by Ayman Ghalit
“Who the hell is Fix and Fixer?”
The Receptionist rose up his scrawny fists, and said “This is Fix and this is Fixer,” and kissed both of them.
Mort chucklingly replied, “No! please, no need. By the way, and with due all respect, don’t kiss Fix in front of Fixer, that’s how relationship collapses.”
Kais, who pulled Mort by his shirt, read the badge name on the Receptionist chest, and said “Alright, thank you, and goodbye, umm!? Sooso?”
“Yea, Sooso. Its seems my name is bothering you?”
“No, it’s not. We will hit the road, fare thee will.”
“Take care, Sooso,” said Bob.
When they went back to the heating sun outside, Gael asked, “Now what?” Mort answered, “Now, we will knock the doors till we find him whom will welcome us.”
“This is indignifying,” he replied.
“It’s not. It’s our right as gusts to be welcomed with wide open arms… don’t care about them.”
They crossed the road, and went to the first golden house front of them. Jack said, “What if we got rejected?” Mort answered after knocking on a silver door, “There is plenty of houses around here.”
No one responded as he knocked again, and again, and again. Kais then suggested, “Probably no one is in home!” Then, they left to another one and knocked the door to be opened by a middle-aged man whom his face was telling that he was asleep, “What the hell do you want!” he asked with a loathed face.
“Well we are gus—!” the man slammed and bolted the door as he didn’t even bother to listen. Gael looked at Mort and said, “This is humiliating.”
“We have to do this,” he answered.
They went to another house, knocked and got opened by a teenager who was too awkward and dull. They left and went to another golden house, Mort knocked once, but no one responded. Then, they left, and before they go far, the door got opened by an old white-bearded man wearing a golden-buttoned black robe. He had the look of a religious man when he showed a welcoming benignant face. And with calm tone, he said, “Welcome!”
Mort played the rule again, and approached him while cracking his finger joints, saying, “We are wayfarers. Weary, toiled, and grew short in fund. We hope that you shelter us for just one night... I and my miserable children.”
“Shame on you to say so, brother. My roof is yours, and what my hands possess, to you, shall not be forbidden. Welcome, to what will maketh thine minds surly carefree.”
They looked at each other with joy, and dearly thanked the old man who said, “Come in, and pardon my humble abode.”
They entered his home to find it made of golden bricks, with thick white doors. He led them to the guest room, and parted them to inform his wife to prepare a decent meal. The guest room was neat in design, with beautifully decorated walls, perfectly arranged cushioned armchairs on a soft brown rug facing mantelpiece made of silver, and little-big shimmering chandelier dangled from the ceiling. They, quietly, while enjoying the guestroom’s astonishing features, waited for the old man to return.
“Such hospitality brings comfort,” said Jack.
“And what a ‘humble abode,” Bob added.
“Remember to keep low profile,” Carl urged. “Let’s be the one who listen more than talk. It’s getting shady.”
A moment of a brief silence passed, Gael piteously cackled, and said, “Nice acting, Mort. Clearly it wasn’t the first time.”
“And shall not be the last. It is an art, kid. I will be more than happy to accept you as my pupil”
“No, thanks. I don’t like this kind of art.”
“It’s the reason this roof above you. Just give it a try.”
“Nah, I’ll pass.”
“Do we tell him who are we?” Kais asked.
Carl answered, “No, he will think the we are making fun of him. We have to go to the capital Sooso mentioned. The books will suffice.”
After a while, the old man came back with soft blankets and pillows, then he said after putting it down that they can stay the night in here, and the food is being prepared. They thanked him as he sat before them.
“Truly, we struggle to find the proper words to thank you for such kindness,” said Kais.
“Oh, need not, son. It is your right as gusts.”
“We haven’t had the honor to know the name.”
“Oh! where is my manners. I am Edward Rover.”
“It is a pleasure making your acquaintance. I am Morton, and this is Jack, Gael, Kaiser, Carl, and Bob.”
“What a pleasurable bless you have there, Morton. Are all of them your children?”
“All of them, but Bob, he is not one of mine.”
“Don’t you ever feel a strange in here, Bob. Consider this your home,” said Edward.
Slightly turning his face pitiful, Bob, who acted well, thanked him.
“Anyway, where are you from?” he asked.
“Where are from the South,” Mort answered.
“Pardon me, but were from the South?”
Mort felt awkward as he paused for a moment searching for a random name to say, “We are from Recklessberg,” he answered after picking up a random name.
“Recklessberg! Oh, that surly rings a bell. I served nine months in it, 18 years ago. My brother in law is from Recklessberg. I heard that it struggles to recover after that gruesome earthquake, is it true?”
The guys felt exceedingly awkward and confused. Mort cleared his throat, and said, “Well, its… umm, recovering, everything is good now... It’s a little bit boring.”
Edward hummed in thought, and asked, “From Recklessberg to Narbiz! Mind telling how did this happen?”
Mort, who pretended to be exhausted from his toilsome life, sadly heaved, and said, “O, Edward. What can I say, and how can I possibly explain? Its poverty. Poverty forcibly drove us out from there. Add to that, the sudden death of their mother. It was the straw that broke our overburdened backs as it became vacant and difficult to live
in a land devastated by earthquake. We left Recklessberg searching for what might gather our scattered dignity and mend our fragile pride. Someone told us that in the capital lies prospers opportunities and flourishing life.”
“Only anguish and misery left in Darg,” said Edward.
“Darg?” confusingly, Mort replied.
“The capital name is Darg! How come you don’t know.”
Gael saved the moment by saying, “Oh! Pardon my toilsome father, Mr. Edward. My mother’s death made him forget lots of things.”
“Oh, Death, it is truly what spoils joy,” said Edward.
Mort nodded as he sighed, saying, “True. Oh, may God’s mercy be upon your fair mum.”
Hours passed while comfortably chatting with Edward, and when sun slowly proceeds to the west as the clock’s arm pointed at about 4PM, he excused them to check on lunch, leaving them free to speak for a brief moment. Gael scorned Mort, “Recklessberg!? Really”
“And how did it cross to your mind?” asked Carl.
“It was random. Holy god, that was close.”
Edward, who came back to inform them that dinner is ready, led them to the food table where his old wife, Bridget, was awaiting them with a lovely welcoming smile on her face. The white dining table was full of shimmering plates, spoons, forks, and knifes made of shining silver and gold, and cups made of transparent sapphire. In the middle of the table, were a covered big golden-pots where the feast is likely to be in. They thanked the old couples as they sat on white dry chairs. The couple sat beside each other while facing them. And after welcoming words from Edward, he opened the hot-steaming pot where arabesque steam soared up after revealing what did not look consumable at all for them! It was a small, greenish, feast-like creature with a dog-like head! Bridget opened the other pot where they beheld what looked like purple-colored rice! Moments after, with a big golden spoon, Bridget filled their plates with the rice, followed by Edward, who took a sharp knife, and began cutting some of the fea
st parts for the guys to enjoy, saying, “Please, don’t be shy.”
Doubt stormed their minds as they paused still in confusion. They did not know how to react, except for Carl who cracked a thanking smile as he picked up a silver knife and a fork. The guys followed him to be all staggered by the food horrible taste. It was awfully bitter and difficult to eat or even swallow. The greenish meat-looking thing tasted like earwax, and the purple rice was so awful it tasted citric. Barley, they struggle to keep calm and normal. They glanced each other in question, but Carl gave them a sincere look, indicating; Keep calm, and force yourself to eat. And after moments of forcible nutrition, Kaiser, who couldn’t curb his urge to cough any longer, started coughing vehemently. Then, with a nice warm tone, Bridget said, “Bless you child, I will bring what will wash it down.” She left, and brought up a golden frilled jug, then poured in Kais’s cup, a thick crimson liquid, saying, “Drink this blood, it will certainly wash it down.”
Fear nibbled across their bodies as a hearts-throbbing moment assured Carl that this is beyond humanity. Kaiser, who kept his nerves tamed and calm, cleared his throat, and replied, “Thank you, mam. It will surly do.”
While keeping her warm smile, Bridget poured for the rest including her and her husband who mannerly drank from the alleged blood after dearly thanking her.
Puzzled and confused the guys were, as they started to ask them self this question, “How come they drink blood when their features are not fiendish, nor monstrous?” Jack cleared his throat from an annoying taste that is stuck in his throat, Bridget swiftly reminded him to drink blood, but he replied, “No, is there any water in here?” She and her husband faintly cackled, and said, “Aren’t you funny.” That bizarre respond made them all consider not asking for water anymore, rather they start focusing on finishing this meal without being suspicious. Time slowly passed, but they managed to take a reasonable bite from the abnormal dinner. The old couples noticed that they did not take a single sip from their cups, and asked why? Carl answered that they don’t feel thirst. Mort then elegantly wiped his moth with a napkin thanking them for this lovely dinner. Shortly after, the guys followed him, save Bob who kept eating, caring not about the food taste, look, or color. And after a while, he and the couples were done eating. And while getting up, Bob unintentionally elbowed his cup spilling blood all over the table. He apologized for them while Mort was scolding him for this irresponsible act. Edward stopped him, saying, “No, it is just blood.”
Later, they left to the gusts room escorted by Edward and his wife who brought a silver tray with golden jug filled with blood, and a silver cups for them to drink with. And after she placed it on a small round white table on the far corner, she smilingly wished them good night and left. Edward sat chatting with the uncomfortable guys for a while, then he excused them to rest after telling them about the bathroom location. He closed the door behind him to come the moment everyone was eagerly waiting for.
With a shocked tone, Gael said, “You saw that!”
“Yea, the food was so very awful,” Bob answered.
“Are you stupid?” Jack replied, “BLOOD! They poured us blood, and they drank it like it was normal!”
“It was just blood, he said!” Kais wondered.
Carl checked, smelled the jug, and hummed in thoughts, “It is indeed blood, but why is it not congealed yet?”
“We have to leave, they are monsters,” Jack urged.
“Not likely to be so,” Carl responded. “I mean, it is indeed, frighteningly odd, but they are not monsters. Hmm? how riddling, I find it too difficult to jump in conclusion now... It might be a religious or traditional custom?”
They kept silent thinking about this matter, Kais then told them that he will be heading to the bathroom, and it was moments for him to return, shocked and shaking, “Guys! you have to see the bathroom!” he urged. They followed him as he led them to a decorative silver basin that has a golden tap with two knobs made of turquoise. He twirled open one of them, and dark-red liquid, akin to blood, gushed down from it. Bewilderment crippled Carl’s minds who went to check the toilet, and found blood in it! He opened the dish-shower, and it poured warm blood. They hasted and returned to the gusts room with doubt and fretting fear in their chests. “This is officially not normal!” Carl concluded.
Jack, who was about to panic, said, “And this is how you react! This is an accursed place with crazy old couples. Let’s leave at once while we still can.”
“There is something utterly wrong in this planet, but not in Edward and his wife. It is in this planet in general. I mean, the easy gold and now blood? hmm? They use blood to wash themselves up! I say they are not humans.”
“Nonsense,” said Mort. “As you said before, it might be religious, or some kind of stupid superstition, but to say they are not human! That’s just stupid.”
“And that is what makes it confusing.”
“We have to hit the road,” urgingly, said Jack “I can’t stay here anymore, what if they are waiting for the right moment to jump on us?”
“They won’t,” said Gael.
“What make you so sure?”
“They are old, we are more than them in number, and I do have a gun.” he answered after pulling out a small built-in silencer pistol from under his belt.
“Wow! Is this TW4420!” asked Bob.
“Indeed, it is.”
“Why didn’t you tell us before that you had one?”
“What do you want me to say? “Hey, am Gael and this is my pistol? Besides, am not insane enough to travel without something trustworthy as a gun?”
“Good thinking,” Carl admired.
Kaiser’s urgent matter forced him to use the bathroom despite how disgusting and creepy it was. Then, he returned to share with the guys an edible food and drinkable liquids after washing his hand. Carl urged them to use their victuals wisely till they secure food and water in here.
When the night came, Edward and his wife mannerly knocked their door and entered after being welcomed. They sat and chatted with the cautioned guys for about half an hour. Carl, who was trying to detect anything wrong with them, asked about this planet, but Edward answered him saying, “It’s all the land of God.” After that, Edward welcomed them to join him for lunch, but they all thanked and told him that they just want to sleep for now. He then excused them to sleep. Jack urged to leave again, but Carl, who was in doubt and puzzlement disagreed. They turned off the lights, and due to this restless journey, they somehow slept while cautioned, afraid, and eagerly waiting for the morrow to divulge the truth about this mysterious planet.
Peaceful Arise
On the sounds of barking dogs, and squeaking doors, Carl woke up at 6AM. Edward mannerly knocked and opened the door to say that they have to wake up for breakfast. Carl thanked him as he left and closed the door. They woke up, some was conscious enough to realize that they are still in a woe, others felt it was some kind of a nightmare till they got stroked by reality when they used the bathroom. After forcing them self to make do with what they got, they used water to wash up and drink. Bob suggested to take water with them in breakfast, but Carl, who wasn’t comfortable enough, refused and begged them to act normal till they oversee this.
They joined Edward and his wife to break their fast in the kitchen were the golden sunlight that seeps through the window made the slowly-ascending steam from Bridget’s tea-cup easy to behold. The aligned food table, the morning warmth, and the calmness of that place, somehow made them feel home. They took a bite, and surprisingly, the food was not bad. It consisted of sweet and sugary green bread-like stuff, white slimy looking thing on golden plates, and purple jelly cubes. And while carefully observing the couples and doing what they do, they ate and took a sib or two from a lukewarm yellow tea-like drink without knowing its actual source. Some felt incontinent, but at least for the rest it was easier than before. Edward, who sipped from his cup, asked, “So, Morton, why didn’t you use the Southern train? It will place directly in midd
le of Darg.”
“Darg?” Mort wondered for a moment, “Oh! yea, we did use the train, but they found out that we don’t have tickets, nor money to buy one, so they ‘politely’ escorted us out.”
“You mean that they humiliatingly kicked us out,” said Kais, who were trying to back Mort’s story up.
Surprised Bridget said, “You don’t even have the money to buy train’s tickets?”
Mort sighed, and answered, “O, dear Bridget, the current outcome of our overburdening life, is something that never crossed my mind. I thought it will never happen to us, but it did. Poverty it is, Bridget. Poverty took everything from us, even our dignity, Poverty snatched it from us, and I do fear it won’t stop there.”
“Don’t say something like this!” Edward urged. “Trust thine Lord, and I am sure that the lord is most generous. True, poverty is a heaping burden, but say no such thing. I will be glad to steer you to Darg.”
“No, no, Ms. Edward,” Gael said, “you did what we did not expect, we truly thank you for your generous hospitality, and we do thank God for such a man. We will handle Darg ourselves, we don’t want to bother you any further.”
“As you wish, my child. But don’t be shy to ask me anything!”
A moment of dead-silence landed awkwardly upon them, Mort disquieted it by asking, “So, umm, do you have children, Edward? Its seems that you all by yourselves in here?”
Edward kept silent for a bit, then, he let out a long sad sigh, and with his noble old-man voice, he answered, “I am a barren man, and my wife is a fruitless woman. Forty years ago, we met in a hospital as we were trying to cure our illness. I saw her the first time sitting on chair front of me, waiting for the doctor’s appointment. She casted a spell on me by a modest glance and a bashful smile. Truly, she trapped me with her enchanted dazzling eyes. I summoned courage buried deep inside of me, and talked her. We got well acquainted, and with time, we strengthened our bond and got married eventually as we agreed to search for this remedy together.”
While Edward was telling his story, tears slowly rains on Bridget’s wrinkled cheeks, he straightly stared at her shimmering eyes, wiped the tears by his thumb, and kissed her forehead while comforting her with gentle and merciful tone, “Weep not, little darling”
