. Barnum couldn’t have said it better, “There’s a sucker born every minute”, at least I think it was him, and that includes every person who’s lit up a butt.

We’re all set, Sam said as he walked back to the car. We’ve got a camp site on the top of the mountain. It’s private, but strange, though, the guy in the office said we’re the only ones here. I guess it’s slow during mid-week.

Let’s go find our spot, and set up camp before dark.

Sounds good to me, Holiday said. Let’s go see what this campsite looks like. I can’t wait to sit around a campfire, and sing some songs.

This guy is nuts, Sam thought.

They jumped back into the car, and started up the winding road, bouncing through potholes, over large stones, finally making it to the top and parking. Man, that was a rough ride, Sam said. I hope the car’s okay. I felt it bottom out a few times.

There’s a good spot, Holiday pointed. Let’s camp there.

Sam pulled into the spot. Let’s unload our gear, so we can take it easy later. How about getting some wood for a fire? There’s a fire pit right there.

Tom was drinking again, and seemed to be getting along with Holiday, and talking up a storm as they set up the campsite. Sam took a beer out of the cooler. They’re talking like they met some time back, like old friends, or rivals.

You know, now that I think about it I wonder if we’ve met, Holiday said. You look familiar, old timer.

Possibly, in another life, Tom said.

You traveled much?

Yup, been just about everywhere.

Oh, yeah? Where, Holiday said mocking Tom, or should I guess or something?

If you want to, Tom said, and thought, Jackass.

Okay, Holiday said, I’ll take a stab at it. I’ll ask him about a place far away, Holiday thought, and ones he’s probably never been to. How about Japan? Been there?

Yup, Tom said un-flapped. You should go.

Really! Well, that’s something. What’s it like?

Everything seems small, Tom said, then thought, Like your brain, numbskull.

They talk funny there, don’t they?

They speak Japanese.

But, it sounds funny, don’t it?

It’s a different language, Tom said. If you want to say, yes, you say hai.

Really, say hi for yes, Holiday said, if that don’t beat all. How do they say, no, he asked? Bye, he said, and laughed.

Sam watched the two of them talk on, then walked over, and sat near the fire.

Well you both seem to be getting on. What are you talking about?

Been talking about when Tom here went to Japan, Holiday said.

Japan? Sam said, surprised, and looked at Tom. When were you in Japan?

Years ago, built some log cabins in the countryside near a place called Utsunomia, north of Tokyo. I remember lots of nashi orchards and small farms all around.

What’s a nashi, Holiday asked.

It’s a pear that looks like an apple, but tastes like a pear, soft and sweet.

Is that right, Holiday said, smirking, trying to think of something funny to say.

Yes, that’s right, and I met a Japanese guy who went to Israel and lived in a kibbutz for a while. He had a rock band with some friends, and they rehearsed at night inside a big shed that was used to store the farm equipment and building materials.

How old were you when you went there? Sam asked.

After I sold my barber shop I thought about where to go, and decided on Japan. I worked hard there with a guy from America who built log cabins. Unloaded logs that came in shipping containers packed to the top by hand. We had to crawl inside and push the logs out one by one. They were eight or ten inches in diameter, ten feet long, and heavy as hell. By nightfall we were spent, and just sat around grilling, eating, and drinking. After filling up on food and booze we took a long hot bath, then hit the sack, but got up early the next day and did it all again. Those log cabins sure looked great when they were finished. I wanted to build one for myself, but I met a nice lady, and she wanted to live in the US, so we came back.

That’s quite a story, Tom. You know, I’ve been to Japan. What happened to the lady? Sam asked.

She died.

Sorry, Tom, didn’t mean to . . . bring back sad memories.

It’s okay, Tom said, and winked.

Sam wondered why Tom didn’t seem as drunk as he made out to be. Is he’s putting on a sham? Sam thought.

Holiday looked up, and howled at the moon like he was calling an old friend. Hey, Tom, maybe she’s up there. What’s her name?

Her name was Lori, Tom said, and I loved her dearly.

Hey, Lori! Holiday yelled. You up there? then laughed.

The moon’s a mysterious object, Tom said. Some people think it’s hollow, and reptilian creatures live inside that glowing orb. Some of these people also think some of us are actually their offspring.

Now you’re joshing, aren’t you old timer?

It looks like one huge pearl to me, Tom said. A pearl of the universe floating high above, and one of a strand that broke apart when the universe was created.

That’s some strange shit old timer, where are the rest of them pearls, and where’d you come up with that story anyway?

Read about it somewhere, don’t remember where.

Yeah, I read too, but nothing like the shit you’re coming up with, old man.

Well, I’m hitting the sack and dreaming about pearls floating in space, Sam said. You guys can stay up shooting the breeze if you like, but I’m driving, and have to get up early tomorrow. If you’re not ready, I’ll leave both of you here. Sam crawled into his tent listening to crickets and muffled voices. Tom is up to something, he thought. He rolled around in his sleeping bag getting comfortable listening to them both talk on, but it was just noise. Soon it was quiet, and there was only the smell of smoke from the doused fire, hooting owls, and the occasional groan as the forest came alive with sounds of the night.

NEXT MORNING

 

The morning sunlight stirred Sam from a comfortable sleep, after he felt something at the bottom of his bare feet, like a bug crawling over his toes. He sat up in a frenzy rubbing his eyes. As Sam came to life he saw Holiday crouching at the opening of the tent sporting a huge grin. He had a long weed in his hand, and was using it to tickle the soles of Sam’s feet. One thing about Holiday: he acted like a dumb hick, but he had a perfect set of teeth, and a killer smile that wouldn’t quit. He could charm the devil just like Lonesome Rhodes in the film “A Face In the Crowd”. Sam yawned, groaned, and worked out the stiffness from sleeping on the ground all night.

Morning, Holiday said in a friendly twang. You awake? Hey sleeping beauty . . . I think we been taken to the cleaners. Holiday cocked his head. Hear what I said? Hey! You up?

Yeah, yeah, yeah . . . what’s . . . going on? What did you say? Sam sat up wobbly, grabbed his pants, shoes, then crawled outside. What do you mean? He asked, barefoot, and still in a slumber as he put on his pants and shirt. What’s going on?

He’s gone, Holiday droned. Nowheresville! Gone! Splitsville!

Who’s gone?

Well, there’s no one else here but us. I only see you and me. Better check your wallet, and other valuables. I think the old timer’s run off with it. He was friendly; a little too friendly, and I think he just wanted to make off with our goods.

Strange, Sam mumbled, and looked through his things, then walked over and checked the car. Everything’s here, nothing’s missing, he announced. Where would Tom go? he muttered. A visit with Mother Nature?

That’s possible, but I been up a while, and ain’t seen him, Holiday said, and laughed. You don’t suppose he went off to take a dump, and croaked pushing out a turd?

Sam looked at Holiday. What’s that supposed to mean?

He walked over to Holiday, grabbed him by the shirt, and slammed him against a tree.

What’s that supposed to mean?

Nothing! Don’t mean nothing, Holiday wheezed. Sam’s hands moved around Holiday’s throat. Holiday choked, breathing quickly. Leave me be. Let go of my shirt. He pushed Sam back, and gasped for air.

Did you do something to Tom?

You’re choking me, man! Choking . . . lay off, will you.

Sam released his grip, and walked toward the car. Holiday fell to the ground holding his neck, and mumbled, You’re gonna get yours, wait and see if it don’t happen.

Sam spun toward Holiday. What? What’s that? What did you say?

Nothing, I said nothing. Just leave me be. A glimmer of revenge emerged from Holiday’s face as he brushed the dirt from his clothes. He rubbed, felt, and held his neck where Sam had the choking grip. He followed Sam with his coal dark eyes. You’re gonna get yours, you bastard.

Stay here. I’m taking a walk to look for Tom. You be here when I get back.

I ain’t going nowhere, Holiday said, still holding, massaging, and clearing his throat.

Hey, Tom! Where are you? Tom! Sam shouted as he walked to the edge of the woods, but there was no response. You old fart. Where are you, Sam grumbled, and shouted Tom’s name again. Finally he gave up, and headed back to the campsite.

It was quiet, and the only sound came from birds singing. Holiday was nowhere in sight. Gone . . . he’s gone, too. I figured as much, Sam mumbled, and took down his tent. As Sam rolled, and folded, the tent he heard Holiday’s voice from behind, and turned.

Now the shoes on the other foot Mr. High and Mighty Bossman. I want you to stay right there, and put your hands on your head. Cause if you don’t I’m gonna blast you! Comprende?

What do you want? Sam asked. Where’s Tom? What did you do to him?

I don’t know where the old fart is. I want your wallet, your car, and anything else of value that you got. As far as the old-timer goes, I ain’t got a clue. He probably did wander off to take a dump, and had a heart attack like I said before. Maybe he croaked.

I thought you said you changed your ways, and gave up being a thief.

Well, not exactly.

Was any of what you said true? Sam asked, dropping to the ground with Holiday standing over him, and the gun pointed at his back.

The prison story part was true, Holiday said. But why I was put in . . . wasn’t. I told you I hit a bank, well, I did a little more than that.

More?

Yeah, more. And I’ve done . . . lot’s of other things, and not worried a damn bit. So, don’t do anything stupid or I’ll blow a hole in you. Holiday opened the wallet. This all the money you got, Bossman?

That’s it.

You’d better be telling the truth, Holiday said, shoving the pistol against the back of Sam’s head while twisting the barrel.

No valuables in the trunk or car? Holiday asked with a voice of doubt. Really? Nothing? No more money? Nothing at all?

There’s a lot of camera gear in the trunk, and a small leather case under the seat with some papers and money.

Papers? What kind of papers, Zig Zags? Holiday said, and laughed. Now we’re talking, Holiday said. I’ll be checking that for that stuff, and while I do, you strip.

What?

You heard me, strip. Take off your clothes. Don’t want you running away. I’ll be keeping an eye on you, so don’t go and do anything stupid.

Holiday walked over to the Sam’s car, rummaged under the seats, found, and pulled out the leather case.

I’ve got the case, he shouted, and smiled as he held it up.

Sam turned. Yeah, great.

Where’s the key for the trunk?

On the ring; the key ring in my pocket, Sam said.

Okay, toss your pants here, Holiday ordered in his twangy accent, driving Sam crazy; it was like peeling a dry scab off. And get the rest of them clothes off. And remember, I’ll shoot you in the face, and keep blasting until you’re full of holes if you try anything. He waved and twirled the gun around again like a gunfighter. Come on! Move it, boss-man!

Sam took off his pants, and threw them in Holiday’s direction. They landed at Holiday’s feet.

He bent down, and picked up the pants. Take everything off. Don’t be shy, now, Holiday said, and laughed as he checked the pockets. Sam pulled off his shirt, and finally stood there in his shorts with his arms folded. Take them skivvies off too, Holiday growled. Then lay yourself face-first down on the ground. Get your face and pecker in the dirt. Hey, got a nice wad of cash here bossman, Holiday said counting the money. Looks like I’m gonna have me a good time. Now, you got anything else hidden in your rig?