Vanishing Point

by Alan Moore

  Benjamin looked back at Katherine. He saw the fear in her eyes and hesitated momentarily. ‘Don’t ya hurt her. Jist tell her what she has to do to be a good wife. An’ she’s me wife, not yours, even if ya is me mate, so no muckin’ about. God’s law says, ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery.’ Ya know what that means, don’ ya? An’ what’ll ‘appen if ya break God’s laws.’

  ‘Oh, yeah. Sure I know. Wouldn’t dream of anythin’ like that, mate.’

  ‘Ya reckon ya kin fix her? I want her to be a proper wife but I ain’t gunna force her. She ‘as to come ta me by herself, that’s what God wants.’

  ‘No worries, I won’ hit her. Jist tell her. Ya know, bit of stick an’ carrot. Reward an’ the like. Don’ worry, mate she’ll listen ta me.’

  ‘Jist make sure ya keep ya gun locked up.’ Benjamin hesitated. He knew that Karl could be violent, but he also knew that he could ruin Karl’s life with a single anonymous call to the police.

  Their symbiotic relationship meant they needed each other. Karl needed Benjamin so he could remain anonymous; Karl used his vehicle and gun but Benjamin owned them. His life as a shooter would be over if Benjamin chose.

  ‘Yeah, okay. If ya do anythin’ ta her I don’ like, it’ll be ya that’s gorn, mate.’

  ‘No worries, mate. I promise no hurtin’. Jist tell an’ show. She’ll be right, mate. Ya know I wouldn’t do anythin’ ta upset me ol’ mate.’

  Benjamin had tried patience and kindness with this woman. Perhaps now was the time for her to see there were others who could be less kind. Perhaps it was God’s way. God of mercy could also be God who demanded punishment and anger. That what the Bible shows. ‘Jist make sure ya keep ya gun locked up.’

  The night before Benjamin left, Katherine hardly slept. She was terrified at the thought of being alone at the Factory with Karl. She looked at Carolyn peacefully asleep next to her and thought it was amazing that she had survived so well, through all the hardships. At this age, had she been in a normal environment, she would have had several visits to Mothers-and-Babies, received advice on weaning, had her weight checked and had all the appropriate inoculations. In spite of these things missing from her little life, she was the picture of health.

  Katherine was less sure of her own health. She knew she had slimmed down but was unsure of her actual appearance; Benjamin regarded mirrors as a source of vanity. Once he had caught her brushing her hair using the vehicle mirror and had verbally abused her, quoting the sin of vanity. Now, the most she could check was her reflection in a window. In spite of this, she managed to maintain her looks to ensure she did not succumb to depression. It was important that she be strong and set an example for her child.

  She rose early to start breakfast for the men. Karl was asleep on a camp bed on the veranda. He stirred as she passed.

  Although it was summer the pre-dawn temperature was cool and Katherine shivered, not just from the cold but also because of the nervousness with which she anticipated the week ahead. Over the meal, conversation was more limited and stilted than usual. Karl joined them after feeding his dog, Jackie. Normally left free to roam Karl chained him near the gates overnight.

  ‘Please, Benjamin, get these things on my list. I need them for the baby and I really need some clothes, especially some warmer things. Last winter I nearly froze and had to go around half the day with the blanket wrapped around me.’

  ‘Yeah. It says if a man takes another wife he shall not diminish her food, her clothing and her marriage rights. If he does not provide her with these things she can go free. Give me a list an’ I’ll keep me part of the deal. But ya need to keep yours. I’ll buy ‘em. But Karl ‘ere will tell me if you get ‘em, or not. Like he said, carrot an’ stick, like.’

  Karl looked up from the table, smiled his crooked grin and started rolling his breakfast smoke. Into the fine green-grey filling he sprinkled a little white powder.

  Benjamin left the table.

  Katherine collected the breakfast things and began to wash the dishes. She looked up at the sound of a vehicle departing.

  The dust from Benjamin’s departing Land Rover had hardly dissipated when Karl swung around to face Katherine, his eyes glinting with pure evil. At last here was a woman, alone with him, who could not make fun of him. Mock him. Bloody women. Bitches all. His voice was deceptively soft, ‘Well, woman. Wadda ya think, eh?’

  ‘What do you mean, ‘what do I think’?’

  ‘Benjamin told me to teach ya to be a good wife ta him. So, how’s I gunna do that, eh? An’ without beltin’ ya, eh?’

  ‘I’m not his wife. I’m more like a slave. I’m a prisoner here, a victim, I just want to take my child and go. Go home. My husband probably thinks I’ve been murdered or something. If you help me, I reckon there could be a reward, a —’

  ‘Bloody woman. Reckon Benjamin’s dead right. He says all women try ta seduce men, they’re evil. Jist like he told me: Delilah tricked Samson an’ you’re trying to trick me to cheat Benjamin.’

  He lurched forward, grabbed Katherine by the shoulders and spun her around.

  ‘No, Karl. Stop. Benjamin warned you, no —’

  Karl released her. ‘I’se gotta go check them pumps for Benjamin. But I’ll be back. Meantime, feed me dog, clean the place an’ scrub, yeah, scrub the main room. Real clean. Jist like a proper wife, cook an’ clean. I’ll teach ya all right. Dunno how I’se gunna do it if I can’t belt ya like ya deserve. Bloody hell.’

  With a push he thrust Katherine forward, so viciously that she stumbled forward and lost her balance. ‘I’ll be back soon ta check on ya. Git goin’, an’ if it ain’t clean, look out.’

  She heard Karl’s forced laugh as he turned back towards the main gates and loudly exclaimed, ‘Oh! I’se gunna enjoy this!’

  * * *

  At the end of the fortnight Benjamin returned to find Katherine very quiet. Carolyn was subdued and keeping her distance from the adults. Karl was smiling as he went about his work, the inevitable cigarette moving from hand to mouth as he laboured.

  ‘G’day, Karl. How’s it bin?’

  ‘No worries. Pearler of a day, eh?’

  ‘Yeah. Give us a ‘and to unload the supplies, will ya?’

  Karl shouted across to Katherine, ‘C’mon, woman. Git ya arse inta gear.’

  Katherine quickly walked over to the Land Rover and silently started to unload the supplies. She did not look at either man.

  ‘That’s no way ta greet ya man when his bin gorn, woman. Show a bitta respect!’

  Benjamin nearly fell over with surprise when Katherine walked over to him meekly and kissed him on his cheek, with eyes averted, quietly saying ‘Welcome back.’

  ‘Woman, what’s ‘appened? Ya bin me wife for two years an’ that’s first time ya’ve come that close ta me, let alone kiss me.’

  Karl sneered at Katherine. ‘Back? Ain’t ya forgettin’ summit? What’d I tell ya?’

  Katherine looked at Benjamin and meekly said, ‘Welcome home. I meant home.’

  ‘Karl, ya beauty! How’d ya do it? Ya didn’t hurt ‘er did ya?’ He was amazed and puzzled at the change. He looked long and hard. No bruises visible.

  ‘Naw, din’t ‘ave ta.’

  He turned to Katherine, ‘Didn’t hurt ya, did he?’

  She started to respond, ‘Well, no but —’ She stopped as she saw Karl give her a threatening glare.

  ‘But what?’ asked Benjamin.

  ‘But nothing. Sorry. He just told me life would be better if I did as he told me.’ Her eyes were downcast.

  ‘Jist showed ‘er what it’ll be like if she goes on like she was. All talk. Said ya greet ya man with a kiss an’ do what he wants. No hurtin’. Like I said, bit of stick, bit of carrot. Talkin’ of carrots, did ya bring ‘er reward? Reckon she kin ‘ave it now, eh?’

  ‘Yeah. There.’ Benjamin pointed to a cardboard box on the back of the trailer and together the two men unloaded it.

  ‘C’mon, git over ‘ere, woman. Give us a ‘and
an’ see what ya got. Jist for a kiss an’ a welcome like a wife should her man.’

  Katherine stopped her unloading for a moment and obediently went over the two men. She watched silently as they opened the box. Peering over the edge she saw it was a sewing machine around which was packed some small rolls of coloured material.

  ‘Ya always whingin’ ‘bout ya clothes so this is a kinda surprise ta help ya. Ya kin make ya’self clothes, an’ for bubs. ‘bout time ya did summit to improve ya’self.’

  Katherine heard the last remark with anger. She’d been asking for things for ages and felt she’d done remarkably well in keeping both Carolyn and herself decently dressed with the absolute minimum of material, using and re-using the limited supplies. Yet here he suggested that it was time that she did something to improve herself!

  Her body language presented as defeated and submissive but she kept reminding herself that she was a university graduate, an intelligent women, forced to act like an ignorant servant for these Neanderthal bigots. She forced down her angry feelings and said nothing.

  The previous weeks had taught her that Karl was evil, perverted and dangerous. For all his religious pretensions, Benjamin was the weaker character and seemed to be unwittingly in awe of Karl’s mean streak. Benjamin was criminal and bad, not because he was evil, but because of ignorance and obsession. Possibly even mental illness. Katherine was afraid that Benjamin’s distorted ideas of God and His biblical laws would not protect her if Karl was in charge. He was evil, deliberately so. She now recognised the ongoing battle of wills between the two men, unspoken but ever present. She did not want a repeat of what she had endured during the past week, least of all with both men there because of where it might lead. And Carolyn had to be protected at all costs.

  She looked at the sewing machine. ‘Thank you. Thank you very much,’ she said quietly.

  ‘Thank you, thank you very much,’ Karl mimicked. ‘That’s all? First, ya don’ get it til ya show me mate ‘ere ya deserve it. Second, thank ‘im proper, like I told ya ya must.’ He leaned forward, put a calloused and unwashed hand on her shoulder and pushed her down on to her knees in front of Benjamin. As he did so he took her hair in his other fist and pulled her head painfully backwards repeating what thrilled him the day she took his gun. ‘Garn, say thank ya proper like, like I showed ya.’

  ‘Thank you, very much. Thank you. I appreciate your gift. I hope I deserve it,’ she mumbled her words, belying her feelings of humiliation and anger.

  ‘That’s better. Ya gotta show ya man respect an’ thanks for his gift. Even if ya don’ deserve it. When ya gets a gift ya go on ya knees an’ thanks ya man, proper like. Don’ ya forget what I told ya.’ The last words were emphasised with the tone of a threat. ‘Ya can get up now.’

  As she struggled to stand up, Karl grabbed at her bra strap through the threadbare, thin cotton blouse and with an upward yank pulled her to her feet at the same time putting her off balance so she fell forward. By this action he quite deliberately snapped the strap and ripped her shirt as she tried to steady herself. The stress on the materials caused them to rip and break along the numerous repaired seams and worn threads. The trick worked even better than Karl hoped as the materials gave way completely. Katherine, even more humiliated, vainly tried to cover her ample breasts from the immediate gaze of both men.

  As if reading her thoughts, Karl smiled at her lasciviously. Speaking to Benjamin he said, ‘Well, well. Ya got a nice pair there, ain’t she? An’ she’s all yours, ya lucky bastard! Pity ta keep ‘em hidden, so ya won’t be needin’ this agin, will ya?’ He bent down and picked up the scattered rags. In one hand he held the remains of her shirt, in the other the dangling cups. He put the bra in his pocket and used the shirt to wipe his face and hands.

  ‘Go on, woman. Finish ya chores. There’s lots ta be done. Can’t stand around ‘ere all day covering ya tits.’ Karl pushed another box of supplies towards her and she automatically reached out to take it.

  Karl grinned at her then turned to Benjamin, ‘She’ll be right now, mate. Any probs let me know.’

  Benjamin remained silent, his mouth open and his eyes fixed on Katherine’s chest. It was almost as if he had never seen her undressed before and, indeed, he had always tried to avoid observing when she showered. In spite of his comments, religious rantings and the abduction, it was clear that he was as inhibited as Katherine. For all the time they had been together they had kept a distance, engendered by fear and anger on the one side and by shyness, an inability to relate and religion on the other. Karl had somehow broken the spell, rendered the impasse over. At that moment the balance of power shifted and Benjamin, in awe of Karl’s success, became more tractable. Life at the Factory would never be the same again.

  Karl, for all his evil ways and harsh upbringing, was no fool. He knew he was dependent on Benjamin for an anonymous existence, with Benjamin acting as the front man for dealings with the authorities, but he also realised that Benjamin was malleable and weird. He would not antagonise him by physically hurting Katherine, but he did want to earn his indebtedness by ensuring that Katherine was compliant. There were more ways than direct force to bend a woman to his will, especially one with a small child.

  It was the child that was the key.

  All that it took were a few threats, a few rewards and Katherine would obey. Women are weak. Once the spirit is broken there’s no difficulty. After all, this one was more than halfway there, having been a prisoner at the Factory for more than two years.

  First, he took Carolyn out with him in the vehicle, leaving Katherine screaming behind the perimeter fence. Hours later he returned and she was ready to do almost anything he asked. That was just the start.

  ‘If ya don’ want ya kid ta ‘ave a nasty accident this is what ya gotta do to be a proper wife ta ya man.’

  Katherine clutched her daughter close as Karl set out a list of instructions on how to greet Benjamin, how to talk to him, how to thank him.

  ‘Ya gotta be good an’ obedient. Do what ‘e tells ya. Or mebbe I kin take ya kid fa a little ride, an’ some terrible accidents happen when out shootin’.

  With effort Karl controlled his natural inclinations and took great care not to strike either of them, nor did he make sexual demands. His lust increased but he wasn’t prepared to repeat the mistakes made in Queensland. However, he did not let on to Katherine that he was limited in his actions by his dependency upon Benjamin. If he was patient, all things would come to him. He smiled to himself. Life was looking up for Karl Brudos.

  When Benjamin suggested again that she be a proper wife to him now that Karl had taught her, she demurred. She would try to remain as unobtrusive as possible. She was friendly but aloof; polite but remote. Now her objective was safety, not escape.

  Karl watched the changes in the woman. With the right pressure he could make the stresses between the three increasingly obvious.

  * * *

  Some days after Benjamin’s return from Perth, Katherine was clearing the dishes from the evening meal. Karl and Benjamin remained at the table. Each had their preferred after dinner drinks and Karl was smoking his unusual, sweet smelling cigarette in which he’d sprinkled more of the white powder.

  Benjamin asked him, ‘What’s that stuff ya put in ya smokes?’

  ‘Called ‘busy bee’ an’ makes ya feel good. Try some, since ya’s a beekeeper?’

  ‘No. Smokin’s agin the word a God. Ya should treat ya body as God’s temple, the temple of the Lord.’

  Karl turned to Katherine. ‘Ya wanna try some of me smokes? Some blokes call it ‘angel dust’ an’ youse thinks youse an angel, don’t ya? Too good fa the likes a us, eh?’

  ‘No, I don’t smoke at all, especially stuff I’m not familiar with.’

  Karl noticed Katherine moving around her child, doing her best to avoid falling over Carolyn as she tidied away the meal things.

  ‘Ya kid’s getting’ in ya way,’ observed Karl.

  ‘No, she’s fine. I j
ust needed some space. See, she’s so good. She’s gone to sit in the corner and is playing with her doll.’

  ‘Ya know, Benjamin, I reckons ya woman spends all ‘er time lookin’ after ‘er kid.’ He blew a cloud of smoke in Katherine’s direction. ‘That’s why she ain’t time ta be a proper wife ta ya.’

  Katherine responded as she took the last dishes from the table. ‘I work like a wife here. No, more like a slave. I spend most of my time cleaning, mending, washing, working —’

  ‘Yeah, but Benjamin says ya still ain’t a proper wife. Ya don’ sleep with ‘im, do ya? An’ ‘e give ya that machine.’

  ‘I do everything he expects of me, except that. I do all the work —’

  Karl turned to Benjamin. ‘Like I says, p’raps I could take the kid with me next time I go bush, shootin’ ferals.’ He looked at Katherine meaningfully. ‘With the kid out of the way gives ya and ya woman bitta time together without her hangin’ round. She hangs ‘round her mum like a bad smell. Wadda ya think, eh, Benjamin?’

  Benjamin thought for a while. The suggestion appealed. He listened more and more to advice from Karl. Perhaps the child was a distraction. Maybe the reason Katherine was so remote was that she was pre-occupied with her child. ‘Yeah, mebbe ya right, eh Karl?’

  ‘Sure I am. She’s a bit young, but I could mebbe teach the kid to shoot, eh,’ he looked at Katherine and, unseen by Benjamin, winked at her.

  ‘No, she can’t go with you. She’s only little, just under three. She can’t go out with you, God alone knows where. Shooting. And how will you —’

  Karl silenced her saying, ‘Ain’t ya decision, woman. If Benjamin reckons ya need time by ya selves, I’ll look after the kid.’

  Before she could protest further Benjamin repeated his comment, ‘Yeah, mebbe ya right, Karl. Next time ya go eh? When’s that?’

  ‘T’morra, or day after.’

  That night, after settling Carolyn off to sleep, Katherine had decided what to do.

  When she arrived at the main bedroom Benjamin was already in the double bed and wide awake. The flickering gas lamp cast low shadows. He looked up as she entered.