These are the days of EL RANCHO TEXACO ..... Recollections

Little David (though everyone called him 'Davey', or 'Prince') squinted up at the two sky-ponies tracin' lazy circles above the Cinnabar Hills. One of 'em was his. Oh, he ain't never rode it yet, but he will. Old Man bred it special for him. Bloodline goes back  all the way to Oberon and Titania, the progenitors of the breed. 


This was his favorite time. The sun hung low in the sky. Air felt cooler. Dust devils died down and the 'big blues' just commencin' to chirp. ............. Pop, - he says, how'd it get this way? Miz Footwasher say bunch a dudes from Earth did it. But I don't get it. She can be a red hot bitch sometimes. And I think she tell lies.


His 'Pop' chuckled. Man did that kid have a chili pepper tongue.   Why you makin' ruido like that? - laughed the Old Man. Who teach you them  words?.......... Aw, you know that, Pop-pop. Come on. Stop it. You did. - said the little boy............. And the Old Man playfully cuffed his grandson's chin, as they lounged back on the great veranda watching the orange glow turn to black.


You want me to learn you la verdad? - said the grandfather? Well, OK then. I'll tell you. But why you not cover up first with that old, native alfombra over there. It getting a little to fresca for my ole bones. Don't you feel it?


But even though the young one shook his head, the Old Man still grabbed two thick, rug-like afghans for them to burrow under. And then he commenced to speechifyin'.......


Lets see now. The way they told it to me, this here place was once just a big wad a red dust, 'polvarosa.'................. And that's the name of our spread, right, Pop-pop? - piped the boy......... Right, - said the Old Man............. Ain't it the biggest? - said the boy................Well, in Mars Montana it is. Don't know much 'bout them other states............It's the biggest. I know, - yawned the sleepy red head.............. Could be you're right, - said the Pop-pop...................... So, how'd they get it like this? You know, not just a big wad and all, - said the boy.................... What do you think they did? - said the Old Man..................... Build all the houses and bowlin' alleys? - said the cute, little guy.............. The Old Man laughed. No, before, - he said.............. Woke up all the 'kit-kats'?- asked the boy................... Hey,  you know your pa don't like  you talkin' that way. What you supposed to say? - said the Pop-pop..................... First-Folk, first-folk. I know. They the first folk, - said the kid. Excuse me. I din't mean nuttin'. you ain't gonna tell him, are ya? - he looked so sad..............No, I ain't gonna tell him. But don't say that word again. You don't want a start any more fights, do ya?..............The kid shook his head. 


Two seconds later the door opened. Big Mama came out. She said - What  you doin' out here so late? Get him inside, Old Man. What kind a dope are you?............ But the Old Man just 'made eyes' at the kid, as they climbed out a the big, cushioned, wicker settee and followed the granny-woman inside. Then she closed the door and locked it for the night. 


Them sky-ponies sailed down to the stables, folded their wings and settled right in. Polvarosa had a whole herd a them. But these two were the best. The spread was the best. The house was the best too. Big and wide, like George Washington's Mount Vernon, only blowed up and countrified. Just right for The Texacos of Mars. You see, these folks itchin' for the Stone House. They fixin' for a president or two. And who the hell 'round here do you think is gonna stop 'em?


Why don't ya ride back this way tomorrow? I'll learn ya. I'll tell ya how it all  got started. You think the Old West was sumpin'? You think the Out Back had it all? Wait'll you hear how much piss been sprayed on this red wad. 


Now, go on.Better go back to wherever it is y'all sleep. Chupicabra gone be sniffin' 'round soon. And I hear tell he hongry.


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A YOUNG VAMPIRINO LEARNS WHY part II..a return to the night before Christmas Eve

Look back, oh best beloveds, for Jonathon sits with the scholars. He occupies a chair in the library of The Great Rashi. Do you remember it? Perhaps a trip back to our December twenty third post would be beneficial? Wander through that night and then come back, so that we may proceed.......


Jonnathon saw the lizard. He saw it run up the raw, stone wall and he knew. This was not his world. He was not on Earth. The details were wrong. Six legged Earth lizards do  not exist. And another 'disciple' seated at the table laughed. But then Rashi held up his hand and all were silent. 


Our Andalucian vampirino said - Why have these things happened? Why are we all changed? Explain it to me. For what purpose? I have asked others, but they hold back. They keep things secret. Why is this 'world' different from all other 'worlds'?.......Why?


Rashi looked at him, smoothed his linen tunic and spoke. He said - Because it was time. For every thing there is a season. And a time for every purpose under Heaven. Do you know those words?...........Jonathon nodded and the venerated philosopher of The Faith continued............. Humanity's cradle has been transformed. Other islands have been prepared for you, one in particular. Before, you inhabited only Eretz, only the Earth. But now you may build houses on another. Ma-adim, Mars, has been made ready for you too. Could it be that along some other 'river,' by the side of other waters, and I speak of parallel universes (you know that) mankind might have worked these wonders on their own? Of course. But that world is not this world. You see, Jonathon, we experiment and learn things just like you. Why do you think we gave you the Moon? And I know you've had this conversation with others of our kind before. But the plans were not complete then. Even acts of creation take time. The Moon was a stepping stone, a carefully positioned footstool, lovingly placed in the path of a toddler to give him rest...and confidence. Ma-adim is the next step. Then the water-worlds of Tzadek (Jupiter). I believe you have some knowledge of them? The manta ray people? The first 'aliens' you're set to encounter.


Jonathon whispered - What are  you? Are you God? Are you, all of you, I mean, a manifestation of The Divine?


Rashi said - No, not divine. Not in that sense. We use a term... Not the shepherd, but the sheepdog.....


Jonathon froze.


I believe you're familiar with the term? - said the sage. 


Jonathon nodded.


Your people, the life-eaters, the vampires, I mean, they use it too. I know that. And the old ones, the very old ones, are somewhat like us. You've seen things. You know. True, there is a difference of degree. But the seeds of what will be are clearly there. All life evolves. And that does not cancel out The Creator. Mankind may have sprung from lower creatures. But once the change was made, the CHANGE was MADE. And a new being set foot upon the world. You flow from them. And your kind faces many changes too...... But if all this is too fast for  you, I'm prepared  to give  you a choice. 


What?- whispered the Earth-born vampirino.


I will put you back into the position  you occupied before the rivers split. I will return you to a different parallel universe, similar to your own in every way, save one.... We, never arrived. Not in this manner anyway.


Will all those I love be there too?- asked Jonathon.


Yes - said the Rashi simulation.


Will I be human? Will I be back in Al-andaluz? - said the 'young' vampire.


No. - said the teacher. I cannot alter your form. But you will be with those you love. 


With Sarah and the others, you mean? Back in Philadelphia?


I can put you there.


Then do it. - said Jonathon.


The Rashi-thing just nodded. 


And a great pulse eminated out from every point in this 'reality'. The stone walls of the manor house became as static and disappeared. Then the deep, swirling clouds of Saturn dissolved, as a great wind enveloped our vampirino and carried him off through space. He passed through the realm of Tzadek (Jupiter). He sublimated through the asteroid belt. He saw the great briny, shield of water spinning perpendicular to the nearby surface of Ma-adim (Mars).  But then the time streams parted and he was back on Earth, sitting in the garden, staring at the moon. And he gasped at the finality of it all.


Somewhere in another place, a Great, Briny shield intercepted a dry, red world, bringing water to grateful colonists. But not here. Somewhere in another place lived Lailah and the Chevalier Jean-Michel. And somewhere he and Sarah had seen great things. Yet he chose to come back and that path was not his. 


A few heartbeats later, Sarah, his consort, quietly stepped out onto the cold, wintry back patio. She put her hand on his shoulder and said - Come. It'll be dawn soon. Let's go to bed. 


So he got up, put his arm around her and together they walked back into the large, stone house in Chestnut Hill. He picked up Annie's games and put them in the ottoman. Then he covered Edith (their human friend and 'housekeeper' who often fell asleep in front of the television) with an afghan. The 'elves' were in their place. The 'cherubs' in theirs. Other vampires known to him slept peacefully in other snug spots too.


But a moment later he stopped. He kissed Sarah, opened the door and together they went down to their own place in the dark.


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Perhaps some night we'll visit that other 'stream.' Perhaps then we'll walk on Ma-adim and Tzadek. Jonathon will be there, Sarah too. But that night is not this night. And so it is done.


A new tale starts tomorrow - either EL RANCHO TEXACO or EMPIRE OF THE JADE ORB. Please join us. And before  you turn out the light wherever  you are, click on the SHARE button, so others may know too. Thank you and 'MAY YOU NEVER KNOW PAIN. MAY YOU ALWAYS KNOW LOVE. MAY YOU HIDE FROM DEATH NOW AND FOR FOREVER, OR UNTIL THAT TIME WHEN ALL FEAR SLIPS AWAY....an ancient life-eater (vampire) prayer.

A YOUNG VAMPIRINO LEARNS WHY part II..a return to the night before Christmas Eve

Look back, oh best beloveds, for Jonathon sits with the scholars. He occupies a chair in the library of The Great Rashi. Do you remember it? Perhaps a trip back to our December twenty third post would be beneficial? Wander through that night and then come back, so that we may proceed.......


Jonnathon saw the lizard. He saw it run up the raw, stone wall and he knew. This was not his world. He was not on Earth. The details were wrong. Six legged Earth lizards do  not exist. And another 'disciple' seated at the table laughed. But then Rashi held up his hand and all were silent. 


Our Andalucian vampirino said - Why have these things happened? Why are we all changed? Explain it to me. For what purpose? I have asked others, but they hold back. They keep things secret. Why is this 'world' different from all other 'worlds'?.......Why?


Rashi looked at him, smoothed his linen tunic and spoke. He said - Because it was time. For every thing there is a season. And a time for every purpose under Heaven. Do you know those words?...........Jonathon nodded and the venerated philosopher of The Faith continued............. Humanity's cradle has been transformed. 

EMPIRE OF THE JADE ORB --- choice two for the new story 'arc'

Please do not expect this one to be conversant in the preferred, classical manner. I stem from a remote corner by the Dragon's Spine Mountains in the western part of Meiguo, a land mass once known by the name 'Am-ree-ka. This one has lived in the Yinghuo city of Cinnabar for twelve years. I was sent out to this place, the planet known to your people as Mars, in the fifth year of the second San Shijie Emperor, to study the land and help develop its fecundity.


It was a great honor for one stemming from non-Han peoples and this one's parents were pleased to see me go. I traveled out deep within the belly of a sleek Sky Dragon. The ship held twelve hundred souls and made the transit in two moons. Was I sad upon my departure? In some ways. Kanji (Earth) was my home and this one's bones were suited to the gravity there. But the thought of setting shoes on another world tempted me. So I went.


Many people came to see us depart. Pioneers were given special silver badges. And forever after, the designation 'Pioneer' would be added to my name. My parents, siblings and relations have been out to see me many  times, usually at the season of the Lunar New Year, but they still reside in Meiguo, most in the vicinity of Mile-High-City. Do you know it? According to historians, it once bore the archaic name of Dehn-ver. And odd, it seems, to observe the Lunar New Year here on a world without a substantial moon. But the chronographers on Kanji keep us to the straight path in order that we do not forget. 


Have I ever been in the presence of the Second San Shijie Emperor? Twice. The first time, soon after my arrival, when he came out to bless the First Waters flowing through the New River. The second time occurred  during a trip back to Kanji. Although this one was not seated in the First Banquet Pavilion and only in the Third, I saw him as he progressed through the hall, acknowledging our presence, on his way to take his place at  the First Table.


But I also saw other things...and therein lies the sin. Please do not ask me to tell you now. Let us first begin to know and understand each other. Perhaps then I will bring you in. 


Life is complicated in The San Shijie (three worlds) Empire. And I pine  for the calming influence of Chanjuan (the Moon), for no such silver beauty decorates the Yinghuo skies. 


Ah, behold! Look, there lies the gates of Cinnabar. You'll like the city. It is quite cosmopolitan and in some ways the sister of Old Hong Kong. I know these beasts are uncomfortable. Two-humped camels are a most loathsome breed. Yet they thrive so on this world. See how their great camel toes dig into the rough, dry sand. What is it? What have I said? Why do  you laugh at me like that?..... Forgive this one. It is apparent I have much to learn about your world......


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AND NOW FOR A WORD FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY BRAIN

THE LITTLE MATCH BOY 'arc' is over. If anyone is interested and would like to see it, episodes run from about Christmas Day (12/25) to 1/15. It IS a nice, sentimental read for a cold winter's night. Would of made a really first rate 1930's black and white tearjerker. Freddy Bartholomew could a earned a special Oscar for it. Maybe in a parallel universe he did.


But now I need your advice. Two story lines are bouncing around in my skull and I have to pick one. TRUE, I WILL wrap up the vampires and aliens first, but I'm talking about what comes after. PLEASE take a few seconds to comment and let me know which one you think might be best.


first choice -
these are the days of EL RANCHO TEXACO


Mars is colonized. A culture develops almost exactly like the Old West. Big, land grant families control huge spreads on the terraformed (made Earth-like) red planet. This takes place a couple generations in the future. Americans speak an amalgam of Spanish and English (Spanglish). The colonists refer to themselves as 'Troopers' (in homage to the old cavalry) and their 'national' anthem is SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON (see the classic John Ford film...one of THE BEST).


Our pivotal characters, members of the powerful TEXACO FAMILY have a baronial holding called Polvorosa (red dust) just outside of the capital city, called BARSOOM. They raise herds of prize 'sky ponies' genetically engineered, winged horses perfectly suited to the somewhat lower gravity and high-plains conditions. The horses pound over the cinnabar flatlands, but then in an instant WHOOMP go the giant wings as they vault over the huge, deep canyons, only to effortlessly continue running on the other side. (horsemen never say 'gallop.' you 'let a horse run.' you don't let it 'gallop.' Gallop is for classic English show ponies with ribbons in their tails and false eyelashes.) 


Trouble starts when ancient, unknown, human-like folk start stumbling out of deep, unexplored caves. They've been freeze-dried for ages, but the recently thickened and moistened Martian atmosphere (a revival of their original habitat) suits them and they naturally awaken to re-claim their world.


The Troopers refer to them as 'kit-kats' due to the slit-like irises in their eyes. Some killings take place. Massacres ensue. Earthside government honchos come out on The City of New Orleans, a space train runnin' on bezar-drive (real potential high speed technology). But that only makes things worse.


Then a romance starts between a TEXACO scion and a kit-kat gal. Old Man don't go for that 'mushin' up with the natives' stuff. Lines are drawn. Sides are taken. And it's 'How The West Was Won,' just the way it probably will be (maybe). 


So if you all cotton to a tale like this, we'd be much obliged if you'd favor us with one a them COMMENTS. Much appreciate it if you'd tap on that SHARE button down below and kinda help with the smoke signals, if you reckon where I'm comin' from. 


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choice 2 comes tomorrow-


EMPIRE OF THE JADE ORB


A nascent CHINA controls the Earth (Kanji), the Moon (Chanjuan) and Mars (Yinghuo)....His Benevolent Majesty, the San Shijie Emperor (emperor of the three worlds) showers all with bountiful mercies as our planet serenely drifts into the Twice-Told-Age.


Huge 'Dragons' (spacecraft) traverse the Star-Strewn-Sea in this intricate fable of imperial splendor and court intrigue.


More quiet whispers, oh best beloveds, will be offered tomorrow.....


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AND NOW FOR A WORD FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY BRAIN

THE LITTLE MATCH BOY 'arc' is over. If anyone is interested and would like to see it, episodes run from about Christmas Day (12/25) to 1/15. It IS a nice, sentimental read for a cold winter's night. Would of made a really first rate 1930's black and white tearjerker. Freddy Bartholomew could a earned a special Oscar for it. Maybe in a parallel universe he did.


But now I need your advice. Two story lines are bouncing around in my skull and I have to pick one. TRUE, I WILL wrap up the vampires and aliens first, but I'm talking about what comes after. PLEASE take a few seconds to comment and let me know which one you think might be best.


first choice -
these are the days of EL RANCHO TEXACO


Mars is colonized. A culture develops almost exactly like the Old West. Big, land grant families control huge spreads on the terraformed (made Earth-like) red planet. This takes place a couple generations in the future. Americans speak an amalgam of Spanish and English (Spanglish). The colonists refer to themselves as 'Troopers' (in homage to the old cavalry) and their 'national' anthem is SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON (see the classic John Ford film...one of THE BEST).


Our pivotal characters, members of the powerful TEXACO FAMILY have a baronial holding called Polvorosa (red dust) just outside of the capital city, called BARSOOM. They raise herds of prize 'sky ponies' genetically engineered, winged horses perfectly suited to the somewhat lower gravity and high-plains conditions. The horses pound over the cin

THE LITTLE MATCH BOY ~~~~ a re-telling of H.C. Andersen's poignant tale part XXII

One of the workman came out a little later to take a piss. The alley was closer than the latrine. And nobody was out there, 'cept for the drunk and the little boy. So after his urine stopped steaming, he fastened up and took a quick hop over to the tiny fella. Tapped the tip of his shoe with his toe. The dog growled a bit. She looked real hungry. You could see it in her face.  Spaniels always look sad, but she looked even worse. The guy reached into his pocket and tossed her a hunk a short bread left over from lunch. She tried to grab it in mid air, only she couldn't. So he picked it up and gave it to her. You should see how fast she gobbled that up. The man said something to the boy, but the little bloke was sleeping. And the drunk laying a ways off started moaning  and gurgling. Workman figured they were together, father and son maybe. So he just turned 'round and went inside. Told a shift-mate about it. The shift-mate told him to worry 'bout himself and not get involved. Still, a half hour later, he went back outside and threw a piece a canvas over 'em.


Two hours later, when it was dark and the cooperage was all closed, it started snowing. But the tarp kept in all the heat. And the kid did have a fever and all. You know how it is with the little ones. Fevers don't run continuously. They come and go. Now it was time for 'the comin.'  So he starts whimpering in his sleep. Not a real sleep. More like a delirium. So the drunk jumps up. He hears it, but can't tell where it's comin' from. See the snow dusted the top side of the canvas and it just blended in with the pile of sawdust. He starts mumblin' somethin' 'bout ghosts and haunts and stumbles off. Napoleon stuck her nose out, she did, but 'cept for a fast outing to take a dump, she wern't gone nowhere. Funny how starvin' dogs still heed the call. The little fella was beyond all that. Guess the sickness effected his kidneys. 


Not long after they started gatherin' 'round him. The spirits, I mean. Who am I? Oh, I ain't no spirit. I AM a ghost. But I don't bother nobody. Just mind me own business, walkin' up and down the streets, lookin' into windows, things like that. Sometimes I slip through a wall, peek in a bedroom. I get curious. I used to be human too, you know. And believe me, I did not mean to give that man no hearty-tack. But he come outta the bathroom (fancy that...'bathrooms') and ketch me standin' over his wife. I get scared, shoot up through the ceiling and he falls down dead on top a her. She kept right on snorin' and sleepin'. Not exactly sure how that scene played out.


But I did want to see what happened to the little one. A lady there was. I figured her to me the ma. She sat down on the cold ground right next to him. Didn't move the tarp. Maybe that was beyond her capabilities? I don't know. Then a big fella comes by, crouches  down and just sighs. I knew he was the daddy right away. They looked so worried. Maybe it wasn't a done deal yet. Still they came to be with him.


And I knows how it goes with folks at times like that. Them what is passin', I mean. Part of 'em still lays sufferin' in the 'hard' world, but another part rests somewhere's else. Do I know what it's like over there? No, I told you. I'm a ghost. Ain't never been nowhere but Prague. Well, once I went to Pilsen, but that don't count. But I know..... I know. Sometimes when I sit real still  (People can be walkin' all around me. It could be bright daylight. The sun could be shinnin'. I don't care) I hear things. I hear little bits a magic from the next world. That's how I know. Maybe I'll go there one day? Who knows?


Little fella moaned a bit. Ma moved in close. She starts singing a quiet song. Then the dog drags herself out from under the tarp and just stands there.  Oh, she could see them. I know that. Must a known I was there too. Canines is smart that way. Could be cats are too, only they don't care. Little boy must a seen over to the 'next place.' I could hear a sweet, little, childlike chuckle. That's how I know. Them what loves him were startin' to ease him through. Dog comes right over and lays down close to the pa. He pets her. Don't know if she felt it or not. But she acted like she did.


Then I heared the chimes from Saint Vitus. You can hear them all around these parts. Don't remember what time it was. That ain't important. The pa puts his arm around the ma. I see her shoulders movin', so I know she's cryin'. Funny, think she'd be lookin' forward to the reunion. Guess she wanted him to have better than this. A few minutes later, steam starts risin' up from the tarp. Just like from a hot rock. You know them saunas they got up in Finland and over in Russia? Well, it was like that. Then the parents get real still. Everything gets still, even the air. The sky was clear. That I remember. You could see the stars. You could see the moon. The cold, little alley was all shiny with a dark and silvery light. And I felt something. Not a ghost. Not a spirit. It was like that, but it was different. Warmer. Sweeter. Now I'm gonna tell you it was an angel. But there's no way I can know for sure. 


I looked back down at the ma and pa. That's when I saw him. She had him. She was holding him. The little one, I mean. And he puts his head on her shoulder and snuggles close. The pa helps her up. Guess they ain't been dead long and still move like livin' folk. Then he leans in close and kisses the little fella. 


That's when they started to disappear, just like mist evaporating with the dawn. Dog starts whining. She must a wanted to go too. So she stands there for a few heartbeats, looking, like she can see them movin' off through the still, cold air. Then she comes back and lays herself down over the little body. You see the body was still there. 


In the morning, when the workman came back, they found him. His cheeks were still rosy. Well, flushed was more like it. A bloke goes runnin' off. Then he comes back with two men. A few crowns change hands. Might a been Austrian shillings. I don't know. The plain dressed man reaches down and picks up the little body. Somebody else hands him the canvas tarp and he uses that to wrap it up. Then the other one, his boss, I reckon, says something and they leave.


So I drifts off after 'em, wantin' to see where they was headed. Could a been to an undertaker's, but it wern't. Them two blokes ducks into a side door goin' down  to the cellar of some high falutin' medical college. Didn't have to go in. I could see through the window.  Oh, them what worked there took good care of him they did.... at least for now. Cadavers come dear, you know........


And the dog? She went with. Followed 'em the whole way back. See? There she is now, layin' down right by the door...


Wonder if she'll smell it when they start to cut him up?


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