A Change of Heart, A Story Pt.2

“Well, let’s get a few things out of the way before we begin.” Bill starts. “I’ve never been the best to my fans or critics…Jeff changed that for sure”, He finishes with a laugh. “I was an ass, demanding prostration and praise where it was not warranted .Thinking myself a God among men, better than the masses…Oh, how I was wrong.”

“Now, let us begin.” The thespian says a twinkle in his eye as he sips his wine.

“I was on the set of a flop of a movie The Homeward Bound Vagabond, the plot was trite .It was a feel good card company cut out plot, not going to bore you with the details. That’s not why we’re here. The important thing to remember is this was the turning part of my life, the death of the megalomaniac in me; the fall of the False God.
I remember the day; I woke annoyed as every other day on this project. I didn’t want to be there. However, I owed some people favors, after this was over all debts were paid. I just wanted it over, wanted my check, and to start on the next Oscar worthy roll. Having just come off of my role as Cesar (I know somewhat ironic) the year before and being nominated for a golden idol. I wanted another to adorn my shelf… And soon.

Anyway, the day was like another there in Wyoming during winter: cold, wet and busy. I had to be up before the snow was dirtied and mush. To damn early for me I needed my morning caffeine. I remember stepping out of the dressing trailer at a quarter till dawn. I grab the nearest serf looking person and the exchange was something along these lines:
Looking the lady in the eye, ‘you know who I am, right?’ She nodded so violently her glasses fell to the bridge of her nose.

‘Good, I’ll have a 5 shot venti, two-fifths decaf, ristretto shot, one pump vanilla, one pump Hazelnut, breve,1 sugar in the raw, with whip cream and caramel drizzle on top, free poured, 4 pump mocha.’ Her large eyes grow wider as she tries to process this. ‘NOW, WOMAN!’

A grip boy, who at the time was an unknown to me, walked over as the poor woman scuttled off.

‘Oy, ‘er a right git, ya know!’ he says with a hateful look, rolling use some cord as he did.

‘Oh, piss off ginger man!’ I reply, lighting a cigarette, not thinking anymore of it.

He just shook his head as he walked away.”





“So, that was the first time you spoke to Jeff?” I ask, flipping the tape over(yes, dear readers, this reporter can hardly afford cheese and crackers. Let alone a digital recorder)

“Indeed, Miss Molly. My actions were not very laudable, I think.” Our dear Bill replies as he tops off my wine glass.

“Thank you,” I say, taken aback. “But please, continue.”

“Ahhh,” he sighs, “To the meat of the feast, huh? Well, a short while later the poor woman comes back with my coffee. I was not happy.” the once spiteful man says, remorsefully.



“She comes walking in about ten minutes until shoot time, I was irked, eyes still crusty and vision blurred.

‘About damn time, better be right.’ I say as I snatch the drink out of her hand and sip it. ‘Holy Hell, was it really that hard?’ I spit out with the coffee (Which was really just fine in hindsight, I was just a bit of a “Neap” as Jeff likes to say).
The poor girl sobbed as she wiped away the liquid from her glasses and uselessly tried to rub it out of her sweater. I just waved her on.

Five minutes till film’s in the gate people

‘Comm’er, ya bas, let’s have a blether afore we get ta work,ya?’ I hear behind me as a meaty hand digs in my shoulder.

‘Jeffe,no boy, drop it.’ I hear an older voice say

‘Yes, Jeff, don’t want to miss out on those potatoes and whiskey, now do ye?’ I was honestly that bad.
He grips a bit tighter as we lock eyes.

‘Hold now, let’s see ‘eer. how bad ‘id tha quine feck up.’ The grip said boldly taking my cup and taking a deep gulp. He winced as it went down.

‘Oy, not to my taste.’ Jeff said , with all seriousness, popping the lid and throwing the liquid in my pompous face.

I was taken aback.

Two minutes till roll time, folks.

‘Jeffe, let it be lad…you’ve done enough.’

‘I cannae let it go Pa, no’ yet.’

As I wipe the last bit of lukewarm drink out of my eyes I hear the people around me gasp.

‘Jeff, wait please.’ I try to stop him but I know it’s no use, I pissed the wrong person off.

I see stars then blackness, next thing I know I’m in the back of an ambulance right eye swollen shut

‘Hell’ I say, turning my head and seeing Jeff.

‘No need ta fret,Bill. I got ye here, I’ll get ye home safe.’”




“So, yes, Miss Molly, I think I’ve changed.” The new Mr. Krien says showing me the door and waving as I walk to my car.

A Change of Heart, A Story

“Why hello, my Dear!” Bill Krien greets me. The renowned actor has seemed to change a lot since out last meeting two years ago. He's not so aloft, his smiles more than a veneer, his laughs not hollow. Things really seem odd.

“It's been too long, Molly.” He continues, more jovial than anyone has ever seen him. I'm taken aback. Worried even, has he finally succumbed to the downfall of the majority? What’s his drug of choice I begin to wonder.

As these questions and more run through my head (I do have a job to do after all) I'm lead into his posh home. Nothing here is fake, it never was, from the lion-skin rug to the Victorian wood furnishing, no detail is too small to be overlooked. Yet, that's not why I'm here, nor why you're reading this, my dear fans. You want answers....

“I hope you've been well, and I hope that stain came out, I heard red wine is a bitch to clean. I am sorry.”

“Well,” I begin, getting irked all over again but wanting to move on... “I shouldn't have called your portrayal of Robin Hood chauvinistic.”

“Well, I did play the “frothing loins” attitude up a bit with all that groping...but thank you.”

So, down to why I came here I decide...

“Mister Krien, you know why I'm here, I think.”

“Yes, Molly, I do.” He says nodding toward a photo on the darkly stained mantle, right above the gargoyle head. I look up, training my eye on the most out of place thing in the world.


“I realize I've changed a lot in the past year or so, opened up some...Thanks to my friend, Jeff.”

Looking at the picture I couldn't believe it, there stood Bill Krien with some “Unknown” (sorry, Jeff if you’re reading this), both covered in fresh bruises and blood. It looked like a scene from Fight Club. They may have been banged up and sore but they looked happy.

I bring that point up...

“Oh, we were, but it was a long road to that place. Here, let me give you the story you came here for.”

With the glee squeaking out of me like a dog’s chew toy I grab my recorder and press the big red button....

Friday Flash--Memories Abound

“Hurry,he's waking!Get the mask” I hear as consciousness grips me.

Wait,where am I? Who are these oddly dressed men?Before I can find out I slip into darkness again.

A terrible hum wakes me.

Oh, the headache! “Look here, the Mage wakes.” I hear a gruff voice say, fake concern oozing out of every syllable. “Gnar, I think you may of struck him too hard” It laughs.

I grown, reaching for my face but all I feel are stone and metal. Then I notice the sounds around me, the marching feet and clanging of objects, are all muffled. And an ebon stillness surrounds me as I try to look out.

“Yea, I though I good scramble would keep his memories where they belong. I'd rather not have to deal with that mess,you know how the caption can get.” Replied the one called Gnar close to my left side.

Gods!I've be captured!I stand hyperventilating,vision turning red-edged.

“Oh, I think he's not happy...” A wild duet of chortles sound off as a tug on the chain brings me to my knees. The sounds of the multitude drowning out my cries of despair.

“W..Wh...Where are we going? I have to yell over the sound of foot on rock. Fearing the answer, knowing why I'm still breathing(as hard as it is in this cage).

“To the land of plenty, Vivir.” Growls the Gnar I can feel his ire even through gem and ore.

Home! I need to stop this, now!I need to warn the Circle...

I remember the storm on the planes, darkly clouds brightly flashing. I recall the smell of warm sea air charged with power. I feel my hair stand on edge...Focus, I need focus!The chain!I reach out feeling iron rings in my palm.

“Uhh, what's he doing Fein?'

“Just watch...” The arrogant peon says.

Yes, stand there!My rage gives me an outlet for the energies building.I yarp as one of these crude Northmen. The world around me stands still.

I hear laughter, then the jolt. My yell of victory turns to screams of pain as the charge backfires and brings me to my knees.

I feel the memory settling back into place...Why didn't it work?I beat on my prison like a wild animal.

“Oh Great and Powerful One, your tricks won't work here. You're just a man now!” I hear through the nasally laugh of my captor.

I'm drug along for miles fighting every step. They WILL not use MY blood to open the Coral Gates!I WILL NOT let my people suffer! What to do, come on think! I need this damned headpiece off!

I grab my head in frustration, in pain.This Null field causes so much pain...I stop.A seam! It can be broken, this thing of man! Gods be praised!How....

I take a deep breath as I think on this...I smell salt and sand, the landscape is flatter here.Have we really traveled so far already? I also realize I have slack in the chain. Either they've grown too confident or I too resigned to the situation. Time to fix that!

With all my might I yank the iron chain. I feel it go taught then slack again as the soldier falls. There's a snap and a scream. I pay no heed,I just run.

“YOU SON OF A WHORE!”I hear entirely too close. I need to get this off!I try pulling up, hoping that the blood from my wound will be enough to help me slide out.I'm unable to find out, being knocked sideways. Seeing stars.

“We only need your blood mage-dog, not you!”A sharp pain at my ribs makes me roll over to suck in air.

SUNLIGHT!

I laugh at the luck,an insane and entirely too loud gleeful cackle from my dry lips.

“ What are you laughing at?” Gnar ask with hate behind his deep voice.

I say nothing as I recall the memory.

Right before I left for my tour of duty I spent the night with my love ,Yvian and our little redhead Zoie.Yvian and I had put the wee on to bed hours ago, I tucked her in and told her I'd be away for a while. She was sad but understood. Gods sometimes she's too smart...

“Answer me!”

Even a stomp on my back cannot break the hold the memory has!

...We had finished our last bottle of vintage hours ago, but that was fine. We were content holding each other. Neither saying, but fearing it could be the last time. Besides the suns were coming up.

So beautiful! Both all shades of golds and reds and purples. Being bathed in their light and holding her was the most glorious feeling in the world .I swore then and there to do all in my power to protect my land and my loved ones...

It didn't matter that the blow was coming for me. The light of the Twins was flowing through me, growing hotter, growing brighter every second.

“YVIAN!” I scream as the golden light engulfs the plain.

A Change,A Challange...

So, it occurs to me I leave this blog unattended too often and just use it for my Friday Flash.I need to change that I think.

I need to write more, and whats more creative than Poems? I started way back when with my Lyrical Life,a poem for the week on how I feel.I haven't been doing that simple because I find them too dark and brooding.I Like the name but am changing the format...And I need your help folks!

I want you to come up with the subject

.

A vote if you will.Write down what You would like to see me try for the week,if you agree with someone who's already posted your idea, comment their name(full name please). I'll try to post Sunday/Mondays with the final product after voting is done on Friday!

I hope to hear your thoughts and have some fun along the way....

Vote Away Folks!

(#FridayFlash) Heathen Child

Sorry this is late guys...but here it is:

“But why?” George asked. As only a child can; honestly and full of awe at the coming answer. Never stopping the round-a-bout path his cycle was going by Grandmother's wheelchair.

“Because, dear, it's a special book...and it's already filled besides.” She replied in a matter of fact way only a loving adult can to a child, hoping he understood.

Stomping his dirty,calloused feet on the concrete George stopped his tricycle and looked down at his brightly colored orange copy of the New Testament. “Oh,” he began, as if learning something for the first time(they've been through this several times. From yellow, to blue to green to black.) “That why there scribbles on it?” He finished pointing to the Words written, not knowing the importance Grandmother held in them. As the words left his mouth the pen in his hand was flicking across the pages.

There go the Warnings of Paul, a three year old cares not for the ravings on an old, dead man. The Wrath of God thrown to the side, written over as if it wasn't there. Nothing Intelligible left except for the doodles of a toddler and no one could read that but him (and maybe a Schizophrenic).

“Oh, dear Lord!” Grandmother exclaims, reaching down and nearly falling out of her chair “George, No!”

But The Child is intent...

Warning after warning, ways to make peace with God.All lost under pen strokes. Circles, and lines overlapping...all nonsense, gibberish.

“That you, me...” he began drawing away as a boy possessed,page after page gone forever. “...Mommy, Sissy, Dada!”

“NO!!!” ,yelled Grandmother, fingers reaching closer to the Book. George knew what to do, he just twisted away from her, but it wasn't quiet enough. She got a hold of an orange flap and pulled. That's when George found the strength of four small boys.

Holy or not, the book was of the mortal realm and couldn't hold up to the twisting and pulling and stretching. It broke.

“Damn it!” Grandmother swore.

Around and around George went, laughing all the while...

Update on #MWWM

So, I've finished some on my Memorial Day Writing Spree...but a long weekend just isn't enough.I got me motivated

...BIG TIME...

I'm working on building the world as of now.It might be a while till I have something definitive, but something is in the works now...the gears are turning.

KEEP A LOOK OUT FOLKS!

So, yea...Who likes BBQ's anyway....

THAT'S RIGHT FOLKS I'M PUTTING MY SELF TO THE TEST...


STRETCHING MY WITS AS FAR AS I CAN...NO SAFETY BARS, NO STOPPING 'TILL ITS DONE!





GOING TO FINISH THIS LITTLE STORY! I'M SHOOTING FOR 6-8K WORDS



WISH ME LUCK...I'LL NEED IT

(#FridayFlash) Abraxas, the Curious

****OK, its been way too long, but I have missed you guys...I hope to be on more often****


Where did it all go wrong?Dose it even matter any more?...I'm done!Thought Ray as he downed his macabre shake. His last meal.
Some whiskey, a hand full or two of downers, a dash of coke for flavor and a few pellets of rat poison for good measure. That should do the trick,right? No note. No one to care or mourn for his passing. It was time.
"Been a wild ride, 'till next time.", sighed Ray as Sweet Release slid down his gullet. "Bottoms up!" With the deed done he decided to turn in. Pulling the covers over him and turning to make sure the window was open,it might be a few days but he'd be found. With that he closed his eyes, waiting.
"Psst, hey you awake?", whispered a deep voice (more felt than heard) at his ear.
Ray had no idea what was going on:What time is it?Wait, who the hell is in my house...Damn why am I still here? He thought in the split second it took to register the voice. He tried to move but couldn't.
"AHHH...Good.", muttered the voice, mixing rich over tones and subtle under tones, sounding as if it was a symphony of voices. All vying for rays attention.
He tried to open his eyes yet couldn't.
"No,no...no peeking now....." growled the Voice, trailing off (muttering jibes and pleads in the ebb and flow,daring him to anyway, warning him not to. "Do it....do it....DO IT!" "No, be still, hush and listen!")Ray ignored the voice, terrified or not he wanted to face his fate.
"

...UNLESS YOU WANT ME TO SCRAP YOUR EYE-HOLES CLEAN!!!!

", finished the Voice in a cacophony of sound.
In one instant Ray felt the pressure of the world on him and a crack in the air. Followed by a sharp pain under his eye and a hand like oil sliding up his forehead and pulling his scalp. He couldn't help it, it may have been the shake finally doing its job or fear, but Ray let loose a puddle of yellow liquid as blood oozed down his cheek.
The voice seemed to change all at once to a more pleasant tone in the forefront,"My presence can destroy the very essence of a soul...but that's what you want, Oblivion...Nothingness. I desire to know why,young one .Then you may have what you long for." (the gibes and jeers where here all the same "Aww,but I want too." "He's naught but an ant." "Yea, just a piss ant too!")This was too much for Ray...he stayed frozen, pressure still on him, urine soaking to the bone, warm or not."Come, speak!", It said, growing irritated.
"I...I..I n-nnn-need to change first.", replied Ray. Doing his best to stall. He was scared witless, but could feel the toxins doing their job and just wanted to go. "Time is at a stand still...you're not going anywhere anytime soon, child. Now answer, before this becomes your hell!", shot the Voice as if it read his mind, both calm and irked at the same time( "He his a child after all...." "then he should listen to his elders..." "Just end it, how can we understand the mind of an insect?").
Sensing the truth in this, and unable to open his eyes to finish the job Ray relented. Better get it over with...,he thought.
"OK, but what shout I call you? I can't see who you ...I know you're not Jesus or God...but your too kind to be...." The voice cut Ray off in a concurrence of laughter."Oh, how you show your shortsightedness, Nursling. Still sucking on that teat are we? Will, no matter...not for you anyway." As the Voice was talking it was stroking Rays grey, thinning hair. As a mother would her own.
It was unsettling in every way.With claws too long and skin(if it even was skin) way too slick."I am the Cosmos, I am Forever. The God of your God. Of your Deamons. Everything you see sprang from no more material than mine own hair..." As this was said a single hair was plucked from Rays head and whirled as a flower by a school child. Then as easily forgotten as the voice continued, ignoring the twitch from ray."Children always know whats best, I was forgotten...But I digress...I am All. Call me that you will, you've earned that right by just simply being in my presence,Little one. Now, tell me your reason to leave it all behind."
"Yes, Allfather. I may go after, right?", asked the desperate man."Indeed.", replied the Voice("Just hurry up..." "Children are slow, remember?" "It has been too long, hasn't it?")
"I'm just tired of living a hollow life:no friends, no family, no nothing .It's that simple. I feel it in my bones that I must leave this place for now." After speaking the truth Ray felt lighter somehow, deep within.
"I expected the answer to be more complicated...though, you are a child...Where do these "feelings" come from? ", asked the Voice in a much more subdued tone, as if in deep thought. "It's hard for me to put into words...my soul,I guess, although It's more than that too...All of me feels this!"

A pause, and a lifting of pressure. "He-Hello?" Ray asked the empty air."I am here, Lamb. Hmmm....", trailed off the Voice. " I see a unique strength in you. Are you sure this is what you want?"
"Even If I burn 'till the end.", exclaimed the old man."Oh, there will be no end. Only beginnings. You have the rare opportunity to choose a fresh start." said the Voice, now calm as still water.
" A new life? Another chance, no penalties?"
"Indeed, but it will hurt. As if all of Hell rose up to beat you down unto them."
"Do it.", said Ray, full of hope for the first time in years. Maybe I can find love, have good parents, be a good parent...try to live a different way this time.
"Good bye...", said the Voice as a light overtook the shadow and the pain began.....