Post by Mr. Jack Happy on Nov 24, 2013 11:53:46 GMT -5
"So what is it you really want, Jack? I know you're not here to exchange pleasentries and that's good because I don't have any to start with. Maybe a drink? Nah, you can't even handle near beer. Maybe an apology? Now wouldn't that be something?"
There was that sneer again. Spreading out across his face like wildfire. And even though he had only one good eye left, I could still feel the weight behind his milky-hued right one. He had me dead to rights as I stared down the barrel of his indignation. One misstep and he'd pull the trigger.
"It's trying to come back. I don't know what to do."
"And what Jack? You don't want to turn out LIKE ME?!?! Oh because you're so much better than me, isn't that right you sumbitch? ISN'T IT?!?!?!"
And there was the first shots fired. Hitting me with both barrells. Maybe I should just take it. Maybe I deserved it. Maybe. To hell with that. He wants this. If I gotta go through this to get the answers I need, I'll fight.
"Let's see. You're nothing more than a monster, living in the shell of a great man I once knew. Yeah, I think I'm better than you, you sorry bastard."
I wish it was Aaron still there. However, the look of pure evil brought up from the depth of this dark one's essence was almost too much for me to take. Almost. A meaty fist slams down on the table. Huge, calloused hand, veins nearly bulging through the skin. In a flash, he's closed the distance and he's inches from my face. His nostrils are flaring, and I can feel the rolling undertow of evil attempting to break the surface. And then? It's suddenly gone. Mocking laughter and his gaze registers satisfaction...as if he's found something in me that pleases him. As I look down, I see my fist inches from his solar plexus, the only thing stopping it was his other hand, nearly consuming my own.
"Ahhh...there it is. Just had to do some digging to find it. It looks good on you too, ya sorry sumbitch. I've always said you should just let it go...let it happen. What's the worse that could happen? You'd end up like me? It'd be an improvement! Of course, you'll all about feeling good about yourself, smiles, burritos and shit. The fact of the matter is that while I wear my mask on the outside, you've got a mask of your own on the inside. I bet you're scared shitless thinking that your happy little world is on the fringe of something you can't quite put your head around."
"Since when did you get your doctorate? Oh, that's right. Just like you can drink your courage out of a bottle, guess you can drink a PhD up too?"
"Oh that's fine Jack. Please, don't let me stop you from doing what you've already got started. I may be drunk off my ass right about now, but even I can see that little tear you got there in your mask. What did you think would happen the last time you faced it. Wait a minute. You...you DIDN'T face it did you? You...you just ran away. Oh, that's priceless Jack. That's better than anything I could've ever hoped for, for YOU."
"Just tell me what I need to do and we're finished. We're done."
"Stop lying to yourself boyh. We're far from finished and done. It's gonna make you change the way you see things. It's going to change the way you are. I might have to go to one of them-thar shows that you're on and see how you turn out. Course, I already know what's going to happen, just not the extent."
"Fine. Don't help me out. I don't need your help. We're done. I made it through the first time and I'll make it through this time."
"It's figured you out. Only questions that remain are: Will you figure IT out? And, when you do, how will you turn out? Personally, I feel that any change it makes on you would be better than this fat piece of meaningless shit that I see sitting before me."
"I've always loved telling jokes, Hangman. I've always had a penchant for humor. However, every time I see you, I can't help but get the giggles because you're a running joke. If you see any tears right now, it's because I'm laughing too hard at your expense."
"Oh, we'll see who's laughing when it's all said and done with. You always say something about laughing last and what not. You've got everything to fear, funnyman. Who's going to help you when you fall apart, Jack? Who's going to tidy up the mess that you'll make? Lori isn't around any more is she Jack? No Lori, no Laura....it seems all your friends shuffled themselves out of your deck a long time ago. Guess you're not playing with all your cards now are you? Heh-heh-heh. Now get the hell off my property before I feel like shooting varmints."
We were finished. Once more, we were at each others throats and nothing good was going to come of it. I learned almost nothing, this trip was a waste. Aaron is somewhere in there, but I'll never find him and maybe he wants it that way. Besides, I've got my own problems to solve and The Hangman was right about something: I didn't have Lori in my life anymore. Our happily ever after never happened. Fate, or whatever else you wanted to call it, had something different in store for us both. Different. Hope her different has her in a better lifestyle than I could've given her. She deserved that much.
Back in the van and on the road. Something tells me that even though I'm going to Slam for Sunday I really don't know where I'm going or when I'm going to get there. Seriously. No joking this time.
There was that sneer again. Spreading out across his face like wildfire. And even though he had only one good eye left, I could still feel the weight behind his milky-hued right one. He had me dead to rights as I stared down the barrel of his indignation. One misstep and he'd pull the trigger.
"It's trying to come back. I don't know what to do."
"And what Jack? You don't want to turn out LIKE ME?!?! Oh because you're so much better than me, isn't that right you sumbitch? ISN'T IT?!?!?!"
And there was the first shots fired. Hitting me with both barrells. Maybe I should just take it. Maybe I deserved it. Maybe. To hell with that. He wants this. If I gotta go through this to get the answers I need, I'll fight.
"Let's see. You're nothing more than a monster, living in the shell of a great man I once knew. Yeah, I think I'm better than you, you sorry bastard."
I wish it was Aaron still there. However, the look of pure evil brought up from the depth of this dark one's essence was almost too much for me to take. Almost. A meaty fist slams down on the table. Huge, calloused hand, veins nearly bulging through the skin. In a flash, he's closed the distance and he's inches from my face. His nostrils are flaring, and I can feel the rolling undertow of evil attempting to break the surface. And then? It's suddenly gone. Mocking laughter and his gaze registers satisfaction...as if he's found something in me that pleases him. As I look down, I see my fist inches from his solar plexus, the only thing stopping it was his other hand, nearly consuming my own.
"Ahhh...there it is. Just had to do some digging to find it. It looks good on you too, ya sorry sumbitch. I've always said you should just let it go...let it happen. What's the worse that could happen? You'd end up like me? It'd be an improvement! Of course, you'll all about feeling good about yourself, smiles, burritos and shit. The fact of the matter is that while I wear my mask on the outside, you've got a mask of your own on the inside. I bet you're scared shitless thinking that your happy little world is on the fringe of something you can't quite put your head around."
"Since when did you get your doctorate? Oh, that's right. Just like you can drink your courage out of a bottle, guess you can drink a PhD up too?"
"Oh that's fine Jack. Please, don't let me stop you from doing what you've already got started. I may be drunk off my ass right about now, but even I can see that little tear you got there in your mask. What did you think would happen the last time you faced it. Wait a minute. You...you DIDN'T face it did you? You...you just ran away. Oh, that's priceless Jack. That's better than anything I could've ever hoped for, for YOU."
"Just tell me what I need to do and we're finished. We're done."
"Stop lying to yourself boyh. We're far from finished and done. It's gonna make you change the way you see things. It's going to change the way you are. I might have to go to one of them-thar shows that you're on and see how you turn out. Course, I already know what's going to happen, just not the extent."
"Fine. Don't help me out. I don't need your help. We're done. I made it through the first time and I'll make it through this time."
"It's figured you out. Only questions that remain are: Will you figure IT out? And, when you do, how will you turn out? Personally, I feel that any change it makes on you would be better than this fat piece of meaningless shit that I see sitting before me."
"I've always loved telling jokes, Hangman. I've always had a penchant for humor. However, every time I see you, I can't help but get the giggles because you're a running joke. If you see any tears right now, it's because I'm laughing too hard at your expense."
"Oh, we'll see who's laughing when it's all said and done with. You always say something about laughing last and what not. You've got everything to fear, funnyman. Who's going to help you when you fall apart, Jack? Who's going to tidy up the mess that you'll make? Lori isn't around any more is she Jack? No Lori, no Laura....it seems all your friends shuffled themselves out of your deck a long time ago. Guess you're not playing with all your cards now are you? Heh-heh-heh. Now get the hell off my property before I feel like shooting varmints."
We were finished. Once more, we were at each others throats and nothing good was going to come of it. I learned almost nothing, this trip was a waste. Aaron is somewhere in there, but I'll never find him and maybe he wants it that way. Besides, I've got my own problems to solve and The Hangman was right about something: I didn't have Lori in my life anymore. Our happily ever after never happened. Fate, or whatever else you wanted to call it, had something different in store for us both. Different. Hope her different has her in a better lifestyle than I could've given her. She deserved that much.
Back in the van and on the road. Something tells me that even though I'm going to Slam for Sunday I really don't know where I'm going or when I'm going to get there. Seriously. No joking this time.