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Polyandrion - Ch. 5 Cont.
'Yes, Hi Bob. Hi Nathan. Come on in. As
you may know, I am new here and I need
a phone and what ever cable service you
can provide.' I said to both men.
'What kind of cable package do you offer?'
I asked.
Nathan just kinda tilted his head, as Bob
replied, 'We don't have no packages. Just
cable. It comes with 36 channels,
including 9 music channels.'
I wasn't gonna inquire anymore. This place
was strange and I didn't want any unneeded
attention. 'Thats fine', I said.
'Can you install the phone jack over here
by my chair and table?'
'Sure', Bob said. 'I just have to run an
extension from the jack that is already
here.' 'Lets see', Nathan mumbled to himself
as he walked away to find the old jack.
'Here it is!' Nathan exclaimed, standing
in the kitchen by the patio door, pointing
down at the jack about a foot up the wall.
'Well, Gentlemen. I shall let you do your
work, while I continue to hang these
blinds and curtains', I said out loud.
'You got it boss', Bob said.
I walked out of the room and into my
bedroom to finish with the new blind and
curtain.
A couple hours later I was sitting in my
chair, watching t.v. and enjoying the work
that had been done. Bob and Nathan were
pretty quick and did a good job, even
cleaning up their mess from drilling new
holes and such. I decided to have the
last couple shots of the Scotch I had
brought from the city, hoping I could
find some decent Scotch in this town.
As always, I put a couple ice cubes in
the glass, then filled it three quarters the
way up. Taking a drink, I let out a satisfied,
'Ah' as I set the glass down to get a few
more things done before morning.
All my clothes had been washed and
pressed when I left the city, so my
wardrobe was all set for now. I didn't
know if they had a cleaner business here
where I could get my blazers, shirts and
Dockers pressed. I'll have to check into
that, and if not, purchase a good iron and
ironing board.
I went over to one of my boxes labeled
desk, and opened it. I took all my pens,
clips, pencils, calculator, and all the other
odds and ends that one might use at a
desk, and assembled it in the top middle
drawer. I grabbed my binders and books
on accounting formulas and mathematical
procedures, and organized them into the
large cabinet in the desk.
I took all my lined and blank paper out of
the box and put it in the bottom drawer
on the right. I placed my 10 key adding
machine on the desk, and plugged it in.
With the new globe sitting on the left
corner, the clock on the right and my
weapons of number crunching precisely
laid out for use, The desk looked absolutely
marvelous.
I picked up the phone and dialed the
number for the exact time, to synchronize
my clock, and the alarm clock in the
bedroom. With no internet, my laptop P.C.
was a paper weight at this point. I can
keep records on it, and I have a few movies
on it as well as some music, but I will
no longer be able to use the programs I
would normally use in my field of work.
'The time is... 6:56 P.M. and 20 seconds...
BEEP. The time is... 6:56 P.M. and 30
seconds... BEEP'.
I hung up and picked up the clock,
moving the minute hand 6 minutes.
Not to bad. I had set the clocks forward
an hour when I got here to make up for the
time difference, and was only off 6
minutes. I walked back to the bedroom
and adjusted the minute hand on it as
well.
'There', I said to myself, satisfied with
all that had been done.
I really didn't feel like cooking, so I picked
up the phone book Bob left underneath
the phone, and looked for a Chinese
Noodle house that delivered.
Within a half hour I was feasting on Beef
Broccoli, A large portion of Chow Mein
with chicken, and some well made egg rolls.
A little expensive, but it was good. Probably
would have been better if I had gone in
to eat.
As I was throwing the empty cardboard
containers that the food had come in
away, Ted was approaching the back patio
door. I opened it and said, 'Good evening
Ted'. 'Yo man, everything all good over here?'
I said, 'Yes, thank you for letting me use
your phone earlier. I'd offer you a shot of
Scotch, but I am fresh out!'
'Eww man! I only drink beer', Ted said with
a repulsiveness in his tone. 'But I'm broke
right now'. Ted added.
'What do you do Ted... You know. What's
your occupation?' I asked, with genuine
curiosity.
Ted replied, 'right now I am unemployed
man, but I used to be a carpenter. There's
not much work right now man, and I
don't wanna move from my hometown,
so I'm drawing unemployment. It's o.k.
man, my aunt helps me with money when
I need it'.
A little surprised, I said, 'Oh? Is your aunt
wealthy?'
Ted kinda smiled and said 'Well yeah man.
She's married to the mayor!
'You wanna come in for a few Ted?' I asked,
stepping aside a bit.
'Sure man', Ted answered, stepping inside.
We both went into the living room and
sat down, I in my chair, and Ted in the
leather loveseat I had brought from the
city.
'Were you born here Ted?' I asked. 'Yeah',
Ted answered. 'Do you have a lot of
family here?' I asked with inquisitiveness.
'Not any more man'. My mom and dad
died in a car crash, and my sister passed
away a year later from some new form
of cancer that the doctors said they don't
know what caused. My aunt moved here
from Colorado to look after me, and two
years ago, she married the mayor'.
'My condolences Ted' I said with a
sympathetic tone.
'What's that mean, man?' Ted asked
looking at me with sadness in his eyes.
'It means, I'm sorry Ted'. I answered.
'Oh. It's not your fault man'. Ted said.
'Do you have any kids man?' Ted asked.
'No' I said. 'I guess I'm not the family type.
I don't have much luck with women', I
said.
'Yeah... Me either man', Ted said, as he
stood up.
I stood up as well, and said, 'Well, it's
nice chit chatting with you. I hope that
next time we can talk about more
pleasant things. Feel free to come over
any time Ted'. I said, as I gave him a
gentle pat on the right shoulder.
'Alright, thanks man', Ted said as he
stepped out into the fading light. I
flipped the switch for the outside patio
light, but it didn't come on.
'Hmmm', I said to myself. 'I gotta pick
up some lightbulbs'.
I closed and locked the patio door.
Went outside checked the Ford to make
sure it was all locked up. Came back in,
locked the front door behind me, and
made sure all the windows were locked.
I went to the bedroom, made sure my
alarm was set, brushed my teeth, changed,
and set my clothes out for morning.
I sat up for a bit and read a magazine
I like called, 'The Outdoorsman'. It has
a lot of good articles and pictures of
hikers and explorers, their tools, and
expertise in outdoor survival. I like to
go for long walks and do a bit of
exploring myself. I have already invested
in some necessary gear for outdoor
exploration and survival.
Water proof compass and fire starter.
Fold up shovel and wood axe. Water
filtration kit. Flares, Flashlights, fishing
hooks, Tent, sleeping bag, canvas and
tarps, rope, twine, trail mixes, dried meats,
and fruits. A small tin cookware set, with
water kettle, and a few other needed
accessories. All in one big waterproof
Explorers backpack. I sure would like
the solar power source I saw. Almost
$500.00. Totally worth it.
I set the magazine down, turned off the
bedstand light and faded off to sleep.

Chapter 6

I woke to the alarm, and a little surprised
at my uninterrupted slumber, shut it off.
Yawning, I went and turned the coffee
on. I went back to the bathroom and
brushed my teeth. Looking at myself in
the mirror, I notice my wavy brown hair
Is getting long. I usually keep it pretty
short and above the ears with an even
neckline in the back, but I have been so
busy this past month, my hair style
looks like that of a twenty-something
new-wave, emo guy. Finding my hair
scissors, I straightened out my light
brown bangs and cut a quarter inch
off. Running a comb down each side of
my head, I trimmed a little hair around
my ears the best I could, shaping the
hair to the contour of my ear.
I didn't dare try to cut the back of my
hair by myself. I know I would mess it
up. I grabbed the shaving cream, and
gave myself a quick shave. I do not
like facial hair. It is itchy and annoying,
plus, I don't grow facial hair in even
enough for it to look good. My facial
hair always grows in patchy, and my
mustache hairs curl and don't cooperate.
After a few minutes, I was in the shower.
I am only five foot, ten inches, and I
weigh one hundred sixty pounds wet.
I'm not fat nor skinny, and I don't have
a hairy body. I don't go out and tan...
No need, because my skin has a natural
slight brownish pigment to it from my
Native American heritage. It seemed to
dominate my European heritage,
consisting of some Italian, French and
German ancestory.
I am over one third Paiute Indian from
my mother's side. I can actually apply
for government benefits because of
my Indian heritage but I am a self made
man and will not accept handouts. Even
in the form of reparations.
After about 6 minutes, I was stepping
out of the shower and drying off.
I went to the bedroom and put on the
clothes I had placed out, and then put
my socks and shoes on. Back in the
bathroom, I combed my hair into place
and examined my cut. Not bad! I then
went into the kitchen for some coffee.
I drink coffee every morning. It seems
to help get the blood going and gives
my mind the perfect stimulation for
the mornings' usual stresses and
anxieties. I took my cup of coffee to
the living room, turned on the t.v. to
see what kind of morning news this
region had. I found one of the three
regional news channels, and tuned in
for a few minutes.
The usual political power struggle, how
to deal with terrorism, immigration and
the housing crunch. Warnings of a
financial depression, and racial tensions
in the suburbs and cities throught the
country.
I waited to see what they were going
to address locally, but the only towns
they spoke about, were the nearby towns
of the one I'm in. A regional weather report,
and that was it. Nothing about Polyandrion.
After about twenty minutes of insignificant
news and annoying commercials, I turned
the t.v. off and went to the kitchen to
pour my second cup of coffee.
I opened the curtains in the living room
and raised the blind on the patio door,
letting the mornings early light in.
I opened the kitchen picture window
curtain, raised the blind and stood there
gazing outside, sipping my coffee.
Not much to look at... A neglected fence
with a thin colored surface peeling off,
set back about thirteen feet from the
apartments back wall that stretched the
length of the complex. Just enough room
for a b.b.q., a couple of lawn chairs and
other patio essentials. There was a small
stretch of dieing grass, that looked like
it hadn't been watered all season.
The Arizona heat was hard on grass
anyway, and most folks use other things
to landscape their homes, due to the
amount of water it takes to maintain a
large piece of grass.
I went to the stove, turned the heat up
half way, put a slice of butter in the pan,
stuck two pieces of my favorite berry-
wheat bread in the toaster, and waited
for the pan to get hot.
I grabbed three brown eggs, cracked
them into the pan, careful not to break
the yolks because I love to scoop it up
with my bread.
Finishing my cup of coffee, and rinsing
the cup out real quick, I got some orange
juice out of the refrigerator and poured a
nice tall glass.
Turned the eggs over, slightly salt and
peppered them, and turned the stove off
after a few minutes.
I hadn't unpacked my dishes yet, so I
went to the living room where I had
stacked the boxes I needed to unpack.
There was only four left, and one of
them was clearly marked, 'Dishes'.
I opened the box and grabbed a plate.
I will wash them and put them away this
evening after work. I have a few more
things I want to pick up for the kitchen
anyway. I need some drawer liners,
another ice tray, a garlic press, a boiled
egg slicer, a new spatula set, a kitchen
clock, timer, pot holders, a cutting board,
and I want a new knife set to replace
this old dull set I have now.
My eggs done, I buttered my toast, put
everything on the plate I just washed,
and went to sit down with my orange
juice.
As I ate I surveyed the spot in front of
the kitchen picture window, and thought
about buying a small kitchen table and
two chairs for the spot. The apartment
was pretty wide. The patio door was
set more to the left of the back wall,
on the right of the picture window.
On the left of the patio door was the
beginning of a pastel yellow tiled counter
that spanned the rest of the back wall.
There was a double sink with a garbage
disposal, a chrome U shaped faucet
with a sprayer attached to a hose that
hooked to the main water intake.
Two cabinet doors underneath for access.
The interior wall started with the refrigerator
that opened from the right to left, a small
counter and set of drawers between a
gas four range stove and oven. Another
small counter and drawers on the other
side of the stove. Four outlets, one
under the sink for the garbage disposal,
one by the sink with the garbage disposal
switch, one on the right off the stove, and
one by the picture window.
I got done and washed my plate and
coffee cup, realizing I threw out the old
dish drainer. I dried them off and set
them on the counter by the sink.
I went to the bathroom one more time,
took care of my business, washed up,
made sure I didn't screw my hair up,
sprayed one spritz of the Polo cologne
I like, and went back into my bedroom.
Finding my belt, my wallet, and keys, I
finished the final adjustments to my
wardrobe including the notorious shiny
silver pen in the shirt pocket.
I walked to the front door after making
sure all the lights and the stove was off,
opened it, and stepped into the early
Monday morning Arizona air.
So now I've caught you up to the
beginning when I started this story.
What happens next will change my life
forever.

Chapter 7.

I walked around the Ford, inspecting
the tires, and then unlocked the driver's
door and climbed in. Turning over the
engine, I put it into reverse, backed out,
and I was on my way to work with
plenty of time to get there.
The County Administration building
was twelve miles away, and I could get
there in 10 minutes, easy.
I pulled off the road that the apartment
complex was on, and made a left down
the main highway, Highway 133 toward
the middle of town.
It wasn't quite 7:00 a.m. yet, and there
were very few cars on the road. I got
to town, hung a right on Elmberry Ave.
and passed most of the commercial
property, then I hung a right on 7th street,
and down to the administrative building
complex.
This seemed to be where all the county
buildings were. There is a post office.
A small police department. A fire
department. A courthouse. A county
maintenance yard full of official vehicles.
Down the road on the right is the County
Assessor's office, a welfare office and
unemployment offices. Across from
that is the School District Administrative
building, and another yard full of busses
and county official vehicles.
I saw one person walking the same
direction I was driving, thankfully,
I couldn't tell if they stared at me or not.
I found an empty space in front of the
office I will be working at, and shut the
engine off. I got out of my Ford, locked
the door and started toward the door that
said, 'County Assessor's Office'.
The door was locked. I tried to peer in,
but the office was all dark inside.
I thought to myself, 'I must be a little
early', as I walked back to the Ford and
unlocked the door, climbed in and closed
it. I Put the key in the ignition and turned
it to accessory. The clock said, 6:59 a.m.
I turned the radio on and turned the
tuning dial. After a few minutes of static,
talk radio, Spanish music and rap music,
I found a classic music station playing
Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor. I
put my head back on the head cushion
and closed my eyes, enjoying the rich
sounds of this classical piece.
Tap, tap, tap... I looked up at the
drivers window, and saw a man in his
fifties, peering in at me. His dark bushy
eye brows and thick mustache reminded
me of Groucho Marx.
I rolled down the window. 'Yes?' I
responded.
'James Robinson Jr?' The man asked.
'Thats me', I said turning the radio off
and rolling up the window as I opened
the door.
I stepped out, and the man shoved his
big fat hand my way, 'Alfred Timmons,
but you can call me Al'. The man said.
I shook his hand, 'Good morning Al,
nice to finally meet you'. I said.
'Likewise', Al said. 'Well, come on Mr.
Wizard... Let's get this party started',
He jokingly added, walking to the office
door. Putting his key in the lock, the
tumbler gave way as he opened the door
and turned on the lights.
He led me to a back section of the office
to a cluttered desk, filing cabinets, and
an old MacIntosh computer, that I
couldn't believe still existed, let alone
worked. I looked at it and said, 'Whats
with the fossil?'
'Oh, that thing? My kid likes to come
here sometimes and hang out with his
pops, and he plays old DOS games on
it. We'll move it for ya. Sorry about the
mess'.
I said, no problem. I will have it all ship
shape by the end of the day. Any of this
paperwork need filing?' I asked.
'Im not sure... You might wanna give it
a look over and see if it is current or if
it even applies to our office', Al said.
'Anna will be here soon and she will
help you get situated. She is the County
Clerk's Assistant', Al explained.
'Meanwhile, There is no pressure here.
Your job is to audit the county spending
versus local tax collections, government
relief packages and county revenue.
We need to prove to Uncle Sam we are
not mispending government funds.
We will have to audit all county payroll,
Workers Insurance, Parks and Recreation,
both the Police and Fire departments,
the School district and Library.
We have to assess the property value
of the county library and the other
county offices as well'. Al explained.
'Thats what I'm here for', I said, as a
young late twenty something, beautiful
woman walked in.
Turning to the woman, Al said, 'Ah,
Anna, just in time. Jim, I would like you
to meet Anna, our County Clerk's Assistant'.
Anna looked at me, eyes as blue as the
sea, and skin as smooth as silk.
'Hello Anna. It's nice to meet you'. I said,
trying my best to be professional.
'Nice to meet you as well. Welcome'.
Anna said in a voice as sweet as an angel.
'Excuse me gentlemen. I have to get this
office opened up. Coffee'? Anna asked?
'None for me, thank you', I said, trying
not to look to long at her.
My God what a beauty! I was shocked
at how instantly infatuated I was with
this woman. She was unlike anyone I
have seen here. She was unlike anyone I
have ever seen, period! Like a beautiful
shiny precious gem standing out from
the plain, colorless rock that surrounds it.
She was wearing a slender black midi
skirt that came to her knees, with a black
sweater that accentuated her perfectly
round breasts. She had slender hips, a
perfectly proportioned torso, and long
legs. Her stockings accented her elegant
calves, and the black ankle boots she
wore completed her captivating look.
Smooth, well manicured hands with
gloss red painted finger nails.
She had long wavy brownish amber hair
that cascaded down each side of her
petite, high cheek boned face and elegant
shoulders. It waved and curled down
past her shoulder blades to the middle
of her back.
She had a little bit of bangs, with most
of her hair drawn back with a small,
black, diamond studded burette.
Full, accentuated lips lightly covered in
a pink lipstick. Slender neck and shoulders
to her long arms, covered by the loose
sleeves of her sweater. She wore a
beautiful gold and diamond ring on her
right hand, third finger, but had no
ring on her left hand. A slender gold
necklace with a pendant consisting of
a heart accented her neck.
She is the most beautiful woman I
have ever seen!

{Continue}

© Michael W. Taylor