by Spencer Baum
Kevin handed the phone back to Joseph.
“It’s almost noon,” he said.
Joseph turned on the TV to a network news show.
“Lou didn’t tell me which station we’re supposed to watch,” said Joseph.
“That makes me even more nervous,” said Jackie.
The clock chimed on the hour. The television signal was lost, and snow filled the screen.
“Here we go,” said Jackie.
The snow turned to empty blackness, and faded in to the same gray wall. Lou Sweeney appeared, his hair disheveled, his eyes red and weary.
“Greetings world. My name is Lou Sweeney. Yesterday I changed history with the release of the name of The Demon Queen of Shuberville. That broadcast, originally airing on Tingley 2000 machines in Turquoise, New Mexico, is now available on the Internet at www.LouSweeney.com.”
“He’s a good promoter,” Joseph said. “You have to give him that.”
“But what’s he going to promote?” Jackie said.
Joseph pressed the Channel Up button. Lou was on the next station too. Joseph flipped stations again.
“He’s on every channel,” Joseph said.
“He said ‘Greetings World,’” said Jackie.
“Please don’t let him say our names,” said Kevin. “No one’s going to believe this story, Lou. Please just leave our names out.”
“Yesterday’s broadcast led to events that are hard to comprehend, but important to understand,” said Lou.
“Here it comes,” said Kevin. “He’s going to say our names to the entire world. We’re screwed.”
“The story I have to tell you is crucial for a complete understanding of the planet we live on, of the powers that be, of the things unknown. To tell you this story, I have pirated the airwaves of the world’s most important radio tower, giving me access to communication satellites in space. Ladies and gentlemen, what you are seeing is airing live on every station in the world.”
“Holy cow,” said Jackie. “He’s nuts.”
“He’s brilliant,” said Joseph.
“We’re screwed,” said Kevin.
“Our story begins with a drink. Young people and an innocent drink. Young people not knowing or understanding the ramifications of what they are putting in their mouths.”
Kevin felt betrayed. He remembered the boat ride in the caves under Turquoise Mountain. They had told Lou their entire story. Now he wished they hadn’t. Lou was about to tell it to the world, starting with the sap in Blackstone Park.
“The drink is Diet Spikey’s. The victim is humanity.”
Jackie burst into laughter.
“What’s so funny?” said Joseph.
“Are you kidding me?” Jackie shouted. “Lou pirated The Dunce Cap, he has the whole world at his fingertips, and he’s going on his rant about diet cola?”
“The Diet Spikey’s Conspiracy is important,” said Joseph. “This is huge!”
“What’s the Diet Spikey’s Conspiracy?” asked Kevin.
“Just more Lou Sweeney hogwash,” said Jackie between laughs. “If this is all he talks about, we’re off the hook.”
It was all he talked about. For ten minutes, Lou outlined a plot by world governments to “brainwash and subjugate the populace” using malicious ingredients in a popular diet soda. He showed screenshots of intercepted emails that made no sense, satellite photos that were blurry and dark, alleged memorandums passed around the power players in Washington, New York, London, Moscow, and Beijing. With every word from his mouth, Lou came across as increasingly more odd.
It occurred to Kevin that this broadcast was the best thing Lou could have done for them. By the time it was over, no one would take Lou Sweeney seriously, and yesterday’s video on the Tingley 2000 would be just another crackpot story on the Internet, regardless of what some people in downtown Turquoise might think they saw.
“Do you guys suppose that Lou is doing this on purpose?” said Kevin. “Discrediting himself to protect us?”
“He’s not discrediting himself,” said Joseph. “This is important information that the world needs to hear. I’m surprised at you guys. All that’s happened in the past two days has vindicated Lou. He was right all these years! We should be hanging on his every word.”
Jackie was still laughing. “I love you guys,” she said. “You both are so sweet, in your own ways. I’m pretty sure that this broadcast is just what it appears to be. A crazy rant.”
Kevin’s cell phone rang. It was his dad.
“Hi Dad….Yes, I’m watching it….I’m at Joseph and Jackie’s house…I left school, it’s a long story. There was this woman – oh, she called you too…she’s going to be waiting for us at home, I think.”
On the TV, Lou was outlining a series of steps that ordinary citizens needed to take. The first one was to boycott Diet Spikey’s soda.
“Maybe you should come over here, Dad….be careful, someone might try to follow you.”
Lou thanked the world for listening, and closed by saying, “We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.”
“Okay, Dad. See you soon.” Kevin turned off his phone.
“My Dad’s coming over,” he said. “I’m worried that Suzie is waiting for us at our house.”
“Well, do you guys want to stay here for a bit?” said Jackie.
“Maybe we all should leave,” said Joseph. “Go into hiding.”
“You’d love that,” said Jackie. “It’s your lifelong dream to be a fugitive on the run, subverting the powers that be.”
“You know it,” said Joseph.
“No hiding, but thank you,” said Kevin. “I’m thinking I’ll try to cut some sort of deal with this woman. She gets the truth; I get left alone.”
“How are you going to do that?” said Jackie.
“I’m still working it out in my head,” said Kevin. “But before I speak with Suzie again, there’s something I want to do with my dad.”
Chapter 25
Starting their trip at Joseph and Jackie’s house, they followed State Highway 150 to the mountain, and parked the car in the empty lot at the end of the road. A nature trail led through the foothills. They spoke little as they hiked.
Lower-altitude underbrush quickly gave way to mountain forest. Kevin’s ears picked up the sound of running water miles before they found it, and following the sound, they took a more direct route than the last time. They crested a small hill and came upon the stream.
They followed it into the valley. There weren’t any butterflies on the cottonwood tree on this afternoon, but its leaves were just beginning to change, and it remained a stunning sight.
“I can hear her,” said Kevin’s dad.
“I know,” said Kevin. “I can too.”
They sat on the riverbank among the exposed roots of the tree. They closed their eyes and listened.
Lost in the hum, breaking the sound into its components, focusing on the flute, Kevin felt something tickle his earlobe. He opened his eyes. A butterfly stood on his shoulder.
THE END
* * * * *
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Spencer Baum is the author of the novels One Fall and The Demon Queen and The Locksmith. He lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife and children. His web site is http://www.spencerbaum.net/.
