Do you think we'll ever see them again?
Martha glances quickly over her shoulder, seeing her children playing along
the creek bed behind them, out of ear shot.
Big Tom knows this area and Len knows how to talk to
them.
54
Martha hasn't answered the question, but it is apparent by her face that she
too is worried and just trying to keep a calm front. Suddenly Tammy shouts.
Dad!
Tammy is running and Billy jumps to his feet to follow her. Big Tom and
Colonel Cage walk out of the woods, followed by the three remaining soldiers.
The women have risen to their feet as Big Tom walks up to Martha with a grim
look in his face. Martha is anxious, glancing over his shoulder and flitting
her eyes back to meet his quickly.
Where's the others?
The grim look on his face is her answer, and she flutters a hand quickly to
her mouth, and utters quietly.
Oh, no!
Clara is next, standing just behind Martha where we can see her anxious face.
Where's Len? Where are they! In God's name tell me
what happened!
Big Tom puts his left hand on her shoulder.
They're fine, fine, don't get excited. They stayed
behind and they're all fine.
Martha is leaning her face into her husband's shoulder, biting her trembling
lower lip and fighting tears, trying to use an embrace and joy over seeing her
husband again to disguise her grief from the rest of the women and her
children.
55
-On the Move-
Danny is explaining to Mark and a restless Brian about the pole shift,
relaying what he can remember from Professor Isaac's rambling dissertation.
It happens ever few thousand years, and what's left of
mankind starts over again. I guess we're lucky to be
alive.
Brian is moving continuously but in a slow manner, pausing after each move for
a moment, first raising partially up and then sitting down again, crossing one
leg and then uncrossing and crossing the other leg, putting his hands on his
knees and then crossing his arms, swatting behind his neck and looking at his
hand for a bug that isn't there, moving his head from side to side as though
looking in every direction - restless and a bit paranoid.
Mark is in denial about what has happened, the pole shift, even though he has
experienced it.
Yeah, well, I don't believe any of it. If something
like that was going to happen the government would
have told us. I think is was just an earthquake.
A look of relief crosses Mark’s face as he sees Big Tom and the women
approaching.
Hey, there they are.
Mark starts to rise from his seat to greet the group coming back from the
creek. Danny turns also, a smile on his face, but the smile slowly disappears
as he sees missing members. Brian has bolted into the tents at the sight of
the military men. Big Tom sets the tone and takes charge of the big lie.
They're waiting for us and we have to pack up and join
them.
Happy to hear this news, Danny starts nodding his head and muttering.
Cool, we're out'a here.
Daisy comes up to him, immediately starting her whining mode again as she
thinks things are back to normal again.
I'll need to see the hair stylist right away, my
hair's a mess!
She is tugging at her pants and blouse, trying to straighten up and adjust
back into appearance expectations she had put aside.
Big Tom crawls into the tent where a sleepy Frank is just waking up from a
nap.
Come on, guy, time to move out.
Frank blinks and says,
You're back? Where's Jane?
56
Big Tom keeps up the big lie, speaking calmly.
We're going to meet them. Hurry up, grab your things.
_______________________________
Martha is sorting items to take, putting most aside after a moment’s
hesitation on some items, as though she has regrets about leaving them,
selecting only a few. She signs, sits back from being on her knees in the tent
to sitting on her butt with her legs tucked under her. She looks up from the
items she has been sorting. A Zeta has come to sit across from her, long thin
legs folded Yoga style and elbows on each knee, hands held out in the center
as though a dialog were going on. Martha says,
I’m going to miss you. ..
Suddenly smiling and brightening, even laughing a bit in relief as she
realizes how foolish was her thought that contact was somehow tied to the
ranch, where she has lived all her life.
Oh.
Rolling back onto her knees and continuing to sort, now with more fervor and
energy, getting back to the urgent task at hand. Martha is smiling to herself.
_______________________________
The group is leaving the farm, carrying only pillowcases stuffed with personal
items. Martha stops briefly, turning slightly to glance back at the ranch
with a long lingering sad look at the home and lifestyle she knows she will
never see again. Tammy is at her side. Tammy says,
Do you think they'll have a doll house?
Martha, wanting to encourage her daughter's recent return to normalcy,
chatters back brightly.
Wouldn't be surprised. I'll bet they'll even be some
other little girls your age.
In the background, Netty is letting her big bay run free, removing its harness
and giving it a slap as it canters out into the open field. On the run, the
horse could not be concealed.
Colonel Cage is walking with Frank, who has just been told of his wife's
death. He is talking this stoically, and they are walking at the side of the
others who have spread out and are not in a line any longer. Frank is pale
and barely moving.
At least she didn't suffer.
The Colonel is still enraged at what had occurred.
No, but I made sure they did!
57
_______________________________
Big Tom and Danny are taking the lead. Big Tom is explaining the situation to
Danny.
.. Don't know where we're going, but we had to leave,
and soon. They were sent to kill us.
His face is grim, and he glances repeatedly at Danny's face as he says this,
checking out the terrain ahead of them in between these glances. The pace is
not slow, and the field is rough so one has to watch their step. Danny looks
confused and troubled, keeps looking like he wants to say something but stops
when the words don't come together. Finally he manages.
So they're all dead, Len and Herman?
Big Tom pauses, faced with a question he himself does not want to face.
I don't know, but we have to assume that, I guess.
Just don't say anything to the women.
Mark and Brian have lagged behind, Brian repeatedly sitting down and crying,
curling up into a ball and wailing softly. Mark looks consternated, as the
others are ahead of him already. He glances at the retreating line of people
ahead of him, debating whether to call for help, and decides not. Mark sits
down beside Brian, putting his arms around him, rubbing his back, cradling his
head against his shoulder. Brian is almost imperceptibly.
I just want to go home.
Mark has a calm, thoughtful look on his face, and then pushes Brian back so he
can look into his face.
Well, maybe we can do just that!
Mark is almost surprised to find the plane wreck looking as they had left it,
the plane nosed into trees at the edge of a creek, the propellers twisted and
one wing bent at a right angle. Mark and Brian are walking toward the plane,
hurriedly, while Mark is talking excitedly.
Remember that air balloon jet I was taking to the
club? I'll bet we can rig something up! We've got
the parachutes, and heck, if we can just get out of
this earthquake zone ..
_______________________________
Night is falling, and the group leaving the farm is making camp. Straw beds
have been made from straw gathered from a wheat field. No campfire has been
lit, for safety, so they are eating cold food scraps they have brought -
boiled potatoes and water from a nearby creek. Daisy is making a face after
taking a swig, and Colonel Cage explains.
It's chlorine, so you don't get the runs.
58
Clara makes a nervous aside to Martha, in a quiet voice.
Why won't they let us start a fire? I don't like the
feel of this, something's wrong!
Big Tom, overhearing this, senses that he needs to calm the group. He
addresses the group, speaking in a loud voice so all can hear.
We're being careful not to alert anyone that we're
traveling though. We don't want any trouble. Just
taking precautions.
Billy is helping Red spread some straw they've brought in from the nearby
field, and complains to his grandpa.
It's all itchy. Why did we have to move?
Red, who has apparently been briefed by his son earlier, replies.
We couldn't stay at the ranch forever, son, running
out of food and all like we were.
The group eases down onto the straw as the last of the daylight fades, too
exhausted to object any more.
_______________________________
The next morning the group is stirring at dawn. The Sun not yet up but the
early dawn provides enough light that we can see the outline of trees in the
distance and here and there a member of the group rising to stand and stretch.
When it is clear that they are all awake, Martha has an announcement.
I’ve nothing for breakfast. I’m sorry. Here’s what I
suggest we do. Each of us keep our eyes out for
something edible during our walk today. Maybe by
nightfall we can have a feast.
Frank pats his shirt pocket and smiles when he feels a familiar friend there.
He draws out a pocket sized guide and holds it aloft.
I’ve got a book, a book on edible weeds and mushrooms.
Take it camping every time just in case I get lost in
the woods or something.
Then, under his breath to himself as he realizes for once he, Frank, is the
hero. A slight smile touches his face. Alive again, with a role to play after
the loss of his wife Jane.
How about that.
_______________________________
The group is limping along with less energy than the day before. Clara, who
is middle aged, is frankly dragging, and Netty comes up to her to take her
59
sack. The group is strung out in a line. Big Tom and Colonel Cage are at the
front of the line, approaching some low rolling hills.
Frank is walking side by side with Billy, who is leaning close now and then to
look at a picture in Frank’s small pocket sized handbook on wild edibles.
Frank is gesturing, and Billy glances up now and then to look at Frank in the
face, to be polite, but clearly would rather just have the book.
. . These are safe, but there’s some others in here
that we don’t want ..
Martha and Tammy are scouting as they go, only stepping off the trail for a
moment to pluck a likely weed, then sampling a leave or flower as they pick up
the pace to return to their place in line. Martha has grabbed a purple flower
off a thistle, takes a nibble and hands a bite down to Tammy for her to taste
test too. They smile at each other.
_______________________________
A large black rat snake has been startled from its nap in the sun and has
started to wriggle into the protection of some tall grass. A military boot
suddenly stomps down on the snake toward its tail, nailing it to the ground.
One of the soldiers drops a rock on the snake’s head and the snake stops
wriggling.
_______________________________
winds it way past tall trees and dense woods. Red has stepped into the water
on one side, scooping up a lacy light green plant growing in the water along
the bank. Red loads his left arm with the harvest while grabbing handfuls with
60
his right hand, oblivious to the fact that his left side is getting muddy and
wet. He has a smile on his face. Water cress is a find on a day when even a
plain salad will be appreciated.
_______________________________
Netty and Danny are walking together, Netty almost on top of Danny who is in
the lead. She is earnestly explaining something to Danny, who has a worried
look on his face, not wanting to hear, and seems to almost be trying to put
distance between the two of them to avoid it. Netty keeps closing the gap,
though, talking nonstop.
. . All over the world. We’re about the only culture
that doesn’t do it. Lots of fat and protein. . . Well
what else are we going to bring to the pot tonight?
Got any better ideas?
They round a large tree and find a fallen tree trunk at the side of the path,
moldered halfway into the ground, the bark falling off. Netty points and
strides over to the trunk.
There! Lets check this for grubs.
Danny has a horrified look on his face, but stops to watch as Netty kicks at
the trunk, pushing it over and dropping to her knees in the soft wood chips,
digging with a piece of bark. She pulls another, larger piece of bark toward
her and is putting white grubs on this, working quickly so the grubs don’t
escape into the soft ground. She looks over her shoulder at the reluctant
Danny, tossing him a smile.
Oh for heaven’s sake! Get over yourself, city boy!
_______________________________
Big Tom and Colonel Cage are at the head of the line. Big Tom looks over his
shoulder as they walk along a tree line and sees that many in the group are
not keeping up as they are taking time out to hunt and gather. The group is
stretched out at least a half mile long, with a gap between those following
and the two leaders. Big Tom says,
61
I know there’s trout in these streams, and I’ve been
trying to think of how to catch them. No time for a
hook and line, that’s for sure.
Big Tom is shucking off his jacket and hands it to Colonel Cage while he
shucks off his long sleeved shirt. He ties a knot in each sleeve and buttons
the neck as high as it
will go. Not missing a stride as he does this, he veers
toward the stream that they have been following as it runs along the tree bank
and steps into a pool.
You go upstream a bit and chase them toward me. Lets
see if this works.
Big Tom straddles the stream at a narrow point at the end of the pool, holding
his shirt bottom like a net between his two hands. His fingers are splayed
open, holding the shirt open, and his feet are braced on either side, blocking
the way. Colonel Cage can be seen in the background, stepping gingerly into
the stream and turning to move toward Big Tom.
_______________________________
The group has taken shelter for the night against a rock outcropping, in part
for shelter against a threatening rain storm and in part to hide a small
cooking fire they plan to light. Hungry and weary, they ease themselves into
the soft dirt, looking discouraged and dusty. Big Tom has hung his wet shirt
on a branch, and jacket open is laid back with eyes closed, a sleepy child in
each armpit curled up against him.
One of the soldiers has arranged a fire pit – a circle of rocks with all
litter cleared away for several feet. He is using a branch as a brush,
sweeping the ground clear. Next he moves quickly through the woods nearby,
grabbing at kindling. He kneels and starts twirling a sturdy branch against a
flat piece of bark, and within a minute a spark forms, which is quickly fanned
and fed with dried moss.
Martha is to the side, out of the shelter of the overhang, arranging the
camping pots and plates the group has carried with them. She is digging