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Moving onward, the village was quiet. Quiet enough to wander freely, although folks were watching and judging. We hoped to get a warm welcome, but that won’t last. Hope is a sign of weakness. A character flaw. Society hoped climate change was a phase. That technology would save us. Equality was possible. There is always a silver lining. That people are basically good, and the Star Trek ideology of the late 20th century was true. Humanity can be better, virtuous. Our forefathers had their doubts. Star Trek ideology, a myth, we cannot coexist. Pulled apart by tribalism, creed, and greed.
Here’s hoping the others will get an accommodating greeting. Meanwhile, we continue to wander about seeking a location to secure our wagon and avoid confrontations. Found a front yard where, for a small fee, we could “rent” the space for the day. Hate to split up, but personable Frank will venture out and see where supplies might be available for purchase. He seems to be amendable. I’ll stay with the wagon.
Trouble like rain comes and goes. Difficult to know the good guys from the bad guys, and I see several wandering my way, three nefarious characters. Sitting in the back of the wagon, doing my best not to make eye contact, feigning boredom, hoping they will pass on by.
They stop. Wait. Maybe with any luck they will tootle along. One moves forward alongside of the wagon, horses whinny. Shifting, he kicks the wagon, seeking to gain my attention. I lurch as if startled. “Afternoon,” I mumble.
“Afternoon. The owner reported you’re trespassing on his land… nice wagon,” the leader announces.
“We paid some old guy to park here for the day.”
“Bummer, nice wagon,” he repeats. “We, we who.”
“It’s old,” I noted.
“Whose old, the guy or the wagon?” he asks.
“Both.”
“Whatever, we need a wagon. This will meet our needs, our lucky day,” he added. “The regional governess granted us permission to commandeer materials as needed, and we need.”
Two were still straight ahead, maybe thirty feet away, shifting their position, alert. The third mounted to my left.
Wondering, “Hey, you look familiar, you’re a Dick right? El Paso, last year.”
“Did you just call me a dick?”
Oops.
“Now move away,” he commanded.
Gotta work on my socializing skills.
He pulls his pistol now hanging at his side cocked. The other two still seem confident there would not be a problem, sit in their saddle, still side by side, straight ahead. Amateurs, this is too easy.
Their eyes betrayed them. Someone was approaching from behind me. More trouble?
“Out of the wagon, slowly,” he demands.
For now, will follow his direction, slowly. But in my peripheral vision, wait, now see Addison approaching. Standing, I turn back to face my adversaries, and saw Frank to the right, then the other side, the others.
Addison approaches, shakes her head. “Three grown men badgering this old guy, really?”
He evaluated the situation then, without a word, grunts, he turns, rides off with others tailing behind.
“Can’t leave you alone for a New York minute without getting yourself in a jam,” Frank notes.
“Apparently, I’m old, mentally addled, unable to communicate, and a magnet for trouble. We should leave posthaste, but.” It has turned colder, the sunsets, and the rain now whipped about by the wind would make leaving difficult and aware others are watching, dangerous.
“We need to find a place and settle in for the night. We need to complete our search for materials.”
Acutely aware they’re watching us. They…, the unsavory thugs, the frightened, the feral. Brett, Cord, Joshua, will explore the north of main street, seeking a safe place for the night, a meal while keeping us in view. Addison, Frank and I will venture south of main street with the wagon checking out alleyways, shops to visit in the morning, a covered place to settle in for the night, and dinner.
Frank, always first to ask, “What’s the plan?”
“Plan update. Addison will join us and we’ll seek some cover. You three stay out of trouble while monitoring us. Tomorrow we’ll find out whatever, visit some local merchants and wander alleys and backyards, collecting what they do not tie down or what we can barter for. Then tomorrow at noon, meet and slip out. Hopefully without notice.”
Did I just say hopefully?
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