Sevastian Winters Short Story

Guest of Honor

noreply@blogger.com (Sevastian Winters) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 03:47:00 +0000

Walter Kravitz's face twisted as blood rushed to his head. He beat his brow with both fists, before he screamed. "You aren't listening!"

"Calm down, Walter," replied Marcus. He blew on the surface of his tea, but did not yet take a sip. He was apparently not yet ready to chance being scalded. He looked away from Walter, seemingly mesmerized by the steam rising from his cup and then continued as if in a dreamstate. "There's no need to get upset."

"No need? Are you kidding me? You have me trapped in here!"

"I don't have you trapped Walter. Mother nature has you trapped. Look outside"

Walter glanced out of the window at the falling snow. Marcus continued.

"I am powerful, Walter. Of that there can be no doubt, but do you really think I can make it snow 5 feet in a day?"

Walter waited for a moment and tried to regain his composure before speaking.

"Forget the snow. You are not Kathy Bates. This is not the set of Misery. I am not a writer. I'm a tax accountant from Duluth."

"Oh, but you are a writer, Walter. You should know that, by now. I'm only here because you sent for me."

"Sent for you? I came here to___"

"You came here to spend time with me. I know that, and I appreciate it. Believe me...more than you will ever know, but____."

"This isn't happening. You aren't here. You're not real."

Marcus's brow furled as if he were deep in thought and then released. Before Walter could respond, Marcus lashed out, hurling the contents of his tea cup at Walter's chest. shock gave way to agony as the tea penetrated his silk shirt, the t-shirt underneath and then made contact with his bare chest. It felt like lava stinging his flesh.Walter screamed and tried to peel the layers that felt like they'd been welded to his flesh. Marcus smiled. "Real enough for ya'?"

"What'd you do that for?"

"You said I wasn't real"

"Well, let's face it. You can't be."

"And yet, here I am."

"Well, go away!"

"I'm sorry. I can't do that. You won't let me."

"I won't____What the___You're not making any sense. You trapped me here...Not the other way around!"

"Stop being so dramatic, Walter. Keep in mind, that you asked me here."

"I asked....No! I didn't ask you here. I____."

"Did you or did you not tell Sarah that you were coming to the cabin this weekend to spend some time with me?"

"That is not what I____."

"Yes it is!"

"No. I said I was coming to the cabin to get some alone time and to work on the novel I've been thinking about."

"You said you aren't a writer."

"I'm not. I love my job, but everyone has one good novel in them. I___."

"So you admit then, that you did come to the woods to spend time with me, this weekend?"

"No... I came here to write... to be by myself...."

"Oh yeah? What are you writing about?"

Walter stopped speaking for a moment. He felt trapped by the answer. He chewed the side of his lip for a brief moment and then whispered,"you."

Marcus put his hands together as joy spread across his face. "At last! he smiled. We've come to it!" "But you weren't supposed to be.... I mean... well... I made you up. You aren't supposed to be....."

"What? Real?"

"Yeah!"

"Why not?"

"Because, it's just not the way it's....done!"

"Who says?"

Walter didn't have an answer.

"Have you ever done this before?"

"No"

"Then, how do you know it's not the way it's done?"

"Because people would talk."

"What people?"

"Other writers."

"Why would they do that?"

"I dunno... I guess because they___."

"Walter?" interrupted Marcus. Do you suppose that anyone outside of this cabin will ever see me?"

Walter thought for a moment and then replied. "No, I guess not...but then why do I?"

"Because what you have been writing for the past day is shit."

Walter looked toward his computer and sighed. "I know."

"Walter. I just want to be seen. I don't want to be all alone running around inside of your number cluttered head. I want to live!"

"But how can I___? How can you___?"

"Simple, Walter. Spend some time with me."

"But this is crazy!"

"It is what it is, Walter, but..." He gestured toward the computer."Writing about me without getting to know me... well... it's just plain rude!"

Walter looked out of the window. It was clear to him he would be stuck in the cabin for at least 3 days. Then he looked back to Marcus who motioned him to sit down at his desk. While Marcus poured himself a fresh cup of tea, Walter deleted the file he had been working on and opened another. "So, Marcus. You are 300 years old... "he started. "Tell me about yourself." Marcus spun around and stirred his tea with a spoon. A broad smile crept across his face. "That, my dear friend, is the right question!"

Reunion- a short story by Sevastian Winters

noreply@blogger.com (Sevastian Winters) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:52:00 +0000

“Excuse me? Did you just say 'snaptacular'?”

He blushed a little and mumbled. “I thought I'd whispered it. You weren't supposed to.... um... Hi. I'm Matt,” he offered.

I was drunk and he was cute, so I offered him my hand. “Hi Matt. I'm Kevin. What's 'snaptacular'?” It was clear he'd said it about me. 36 years have passed since that moment and I'm not totally clear on how he responded, but I remember leaving the bar that night still wondering what he meant by 'snaptacular'. So he must have, as he has always done when he didn't want to talk about something, brushed it aside and found some other subject in which to engage me. It's a word that took me years to fully understand.

Matt said “snaptacular” when I agreed to be his boyfriend and again when we found our dream home after months of touring “not good enough.” He said “snaptacular” when my first painting was hung in the foyer at the Met. He said it when I agreed to marry him, the moment it became legal for us to do so. It never did. He said it when his mother finally agreed to meet me after we had already shared 30 years of our lives together...even though she disagreed with what she called “our sinful lifestyle.” Evelyn never understood our love.

Since his diagnosis with early onset Alzheimers...when he was only 55, Matt and I have had very little to say “snaptacular” about. At first, it was silly stuff. He would forget things here and there, but within 2 years, we had to hire a full-time nurse. I couldn't be with him every time he got the notion to go for a walk...and without a nurse, he would have gotten lost. By the time she came to help, the car keys had long since been hidden. We did alright for awhile; me, Matt, and the nurse...and I don't think he was ready to go to the home when he did. We could have had 6 more months, but his mom got a court order, and they ripped him out of our home. Since I was not family I was given no rights to visit. We didn't have a “civil union” and the courts told us a long time ago that we weren't fit to get married, despite our 3 decades together.

When Evelyn filed her petition, it forbade me to visit my life's true love. I could not see him and it was pointless to write. The days gave way to weeks and the weeks gave way to months. I spent nearly all I had, fighting for the right to see my love. I didn't care when I was given an eviction notice from the house that was ours but never mine. For 10 more minutes with him, I would have sold it anyhow. It wasn't about the property...though I had paid for it and loved it too. Still the courts denied me, giving his family rights above mine.

Before he got sick, we decided against a civil union.... in protest. We wanted to get married... and the state's placation just wouldn't do. We stood on principle, knowing that we were in the right, certain that our land that claims to pride itself on freedom would finally see that marriage is a right we all should share and that “separate but equal” would never again be enforced by law in the nation we both loved. We didn't want their pity document we wanted to be married, and no force of man or God could ever rip apart our love. We didn't count on Evelyn. For 4 years I laboured while he languished, alone in a hospital, frequented only by visits from a woman he's never cared for, who never understood our love.

When Evelyn died in January, I re-opened my petition to see him, sure that no one would stand to fight, that soon the court would return us to each other and that the world, while broken would once again be right. I could not have been more wrong.

The helicopters overhead are telling me that the end is soon to come. People watching at home are waiting to see how this will end. They have probably called me the “Nursing home rampager” or something to that effect. I've shot nobody... In fact, my rifle isn't even loaded. That won't matter though. When the S.W.A.T team is frustrated enough, they will come and that will be the end.

When I broke into Matt's room this morning, he was staring at a wall. He's lost a lot of weight. His eyes were vacant as they are right now. He's no longer the man he once was.... the one I know...and yet he's still the very same.

“Did you bring the peaches?” he finally asked. “I love peaches.”

In 36 years I have never seen him eat a peach.

“Matt. Do you know who I am?”

The puzzled look on his face told me that he didn't.

I sat for an hour with him, trying to explain. By then the place was surrounded. I talked with the “hostage” negotiator twice by cell phone, but still refused to leave.

I am 62 years old, and more than likely I will die today. It was worth it though, and I will tell you why. A few minutes ago Matts eyes lit up for just a moment.

“Matt.... do you know who I am?” I asked, pleading the heavens that he did.

His face contorted the way it always has when he's working on a puzzle. Finally, it released. He had his answer, and a broad smile crept across his beautiful face.

“Matt,” I said again. Do you know my name?”

A tear came to his eye and then he winked. “Snaptacular,” he whispered.

I don't care now if you come in with guns blazing. I know all I need to know. Evelyn lost and so did you. Alzheimers be damned. I know my place, here with my love, and I am absolutely snaptacular!

Hollow- a Short Story by Sevastian Winters

noreply@blogger.com (Sevastian Winters) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:41:00 +0000

This story is also printed in "Bonfire Stories" a collection of 22 short stories by Sevastian Winters and 1 story by guest author Tamara L. Waters. To order your own copy of the book, click here

Enjoy the Story!

Hollow-

“Ugly people totally offend me!”

“Oh my god!” Jenny and Sara burst into laughter.

“I’m serious” Casey said, taking another sip of her wine. I am so sick of ugly guys talking to me like they have a chance with me. There is like no excuse to be ugly. Buy some make up or stay home. I mean seriously. Do these people not know how ugly they are?”

Her friends continued laughing.

“Casey!” Jenny exclaimed finally “Shhh” Someone will hear you”

“I’m serious. They are just…. I don’t know… gross!”

“Well I don’t know” Sara replied. I used to think Jeff was kind of ugly, but he’s really a sweet guy, and he’s totally smart. Im not kidding. The guy solved the rubik’s cube in like 5 minutes”

“Oh god. I hate those things. My brother is obsessed with that stupid toy” Replied Casey.

“Oh no. Tell me you are kidding, said Jenny. Jeff… as in Jeff, Jeff? Wears his pants pulled up too high Jeff?”

“He’s not that bad. In fact, once you get to know him he’s really pretty cool” replied Sara

“He’s like Quasimodo!” Casey Interjected. “Seriously dude, you could totally do better”

“Whatever Casey, How’s Rick” Sara jabbed.

“Rick’s a jerk” replied Casey “But the boy did know his Iggy”

“Oh my god. You and your Iggy Pop! Rick was always a jerk” interrupted Jenny

“But at least he’s cute!” Casey retorted. Besides… someone who owns as many guitars as you do without actually even knowing how to play…. Well you just shouldn’t talk about great music!”

“I don’t know,” replied Sarah. “I always thought his nose was kind of big”.

“Casey always goes for guys with big noses” said Jenny

“I do not. Shut up” Casey laughed.

“Yes you do” replied the other girls in chorus.

“ How about Jessie? His nose was huge. Wes… a nose like friggen pinnochio… Randy…. Shall I go on?” asked Sara

“Well none of those guys looked like Jeff” replied Casey

“None of them was as cool either” replied Sara.

“I’m really tired of dating idiots” said Casey “I’m a frigging GQ fashion photographer. You would think I’d be set. I’m rich. I’m good looking. I’m smart. And I am constantly surrounded by gorgeous men. I just –“

“That doesn’t count,” said Jenny. “Most of them are gay!”

“Yeah, but not all of them. Some of them are just jerks” replied Casey.

“Well you’re the one who keeps dating them,” Jenny reminder her.

“Yeah well, eventually I have to find the right guy right?”

“Maybe,” replied Sarah. “I don’t know… I think maybe you are looking at all the wrong guys. I mean, they are fashion guys… I never trust a guy who spends more time getting pretty than I do.”

“Can I get you ladies anything else this evening?” The waiter interrupted

“I don’t’ know,” Jenny flirted. “Can you play the guitar?”

The waiter smiled and blushed.

Casey spoke for the table. “No, thank you”

The waiter pulled out his notepad and scribbled something before tearing the sheet and turning it upside down on the table. “Great. I’ll be your cashier when you’re ready”.

“Ready for what?” asked Jenny.

Casey elbowed Jenny and locked eyes with the waiter. “Thank you”

Jenny eyed the waiter’s butt as he walked away. “That guy is sooo fine!”

“You are such a slut” replied Casey.

Within a few minutes the girls paid their bills and parted ways. Since she lived close by, Casey declined the offer for a ride home and chose to walk instead. The truth was that she had grown increasingly gassy as the night went on, and she was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to hold it if she accepted a ride.

She hummed an Iggy Pop tune as she walked, trying to keep her mind off of the pressure building in her bowels. She loved Iggy Pop and the Stooges. The band had broken up a number of years before, but as a teen, it was the band’s music that had gotten her through the tough times of her parents’ divorce.

Despite her attempt to wait until she got home, Casey was unsuccessful. Two blocks from her loft, she could hold it no longer and ducked into a local bar to use the facilities. Having finished her business, she stepped out of the bathroom only to be a confronted by a guy who was considerably not what Casey would consider her type. He looked vaguely familiar but definitely made Casey’s “ugly guy” list.

“Hey. How ya’ doing? I’m Scott” said the man, who Casey assumed was drunk.

“Uh, hi Scott. I was just leaving”

“Oh come on baby. I just saw you come in. Stay and have a drink with me.”

Casey was irritated. Why do guys always think it’s cool to call me baby? She mused to herself. “No. I don’t think so”

“Oh come on. One drink. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“I’m sure that would be a real thrill for you. Look. I don’t know why guys like you ever think it’s okay to talk to girls like me, but seriously. Back off.”

“Wow. Fiery I like that but what do you mean about ‘girls like you’? Come on darlin don’t be down on yourself. I think you’re frikken beautiful. Come on… just one drink”

“I was talking about you, you moron. I tell you what. Why don’t you just go back to wherever you came from and stop trying to impress your friends because you had the guts to come talk to the pretty girl? I'm not interested… so goodbye… Scott.” With that Casey made her way out of the bar leaving Scott to endure the laughter of the people in the bar around him.

The next evening, unable to Sleep, Casey turned on the TV in the middle of the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. The musical number for the evening, Jackson Browne was just finishing playing. When the song ended, Johnny invited the band back to the couch to chat.

“So I see you added a new band member since I saw you last?” questioned Carson.

“Oh Yeah… hey this is Scott Thurston.” Casey froze. All of the blood in her head fell into her stomach at once and she nearly vomited. She never even heard the end of the sentence. She knew why she recognized the ugly guy in the bar. “Scott played keyboards for Iggy Pop back in the 70’s,” Jackson continued. “And we’re really thrilled to have him with us.”

Fixing Time- by Sevastian Winters

noreply@blogger.com (Sevastian Winters) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:29:00 +0000

This story is also printed in "Bonfire Stories" a collection of 22 short stories by Sevastian Winters and 1 story by guest author Tamara L. Waters. To order your own copy of the book, click here

Enjoy the Story!

Fixing Time

It was not like Brian to miss a meeting. Kate scanned the room. Shelley, Bart, and Scott weren’t in the room either. She tried not to create horror scenes in her head, but the fact that the entire 1960’s recovery team was absent from the room made it difficult to concentrate.

She stared at the logo on the top of her work orders from the previous week: J.E.S.A.S. (Jorgenson Experimental Science & Astral Society). She thought back to how she had gotten to this point in her life. Kate, always a lover of both drama and history had started as a transcription clerk at J.E.S.A.S on a whim, during college but had never considered doing field work.

Nobody was more surprised than Kate when, in the years 2045 toward the end of her senior year in college, CTO Jack Nylund had called her to his office and offered her a full scholarship to the company’s intensive 3 year training academy designed to weed out anyone who wasn’t ready for the immense responsibility and challenge of being an on-sight time machine technician.

“Kate, how would you like to fix time machines?” Jack had said when she sat down in his office for the first time.

“Fix them?”

“Yes. Now and again, one of our scientists or researchers, or historians gets caught in time because, let’s face it. Machines are machines. We need people who know how to be invisible, people with no ties to the present, to stay in the field within the decade to which we assign them essentially making house calls to those who can’t make it home.”

“What are the risks?”

“Sometimes they run. They go rogue. We will assign you a cleanup crew. If they won’t accept detox here, we give it to them there and then send them home.”

“So I don’t have to do any of that?”

“Your job will be to fix the machines using materials and parts available in that time period. That’s it”

“um, I don’t know. I mean, it’s like my dream job, but I don’t know if I-“
“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“Excuse me?”

“We have been watching you for awhile Kate. That’s something you are going to have to get used to. Do you have a boyfriend that we don’t know about?”

Kate was taken aback by both the question and the revelation. She studied the man’s eyes to see if she could discern his need to know such personal information. “How do you know it’s boys that I go for?” She asked.

“Easy,” replied Jack. He reached into his desk, pulled out a folder, and handed it to her.

“What’s this?”

“Open it up and find out”

She opened the folder and gasped. She then turned to Jack. She was not amused. Her emerald eyes shot fire. Her throat tightened and her lips felt dry and hot. She wanted to scream. Instead, she whispered. “How dare you”

“Look… sweetie.” Kate cringed at the term sweetie coming from Jack Nylund. “We know everything about you. We know that you have nobody tying you down. We know you parents died in a car accident”. He pointed at the folder. “We even know who was driving. We know every guy you have dated. We know what time you take a crap in the morning, and in the end you are going to have to figure out that none of what we know matters. The only thing that matters is whether or not you are ready to take the plunge. Do you want to be a sight tech?”

Kate regarded the man carefully. Neither spoke for what seemed like hours. Finally Kate answered. “What exactly is involved?”

Before she knew it, Kate Bartley had closed her old life, submitted to all of the company’s health tests, and found herself sitting alone on a private plane as it made its way from Boston to New Mexico where Kate would begin her new life as “7”, her student number (of 68 students) Names were never shared at the Academy until after graduating. Only half of the class would make it through the rigorous program. The half who did not make it, would be subjected to hypnotic suggestion therapy which utilized special techniques that tricked the mind into thinking the entire affair had only been a dream and not the sort of dream anyone cares to repeat..

When Kate stepped off of the plane in New Mexico, a uniformed guard was there to greet her. “Welcome to Area 51 Ma’am”, he had said. Looking around, she was certain that the man was not kidding. The young woman was ushered into a waiting room where she sat alone to await the soon arrivals of her fellow students. She first laid eyes on Brian 5 minutes after her arrival at Area 51.

When the dark haired young man in his late 20’s walked into the room, Kate went flush. She hadn’t expected to see such a good looking guy taking on such a job. She had always regarded herself as plain, though others saw her much differently than she saw herself.

“Hi. I’m 4”, he said with a grin that unnerved her, momentarily.

“Aren’t most guys?” she replied playfully.

“I mean I-“

“I know what you meant. I’m 7”

“Nice to meet you 7. So I’m assuming you are here to help recover lost souls for J.E.S.A.S?” he joked.

Kate, who had been giving Brian a once over was shocked by the joke and embarrassed herself by snorting as she laughed.

“A snort?” he chortled. “Wow… I haven’t heard a girl snort like that in a long time. Wait until I tell the others”

“Don’t you dare”, she protested playfully.

From that moment on, the two were fast friends. Despite a mutual attraction, neither ever broke the company rules. Regulations strictly forbade on sight techs from dating. Stories true or not, were told of students caught and sent to opposite ends of time never to see each other again, left to fend for themselves, and knowing full well that they were being watched. If they ever told, they would “disappear”. Nobody wanted to “disappear”.

Kate and Brian spent as much time together as was feasible, but they always brought at least one friend along, usually Shelley, Bart, or Scott. They shared stories of their past. Brian had spent most of his early childhood in an orphanage and then was passed around through a number of abusive foster families until finally he ran away and lived on the streets.

A drug addict and a part time dealer, he was arrested in 2039 at age 17 and forced to join the military in lieu of jail time. He served for 10 years doing 4 tours of duty in Chad during the African Continental war, and was discharged from the military honorably, at which point he was ushered into Jack Nylund’s office for roughly the same conversation that Kate had endured.

Despite succeeding against all odds Brian had a tough time connecting with people, and was, much of the time quite melancholy. Still though, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to understand why Jack picked Brian. The man was part secret agent man and part philosopher. If one of his friends didn’t shut him up, he would never stop talking, constantly delivering long exposes regarding subject matter that most would never so much as consider no less discuss.

Kate loved Brian to her core and Brian returned that love, but both knew that they could never speak of it. When it came time in the third year of their training to choose a decade in which they would perform, it was Kate that chose to break from the group. She chose to work in the 1930’s. Brian and the others selected the 1960’s. Kate and Brian never discussed the reason for the choice, but Kate assumed Brian knew. She could no long be in such close contact with him without the freedom to express her love. Their love was the sort that everybody knew about, but which nobody dared talk about. So long as neither voiced their feelings, they remained safe.

Service in the company was limited to 25 years. Kate Surmised that in 25 years they could re-acquaint, reconnect, perhaps marry and take the company travel option. Unlike traditional travel options, company people were given the freedom not only to choose where they wanted to retire, but when. This was a privilege granted only to those who finished their full tour; 25 years of service.

It’s not that Kate and Brian would never see each other again. In fact, every Wednesday, on sight techs gathered in their own time period in order to meet, review training, turn in their previous week work orders, and gather new orders.

When they graduated from the academy in 2048 they never guessed how much they would miss each other. Now, 6 years later, Kate looked back on her the time at the academy fondly. She was startled from her memories of the past, by a tap on the shoulder.

“Scott needs to see you” the secretary whispered. “It’s about Brian”

Kate’s face went white. “Why? What’s wrong?”

“Come with me please,” the secretary replied.

“Why won’t you tell me what’s wrong?” Kate insisted.

“Because I don’t know what’s wrong,” replied the woman.

Kate followed the woman to the Elevator and pushed the button to the send her upward.

“Where am I go__“

“Mr. Nylund’s office”

Kate stepped into the elevator and dismissed her messenger.”I’ll take it from here”

When the elevator opened, Kate could barely walk for fear of what might have gone wrong to elicit a meeting in Jack Nylund’s office. When she walked in, Shelly, Scott and Bart whose lack of appearance downstairs in the meeting room now made sense, each made eye contact briefly and then turned their eyes away.

“Jack. What’s wrong? What’s happened with Brian?”

Jack turned and looked her in the eye.

“I’m sorry Kate. I know how you felt about him”

“Felt? What do you mean felt? What’s going on? Will someone please tell me what the hell has happened here?”

“He’s gone”

“Gone? Gone where? Gone when? What? Has he gone rogue or something? Brian would never do that. What do you mean?”

“I mean Gone. Suicide.”

For Kate the world slowed down. She stared at Jack, incredulous of what she had just heard. “But how could...No…it's not possible. There must be some sort of-“

“There is no mistake Kate. He did this. I don’t know why… none of us does… I’m sorry”

“Sorry?” She screamed. She paused as a flood of anger hit her. “You are lying. You did this. You killed him! Why? What did he ever do to you?" She started to cross the room toward jack when Scott stopped her.

“Settle down Kate” interjected Scott. “The company didn’t do it. This is not a disappearing act. He did this. Brian did this to himself”

Kate sobbed into Scott’s shoulder. Though he had spent most of 9 years 30 years away, Kate always felt that they would be together. At last, having recovered from the shock, she turned to Jack and said “I want to go back there. We can stop this.”

Tears welled into Jacks eyes. He was clearly moved. “You know we can’t do that Kate. You are not cleared for the 1960s”

“Then send one of them,” she replied gesturing toward the rest of Brian’s team.
“That’s against regulations”

“Screw your regulations. I don’t care about your regulations. We can save him. Go do it!”

Jack didn’t respond. “I want you to take a month off Kate. Go see America. Go see the coast. Something. But get away from the company for awhile.”

“I don’t want your sympathy damn it. I want you to fix this. Why won’t you just fix this?”

“I would if I could Kate. You know I can’t. Take the time off”

Kate didn’t take the time off when she left Jack’s office that day. She knew the rules and she knew the penalty for breaking them. She would remain in service and do as she was told.

19 years later in 2073, Kate Bartley retired from the 1930s and went to see a very elderly Jack Nylund.

“I hear you are retiring,” said the old man. “You know restrictions have been lifted. You could go another 15 years you know.”

“I know. I’ve made my choice”

“It’s a damn shame. You are a great tech” he replied.

“I’m done Jack”

“Have you given any thought of where or when you want to go?”

“Yes… Colorado, 1964”

Jack’s eyes registered the surprise he must have felt.
“Kate. You are not a young woman anymore”

“He won’t care”

He laughed. “Impetuous. That’s why I hired you”

“So you will authorize it then?”

“Not on your life. Make another choice”

“There are no other choices”

“Have you given any thought to 2022?”

“What’s in 2022?”

Jack paused.

“You go home and think about it. When you think of something else, I will be here. 1964 is however, out of the question.”

Kate had learned not to argue once she was sure Jack had made up his mind. She left his office angry that her plan had been rejected. Two nights later while having a bath; Kate connected the dots to 2022. She knew then that she could never be Brian’s lover. That ship had sailed. Nevertheless, the next morning at 9:15 a.m. a confident and happy Kate walked into Jack Nylund’s office, kissed the old man on the cheek and announced. “2022 it is. And you know where”

Jack patted her hand. “That’s a good girl he replied. That’s a good girl.”

2022, Wichita Kansas

Kate took a deep breath and walked up the steps to the waiting room where she announced herself. A few minutes later, Margaret Addison, the head of the Wichita Adoption Center entered the room with a little dark haired boy in tow, carrying a well worn teddy bear.

"This is Brian" said the woman "And Brian, this is Ms. Kate. She's the woman I told you about. Do you think maybe you would like to go live with Ms. Kate?"

The boy took stock of Kate and smiled a disarming grin. “Hi” he greeted her.”I’m 4”

“And I’m 7” Kate said with a smile.

The little boy giggled and showed the funny woman his bear. Kate had never been happier.

The Natural Order- by Sevastian Winters

noreply@blogger.com (Sevastian Winters) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:03:00 +0000

This story is also printed in "Bonfire Stories" a collection of 22 short stories by Sevastian Winters and 1 story by guest author Tamara L. Waters. To order your own copy of the book, click here

Enjoy the Story!

The Natural Order

To Dr. David Leadbetter
C/o Wellington Zoo, Wellington, NZ
From: Dr. Jane Hogarth, Director of Animal Habitat, Auckland Zoo. Auckland NZ

Dear Dr. Leadbetter,

Thank you for giving me audience. Your extensive work in the wild, with the native creatures of our land has lead me to believe that you might be able to provide answers for us in regards to two of our animals; Lulu, a two year old wallaby, rescued when her mother was killed by poachers, and a two year old Platypus called Oscar, who my predecessor rescued from a trap that resulted in taking one of his legs. The two were nursed together in our young animals’ enclosure, until the point that they reached an age of maturity. At that point we began to introduce them each to their own kind. It should be noted that until that point, the pair were inseparable. Indeed, if one were to be quite honest, I would say they had developed a sort of a friendship despite the extreme differences in their species.

When it became time to wean them, each to the enclosures of their species, where they could interact with their own kind, we found the animals to be uncooperative. We also observed some very odd behaviour. While Oscar quickly made friends among his fellow male platypuses, he had no interest in any of the females. As you know, during mating season, we allow some of our species the opportunity to choose partners, the platypus among them. While the other males took to the water to let the females know that they were interested, Oscar stayed on the shore and began to call out, as a young to its mother.

Lulu, on the other hand was difficult right from the start. We nearly had to sedate her in order to introduce her to fellow wallabies as she seemed very distraught over separation from Oscar. She took no interest whatever in her fellow wallabies and had to be removed as she was quite vicious to any who might approach her. She, like Oscar, called out as the young do for their mothers.

As you can expect, I made the decision that the two should be brought together and separated a number of times per day, thinking that they had developed, each of them a bond like mother and child, and that the rules of weaning the animals from their mothers would serve to solve the issues that made their development. I attempted to move along these lines with no success, surprised by their utter refusal to adapt.

A fortnight ago, I left my bag in my office when joining some mates at the pub after work. When I returned at about 8:00 pm to retrieve it, I looked into the animals’ shared enclosure and saw something most peculiar. Lulu had stretched herself to her full length as if waiting for Oscar to scratch her tail, as is the custom of male and female wallabies during mating.

Oscar seemed troubled by his enclosure mate’s odd behaviour, and went to investigate. Upon smelling her tail, Oscar ran immediately for the pond and began to swim, calling out as a male platypus is want to do when mating. I do believe the pair was trying to mate, something that you and I know to be impossible, and yet, there can be no denying that what I saw was a convoluted and unnatural mating dance.

At that point I immediately removed the animals from each other, feeling that I had misjudged their bond. I decided it would be best to separate them permanently and immediately. This met with disastrous results as both animals showed signs of distress refusing to eat or drink. After 4 days, to preserve their health, I have placed them back together, and they seem to be happy as if they had never been apart. That, sir, is why I have contacted you.

In your work with indigenous creatures, have you ever observed a similar pattern of behaviour? What would be your recommendation? Is it necessary to separate the two for the sake of tradition? Is there a chance that they could, despite the inability to create offspring together, live healthy together as companions and playmates? Any help that you might give me on this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Dr. Jane Hogarth
Auckland Zoo

To Dr. Jane Hogarth
C/o Auckland Zoo, Auckland, NZ
From: Dr. David Leadbetter, Chief Animal Behaviourist; Wellington Zoo. Wellington, NZ

Dear Dr. Hogarth,

Regarding your letter about the Wallaby Lulu and the Platypus Oscar, I must admit, I am quite perplexed. I must assure you that I have never seen such behaviour between these two species, and it is my considerable opinion that the behaviour is the result of a mishandling of the animals by your predecessor. They should have never been placed together, and doing so has created a most unnatural situation. Under no circumstances should you or the Auckland Zoo encourage the behaviour of these two animals. They must be removed from each other at once never again see each other lest they revert to such behaviour.

When humans presume to interfere with the natural order of animal husbandry by placing incompatible species together, even at a young age, disastrous results like this arise. At this point, the only way to restore natural order will be to separate the animals. You spoke of their great distress and unwillingness to eat or drink when apart, but surely as a doctor, you realize that animals are forever incapable of starving themselves completely on the basis of distress. They may lose weight, but neither animal will die as a result of choosing not to eat for a time.

When they are hungry enough, they will eat, and when thirsty enough, they will drink. At all costs, the natural order must be preserved. In the future, it would behoove the Auckland Zoo to be more mindful when allowing incompatible species to choose each other as companions.

I am forwarding a copy of this communication to the CEO of the Auckland Zoo, James Cornell to impress upon him the importance of maintaining the natural order when placing animals. Please write to me again upon the successful weaning of these incompatible species from each other so that I may know the creatures have been made safe.

Sincerely
Dr David Leadbetter
Wellington Zoo

To Dr. David Leadbetter
C/o Wellington Zoo, Wellington, NZ
From: Dr. Jane Hogarth, Director of Animal Habitat, Auckland Zoo. Auckland NZ
RE: Lulu the Wallaby and Oscar the Platypus

Dr. Doctor Leadbetter,

As per your recent suggestion that the animals in question would not starve themselves to death, I must admit that of the water you were correct. Lulu however was, this morning admitted to the Zoo’s hospital where she was fed intravenously due to a dangerous reduction in weight. Furthermore, I am quite satisfied that within only a couple of days, Oscar might also require that we feed him. Our plan to remove the animals from each other seems to be failing, and it is my opinion that we should place them back together until we can find a more suitable alternative. Are there any other options?

Sincerely
Dr Jane Hogarth
Wellington Zoo

To Dr. Jane Hogarth
C/o Auckland Zoo, Auckland, NZ
From: Dr. David Leadbetter, Chief Animal Behaviourist; Wellington Zoo. Wellington, NZ

Dear Dr. Hogarth,

I repeat my earlier statement. Under no circumstances should you place these animals together again. Doing so would undermine the work you have thus far accomplished in removing them. For the good of the animals, even if intravenous feeding is required for a time, they must be kept apart. You yourself have stated that the animals can never bear offspring together. As such it is an unnatural match and is therefore bad for the animals. Do no harm Doctor. That is our creed. Keep the faith. These animals can be cured of their unnatural and inexplicable bond.

One consideration before I terminate this message: Have you considered placing each animal with a suitable mate of their own kind? It could be that forcing them into a group setting where they are required to fit in with their peers could be contributing to their lack of interest in things other than each other.

Sincerely
Dr David Leadbetter
Wellington Zoo

To Dr. David Leadbetter
C/o Wellington Zoo, Wellington, NZ
From: Dr. Jane Hogarth, Director of Animal Habitat, Auckland Zoo. Auckland NZ
RE: Lulu the Wallaby and Oscar the Platypus

Dr. Doctor Leadbetter,

Per your suggestion that I should place Oscar and Lulu privately with suitable mates, I have attempted to do such with no success. Furthermore, until this morning I had been feeding both Lulu and Oscar Intravenously for nearly a month. The plan to wean them from each other has failed. This morning, however I made the decision to allow them access to each other, and a wonderful thing happened. Upon greeting each other excitedly, both animals ate hearty meals and have spent the day playing and napping together in the sun. While their relationship may defy what zoological science claims as natural, there can be no denying that in the case of Lulu the Wallaby and Oscar the platypus, their greatest chance for happiness lies in being each, the companion of the other. I am happy that this matter has been brought to a suitable conclusion despite an outcome that is different than originally expected. Good luck in your endeavours.

Sincerely
Dr Jane Hogarth
Wellington Zoo

To Dr. Jane Hogarth
From: James Cornell, CEO Auckland Zoo
RE: Mishandling of animals

Dear Dr. Hogarth,

After consulting with Dr. David Leadbetter of the Wellington Zoo, you were informed that Lulu the Wallaby and Oscar the Platypus were to be forever removed from each other a consultation to which I gave my own wholehearted support. In a phone call from Dr. Leadbetter this afternoon, I was however, informed that the animals have now been placed together again. The work heretofore accomplished has been for not, and the natural order has once again been defied.

I regret to inform you that your services at the Auckland Zoo will no longer be required. On my directive, the board has decided to terminate your employment due to mishandling of our animals. The bearer of this note will wait as you collect your belongings and depart from the premises. We regret that the matter required us to terminate your employment, but your mishandling of the animals in question has left us with no other choice. May you have better success in the future.

Sincerely,
James Cornell
CEO Auckland Zoo

A story on page 3 of the Auckland News Examiner:

Unexplained Starvation Deaths at Local Zoo
Zoo officials at the Auckland Zoo are struggling to explain the recent starvation death of two animals, Lulu the Wallaby and Oscar, a duck billed platypus. According to Zoo officials, Dr Jane Hogarth was recently fired from the Auckland Zoo for mishandling these two creatures. Despite attempts to feed them intravenously, both animals succumbed to starvation within minutes of each other. Authorities seek to question Dr Hogarth on the matter, but Dr. Hogarth has apparently fled to the United States on the presumption that she is seeking employment with yet another Zoo.

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